Kraken vs. Uphold: How these crypto exchanges compare

When you’re entering the world of crypto, choosing the right platform to suit your needs is one of the most important decisions you will make. But with a wide range of options available, finding the best crypto exchange that matches your unique strategy and goals can be difficult.

Both Kraken and Uphold offer a reliable way to buy and sell cryptocurrencies. But, the way in which both platforms approach this functionality often differs in ways that may be important to you.

Kraken is a well-established brand with millions of users worldwide, a varied product offering, and world class customer support. Uphold provides a simple user experience and the unique ability to trade precious metals as well as cryptocurrencies.

The right choice also depends on your individual goals. Active traders may prioritize advanced tools and low fees, while others may value asset variety of specific security features to help keep their crypto safe. 

This Kraken vs. Uphold overview analyses several key areas and points of difference to help you choose which crypto exchange is right for you.

Founded in 2011, Kraken is one of the longest-running and most trusted crypto exchanges in the world, building a reputation over the years as a secure, compliance-driven platform trusted by more than 15 million users.^[1] Available in over 190 countries, Kraken is now a worldwide brand known for its regulatory compliance globally and premium trading experience.^[1]

With headquarters in Wyoming, U.S.A., Kraken’s products include its intuitive mobile app for retail investors, Kraken Pro for advanced traders and institutional solutions such as spot, futures, margin, OTC services and crypto staking.

Kraken appeals to users who value transparency, security and high quality tools. The platform frequently publishes its Proof of Reserves audits and was among the first in the industry to practise this.

Originally founded in 2014, as Bitreserve,  Uphold rebranded in 2015. It is now a multi-asset platform serving millions across more than 140 countries^[2]. Uphold provides access to over 300 assets, including cryptocurrencies, fiat, stablecoins, and precious metals, all within a simplified investing platform.

Headquartered in the U.S., Uphold delivers real-time reserve transparency that shows clients funds are backed by reserves in real time. It also offers  ‘Anything-to-Anything’ trading model that allows users to more easily switch directly between curencies^[2]. 

Combining crypto trading, staking, and cross-asset conversion, Uphold has developed a reputation as a secure and versatile platform for both retail and institutional users.

Kraken’s history and resilience set it apart in an industry where few platforms have lasted as long. Founded in 2011, it has endured every major market cycle and consistently delivered a secure and transparent trading environment.

Kraken places security above everything, but is still able to deliver powerful products and features across different parts of the crypto ecosystem. While Uphold focuses on its approachability and ease of use, Kraken has built intuitive yet powerful functionality onto a security focused platform that protects client funds and data.

Where Uphold positions itself as a broad financial platform, Kraken remains focused on building robust infrastructure for crypto newcomers and experts alike. This focus — combined with its long-standing reputation for trust and reliability — often makes Kraken the preferred choice for clients who prioritize safety, compliance, and professional-grade trading products.

Both Kraken and Uphold provide tools for trading, staking and learning about crypto. The table below highlights how their core products and features compare.

Kraken’s suite of products is built to accommodate a variety of trading strategies and levels of experience. With its intuitive mobile app, users can invest on the move, or benefit from more advanced tools on Kraken Pro, which offers custom order types, in-depth charting and real-time market data.

The platform supports spot trading, margin trading with up to 5x leverage and futures with up to 50x leverage available in specific regions.^[3] Thanks to Kraken Prime, institutional clients, asset managers and high-net-worth individuals can enjoy advanced OTC services and support.

Beyond trading, Kraken provides crypto staking on over 21 assets, with rewards up to 17% APY depending on the coin and network conditions.^[4] Users can earn a passive income by staking cryptocurrencies like Ethereum (ETH) and Cardano (ADA).

Krak is Kraken’s new digital payments feature that allows crypto or cash to be sent across the globe with zero transaction fees. And Ink is its Layer-2 network^[6], which offers a seamless bridge between CEXs and popular DeFi products.

Uphold provides an easy to use platform to buy, sell and trade a number of different assets such as cryptocurrencies, fiat and precious metals. It offers simple spot trading, staking, and the Uphold debit card.

The platform claims to be 100% reserved and pushes for radical transparency, publishing their assets and liabilities in real time^[7].

