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Kraken vs KuCoin: Which is Better for Betting?

When comparing Kraken vs KuCoin, each exchange has its strengths in different areas. KuCoin excels in low trading fees and offers free trading bots, making it an attractive option for crypto sports betting enthusiasts.

At the same time, Kraken stands out with a wider selection of payment methods and the ability to stake cryptocurrencies and fiat currencies. So, the choice between the two will depend on your specific needs and preferences.

Table of content

Comparing Kraken and KuCoin

When choosing between Kraken and KuCoin, two popular cryptocurrency exchanges, there are several factors to consider: user base and user-friendliness, trading options, supported fiat currencies, trading fees, and security.

FAQ

⭐ What are Kraken and KuCoin?

Kraken and KuCoin are cryptocurrency exchanges where users can buy, sell and trade cryptocurrencies.

⭐ How Kraken works?

Kraken is a platform that facilitates the buying, selling, and trading of various digital currencies by connecting users. The platform offers tools and functions that enhance accessibility and security for cryptocurrency investing and trading.

⭐ Are Kraken and KuCoin safe and secure?

Both exchanges take security seriously, implementing measures like cold storage for funds and two-factor authentication (2FA) for account protection.

⭐ What are the fees on Kraken and KuCoin?

Kraken and KuCoin have different fee structures. Kraken uses a maker-taker fee model, while KuCoin offers various fee discounts based on trading volume and holding their native token, KCS.

⭐ Do Kraken and KuCoin have mobile apps?

Yes, both exchanges offer mobile apps for trading on the go, available on iOS and Android devices.

User Base and User-Friendliness:

KuCoin boasts a large user base of over 11 million users, while Kraken is a well-known US-based exchange. 

Regarding user-friendliness and the ability to withdraw fiat currency, Kraken takes the lead, making it a better choice for beginners.

Trading Options:

KuCoin offers a wider range of trading options for experienced traders, including margin trading, futures, and P2P markets. This makes KuCoin the preferred platform for traders seeking various trading options.

Supported Fiat Currencies:

Both exchanges offer various options for supported fiat currencies, including USD, EUR, GBP, and more. 

KuCoin, contrary to Kraken, does not allow fiat deposits, meaning users must pay for their cryptocurrency purchases at the time of the transaction. This incurs a fee of 3% to 5%, depending on the payment method. 

Kraken, as mentioned, allows fiat deposits, but there may be fees associated with certain currencies and deposit methods.

kraken-vs-kucoin

Trading Fees:

KuCoin has a significant advantage, with fees starting at just 0.1%. Additionally, users can enjoy a 20% discount on fees by using KuCoin’s own token, KCS. Further fee reductions are available for high-volume traders or those holding a large amount of KCS. 

Kraken’s spot trading fees start at 0.16% for makers and 0.26% for takers. There is also a 1.5% fee for using Kraken’s Instant Buy/Sell feature.

Security:

Both exchanges offer standard features such as 2FA and biometric security. 

However, KuCoin is ISO 27001 certified and utilises offline cold storage for added protection. This gives KuCoin an edge in terms of security measures.

Sum up:

Kraken is the better choice for beginners looking for user-friendly interfaces and the ability to withdraw fiat currency. 

KuCoin is the preferred platform by experienced traders who seek a wide range of trading options and low fees.

Users must consider their specific needs and preferences when choosing between these exchanges.

Also, you might be interested in our article where we compared Binance vs Coinbase.

Kraken vs Kucoin Fees Structures

Withdrawal Fees nauja

Both KuCoin and Kraken have their fee structures for withdrawing cryptocurrency.

KuCoin Kraken
KuCoin charges a flat withdrawal fee, depending on the specific coin being withdrawn.  Kraken charges fees for withdrawing fiat currency based on the chosen currency and withdrawal method. 
All fees you can find in a comprehensive list of fees of KuCoin’s cryptocurrencies and their corresponding withdrawals. Like KuCoin, Kraken also incurs a flat fee for cryptocurrency withdrawals, with the fee amount varying depending on the specific coin. You can find a full list of coins and their withdrawal fees on Kraken’s website

Trading Fees

When it comes to trading fees, there are some differences between KuCoin or Kraken.

KuCoin Kraken
KuCoin offers low trading fees of 0.1%. 

If you pay with their native KCS coin, the fees can be further reduced to 0.08%.

Kraken offers lower instant buy fees of around 1.5% for those looking to buy and hold crypto. This is compared to KuCoin’s 3-5% instant buy fees.

Payment Methods

KuCoin

KuCoin provides a wide range of payment methods to cater to users worldwide. They accept SEPA, Skrill, PayPal, Apple Pay, debit cards, credit cards, and cryptocurrency.

Kraken

Kraken also offers a diverse selection of payment methods. They accept bank transfers (ACH), Fedwire, SWIFT, wire transfers, Apple Pay, Google Pay, SEPA, debit/credit cards (excluding some countries like the USA), bank transfers (OSKO), PayID, FPS/BACS, CHAPS, SIC, and cryptocurrency. 

With a more extensive selection, Kraken emerges as the winner in this category.

Standout Features

KuCoin

KuCoin offers free trading bots that are easy to set up and can optimize your trading strategy. You have the flexibility to customize the rules your bot follows to execute trades automatically, even when you are not actively monitoring the market. 

Additionally, KuCoin showcases the most successful bots from other users, allowing you to copy their parameters for better results.

KuCoin also provides opportunities to grow your crypto investment within the exchange. Holding 6 or more KCS coins in your account can earn daily interest estimated at 22% APR. 

