Kraken vs Gemini: Como estas exchanges de cripto se comparam

Crypto platforms differ across a number of important areas such as regulation, product breadth (spot, margin, futures, staking, tokenized assets), fee design, asset coverage, security practices (cold storage, audits, certifications), and customer support. It’s important to take all these variables into consideration before deciding where to trade.

Both Kraken and Gemini are well established platforms with institutional-grade security and a range of advanced trading products, however their histories and track records differ. This Kraken vs. Gemini article explores both exchanges in depth to help you decide which venue is most suitable for you.

Fundada em 2011 nos Estados Unidos, a Kraken está entre os nomes mais antigos e estabelecidos na indústria de criptomoedas. Lançada menos de dois anos após a estreia do Bitcoin, a exchange ganhou reconhecimento global pelo seu forte foco em segurança, transparência operacional e uma experiência de utilizador de alta qualidade.

Hoje, a Kraken serve mais de 15 milhões de clientes em mais de 190 países. As suas ofertas variam desde a plataforma principal Kraken para investidores individuais, até plataformas de negociação completas e poderosas para traders avançados e institucionais através da plataforma Kraken Pro e da aplicação Kraken Desktop.

A suite institucional da Kraken abrange mercados à vista (spot), de margem, de futuros, staking e negociação OTC para clientes qualificados. A Kraken também investe fortemente em educação através do Kraken Learn, apoiando traders novos e experientes.

Com sede em Wyoming, a Kraken destaca o seu compromisso com a responsabilidade através de Provas de Reservas regulares, uma prática que introduziu na indústria em 2014. Foi também a primeira crypto exchange a ser listada no Bloomberg Terminal, ajudando a preencher a lacuna entre as finanças tradicionais e os ativos digitais.

Com licenças regulatórias em mercados-chave, incluindo os EUA, Canadá, Reino Unido, UE e um histórico de assistência em casos como os pedidos de credores da Mt. Gox, a Kraken construiu uma reputação de operações estáveis e conformes, o que a torna um destino de confiança para quem procura uma crypto exchange segura e duradoura.

Founded in 2014 by Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, Gemini is a US-based cryptocurrency exchange headquartered in New York and known for its strong emphasis on regulatory compliance and security.

From its inception, Gemini has positioned itself as a “regulated-first” platform, operating under New York State Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) oversight and targeting institutional and risk-averse retail users.

Gemini offers spot trading for a curated selection of cryptocurrencies, along with staking, custody, and institutional services. Its retail platform is designed for simplicity, while ActiveTrader provides more advanced order types and lower fees for experienced traders. Gemini also operates a qualified custody business and provides services to funds, corporates, and ETFs.

Gemini’s is well-regarded for its regulatory credibility and institutional trust, particularly in the US market. The exchange has historically taken a conservative approach to asset listings and product expansion, which appeals to compliance-focused users and institutions.

With this conservative approach, however, Gemini’s offering is very limited (both in scope and in available regions) as compared to its offshore competitors. While it remains a trusted platform for regulated crypto access, it is generally overlooked by active traders seeking more features, more assets or derivatives.

Kraken has been operating since 2011, making it one of the earliest global exchanges. Its long history across multiple market cycles reassures clients looking for a proven track record.

Kraken is consistently ranked among the most trusted exchanges by independent research firms and mainstream finance outlets.

Kraken has never reported a breach of client funds in over a decade of operations

Kraken holds regulatory licenses across the U.S., UK, EU, and other key markets. Gemini, by contrast, has been placed on the UK FCA warning list for operating without authorization.

Kraken’s certifications (ISO/IEC 27001, SOC 2 Type II) and recurring third-party Proof-of-Reserves audits offer peace of mind

O ecossistema de produtos da Kraken foi concebido para suportar uma vasta gama de estilos de negociação e níveis de experiência. Os utilizadores podem negociar em movimento com a sua aplicação móvel otimizada ou aceder a ferramentas mais avançadas através do Kraken Pro, que oferece gráficos detalhados, tipos de ordem personalizados e dados de mercado em tempo real.

A plataforma suporta a negociação spot para todos os utilizadores, com negociação de margem (até 5x de alavancagem) e contratos de futuros (até 50x de alavancagem) disponíveis em regiões elegíveis. Clientes institucionais e de elevado património líquido podem aceder a serviços adicionais através da mesa OTC da Kraken e da oferta Kraken Prime.

