BTC$77,156+3.3% ZEC$337.96+1.7% XMR$346.65+1.4% DASH$36.95+0.9% FIRO$0.7776+1.2% ARRR$0.1914+2.0% BEAM$0.0206-1.8% GRIN$0.0384-0.4% IRON$0.0608-1.8% SCRT$0.1059+11.6% NIGHT$0.0374+2.3% BTC$77,156+3.3% ZEC$337.96+1.7% XMR$346.65+1.4% DASH$36.95+0.9% FIRO$0.7776+1.2% ARRR$0.1914+2.0% BEAM$0.0206-1.8% GRIN$0.0384-0.4% IRON$0.0608-1.8% SCRT$0.1059+11.6% NIGHT$0.0374+2.3%
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Home  /  Exchanges  /  Kraken
Exchange profile · Updated 04.15.26

Kraken for privacy coin buyers

One of the oldest US-licensed exchanges. Strong ZEC liquidity. XMR pairs available outside the US.

Sign up to Kraken >

Pros for privacy coin buyers

  • Deepest ZEC order book among US-licensed exchanges
  • Transparent fee schedule on Kraken Pro, no spread games
  • Strong security track record, no major hacks since 2011
  • SPDI banking charter in Wyoming (first for a crypto exchange)

Cons for privacy coin buyers

  • Transparent t-address withdrawals only, no shielded ZEC support
  • XMR delisted for US users
  • Not available in New York or Washington state
  • App Buy/Sell uses spread pricing, more expensive than Kraken Pro

Privacy coin support

ZEC listed with USD, EUR, BTC pairs. XMR delisted for US users; available in some international jurisdictions.

Listed: ZEC
Shielded ZEC: Not supported

Transparent (t-address) only. ZEC withdrawn from Kraken arrives unshielded; shield it yourself with a wallet like Zashi or YWallet.

Fees

Kraken Pro starting tier (under $10K 30-day volume). Kraken+ subscribers get zero trading fees on the first $10K monthly volume on app Buy/Sell/Convert.

Maker: 0.25%
Taker: 0.40%

What you pay at different purchase sizes

Purchase amount Kraken Pro
0.40%		 Kraken app (Buy now)
1.00%
$100 $0.40 $1.00
$1,000 $4.00 $10.00
$10,000 $40.00 $100.00

Stated exchange fees only. App and instant-buy methods typically add a spread on top of the quoted price that can exceed the stated fee itself.

Spread warning (Kraken app (Buy now)): App quoted price can run 1-3% above spot on top of the stated fee.
Pro Tip: Always use a limit order on Kraken Pro. The Kraken app (Buy now) quotes a price 1-3% above the real market rate on top of the stated fee. On a $1,000 purchase that is $10-30 in hidden cost. Place a limit order at or near the current price on Kraken Pro and you pay only the maker fee. This one change saves more than any fee comparison on this page.

Fiat on-ramp

ACH free, wire $5 domestic. SEPA free for EUR. Card 3.75% + $0.25.

Methods: ACH, Wire, SEPA, Card

Availability

US: Available in 49 states. Not available in NY or WA

Operates in 190+ countries. Fiat pairs in USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, JPY, AUD, CHF. Deep liquidity across major currency pairs.

Company

Frequently asked questions

Does Kraken support shielded Zcash withdrawals?

No. Kraken uses transparent t-addresses for ZEC. If you want shielded ZEC, withdraw to a transparent address first, then shield the coins yourself using a wallet like Zashi or YWallet.

Can US residents buy Monero on Kraken?

No. Kraken delisted XMR for US users. Monero pairs are still available in some international jurisdictions but not for US residents.

Is Kraken available in New York?

No. Kraken does not operate in New York or Washington state. Gemini and Coinbase are the main US-licensed alternatives for NY residents.

What fees does Kraken charge for ZEC trades?

On Kraken Pro, maker/taker fees start at 0.25% / 0.40% at the lowest volume tier, dropping with higher 30-day volume. Kraken+ subscribers get zero trading fees on the first $10K of monthly volume on app Buy/Sell/Convert.

Does Kraken report ZEC trades to the IRS?

Yes. As a US-licensed exchange, Kraken issues 1099 forms for qualifying accounts and reports to the IRS. ZEC gains are treated as property for US tax purposes.

Related guides

Jurisdictions where we recommend Kraken: