Comparison of Kraken vs Bitvavo [ 2024 ]

The crypto exchanges compared by their commissions, cryptos, security and much more. Here is the Kraken vs Bitvavo comparison!

Your expert: Alejandro Borja

Kraken

Your expert: Xavier Tarrasó

Bitvavo

Main points

Fees

0,16%/0,26%

Earns

Customer service

5/5

0,15%/0,25%

Fees

Yes

Earns

4/5

Customer service

Recommended for

Beginners

Yes

Trading

Yes

Passive income

Buy and hold

Yes

Beginners

Yes

Trading

Yes

Passive income

Yes

Buy and hold

Comparison of fees

Rating

4.5 – Low fees with additional benefits for high-volume traders.

4.1 – Low fees with additional discounts for high-volume traders.

Level

0,16%/0,26%

0,15%/0,25%

Brief explanation

Kraken’s commission structure is designed to be competitive and favorable for both low and high-volume traders. The exchange employs a tiered fee schedule that rewards users with lower trading fees as their trading volume increases over a 30-day period. Fees vary depending on whether you are a maker (creating a new order on the book) or a taker (filling an existing order), with maker fees generally being lower than taker fees to encourage liquidity. While the fees are relatively low for high-volume traders, those trading smaller amounts may find the fees slightly higher compared to other platforms. Additionally, Kraken charges flat fees for fiat deposits and withdrawals, though these can vary based on the method and currency used. Overall, Kraken’s fee structure is transparent, with details readily available on its website, helping users to anticipate and calculate potential trading costs effectively.

Bitvavo’s commission structure is designed to be highly competitive, particularly appealing to both new entrants and experienced traders in the cryptocurrency market. The platform operates on a tiered fee system where the trading fees decrease as the user’s 30-day trading volume increases. Starting from 0.25% for takers and 0.15% for makers, these fees can go as low as 0.03% for takers and 0.00% for makers, depending on the trading volume. This encourages active trading and is beneficial for high-volume traders seeking to minimize costs while maximizing their trading strategies.

Kraken

Security Methods: Kraken's commitment to security is unparalleled, utilizing state-of-the-art security measures such as two-factor authentication, SSL encryption, and cold storage of the majority of assets. This rigorous approach minimizes the risk of hacking and unauthorized access, making it a trusted platform for trading cryptocurrencies.
Reputation and Reviews: Kraken has maintained a strong reputation within the crypto community for over a decade. Its track record of security, user-focused services, and operational resilience has garnered positive reviews from users and industry analysts alike, reinforcing its standing as a reputable exchange.
Transparency: Kraken is known for its transparency in operations, frequently updating users on system upgrades, security measures, and changes in regulatory compliance. This openness builds trust and ensures that users are well-informed about their trading environment.
Trading Volume and Liquidity: Kraken is one of the largest exchanges in terms of trading volume and liquidity. This allows users to execute large trades without significantly affecting the market price, which is critical for both retail and institutional traders.
Possible Regulation: Kraken adheres to regulatory requirements in all jurisdictions in which it operates, enhancing its credibility and reliability. Compliance with these regulations not only ensures the legality of its operations but also provides a layer of security for its users' investments.

Bitvavo

Year Founded: Established in 2018, Bitvavo has swiftly risen to prominence within the European market, demonstrating robust growth and stability in a relatively short period. This rapid development signifies strong management and a solid business model, instilling confidence in its longevity and reliability.
Security Methods: Bitvavo places a high priority on security with comprehensive measures to protect user assets. These include cold storage for a majority of funds, two-factor authentication, and advanced encryption technology, ensuring that users' data and funds are safeguarded against unauthorized access and cyber threats.
Possible Regulation: Operating from Amsterdam, Bitvavo adheres to European financial regulations, which are known for their strict standards. Compliance with these regulations not only confirms the legitimacy of the exchange but also ensures it operates under stringent oversight, enhancing user trust.
Reputation and Reviews: Bitvavo has cultivated a positive reputation among its users and in the broader crypto community, reflected in numerous favorable reviews. Users frequently cite the platform's user-friendly interface, low fees, and excellent customer service as major advantages, which speaks to its reliability and the quality of services offered.
Customer Service: Commitment to providing excellent customer support is a cornerstone of Bitvavo's operational philosophy. The exchange offers responsive support through multiple channels, ensuring that users' queries and issues are addressed promptly and effectively, which is crucial for building and maintaining trust, especially in the dynamic environment of cryptocurrency trading.