Além da negociação, a Kraken oferece staking de cripto em mais de 21 ativos, com recompensas até 17% APY dependendo da moeda e das condições da rede. Os utilizadores podem ganhar passivamente ao fazer staking de ativos como Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL) e Cardano (ADA) diretamente através da plataforma.

A Kraken também suporta pagamentos digitais globais através do Krak, uma funcionalidade que permite aos utilizadores enviar cripto ou dinheiro sem taxas de transação.

Em 2024, a Kraken lançou a sua rede Ink Layer-2, construída na SuperChain da Optimism, proporcionando uma ponte contínua entre exchanges centralizadas e protocolos DeFi populares.

Para aqueles que procuram aprofundar os seus conhecimentos financeiros, o Kraken Learn oferece recursos educacionais que abrangem desde os princípios básicos da blockchain até estratégias de negociação avançadas.

Trading flexibility: Users can trade on Gemini’s streamlined mobile app or use the Gemini ActiveTrader interface for advanced charting, multiple order types, auctions, and fast execution speeds.

User-friendly investing: Gemini provides recurring buys and price alerts, making it easy to automate investments and track performance without constant monitoring.

Spot, margin, and derivatives: Spot trading is available to all clients, while select users outside the U.S. can access Gemini Foundation, offering perpetual futures with leverage. Margin trading is supported in certain regions up to 5x.

Institutional services: Gemini Custody offers SOC-certified, insured cold storage, while Gemini Prime provides block trading, clearing, and settlement for institutions.

Consumer finance products: The Gemini Credit Card allows users to earn crypto rewards on everyday purchases, while Gemini Pay enables retail crypto spending with partners in the U.S.

Staking and yield: Gemini supports ETH staking and offers Gemini Earn (availability varies by jurisdiction), allowing users to generate yield on select assets.

Global payments: With integrations for ACH, wire, SEPA, debit/credit cards, PayPal, and Apple Pay, Gemini offers diverse fiat on- and off-ramps for users worldwide.

Stablecoin innovation: Gemini issues the Gemini Dollar (GUSD), a fully regulated USD-backed stablecoin, widely used across DeFi and trading platforms.

Education: Gemini Cryptopedia provides an extensive knowledge base covering crypto basics, DeFi concepts, and advanced trading strategies.

NFT marketplace: With Nifty Gateway (a Gemini subsidiary), users can buy, sell, and manage NFTs, positioning Gemini within the digital collectibles ecosystem.

Kraken offers a broader, more innovative product suite than Gemini. Beyond core spot and margin trading, it provides futures for U.S. users, stock and ETF investing, advanced staking, no-fee payments, and emerging services like AI-driven automation, DeFi integration, ICO access and access to proprietary funding.

Kraken offers clients more tools, markets, and opportunities in a single platform. This breadth and pace of innovation are why many choose Kraken over Gemini.

Os clientes podem aceder a mais de 600 criptomoedas na Kraken, incluindo as principais como Bitcoin (BTC) e XRP (XRP), bem como uma variedade de altcoins, desde memecoins até liquid staking tokens.

Existem também mais de 11.000 ETFs e ações sem comissão disponíveis para negociar diretamente na aplicação Kraken. E para clientes em locais elegíveis, podem investir em xStocks, que são versões tokenizadas destes ativos.
A Kraken suporta levantamentos e depósitos em dez principais moedas fiduciárias, tornando rápido e conveniente para os clientes globais financiarem as suas contas.

As moedas fiduciárias suportadas incluem:

• USD (Dólar dos EUA)

• CAD (Dólar Canadiano)

• GBP (Libra Esterlina)

• EUR (Euro)

• JPY (Iene Japonês)

• AUD (Dólar Australiano)

• CHF (Franco Suíço)

• ARS (Peso Argentino)

• MXN (Peso Mexicano)

• BRL (Real Brasileiro)

Existem também 15 stablecoins suportadas, incluindo Tether (USDT), USDC e USDG.

Gemini offers trading in more than 100 cryptocurrencies and 200+ markets across a broad mix of categories.

For equity exposure, Gemini provides tokenized U.S. stocks through its dShares™ program. These tokens are backed 1:1 by the underlying equities and include leading companies such as Apple, Amazon, Nvidia, Microsoft, and Tesla, as well as ETFs like the S&P 500 (SPY). Access is currently limited to eligible non-U.S. markets.

Gemini has paid particular attention to stablecoins, issuing its own regulated Gemini Dollar (GUSD) while also supporting others including USDC, USDT, and DAI.

