Kraken vs MEXC: How these crypto exchanges compare

Crypto platforms differ across regulation, product breadth (spot, margin, futures, staking, tokenized assets), fee design, asset coverage, security practices (cold storage, audits, certifications), and customer support.

Different traders have different priorities, so it’s important to take all these variables into consideration before deciding where to trade.

Kraken has made a name for itself regarding high level security and its commitment to trust and transparency. MEXC is well-known for its asset variety and quick listing process. However its regulatory history and customer support track record is not as clean in comparison to Kraken.

This Kraken vs MEXC article explores both exchanges in depth to help you decide which venue is most suitable for you.

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.

Launched in 2018, MEXC is a global cryptocurrency exchange headquartered in Seychelles. Recent market cycles have seen it grow due to a wide asset selection and high-leverage functionality.

MEXC delivers spot, margin and derivatives trading across its listed tokens and cryptocurrencies. It additionally provides copy trading, automated trading bots, staking products that reward users with airdrops, and a “Launchpad” that allows them to participate in token launches and discounted token sales.

The exchange differentiates itself on the sheer size of its listed assets, with the exchange often making small-caps available much faster than competitors that are more focused on curation. Combined with its competitive fee schedule and various incentive schemes, it appeals to traders seeking new high-risk, high-reward opportunities.

MEXC access is restricted in several major markets (including both the US and the UK), and does not operate with as much regulatory transparency as its US- or EU-based competitors. As a result, it may be better suited to seasoned traders who prioritize access to the newest tokens over regulatory protections or long-term certainty.

Kraken has been operating since 2011, making it one of the earliest global exchanges. Its long history across multiple market cycles reassures clients looking for a proven track record.

Kraken is consistently ranked among the most trusted exchanges by independent research firms and mainstream finance outlets. In contrast, MEXC is well known for breadth of assets but has a mixed reputation, with reports of frozen assets and account blocks by several users

Kraken has never reported a breach of client funds in over a decade of operations

Kraken holds regulatory licenses across the U.S., UK, EU, and other key markets. MEXC, by contrast, has been placed on the UK FCA warning list for operating without authorization.

Kraken’s certifications (ISO/IEC 27001, SOC 2 Type II) and recurring third-party Proof-of-Reserves audits offer peace of mind

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.

Trading flexibility: Clients can trade on MEXC’s mobile apps (iOS/Android) and web platform, with advanced charting powered by TradingView, real-time alerts, and a unified margin system that shares balances across spot, margin, and futures accounts for greater capital efficiency.

Spot, margin, and futures: Spot markets cover thousands of pairs, while margin trading supports leverage up to 10x. Futures trading is a core strength, with hundreds of perpetual and delivery contracts offering leverage up to 500x on selected pairs.

Copy trading: MEXC offers one-click copy trading for both spot and futures, allowing users to follow and automatically mirror the strategies of top-performing traders, with performance rankings and risk metrics visible before subscribing.

Trading bots and automation: Built-in grid bots, DCA (dollar-cost averaging), futures grid, and martingale strategies are available, alongside AI-enhanced signal bots. These can be deployed directly from trading pages, giving users algorithmic trading access without coding.

Earn and savings: MEXC Earn offers flexible savings products with daily yield and instant redemption, staking on supported networks, Launchpad for token sales, and Launchpool for yield farming newly listed assets. Leveraged ETFs provide alternative ways to gain exposure without managing margin positions.

Fiat access and payments: MEXC provides SEPA bank transfers, credit/debit card purchases, and a peer-to-peer (P2P) marketplace covering 140+ fiat currencies. This makes onboarding straightforward across many regions, though services may vary by jurisdiction.

Tokenized stocks: MEXC has expanded into tokenized U.S. equities and stock futures settled in USDT, allowing traders to access traditional market exposure without leaving the platform.

DeFi and Web3 integration: Through its “DEX+” and WalletConnect features, MEXC bridges centralized trading with on-chain opportunities, enabling swaps, DeFi interaction, and movement of assets across ecosystems.

Education: MEXC Academy provides tutorials, beginner-to-advanced guides, market explainers, and trading tips, supporting users who want to learn strategies or explore new products.

Protection fund: MEXC maintains a User Protection Fund and Proof-of-Reserves portal with Merkle-tree verification, designed to safeguard user funds and build transparency into the custody model.

Kraken continues to innovate and expand its offering, exceeding the requirements for the average crypto user. It is fast becoming a ‘one stop shop’ for a very wide breadth of investment and trading activities, executed to the highest standards. If Kraken is yet to integrate a feature or product, it’s likely that it’s in the pipeline, as evidenced by recent acquisitions and partnerships. Clients choose Kraken over MEXC because in most cases they have everything they need, with some features they can’t find elsewhere.

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.

MEXC provides access to more than 2,700 cryptocurrencies across over 3,000 market pairs, making it one of the broadest listings among centralized exchanges. Spot markets cover both major tokens and emerging projects, while margin trading is available with leverage of up to 10x on selected pairs. Its derivatives platform supports hundreds of perpetual and quarterly futures contracts with leverage of up to 500x on leading assets, catering to high-frequency and professional traders.

Alongside crypto pairs, MEXC also supports fiat trading through a wide range of on- and off-ramps. Users can deposit and withdraw in EUR via SEPA bank transfers and buy or sell crypto directly with debit and credit cards.

In addition to crypto, MEXC has expanded into tokenized equities. Through its stock futures and tokenized stock offerings, users can trade synthetic versions of major U.S. companies, settled in USDT. Leveraged ETFs are also available, providing long and short exposure (typically 2x–3x) on dozens of digital assets without the risk of margin liquidation.

