ByBit EU vs Kraken Comparison
ByBit EU and Kraken are practically level in our overall rating, 4.1 to 4.2 out of 5 points. Our table lists the trading fee as “0.25% maker; 0.25% taker” for ByBit EU and “1 %” for Kraken. If you care most about fees, ByBit EU has the better sub-score, while Kraken leads on usability, features, and stability.
| 0.25% maker 0.25% taker | Fees | 1 % |
| — | Minimum cost per €1,000 | € 10.00 |
| +100 | Cryptos | 629 |
| SEPA transfer, Visa, Mastercard, Google Pay, Apple Pay | Payment Methods | SEPA Instant Transfer, SEPA Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card |
| MiCAR license via FMA | Regulation | EU: MiCA USA: CFTC UK: FCA |
Cost comparison
The basis is a Bitcoin purchase worth €1,000, calculated from the disclosed trading fee. A price markup in the spread is not included, because most providers do not publish it.
| — | Minimum cost per €1,000 | € 10.00 |
| 0.25% maker 0.25% taker | Fees | 1 % |
| — | Wallet transfer | € 1.49 |
| — | Cost transparency | Limited |
| 1 EUR per order, card deposit from 10 USD | Minimum Amount | € 1 |
| SEPA transfer, Visa, Mastercard, Google Pay, Apple Pay | Payment Methods | SEPA Instant Transfer, SEPA Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card |
Bybit EU charges fixed maker and taker rates for spot trading. For pairs against the euro the rate falls with your trading volume over the last 30 days; from VIP 1 the same rate applies to both pair types.
| Transaction | Cost at Bybit EU |
|---|---|
| Spot, crypto pairs, regular user | 0.25% maker, 0.25% taker |
| Spot, EUR pairs, up to USD 100,000 volume in 30 days | 0.25% maker and taker |
| Spot, EUR pairs, USD 100,000 to 250,000 | 0.22% maker and taker |
| Spot, EUR pairs, USD 250,000 to 500,000 | 0.2% maker and taker |
| Spot, EUR pairs, from USD 500,000 | 0.15% maker and taker |
| VIP 1, all spot pairs | 0.12% maker and taker |
| EUR deposits and withdrawals | fee shown before the transaction |
| Crypto withdrawals | network fee per coin |
How to save: If you trade larger amounts against the euro, the volume tiers on EUR pairs pay off: from USD 500,000 in 30 days the rate is 0.15%. From VIP 1 the rate for all spot pairs drops to 0.12%. See how Bybit EU compares on fees in our crypto exchange comparison.
Fees as of 1 November 2026 according to the Bybit EU fee schedule.
Bybit EU bonus and offers (November 2026)
New Bybit Card users get a welcome package: apply for the card in the app and top up at least 100 USDC or the equivalent to receive 10% cashback on eligible purchases in the first 30 days, up to €120. On top, you get up to €50 cashback on selected subscriptions such as ChatGPT and Netflix in the first month. The Bybit EU terms and conditions apply.
You can open a Bybit EU account through our partner link to Bybit EU; cryptoticker.io receives a commission when an account is opened. Offers as of 1 November 2026.
At Kraken the route sets the price: simple buys in the app and on the web cost a fixed fee plus a spread, while Kraken Pro charges maker and taker rates based on your volume over the last 30 days. All Kraken fees for deposits, trading and withdrawals are listed in one table in our guide to Kraken fees.
| Transaction | Cost at Kraken |
|---|---|
| Instant buy, instant sell and recurring buys | 1% plus spread in the price |
| Custom orders in simple mode | 1.5% plus spread |
| Kraken+ (subscription) | no trading fee up to USD 10,000 volume per month, spread and card fees still apply |
| Converting small balances | 3% below the minimum order size |
| Kraken Pro, tier 1 (up to USD 2,500 in 30 days) | 0.40% maker, 0.80% taker |
| Kraken Pro, tier 3 (from USD 10,000) | 0.22% maker, 0.38% taker |
| Kraken Pro, tier 5 (from USD 50,000) | 0.15% maker, 0.30% taker |
| Deposits and withdrawals | depending on method and currency, shown before you confirm |
How to save: Even in tier 1, Kraken Pro at 0.80% taker is cheaper than an instant buy at 1% plus spread, and limit orders as a maker cost 0.40%. If you buy less than USD 10,000 a month, look at Kraken+. See how Kraken compares in our crypto exchange comparison.
Fees as of 1 November 2026 according to the Kraken fee schedule.
You can open a Kraken account through our partner link to Kraken; cryptoticker.io receives a commission when an account is opened. As of 1 November 2026.