Fiat support includes direct U.S. dollar funding as well as global on-ramps through ACH, wire transfers, SEPA, debit/credit cards, PayPal, and Apple Pay, enabling broad access for customers worldwide.

With operations in over 60 countries, Gemini supports a curated but diversified range of digital assets.

Kraken appeals to clients who value breadth, regulation, and reliability in asset support. While Gemini maintains a respectable list of crypto assets and tokenized stocks, Kraken delivers a far wider selection; over 500 cryptocurrencies, 1,200 market pairs, and deep support for derivatives including fully compliant U.S. perpetual futures. This makes Kraken a stronger choice for active traders who want both variety and access to legacy market products like stocks and ETFs.

Kraken also distinguishes itself through its highly regulated fiat infrastructure. With direct support for ten major fiat currencies, robust banking rails, and deep liquidity in fiat-crypto markets, it makes it easier for people all over the world to get exposure to digital assets.

Ultimately, clients choose Kraken over Gemini because it combines a larger, regulated asset ecosystem with stronger fiat connectivity, making it a more versatile and institution-ready platform for those who want everything in one place.

O modelo de taxas da Kraken baseado no volume é escalonado e transparente para apoiar tanto traders profissionais quanto investidores ocasionais.

Com taxas de maker a começar em 0.25% e taxas de taker em 0.40%, existem também descontos disponíveis para indivíduos e instituições de alto volume. Com uma subscrição Kraken+, estas taxas podem ser totalmente eliminadas para clientes elegíveis até determinados volumes mensais.

A maioria dos depósitos de cripto e fiduciários são gratuitos, com algumas exceções dependendo do método de transação e do ativo específico. A Kraken também destaca a transparência ao exibir todas as taxas antes de uma transação ser confirmada, garantindo que os clientes estão cientes de todas as taxas antecipadamente e evitam surpresas dispendiosas.

Gemini’s fee structure is tiered and depends on the product you use. On the ActiveTrader platform, maker fees start at 0.20% and can fall to 0.00% for high-volume traders, while taker fees start at 0.40% and decrease to as low as 0.03%. For derivatives trading through Gemini Foundation, fees begin at 0.02% (maker) and 0.07% (taker), with discounts for larger volumes.

Deposits are generally free for both crypto and U.S. bank transfers (ACH), while fiat via wire transfer may carry standard bank charges and card or third-party processors may add fees. Withdrawals are charged per asset: crypto withdrawals reflect network fees and are shown at the time of confirmation, while U.S. wire withdrawals carry a fixed $25 fee.

Overall, Gemini’s pricing is transparent, with fees clearly displayed before order or transfer confirmation, making it straightforward for both casual investors and professional traders to understand their costs.

Kraken generally offers lower and more competitive trading fees than Gemini. On Kraken Pro, maker and taker fees start at 0.25% and 0.40% and fall sharply for higher volumes, with futures priced as low as 0.02%-0.05%. Gemini’s ActiveTrader begins at similar levels but reduces more slowly, and its derivatives carry higher entry-level taker fees.

Kraken also provides stronger fiat integration, with multiple currencies supported and flexible banking rails, while Gemini often relies on stablecoin pairs and fixed costs like $25 per U.S. wire withdrawal.

A Kraken é amplamente considerada uma das plataformas de cripto mais seguras do setor. Desde a sua criação, a Kraken nunca sofreu uma violação que resultasse na perda de fundos de clientes, uma afirmação que poucas outras exchanges podem fazer. Os clientes beneficiam de proteção de conta multicamadas, incluindo 2FA com chaves de acesso, encriptação de e-mail PGP, permissões de chave API granulares com limites de alcance, tempo limite de conta configurável, monitorização em tempo real para atividade suspeita, lista de permissões para levantamentos e definições de chave mestra.

A Kraken foi pioneira na Prova de Reservas em 2014 e continua a liderar o setor com auditorias regulares e independentemente verificáveis. Este procedimento criptográfico permite que os clientes revejam pessoalmente como os seus saldos de conta são apoiados por ativos reais, a qualquer momento. A Kraken também possui a certificação ISO/IEC 27001:2013, conformidade com a auditoria SOC 2 Type 2 e opera um robusto programa de recompensas por bugs público.

Gemini operates as a full-reserve exchange and custodian, meaning customer funds are segregated and held 1:1 under New York trust licensing and fiduciary obligations. It holds SOC 1 Type 2 and SOC 2 Type 2 certifications, and maintains ISO/IEC 27001 (information security) accreditation.