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Account Minimum

Get started with just $100.

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Direct link to the website

Product selection

Native token

Earns

Yes

NFT marketplace

Cripto/debit card

Full name

Payward, Inc.

Bitvavo B.V.

Regulation

Regulated in the EE. UU.

Regulated in the Países Bajos

Year founded

2011

2017

Founder

Jesse Powell

Unknown

Payment methods

Transfers

Yes

Mastercard

Yes

Wire transfer

Yes

Card

Yes

Comparative table

Kraken	FEATURES	Bitvavo
Kraken allows relatively low minimum trade volumes, making it accessible for beginners.	Minimum Trade	Bitvavo allows users to start trading with small amounts, making it accessible for beginners.
Competitive fees, though slightly higher for low volume traders; discounts for high volume.	Trading and Transaction Fees	Bitvavo offers some of the lowest fees in Europe, which are transparent and competitive.
Offers a wide selection of cryptocurrencies, catering to diverse trading preferences.	Number of Cryptocurrencies	Supports a wide variety of over 50 cryptocurrencies, catering to diverse trading preferences.
Extensive range of trading pairs, though some less popular pairs have lower liquidity.	Crypto-to-Crypto Trading Pairs	Offers a robust selection of trading pairs, allowing for versatile crypto-to-crypto transactions.
High transparency about fees, security measures, and operational status updates.	Website Transparency	The website provides clear information about fees, policies, and trading options.
Kraken does not offer an exchange card for customers to use for in-store purchases and receive benefits.	Credit/Debit Card	While Bitvavo excels in providing a secure and user-friendly trading platform, the lack of an exchange card limits the flexibility for users to spend and gain direct benefits from their cryptocurrency holdings in everyday transactions.
Excellent security with a majority of funds held in cold storage; provides peace of mind.	Storage Offering	Provides secure storage solutions with cold storage options for the majority of assets.
Offers staking options with competitive rewards, although not available for all assets.	Staking and Rewards	Offers staking services with rewards but has room for expansion in terms of options and higher returns.
Both platforms are robust and fully-featured, though the interface can be complex for new users.	Mobile App and Desktop	Both the mobile app and desktop platforms are highly user-friendly and well-designed.
Customer service is reliable but can experience delays during high demand periods.	Customer Service	Exceptional customer service with multiple channels for support and quick response times.
Efficient deposit and withdrawal processes, though options may vary by region.	Deposit and Withdraw	Efficient deposit and withdrawal processes, although improvements can be made in variety.

Key features

Analysis tools

Advanced charting tools, technical analysis

Basic charting tools

Mobile APP

Security

High 4,9/5

Additional features

Margin trading, futures trading, staking, Kraken Pro exchange

Staking, Bitvavo Earn program, API access, fiat on/off ramps

Anonymity

Key points

Available cryptocurrencies

100+

150+

User-friendliness

Kraken features a clean and intuitive interface that is easy for beginners to use. The platform is designed to provide a seamless trading experience, making it easy to buy and sell cryptocurrencies.

Bitvavo features an intuitive and user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate, making it suitable for beginners. The platform focuses on providing a smooth and seamless trading experience.

Value for money

Offers excellent value for money with low trading fees, strong security features, and a wide range of supported cryptocurrencies.

Delivers good value for money with low trading fees and a user-friendly interface, making it an affordable choice for European traders.

Countries of operation

United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Europe, Australia

Netherlands, Germany, France, Spain, Italy

Best for

Suitable for all types of investors, from beginners to advanced traders, due to its low fees, strong security features, and wide range of supported cryptocurrencies.

Great for European traders looking for a user-friendly platform with low trading fees and a diverse selection of cryptocurrencies.

