Kraken vs Bitvavo: Crypto exchange comparison

When choosing a crypto exchange, the decision often comes down to more than just fees or coin availability. Factors like security, regulation, customer support, and ease of use can heavily influence your experience.

Kraken and Bitvavo are both well-established exchanges operating in Europe, with Kraken also serving a global user base across 190+ countries. Kraken is known for its strong regulatory posture, institutional-grade products, and long-standing history. Bitvavo, by contrast, has gained traction across the EU as a user-friendly platform with competitive pricing tailored for European retail investors.

If you’re comparing Kraken and Bitvavo, it’s helpful to look at how they stack up across key features before deciding which platform fits your needs best.

Kraken is a U.S.-based cryptocurrency exchange founded in 2011. Because Kraken was founded less than two years after the launch of the Bitcoin protocol, it is one of the oldest and longest-operating platforms in the industry today. Over that time, Kraken has earned its reputation as a secure, transparent and premium trading interface purpose-built for crypto beginners and seasoned traders alike. 

Kraken serves individual investors with core Kraken product, advanced traders with its Kraken Pro product as well as and institutions with a suite of products including spot, margin, futures trading, crypto staking, qualified customer OTC trading and much more.

Headquartered in Wyoming, Kraken serves over 15 million users across 190 countries. It offers robust mobile applications with highly-rated customer support that includes phone support, which remains rare among major exchanges. Kraken is widely known for its commitment to transparency and compliance, and performs regular Proof of Reserves — a cryptographic process that helps prove that Kraken actually holds assets in reserve, which it helped to pioneer in 2014.

In a space known for volatility and unpredictability, Kraken’s focus on premium client experience across all of its products and services has earned it a reputation for security, transparency, and reliability.

Bitvavo is a Dutch crypto exchange launched in 2018 to make digital asset investing more accessible in Europe. It focuses on delivering a simple, low fees, and transparent Euro-based trading platform for retail users.

The platform supports 400+ assets and 8 fiat options for EUR, such as SEPA bank transfers. Bitvavo received a MiCA license from the AFM (Autoriteit Financiële Markten) and complies with EU AML regulations. While it doesn’t offer margin or futures trading, Bitvavo appeals to cost-conscious users who want easy access to crypto in a regulated environment.

Kraken offers a comprehensive suite of products designed to support every level of crypto user — from beginner to institutional. Clients can access spot, margin (up to 5x), and futures trading (up to 50x) across a wide range of assets. For those looking to earn rewards, Kraken supports staking on over 20 assets, while Kraken Pay enables fast, fee-free crypto payments.

Bitvavo focuses on delivering a simple and accessible experience for retail users in the EU. The platform supports spot trading, staking on select assets, and recurring purchases, all integrated with seamless EUR deposits and withdrawals via SEPA.

While Bitvavo is ideal for newcomers looking for a simple way to access crypto, it does not offer advanced trading features like margin, futures, or API customization. As such, Bitvavo serves more as a reliable fiat-to-crypto gateway than a platform for active or professional traders.

Kraken supports a curated selection of over 500 cryptocurrencies, ranging from major assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum to newer types of cryptocurrencies across different crypto sectors. Kraken is constantly making new cryptocurrencies available for trading and maintains a listings roadmap so clients know which assets will be available on Kraken in the future. 

For fiat on- and off-ramps, Kraken provides support for 10 major currencies, such as:

• USD (US Dollar)
• EUR (Euro)
• CAD (Canadian Dollar)
• AUD (Australian Dollar)
• GBP (Pound Sterling)
• CHF (Swiss Franc)
• JPY (Japanese Yen)
• BRL (Brazilian Real)
• ARS (Argentine Peso)
• MXN (Mexican Pesos)

Across each of these assets, Kraken offers multiple funding methods that make it easy to deposit and withdraw fiat currency using Kraken.

