VS
Kraken vs MEXC
The Regulated Veteran with Phone Support and Strong Security — The Altcoin Machine with 0% Maker Fees and Massive Selection
Updated: May 2026
Kraken has been operating since 2011 and is one of the most established platforms in the industry. MEXC, founded in 2018, is 7 years younger and positions itself as "The Altcoin Machine with 0% Maker Fees and Massive Selection". Both exchanges cater to active crypto traders — but the differences in fees, coin selection, and regulation are significant.
When it comes to fees, MEXC has the edge: 0.05% spot taker fee compared to 0.26% at Kraken. On a $10,000 trade, that's a saving of $21 per transaction. For futures trading, MEXC offers the better rates. Additional perk at MEXC: 10% fee rebate on Spot & Futures via CryptoExchangePicks.com + MX Token discounts.
On the security front, Kraken offers Licensed USA/UK/EU with an insurance fund of Separate fund. MEXC provides Regulated in multiple countries and backs it with $657M USD. Both platforms feature industry-standard security measures including 2FA, cold storage, and regular audits.
Kraken stands out with Staking, Futures, Earn, while MEXC differentiates itself through Launchpad, ETF Trading, DeFi Vault. In terms of coin selection, MEXC leads with 2600+ trading pairs compared to Kraken's 250+.
MEXC wins the head-to-head comparison in 10 out of 11 categories (0x Kraken, 1x tie). MEXC offers lower fees.
Which Exchange Is Better for You?
Kraken offers the easier onboarding experience, a polished mobile app and Phone/Email/Live Chat.
MEXC charges 0.05% spot taker fee plus 10% fee rebate on Spot & Futures via CryptoExchangePicks.com + MX Token discounts.
Kraken with Licensed USA/UK/EU and Separate fund insurance fund.
MEXC lists 2600+ trading pairs — 2350+ more than Kraken.
Only MEXC offers copy trading. Kraken does not have this feature.
Comparison Table
| Criteria | Kraken | MEXC | 🏆 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spot Maker Fee | 0.16% | 0.00% | MEXC |
| Spot Taker Fee | 0.26% | 0.05% | MEXC |
| Futures Maker Fee | 0.02% | 0.01% | MEXC |
| Futures Taker Fee | 0.05% | 0.04% | MEXC |
| Max Leverage | 50x | 200x | MEXC |
| Trading Pairs | 250+ | 2600+ | MEXC |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes (Score 7) | MEXC |
| Grid Bots | No | No | — |
| Insurance Fund | Separate fund | $657M USD | MEXC |
| KYC | Yes | Optional up to 30k USDT/24h | MEXC |
| Rating | 4.3/5 | 4.4/5 | MEXC |
Bonus via CryptoExchangePicks
Kraken via CryptoExchangePicks
$30,000 Match
3% deposit match up to $30,000 + Spin to Win
MEXC via CryptoExchangePicks
10% Fee-Back + 8,000 USDT
10% fee rebate + up to 8,000 USDT welcome bonus
Fees in Detail
Kraken
MEXC
Kraken or MEXC — which exchange is better?
How much can I save at MEXC compared to Kraken on fees?
Which exchange is safer — Kraken or MEXC?
MEXC or Kraken — which has more cryptocurrencies?
Can I use copy trading on Kraken like on MEXC?
Which exchange is easier to use — Kraken or MEXC?
Which exchange has the better welcome bonus — Kraken or MEXC?
Not sure which exchange?
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