VaultRubric
Coinbase vs Kraken
Pick your crypto platform by the evidence.
Coinbase and Kraken are both popular crypto exchanges. Below: the sourced facts side by side, then VaultRubric's equal-weight score with the math shown, so you can see exactly why one comes out ahead. Every number links to its source and date; anything we couldn't verify says not found.
Run your own comparison →Opens the tool with these platforms filled in, so you can change the weights.
Key facts compared
| Fact | Coinbase | Kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Trading fees (entry tier) | 0.4%–0.6% maker / 0.6%–1.2% taker Coinbase Advanced base tier; sources disagree (0.40/0.60 vs 0.60/1.20). Simple buys: ~0.84% fee + ~1% spread per Yahoo. src · 2026-10-10 src · 2026-10-10 | 0.25%–0.4% maker / 0.4%–0.8% taker Kraken Pro base tier; sources disagree (0.25/0.40 vs 0.40/0.80). Simple buys ~1% fee + 1% spread per Yahoo. src · 2026-10-10 src · 2026-10-10 |
| Supported coins | 271+ src · 2026-10-10 | 523+ src · 2026-10-10 |
| Security incidents | 2025-05 Bribed overseas support contractors leaked customer data (~69k accounts); no passwords/keys/funds accessed; est. cost up to $400M src src | 2024-06 Deposit bug exploited for ~$3M from Kraken treasury (not client assets); funds returned src 2026-04 Insider-filmed support systems; ~2,000 accounts potentially viewed; extortion attempt; no funds at risk src |
| Regulatory / legal actions | 2023-01 NYDFS consent order over compliance (AML/KYC) failures: $50M penalty + $50M compliance investment src · 2026-10-10 | 2023-02 SEC settlement over unregistered staking-as-a-service: $30M, US staking program ended src · 2026-10-10 |
| Proof of reserves | not found | Yes src · 2026-10-10 |
| US availability | Yes, 50 states src · 2026-10-10 | Yes Listed as available in the US src · 2026-10-10 |
| Licensing / regulation | Public company (Nasdaq-listed per Datawallet: 'S&P 500 listed'); NY BitLicense src · 2026-10-10 | Regulated in multiple jurisdictions (FCA, FinCEN-registered per Rononcrypto) src · 2026-10-10 |
VaultRubric verdict
VaultRubric pick: Kraken
⚠ Kraken: treasury loss (2024-06)
⚠ Kraken: data breach (2026-04)
⚠ Kraken: Regulatory: SEC settlement over unregistered staking-as-a-service: $30M, US staking program ended (2023-02)
⚠ Coinbase: data breach (2025-05)
⚠ Coinbase: Regulatory: NYDFS consent order over compliance (AML/KYC) failures: $50M penalty + $50M compliance investment (2023-01)
| Criterion (weight) | Kraken | Coinbase |
|---|---|---|
| Fees (17%) | 10.0/10 | 6.9/10 |
| Security & track record (17%) | 6.0/10 | 6.5/10 |
| Supported coins (17%) | 10.0/10 | 9.0/10 |
| Ease of use (17%) | 8.0/10 | 8.0/10 |
| Customer support (17%) | 7.8/10 | 3.0/10 |
| US availability/regulation (17%) | 7.0/10 | 10.0/10 |
| Overall | 81.3% coverage 100% | 72.3% coverage 100% |
Show math: Kraken
0.167×10.0 + 0.167×6.0 + 0.167×10.0 + 0.167×8.0 + 0.167×7.8 + 0.167×7.0 = 8.13; ÷ covered weight 1.000 = 8.13/10 → 81.3%Show math: Coinbase
0.167×6.9 + 0.167×6.5 + 0.167×9.0 + 0.167×8.0 + 0.167×3.0 + 0.167×10.0 = 7.23; ÷ covered weight 1.000 = 7.23/10 → 72.3%Pros and cons
From independent reviews; each point links to its source.
Kraken
Pros
- Strong security and educational resources src
- Low fees on Pro platform src
- Wide range of cryptocurrencies available src
- Proof of reserves for transparency src
Cons
Opens the tool with these platforms filled in, so you can change the weights.
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FAQ
Is Coinbase or Kraken better?
On VaultRubric's equal-weight rubric, Kraken scores higher (72.3% vs 81.3% for Coinbase and Kraken respectively). The better choice depends on what you weight most; run the tool with your own priorities.
Which has lower fees, Coinbase or Kraken?
Entry-tier taker fees in our data: Coinbase 1.2%, Kraken 0.8%. Kraken is cheaper on that measure. Spreads and withdrawal fees are extra; check each fee page.
Has Coinbase lost customer funds in a hack?
No customer-funds hack is in our curated data. It does list: 2025-05: Bribed overseas support contractors leaked customer data (~69k accounts); no passwords/keys/funds accessed; est. cost up to $400M.
Is Coinbase available in the US?
Yes. All 50 states
Has Kraken lost customer funds in a hack?
No customer-funds hack is in our curated data. It does list: 2024-06: Deposit bug exploited for ~$3M from Kraken treasury (not client assets); funds returned; 2026-04: Insider-filmed support systems; ~2,000 accounts potentially viewed; extortion attempt; no funds at risk.
Is Kraken available in the US?
Yes. Listed as available in the US
How does VaultRubric score platforms?
Each criterion gets 0–10 from cited evidence (curated dated data, live independent reviews, and AI analysis that must quote its source verbatim). Weights are normalized to 100%; missing data is excluded and shown as coverage. Platforms with an unreimbursed customer-funds hack in the last 48 months are capped at 60% and can't be the pick. Criminal guilty pleas (−2) and major civil settlements (−1) in the last 5 years reduce the security score.