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Deciding between crypto trading platforms is an important decision. Your choice will affect which digital currencies you can trade, how much you can trade, and how you do it. Today, we’ll look at two of the best cryptocurrency exchanges and decide which one is better: Kraken vs Bitfinex.

Kraken vs Bitfinex: Comparison at a Glance

This table briefly summarizes the key features of the two providers.

Criteria
Kraken
Bitfinex
Best for
Secure crypto trading
Professional traders
Accessibility
Simplified-app for beginners
Less-beginner friendly
Compliance
MSB and FinCEN registered
Complies with Travel Rule
Security
Cold storage, physical security, 2FA
2FA, U2F, email encryption, and cold storage
Account Setup
Easy signup with account activation and KYC
Quick account setup with KYC
Cryptocurrencies
500+ cryptocurrencies
200+ cryptocurrencies

Why Is It Hard to Decide Between These Platforms?

Both options in the Kraken vs Bitfinex comparison offer users a safe place to trade cryptocurrencies, hold digital assets, and earn rewards. However, there are subtle differences that separate them, and these will ultimately inform your decision when choosing between the two.

You should read our Kraken exchange review to get a comprehensive summary of everything the platform has to offer. You can then compare it to our Bitfinex exchange review to see which provider offers features that align with your needs.

Kraken Logo

Kraken

One of the world’s most trusted and secure crypto exchanges with low fees and advanced trading tools.

ESTABLISHED: 2011
SECURITY RATING: A+ (CER.live)
USER BASE: 10M+
Bitfinex LOGO

Bitfinex

Funding Methods Crypto, Credit & Debit Card, Bank Wire, Express Bankwire
Cryptocurrencies 140+ (Bitcoin, Tether, Polkadot, Tron)
Headquarters Hong Kong

Head-to-Head: What Ultimately Separates These Exchanges

This table details the major features and functions in the Kraken vs Bitfinex battle. You can use it as a quick comparison guide to see which exchange better suits your needs.

Features
Kraken
Bitfinex
Established
2011
2012
Headquarters
Wyoming, USA
British Virgin Isles
Fees
0.00-0.26% maker/taker fees
0.10-0.20% maker/taker fees
Mobile app
iOS and Android
iOS and Android
Beginner friendly
“lite” platform caters for beginners
“lite” platform for beginners
Advanced trading options
Margins, futures, advanced order types
Futures, options, and spot trading
Wallet integration
Supports 3rd party wallet integration
Supports 3rd party wallet integration
Flagship features
Peer-to-peer payments, Kraken Pro
Margin funding, OTC desk, derivatives trading
Buy/deposit methods
Bank transfers, credit/debit card
Bank transfers, credit/debit cards
Fiat trading
Yes
Yes
Gold and precious metals
No
Via tokenized securities
Withdrawals
Crypto & Fiat withdrawals
Crypto & Fiat withdrawals
Staking and earning features
Bonded and flexible staking
Staking, crypto lending
Customer support
Service guides & AI-powered summaries
24/7 customer support & ticketing service

Which One Is Better, Kraken or Bitfinex?

Deciding between the two is a tough choice, but it will ultimately come down to your trading needs, experience, and where you live.

Kraken is regulated in the U.S., making it a solid exchange for people living in America who value straightforward crypto trading with extensive tools and a strong safety track record.

If you’re outside of America, Bitfinex is a great fit. Its relatively low fees, advanced trading options, and earning opportunities make it an exceptional choice.

FAQ


Bitfinex is renowned for catering to professional traders by offering advanced tools, diverse order types and buying options. While this makes it a more ideal exchange for active traders, Kraken is not far behind and offers several great features which experienced users can get the most out of.


Kraken generally has lower trading fees. These discounts are especially noticeable when making high-value trades.


Yes, Kraken is considered safer as they have never experienced security breaches. However, it is important to note that while Bitfinex experienced a major hack in 2016, they refunded all affected clients.


Kraken supports more cryptocurrencies of the two.


Both platforms support staking. Kraken’s user-friendly staking options has been lauded by traders while Bitfinex’s soft-staking program allows users to earn from their deposited crypto.

Evan Jones Headshot

About the Author

Evan Jones

Evan Jones was introduced to cryptocurrency by fellow CryptoVantage contributor Keegan Francis in 2017 and was immediately intrigued by the use cases of many Ethereum-based cryptos. He bought his first hardware wallet shortly thereafter. He has a keen and vested interest in cryptos involving decentralized backend exchanges, payment processing, and power-sharing.

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