Does Kraken have a referral or affiliate program?

Kraken does not currently offer a public referral program but has an affiliate program for content creators and partners.

Jul 09, 2025 at 01:21 pm

Understanding Referral and Affiliate Programs in Cryptocurrency Exchanges

Many cryptocurrency exchanges offer referral or affiliate programs to incentivize existing users to bring in new customers. These programs typically reward participants with a percentage of trading fees generated by the referred users, or through one-time bonuses upon sign-up. Kraken, being one of the oldest and most trusted U.S.-based exchanges, has historically been known for its compliance-first approach rather than aggressive user acquisition strategies. This raises an important question: does Kraken have a referral or affiliate program?

Current Status of Kraken's Referral Program

As of the latest available information, Kraken does not currently operate a public referral program. Unlike some other major exchanges like Binance or Coinbase, which have well-documented referral systems that allow users to earn rewards for inviting friends, Kraken has chosen not to implement such a feature on a broad scale.

This doesn't necessarily mean that Kraken is against the concept entirely. There have been occasional limited-time promotions where select users were given access to referral links, but these are not widely advertised or consistently available to all account holders.

Kraken's Affiliate Program Overview

While there is no standard referral program for individual users, Kraken does offer an affiliate program, albeit primarily aimed at content creators, influencers, and institutional partners. This program is managed through third-party platforms or direct outreach from Kraken’s marketing team.

Affiliates can earn commissions by promoting Kraken services using unique tracking links. The commission structure varies depending on the type of promotion and the region of the referred users. Interested parties must apply through Kraken’s official partner channels or work with their assigned account manager if they are part of a larger media or educational platform.

How to Access Kraken's Affiliate Opportunities

If you're interested in becoming a Kraken affiliate, here are the steps you should follow:

• Visit Kraken’s Partner Page: Navigate to the official Kraken website and look for the “Partner” or “Affiliate” section.
• Submit an Application: Fill out the required form detailing your audience size, content focus, and promotional methods.
• Wait for Approval: Kraken reviews applications manually, so approval may take several business days.
• Receive Tracking Links: Once approved, you’ll be provided with unique URLs and promotional materials.
• Begin Promotion: Share your links across social media, blogs, newsletters, or videos.
• Track Performance: Use the dashboard provided by Kraken or their third-party affiliate partner to monitor clicks, conversions, and earnings.

It’s important to note that Kraken’s affiliate program is not open to all users, and acceptance is at the discretion of the exchange.

Alternative Ways to Earn on Kraken

Although there is no active referral program for general users, Kraken offers several other ways to earn rewards or reduce trading costs:

• Staking and Yield Products: Users can stake supported cryptocurrencies like Ethereum (ETH), Tezos (XTZ), or Algorand (ALGO) to earn passive income.
• Kraken Rewards: Occasionally, Kraken runs promotional campaigns offering bonus crypto for completing specific actions like making trades or verifying identity documents.
• Trading Fee Discounts: Higher trading volumes unlock lower fee tiers, effectively allowing frequent traders to save money over time.
• Fiat Deposit Bonuses: From time to time, Kraken introduces deposit incentives for new or returning users who fund their accounts via bank transfer or other eligible methods.

These alternatives do not involve referring others but still provide financial benefits to users engaging directly with the platform.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Has Kraken ever had a referral program in the past?

A: Yes, there have been instances where Kraken tested limited-time referral programs, but they were not made permanent or rolled out to all users.

Q: Can I use someone else’s referral link for Kraken?

A: While most referral links circulating online are either outdated or belong to other exchanges, Kraken does not currently support public referral links, so using them will not result in any benefit.

Q: Is Kraken planning to launch a referral program in the future?

A: No official announcements have been made regarding a future referral program. Any speculation about upcoming features should be treated with caution unless confirmed by Kraken directly.

Q: Are there any risks associated with trying to use unauthorized referral links for Kraken?

A: Using unofficial or fake referral links could potentially lead to phishing attempts or scams. Always ensure you’re signing up through Kraken’s official website to avoid security risks.