HTX offers broad asset coverage and a proprietary platform, while Kraken emphasizes security and regulatory standing. The matchup pits asset depth against investor protection.
Find out which crypto exchange best suits your trading profile.
Choose if…
Choose HTX if you want breadth with 600 coins and a monthly PoR with Merkle tree attestation.
Choose if…
Choose Kraken if you want strong regulatory coverage and segregated funds.
Which exchange wins for each type of crypto trader, based on security, fees, coin selection, and editorial scoring.
| Criteria | ||
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 3.8/ 5 | 4.6/ 5 |
| Min Deposit | No minimum | No minimum |
| Spreads From | N/A | N/A |
| Taker Fee | 0.20%▼ lower | 0.26% |
A closer look at the specific criteria each exchange meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | HTX | Kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Security | ||
| Cold storage for assets | Pass | Pass |
| Proof of reserves published | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Fail | Pass |
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, etc.) | Fail | Fail |
| Fees | ||
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Pass | Pass |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Pass |
| Features | ||
| Staking available | Pass | Pass |
| DeFi integration | Fail | Fail |
| NFT trading | Fail | Fail |
| 500+ coins listed | Pass | Fail |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Fail | Fail |
Kraken rates 4.6/5 versus 3.8/5 for HTX. Kraken edges ahead on our composite score, though both exchanges meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
Neither HTX nor Kraken requires a minimum deposit, making both accessible regardless of starting capital.
HTX is regulated by AUSTRAC, VARA. Kraken is regulated by FinCEN, FCA. Confirm a exchange's current regulatory status on the relevant regulator's public register before opening an account.
Minimum deposit and negative balance protection data are not confirmed for this pair. Check the regulatory body for each exchange, as the licence tier is a reliable proxy for client fund safety. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources on each exchange's site.
HTX offers up to 200:1 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.
HTX charges $0.2 per trade, lower than Kraken's $0.26 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.
HTX supports Proprietary Web/Mobile, while Kraken supports Kraken Pro. HTX has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile. 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.
Both HTX and Kraken offer staking according to our data. Compare the supported coins, lock-up periods, and estimated annual yields on each exchange before committing funds.
HTX lists 500+ coins while Kraken does not meet this threshold in our data. For traders who want access to many altcoins, HTX has the broader selection. Confirm specific coin availability for your region on each exchange's website.
Kraken wins for security due to zero hacks since 2011 and segregated funds.
Kraken wins for beginners because it is US-available and regulated, with multilingual support.
Both HTX and Kraken offer staking and yield-earning features, making them equally suited for passive crypto income strategies.
Equally matched, as neither offers DeFi access or Web3 integrations.
| N/A |
| N/A |
| Inactivity Fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | CryptoBank transferCredit cardDebit card | CryptoBank transferWire transfer |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | CryptoBank transfer | CryptoBank transferWire transfer |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Network fee only | Network fee only |
|---|
| Regulators | AUSTRAC VARA CIMA | FinCEN FCA NYDFS MiCA |
|---|
| Cold Storage | Yes | Yes |
|---|
| Proof of Reserves | Yes | Yes |
|---|
| Staking | Yes | Yes |
|---|
| DeFi Integration | No | No |
|---|
| NFT Trading | No | No |
|---|
| 500+ Coins | Yes | No |
|---|
| P2P Trading | No | No |
|---|
| Crypto Earn / Savings | No | Yes |
|---|
| Token Launchpad | No | No |
|---|
| Active bonuses | 2 offers | 2 offers |
|---|
Kraken emerges as the editor's winner over HTX due to stronger trust/regulation and security track record.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.8 / 5
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