Furthermore, you can lend your crypto to other KuCoin users and earn interest based on your chosen coin, term (7, 14, or 28 days), and desired daily interest rate.

Kraken

Kraken offers the option to earn interest on your crypto holdings through staking. What sets Kraken apart is its ability to stake not only cryptocurrencies but also fiat currencies like USD and EUR, which are not commonly found on other crypto exchanges. 

Rewards from staking are paid twice a week, and you can compound future rewards to further grow your earnings.

Additionally, Kraken provides forex trading for crypto traders who want to explore this market without a separate account.

KuCoin: Feature-Rich Exchange

Free Trading Bots, Crypto Lending, and More

KuCoin, another well-known exchange, offers a variety of features to its users. It provides free trading bots, allowing traders to automate their strategies.

Additionally, KuCoin facilitates crypto lending, margin trading, futures trading, and a P2P marketplace with zero fees. These features make KuCoin a comprehensive platform for advanced traders.

kucoin-or-kraken

Security Measures and Hack Response

Both Kraken or KuCoin prioritize the security of user funds. KuCoin ensures safety through micro-withdrawal wallets, industry-level multilayer encryption, and dynamic multi-factor authentication.

Although KuCoin experienced a hack in 2020, it responded swiftly by recovering most of the stolen funds and compensating users through insurance.

Robust Security and Regulatory Compliance

Kraken implements robust security measures to protect user assets. It stores 95% of digital assets offline in geographically distributed cold storage and maintains servers in secure cages with 24/7 armed surveillance.

Additionally, being based in the USA, Kraken is regulated by FinCEN, which imposes stricter compliance and regulatory conditions.

Kraken: A Comprehensive Crypto Exchange

Low Trading Fees and Professional Interface

Kraken, a leading cryptocurrency exchange, offers a range of benefits to its users. One of its key advantages is its low trading fees, allowing users to save on costs. 

Also, Kraken provides a professional trading interface, making it easier for traders to navigate and execute their transactions.

Customer Support and Contact Options

Kraken stands out from other large crypto exchanges by prioritising customer support. It offers 24/7 Live Chat with real individuals, ensuring users can get assistance whenever needed. 

Moreover, Kraken provides options to contact their support team via phone or email ticket request, further enhancing the user experience.

kraken-or-kucoin

Minimum Orders and Base Currency

Kraken allows for minimum orders as low as 10 units of base currency. This flexibility enables users to trade in smaller quantities, catering to their specific trading needs.

User Base and User Experience

KuCoin’s Global User Base and Kraken’s Prominence in the USA

KuCoin boasts over 11 million users globally, showcasing its popularity among crypto traders worldwide. On the other hand, Kraken has established itself as a prominent exchange in the USA, catering to the needs of American traders.

Kraken: Beginner-Friendly with Wider Deposit Methods

Kraken is more suitable for beginners due to its wider range of deposit methods, allowing users to fund their accounts conveniently. Moreover, Kraken offers lower fees for purchasing crypto with fiat, making it more accessible for novice traders.

The exchange also adheres to stricter compliance standards, ensuring a secure and regulated trading environment.

KuCoin: Ideal for Experienced Traders with Lower Fees

KuCoin caters more to experienced crypto traders with its plethora of features and lower trading fees of 0.08% (if paid with KCS). 

However, users intending to purchase crypto directly using fiat may encounter higher fees. In such cases, buying crypto on other exchanges and transferring it to KuCoin for trading is advisable.

kucoin-market-overview

A Comparison of Mobile Apps and Security Measures

Kraken Android App vs KuCoin Android App

The KuCoin Android app and the Kraken Android app have received positive customer reviews. 

The Kraken app has a high rating of 4.2/5.0, while the KuCoin app has a slightly lower score of 4.0/5.0. 

These apps are responsive and well-suited for traders to place trades and monitor their holdings.

Usability

In terms of usability, Kraken emerges as the winner. 

While the KuCoin app offers everything a trader needs, it can be challenging to navigate due to limited screen space. Advanced traders may find it easier to use and appreciate the advanced trading tools, but beginners may feel overwhelmed.

On the contrary, Kraken offers multiple apps tailored to different users. The standard Kraken app is simple, while the Kraken Pro app offers more advanced trading features without overcrowding the home screen.

kraken-market

Security Measures

Both KuCoin and Kraken prioritize security measures to protect user funds and data. 

They both use end-to-end data encryption and store crypto assets in cold wallets. Also, both platforms offer Two-Factor Authentication (2FA), KYC identity verification, the ability to whitelist withdrawal addresses and keep the majority of crypto in offline cold storage.

However, KuCoin experienced a significant hack in September 2020, resulting in a loss of $275 million. While they recovered most of the funds and had insurance coverage for the remaining losses, this incident raised security concerns. 

Positively, Kraken has a proven track record of outstanding security measures and has been operating for over a decade without any major security breaches.

Conclusion

The choice between the KuCoin vs Kraken depends on the user’s investing goals and level of trading experience. 

Advanced traders may prefer KuCoin for its extensive coin selection, derivatives platform, and advanced trading tools. 

On the other hand, Kraken is a reliable exchange with strong security measures and a decent selection of coins, making it suitable for beginners and intermediate traders.

Yana Levkovich

Crypto Analyst

Yana is an expert with a deep understanding of cryptocurrency more than 7+ years. Covering everything from traditional technology to blockchain tech and decentralized finance (DeFi). Her expertise extends to tasks like white paper creation and tokenomics consultancy. She advises companies seeking success in the cryptocurrency industry, so sh ..
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