Kraken vs Gate: How these crypto exchanges compare

When you’re starting your crypto journey, finding the right exchange for your goals and needs is a key decision. And with a wide variety of platforms available, knowing which one to choose is a problem in itself. Both Kraken and Gate offer a reliable way to buy and sell cryptocurrencies. But how these platforms approach this differs in ways that may be important to you.

Kraken is a long-established brand with tens of millions of users worldwide, a varied product suite, and award-winning customer support. Gate offers a simple user experience and the possibility to invest in niche cryptocurrencies.

The right choice also depends on your individual goals. High volume traders may prefer advanced tools and low fees, while other investors may value asset variety and particular safety features. This Kraken vs. Gate article analyses several important areas of difference to help you choose which crypto exchange is right 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.

Founded by Dr Lin Han in 2013 in China (under the name Bter), Gate is a long-standing exchange known for its expansive asset offering (at the time of writing, it supports over 2,000 cryptocurrencies and tokens). Following China’s crackdown on crypto trading, it moved to an offshore operating model and positioned itself as a globally accessible exchange.

Gate boasts a comprehensive range of products, including spot, margin and derivatives trading. Beyond its core platform, it also delivers token launchpads, staking/yield and earning products, and crypto loan functionality.

As an exchange, Gate is known for having one of the broadest asset lists in the industry — differentiating it from competitors who take a more curated approach to their listings. Its rapid support for emerging tokens, paired with its wide range of products, has made it popular among traders seeking early access to projects across the crypto sphere.

However, Gate remains unavailable in key jurisdictions like the US and parts of Europe and Asia. While it holds a handful of licenses in select markets, it does not maintain the extensive coverage that some of its more accessible competitors do. As a result, it may be a better fit for more advanced traders prioritizing asset selection over rigorous regulatory adherence.

If a varied product offering, a clean security record, and world class customer support is important to you when trading, then Kraken provides all that and more.

Kraken is licensed in over 190 countries, offers a wide range of investment vehicles, and is perfectly positioned to support both retail and institutional clients.

Conversely, Gate boasts a fast listing process and a broad range of tokens, making it easy for users to gain exposure to new and emerging projects. However, the platform lacks the comprehensive regulatory framework and deep level of customer service that are just a couple of the cornerstones of Kraken.

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.

Gate offers a wide variety of trading and investment products, targeting users who seek both standard crypto access and advanced features. The platform supports spot trading, margin and futures contracts, options, copy trading and token-launch events via its ‘Startup’ platform.

Gate's wider ecosystem also includes staking and yield services, meaning users can earn passive income from their crypto holdings.

Gate.io has a dedicated NFT marketplace known as NFT Magic Box, which allows users to create, buy, sell, and trade digital collectibles across various sectors like art, music, and gaming. It supports different transaction methods, including fixed-price sales and auctions.

The Gate Web3 Wallet is a non-custodial wallet that provides users with control over their private keys and acts as a portal to broader Web3 services, such as decentralized applications (dApps), cross-chain swaps, and DeFi.

Additionally, Gate offers API access, specifically the recommended API v4 for market data, trading, and account management.

However, this wide feature set comes with higher complexity, meaning the platform may be better suited for experienced traders rather than novices seeking a straightforward investment experience.

Kraken continues to expand its product set, going above and beyond for the average crypto enthusiast.

It is fast becoming an all-in-one platform capable of fulfilling every investment, trading and payment need, while maintaining strict security standards and a commitment to transparency.

If there is a feature missing from Kraken, rest assured, it’s probably on the roadmap and already in development, as shown by recent partnerships and acquisitions.

Traders choose Kraken over Gate because in most cases, Kraken offers everything they need, often with additional features that are not available anywhere else.

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.

Gate offers one of the most expansive asset token libraries among major exchanges. As of 2026 the platform lists over 3,400 cryptocurrencies and approximately 3,800 trading pairs, spanning major coins, altcoins, DeFi tokens, meme coins and niche micro-caps.

