Which exchange has more coins — Coinbase or Kraken?

Coinbase supports 250+ cryptocurrencies as of 2026, while Kraken says it now lists 600+. Kraken now has the larger selection by its own count. Both support all major cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and most top-100 coins.

Does Coinbase or Kraken offer staking rewards?

Both Coinbase and Kraken offer crypto staking rewards. Kraken has historically offered higher staking rates and supports more proof-of-stake assets for staking. Coinbase offers staking for Ethereum, Solana, ADA, and others but staking availability varies by US state due to regulatory requirements. Always verify current staking rates and availability on each platform as these change frequently.

Crypto · Exchange Comparison

Coinbase vs Kraken (2026): Which Crypto Exchange Is Better?

Q: Is Coinbase or Kraken better for beginners?

Coinbase is better for beginners. Its interface is simpler, onboarding is faster, and the Coinbase app is more intuitive for first-time crypto buyers. Kraken's Pro interface has a steeper learning curve but is well-suited for traders who want lower fees and more advanced tools.

Q: Does Kraken have lower fees than Coinbase?

Not at the entry level anymore. Kraken Pro's lowest tier now charges 0.40% maker and 0.80% taker, versus up to 0.40% maker and 0.60% taker on Coinbase Advanced. Kraken's fees fall with volume or assets held, down to 0.00% maker and 0.05% taker at the top tier, and both pro platforms are far cheaper than either company's simple buy screen. Coinbase One ($29.99/month) removes all Coinbase trading fees and can be cost-effective for active traders.

📅 Updated November 2026 ⏱ 8 min read ✍️ By Mike Van Kempen

Coinbase and Kraken are the two most trusted crypto exchanges for US investors — both regulated, both with strong security track records, and both supporting hundreds of cryptocurrencies. But they're built for different types of investors. Coinbase is the most beginner-friendly crypto exchange in the world. Kraken is the go-to for experienced traders who want lower fees and professional-grade tools.

250+Coinbase Coins

600+Kraken Coins

0.5–1.5%Coinbase Simple Fees

0.40%Kraken Pro Maker Fee

4.6/5Coinbase Rating

13 yrsKraken Track Record

Quick Verdict: Coinbase vs Kraken

Choose Coinbase if you're new to crypto, want the safest and easiest way to buy Bitcoin or Ethereum, or prioritize a clean mobile app and regulatory clarity. Coinbase is publicly traded on Nasdaq and FDIC-insures USD balances up to $250,000.

Choose Kraken if you're an experienced trader who wants lower fees, advanced charting tools via Kraken Pro, more staking options, or access to futures and margin trading. Kraken Pro's entry-tier fees (0.40% maker, 0.80% taker) are well below either company's simple buy screen, and they fall as your volume or balance grows.

⭐ Our Take

Beginners: start with Coinbase. The interface is polished, onboarding takes 10 minutes, and you'll never be confused about what you're buying. Active traders: switch to Kraken Pro. The fee savings alone make it worthwhile once you're trading regularly — Kraken's maker fees are several times lower than Coinbase's simple buy interface. Many serious crypto investors use both.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature	Coinbase	Kraken
Coins Available	250+	600+ Kraken wins
Simple Buy Fee	0.5–1.5%	1% + spread (Kraken app)
Pro/Advanced Fee (Maker)	0.00–0.40% (Adv. Trade)	0.40% → 0.00% (Kraken Pro)
Pro/Advanced Fee (Taker)	0.05–0.60% (Adv. Trade)	0.80% → 0.05% (Kraken Pro)
Zero-Fee Subscription	Coinbase One: $29.99/mo	None
Staking	✓ (varies by state)	✓ More options Kraken wins
Futures Trading	Limited (US regulated)	✓ Kraken Futures
Margin Trading	✗	✓ Up to 5x
FDIC Insurance (USD)	✓ $250k	✗
Cold Storage	✓ 98%+ offline	✓ 95%+ offline
Publicly Traded	✓ Nasdaq: COIN	✗ Private
US Regulatory Status	Strong — FinCEN registered	Strong — FinCEN registered
Mobile App Quality	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Coinbase wins	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Best For	Beginners, US investors	Active traders, low fees

Coinbase Review: Best for Beginners

Founded in 2012, Coinbase was the exchange that brought crypto to mainstream America. It became the first major crypto company to go public on a US stock exchange (Nasdaq, 2021), a milestone that significantly boosted its regulatory credibility. Today, Coinbase is the default choice for anyone buying their first Bitcoin or Ethereum — the interface is clean, the process is clear, and the regulatory standing is strong.