Kraken also supports around 15 stablecoins, including the most widely used options like USDC. For clients that may live in regions where fiat on and off ramps are more limited, as well as clients that participate in other DeFi protocols, Kraken’s robust stablecoin offering can be an especially powerful way to access the crypto economy. 

Bitvavo offers access to approximately 400 digital assets, including core cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and Cardano, as well as a wide selection of altcoins. Its listings are curated for quality and relevance to the European retail market, with an emphasis on user demand and regulatory clarity.

Fiat support is focused on the Euro (EUR), which aligns with its target audience in the EU. Bitvavo allows seamless EUR deposits and withdrawals via SEPA bank transfers, making it highly convenient for users in the Netherlands and across Europe.

Bitvavo also supports 1 stablecoin:

• USDC (USD Coin)

Kraken provides a transparent fee structure designed to support a wide range of users. Maker fees start at 0.25%, and taker fees begin at 0.40%. While both maker and taker fee rates decrease significantly based on trading volume, both can be reduced to zero with a $4.99 subscription to Kraken+. Kraken’s fees may be slightly higher than some competitors, the platform sets itself apart through unmatched trust, security, and transparency, having pioneered many of the industry’s best practices and standards.

On Kraken, most crypto and fiat deposits are free, though a few exceptions may apply based on the crypto asset or payment method. Withdrawal fees are fixed and clearly listed on Kraken, making costs easy to anticipate.

Bitvavo offers slightly lower trading fees than Kraken, with euro deposits/withdrawals via SEPA free or very low-cost. Trading fees start at 0.15% and drop with volume. However, these lower fees come at a trade-off — less investment in product innovation, security, and client support. Kraken’s fees, by contrast, help fund continuous development of advanced features, top-tier security, and 24/7 real human support.

Kraken is often recognized for its strong emphasis on security and user protection. Since its founding, it has never experienced a breach resulting in the loss of client funds. The platform offers a multi-layered approach to account protection, including two-factor authentication (2FA), PGP email encryption, a withdrawal address whitelist and an account master key for added control.

With over 50 licenses across multiple continents, Kraken is one of the most heavily regulated crypto exchanges in the world. In Europe, Kraken operates through Payward Europe Solutions Limited and Payward Global Solutions Limited, and together these entities have secured 9 out of 10 possible crypto-asset service permissions under the EU’s new MiCA framework — one of the most comprehensive regulatory approvals of any exchange to date. These permissions cover custody, trading, order execution, transfer services, and portfolio management, underscoring Kraken’s deep commitment to compliance and long-term alignment with European regulatory standards. Kraken was the first global exchange to receive a MiCA license from the Central Bank of Ireland (CBI), reinforcing its position as a trusted and fully regulated player in the EU.

Kraken was an early leader in Proof of Reserves, pioneering the practice in 2014 to give users a cryptographically verifiable way to confirm that their assets are backed.

The exchange also holds ISO/IEC 27001:2013 certification, has passed a SOC 2, Type 2 examination and operates a public bug bounty program to encourage ongoing security improvements.

Bitvavo offers a foundational level of user protection, appropriate for a retail-focused exchange primarily serving users within the European Union. It is registered with the AFM (Autoriteit Financiële Markten).

As of July 2025, Bitvavo holds just 3 of the 10 available crypto-asset service authorizations under MiCA. These include approvals for custody and administration of crypto-assets, exchange of crypto-assets for funds, and transfer services. While this allows Bitvavo to operate legally within the EEA, its regulatory permissions remain limited in scope compared to more globally regulated platforms.

Security-wise, Bitvavo offers essential protections such as two-factor authentication, withdrawal address whitelisting, and anti-phishing tools. Client funds are held in a separate legal entity — Stichting Bitvavo Payments — to keep user assets distinct from the company’s corporate balance sheet. However, Bitvavo does not hold an independent ISO 27001 certification, nor does it operate a public bug bounty program or publish third-party Proof of Reserves audits on a regular basis. 