Regarding fiat currencies, Gate supports over 15, including USD, EUR, GBP, HKD, and KRW.

This breadth of asset availability makes Gate especially attractive to users seeking access to emerging tokens and smaller market-cap cryptocurrencies that are often not accessible on more conservative or regulated platforms.

Gate lists thousands of tokens and trading pairs, offering one of the industry’s largest selections. However, Kraken’s more selective approach emphasises security, liquidity, and regulatory compliance. Every asset listed on Kraken undergoes a thorough vetting process, ensuring clients trade verified, reputable projects rather than illiquid or speculative listings.

For investors who value quality and oversight over sheer volume, Kraken’s slightly more selective listing strategy delivers confidence without sacrificing access to leading crypto markets.

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.

Gate uses a tiered fee model that begins with a standard spot-trading rate of ~0.20 % for both makers and takers for users at VIP 0 level. Discounts are available through holding the native GT token and advancing VIP status based on 30-day trading volume.

For futures trading, basic maker/taker fees start around ~0.02 % for makers and ~0.05 % for takers, with top VIP tiers reducing maker fees to 0% and taker fees to under ~0.02 %.

Deposits of cryptocurrencies are generally free, while withdrawal fees depend materially on the specific asset and network used.

Gate attracts high-volume traders with tiered VIP pricing and native token discounts, but Kraken stands out for its transparent, regulation-aligned fee structure.

Kraken’s clearly published maker-taker rates and absence of token-based requirements make it easier for users to calculate true trading costs. This predictability appeals to professional and institutional traders who prioritize clarity, compliance, and consistency over volume-based incentives or fluctuating rates.

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.

Gate’s security architecture focuses on four main pillars:

• Risk prevention
• Real-time monitoring
• Rapid response
• And user asset protection.

The platform performs independent third-party audits by the likes of Hacken, and maintains transparent initiatives, such as their ‘Proof of Trust’ campaign and a large Guardian Fund to bolster user asset security.

Gate supports standard safeguards like two-factor authentication (2FA), anti-phishing codes, cold wallet storage and withdrawal whitelisting.

However, blockchain detective ZachXBT has reported that Gate experienced a hack in 2018 when approximately $230 million in crypto was lost.

In addition, user reviews show some serious concerns around customer support efficiency and account restrictions.

Kraken’s approach to security goes beyond just technical safeguards, it’s a core part of the company’s identity.

With a clean record of zero breaches since 2011, consistent Proof of Reserves audits, and adherence to strict regulatory standards, Kraken delivers institutional-grade protection for every user.

While Gate offers extensive verification and transparency efforts, Kraken’s long-standing commitment to security continues to set it apart.

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.

Gate promotes 24/7 customer service through live chat and an in-platform help centre for users across global markets.

However, review-based feedback is mixed: while some users praise the volume of features and service accessibility, others have reported delays in account support, withdrawal processing and resolution transparency.

This suggests that while Gate delivers strong product breadth, its support infrastructure may not yet match the responsiveness seen at exchange platforms with more established customer-service reputations.

Gate lists thousands of tokens and trading pairs, offering one of the industry’s largest selections. However, Kraken’s more selective approach emphasises security, liquidity, and regulatory compliance. Every asset listed on Kraken undergoes a thorough vetting process, ensuring clients trade verified, reputable projects rather than illiquid or speculative listings.

For investors who value quality and oversight over sheer volume, Kraken’s slightly more selective listing strategy delivers confidence without sacrificing access to leading crypto markets.

Kraken and Gate serve specific areas of the crypto market. Gate appeals to traders seeking expansive token access, low fees, and a wide range of advanced products, from futures and copy trading to NFT markets and token launches.

Kraken, by contrast, focuses on regulatory clarity, robust security, and advanced trading tools, delivering a trusted environment for retail and expert institutional users alike.

For traders weighing scale against scrutiny, Gate offers variety and flexibility, while Kraken provides reliability, compliance, and a proven record of safety.