Comparison of Kraken vs Valr [ 2024 ]

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

Your expert: Alejandro Borja

Kraken

Your expert: Xavier Tarrasó

Valr

Main points

Fees

0,16%/0,26%

Earns

Customer service

5/5

-0,01%/0,10%

Fees

Earns

4/5

Customer service

Recommended for

Beginners

Yes

Trading

Yes

Passive income

Buy and hold

Yes

Beginners

Yes

Trading

Passive income

Yes

Buy and hold

Comparison of fees

Rating

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

4.0 – Competitive fees with strong local support in South Africa.

Level

0,16%/0,26%

-0,01%/0,10%

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.

VALR’s commission structure is designed to be competitive and attractive to both novice and experienced traders. The exchange employs a tiered fee system where the trading fees decrease as the user’s monthly trading volume increases. This incentivizes higher trading volumes while maintaining affordability for smaller traders. Fees for typical trades start relatively low, with further reductions possible depending on the trade volume and currency pairs being traded. Additionally, VALR occasionally runs promotions that temporarily reduce fees or offer rebates, enhancing the trading experience.

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.

Valr

Strong Security Measures: VALR employs robust security protocols including cold storage of assets, two-factor authentication, and secure encryption technologies to ensure user funds are protected against unauthorized access.
Compliance with Local Regulations: As a South African exchange, VALR adheres to local financial regulations and guidelines, which bolsters its credibility and reliability as a trustworthy platform in the eyes of both users and regulators.
High Trading Volume and Liquidity: VALR supports a high trading volume and offers substantial liquidity, making it easier for users to enter and exit positions, which is especially beneficial for traders looking to execute large volume trades.
Reputation and Reviews: Since its launch, VALR has built a solid reputation within the cryptocurrency community. Positive user reviews often highlight its user-friendly interface, range of supported cryptocurrencies, and responsive customer support.
Year Founded: Established in 2018, VALR has rapidly grown to become one of the leading exchanges in South Africa, demonstrating strong market resilience and continuous adaptation to user needs and technological advancements.

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Direct link to the website

Product selection

Native token

Earns

NFT marketplace

Cripto/debit card

Full name

Payward, Inc.

VALR Pty Ltd.

Regulation

Regulated in the EE. UU.

Regulated in Sudáfrica

Year founded

2011

2019

Founder

Jesse Powell

Farzam Ehsani

Payment methods

Transfers

Yes

Mastercard

Yes

Wire transfer

Yes

Card

Yes

Comparative table

Kraken	FEATURES	Valr
Kraken allows relatively low minimum trade volumes, making it accessible for beginners.	Minimum Trade	VALR allows relatively low minimum trades, making it accessible for beginners to start trading without requiring large initial investments.
Competitive fees, though slightly higher for low volume traders; discounts for high volume.	Trading and Transaction Fees	One of VALR’s strongest features is its competitive fee structure, which ranks among the lowest in the industry, benefiting all types of traders.
Offers a wide selection of cryptocurrencies, catering to diverse trading preferences.	Number of Cryptocurrencies	The exchange offers a wide selection of cryptocurrencies, providing ample opportunities for diversification.
Extensive range of trading pairs, though some less popular pairs have lower liquidity.	Crypto-to-Crypto Trading Pairs	VALR supports a broad range of trading pairs, allowing users to trade directly between various cryptocurrencies without needing to convert to fiat.
High transparency about fees, security measures, and operational status updates.	Website Transparency	While VALR generally provides clear information, some users might find details regarding certain policies and operational procedures could be better highlighted.
Kraken does not offer an exchange card for customers to use for in-store purchases and receive benefits.	Credit/Debit Card	The VALR card integrates seamlessly with the exchange, providing convenient access to funds and attractive rewards, enhancing the overall utility of the platform for everyday transactions.
Excellent security with a majority of funds held in cold storage; provides peace of mind.	Storage Offering	VALR offers secure storage options including cold storage, ensuring high security for stored digital assets.
Offers staking options with competitive rewards, although not available for all assets.	Staking and Rewards	The platform provides competitive staking options and rewards, making it attractive for users looking to earn passive income.
Both platforms are robust and fully-featured, though the interface can be complex for new users.	Mobile App and Desktop	VALR offers both mobile and desktop platforms that are user-friendly and feature-rich, facilitating trading on-the-go as well as from a desktop setup.
Customer service is reliable but can experience delays during high demand periods.	Customer Service	While available, customer service response times can be slow, which might frustrate users, especially those needing urgent support.
Efficient deposit and withdrawal processes, though options may vary by region.	Deposit and Withdraw	Deposits and withdrawals are facilitated smoothly, but improvements can be made in terms of speed and the variety of supported currencies and methods.

Key features

Analysis tools

Advanced charting tools, technical analysis

Basic charting tools

Mobile APP

Security

High 4,9/5

High 4,6/5

Additional features

Margin trading, futures trading, staking, Kraken Pro exchange

Staking, fiat on/off ramps, VALR Earn, institutional services

Anonymity

Key points

Available cryptocurrencies

100+

50+

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.

VALR offers a user-friendly platform that is easy to navigate, making it suitable for beginners. The interface is designed to facilitate a smooth trading experience with all necessary features easily accessible.

Value for money

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

Offers good value for money with competitive fees and strong local support in South Africa, making it a good choice for regional users.

Countries of operation

United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Europe, Australia

South Africa

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.

Suitable for South African investors looking for a reliable platform with competitive fees and strong local support.

Base currencies available

USD, EUR, CAD, GBP, JPY, BTC

ZAR, 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.

VALR is a popular exchange in South Africa, offering a user-friendly platform and easy fiat integration. It supports a good range of cryptocurrencies and competitive fees but lacks some advanced trading tools.

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 .

VALR is popular in South Africa, offering easy fiat and cryptocurrency deposit methods. Withdrawals are processed efficiently, with competitive fees.

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.

VALR provides a seamless and fully digital account registration process. Users need to submit personal details and verify their identity. The process is quick and usually 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 .

VALR provides customer support via email and live chat. The support team is responsive and helpful, but the lack of 24/7 support may 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.

VALR employs robust security features, including 2FA and cold storage. However, it is not regulated by major financial authorities, which might be a concern for some 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 reviewer on our website, I highly recommend VALR for anyone entering the cryptocurrency market in South Africa. The platform’s wide array of cryptocurrencies paired with some of the most competitive fees in the market makes it a top choice. However, if you’re trading from outside of South Africa or require swift customer support, you might want to consider these aspects before deciding.

Read Kraken review

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Read VALR review

View all comparisons against Valr

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.