Kraken Feeswhat you actually pay, per operation
Kraken isn't the cheapest platform on the market, but it's predictable. The real gap doesn't come from the fee schedule itself: it comes from which interface you use and which order type you place.
Fee ballpark
Indicative values: your interface shows the exact rate
| Operation | Indicative cost | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Maker order (Pro) | ≈ 0.25% | A limit order that waits in the book |
| Taker order (Pro) | ≈ 0.40% | An order filled immediately against the book |
| Instant buy | ≈ 1.5% and up | Convenience at a high price, avoid for regular use |
| Bank transfer deposit | Free to near-free | Recommended method, see the process |
| Card deposit | Several percent | Only for a small, urgent amount |
| Bank withdrawal | A few dollars | Flat fee, so negligible on a large withdrawal |
Maker vs taker: the real gap
On a $1,000 purchase, the taker rate costs about $4 and the maker rate about $2.50. The gap looks small on one trade — it becomes significant on a monthly recurring investment over three years.
A limit order placed slightly below the current price is enough to switch to the maker side.
The fees people forget
- The instant-buy spread, invisible in the "fee" line
- Currency conversion when you buy a pair quoted in a different currency
- Network fees when transferring to an external wallet
- The commission held back on staking rewards
Looking for a Kraken promo code instead? It doesn't exist: here's why.
Common questions about fees
What are Kraken's trading fees?
On Kraken Pro, the ballpark is 0.25% maker and 0.40% taker for small volumes, with tiers that improve based on 30-day trading volume. The instant-buy interface charges noticeably more.
Does the referral code lower fees?
No. The referral has no effect on the fee schedule: it adds a welcome reward. No code lowers fees at Kraken.
Are there deposit fees?
A standard bank transfer is free or nearly free. A card deposit, on the other hand, is charged several percent — the most expensive way to fund an account.
How do I pay less without trading more?
Consistently use limit orders to get the maker rate, and batch your purchases. On the same amount invested, moving from taker to maker cuts the bill by roughly a third.
Open an account knowing the real cost
Same fees with or without the referral, but an extra reward with the code.
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.