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Transferable to your own wallet
Self-custody of cryptocurrencies plays an important role for many users who want to manage their cryptocurrencies and thus their "private keys" themselves and not leave them in the hands of the exchange. Most exchanges offer the option of sending the purchased cryptocurrencies to their own wallet.
Deposit protection is a safeguard for the assets of users of a stock exchange or broker, which is intended to protect investors in the event of insolvency or a high loss due to a hacker attack. Service providers based in Germany are legally obliged to provide deposit protection of €100,000. In some cases, international exchanges have a special insurance policy that covers a certain portion of the assets instead of a deposit guarantee.
The overall rating is the average of our individual ratings. Our ratings do not constitute investment advice, but merely our personal opinion. You are welcome to use them as rough indicators and additional perspective. In the dynamic and fast-growing crypto sector, parameters can often change from one day to the next, so we cannot guarantee that the rating data is up to date. Therefore, please never use our ratings as an isolated basis for decision-making and not as a substitute for your own research.
This rating describes our personal assessment of the user-friendliness of the product. How easy is the onboarding process? How modern is the user interface and is it easy to use? Are all the important functions quick and easy to find? We ask ourselves all these questions in order to give a personal rating from 1 to 10 points.
This rating describes our assessment of the fee structure of a stock exchange or broker. It is not only the amount of fees that can differ, but also the type of fees. The most common type of fees for crypto exchanges are the "maker/taker" fees or spreads. In some cases, there are also hidden fees that are not recognizable to users at first glance.
For products or services in the crypto space, trust and security should be the biggest factors in the selection process. Since we could not seriously evaluate the technical security of a platform or product, we analyze publicly available factors such as security features, location, regulation, certifications, audits, team/company, general reputation and, of course, track record.
Crypto doesn't have to be cryptic. Especially for beginners, the first contact with the crypto world can be overwhelming. With this rating, we give our assessment of how easy it is for beginners to find their way around: from the onboarding process to using the most important functions.
Customer support is an important factor for many users. A long wait or no response at all in the event of problems can be frustrating, especially when it comes to sensitive topics such as finances. With this rating, we give our assessment of the quality of customer support. In order to provide as balanced an assessment as possible, we also include user opinions from other platforms in our evaluation.
Some exchanges and brokers are regulated by financial supervisory authorities in certain countries/states. This often entails strict financial regulatory requirements and compliance requirements to which the company must adhere. Regulatory clarity can contribute to greater transparency and thus also greater trustworthiness.
Kraken vs BitMex in comparison
Overview
Kraken is a cryptocurrency exchange that was established in 2011 and is operated by Payward, Inc., a Delaware corporation. It holds licenses or registrations in the US, the EU, the UK, Canada, and Australia, with MiCA authorization in the EU through the Central Bank of Ireland. The exchange's Wyoming bank, Kraken Financial, was granted its charter in 2020.
- Licensed or registered in the US, the EU, the UK, Canada, and Australia
- Proof of reserves from 100.3% to 102.9% for BTC, ETH, SOL, XRP, and ADA (30 June 2026)
- Kraken Pro fees decrease with 30-day volume or balance, to 0% maker
- Free ACH and SEPA deposits starting at 1 USD or 1 EUR
- Staking, stocks, and some transfers vary by US state
- No insurance on crypto holdings
- Entry tier 0.40% maker and 0.80% taker. App instant buys 1% plus spread
- Debit card deposits cost $0.25 plus 3.75%
- Cheap fees
- Comprehensive tools for professional traders
- Might be complex for beginners
Features Comparison
- Cryptocurrencies
- Derivatives
- Cryptocurrencies
0.8
%
0.80%
0.40%
Varies
0
%
0.05%
0.00%
₿
0.000079
629
+
$
1
24
+
$
1
Exchange Rating
Functions
- Margin trading with up to 10x leverage
- Copy trading
- Trade bitcoin with 100x leverage
- Low latency market data and trade execution
- Option to place idle funds into BitMEX Earn
Company Details
Our Review
Kraken suits traders in most US states, the EU, the UK, Canada, and Australia who seek a long-running, licensed exchange with order-book trading and proof of reserves. Kraken Pro begins at 0.40% for makers and 0.80% for takers, with fees decreasing as trading volume increases, while instant buys in the app incur a cost of 1% plus a spread. In our view, Coinbase may be preferable for new users.
BitMEX is a top choice for experienced traders, offering advanced features such as 100x leverage on Bitcoin and low fees. However, its complex interface and ongoing legal issues involving the founders may deter some users. Security and support receive mixed reviews, making it less ideal for beginners. Overall, BitMEX is a powerful platform for those familiar with crypto trading but has challenges for newer users.
Banking-Grade Trust vs Derivatives Specialist
Kraken earned a banking license, which is rare in crypto. BitMEX pioneered high-leverage derivatives trading with zero maker fees and has since closed its exchange: trading, deposits and new positions are no longer available, and existing users can still log in and withdraw their funds.
Trust Comparison
Kraken holds a banking license with high reputation and trust built over years. Institutional-grade credibility.
BitMex has legal baggage from founder issues with U.S. regulators. Some traders overlook this for the fees; others find it disqualifying.
Fee Comparison
BitMex charges 0.05% taker and 0.00% maker—you're paid to provide liquidity. Kraken Pro charges 0.80% taker at its entry tier. BitMex is dramatically cheaper.
Target Users
Kraken targets beginners with good usability, scoring 8/10 for beginner friendliness.
BitMex targets professional traders with 100x leverage on Bitcoin. It scores 5/10 for beginners—not designed for newcomers.
Coin Selection
Kraken lists more than 600 cryptocurrencies. BitMex offers only 24 for derivatives trading. Different scopes.
The Decision
Kraken at 8.8 suits users who want banking-grade trust and broad functionality.
BitMEX has closed its exchange, so it is no longer an option for new trades. Former BitMEX users who want derivatives can compare platforms in our list of derivatives exchanges; US readers can start with our Kraken review and our picks for US customers.
About the author
At Exchange Flow, Ethan is recognized as the resident crypto expert. With 10+years of experience navigating the waters of global crypto exchanges, Ethan is a trusted voice in the ever-evolving world of digital currencies. He tests and scrutinizes exchanges so you don’t have to, offering reviews and articles that newbies and seasoned traders alike find invaluable. When he’s not coding, Ethan likes to travel and play retro games. He uses his crypto earnings to fund his trip around the globe.