Pros & Cons
- MiCA licence from Austria's FMA since May 2025, valid across the EU
- Spot from 0.25% maker and taker, euro pairs 0.15% above $500,000 volume, 0.12% from VIP 1
- More than 100 coins, 17 of them tradable directly against the euro
- 1:1 reserves according to Bybit EU, assets held largely in cold storage, 2FA
- Bybit Card welcome package: 10% cashback up to €120
- App for iOS and Android, based in Vienna
- Spot trading only for EEA retail clients, no futures
- Bybit group hack in February 2025 (about $1.4 billion in ether), loss covered by the exchange
- Own counterparty list: transactions with listed services can lead to an account freeze
- The number of features can overwhelm complete beginners
- MiCA licence from the Central Bank of Ireland since 25 June 2025, valid across the EU
- More than 600 coins, 490 of them directly against the euro (1 November 2026)
- Proof of reserves by auditors, latest Bitcoin coverage 102.9% (30 June 2026)
- Kraken Pro from 0.40% maker and 0.80% taker
- FIDO2 passkeys, Global Settings Lock, ISO/IEC 27001
- On the market since 2011, with savings plan and staking
- Simple buy at 1% plus spread, custom orders 1.5%
- Regular delistings with withdrawal deadlines, most recently 13 tokens on 23 October 2026
- A dust attack in August 2026 led to temporary account freezes
- The low Pro rates require getting used to an order-book interface
Score Comparison
User Experiences
AI AnalysisAccording to the analyzed user reviews, Kraken is often described as simple and easy to understand, especially with regard to the app and basic usability. At the same time, users mainly report criticism of support-related topics and costs, so the overall picture from a user perspective is mixed.
Provider details (fees, licences, pros and cons) editorially reviewed: November 2026. Investing in crypto assets carries a high level of risk, up to and including total loss of capital. This is not investment advice. Figures without guarantee; check current conditions on bybit.eu.
Features
| not specified | Savings plan | available |
| not specified | Staking | available |
| not specified | Wallet transfer | available |
| not specified | Cost transparency | not available |
| not specified | 2FA security | available |
| not specified | Account lock | available |
| not specified | SEPA instant bank transfer | available |
| not specified | PayPal | available |
| not specified | Credit card | available |
| not specified | Mobile app (iOS/Android) | available |
- EU-regulated (MiCA, FMA Austria), valid in 29 EEA countries
- Spot from 0.25%, euro pairs from 0.15%
- 1:1 reserves and cold-wallet custody
- MiCA licence via Ireland, valid in 30 EEA countries
- More than 600 coins, 490 directly against the euro
- Proof of reserves above 100% coverage
- Kraken Pro for low-cost order-book trading
The five areas head to head
AI AnalysisFees & Costs
Spot trading (VIP 0, crypto pairs): 0.25% maker / 0.25% taker (as of 1 November 2026). Bybit EU does not offer futures or other derivatives to EEA retail clients. Deposit and withdrawal costs depend on the method used; crypto transfers incur the usual network fees.
The reviews present a mixed picture when it comes to fees and costs: on the one hand, low fees are mentioned positively several times; on the other hand, users criticize high fees. According to user reviews, the perception of costs is therefore not consistent.
Usability & User Experience
Not enough reviews available.
Users particularly appreciate Kraken’s intuitive app and clear design, which are repeatedly described in reviews as easy to use. According to the reviews, getting started is quick for many users, and overall navigation is also mentioned positively. Some users report that the app does not open immediately, which makes usability appear limited from the perspective of individual reviews.
Features & Offering
Not enough reviews available.
In the analyzed user reviews, there are only a few recurring statements about features and the offering, which is why this area mainly reveals individual requests. Among other things, users want a candlestick chart, a prediction market, an auto-sell function, a 72-hour timer, and a widget for the app. In addition, some users would like more support for beginners and a calendar. Overall, the feedback mainly shows additional feature requests.
Stability & Security
Not enough reviews available.
Regarding stability and reliability, the analyzed user data mainly contains individual critical feedback. Some users report that the app cannot be opened immediately or that withdrawals are perceived as delayed. Overall, however, the available data is not sufficient, according to the reviews, to derive a clearly reliable user picture for this area.
Customer Support
Not enough reviews available.
When it comes to support, users comparatively often report longer waiting times or no response at all. According to the reviews, missing help and slow reactions are repeatedly criticized, making this area clearly viewed critically from a user perspective. Individual feedback also suggests that issues are not always resolved promptly.
Details
| Bybit EU GmbH | Company | Payward Europe Solutions Limited |
| 2018 | Founded | 2011 |
| MiCAR license via FMA | Regulation | EU: MiCA USA: CFTC UK: FCA |
| 1 EUR per order, card deposit from 10 USD | Minimum Amount | € 1 |
| Identity verification (required for fiat deposits and withdrawals) | KYC | Photo ID |
Verdict
Both providers are practically level in our overall rating (4.1 to 4.2).
