Kraken Expands Trading & Services: Is It 2025's Go-To Platform?

Kraken continues to push forward in the crypto industry with its latest Kraken trading expansion. The platform has announced several key updates, including the addition of Cyber ($CYBER) and Velodrome ($VELO) cryptocurrencies, the approval of its Kraken MiFID license in the EU, the reintroduction of Kraken staking in the US, and the launch of Kraken Pay for crypto payments.

These advancements reinforce Kraken’s position as a top-tier exchange, providing traders with diverse options and improved services.

Trade Cyber (CYBER) & Velodrome (VELO) now on Kraken

Kraken has expanded its new crypto listings with Cyber and Velodrome, two promising assets.

Cyber (CYBER) is a decentralized blockchain optimized for social applications. It offers native account abstraction and seedless wallets, as well as high transactions per second (TPS), low costs, and ETH staking security.

Velodrome (VELO) is the first MetaDEX DeFi protocol to provide low-fee swaps, rewards for liquidity providers, and on-chain governance. It distributes 100% of fees to users, and it was built without VC funding or token sales, meaning there shouldn’t be sell pressure, which is typically attributed to VC-funded projects.

These assets are now available for trading on Kraken, with multiple trading pairs supporting them.

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MiFID license secured – Kraken strengthens regulatory standing in the EU

Kraken has secured a MiFID license in the EU by acquiring a Cypriot Investment Firm recently approved by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC). The license enables Kraken to offer fully compliant and regulated derivatives products to advanced crypto traders in select EU markets.

Over the coming months, Kraken will work to meet the necessary conditions to launch these new offerings in local EU markets. As one of the most active regions for crypto derivatives trading, Europe remains a key focus area, and this milestone aligns with Kraken’s broader strategy to expand its services for sophisticated investors.

With this approval, European users benefit from increased investor protection through regulated trading practices, expanded trading options, including futures and staking, and greater compliance with EU financial laws, reinforcing Kraken’s trustworthiness.

Kraken expands US crypto services with new staking feature

Kraken has launched a new staking product for US traders in 37 states and 2 territories, and it plans to expand access as regulations permit.

Eligible clients can now stake select cryptocurrencies via Kraken Pro, utilizing bonded staking, which locks assets to the network for a designated period. Kraken delegates these assets to validators responsible for transaction validation and block production, passing back rewards to users after fees.

Users can stake 17 assets, including ETH, SOL, DOT, and ADA, with restaking integrations also available where permitted. For the full list of supported states and further details, visit Kraken’s staking homepage.

Kraken Pay transforms crypto payments – fast, secure, and free transfers

Moving money should be as simple, fast, and cost-effective as sending a message. With Kraken Pay, users can now send funds to anyone, anywhere, using over 300 fiat and crypto assets directly from their Kraken account. Transactions are instant and free, making global payments seamless and efficient.

Kraken Pay simplifies the process by allowing users to select an asset from their account and choose the asset their recipient wants to receive. Kraken handles the conversion and transfer in one step. Payments can be sent using pay links, secure URLs shared through messaging apps like SMS or WhatsApp. Recipients simply click the link to accept the funds.

For an even more personalized experience, Kraken Pay introduces @Kraktags, a unique user identifier that allows friends and family to send payments without needing full bank details. Users can customize their @Kraktag, making it easier to receive payments securely.

Kraken Pay is available now, offering an effortless way to move money globally.

Top reasons Kraken stands out as a leading crypto exchange

Kraken distinguishes itself among cryptocurrency exchanges through its commitment to security, regulatory compliance, and user satisfaction. Operating in over 190 countries, Kraken serves more than 10 million clients, facilitating a quarterly trading volume exceeding $207 billion.

The platform offers a comprehensive suite of trading options, including spot trading, futures, margin trading, and staking, catering to novice and professional traders. Users can access these services via the intuitive Kraken Pro interface or the user-friendly mobile app, ensuring a seamless trading experience.

Kraken’s dedication to industry-leading security measures, deep liquidity, and 24/7 customer support makes it a trusted and reliable choice for cryptocurrency enthusiasts worldwide.

