ActivTrades vs Kraken Crypto Exchange Comparison
A head-to-head comparison of ActivTrades and Kraken across security, fees, coin selection, staking, and editorial scoring.
Score 3.7 / 5
ActivTrades offers crypto CFDs on Bitcoin, Ethereum, and a select range of major altcoins via ActivTrader and MT4, under FCA regulation with supplemental client fund insurance up to GBP 1,000,000 - a regulated low-cost entry point for crypto CFD exposure.
VS
Industry-leading security track record and strong regulatory standing. The safest all-round choice for serious crypto investors, particularly in the US and Europe.
Our Verdict
Kraken winsClear Winner
Kraken comes out ahead with an editorial score of 4.6/5 compared to ActivTrades's 3.7/5.
Kraken
4.6/5
ActivTrades
3.7/5
Verdict by Trader Profile
Which exchange wins for each type of crypto trader, based on security, fees, coin selection, and editorial scoring.
Best for security
Recommended
Kraken scores higher on security: cold storage, proof of reserves, segregated funds.
Best for low fees
It's a tie
Both equally suited
Both exchanges offer equivalent fee conditions — no deposit fee and no inactivity fee.
Best for beginners
Recommended
Kraken edges out ActivTrades with a higher editorial score (4.6/5 vs 3.7/5), indicating a stronger overall experience for new crypto traders.
Best for coin selection
Insufficient data
Data not yet available
Coin-selection data is not yet available for this pair. Check each exchange's supported assets page to compare the number of tradeable cryptocurrencies.
Best for DeFi & Web3
Insufficient data
Data not yet available
DeFi and NFT feature data is not yet available for this pair. Check each exchange's Web3 product pages directly.
ActivTrades vs Kraken: Side-by-Side Crypto Exchange Comparison
| Criteria |  ActivTrades |  Kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial Score | 3.7/ 5 | 4.6/ 5 |
| Min. Deposit | No minimum | No minimum |
| Regulators | FCA CMVM SCB | FCA JFSA MiCA FinCEN NYDFS |
| Cold Storage | No | Yes |
| Proof of Reserves | No | Yes |
| Staking | No | Yes |
| DeFi Integration | No | No |
| NFT Trading | No | No |
| 500+ Coins | No | No |
| P2P Trading | No | No |
| Crypto Earn / Savings | No | Yes |
| Token Launchpad | No | No |
| Active Bonuses | None | 2 offers |
| Visit exchange | Visit ActivTrades | Visit Kraken |
ActivTrades vs Kraken Crypto Exchange Pros & Cons
Pros
- FCA regulated with supplemental insurance up to GBP 1,000,000 per client - strongest fund protection among mid-tier brokers
- ActivTrader's volatility protection automatically cancels orders during extreme crypto market spikes
- Crypto CFDs available on ActivTrader and MT4 with no minimum deposit
- Negative balance protection and FSCS coverage for UK retail clients
Cons
- Limited coin selection (major tokens only - no altcoins or DeFi access)
- No real crypto ownership, staking, or on-chain withdrawals
- Crypto spreads not competitive vs ECN alternatives for active traders
- Less known outside Europe; limited coverage of Asian and US crypto markets
Pros
- Zero major exchange hacks since 2011
- FinCEN-registered, MiCA-compliant in EU
- Quarterly Proof of Reserves by Armanino
- Competitive maker fees (0.00% at volume)
- Available to US clients
- Client funds held in segregated accounts
- No deposit fees
- No inactivity fee
- Mobile trading app available
- Proprietary trading platform available
- Advanced charting tools included
- Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
- 24/5 live chat support
- Multilingual customer support
Cons
- Smaller coin selection than Binance (~200 pairs)
- Futures available only via separate entity
- Staking availability restricted in some US states
- No top-tier regulatory licence
- No negative balance protection
- No investor compensation scheme
- No phone support
ActivTrades vs Kraken: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each exchange meets or misses within each scoring category.
2
ActivTrades
criteria wins
3
Kraken
criteria wins
Highlighted rows show where the two exchanges differ
| Criteria | ActivTrades | Kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Security | ||
| Cold storage for assets | Fail | Pass |
| Proof of reserves published | Fail | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, etc.) | Pass | Fail |
| Fees | ||
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Pass | Pass |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Pass |
| Features | ||
| Staking available | Fail | Pass |
| DeFi integration | Fail | Fail |
| NFT trading | Fail | Fail |
| 500+ coins listed | Fail | Fail |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Fail |
ActivTrades vs Kraken: Frequently Asked Questions
Based on our independent editorial scoring, Kraken ranks higher with a score of 4.6/5 vs 3.7/5 for ActivTrades. The best choice still depends on your individual needs — security, coin selection, fees, and staking offerings all matter.
Kraken scores higher on our security criteria, offering cold storage for assets and proof of reserves. When evaluating exchange safety, look for cold storage, proof of reserves, regulatory oversight, and segregated client funds. Always verify the current security posture directly with the exchange.
ActivTrades and Kraken appear similar on fee criteria in our data. Compare each exchange's trading fee schedule directly, as crypto fees vary by asset, volume tier, and payment method.
Kraken offers staking, while ActivTrades does not according to our data. If earning staking rewards is important to your strategy, Kraken would be the better choice. Always confirm current staking availability and supported assets directly with the exchange.
Both ActivTrades and Kraken require a minimum deposit of no minimum to start trading.
For beginners: Kraken has a higher overall editorial score. Also consider each exchange's educational resources, customer support quality, and the simplicity of their user interface before deciding.
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