While Kraken lists significantly fewer assets, it ensures that those assets that are available to trade have been carefully vetted. This curation of assets focusses on quality over quantity, balancing client’s demand to trade a wide number of cryptocurrencies with the need for careful due diligence.

In addition, Kraken clients are afforded the same access to tokenized stocks as well as fully compliant U.S. perpetual futures and legacy market assets, such as stocks and ETFs. Kraken offers broader and more regulated fiat support (multiple direct fiat pairs, regulated banking rails, and strong liquidity in fiat-crypto markets). MEXC focuses on stablecoin pairs with fiat primarily handled via SEPA, card processors, or P2P.

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.

MEXC’s fee schedule is designed to be simple and highly competitive. Spot trading typically features 0% maker fees and 0.05% taker fees, while futures contracts start at 0% maker and 0.02% taker. Additional discounts are available for traders who hold or pay fees with the exchange’s native MX token, and periodic promotions often reduce fees even further on selected markets. This combination makes MEXC one of the lowest-cost venues for both spot and derivatives trading.

MEXC has a significant draw with its 0% maker fees on spot and futures - something that will attract many traders. While it may cost more to trade at Kraken, those funds are reinvested into the aspects of Kraken that clients love; exceptional customer service, state of the art security, and round the clock transparency with regards to reserves. Many clients continue to trade at Kraken despite the higher fees because it offers peace of mind that few other venues can match, inspired by over a decade of experience with a nascent asset class, and a formidable track record. Doing business with a company that has a spotless reputation is something that clients are prepared to pay a premium for.

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.

MEXC enhances safety through a combination of platform safeguards, a user protection fund, and publicly verifiable proof-of-reserves. While it does not hold the same range of external certifications as older institutions, it has avoided any major exchange-level breaches resulting in client fund losses.

Its Proof of Reserves system uses Merkle-tree verification, allowing clients to independently confirm that their balances are backed 1:1 by on-chain reserves. Alongside this, MEXC maintains a “User Protection Fund,” designed to cover extraordinary incidents and reassure users about the security of their holdings.

MEXC security features in a nutshell:

• Two-factor authentication (2FA) for logins and withdrawals
• Anti-phishing codes to prevent email spoofing
• Withdrawal address whitelisting
• Encrypted data transmission and SSL browsing protection
• Configurable fund password for added transaction security
• Login and device management records with alerts for suspicious activity
• Real-time monitoring systems to detect abnormal trades or withdrawals
• User Protection Fund to provide insurance-like coverage
• Regular Proof of Reserves updates with Merkle verification for transparency

NB: Some traders have reported withdrawal delays and account locks on MEXC, often triggered by the platform’s “risk control” system. In July 2025, one trader launched a campaign after his account and $3m in funds was allegedly frozen.

MEXC has stated these measures are part of its security and risk control protocols, designed to protect user assets, and notes that restrictions are usually lifted within a few business days once reviews or documentation are completed.

Kraken goes to extreme measures to offer its clients peace of mind, and its track record speaks for itself. While neither exchange has reported a breach resulting in a loss in clients funds, Kraken makes it easy to find evidence of their ISO and SOC certifications and provides clients with state of the art security measures to protect their funds.

Kraken is also compliant in many jurisdictions where MEXC does not operate. Further, MEXC has been flagged by regulators, including the UK’s FCA and Hong Kong’s SFC, for operating without proper licences.

Simply put, clients trust Kraken to be a responsible and transparent custodian while simultaneously investing a significant amount of resources to ensure that clients’ funds remain safe and secure.

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.

MEXC provides reliable customer support primarily through 24/7 live chat and email, ensuring traders can reach assistance at any time in several languages.

Clients can often find answers to various questions via theHelp Center with tutorials, FAQs, and step-by-step guidance. Users can submit support tickets with detailed information, and responses are handled by trained agents. Service is available in multiple languages to cater to its global client base, and operational updates are shared through public announcements through various channels.

Security and account-related issues follow strict verification procedures to safeguard users’ assets. While MEXC does not provide phone-based support, urgent inquiries such as withdrawal problems or account access issues are prioritized within the ticketing system.

While Kraken lists significantly fewer assets, it ensures that those assets that are available to trade have been carefully vetted. This curation of assets focusses on quality over quantity, balancing client’s demand to trade a wide number of cryptocurrencies with the need for careful due diligence.

In addition, Kraken clients are afforded the same access to tokenized stocks as well as fully compliant U.S. perpetual futures and legacy market assets, such as stocks and ETFs. Kraken offers broader and more regulated fiat support (multiple direct fiat pairs, regulated banking rails, and strong liquidity in fiat-crypto markets). MEXC focuses on stablecoin pairs with fiat primarily handled via SEPA, card processors, or P2P.

Both Kraken and MEXC are established global exchanges, but they appeal to slightly different types of traders. MEXC is known for its very broad asset coverage and highly competitive fees, giving users exposure to hundreds of tokens and leveraged products with deep liquidity, at a discount to many other venues.

Kraken, one of the longest-operating exchanges in the industry, excels with respect to regulatory compliance, security, and transparency, making it a trusted venue for long-term investors and institutions. Its asset listings are curated for quality, and it provides pro-grade tools, reliable fiat on/off ramps, and innovative access to crypto markets in a regulated environment.

If you value an unblemished reputation, regulatory standing, safety, and streamlined access to carefully vetted products (especially as a U.S. client) and features, Kraken may be the right venue for you.

If you want a wider range of tokens, high-leverage trading, lower maker fees and broader product availability in non-U.S. regions, MEXC may be the better choice.