Kraken vs Belo: How these crypto exchanges compare

When comparing Kraken vs Belo, investors are evaluating a global crypto exchange against a fintech wallet designed for cross-border payments and everyday financial management in Latin America. Belo focuses on international remittance, multi-currency accounts and a crypto-linked Mastercard, while Kraken offers a deeper exchange infrastructure with advanced trading tools, staking, derivatives and expanding multi-asset access. Below, we examine how the platforms compare across supported assets, fees, security, product features and customer support to help you determine which better fits your goals.

Founded in 2011 in the United States, Kraken is among the earliest and most established names in the cryptocurrency industry. Launched less than two years after Bitcoin’s debut, the exchange has earned global recognition for its strong focus on security, operational transparency, and a high-quality user experience.

Today, Kraken serves more than 15 million clients in over 190 countries. Its offerings range from the flagship Kraken platform for individual investors, to powerful all-in-one trading platforms for advanced and institutional traders via the Kraken Pro platform and Kraken Desktop app.

Kraken’s institutional suite that covers spot, margin, futures markets, staking, and OTC trading for qualified clients. Kraken also invests heavily in education through Kraken Learn, supporting both new and experienced traders.

Headquartered in Wyoming, Kraken underscores is committed to accountability with routine Proof of Reserves, a practice it introduced to the industry back in 2014. It was also the first crypto exchange to be listed on the Bloomberg Terminal, helping bridge the gap between traditional finance and digital assets.

With regulatory licenses across key markets including the US, Canada, UK, EU and a history of assisting with cases such as Mt. Gox creditor claims, Kraken has built a reputation for stable, compliant operations that make it a trusted destination for those seeking a secure and enduring crypto exchange.

Founded in 2020 by Manuel Beaudroit, Edwin Rager, Fernando Berti and Manu Lopez, Belo is a digital wallet headquartered in Buenos Aires with a focus on international payments and financial inclusion for Latin American users — particularly freelancers and remote workers. Belo's core functionality centers on receiving payments from abroad (via Wise, Deel, Payoneer, PayPal and others), holding balances in multiple currencies (USD, EUR, GBP, BRL, ARS) and spending locally through a Mastercard debit card. Users can also exchange currencies, pay bills, make QR-based payments in Argentina and Brazil (via Pix), and set up automated savings with yield generation. Belo supports a limited selection of cryptocurrencies including BTC, ETH, SOL, USDT and USDC, positioning itself primarily as a hybrid fiat-crypto solution for managing international income rather than a dedicated crypto trading platform.

Belo fills a practical niche for Latin American remote workers who need seamless cross-border payment tools. However, Kraken operates at a fundamentally different scale as a global crypto exchange. Where Belo is built around receiving, holding and spending multiple currencies, Kraken provides deep exchange-grade liquidity, advanced trading infrastructure and institutional services — backed by a clean security track record since 2011. For investors who value comprehensive crypto market access, professional trading tools and a platform tested across multiple market cycles worldwide, Kraken offers a more robust exchange ecosystem.

Kraken’s product ecosystem is designed to support a wide range of trading styles and experience levels. Users can trade on the go with its streamlined mobile app or tap into more advanced tools through Kraken Pro, which offers detailed charting, custom order types and real-time market data.

The platform supports spot trading for all users, with margin trading (up to 5x leverage) and futures contracts (up to 50x leverage) available in eligible regions. Institutional and high-net-worth clients can access additional services through Kraken’s OTC desk and Kraken Prime offering.

Beyond trading, Kraken provides crypto staking on over 21 assets, with rewards up to 17% APY depending on the coin and network conditions. Users can earn passively by staking assets like Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL) and Cardano (ADA) directly through the platform.

Kraken also supports global digital payments through Krak, a feature enabling users to send crypto or cash without transaction fees.

In 2024, Kraken released its Ink Layer-2 network built on Optimism’s SuperChain, providing a seamless bridge between centralized exchanges and popular DeFi protocols.

