Before we dive into the detailed analysis, here’s a comparison of Kraken and Bitget that shows the most important information about both platforms at a glance.
Kraken
Bitget
Overview of Kraken
Kraken was founded in 2011, when Bitcoin was just beginning to gain traction, and has built its reputation on three pillars: security, transparency, and professional trading tools. It serves more than 15 million customers in over 190 countries and allows users to trade more than 500 cryptocurrencies.
Its ecosystem includes direct purchase, spot trading, margin trading, futures, staking, and institutional services, with regulatory presence in various jurisdictions: In the United States, it operates under state registrations and licenses, and in Europe, it has held a MiCA authorization from the Central Bank of Ireland since 2025, valid in all 30 EEA countries.
Pros
More than a decade without any known breaches in its custodial wallets
MiCA License Fully Operational in All 30 EEA Countries
More than 500 cryptocurrencies and 1,400 spot trading pairs
Periodic and verifiable proof of reserves, published since 2014
Cons
High initial fees: 0.25 % maker / 0.40 % taker on Kraken Pro
Instant purchase with a commission of 1 % plus the spread
Steep learning curve in Kraken Pro for inexperienced users
No specific guarantee fund for cryptoassets, unlike other exchanges that do offer one
The difference in fees compared to cheaper exchanges is not negligible: for a user who trades several thousand euros or dollars a month, it can amount to a real difference of thousands of currency units a year. Compared to exchanges like Bitget, which start with lower fees, Kraken offsets that premium with more than a decade without security breaches and the legal certainty of operating under MiCA throughout the EU. View full Kraken review
Who is Kraken for? For users looking for a well-established exchange with a regulatory presence in multiple jurisdictions and tools capable of supporting them from their first purchase through to advanced trading.
Bitget Overview
Bitget was founded in 2018 and has built its business model around active trading: copy trading, futures, and automated investment bots, with over 120 million reported users and a presence in more than 150 countries. Its business model is evolving toward what the company itself calls the “Universal Exchange,” adding stocks, gold, and forex to its crypto offerings.
Pros
Spot from 0.10 % and futures from 0.02 % maker
Copy trading integrated into spot and futures trading
More than 800 cryptocurrencies and a wide range of markets
Bitget Earn, bots, and a self-custody wallet
Cons
MiCA authorization is still pending as of August 2026
The sheer number of products can be overwhelming for beginners
Futures and leverage greatly increase risk
Some services are not available in all regions
Bitget has become a leader in crypto copy trading, allowing users to view other traders’ public metrics and automatically replicate their trades with configurable limits. In Europe, the company submitted a MiCA license application in Austria in July 2026; the application is still under review and does not imply that authorization has already been granted.
This focus on derivatives and automation is more important for an active trader looking to consolidate spot trading, futures, and copy trading into a single account than for someone who values track record and legal certainty above all else. Compared to a veteran like Kraken, Bitget makes up for it with lower fees and a broader product lineup, though it does not yet offer the same level of regulatory clarity in Europe. See the full review of Bitget
Who is Bitget for? For experienced users who want to combine spot trading, futures, copy trading, and bots on a single platform, with competitive commissions and a very broad range of assets.
Fees and Deposits: Kraken vs. Bitget
In a direct comparison of spot trading fees, Bitget has the edge over Kraken: 0.10 % for both makers and takers, compared to Kraken Pro’s 0.25 % for makers and 0.40 % for takers. The gap widens in futures trading, where Bitget lists a base fee of 0.02 % for makers and 0.06 % for takers, very close to Kraken’s initial rates of 0.02 % for makers and 0.05 % for takers. Go to the fee calculator
| Platform | Maker | Taker |
|---|---|---|
Binance
|
0,10% | 0,10% |
|
Bitget
|
0,10% | 0,10% |
Bybit
|
0,10% | 0,10% |
Bitvavo
|
0,15% | 0,25% |
|
Kraken
|
0,25% | 0,40% |
Coinbase
|
0,40% | 0,60% |
Did you know? With Kraken's taker fee of 0.40 %, buying €1,000 worth of Bitcoin costs €4. On Bitget, the same purchase with a taker fee of 0.10 % costs €1.
The difference widens outside the order book: Kraken’s instant buy feature applies a 1 % higher spread, while Bitget’s spot rate for direct purchases varies depending on the method and provider used. For deposits and withdrawals, Kraken generally offers free SEPA transfers in euros, while Bitget also supports bank deposits in Spain, although the cost varies depending on the provider.
| Concept | Kraken | Bitget |
|---|---|---|
| Spot Commission | 0,25 % / 0,40 % | 0,10 % / 0,10 % |
| Volume Discount | By volume and account balance | By volume, VIP, and payment in BGB |
| Futures Commission | 0.02 % / 0.05 % (initial level) | 0.02 % maker / 0.06 % taker |
| Simple Buy/Sell | 1 % + spread | Varies depending on the method and provider |
| Deposit in euros/fiat currency | Usually €0 via SEPA | Available in Spain depending on the provider |
| Crypto Deposit | Varies by network | 0 €; the network is paid for |
| Withdrawal of euros/fiat currency | Varies by bank | Varies by supplier |
| Crypto Withdrawal | Varies by asset and network | Varies by asset and network |
| Custody / Inactivity | 0 € | 0 € |
Who regulates Kraken and Bitget?
