Kraken vs Uphold: Which is Best? [2025]


Key differences
- Kraken offers advanced trading tools and lower fees for high-volume traders, while Uphold provides a broader range of cryptocurrencies and payment methods.
- Uphold offers interest on USD balances, which Kraken does not.
- Kraken has a more extensive security infrastructure and proof of reserves auditing.
Kraken vs Uphold Fees Calculator
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Enter the amount you want to buy and we'll show you the estimated fees for each exchange.
Kraken vs Uphold in Comparison
Description

Popular and well-known exchange based in the USA.

Popular exchange based in the USA with support for multiple payment methods.
Supported Countries

Available in over 190 countries globally with some restrictions. Not available in New York, Washington state, Japan, Russia, Belarus, Cuba, Iran, Iraq, North Korea and a few other restricted regions. Some European countries have restrictions on specific services like futures trading.

Available in over 180 countries globally including US, UK, Canada, Australia, Brazil and Japan. Serves over 30 million users worldwide.
Supported Cryptocurrencies

Over 200 cryptocurrencies supported including BTC, ETH, USDC, SOL, DOGE, SHIB, XRP, ADA, MATIC, DOT, AVAX, LINK, MANA, LUNA2, ATOM, ALGO, APT, ARB, FTM, NEAR, OP, PYUSD, STRK, SUI, TON, TRX, XLM, XMR, XTZ and many more across multiple networks including Ethereum, Solana, Bitcoin, Polygon, Arbitrum, and others.

Over 250 cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, XRP, Stellar, AAVE, BAT, ADA and many more
Fees

- Withdrawal Fees:
- ACH: Free
- Wire Transfer: $25
- SEPA: Free
- SWIFT: $25
- BTC: Network fees vary

- Stablecoins & major FX: 0.25%
- BTC, ETH: 1.4% - 1.6%
- Altcoins: 1.9% - 2.95%
- Precious Metals: 1.9% - 2.95%
Payment Methods

ACH, Bank Account, Apple Pay, Google Pay, SEPA, Interac e-Transfer, Debit Card, PayPal, Instant Verification

ACH, Bank Account, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Credit Card, Debit Card, SEPA, Interac e-Transfer
Do These Exchanges Allow you To Earn Interest on Crypto?

0.15% - 6.5%
Available for BTC (0.15% bonded/0.1% flexible), USDT/USD/USDC (6.5% bonded/4.5% flexible), and EUR (4.45% bonded/3.5% flexible).

2 - 4.65%
Earn up to 4.65% APY on USD balances of $1,000 or more, or 2% APY on balances below $1,000 in Uphold's USD Interest Account.
Mobile App Ratings

iOS Rating: 4.7 Official rating from the iOS App Store as of November 18, 2024.
Android Rating: 4.3 Official rating from the Android Play Store as of November 18, 2024.

iOS Rating: 4.6 Official rating from the iOS App Store as of November 18, 2024.
Android Rating: 4.7 Official rating from the Android Play Store as of November 18, 2024.
Storage

Industry-leading security with ISO/IEC 27001:2013 certification and SOC 2 Type 1 examination. Funds stored in secure cold storage with 24/7 armed guard surveillance. Features include advanced encryption, FIDO2 2FA, customizable API permissions, global settings time lock, and proof of reserves auditing. No phone/SMS recovery to prevent SIM swap attacks. Expert security team with constant monitoring and testing.

Uphold maintains full reserves of customer assets with no lending. Platform features industry-standard security including 2FA, real-time monitoring and notifications. Regular third-party audits verify holdings and security practices.
Have These Exchanges Been Hacked Before?

Yes, Kraken was hacked in June 2024, but the crypto exchange was able to fix the breach within 47 minutes and no client funds were lost.

No major hacks, though a third-party communications vendor had a security incident in July 2022. No customer funds were affected.
Official Site


Exchange Review

No review available
"What a fantastic trading platform. Wonderful to have it as the mobile version, being able to work your trades on the go. Keeping up with the portfolio just became incredibly easy! Love you guys and thank you for the work. New trader here! The interface is easy to navigate and a pleasure on the eyes. The setup is notable, and perhaps there should be instructions provided in the app upon first launch. :)"
- Real user review from iOS App Store, Android Play Store or Trustpilot

No review available
"I am a big fan of Uphold. Its super straightforward and simple. You can swap between lots of tokens and easily select your bank to buy new ones. They have all customer assets backed. Perfect 👌. My only gripe is that once you own something and click on that token it does not show you the market price and market graph it shows your own account balance and change over time."
- Real user review from iOS App Store, Android Play Store or Trustpilot
Kraken vs Uphold Comparison
Kraken and Uphold offer different advantages. Kraken is known for its advanced trading tools and lower fees for high-volume traders. Uphold, on the other hand, provides a broader range of cryptocurrencies and payment methods, along with interest on USD balances.