Buy Bitcoin on Krakenthe method that costs the least
The same purchase can cost five times more depending on the interface you use. This page compares instant buy and Kraken Pro, then breaks down the limit order.
Buying in 4 steps
From cash to bitcoin, without the express checkout
- 1
Deposit funds
Bank transfer from your account. Wait for the balance to show up in your wallet.
- 2
Open Kraken Pro
Pick the BTC pair for your currency. The Pro interface is free and charges much less than instant buy.
- 3
Place a limit order
Set the price you're willing to buy at and the amount. A limit order filled as maker gets the lowest rate.
- 4
Secure or hold
Leave it on the platform for the short term, or move it to a hardware wallet for long-term storage.
Instant buy vs Kraken Pro
Same bitcoin, different bill
| Criterion | Instant buy | Kraken Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Indicative cost | About 1.5% and up | Around 0.25% maker / 0.40% taker |
| Order types | Buy at the displayed price | Limit, market, stop, scheduled orders |
| Learning curve | Immediate | About ten minutes |
| Recommendation | Emergencies only | Default choice |
Common questions about buying Bitcoin
What's the minimum amount to buy Bitcoin on Kraken?
A few euros is enough: the BTC pair accepts very small orders. You never need to buy a whole bitcoin — purchases happen in fractions.
Instant buy or Kraken Pro?
Kraken Pro in almost every case. Instant buy charges a noticeably higher percentage for the same result. Pro's learning curve pays for itself after a single transaction.
Market order or limit order?
A limit order is cheaper because it places you on the maker side of the book. A market order fills immediately but at the higher taker rate, and sometimes at a less favorable price.
Should I move my bitcoin off the platform?
For long-term holding and significant amounts, a hardware wallet reduces counterparty risk. For small amounts or active trading, staying on the platform is a defensible choice.
Start with the referral bonus
Code at sign-up, funded account, then your first BTC purchase.
Kraken referral code · September 2026
The link pre-fills the code. If you type it manually, do it during account creation.
Personal referral link, no extra cost to you : ↗ opens kraken.com in a new tab.
Next: verify your identity (KYC), deposit funds, then track when the reward is paid.