Admiralsvs
KrakenCrypto Exchange Comparison
This comparison pits Admirals regulated CFD exposure against Kraken's native crypto exchange model. Both pursue crypto traction across different platform philosophies and regulatory footprints.
Our Verdict
Kraken winsClear Winner
Kraken wins on the editorial score and coin range, offering a native exchange with 200 coins, while Admirals remains CFD-focused.
Kraken
4.6/5
Admirals
3.9/5
Key Differences
- 1Kraken operates a native exchange; Admirals does not.
- 2Kraken provides quarterly proof of reserves; Admirals does not.
- 3Staking is available on Kraken; Admirals offers none.
Who should choose Admirals vs Kraken?
Find out which crypto exchange best suits your trading profile.
Choose Admirals if…
Choose Admirals if you want crypto exposure via CFDs on MT4/MT5. You benefit from FCA, ASIC, CySEC and KNF oversight and broad multi-asset access, while crypto ownership and staking are not offered, and leverage remains conservative.
Choose Kraken if…
Choose Kraken if you want a native exchange with around 200 coins. You also benefit from staking options, mobile apps, segregated client funds, and 24/5 support.
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 wins for security with a long track record, segregated funds, and proofs of reserves.
Best for low fees
Recommended
Admirals vs Kraken: Side-by-Side Crypto Exchange Comparison
| Criteria |  Admirals |  Kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 3.9/ 5 | 4.6/ 5 |
| Min Deposit | No minimum | No minimum |
| Spreads From | 0.5 pips | N/A |
| Taker Fee | 6.00% | 0.26%▼ lower |
Admirals vs Kraken Crypto Exchange Pros & Cons
Pros
- 30+ crypto CFDs on MT4 and MT5 under FCA, CySEC, and ASIC regulation
- MetaTrader Supreme Edition plugin adds enhanced charting and sentiment tools
- No minimum deposit; FSCS protection up to GBP 85,000 for UK retail clients
- Broad multi-asset offering, crypto alongside forex, equities, ETFs, and commodities
Cons
- CFDs only, no real crypto ownership, staking, or on-chain access
Admirals vs Kraken: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each exchange meets or misses within each scoring category.
2
Admirals
criteria wins
4
Kraken
criteria wins
Highlighted rows show where the two exchanges differ
| Criteria | Admirals | 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 | Fail | 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 |
Admirals vs Kraken: Frequently Asked Questions
Kraken rates 4.6/5 versus 3.9/5 for Admirals. Kraken edges ahead on our composite score, though both exchanges meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
Admirals lists a spread from 0.5. Current spread data is not available for Kraken. Check both exchanges' full fee schedules, including maker/taker rates, for up-to-date pricing.
Neither Admirals nor Kraken requires a minimum deposit, making both accessible regardless of starting capital.
Admirals holds top-tier regulation (FCA, ASIC, CySEC), providing stronger investor protections. Kraken may be regulated but does not hold top-tier status in our data. Verify regulatory status on each regulator's public register before depositing funds.
For beginners, Admirals provides negative balance protection, capping losses at your deposit amount. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources on each exchange's site before deciding.
Admirals offers up to 2:1 on perpetual or margin products, versus Kraken's 5:1 cap. Margin and futures trading carry higher risk than spot crypto; confirm product availability and jurisdiction-specific limits on each exchange's website.
Kraken charges $0.26 per trade, lower than Admirals's $6 per trade. Lower commissions benefit active traders who execute many trades per day. Crypto fees are typically quoted as maker/taker rates rather than fixed per-trade commissions; check each exchange's fee schedule for volume-based discounts.
Admirals supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4, while Kraken supports Kraken Pro. Admirals has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4. Kraken has exclusive access to Kraken Pro.
Kraken offers staking while Admirals does not according to our data. Staking lets you earn passive yield on your crypto holdings directly through the exchange. Check Kraken's supported coins, lock-up terms, and estimated yields before committing.