For EU-based retail users seeking simple and compliant access to crypto, Bitvavo offers a convenient entry point. That said, its narrower regulatory coverage and limited transparency make it less suited for users prioritizing institutional-grade controls and global reach — areas where Kraken is clearly differentiated.

Kraken’s responsive customer service is consistently recognized for their empathy, efficiency and professionalism when working with clients. Kraken offers 24/7 live chat support with real human agents as well as email support for clients that prefer to communicate async. Certain Kraken clients even have access to phone support, where they can speak live with a specialist to address any questions or challenges they face. Kraken’s multilingual support team can answer client's questions in more than 12 different languages, making it accessible to a global user base. 

These attributes, as well as their professionalism, have helped Kraken consistently rank high in customer satisfaction, earning praise for speed and clarity in resolving issues. It was also the Winner of Best Use of AI in CX (Europe) at the Customer Centricity World Series, highlighting its commitment to innovation in support experience.

Bitvavo provides customer support primarily tailored to European retail users. Support is available via email and live chat, though chat is generally limited to business hours and may not be available in all languages. Unlike some global platforms, Bitvavo does not offer phone support, and users with more complex issues often rely on ticket-based systems for resolution.

While the platform offers a self-service help center with articles in Dutch, English, and German, its multilingual coverage is narrower than that of global exchanges. Bitvavo’s support experience is functional and focused on resolving standard account issues, but it does not currently offer the scale, depth, or 24/7 coverage found on more service-oriented platforms like Kraken.

For users who value real-time assistance, global language support, or direct escalation channels, Bitvavo may feel more limited in comparison to exchanges with fully staffed, around-the-clock customer operations.

Both Kraken and Bitvavo offer trusted platforms for crypto users, but they cater to different audiences and use cases.

Bitvavo is built for simplicity. It’s well-suited to beginners and European retail users who prioritize a low-friction interface, Euro-denominated deposits, and cost-effective spot trading. It operates under EU regulation and was an early adopter of MiCA, but its license scope is limited, with only 3 of 10 crypto-asset service approvals. It does not support advanced trading, margin, futures, or a full suite of fiat currencies — and offers only basic customer service within business hours.

Kraken, on the other hand, is one of the most regulated and secure crypto exchanges in the world, with over 50 licenses globally and 9 out of 10 MiCA authorizations under the EU’s new framework — far more than most competitors. Kraken offers deep liquidity, advanced trading tools, full margin and futures access, staking, tokenized equities, and robust fiat on/off-ramps across 8+ currencies. Its commitment to security is unmatched, with ISO 27001 certification, regular Proof of Reserves audits, a bug bounty program, and a 24/7 global support team including phone access — something rare in the industry.

Ultimately, Bitvavo is a good starting point for EU-based retail investors, but Kraken is the platform you grow into — whether you’re looking for advanced functionality, deeper regulatory assurance, institutional-grade controls, or global accessibility. For users who value long-term reliability, transparency, and feature depth, Kraken clearly stands out as a stronger choice.

1. Kaiko Exchange Rating Q3 2025

2. Kraken Futures EU page

3. Kraken staking page

4. Kraken asset availability

5. Kraken stablecoins

6. Kraken fee page

7. Kraken wins European Customer Centricity Award

8. Kraken language page

9. Kraken security page

10. Kraken recurring buy page

11. Kraken xStocks page

12. Bitvavo homepage

13. Bitvavo markets page

14. Bitvavo about page

15. Bitvavo security page

16. Bitvavo PoR page

17. Bitvavo contact page

18. Bitvavo learn page

19. Bitvavo fee page

20. Bitvavo listings page

21. Bitvavo press release: CEO steps down

22. Bitvavo policies and disclosures

23. AFM CASP license register

24. CBI MiCAR license register

25. CySec MiFID license register

26. CBI EMI license register

27. Kraken policies and disclosures