Krakenvs
ThinkMarketsCrypto Exchange Comparison
Kraken and ThinkMarkets sit at opposite ends of the crypto spectrum: a native exchange with on-chain assets and reserves versus a regulated CFDs broker offering crypto exposure without ownership.
Our Verdict
Kraken winsClear Winner
Kraken edges ThinkMarkets on editorial score (4.6 vs 3.8), backed by stronger trust, regulation, and proof of reserves. ThinkMarkets remains competitive as a regulated crypto CFD option.
Kraken
4.6/5
ThinkMarkets
3.8/5
Key Differences
- 1Kraken runs a native exchange with on-chain crypto.
- 2Kraken lists ~200 coins; ThinkMarkets offers ~20.
- 3Proof of Reserves by Armanino for Kraken.
Who should choose Kraken vs ThinkMarkets?
Find out which crypto exchange best suits your trading profile.
Choose Kraken if…
Choose Kraken if you want real crypto ownership on a native exchange with verified reserves.
Choose ThinkMarkets if…
Choose ThinkMarkets if you want regulated crypto CFDs with MT4/MT5 access and social trading via ThinkCopy.
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 and quarterly Proof of Reserves.
Best for low fees
Recommended
Kraken wins for low fees due to zero maker fees at volume.
Kraken vs ThinkMarkets: Side-by-Side Crypto Exchange Comparison
| Criteria |  Kraken |  ThinkMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 4.6/ 5 | 3.8/ 5 |
| Min Deposit | No minimum | No minimum |
| Spreads From | N/A | 0.4 pips |
| Taker Fee | 0.26%▼ lower | 7.00% |
Kraken vs ThinkMarkets Crypto Exchange Pros & Cons
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
Kraken vs ThinkMarkets: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each exchange meets or misses within each scoring category.
4
Kraken
criteria wins
2
ThinkMarkets
criteria wins
Highlighted rows show where the two exchanges differ
| Criteria | Kraken | ThinkMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Security | ||
| Cold storage for assets | Pass | Fail |
| Proof of reserves published | Pass | Fail |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, etc.) | Fail | Pass |
| Fees | ||
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Pass | Pass |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Fail |
| Features | ||
| Staking available | Pass | Fail |
| 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 | Fail | Pass |
Kraken vs ThinkMarkets: Frequently Asked Questions
Kraken rates 4.6/5 versus 3.8/5 for ThinkMarkets. Kraken edges ahead on our composite score, though both exchanges meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
ThinkMarkets lists a spread from 0.4. Current spread data is not available for Kraken. Check both exchanges' full fee schedules, including maker/taker rates, for up-to-date pricing.
Neither Kraken nor ThinkMarkets requires a minimum deposit, making both accessible regardless of starting capital.
ThinkMarkets holds top-tier regulation (FCA, ASIC, FSCA), 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, ThinkMarkets 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.
Kraken offers up to 5:1 on perpetual or margin products, versus ThinkMarkets's 2:1 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 ThinkMarkets's $7 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.
Kraken supports Kraken Pro, while ThinkMarkets supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, TradingView, MetaTrader 4. Kraken has exclusive access to Kraken Pro. ThinkMarkets has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5 and Proprietary Web/Mobile and TradingView and MetaTrader 4.
Kraken offers staking while ThinkMarkets 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.