A quick how-to-start guide for new users

Getting started on Kraken is straightforward. Here’s how:

Step 1: Visit Kraken and select “Sign Up” at the top of the page.

Step 2: Provide an email address and a strong password. Also, select your country of residence, and tick the agree box. Select “Create account”.

Step 3: You will receive a confirmation email with an activation key. Follow the instructions to activate your account.

Step 4: Once your account is active, secure it with 2FA and Passkeys. You can also set up a Master Key for increased security.

Step 5: Verify your ID by clicking the “Verify identity” button on the home page.

Step 6: Enter your details in the form and select “Continue”. Due to regulation requirements in certain locations, Kraken may ask for additional information about your income.

Step 7: Upload a government identity document, such as a passport, national ID, driver’s license, or residency permit. Once verified, Kraken will notify you.

Step 8: Fund your account by depositing cryptocurrencies, by purchasing with a card, or use a wide range of fiat currencies to make a deposit. Select the option you want and follow the instructions.

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How to use margin trading on Kraken to maximize your positions

Margin trading on Kraken allows traders to increase their exposure to cryptocurrency markets by using leverage up to 5x. This enables the purchase or sale of assets exceeding their account balance.

This feature is available across more than 100 margin-enabled markets, providing flexibility to long and short positions. Unlike futures trading, spot margin trading on Kraken involves buying or selling underlying assets, not merely financial contracts.

To initiate a margin trade on Kraken, users should select the “Margin” tab within the trading interface and complete the order form as they would for a standard spot trade. The account must have a sufficient balance of at least one collateral currency to support the margin position.

Kraken offers stable and predictable fees for margin trading, with opening fees ranging between 0.01% and 0.02%, depending on the trading pair. Additionally, a rollover fee of the same amount is charged every four hours for as long as the position remains open. This transparent fee structure allows traders to calculate and anticipate their trading costs accurately, enhancing strategic planning and risk management.

How to trade crypto futures with leverage

Kraken offers a comprehensive futures trading platform, enabling users to trade over 300 perpetual futures contracts across various cryptocurrencies. By allowing for long and short positions, Kraken provides opportunities to profit from market movements in either direction.

The platform is designed to cater to novice and experienced traders, offering a user-friendly interface and advanced trading tools.

One of the standout features of Kraken’s futures trading is the availability of leverage, which enables traders to amplify their exposure to the market. This means that users can control a larger position with a relatively small amount of collateral, potentially increasing their returns.

However, while leverage can magnify gains, it also increases the potential for losses. Kraken emphasizes responsible trading and provides educational resources to help users understand the complexities of leveraged trading.

To enhance trading efficiency, Kraken has introduced a multi-collateral futures wallet. This feature allows users to manage all their positions using various collateral types without transferring funds between wallets.
For instance, a trader can open a position on a BTC/USD contract using USDT as collateral and choose to convert any profits into Bitcoin. This flexibility streamlines the trading process and offers greater control over one’s portfolio.

Additionally, Kraken offers competitive fee structures, with taker fees as low as 0.01%, making it an attractive option for traders seeking cost-effective solutions.

Download Kraken mobile apps

Kraken offers three mobile apps: Kraken, Kraken Pro, and Kraken Wallet.

The Kraken app lets users quickly buy, sell, or trade cryptocurrencies using custom orders. Users can also buy crypto with a card.

The Kraken Pro app offers the same features as the Kraken app but adds advanced trading charts and stake options.

The Kraken Wallet is a non-custodial wallet that allows users to connect seamlessly to Web3 and DeFi apps and store various cryptocurrencies and NFTs in one place. Depending on your needs, you can download one Kraken app, or all three.

Kraken sets the standard in crypto trading

With the Kraken expansion, the exchange has introduced Cyber and Velodrome trading, secured a MiFID license for the EU, relaunched staking in the USA, and launched Kraken Pay. These updates further solidify Kraken’s position as a top crypto exchange that caters to traders worldwide.

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