How to trade forex pairs on Kraken

Kraken offers forex-like trading via stablecoin pairs (e.g., EURT/USDC) on its Kraken Pro platform, enabling spot trades without traditional margin-based forex.

Aug 07, 2025 at 11:49 pm

Understanding Forex Pairs on Kraken

Kraken is primarily known as a cryptocurrency exchange, but it also supports select forex pairs through its Kraken Pro trading platform. These pairs are typically offered in combination with stablecoins or fiat currencies. The forex pairs available on Kraken are not traditional currency pairs like EUR/USD traded on conventional forex markets. Instead, Kraken enables trading between fiat currencies and stablecoins that are pegged to those currencies. For example, you can trade USD Coin (USDC) against Euro Tether (EURT) or British Pound Coin (GBPT). These stablecoins represent digital versions of their respective fiat currencies and allow users to speculate on or hedge exposure to currency fluctuations within a crypto-native environment.

To begin trading forex-like pairs, you must first understand that Kraken does not offer margin-based forex trading like traditional brokers. All trades are spot-based, meaning you must own one asset to trade it for another. This eliminates leverage unless you use Kraken’s futures or margin products, which are separate from standard forex pair trading.

Setting Up Your Kraken Account for Forex Trading

Before trading any forex pairs, ensure your Kraken account is fully verified. Navigate to the verification section in your account settings and complete all necessary steps, including ID upload and address confirmation. Higher verification levels unlock access to more trading pairs and higher withdrawal limits.

Once verified, deposit funds into your account. You can deposit fiat currencies such as USD, EUR, or GBP via bank transfer, wire, or supported payment methods. Alternatively, deposit stablecoins like USDC, EURT, or GBPT through compatible crypto wallets. Ensure the stablecoins you deposit are supported on Kraken and available in the desired trading pair.

After funding, go to the funding tab and confirm your balances in both the base and quote currencies you intend to trade. For example, to trade EURT/USDC, you need either EURT or USDC in your wallet. Use the deposit section to move funds from your wallet to your trading account if they are held in a separate storage area.

Navigating the Kraken Pro Interface for Forex Pairs

Access Kraken Pro, the advanced trading interface, by clicking the “Trade” menu and selecting “Kraken Pro.” This platform provides real-time order books, advanced charting tools, and multiple order types essential for efficient trading.

To locate a forex-related pair, use the search bar at the top of the trading interface. Type in combinations such as “EURT/USDC” or “GBPT/USDC.” These are the primary stablecoin-to-stablecoin pairs that mimic traditional forex dynamics. Once found, click on the pair to load the trading chart and order book.

The interface displays several key components:

• Price chart showing historical movement
• Order book with current buy and sell orders
• Trade history panel listing recent transactions
• Order entry panel where you place buy or sell orders

Ensure the trading view is set to spot market and not futures or margin, unless you intend to use leverage. Misconfiguring this setting may result in unintended trade types.

Executing a Forex Pair Trade on Kraken

To execute a trade, decide whether you are buying or selling the base currency. For example, in the EURT/USDC pair, EURT is the base currency. If you believe the euro will strengthen against the dollar, you would buy EURT using USDC.

In the order entry panel, select the order type:

• Market order: Executes immediately at the best available price
• Limit order: Sets a specific price at which you want to buy or sell
• Stop order: Triggers a market or limit order when price reaches a specified level

For a limit order to buy EURT:

• Enter the amount of EURT you wish to purchase
• Set the price in USDC per EURT based on your analysis
• Click “Buy EURT” to place the order

Your order will appear in the order book if it does not match existing orders immediately. It will execute when a seller accepts your price. Monitor the open orders tab to track active trades. To cancel an unexecuted order, find it in the open orders list and click “Cancel.”

For a market order, simply enter the amount and click “Buy” or “Sell.” The trade executes instantly at the current market rate, which may vary slightly due to slippage during high volatility.

Managing Trades and Monitoring Performance

After placing a trade, monitor its status in the active orders and trade history sections. Kraken provides detailed transaction records, including timestamp, price, fees, and order type. These records are essential for tracking performance and tax reporting.

Use the charting tools to analyze price trends. Apply technical indicators such as moving averages, RSI, or Bollinger Bands to inform future decisions. Adjust your strategy based on market volatility, economic data releases, or changes in stablecoin pegs.

To close a position, reverse the trade. If you bought EURT with USDC, sell EURT for USDC when you believe the exchange rate has moved favorably. Withdraw profits to your bank account or transfer stablecoins to external wallets if desired.

Enable price alerts through Kraken’s notification settings to stay informed about significant movements in your chosen forex pairs. This helps in reacting promptly to market changes without constant monitoring.

Fees and Security Considerations

Kraken uses a maker-taker fee model. Makers add liquidity (limit orders not immediately filled) and pay lower fees. Takers remove liquidity (market orders or immediate limit fills) and incur higher fees. Fees vary based on your 30-day trading volume and are displayed in the fees & limits section.

For example:

• Maker fees start at 0.16% for low-volume traders
• Taker fees start at 0.26%
• Fees decrease as trading volume increases

All trades incur fees in the currency being sold. Security is maintained through two-factor authentication (2FA), withdrawal whitelisting, and encrypted communications. Always enable Google Authenticator or a hardware key for 2FA and avoid sharing API keys.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I trade traditional forex pairs like EUR/USD directly on Kraken?

No, Kraken does not offer traditional forex pairs denominated in fiat-only terms. Instead, it offers stablecoin equivalents such as EURT/USDC, which function similarly by representing digital euros and dollars. These pairs allow users to gain exposure to currency movements within the crypto ecosystem.

Are there leverage options for forex-like stablecoin pairs on Kraken?

Leverage is not available for standard spot trading of stablecoin pairs. However, Kraken offers futures contracts and margin trading on select pairs, which may include stablecoin-based instruments. These are separate from spot forex-like trades and require enabling margin trading with appropriate risk disclosures.

How do I know if a stablecoin is truly pegged to its fiat counterpart on Kraken?

Kraken only lists stablecoins that undergo regular audits and maintain transparency. For example, USDC is backed 1:1 by USD reserves and audited monthly. EURT and GBPT follow similar models. Check the asset’s information page on Kraken for links to reserve attestations and issuer details.

What happens if a stablecoin loses its peg while I’m holding it?

If a stablecoin such as EURT deviates from its peg, its market price will reflect that discrepancy. You can choose to hold, trade it for another stablecoin, or withdraw it if the issuer allows redemption. Kraken monitors asset health and may suspend trading if a stablecoin shows signs of de-pegging.