Base currencies available

USD, EUR, CAD, GBP, JPY, BTC

EUR, BTC

Account

Trading

Kraken is known for its high security and wide range of cryptocurrencies. It offers advanced trading tools and competitive fees but can be complex for beginners.

Bitvavo is a European exchange known for its low fees and wide range of cryptocurrencies. It offers a user-friendly interface but lacks some advanced trading features.

Deposit and withdrawal

Kraken supports a wide range of deposit and withdrawal methods, including bank transfers, credit/debit cards, and cryptocurrencies. Withdrawals are processed quickly, with competitive fees .

Bitvavo supports various deposit methods, including bank transfers and crypto. Withdrawals are processed within a day, with minimal fees, making it user-friendly.

Account opening process

Kraken offers a straightforward and secure account registration process. Users need to submit personal details, verify their identity, and address. The process is fully digital and typically takes less than a day to complete.

Bitvavo provides an easy and quick account opening process. Users need to fill out personal details and verify their identity. The process is fully digital and typically takes less than a day to complete.

KYC required?

Yes

Customer Service

Kraken offers comprehensive customer support through email, live chat, and a help center. Support is available 24/7, and the response times are quick, ensuring users get timely assistance .

Bitvavo provides support via email and live chat. The support team is responsive and helpful, but the lack of 24/7 support can be a limitation for some users.

Security

Kraken offers extensive security features, including 2FA, encryption, and cold storage. It is regulated by multiple financial authorities, making it a highly secure platform for investors.

Bitvavo employs comprehensive security measures, including 2FA and cold storage. It is regulated by Dutch authorities, ensuring high security for investors.

Which of these exchanges is for you?

Alejandro Borja

In concluding our comprehensive review of Kraken through Threenvest’s lens, it’s clear that Kraken stands as a formidable player in the cryptocurrency exchange landscape. Known for its robust security measures, wide range of cryptocurrencies, and advanced trading features, Kraken appeals especially to traders who prioritize safety and a diverse portfolio. These strengths are complemented by its deep liquidity and competitive fee structure, making it a preferred choice for serious traders. However, its complex interface and sometimes slow customer service response times during peak periods could pose challenges, particularly for newcomers to cryptocurrency trading. Compared to other exchanges, Kraken’s commitment to regulatory compliance and security is notably strong, positioning it as one of the safer trading environments in an industry fraught with security concerns. On the flip side, its user interface and learning curve may not be as appealing to beginners as some other platforms that focus more heavily on user-friendliness and simple navigation. For users of Threenvest looking to engage in sophisticated trading strategies or those who value a highly secure trading platform, Kraken is undoubtedly a top contender. However, those new to the market might consider starting with platforms that offer more guidance and a more intuitive trading experience.

Xavier Tarrasó

As an expert on our website, I highly recommend Bitvavo for those looking to engage in cryptocurrency trading, especially within Europe. The exchange combines low fees, a user-friendly interface, and robust security measures, making it an excellent choice for both beginners and seasoned traders. With its wide range of cryptocurrencies and effective customer support, Bitvavo stands out as a reliable platform to efficiently manage your digital assets.

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How do we review crypto exchanges?

At Threenvest, we conduct a thorough review process to evaluate and rank the world’s leading crypto exchanges. Our goal is to offer an unbiased assessment, providing you with the information you need to make informed decisions on which ones best suit your needs. We strictly adhere to the guidelines of our editorial policy.

We collect data directly from exchanges through detailed questionnaires and conduct first-hand testing and observations during crypto exchange demonstrations. Questionnaire responses, combined with demonstrations and hands-on research from our experts, feed into our proprietary evaluation process that scores each provider’s performance on more than 15 factors. The end result produces star ratings ranging from poor (one star) to excellent (five stars).

For more details on the categories considered when rating brokers and our process, read our full methodology.

Risk Disclaimer

Investing in cryptocurrencies is very risky, you should only invest the money you are willing to lose. Also you should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong.

Neither Threenvest, nor the author, are recommending you to invest with this article.