A head-to-head comparison of IC Markets and Kraken across security, fees, coin selection, staking, and editorial scoring.
IC Markets offers crypto CFDs on 20+ pairs via MT4, MT5, cTrader, and TradingView with ECN-adjacent execution and ASIC/CySEC regulation - a competitive regulated route to digital asset CFD exposure for active traders.
Industry-leading security track record and strong regulatory standing. The safest all-round choice for serious crypto investors, particularly in the US and Europe.
Kraken edges ahead with a score of 4.6/5 vs IC Markets's 4.1/5. A narrow margin, so review the breakdown below to see where each broker has a clear advantage.
Which exchange wins for each type of crypto trader, based on security, fees, coin selection, and editorial scoring.
Kraken scores higher on security: cold storage, proof of reserves, segregated funds.
Both exchanges offer equivalent fee conditions — no deposit fee and no inactivity fee.
Kraken edges out IC Markets with a higher editorial score (4.6/5 vs 4.1/5), indicating a stronger overall experience for new crypto traders.
Coin-selection data is not yet available for this pair. Check each exchange's supported assets page to compare the number of tradeable cryptocurrencies.
DeFi and NFT feature data is not yet available for this pair. Check each exchange's Web3 product pages directly.
| Criteria | ||
|---|---|---|
| Editorial Score | 4.1/ 5 | 4.6/ 5 |
| Min. Deposit | $200 | No minimum |
| Regulators | FSCA ASIC CySEC | 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 IC Markets | Visit Kraken |
A closer look at the specific criteria each exchange meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | IC Markets | 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 |
Based on our independent editorial scoring, Kraken ranks higher with a score of 4.6/5 vs 4.1/5 for IC Markets. 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.
IC Markets 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 IC Markets 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.
Kraken has a lower minimum deposit of no minimum required, while IC Markets requires at least $200. This makes Kraken more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
For beginners: Kraken has a lower minimum deposit (no minimum); 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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