How to Buy Ethereum on Kraken

Why Buy Ethereum on Kraken?

Kraken is my top recommendation for security-conscious Ethereum buyers:

• Never been hacked since 2011 - Impeccable track record
• 95% cold storage - Industry-leading security
• Proof of reserves - Quarterly audits verify your funds
• Competitive fees - 0.25% on Kraken Pro
• Excellent staking - Earn up to 4% APY on ETH

Prerequisites

1. Government ID (passport, driver’s license)
2. Social Security Number (for US users)
3. Bank account for deposits
4. 15-20 minutes for setup

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Create Your Kraken Account

1. Go to Kraken.com
2. Click “Create Account”
3. Enter email, username, and password
4. Accept terms and verify your email

Step 2: Complete Verification

Starter (Basic):

• Name, DOB, country
• Crypto deposits only

Intermediate (Recommended):

• Address, SSN, ID upload
• Fiat deposits enabled
• Typically verified in 1-5 minutes

Step 3: Deposit Funds

Method	Time	Fee
ACH (US)	1-5 days	Free
Wire (USD)	0-5 days	$5
SEPA (EUR)	1-3 days	Free
Card	Instant	3.75%+

Step 4: Buy Ethereum

Instant Buy:

1. Click “Buy Crypto”
2. Select Ethereum (ETH)
3. Enter amount
4. Confirm purchase

Kraken Pro (Lower Fees):

1. Go to Trade → New Order
2. Select ETH/USD
3. Choose Market or Limit order
4. Enter amount and buy

Step 5: Stake Your ETH

Kraken offers excellent ETH staking:

1. Navigate to “Earn”
2. Select Ethereum
3. Click “Stake”
4. Enter amount and confirm
5. Start earning ~4% APY

Kraken Fees

Trading Fees

Volume	Maker	Taker
$0-$10K	0.25%	0.40%
$10K-$50K	0.20%	0.35%
$50K+	0.15%	0.25%

Fee Example

Buying $1,000 ETH:

• Instant Buy: ~$15-25 (spread + 1.5%)
• Kraken Pro: ~$4 (taker) or ~$2.50 (maker)

Security Features

Kraken’s security is unmatched:

• 95% cold storage - Air-gapped systems
• Global Settings Lock - 72-hour security delay
• Master Key - Recovery backup
• Hardware key support - YubiKey compatible

Tips

1. Use Kraken Pro for lower fees
2. Enable Global Settings Lock
3. Stake ETH for passive income
4. Use limit orders for maker fees

Common Questions

Is Kraken available in New York?

No, Kraken chose not to obtain a NY BitLicense. NY residents can use Gemini or Coinbase.

What’s the ETH staking reward?

Currently ~3.5-4% APY on Kraken. Rewards are distributed twice weekly.

Can I unstake my ETH?

Yes, unstaking is available with a waiting period that varies based on network conditions.

---

Last updated: January 2025. Kraken is not available in all jurisdictions.