Kraken Pro vs OKX: fees, regulation and bonus compared
Kraken Pro and OKX both operate in the EU, but they target a different kind of user. The facts sit side by side below — licence, founding, size and what's on offer right now — so you can choose for yourself instead of us choosing for you.
 Kraken Pro |  OKX | |
|---|---|---|
| Licence | MiCA — Central Bank of Ireland | MiCA — MFSA (Malta) |
| Founded | 2011 | 2017 |
| Headquarters | San Francisco (US) · EU: Dublin | EU: Malta (OKX Europe Limited) |
| Size | 500+ assets · EU entity in Dublin (Payward Europe) | 400+ coins · EU entity in Malta (OKX Europe) |
| Current offer | Welcome bonus + 500 INK points | Up to €400 in rewards, rising per deposit-and-volume tier |
| Code | hpdjgb2b | Not needed |
What Kraken Pro stands for
- 500+ assets, margin & futures
- Kraken Pro 0.40%/0.80%; plain app 1% to 1.5%
- MiCA via Central Bank of Ireland
Welcome bonus + 500 INK points
View Kraken ProWhat OKX stands for
- Spot 0.20%/0.35%; with X-Perps 0.08%/0.10%
- 400+ coins, Lite and Pro mode
- MiCA via MFSA (Malta)
Up to €400 in rewards, rising per deposit-and-volume tier
View OKXAffiliate links · Investing in crypto carries risk
Frequently asked questions about Kraken Pro and OKX
Is Kraken Pro or OKX cheaper?
It depends on the amount and on how you buy. A fixed percentage per trade is there in black and white; a price with a spread is not — it sits inside the rate you get and never appears as a separate line. So do the maths: on a €500 purchase, a difference of 0.10 percentage points is exactly 50 cents. Our fee calculator lets you enter an amount and put the rates of Kraken Pro and OKX side by side.
Go to the fee calculator →Are Kraken Pro and OKX both supervised in the EU?
Yes, both hold a MiCA authorisation: Kraken Pro via Central Bank of Ireland, OKX via MFSA. Supervision means requirements on capital, on safeguarding client assets and on handling complaints. It does not mean your money is guaranteed: crypto is not covered by any deposit guarantee scheme. And an authorisation only covers the services listed in it.
Do I need a code for Kraken Pro or OKX?
Kraken Pro uses the code hpdjgb2b, which you enter when you open your account. OKX needs no code. Look past the bonus itself, though: a one-off amount is soon overtaken by a rate charged on every single trade. What is running right now is in the table at the top of this page.
Can I open an account with both Kraken Pro and OKX?
Yes. They are two separate accounts with two separate providers, so you can pick whichever is cheaper for each purchase. The price is two identity checks, two sets of records to pull together for your own admin, and a balance split across two parties. For small amounts that rarely outweighs the difference in fees.