AMarketsvs
KrakenCrypto Exchange Comparison
AMarkets and Kraken face off on a crossroads of regulation, asset availability, and platform capabilities. The matchup tests offshore leverage vs regulated, native crypto trading.
Our Verdict
Kraken winsClear Winner
Kraken wins on editorial score and regulatory strength, backed by NYDFS, FinCEN, MiCA, and a proven security track record; AMarkets trails with offshore SVG/FSA oversight.
Kraken
4.6/5
AMarkets
3.3/5
Key Differences
- 1AMarkets provides phone support; Kraken offers no phone support.
- 2AMarkets lists 8 coins; Kraken lists around 200.
- 3Kraken provides proof of reserves; AMarkets does not.
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 zero hacks since 2011 and verifiable proof of reserves.
Best for low fees
Recommended
AMarkets vs Kraken: Side-by-Side Crypto Exchange Comparison
| Criteria |  AMarkets |  Kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 3.3/ 5 | 4.6/ 5 |
| Min Deposit | $100 | No minimum▼ lower |
| Spreads From | 0 pips | N/A |
| Taker Fee | 6.00% | 0.26%▼ lower |
AMarkets vs Kraken Crypto Exchange Pros & Cons
Pros
- Crypto CFDs available with high leverage options
- MT4/MT5 with copy trading integration
- Low spreads on standard and ECN account types
Cons
- Offshore regulation (SVG/FSA), minimal investor protection
- 3000:1 leverage on forex is extremely high-risk
AMarkets vs Kraken: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each exchange meets or misses within each scoring category.
1
AMarkets
criteria win
5
Kraken
criteria wins
Highlighted rows show where the two exchanges differ
| Criteria | AMarkets | 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.) | Fail | Fail |
| Fees | ||
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Fail | 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 |
AMarkets vs Kraken: Frequently Asked Questions
Kraken is the stronger choice: it rates 4.6/5 versus 3.3/5 for AMarkets, a gap that reflects clear differences across regulation, fees, and platform quality in our review.
AMarkets lists a spread from 0. Current spread data is not available for Kraken. Check both exchanges' full fee schedules, including maker/taker rates, for up-to-date pricing.
Kraken has no minimum deposit, while AMarkets requires at least $100. This makes Kraken more accessible for traders looking to start with a smaller crypto investment.
AMarkets is regulated by SVGFSA. Kraken is regulated by FCA, NYDFS. Confirm a exchange's current regulatory status on the relevant regulator's public register before opening an account.
For beginners, Kraken has no minimum deposit, removing the capital barrier entirely. Both exchanges otherwise share similar beginner-facing criteria in our data. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources on each exchanges's site.
AMarkets 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 AMarkets'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.
AMarkets supports cTrader, MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4, while Kraken supports Kraken Pro. AMarkets has exclusive access to cTrader and MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4. Kraken has exclusive access to Kraken Pro.
Kraken scores higher on security criteria, with cold storage and proof of reserves and segregated client funds. For crypto, cold storage and proof of reserves are key indicators that client assets are protected against exchange failure or hacks.
Kraken scores better on fee criteria (no deposit fee, no inactivity fee). Always check both exchanges' current fee schedules, as maker/taker rates and withdrawal fees vary and are subject to change.
Kraken offers staking while AMarkets 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.
