Kraken Staking Review
High-yield staking for advanced crypto users
What is Kraken?
Kraken is a Centralized Exchange rated 4.3 out of 5 in our reviews. In plain terms, it's a place to put your crypto to work and earn staking rewards β currently around 5.2% APY on average. If you're just starting out, the key thing to know is what kind of platform it is: Centralized Exchange platforms differ in who holds your keys, how much control you keep, and how the fees (10β15% commission on rewards) are charged.
Is Kraken good for staking beginners?
The short answer: Kraken works well if its trade-offs match what you need. What people like: low fees (10β15%) among exchanges; 20+ stakeable assets β widest selection on a cex. What to keep in mind: custodial β kraken controls staked assets; us residents limited after 2023 sec settlement. For a first-time staker, the biggest questions are whether the 10β15% commission on rewards fee structure eats into your ~5.2% return and whether you're comfortable with how Kraken handles custody.
How to get started on Kraken
Getting going is straightforward: create and verify your account, deposit the crypto you want to stake, then choose the staking option and confirm. Start with a small amount you're comfortable leaving staked, check the unbonding/lock-up terms before you commit, and only scale up once you've seen a reward payout land. The step-by-step guide below walks through it for Kraken specifically.
About Kraken
Kraken is a veteran crypto exchange known for competitive staking rates, wide asset coverage (20+ assets), and a professional-grade platform trusted since 2011.
Is Kraken right for you?
- β’Low fees (10β15%) among exchanges
- β’20+ stakeable assets β widest selection on a CEX
- β’Competitive APYs, often above market
- β’Staking available in most countries
- β’Strong security track record since 2011
- β’Custodial β Kraken controls staked assets
- β’US residents limited after 2023 SEC settlement
- β’Staking UI less polished than Coinbase
- β’Some assets have minimum lock requirements
What can you stake on Kraken?
How to stake on Kraken
Create a Kraken account
Register at kraken.com and verify your identity. Pro accounts get higher limits.
Fund your account
Deposit crypto or fiat and convert to the asset you want to stake.
Go to Earn > Staking
Navigate to the Staking section and search for your asset.
Stake and earn
Select the amount and confirm. Rewards accrue daily or weekly depending on the asset.
Kraken staking β common questions
Is Kraken available in the US?
Kraken operates in the US, but staking availability is limited after a 2023 SEC settlement. Check the Kraken website for current US state availability.
What assets can I stake on Kraken?
Kraken supports 20+ assets including ETH, SOL, ADA, DOT, ATOM, ALGO, XTZ, FLOW, KSM, and more.
How does Kraken's commission compare?
Kraken charges 10β15% commission, lower than Coinbase's 25β35%, making it a better deal for yield-focused stakers.