Clients benefit from a suite of layered protections:

• Mandatory 2FA (including support for hardware security keys such as YubiKey)
• Withdrawal address allowlisting to restrict withdrawals to preapproved addresses
• Withdrawal protection, which enforces a 7-day waiting period for funds sent to newly added addresses
• Email confirmation for sensitive account changes
• Device whitelisting, session limits, and risk monitoring for suspicious activity
• Cryptographic controls and encryption of data in transit and at rest
• Segregated custody of fiat and crypto assets in accounts separate from Gemini’s operating funds

Gemini publicly states it has never lost client funds due to custodial breach, and its Trust Center provides ongoing transparency into its reserve metrics. For its stablecoin product, GUSD, Gemini publishes monthly third-party audit reports confirming 1:1 backing in cash and high-liquidity assets.

Kraken is often preferred by clients who value security assurance and transparency. Unlike Gemini, which relies on external attestations and a trust-chartered structure, Kraken pioneered exchange-wide proof-of-reserves audits back in 2014 and continues to perform them regularly, allowing clients to verify that assets are backed 1:1 in real time.

In addition, Kraken’s security labs team, ISO/IEC 27001 and SOC 2 certifications, and layered account controls (like PGP email encryption and granular API permissions) reinforce its reputation as one of the most hardened platforms in the industry.

While both exchanges have strong custody practices, Kraken’s long record without client-fund losses, its proactive auditing, and its reputation for security innovation make it the platform of choice for users who demand maximum transparency and institutional-grade safeguards.

A Kraken é conhecida pelo seu serviço de apoio ao cliente profissional e responsivo, oferecendo vários canais de apoio para satisfazer as diferentes necessidades dos utilizadores. Os clientes podem aceder ao chat ao vivo 24 horas por dia, 7 dias por semana, com agentes humanos reais, enviar pedidos por e-mail ou (em casos selecionados) falar diretamente com um especialista de apoio por telefone.

A equipa de apoio multilingue da Kraken pode ajudar os utilizadores em mais de uma dúzia de idiomas. Isto ajuda a empresa a servir a sua base de clientes global de forma mais eficaz.

A exchange também obteve altas classificações na satisfação do cliente e foi reconhecida como Vencedora do Melhor Uso de IA em CX (Europa) na Customer Centricity World Series. O seu foco na clareza, empatia e rapidez na resolução de problemas continua a distinguir a experiência do cliente da Kraken num espaço competitivo.

Gemini focuses on structured, ticket-based assistance designed around compliance and transparency. The exchange provides support primarily through its Help Center and email ticketing system, which routes requests to dedicated teams depending on the issue type. While Gemini does not offer general phone or live chat support, customers with the Gemini Credit Card have access to a dedicated 24/7 phone line for card-related matters.

The Help Center includes detailed guides for account setup, security, trading, and compliance, making it straightforward for users to self-serve common issues. Support is available in multiple languages, and Gemini maintains a public status page to keep users informed of platform incidents or outages in real time.

For security-sensitive requests, Gemini enforces strict verification steps to protect accounts, including mandatory 2FA and withdrawal allowlisting. Institutions benefit from direct relationships with Gemini’s account managers and custody specialists, while retail clients receive consistent responses via email with clear next steps.

Kraken appeals to clients who value breadth, regulation, and reliability in asset support. While Gemini maintains a respectable list of crypto assets and tokenized stocks, Kraken delivers a far wider selection; over 500 cryptocurrencies, 1,200 market pairs, and deep support for derivatives including fully compliant U.S. perpetual futures. This makes Kraken a stronger choice for active traders who want both variety and access to legacy market products like stocks and ETFs.

Kraken also distinguishes itself through its highly regulated fiat infrastructure. With direct support for ten major fiat currencies, robust banking rails, and deep liquidity in fiat-crypto markets, it makes it easier for people all over the world to get exposure to digital assets.

Ultimately, clients choose Kraken over Gemini because it combines a larger, regulated asset ecosystem with stronger fiat connectivity, making it a more versatile and institution-ready platform for those who want everything in one place.

Clients tend to choose Kraken over Gemini for its much wider range of assets, deeper markets (including regulated futures and margin trading), and stronger fiat support across multiple currencies. Kraken also provides real-time proof-of-reserves audits, an unmatched security record, and award-winning 24/7 multilingual support; advantages that make it the more compelling choice for traders and institutions seeking breadth, transparency, and reliability.