Kraken vs BitMEX

Kraken or BitMEX – which is better for UK traders 2025? Compare Kraken and BitMEX in this detailed breakdown of their platforms, features and fees.

Kraken vs BitMEX Comparison Table 2025
Kraken BitMEX
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rating full
3.9
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3.2
Kraken is ranked #34 among crypto brokers. BitMEX is ranked #5 among crypto brokers.
Review
Review
Kraken is a top cryptocurrency exchange featuring a specialised trading platform and over 220 cryptocurrency tokens. Traders can access up to 1:5 leverage for spot trading with consistent rollover fees, and up to 1:50 for futures trading. The platform additionally offers crypto staking and hosts an engaging NFT marketplace. BitMEX, established in 2014, is a cryptocurrency exchange specialising in derivatives. The platform provides a seamless way to convert fiat to crypto, engage in spot trades, and trade crypto derivatives like perpetual contracts, traditional futures, and quanto futures. BitMEX is known for its significant market liquidity, standing as one of the top exchanges in this aspect.
Pros
  • Has maintained an excellent security history with no breaches over the past ten years since inception.
  • An impressive selection of over 220 well-established cryptocurrencies.
  • NFT marketplace and crypto staking offered for traders.
  • Excellent trading platform and mobile app.
  • Kraken Pro offers competitive trading fees.
  • 50x leverage on futures trading
  • Minimum deposit requirement is only $10.
  • 3D secure is necessary.
  • Mobile investing
  • Crypto staking
  • The Guilds social trading platform enables traders to join competitions and earn rewards. This includes a weekly prize pool valued at 4,000 USDT as of this writing.
  • BitMEX consistently provides a wealth of free market insights, alongside trading guides and community platforms on Discord, Telegram, and additional channels.
  • The broker ensures exceptional security by employing a mix of hot and cold wallets alongside advanced encryption for managing cryptographic keys.
  • The BMEX token offers up to 15% discounts on trading fees and other exclusive benefits when staked.
  • The platform offers extensive customisation options, enabling traders to adjust widgets and apply filters to the order book.
  • Traders can engage with investors through the intuitive chat feature integrated within the platform.
  • The specialised crypto platform is more efficient than other multi-asset terminals.
  • Traders may accrue interest by holding Tether and Bitcoin.
  • The broker provides two advanced API systems for experienced traders.
Cons
  • Delayed verification for Pro accounts.
  • Limited support for newer altcoins.
  • Minimal leverage in spot trading.
  • Does not accept deposits in traditional currency.
  • Slow processing times
  • BitMEX operates as an offshore company and lacks regulation by any reputable authority, which is typical for crypto brokers.
  • BitMEX primarily caters to active traders, offering limited tools and features for beginners.
  • The broker faced legal action from US regulators, resulting in fines.
  • Withdrawals are processed only at a designated time each day.
  • Only Bitcoin is allowed for cost-free withdrawals.
FCA Regulated
Yes No

List of FCA Regulated Brokers

Instruments
Cryptos Crypto
Demo Account
Yes Yes
Minimum Deposit
$10 $0.01
Payment Methods
Minimum Trade
Variable Variable
Regulator
FCA, FinCEN, FINTRAC, AUSTRAC, FSA Republic of Seychelles
Mobile Apps
Yes iOS & Android
iOS App Rating
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rating full
4.7
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rating full
3.2
Android App Rating
rating empty
rating full
4.2
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rating full
3.2
Margin Trading
Yes Yes
MetaTrader 4
No No
MetaTrader 5
No No
cTrader
No No
AlgoTrader
Yes Yes
OmniTrader
No No
TradingView
No Yes
Autochartist
No No
eSignal
No No
Trading Central
No No
STP Account
No No
ECN Account
No No
DMA Account
No No
MAM Account
No No
PAMM Account
No No
LAMM Account
No No
Demat Account
No No
AI / Machine Learning
No No
Robo Advisor
No No
Negative Balance Protection
No No
Market Maker
No Yes
P2P Trading
No Yes
Spot Trading
Yes Yes
Auto Trading
Kraken Futures is integrated in other platforms which have bots: Bookmap, Caspian, FMZ Quant, Gunbot, HaasOnline, Hyndor, Margin BitMEX Market Maker, BotVS, and via API
Copy Trading
No No
Social Trading
No Yes
VPS Hosting
No No
Tournaments
No No
Demo Competitions
No No
Ethical Investing
No No
Custodial Account
No No
Guaranteed Stop Loss
No No
Islamic Account
No No
Account Currencies
  • USD
  • EUR
  • GBP
  • CAD
  • AUD
  • JPY
  • CHF
Cryptocurrency
Kraken is a dedicated crypto exchange offering over 220 cryptocurrencies, including major tokens like Bitcoin and various altcoins. Traders can engage in spot markets with leverage of up to 5:1, or in futures markets with leverage up to 50:1. The platform provides low fees and is highly user-friendly. BitMEX provides an exceptionally competitive environment for crypto trading, offering low-cost $1 contracts and leverage up to 100:1. Its unique platform delivers advanced trading tools, featuring a customisable order book, a depth chart, and numerous technical indicators.
Spread
0-0.26% average -0.01% maker, 0.075% taker
Coins
  • AAVE
  • ALGO
  • ANT
  • REP
  • REPV2
  • BAT
  • BAL
  • XBT
  • BCH
  • ADA
  • LINK
  • COMP
  • ATOM
  • CRV
  • DAI
  • DASH
  • MANA
  • XDG
  • EWT
  • EOS
  • ETH
  • ETC
  • FIL
  • FLOW
  • GNO
  • ICX
  • KAVA
  • KEEP
  • KSM
  • KNC
  • LSK
  • LTC
  • MLN
  • XMR
  • NANO
  • OCEAN
  • OMG
  • OXT
  • PAXG
  • DOT
  • QTUM
  • XRP
  • SC
  • XLM
  • STORJ
  • SNX
  • TBTC
  • USDT
  • XTZ
  • GRT
  • TRX
  • UNI
  • USDC
  • WAVES
  • YFI
  • ZEC
  • BNB
  • BCH
  • BTC
  • ETH
  • LTC
  • XRP
  • TRON
  • EOS
  • XMR
  • ADA
  • DOGE
  • BNB
  • DOT
  • SOL
  • SHIB
  • AVAX
  • GAL
  • NEAR
  • SUSHI
  • AXS
Crypto Lending
No No
Crypto Mining
No No
Crypto Staking
Yes Yes
Auto Market Maker
No Yes
Kraken BitMEX
Review
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