For those seeking to deepen their financial knowledge, Kraken Learn offers educational resources covering everything from blockchain basics to advanced trading strategies.

Belo is designed as a financial passport for Latin American users who earn internationally. Its core features include receiving payments from platforms like Wise, Deel and PayPal, holding multi-currency balances, and spending locally via a Mastercard debit card. Users can pay with QR codes in Argentina and via Pix in Brazil, pay for local services and subscriptions, and buy gaming gift cards at a discount. The app also offers automated savings plans and yield generation on selected currencies. Belo supports basic crypto buying and selling (BTC, ETH, SOL, USDT, USDC), but does not offer margin trading, futures, advanced charting, professional order types or exchange-grade trading tools.

Belo is a well-designed solution for freelancers and remote workers who need to receive international payments and manage multiple currencies. However, its product scope is oriented around payments and spending rather than crypto trading. Kraken delivers a comprehensive crypto-native platform: Kraken Pro for advanced trading, spot, margin and futures markets in eligible regions, staking on 21+ assets, recurring buys and institutional services. For users who need exchange-level execution, broader asset access and a complete trading and investing stack, Kraken provides a fundamentally deeper platform.

Clients can access over 600 cryptocurrencies on Kraken, including majors such as Bitcoin (BTC) and XRP (XRP) as well as a variety of altcoins, from memecoins to liquid staking tokens.

There are also more than 11,000 commission-free ETFs and stocks available to trade directly in the Kraken app. And for clients in eligible locations, they can invest in xStocks, which are tokenized versions of these equities.
Kraken supports withdrawals and deposits in ten major fiat currencies, making it quick and convenient for global clients to fund their accounts.

Supported fiat currencies include:

• USD (US Dollar)

• CAD (Canadian Dollar)

• GBP (Pound Sterling)

• EUR (Euro)

• JPY (Japanese Yen)

• AUD (Australian Dollar)

• CHF (Swiss Franc)

• ARS (Argentine Peso)

• MXN (Mexican Peso)

• BRL (Brazilian Real)

There are also 15 stablecoins supported, including Tether (USDT), USDC and USDG.

Belo supports a limited selection of cryptocurrencies — primarily Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL) and stablecoins such as USDT and USDC. Its strength lies in fiat currency support: users can hold and exchange USD, EUR, GBP, BRL and ARS within the app, and receive payments from international platforms. However, Belo's crypto asset list is significantly narrower than dedicated exchanges, and the platform does not offer access to altcoins, memecoins, traditional equities or ETFs.

Belo provides useful multi-currency fiat support for cross-border payments, but its crypto asset coverage is minimal compared to a global exchange. Kraken supports 500+ cryptocurrencies ranging from large-cap tokens to emerging altcoins, plus 10 fiat currencies (including ARS), 15 stablecoins, and access to 11,000+ stocks and ETFs in select regions. For investors who want comprehensive crypto market exposure alongside multi-asset investing, Kraken delivers far broader asset availability.

Kraken’s volume-based fee model is tiered and transparent to support both professional traders and casual investors.

With maker fees starting at 0.25% and taker fees at 0.40% there are also discounts available for high-volume individuals and institutions. With to a Kraken+ subscription, these fees can be eliminated entirely for eligible clients up to certain monthly volumes.

Most crypto and fiat deposits are free, with some exceptions depending on the transaction method and specific asset. Kraken also highlights transparency by displaying all fees before a transaction is confirmed, ensuring clients are well aware any fees upfront and avoid costly surprises.

Belo's pricing is generally integrated into its exchange rates and conversion spreads, which can be convenient for everyday transactions but harder to benchmark against traditional exchange fees. The platform emphasizes low costs for international payments and currency exchanges. Specific fee details may vary by transaction type, currency pair and payment method. Users who primarily receive international payments and spend locally may find the cost structure manageable, but active crypto traders comparing execution costs may find spread-based pricing less transparent than maker-taker models.