Kraken has gone more than a decade without any known security breaches in its custody operations, thanks to proprietary tools such as Global Settings Lock. Bitget employs predominantly cold storage, multi-signature controls, and a regularly published Proof of Reserves, along with its own protection fund to respond to exceptional incidents.
Important Note: A test of reserves is not the same as a full financial audit; it confirms assets as of a specific date, but does not reflect all of the company's liabilities.
In terms of regulation, Kraken operates in Europe under a MiCA license from the Central Bank of Ireland, valid in the 30 EEA countries. Bitget maintains local VASP registrations in countries such as Lithuania and Bulgaria, and submitted a MiCA authorization application to the Austrian FMA on July 2, 2026, which was still pending a decision as of August 2026.
| Concept | Kraken | Bitget |
|---|---|---|
| Regulated by | Central Bank of Ireland (MiCA), CySEC (MiFID), U.S. state licenses. | Local VASP registrations (Lithuania, Bulgaria); MiCA application under review by the Austrian Financial Market Authority (FMA) |
| MiCA Coverage (EU/EEA) | Yes, in the 30 EEA countries | Pending; application submitted in July 2026 |
| Reservation Test | Since 2014 (Merkle) | Yes, using a (periodic) Merkle tree |
| In-house guarantee fund | Not available | Yes, its own protection fund |
| History of Breaches | No gaps since 2011 | No known vulnerabilities to date |
| Account Tools | 2FA, passkeys, Global Settings Lock | 2FA, anti-phishing, fund password, allowlist |
| Institutional custody | Yes, through regulated entities | Not specified |
Where are Kraken and Bitget available?
Kraken serves more than 15 million customers in over 190 countries, with broader coverage than most European exchanges. In the United States, it operates under state registrations and licenses, and in Europe, it operates under its MiCA license, while also adhering to specific restrictions in countries subject to international sanctions.
Bitget operates in more than 150 countries and regions through various entities, offering products such as futures, copy trading, and Earn, which may be restricted depending on the jurisdiction. Spain is among the countries that support bank deposits in euros, subject to the availability of the provider, while the United States and other sanctioned jurisdictions have specific restrictions.
What do Kraken and Bitget offer on their platforms?
Kraken offers its products through several applications: the main app for buying and selling, Kraken Pro for spot, margin, and futures trading, Kraken Desktop for advanced analysis, and Krak for payments and a credit card. It provides access to more than 500 cryptocurrencies and 1,400 spot pairs, as well as staking on more than 20 assets and xStocks, which are tokenized representations of U.S. stocks.
Bitget’s platform focuses on active trading: spot, futures, copy trading, bots, and Earn are all available in a single app, with over 800 cryptocurrencies listed and risk management tools designed for derivatives. It features charts, technical indicators, real-time P&L, and watchlists, as well as an API for advanced users.
| Concept | Kraken | Bitget |
|---|---|---|
| Available Apps | Main App, Pro, Desktop, and Krak | iOS, Android, web, and desktop |
| Cryptocurrencies | +500 (1,400 spot pairs) | +800 |
| Main Products | Spot, margin, futures, staking, xStocks, Krak (payments and card) | Spot trading, futures, copy trading, bots, Earn, self-custody wallet |
| Directions for Use | Apps Categorized by User Level | A single app with sections for spot trading, futures, and copy trading |
| Order Types | Market, Limit, Stop-Loss, Stop-Limit, Take-Profit, OCO | Market, limit, stop-loss, take-profit, conditional orders, OCO |
| Charts and Tools | Advanced Graphics in Pro/Desktop, API | Charts, indicators, P&L, watchlists, API |
| Restrictions in the EU | Fully operational under a MiCA license | No MiCA license granted; application under review since July 2026 |
Final Verdict: Kraken or Bitget?
Kraken and Bitget come into this comparison from different perspectives: Kraken offers a proven track record, legal certainty under MiCA, and more than a decade without any known security breaches, while Bitget competes with lower fees, a wider selection of assets, and active trading tools such as copy trading. The choice depends on whether the user prioritizes regulatory security and long-term stability or cost and features for frequent trading.
For a European user who values the peace of mind that comes with trading under an already-granted MiCA license and prefers an exchange with more than a decade of experience, Kraken remains the most solid option. For those looking for lower fees, copy trading, and futures with a very broad selection, Bitget is more competitive, although it still lacks the same regulatory clarity in the EU.
Choose Kraken if…
- ✓ You need a fully operational MiCA-licensed exchange
- ✓ More than a decade without security breaches
- ✓ Are you looking for custom tools like Global Settings Lock?
- ✓ Do you prefer an exchange with more years of experience?
Choose Bitget if…
- ✓ Do you want to pay lower commissions on spot and futures trades?
- ✓ Are you looking for copy trading to replicate other traders' strategies?
- ✓ Would you like a more extensive catalog, with over 800 cryptocurrencies?
- ✓ You can wait for your MiCA application to be processed
This verdict summarizes the findings regarding fees, regulation, security, and availability. Neither exchange is superior in every respect: the right choice depends on the user’s profile and, above all, on the user’s jurisdiction.
Are Kraken or Bitget not right for you? Explore other alternatives
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This comparison of Kraken vs. Bitget is based on a practical analysis of both platforms. We have evaluated their fees, security, variety of cryptocurrencies, available features, and ease of use to provide an objective comparison. The assessment reflects the actual differences between the two exchanges, beyond just first impressions.
(FAQ) Frequently Asked Questions: Kraken vs. Bitget Comparison
