The short answerKraken's staking is competently run and priced below Coinbase's, which makes it the better of the two exchange options for casual stakers in supported jurisdictions. It remains custodial, and the 2023 closure of its US programme is a reminder that regulatory risk can end a yield product overnight.
Best forSimple staking for European and international users
Performance & uptimeweight 25%
8.5avg 8.5
Slashing & incident recordweight 20%
9.0avg 8.7
Feesweight 20%
5.5avg 7.5
Decentralisation contributionweight 15%
5.5avg 7.5
Transparencyweight 10%
8.0avg 8.1
Accessibilityweight 10%
8.5avg 7.8
this service category average across 15Score = Σ mark × weight. Works well for a specific use case, weaker outside it. Methodology.
| Criterion | Mark | What we found | Source | Checked |
|---|
| Performance & uptime | 8.5 | not sourced yet | not sourced yet | — |
| Slashing & incident record | 9.0 | not sourced yet | not sourced yet | — |
| Fees | 5.5 | not sourced yet | not sourced yet | — |
| Decentralisation contribution | 5.5 | not sourced yet | not sourced yet | — |
| Transparency | 8.0 | not sourced yet | not sourced yet | — |
| Accessibility | 8.5 | not sourced yet | not sourced yet | — |
What we liked, and what fell short
Liked- Cheaper commission than the largest US competitor
- Reliable operations with no client losses
- Wide network coverage in supported jurisdictions
Fell short- US programme was closed under an SEC settlement in 2023
- Custodial, so exchange risk applies to staked assets
Why the marks landed where they did
Kraken operates staking across a broad set of networks with a clean record and commission in the 15–20% range — expensive against a professional operator, noticeably cheaper than Coinbase's retail tier.
The 2023 US shutdown
The SEC took the position that Kraken's staking-as-a-service programme constituted an unregistered securities offering. Kraken settled, paid a penalty and closed the programme for US clients, returning staked assets. Coinbase, facing similar arguments, litigated instead. The episode is the clearest illustration of a risk specific to custodial staking: a regulator can end the product, and your position ends with it.
Operations and coverage
Support spans Ethereum, Solana, Polkadot, Cosmos chains and others in eligible regions, with no client losses from slashing on record. Rewards are distributed regularly and the interface is straightforward.
The economics
At 15–20% commission you keep roughly 80–85% of network rewards against 90% or more at a professional operator, and you take on exchange custody risk to do so. For small balances the convenience premium is defensible; for larger positions it is not.
Who should use it
Existing Kraken customers in supported regions staking modest amounts. Larger stakers should use a dedicated operator or a liquid staking protocol, and hold the underlying assets in self-custody.
FAQ
Why did Kraken close US staking?+
In 2023 it settled with the SEC, which argued the programme was an unregistered securities offering. Kraken paid a penalty, ended the US service and returned staked assets.
What does Kraken staking cost?+
Roughly 15–20% of rewards depending on the asset — cheaper than Coinbase's retail tier and well above professional operators.
Is Kraken staking custodial?+
Yes. Staked assets remain with Kraken, so exchange risk applies alongside protocol risk.
Can I stake Ethereum on Kraken and withdraw anytime?+
Unstaking follows the Ethereum exit queue plus Kraken's processing, so withdrawals are not instant.
