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Bybit Europe vs Kraken

MiCA-regulated Bybit EU platform with spot, margin, bots, Earn and card — The regulated veteran with strong security, 1,200+ spot pairs and EU futures

Updated: September 2026

Kraken has been operating since 2011 and is one of the most established platforms in the industry. Bybit Europe, founded in 2025, is 14 years younger and positions itself as "MiCA-regulated Bybit EU platform with spot, margin, bots, Earn and card". Both exchanges cater to active crypto traders — but the differences in fees, coin selection, and regulation are significant.

When it comes to fees, Bybit Europe has the edge: 0.25% spot taker fee compared to 0.80% at Kraken. On a $10,000 trade, that's a saving of $55 per transaction. Additional perk at Bybit Europe: VIP0 crypto spot/spot-margin: 0.10% maker / 0.25% taker; scheduled to become 0.25% / 0.25% on 5 October 2026 at 11:00 UTC.

Regulatory scope: Bybit Europe: MiCA-regulated via Bybit EU GmbH in Austria (FMA). Kraken: MiCA-regulated via Kraken EU subsidiaries licensed by the Central Bank of Ireland. Protection and reserve disclosures: Bybit Europe: MiCA-regulated custody with segregated client assets; the global derivatives insurance fund is not part of the EU futures offer; Kraken: Kraken Security Labs, cold storage and proof-of-reserves approach; no quantified public insurance fund.

Bybit Europe stands out with Spot Trading, Spot Margin, Spot Grid, while Kraken differentiates itself through Staking, Futures. In terms of coin selection, Bybit Europe leads with 133+ spot pairs trading pairs compared to Kraken's 1,200+ crypto pairs.

Editorial CryptoExchangePicks Ratings

Bybit Europe
4.3
Kraken
4.3
⚡ Quick Verdict

Bybit Europe wins the head-to-head comparison in 4 out of 11 categories (3x Kraken, 4x tie). Bybit Europe offers lower fees.

Which Exchange Is Better for You?

🎓Beginners
⚖️ Tie

Both exchanges are beginner-friendly with intuitive interfaces and responsive support.

💰Lowest Fees
🏆 Bybit Europe

Bybit Europe charges 0.25% spot taker fee plus VIP0 crypto spot/spot-margin: 0.10% maker / 0.25% taker; scheduled to become 0.25% / 0.25% on 5 October 2026 at 11:00 UTC.

🔒Maximum Security
🏆 Kraken

Kraken: MiCA-regulated via Kraken EU subsidiaries licensed by the Central Bank of Ireland. Protection/reserve disclosure: Kraken Security Labs, cold storage and proof-of-reserves approach; no quantified public insurance fund.

🪙Altcoin Selection
🏆 Bybit Europe

Bybit Europe lists 133+ spot pairs trading pairs — 131.8+ more than Kraken.

🤖Grid Bots
🏆 Bybit Europe

Only Bybit Europe offers grid bots (Spot Grid, DCA Bot).

Comparison Table

CriteriaBybit EuropeKraken🏆
Spot Maker Fee0.10%0.40%Bybit Europe
Spot Taker Fee0.25%0.80%Bybit Europe
Futures Maker FeeN/A0.02%Kraken
Futures Taker FeeN/A0.05%Kraken
Max Leverage10x spot margin10x—
Trading Pairs133+ spot pairs1,200+ crypto pairsBybit Europe
Copy TradingNoNo—
Grid BotsYes (2 Types)NoBybit Europe
Insurance FundMiCA-regulated custody with segregated client assets; the global derivatives insurance fund is not part of the EU futures offerKraken Security Labs, cold storage and proof-of-reserves approach; no quantified public insurance fundKraken
KYCRequiredYes—
Editorial Rating4.3/54.3/5—

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Fees in Detail

Bybit Europe

Spot Maker0.1% 🏆
Spot Taker0.25% 🏆
Futures MakerN/A
Futures TakerN/A
DiscountVIP0 crypto spot/spot-margin: 0.10% maker / 0.25% taker; scheduled to become 0.25% / 0.25% on 5 October 2026 at 11:00 UTC

Kraken

Spot Maker0.4%
Spot Taker0.8%
Futures Maker0.02%
Futures Taker0.05%
DiscountNone
Bybit Europe or Kraken — which exchange is better?
Bybit Europe leads the editorial comparison in 4 out of 11 categories. Kraken takes 3 categories, with 4 ties. Bybit Europe excels with mica-regulated via austria (fma), while Kraken counters with on the market since 2011 — one of the oldest providers. The best choice depends on your individual priorities.
How much can I save at Bybit Europe compared to Kraken on fees?
Bybit Europe charges 0.25% spot taker fee vs. Kraken's 0.80%. On a $10,000 trade, that's a saving of $55 per transaction. Additional fee note for Bybit Europe: VIP0 crypto spot/spot-margin: 0.10% maker / 0.25% taker; scheduled to become 0.25% / 0.25% on 5 October 2026 at 11:00 UTC. Futures fees: compare futures rates on the detail pages.
Which exchange is safer — Bybit Europe or Kraken?
Bybit Europe: MiCA-regulated via Bybit EU GmbH in Austria (FMA); listed security measures: 2FA, Anti-Phishing, KYC; protection/reserve disclosure: MiCA-regulated custody with segregated client assets; the global derivatives insurance fund is not part of the EU futures offer. Kraken: MiCA-regulated via Kraken EU subsidiaries licensed by the Central Bank of Ireland; listed security measures: 2FA, Global Settings Lock; protection/reserve disclosure: Kraken Security Labs, cold storage and proof-of-reserves approach; no quantified public insurance fund.
Bybit Europe or Kraken — which has more cryptocurrencies?
Bybit Europe lists 133+ spot pairs trading pairs, while Kraken offers 1,200+ crypto pairs. If you want to trade a wide range of altcoins or get early access to new projects, Bybit Europe is the better choice. Kraken focuses on a curated selection, which can be less overwhelming for beginners.
Does Kraken offer grid bots like Bybit Europe?
No. Bybit Europe offers 2 bot types (Spot Grid, DCA Bot) for automated trading. Kraken does not have this feature. Grid bots work best in sideways markets and can trade 24/7.
Which exchange is easier to use — Bybit Europe or Kraken?
Bybit Europe scores higher for beginners (7/10) thanks to an intuitive mobile app, easy deposit methods and 24/7 Support/Support Ticket. Kraken (score: 7/10) is also usable but has a steeper learning curve. For absolute beginners, try our Exchange Finder quiz.