US crypto exchange whose EU business holds a MiCA licence from the Central Bank of Ireland.
- Headquarters
United States- Founded
- 2011
- Type
- Crypto platforms (MiCA)
- Licences on record
- 2 (2 European)
- Platforms
- Own platform
- Products
- Crypto, Futures
- Website
- kraken.com
Strengths
- Operating since 2011, one of the longest-running crypto exchanges
- MiCA licence via Ireland for EU clients
- Advanced order types and professional trading interface
Watch-outs
- Crypto derivatives and staking availability differs by jurisdiction
- Crypto-assets are not covered by compensation schemes
Overview
Kraken was founded in San Francisco in 2011. Its EU business holds a MiCA licence issued by the Central Bank of Ireland, allowing it to passport crypto services across the EU.
Our view
A mature exchange with a regulated EU footprint, suited to active crypto traders.
Licences on record
Brands often operate several companies. The one that onboards you depends on where you live, and that company's regulator decides your protection. Confirm the entity on the official register before you deposit.
| Regulator | Jurisdiction | Type | Check it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Bank of Ireland Central Bank of Ireland |  Ireland |
EU/EEA – passportable | Official register |
| FCA Financial Conduct Authority |  United Kingdom |
UK | Official register |
What protection would you get?
If you are a retail client of Kraken's European entity, these safeguards apply by law. Which one applies to you depends on the entity you sign with.
- Investor compensation: 90% of the loss, up to €20,000 per investor – Investor Compensation Company DAC (ICCL)
- Leverage for retail clients: capped at 30:1 on major currency pairs, down to 2:1 on crypto. Details
- Negative balance protection: you cannot lose more than the money in your account.
- Margin close-out: positions are closed when equity falls to 50% of required margin.
- Complaints: Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman
- Best forex brokers in Ireland
- Investor compensation: Up to £85,000 per person per firm for investments – Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS)
- Leverage for retail clients: capped at 30:1 on major currency pairs, down to 2:1 on crypto. Details
- Negative balance protection: you cannot lose more than the money in your account.
- Margin close-out: positions are closed when equity falls to 50% of required margin.
- Complaints: Financial Ombudsman Service
- Best forex brokers in United Kingdom
Verify Kraken yourself
- Find the exact company name in the footer of the website and in the client agreement you are asked to sign.
- Search that name on the register of the regulator listed for your country (links above). Make sure the register shows the same website domain.
- Check warning lists for look-alike names: IOSCO I-SCAN covers alerts from regulators worldwide.
- Never download remote-access software or move money because someone "from the broker" phoned you. How clone-firm scams work.
Protection Score breakdown
| Factor | Points |
|---|---|
| Holds at least one European licence (EU/EEA, UK or Swiss) | +40 |
| ESMA/FCA retail protections available (leverage caps, negative balance protection, compensation scheme) | +15 |
| Supervised in 2 strong jurisdictions | +4 |
| Operating for 15 years | +7 |
| Total | 66/100 |
The score measures structural protection from licences and corporate facts, not costs, service or platform quality. A high score does not mean a firm is right for you. Methodology.
Trader experiences
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About this data
Profile type: reviewed profile. Licence data is from our research and has not yet been re-checked against every register; confirm it on the official register before relying on it. Last updated 30 September 2026.
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