Uphold stands out with its ‘Anything-to-Anything’ trading model, which enables users to swap different asset classes in just one click and without the need for intermediate conversions. Similar to Kraken’s Instant Buy feature, which allows clients to instantly trade between any of the 500+ assets on Kraken, this feature is an easy way to diversify a crypto portfolio. 

The number of available cryptocurrencies and fiat currencies is a major priority for many users. Kraken and Uphold both support hundreds of different assets — here’s how they compare.

Kraken offers exposure to more than 500 different cryptocurrencies, spanning everything from leading assets like Bitcoin (BTC) and XRP (XRP) to a diverse variety of altcoins tied to DeFi, memes, gaming and blockchain infrastructure.^[8]

U.S.-based Kraken clients can also trade more than 11,000 commission-free* stocks and ETFs straight from Kraken or Kraken Pro. For clients in other eligible regions, they can invest in tokenized versions of these equities, allowing them to access both traditional and DeFi assets in powerful new ways.

Kraken supports withdrawals and deposits in ten major fiat currencies, making it quick and easy for global clients to fund their accounts without relying solely on crypto.^[10]

Supported fiat currencies include:

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

There is also support for 15 different stablecoins, including Tether (USDT), USDC and Dai (DAI).^[12

Uphold offers exposure to more than 250 cryptocurrencies while also providing early access to emerging coins that it deems are ‘new and important’.^[14]

Uphold facilitates fiat deposits and withdrawals in select fiat currencies like USD, EUR and GBP. These on- and off-ramps allow users in supported regions to move seamlessly between crypto and cash.

Users can also invest in precious metals such as gold, silver, platinum and palladium, and benefit from instant liquidity into 27 national fiat currencies.

Kraken appeals to users who require an intuitive but powerful trading experience — one that combines leading cryptocurrencies, traditional equities and advanced investment tools all in one platform.

Whether you are looking to trade in top tech stocks and trending memecoins, or need to send money across the globe near-instantly and for free, Kraken offers support for the largest and most important assets in CeFi and DeFi markets.

Fee structures can impact casual and high-frequency traders differently. Both Kraken and Uphold use the flat fee model, while Kraken Pro employs the classic maker/taker volume-based pricing. The chart below provides a breakdown of Kraken vs. Uphold fees and pricing.

Kraken’s transparent and tiered fee model is geared toward casual users, long term investors and high-volume traders. For users of Kraken Pro, maker and taker fee rates are significantly reduced by trading volume, and a Kraken+ subscription for just $4.99 per month can bring them down to zero.^[15]

Most crypto and fiat deposits are free, with some exceptions depending on the asset or payment method.^[17] Withdrawal fees are fixed and clearly displayed before any transaction is completed, ensuring a predictable experience for all users.

Uphold does not use a maker-taker model. Instead, trades include a spread that varies by asset class, market conditions, and region. Spreads on major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum typically range from 1.4% to 1.6%, while altcoins may carry higher fees of 2.5% or more^[15].

Stablecoins and major fiat currency conversions feature lower spreads around 0.25%. And precious metals such as gold and silver, can range from 1.9% to 2.95%^[15].

Fiat deposit and withdrawal fees depend on the method used. Bank transfers are often low cost, while card transactions can carry higher fees than Kraken. Because spreads are variable and embedded in the quoted price, some users may find it harder to calculate exact transaction costs compared to platforms that list fixed fees or maker-taker fees.

While Uphold might appeal to first-time traders who are looking for a simple investing experience, their high fees can significantly impact a traders potential for profit.

Whereas Kraken’s consistent, volume-based fee structure is straightforward and predictable, meaning investors always know where they stand. 

Kraken also reinvests its fees into crucial performance areas such as the platform’s stability, security and customer support. These investments make Kraken a reliable exchange that can weather market turmoil and deliver a dependable trading experience.

Security is a key priority for all crypto exchanges. Kraken and Uphold both employ layered protections, undergo third-party audits, and update their procedures accordingly.

However their security implementations differ in some important aspects. Here’s how their frameworks stack up against each other.

Kraken is highly regarded for its ongoing commitment to security, with a proven track record of no breaches resulting in the loss of client funds since its founding.^[18] 

The platform uses a multi-layered approach to protect accounts and user assets, including, two-factor authentication (2FA), PGP email encryption, withdrawal address whitelisting and master account key settings.

In 2014, Kraken launched the industry-leading Proof of Reserves audits. This advanced cryptographic method means users can independently confirm that their funds are fully backed.

