Gemini vs Kraken
Gemini is the better choice for US buyers who will use ActiveTrader and fund by bank transfer; Kraken is better for people who fund by bank transfer and are willing to place an order themselves instead of using the instant-buy button. Gemini lists 38 assets against Kraken's 102, and Kraken is available in more locations.
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Side-by-Side
| Gemini | Kraken | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | centralized exchange | centralized exchange |
| Founded | 2014 | 2011 |
| Headquarters | United States | United States |
| Licenses recorded | 13 | 10 |
| Fiat currencies | USD, SGD | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, CHF, ARS, BRL, MXN |
| Payment methods | ACH, wire transfer, debit card, PayPal | ACH, wire transfer, SEPA, Faster Payments, debit card, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Interac e-Transfer, iDEAL, PIX, spei |
| Maker / taker fee | 0.6% / 1.2% | 0.4% / 0.8% |
| KYC required | Yes | Yes |
| Proof of reserves | — | Yes |
| Assets listed | 38 | 102 |
| Locations available | 55 | 60 |
| Trust score | — | — |
Fee Comparison
| Gemini | Kraken | |
|---|---|---|
| $100 | — | — |
| $1,000 | — | — |
| $10,000 | — | — |
Estimates include trading fee, published spread, and deposit fee. See our methodology.
Where Each Is Available
46 shared jurisdictions; 9 only on Gemini; 14 only on Kraken.
Our Verdict
Both are United States exchanges that reward bank funding and order-book trading. As of September 2026, Kraken's spot order book starts at 0.40% maker and 0.80% taker for an account with no 30-day volume, while Gemini's ActiveTrader base tier charges 0.600% maker and 1.200% taker (sources: Kraken fee schedule; Gemini ActiveTrader fee schedule). Both make bank deposits free, Kraken on ACH, wire, SEPA, Faster Payments, iDEAL and Interac, Gemini on ACH and wire. Kraken suits people willing to place their own orders rather than use the instant-buy screen, which costs 1%. Gemini suits buyers who want a fixed published ladder and will stay inside ActiveTrader.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Which has more coins?
- Kraken, with 102 of the assets we track against 38.
- Can I use both?
- Yes, in the 46 jurisdictions where both are available. Gemini and Kraken can be used side by side; many buyers keep accounts on more than one exchange.