What Coinbase does best

Easiest onboarding — create an account and buy your first crypto in under 15 minutes. ID verification is fast and the interface removes all crypto complexity.
FDIC-insured USD balances — cash held on Coinbase in USD is FDIC-insured up to $250,000. No other major exchange offers this for US customers.
250+ coins — a broad coin selection, with new listings added regularly.
Coinbase One ($29.99/month) — removes all trading fees. For investors who trade more than ~$6,000/month, this subscription pays for itself in fee savings.
Coinbase Advanced Trade — the built-in professional trading interface with lower fees (up to 0.00% maker on high volume) without needing a separate account.
Publicly traded — Coinbase (COIN) trades on Nasdaq, providing a level of financial transparency and regulatory accountability not available with private exchanges.

Coinbase drawbacks

Simple buy fees (0.5–1.5%) are high — experienced traders should use Coinbase Advanced Trade for lower rates.
Staking availability varies by US state due to ongoing regulatory uncertainty around staking-as-a-service.
No margin trading for US retail customers.

Kraken Review: Best for Advanced Traders

Founded in 2011, Kraken is one of the oldest crypto exchanges still operating and has never suffered a major security breach in over 13 years — a remarkable track record in an industry plagued by hacks. Kraken Pro (formerly Kraken's advanced trading interface) offers professional-grade charting, order types, and maker fees that start at 0.40% and drop to 0.00% for the highest-volume traders.

What Kraken does best

Volume-based fees via Kraken Pro — starting at 0.40% maker / 0.80% taker and dropping as volume or assets held increase. For high-volume traders, Kraken is far cheaper than Coinbase's standard interface.
13+ year security track record — no major hacks in over a decade of operation. Kraken stores 95%+ of assets in offline cold storage with geographically distributed redundancy.
Broader staking options — Kraken supports staking for more proof-of-stake assets and has historically offered higher staking APYs than Coinbase.
Futures trading — Kraken offers crypto futures for qualified US clients, enabling hedging and leveraged exposure.
Margin trading (up to 5x) — available for experienced traders on select cryptocurrency pairs.
SOC 2 certified — Kraken holds a SOC 2 Type 2 certification for security controls, demonstrating third-party verification of its security practices.

Kraken drawbacks

Higher entry-tier taker fee than Coinbase Advanced (0.80% vs up to 0.60%).
No FDIC insurance on USD balances.
Customer support response times can be slow during high-volume periods.

Ready to Buy Crypto?

Both exchanges are free to join. Coinbase is easiest for beginners; Kraken offers volume-based fees for active traders.

Get Started with Coinbase Get Started with Kraken

Sources

Data sources and references cited on this page:

FDIC — Deposit Insurance

Compiled and reviewed by Mike Van Kempen. See how we research and score.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Coinbase or Kraken better for beginners?▼

Coinbase is better for beginners. Its interface is cleaner and more intuitive, onboarding takes about 10 minutes, and the buying process is more straightforward. Coinbase also FDIC-insures USD balances up to $250,000, adding an extra layer of security. Kraken's Pro interface has more features but requires more knowledge to navigate effectively.

Does Kraken have lower fees than Coinbase?▼

Not at the entry level anymore. Coinbase's simple buy interface charges 0.5–1.5% per transaction. Kraken Pro's lowest tier now charges 0.40% maker and 0.80% taker, versus up to 0.40% maker and 0.60% taker on Coinbase Advanced; Kraken's fees then fall with volume or assets held, down to 0.00% maker and 0.05% taker. However, Coinbase Advanced Trade (the professional interface built into Coinbase) also offers competitive rates starting at 0.00% maker for certain volume tiers. Coinbase One ($29.99/month) removes all fees entirely.

Which exchange has more cryptocurrencies?▼

Coinbase supports 250+ cryptocurrencies as of 2026, while Kraken says it now lists 600+. Coinbase generally lists new tokens more quickly, particularly for smaller and mid-cap projects. Both support all major cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL), and most top-100 coins by market cap.

Is Coinbase or Kraken safer?▼

Both are among the safest crypto exchanges for US customers. Coinbase is publicly traded on Nasdaq (COIN), FDIC-insures USD balances, and stores 98%+ of crypto in offline cold storage. Kraken has operated for 13+ years without a major security breach, is SOC 2 certified, stores 95%+ of assets offline, and maintains geographically distributed redundancy. For USD balance protection, Coinbase's FDIC insurance gives it a practical edge. For crypto asset security, both are comparably safe.

Can I use both Coinbase and Kraken?▼

Yes. Many experienced crypto investors use Coinbase as their primary holding account (for its FDIC insurance and ease of use) and Kraken Pro for active trading (for its lower fees). There's no conflict in maintaining accounts at both exchanges. Diversifying across exchanges also reduces single-exchange risk.