Cryptocurrency brokerage platforms
Broker Review
Kraken
Established in 2011, Kraken combines an exchange, OTC desk, staking and professional trading tools with a long operating history. Ownership or founding is associated with Jesse Powell, Thanh Luu and Michael Gronager, which also shapes the product’s technology and distribution. It should be evaluated on the precise legal entity serving the customer, not only the consumer brand. The company is privately held or not separately listed, so no public market capitalization is available.
Strengths
- Combines an exchange, OTC desk, staking and professional trading tools with a long operating history
Drawbacks
- At Kraken, asset availability, custody structure, spreads and legal protections differ by state and do not match ordinary securities-account rules
Profile
What you can trade
Spot cryptocurrencies, staking, OTC services, advanced order types and regulated derivatives where the customer’s jurisdiction permits.
Account types
Individual crypto account; institutional, business, custody or retirement access is available only through selected entities and is not equivalent to a SIPC brokerage account. The registration structure reflects the fact that the service combines an exchange, OTC desk, staking and professional trading tools with a long operating history.
Platform
Kraken app, Kraken Pro, web trading, OTC desk and APIs. The resulting workflow is tailored to a business that combines an exchange, OTC desk, staking and professional trading tools with a long operating history.
Who it suits
Best suited to Kraken customers whose principal requirement is the capability described in this profile, rather than investors choosing a broker only because of a zero-commission headline.
Where it is offered
Kraken accepts eligible U.S. customers subject to state-by-state product licensing and also operates internationally through separate affiliates. A foreign version of the platform should not be assumed to offer the same products or safeguards.
Regulation and sources
Official website: https://kraken.com/ Regulatory status should be verified through FINRA BrokerCheck, SEC/IAPD, NFA BASIC, state regulators or applicable alternative-asset disclosures. Last verified: 2026-08-11.