Belo's integrated pricing simplifies cross-border payment workflows, but the spread-based model may make it difficult for traders to calculate total execution costs precisely. Kraken's maker-taker fee model is publicly documented with clear volume tiers. No platform token is required to access competitive rates, and withdrawal fees are fixed and displayed upfront. For investors who prioritize fee transparency and scalable trading costs, Kraken's exchange-style pricing provides greater clarity.

Kraken is widely regarded as one of the most secure crypto platforms in the industry. Since inception, Kraken has never experienced a breach resulting in loss of client funds, a claim that few other exhcanges can make. Clients benefit from multi-layered account protection, including 2FA with passkeys, PGP email encryption, granular API key permissions with range boundaries, configurable account timeout, real-time monitoring for suspicious activity, withdrawal whitelisting and master key settings.

Kraken pioneered Proof of Reserves in 2014 and continues to lead the industry with regular, independently verifiable audits. This cryptographic procedure allows clients to personally review how their account balances are backed by real assets, at any time. Kraken also holds ISO/IEC 27001:2013 certification, SOC 2 Type 2 audit compliance and operates a robust public bug bounty program.

Belo implements standard security measures including two-factor authentication, device verification and KYC procedures. The company is incorporated in the US (Delaware) with operations in Buenos Aires and has undergone seed-stage institutional investment. As a relatively young platform (founded 2020), Belo has a shorter operating history than established exchanges. Detailed information about custody arrangements, cold storage percentages, insurance coverage and third-party security audits is limited in public disclosures, which users may want to consider when evaluating the platform for significant holdings.

Belo provides basic security protections suitable for a payments-focused wallet. However, Kraken's security model operates at a fundamentally different depth and maturity. Since launching in 2011, Kraken has not reported a breach resulting in loss of client funds. Its Proof of Reserves audits, ISO/IEC 27001 and SOC 2 Type II certifications, and layered defense architecture provide institutional-grade assurance. For users managing significant crypto or fiat holdings, Kraken's established security track record and independently verifiable safeguards offer a higher level of confidence.

Kraken is known for its responsive and professional customer service, offering multiple support channels to meet different user needs. Clients can access 24/7 live chat with real human agents, submit requests via email, or (in select cases) speak directly with a support specialist by phone.

Kraken’s multilingual support team can assist users in over a dozen languages. This helps the company service its global customer base more effectively.

The exchange has also earned high marks in customer satisfaction and was recognized as the Winner of Best Use of AI in CX (Europe) at the Customer Centricity World Series. Its focus on clarity, empathy, and speed in resolving issues continues to distinguish Kraken’s client experience in a competitive space.

Belo provides support through in-app chat, email ([email protected]) and an online help center. The platform has strong user satisfaction with a 4.7/5 rating on Google Play. However, Belo does not currently offer live phone support or 24/7 live agent availability. Given its focus on cross-border payments where timing can be critical, users handling urgent international transfers may want to consider how support response times compare with platforms that offer around-the-clock live assistance.

Belo provides useful multi-currency fiat support for cross-border payments, but its crypto asset coverage is minimal compared to a global exchange. Kraken supports 500+ cryptocurrencies ranging from large-cap tokens to emerging altcoins, plus 10 fiat currencies (including ARS), 15 stablecoins, and access to 11,000+ stocks and ETFs in select regions. For investors who want comprehensive crypto market exposure alongside multi-asset investing, Kraken delivers far broader asset availability.

Belo and Kraken serve fundamentally different primary use cases. Belo excels as a digital wallet for freelancers and remote workers who need cross-border payment tools, multi-currency accounts and a convenient Mastercard for everyday spending in Latin America. Kraken operates as a global exchange ecosystem with 500+ cryptocurrencies, advanced trading infrastructure, staking, derivatives access in eligible regions and expanding multi-asset capabilities. For investors who prioritize crypto trading depth, global liquidity, transparent pricing and a security-first platform, Kraken is the more comprehensive and scalable choice.