Kraken is a popular place to buy and trade crypto, but it isn’t the only choice. This article compares each leading Kraken alternative in plain language that anyone can follow. Read on to see which exchange checks the right boxes for your needs.
Top Kraken Alternatives
Exchange Best For Cryptocurrencies Listed* Fees (Maker / Taker)** ChangeNOW Fast, non-custodial swaps 1,500+ Built-in (≤ 0.5% effective spread) Binance Overall powerhouse 500+ 0.10 % / 0.10 % KuCoin Altcoin trading 750+ 0.10 % / 0.10 % Bybit Derivatives & competitions 730+ 0.10 % / 0.10 % MEXC Underrated altcoin hub 1,700+ 0 % / 0.05 % Gate.io Huge coin variety 2,000+ 0.20 % / 0.20 % (VIP 0)
* Counts reflect global listings as of mid-2025 and can vary by region.
** Standard tier (VIP 0) spot-market rates unless noted; many platforms offer volume- or token-based discounts.
Best Kraken Alternatives Reviewed
We looked at six key things that matter to everyday users: how many coins are listed, what the trading fees are, whether the exchange offers leverage or futures, how secure and transparent it is (like Proof-of-Reserves), how easy it is to use, and whether you can trade or earn from anywhere in the world.
Each platform on this list performs well in at least a few of these areas, making them strong Kraken alternatives for beginners and experienced traders.
ChangeNOW – Top Kraken Alternative for Quick, Non-Custodial Swaps
Founded in 2017, ChangeNOW is a non-custodial crypto platform that lets you swap over 1,500 assets across 110+ blockchains in roughly two minutes. Because funds never leave your wallet, you keep full control while the service hunts the best live rate. The service delivers 98 % of swaps at or better than the quoted price with slippage under 0.5 %.
Add 70+ fiat on-ramps, mobile apps, a Telegram bot, and round-the-clock support backed by a 4.5-star Trustpilot rating, and it’s an easy first stop for traders who just want quick, hassle-free conversions.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Truly non-custodial funds stay in your wallet
1,500+ coins with new tokens added weekly
Average completion under two minutes, 98 % at or above quoted rate
Low minimum (~$2) and no upper limits on swaps
24/7 live support and 4.5 Trustpilot score from 13k+ reviews
Cons
Swap-only service, no order-book or margin trading
A floating spread can widen in very volatile markets
Not available in sanctioned jurisdictions
Key Features
Non-custodial architecture; ChangeNOW never holds user funds
1,500+ assets & 70+ fiat currencies, updated weekly
Cross-chain swaps on 110+ networks
Real-time rate lock with <0.5 % slippage on 98 % of swaps
Fixed or floating quotes with full fee transparency
Permanent exchange address for repeat transactions
Mobile apps (iOS & Android) + Telegram bot for on-the-go swaps
5 million+ satisfied users worldwide and 24/7 human support
Binance – Best Kraken Alternative for All-Around Trading
With over 280 million users and 500+ listed cryptocurrencies, Binance remains the world’s biggest exchange, regularly clearing $200 billion-plus in combined spot + futures turnover on peak days. Base spot fees start at 0.10 % maker/taker (and drop further with BNB discounts or zero-fee BTC pairs), keeping costs lower than most mainstream venues.
Since a US$4.3 billion settlement with U.S. regulators in 2023, the platform has doubled down on transparency, publishing monthly Merkle-tree Proof-of-Reserves reports and expanding its global footprint with fresh licences, including a full VASP approval in Dubai (2024).
Pros & Cons
Pros
Deepest liquidity in crypto: 1,500+ trading pairs and industry-leading futures volume.
Low base fees (0.10 %), zero-fee BTC/TUSD pairs, and BNB discounts.
Wide product stack: spot, margin, futures (up to 125×), options, copy trading, Launchpad.
Monthly Proof-of-Reserves, on-chain wallets, and a $1 billion SAFU insurance fund.
20+ regulatory registrations worldwide, including France and Dubai.
Cons
Some features are unavailable in restricted regions (e.g., U.S. users must use Binance.US).
Steep learning curve for beginners due to feature overload.
Ongoing legal scrutiny after the 2023 settlement may worry risk-averse users.
Key Features
500+ coins & ~1,500 pairs across spot, margin, and convert desks.
125× leverage on select futures pairs and 10× on cross/isolated margin.
Copy Trading for spot and futures (launched 2024).
Monthly Proof-of-Reserves with Merkle-tree + ZK verification.
SAFU fund valued at ≈ $1 billion to cover extreme incidents.