In short: Bybit EU combines the technology of one of the largest crypto exchanges with an EU licence: spot trading in more than 100 coins, fixed rates from 0.25% that fall to 0.15% with high euro volume, and a crypto card. For retail clients in the EEA, Bybit EU focuses on spot trading. If you want to buy and hold crypto at a large exchange with a European licence, Bybit EU fits.
Is Bybit safe and licensed in the EU?
Yes, Bybit EU may serve customers across the EU. Bybit EU GmbH, based in Vienna, has been authorised as a crypto-asset service provider under Article 63 MiCA since 28 May 2025, licensed by Austria's Financial Market Authority (FMA). Through the EU passport the licence covers 29 EEA countries, including Germany, France and Spain (ESMA register, file of 30 October 2026). It covers custody, exchanging crypto for money and for other crypto, placing and transfer services. Bybit EU itself points out that certain offers on bybit.eu fall outside MiCA supervision; each product page states the framework.
The hack of 21 February 2025: Attackers took ether worth about $1.4 to $1.5 billion from a Bybit group multisig cold wallet by slipping a manipulated transaction past the signers. The FBI attributed the attack to the North Korean group TraderTraitor, better known as Lazarus. On the same day Bybit stated that all client assets were backed 1:1 and that the exchange would cover the loss; withdrawals kept running. On bybit.eu, Bybit EU states 1:1 reserves for all user assets.
Counterparty list: Since September 2026 Bybit has published a list of services its customers must not transact with. If screening flags one of them, Bybit can freeze accounts or restrict funds. Our report on the Bybit counterparty list explains what to check in your payment history.
What you can do yourself: turn on two-factor authentication and a withdrawal address whitelist, keep proof of origin for coins bought peer to peer, and store larger amounts on your own hardware wallet.
Who is Bybit EU for?
Bybit EU suits investors in the EU who want spot trading at a large international exchange with a European licence and who like to pay with crypto. Anyone who regularly trades larger amounts against the euro benefits from the volume tiers. Our comparison of regulated crypto exchanges sets Bybit EU against other licensed exchanges such as OKX, Kraken and Bitvavo.
In short: Kraken is one of the oldest crypto exchanges in the world, active since 2011 and licensed under MiCA in the EEA. More than 600 coins, 490 of them directly against the euro, a regular proof of reserves and strong security features speak for the platform. The simple buy costs 1% plus spread; on the Kraken Pro order book you pay from 0.40% as a maker and 0.80% as a taker.
Is Kraken safe and licensed in the EU?
Yes, Kraken may serve customers across the EU. In the EEA, Kraken operates through Payward Europe Solutions Limited, based in Dublin, licensed under MiCA since 25 June 2025 and supervised by the Central Bank of Ireland. Through the EU passport the licence covers 30 EEA countries, including Germany, France and Spain (ESMA register, file of 30 October 2026). It covers custody, exchanging crypto for money and for other crypto, order execution and transfers, among other services. Kraken's parent Payward agreed on 14 October 2026 to buy Lithuania's Saldo Bank; closing is planned for 2027 and needs regulatory approval (our report on the deal).
Reserves and security: Kraken has its proof of reserves prepared regularly by auditors. The snapshot of 30 June 2026 shows coverage of 102.9% for Bitcoin, 100.5% for Ether, 100.6% for Solana and 102.3% for XRP, and 105% or more each for USDC and USDT. Kraken is certified to ISO/IEC 27001:2022, offers two-factor authentication with FIDO2 passkeys and a Global Settings Lock, and does not recover accounts by phone or SMS.
Account freezes and delistings: Between 17 and 24 August 2026, Kraken customers received almost 12,000 tiny deposits from wallets that analytics firms attribute to the sanctioned exchange HTX. Sanctions screening temporarily froze affected accounts; access has since been restored (our report on the dust attack). Kraken also removes tokens from trading regularly, most recently 13 tokens on 23 October 2026; withdrawal deadlines and steps are in our delisting report.
What you can do yourself: turn on a passkey or two-factor authentication and the Global Settings Lock, leave tiny deposits of unknown origin untouched and keep larger amounts on your own hardware wallet.
Who is Kraken for?
Kraken suits investors who want a long-established exchange with a wide choice of euro pairs, a savings plan and staking. Regular traders save with Kraken Pro. Since 26 October 2026, EEA customers with a derivatives account can also trade bitcoin and ether options there after an appropriateness assessment, provided by Cyprus-based Payward Europe Digital Solutions (CY) Limited under CySEC supervision. For simple euro trading, Bitvavo is cheaper, and Coinbase is an alternative with a listed parent company. All licensed providers are listed in our comparison of regulated crypto exchanges.