Kraken spot trading tutorial: a beginner's guide to buying and selling cryptocurrencies

Kraken offers a user-friendly platform for trading various digital assets; this guide walks you through buying, selling, and navigating the exchange's interface.

Jun 10, 2025 at 07:42 am

Kraken is a well-known cryptocurrency exchange that offers a user-friendly platform for trading a variety of digital assets. In this beginner's guide, we will walk you through the process of buying and selling cryptocurrencies on Kraken's spot trading platform. Whether you're new to the world of cryptocurrencies or an experienced trader looking to expand your knowledge, this tutorial will provide you with the necessary steps to get started on Kraken.

Creating a Kraken Account

Before you can begin trading on Kraken, you'll need to create an account. To do this, follow these steps:

• Visit the Kraken website and click on the "Create Account" button in the top right corner.
• Enter your email address, choose a strong password, and complete the CAPTCHA verification.
• Click on the "Create Account" button to receive a verification email.
• Open the email from Kraken and click on the verification link to activate your account.
• Once your account is activated, log in to your Kraken account and complete the required identity verification process.

Depositing Funds into Your Kraken Account

To buy cryptocurrencies on Kraken, you'll need to deposit funds into your account. Kraken supports deposits in various fiat currencies and cryptocurrencies. Here's how to deposit funds:

• Log in to your Kraken account and navigate to the "Funding" tab.
• Select the currency you wish to deposit from the list of available options.
• Choose your preferred deposit method (e.g., bank transfer, credit/debit card, or cryptocurrency deposit).
• Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the deposit process. For bank transfers, you may need to provide additional information, such as your bank account details.
• Wait for the funds to be credited to your Kraken account. The processing time may vary depending on the deposit method and your bank's policies.

Navigating the Kraken Trading Interface

Once you have funds in your Kraken account, you can start trading. Here's a brief overview of the Kraken trading interface:

• Order Book: This section displays the current buy and sell orders for the selected trading pair.
• Price Chart: The price chart shows the historical price movements of the selected trading pair.
• Order Form: Use this form to place buy and sell orders.
• Open Orders: This tab displays your active orders that have not been filled yet.
• Order History: The order history tab shows a record of your completed trades.

Buying Cryptocurrencies on Kraken

To buy cryptocurrencies on Kraken, follow these steps:

• Navigate to the "Trade" tab and select the trading pair you want to trade (e.g., BTC/USD for buying Bitcoin with US dollars).
• In the order form, select "Buy" and enter the amount of cryptocurrency you want to purchase.
• Choose your preferred order type:
  • Market Order: This order type will execute at the current market price.
  • Limit Order: This order type allows you to set a specific price at which you want to buy the cryptocurrency.
• Review your order details and click on the "Submit Order" button to place your buy order.
• If you placed a market order, the trade will be executed immediately. If you placed a limit order, it will be added to the order book and will be filled when the market reaches your specified price.

Selling Cryptocurrencies on Kraken

Selling cryptocurrencies on Kraken follows a similar process to buying. Here's how to sell your digital assets:

• Navigate to the "Trade" tab and select the trading pair you want to trade (e.g., BTC/USD for selling Bitcoin for US dollars).
• In the order form, select "Sell" and enter the amount of cryptocurrency you want to sell.
• Choose your preferred order type:
  • Market Order: This order type will execute at the current market price.
  • Limit Order: This order type allows you to set a specific price at which you want to sell the cryptocurrency.
• Review your order details and click on the "Submit Order" button to place your sell order.
• If you placed a market order, the trade will be executed immediately. If you placed a limit order, it will be added to the order book and will be filled when the market reaches your specified price.

Withdrawing Funds from Kraken

Once you've sold your cryptocurrencies and want to withdraw your funds, follow these steps:

• Navigate to the "Funding" tab and select the currency you wish to withdraw.
• Choose your preferred withdrawal method (e.g., bank transfer or cryptocurrency withdrawal).
• Enter the amount you want to withdraw and provide the necessary withdrawal details, such as your bank account information or cryptocurrency wallet address.
• Review the withdrawal fees and any applicable minimum withdrawal amounts.
• Click on the "Withdraw" button to initiate the withdrawal process.
• Wait for the funds to be transferred to your bank account or cryptocurrency wallet. The processing time may vary depending on the withdrawal method and the receiving institution's policies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are the fees associated with trading on Kraken?

A: Kraken charges different fees depending on the type of trade and the user's trading volume. For spot trading, the fees range from 0% to 0.26% for makers and 0.10% to 0.26% for takers. Kraken also offers a fee schedule that provides discounted rates for users with higher trading volumes.

Q: Can I trade cryptocurrencies other than Bitcoin on Kraken?

A: Yes, Kraken supports trading for a wide range of cryptocurrencies, including Ethereum, Litecoin, Ripple, and many others. You can view the full list of supported cryptocurrencies on the Kraken website.

Q: Is my cryptocurrency safe on Kraken?

A: Kraken takes security seriously and implements various measures to protect user funds, such as cold storage for the majority of cryptocurrencies, two-factor authentication, and regular security audits. However, as with any online platform, it's essential to follow best practices for securing your account, such as using strong passwords and enabling two-factor authentication.

Q: How long does it take to withdraw funds from Kraken?

A: The withdrawal processing time on Kraken varies depending on the withdrawal method and the receiving institution's policies. Cryptocurrency withdrawals are typically processed within a few minutes to an hour, while bank transfer withdrawals may take several business days to complete.