Is Kraken futures available in Canada?

Canadian traders can access Kraken Futures for leveraged crypto trading, subject to provincial rules—Alberta, Ontario, and B.C. have full access.

Jul 23, 2025 at 01:49 pm

Understanding Kraken Futures

Kraken Futures is a standalone platform under the Kraken ecosystem, designed for advanced traders seeking leverage and sophisticated order types. It enables users to trade perpetual and quarterly futures contracts on major cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and others. Unlike spot trading, futures allow traders to speculate on price movements without owning the underlying asset. This feature attracts Canadian traders interested in margin trading and hedging strategies. However, availability is not universal—it depends on local regulatory frameworks.

Regulatory Landscape in Canada

In Canada, cryptocurrency derivatives are regulated by the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC) and provincial securities commissions. These bodies determine whether platforms like Kraken Futures can legally offer leveraged products. As of now, Kraken Futures is registered with IIROC as a derivatives dealer, which means it has met certain compliance standards required to serve Canadian clients. This registration is crucial—it confirms that the platform operates within legal boundaries for futures trading in the country.

How to Access Kraken Futures from Canada

Canadian users must follow specific steps to gain access:

• Create a verified account on Kraken.com using a Canadian residential address.
• Complete identity verification (KYC), including uploading a government-issued ID and proof of address.
• Navigate to the Kraken Futures website (futures.kraken.com) and log in using the same credentials.
• Agree to the terms of service specific to futures trading.
• Fund the futures wallet via internal transfer from the main Kraken account.
  

  It's important to note that not all provinces may have identical access due to varying provincial regulations—Alberta, Ontario, and British Columbia typically see full feature availability, while others may face restrictions.

  Funding and Withdrawal Procedures

  
  Once access is granted, users must transfer funds into their futures wallet:
• Go to the "Funding" section on Kraken Futures.
• Select the cryptocurrency you wish to transfer (e.g., USDT, BTC, ETH).
• Click “Internal Transfer” and choose the amount from your main Kraken balance.
• Confirm the transfer—this usually completes within seconds.
• To withdraw, reverse the process: move funds back to the main Kraken wallet before initiating a standard crypto withdrawal.
  

  Ensure that your main Kraken account holds sufficient funds in the selected asset. If it doesn’t, buy or deposit the required amount first. Also, be aware of minimum transfer thresholds—for example, USDT transfers require at least $10 equivalent.

  Supported Cryptocurrencies and Leverage Options

  
  Kraken Futures offers several pairs tailored for Canadian traders:
• BTC/USD perpetual contract with up to 50x leverage
• ETH/USD perpetual contract with up to 50x leverage
• Additional altcoin pairs like SOL/USD and XRP/USD with lower leverage (typically 10x–25x)
  

  Leverage settings are adjustable per trade. Users can select from predefined levels (e.g., 2x, 5x, 10x) or use custom values. Risk management tools like stop-loss, take-profit, and trailing stops are fully functional for Canadian users. Margin requirements update dynamically based on market volatility and position size.

  Tax Implications for Canadian Traders

  
  The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) treats crypto futures trading as a business activity if done frequently or with intent to profit. This means:
• Gains are subject to income tax, not capital gains tax.
• Traders must maintain detailed records of each trade, including entry/exit prices, fees, and dates.
• Using Kraken’s API or CSV export feature helps generate accurate reports for tax filing.
  

  Failure to report futures trading income may result in penalties. The CRA has increased scrutiny on crypto transactions, so accurate record-keeping is mandatory for compliance.

  Frequently Asked Questions

  Can I use Kraken Spot and Kraken Futures with the same login?
  
  Yes, both platforms share the same authentication system. After verifying your identity on Kraken.com, you can access futures.kraken.com using the same email and password without re-verifying.

  Are there any additional fees for Canadian users on Kraken Futures?
  
  No, Kraken applies the same fee structure globally. Fees are based on 30-day trading volume and range from 0.02% (maker) to 0.05% (taker). There are no country-specific surcharges.

  What happens if my province isn’t listed as supported during futures sign-up?
  
  If your province shows restricted access, contact Kraken Support directly. They can confirm whether temporary maintenance, local regulation updates, or regional licensing issues are causing the block.

  Is two-factor authentication (2FA) required for Kraken Futures in Canada?
  
  Yes, 2FA is mandatory for all futures trading accounts. You must enable either an authenticator app (like Google Authenticator) or SMS-based 2FA before placing any trades. This enhances security for leveraged positions.