Integrated earning tools (staking, Launchpool, dual
KuCoin – Ideal Choice for Exploring New Altcoins
Founded in 2017 and now boasting 41 million+ registered users, KuCoin is where many traders go when a brand-new token hits the market. It officially lists 1,057 cryptocurrencies and over 1,300 spot pairs, giving it one of the widest menus outside of Binance.
Base spot fees are a low 0.10 % maker/taker, and paying with the native KCS token knocks a further 20 % off every trade. Built-in grid & DCA bots plus a copy-trading suite launched in May 2025 automate strategies in a few taps, while futures traders can dial up to 100× leverage on major contracts.
A Hacken-audited Proof-of-Reserves snapshot (July 2025) showed BTC and ETH balances over-collateralised at 110 %. KuCoin now enforces mandatory KYC for new accounts, though it still blocks U.S. residents.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Huge selection: 750+ coins and 1,300+ pairs, with many listings days after launch.
Low base fees (0.10 %) plus 20 % KCS discount.
Built-in grid/DCA bots and the new copy-trading tool simplify automation.
Up to 100× leverage available on BTC and select alt-futures.
Third-party audited Proof-of-Reserves with 110 %+ collateral on major assets.
Cons
Geoblocked for U.S. users and still under legal scrutiny after a 2024 indictment.
2020 security breach ($280 M) still lingers in reputational memory, even though users were reimbursed.
Mandatory KYC may deter privacy-focused traders.
Key Features
1,057 listed coins & 1,300+ pairs for deep altcoin coverage.
0.10 % spot fees with an extra 20 % KCS discount for fee savings.
Grid, DCA & re-balance bots plus copy trading for hands-off strategies.
Futures up to 100× leverage with maker/taker fees from 0.02 % / 0.06 %.
Monthly Proof-of-Reserves reports audited by Hacken; July 2025 ratios BTC 110 %, ETH 110 %.
Spotlight launchpad offers early access to token sales such as PUMP and BOMB.
Bybit – Top Coinbase Alternative for Futures and Derivatives
Launched in 2018, Dubai-headquartered Bybit has rocketed past 70 million registered users and now ranks second globally by spot volume, offering ≈730 coins across 1,200+ markets. Its edge is derivatives: base spot fees sit at 0.10 % / 0.10 %, while futures start around 0.055 % taker / 0.02 % maker and stretch to 125× leverage on flagship contracts.
Monthly, Hacken-audited Proof-of-Reserves snapshots confirm 100 %+ asset backing, and the annual World Series of Trading (WSOT) dangles up to 8 million USDT in prizes, making Bybit a magnet for competitive traders.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Wide lineup: ~730 coins and 1,200+ pairs with deep liquidity.
Low fees for frequent traders, plus extra VIP / rebate tiers.
Up to 125× leverage on BTC, ETH, and popular alt-perps.
Monthly, publicly verifiable Proof-of-Reserves (Hacken audit).
Industry-leading WSOT competition (8 M USDT pool, July 2025).
Cons
Blocked in the United States and other “excluded jurisdictions.”
February 2025 hack ($1.5 B) shook confidence despite full reimbursement.
Regulatory fines in some EU markets (e.g., €2.25 M Dutch penalty, Oct 2024).
Key Features
Derivatives suite: perpetuals, futures, options, leveraged tokens.
Copy trading & automated bots plus MetaTrader 5 integration.
WSOT & seasonal challenges with multimillion-USDT prize pools.
Proof-of-Reserves dashboard (40 assets, BTC & ETH reserves > 100 %).
Integrated Web3 wallet and Bybit Card for everyday crypto spending.
MEXC – Best Kraken Alternative for Finding New and Trending Coins
Launched in 2018 and already trusted by 36 million-plus users, MEXC lists over 1,700 cryptocurrencies and 3,000+ trading pairs, making it one of the widest menus in the industry.
Spot trades cost 0 % maker / 0.05 % taker, and futures fees can drop to 0 % / 0.01 % on high-volume tiers, while leverage reaches up to 500× on selected perpetual contracts. A fresh “Proof of Trust” program launched in June 2025 pairs bi-monthly Proof-of-Reserves reports (showing 100 %+ backing) with a publicly visible $100 million Guardian Fund to cover extreme incidents.
Add optional KYC, lightning-fast listings (129 new tokens in March alone), and integrated copy-trading bots, and MEXC has become the go-to venue for traders chasing the next breakout coin.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Massive selection – 1,700+ coins and rapid new-token listings.
Zero-fee maker orders and low 0.05 % taker rate on spot.