The exchange is ISO/IEC 27001:2013 certified, has completed a SOC 2 Type 2 audit^[18] and also operates a public bug bounty program, inviting security researchers to identify vulnerabilities and contribute to platform resilience.

These efforts highlight Kraken’s well-established emphasis on transparency, trust and meticulous third-party validation.

Uphold employs a multi-layered security approach that includes two-factor authentication (2FA), biometric login on mobile devices, and the ability to freeze accounts in case of suspicious activity. 

The platform publishes real-time Proof of Reserves through its Reserveledger and Reservechain, showing that it is fully backed with assets equal to or greater than customer obligations. There is also a public bug bounty program through Intigriti to identify and remediate vulnerabilities.^[20]

Uphold holds certification under ISO/IEC 27001:2013 and has undergone a SOC 2 Type II examination. While Uphold has not reported any major platform-wide hacks, it has faced isolated security incidents through third-party providers and historical litigation around account security controls.^[19

Reliable and efficient customer support is a significant decision point for many traders. Both Kraken and Uphold offer customer service, but the depth of support differs greatly.

Kraken's commitment to customer support is second to none, being responsive, professional and human-centric. 

Clients can access 24/7 live chat with real human agents, email requests or queries, and even speak directly with a customer service specialist via phone. Kraken’s support team is multilingual and can help clients in over a dozen languages.^[21]

With a focus on clarity, care and speed, Kraken has won awards in customer satisfaction such as the Best Use of AI in CX (Europe) at the Customer Centricity World Series.^[23]

Uphold provides customer support primarily through its online Help Center, email ticketing system, and live chat that is limited to within the app. Direct customer support is offered in English and Spanish, with more limited coverage in other regions^[22]. And unlike Kraken, Uphold does not provide live phone support.

User feedback highlights mixed experiences with Uphold’s support responsiveness. Some customers report timely resolution of their issues, while others cite long delays or difficulties in getting clear answers from automated replies^[24].

Despite having a comprehensive Help Centre^[25] the absence of consistent real-time support can leave users feeling frustrated during high-volume periods or when dealing with critical security issues.

Kraken and Uphold offer very different experiences. Kraken’s mobile app appeals to new investors, while at the same time Kraken Pro caters to professional traders.

Uphold provides a simple user experience and access to precious metals, but with high fees and a limited product offering for more experienced investors.

Kraken is the exchange for users and institutions who prioritize security, competitive fees and advanced tools. Its long-established reputation, Proof of Reserves audits and professional-grade features make it an excellent choice for users that value trust, transparency and control.

Alternatively, Uphold establishes itself through its simplicity and one-click exposure to varied assets, from cryptocurrencies to gold and platinum.

1. https://www.kraken.com/en-gb 
2. ​​https://uphold.com/en-gb/resources/about 
3. https://support.kraken.com/articles/360022835651-leverage-margining-summary-derivatives 
4. https://www.kraken.com/features/staking 
5. https://uphold.com/en-gb/staking 
6. https://inkonchain.com/ 
7. https://uphold.com/en-gb/transparency 
8. https://support.kraken.com/articles/360000678446-cryptocurrencies-available-on-kraken
9. https://uphold.com/en-gb/assets/crypto 
10. https://support.kraken.com/articles/360000381846-cash-deposit-options-fees-minimums-and-processing-times- 
11. https://www.investopedia.com/terms/u/uphold.asp 
12. https://support.kraken.com/articles/stablecoins-supported-on-kraken
13. https://uphold.com/en-gb/products/stablecoins 
14. https://uphold.com/en-gb 
15. https://www.kraken.com/features/fee-schedule 
16. https://uphold.com/en-gb/get-started/service-fees
17. https://www.bitdegree.org/crypto/tutorials/kraken-fees 
18. https://www.kraken.com/en-gb/features/security 
19. https://uphold.com/en-gb/blog/security/incident-at-third-party-firm 
20. https://uphold.com/en-gb/get-started/security 
21. https://support.kraken.com/articles/360030944031-language-options-for-kraken-com 
22. https://www.fxempire.com/exchanges/uphold 
23. https://blog.kraken.com/news/industry-news/kraken-wins-again-eccas 
24. https://www.trustpilot.com/review/uphold.com 
25. https://support.uphold.com/hc/en-us