Spread · Kraken
How much spread does Kraken really charge?
October 2026 (to date): $0.13 average hidden spread on a $1,000 buy — 1,877 observations.
Kraken vs. the covered-exchange average
Kraken · $0.13
Covered-exchange average · $2.49
Same October 2026 period, 6 measured exchanges — list-price exchanges excluded.
Right now
Live, on a $1,000 BTC buy: $4.00 fee + -$0.02 spread = $3.98 all-in.
Kraken’s Convert / Instant-Buy button typically adds ~1.5–2.4% on top — curated range, not included above.
Questions, answered
Why did I get less BTC than expected at Kraken?
Hidden spread: in October 2026 (to date), Kraken's order book cost $0.13 above the reference price per $1,000 buy on average (1,877 observations).
Sources & method
- Published taker fee: 0.40% — the spread above comes on top.
- Hidden spread = Kraken’s live order book walked for a $1,000 order, hourly.
- Method → · Kraken reliability record → · Withdrawal fees → · Live cost comparison →
Not investment advice. Skontro is not a CASP under MiCAR. Reliability Scores are information, not recommendations: every negative datapoint is dated and sourced, the methodology is public, and no exchange can pay to change a score.