Kraken has operated since 2011 — making it one of the oldest and most battle-tested crypto exchanges in the world. For Canadian investors, it’s consistently our top recommendation. Here’s why.
Kraken at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
| Founded | 2011 — 15 years without major exchange hack |
| Headquarters | San Francisco, CA |
| Canada status | Registered with FINTRAC — fully legal in all provinces |
| Coins supported | 200+ including Bitcoin, Ethereum, stablecoins, and altcoins |
| Trading fees | 0.16% maker / 0.26% taker (Kraken Pro), higher on basic |
| Staking | Available for ETH, DOT, SOL, ADA, and more (~3–7% APY depending on asset) |
| Fiat support | CAD, USD, EUR, GBP, JPY, AUD and more |
| NFTs | NFT marketplace available |
| Insurance | Majority of assets in cold storage |
Fees — The Full Picture
Basic buy/sell: 1.5% (avoid this — high). Kraken Pro: 0.16–0.26% (use this always). Kraken Pro is a free account feature, not a paid upgrade. Always use Pro for any trade over $100.
Security — Why Kraken Leads
- 100% of customer funds in cold storage (offline)
- Bug bounty program — rewards security researchers who find vulnerabilities
- Never had a major exchange hack in 15 years of operation
- Mandatory 2FA on all accounts
- Proof of reserves — independently verified
Staking on Kraken
Kraken offers on-chain staking for ETH (~3.5%), DOT (~10%), and other assets. Also offers “off-chain staking” for simpler yield — lower rates but instant access. Canadian users have access to staking for most assets.
| AFFILIATE LINK PLACEMENTS
Kraken 20% lifetime on trading fees — Throughout article — multiple placements. Final CTA at end. |
Verdict
Kraken is our top pick for Canadian crypto investors: strong security history, competitive fees on Kraken Pro, full FINTRAC registration, and excellent coin selection. The only weakness is the basic interface fees — always use Kraken Pro.
| Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. All investments carry risk. Please consult a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. |