Founded in 2011, Kraken is one of the largest and oldest bitcoin and crypto exchanges in the world.
The United States based company operates across Canada, Europe, and Japan and is seen as an industry leader in crypto security and regulation compliance.
Let's walk through the key questions to get started on Kraken.
What Exactly is Kraken?
The Kraken exchange offers trading between cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum as well as digital/fiat currency pairs such as BTC/USD and ETH/EUR. Available cryptocurrencies include Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash and Stellar among others. Kraken provides leverage and margin trading along with an OTC desk for high networth buyers.
Key features that set Kraken apart:
- Stores 95% of its cryptocurrency reserves offline
- Balances get audited in real-time
- Earned first crypto exchange license in Japan
In addition to individuals, the Kraken exchange serves institutional clients like hedge funds and family offices seeking to invest in digital assets. Its robust platform offerings cater to both casual retail traders and sophisticated investors with tools like staking, futures contracts and an application programming interface (API) for automated options trading.
What Can You Trade on Kraken?
You can easily get started on Kraken trading cryptocurrency on the platform by exchanging national currencies including USD, EUR and CAD directly for top cryptos like BTC and ETH. Seasoned traders may instead exchange one virtual currency pairing like Bitcoin to Ethereum tracking spread differentials.
Worth Noting for Beginners
When researching the Kraken exchange further, a few helpful areas we recommend you review are:
- Security infrastructure
- Staking services
- Promotions and rewards
Overall, the crypto exchange makes the ideal launchpad for anyone entering crypto markets. Get get started on Kraken and begin your journey today.