Up to 500× leverage available on certain futures pairs.
Guardian Fund + bi-monthly Proof-of-Reserves for added safety.
Optional KYC (ID needed only for higher withdrawal limits).
Cons
No full operating licence in the U.S. or major EU markets.
High leverage can amplify liquidation risk for inexperienced traders.
Customer support can be slow during major token launches, per user reports.
Key Features
3 000+ assets & 3 000+ pairs covering large-caps, micro-caps, and newly launched tokens.
0 % maker / 0.05 % taker spot fees, MX-token discounts, and fee-free promos on select pairs.
Perpetual futures up to 500×, with tiered taker fees from 0.01 %.
Copy-trading & grid/DCA bots for automated strategies.
$100 M Guardian Fund and bi-monthly, Hacken-assisted Proof-of-Reserves (>100 % coverage).
Gate.io – Reliable Backup When You Can’t Find a Trading Pair Elsewhere
Now serving 30 million+ traders worldwide, Gate.io is best known for its sheer breadth: 2,172 listed cryptocurrencies and 2,662 trading pairs-more than most global venues. Standard spot fees start at 0.20 % maker / 0.20 % taker (VIP 0) and can be slashed by holding the native GT token. Futures traders can crank leverage up to 125× on flagship contracts, while monthly Merkle-tree Proof-of-Reserves reports show assets covered at 128 % with reserves exceeding US$10 billion.
Add the long-running Startup launchpad for early token sales, and Gate.io stands out as a versatile safety-net exchange when you can’t find a pair elsewhere.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Huge lineup: 2,000 + coins and 2,600 + pairs.
Competitive base fees with GT discounts and tiered VIP rebates.
Up to 125× leverage on BTC, ETH, and top alt-perpetuals.
Monthly, publicly verifiable Proof-of-Reserves; January 2025 surplus 128 %.
Active Startup launchpad and frequent airdrop campaigns.
Cons
Base 0.20 % fees are higher than Binance, OKX, or KuCoin at the entry tier.
Many products are geoblocked for U.S. residents and some EU jurisdictions.
A feature-rich interface can overwhelm beginners.
Key Features
2,172 coins / 2,662 pairs across spot, margin, and convert desks.
0.20 % maker/taker spot fees; GT offsets, coupons, and VIP levels offer lower costs.
Perpetual futures up to 125× leverage with tiered taker fees.
Merkle-tree & zk-SNARK Proof-of-Reserves dashboard, showing >100 % coverage each month.Startup launchpad for discounted token sales plus grid, copy-trading, and bot suites.
What to look for in a Kraken alternative?
Security & Proof-of-Reserves
Look for exchanges that publish frequent, verifiable reserve audits (e.g., Merkle-tree or zk proofs) and have a clean track record with no unreimbursed hacks.
Regulatory Status & Jurisdiction
An exchange regulated where you live is easier for tax reporting and dispute resolution. Check licences, registration numbers, and whether the platform serves your country.
Supported Coins & Networks
Make sure the platform lists the assets and blockchains you need-whether that’s major layer-1s, niche altcoins, or support for specific token standards and bridges.
Fee Structure Transparency
Read the fee page. Flat maker/taker rates, clearly stated spreads, and no hidden withdrawal charges usually beat complex tier systems that only reward very high volume.
Trading Products & Leverage Options
Confirm the maximum leverage, liquidation rules, and insurance funds if you plan on margin, futures, or options. Casual spot traders can ignore the pro bells and whistles.
Fiat On-/Off-Ramps
Direct bank transfers, card payments, and local e-wallets save time and fees compared to hopping through multiple services to top up or cash out.
User Experience & Mobile Apps
A clutter-free interface, snappy order execution, and well-rated iOS/Android apps make day-to-day trading smoother, especially when markets move fast.
Customer Support & Community Reputation
24/7 live chat, a responsive social-media team, and positive community reviews are good signs. Slow or scripted support can turn small hiccups into big headaches.
The Final Word
If you just need fast, wallet-to-wallet swaps without handing custody to an exchange, ChangeNOW is the most convenient all-round pick. Traders who want a full trading suite, deep liquidity, and the lowest everyday fees will feel at home on Binance, while OKX and Bybit are the go-to choices when high-leverage futures or options are on the menu.
Altcoin hunters can’t beat the early listings on KuCoin or MEXC, whereas Gate.io works well as a backup when a pair is difficult to find.
Match these strengths to your priorities-security, product range, fiat ramps-and you’ll land on the exchange that feels like home long after you leave Kraken behind.