No. Kraken is a legitimate exchange operating since 2011. Registered with FinCEN as a money services business and licensed as a money transmitter in most states; the SEC's 2023 lawsuit against Kraken was dismissed in March 2025; Kraken has published proof-of-reserves attestations since 2014.

Is Kraken regulated in the United States?

Kraken serves most of the United States through Payward Ventures, Inc., but has refused New York since the 2015 BitLicense rather than apply for one, and does not serve Washington State; some products are also restricted in Maine and a few other states. Anytime Capital is a FinCEN-registered U.S. money services business with a branch in Atlanta.

Does Kraken hold my crypto?

Yes, until you withdraw it to your own wallet. Anytime Capital delivers to a wallet you control or to its free non-custodial wallet.

Can I switch from Kraken to Anytime Capital without moving my crypto?

Yes. Withdraw from Kraken to a wallet you control (or leave it there), create an Anytime Capital account, verify once, and paste any wallet address at checkout. Nothing you already hold needs to move.

How does Anytime Capital pricing compare with Kraken?

Anytime Capital quotes one all-in number: card, Apple Pay and Google Pay orders start from 4% with the spread included, and the amount you pay and the crypto you receive are both on screen before you confirm. Kraken prices a card processing fee of about 3.75% on debit card, Apple Pay and Google Pay purchases, on top of a 1% Instant Buy fee and a spread, roughly 3.75% on the headline, with network fee on crypto withdrawals; free ACH cash-out, a small fee on Fedwire withdrawals. Blockchain network fees apply at both. Compare the crypto that lands on the same order size rather than the headline rate.

Is Anytime Capital regulated?

Anytime Capital is a U.S.-based money services business registered with FinCEN, serving customers worldwide, with a physical branch in Atlanta and an office in Miami. Identity verification is required before you can transact, the same as at every compliant platform.

Trust & safety

Kraken

Our pick

Is Kraken legit? What that does and does not mean

Kraken is a real exchange that has operated since 2011. The useful question is not whether it is a scam but what happens on the day something goes wrong, and that is where an online-only platform and a U.S. company with a front door part ways.

Registered with FinCEN as a money services business and licensed as a money transmitter in most states; the SEC's 2023 lawsuit against Kraken was dismissed in March 2025; Kraken has published proof-of-reserves attestations since 2014.
Holds your coins until you withdraw
Anytime Capital: a U.S. company you can call or visit

Kraken vs Anytime Capital, row by row

A green check marks the platform with the edge on that row. Anytime Capital leads on 9 of 14.

Category	Kraken	Our pick
Card purchase fee	A card processing fee of about 3.75% on debit card, Apple Pay and Google Pay purchases, on top of a 1% Instant Buy fee and a spread	From 4% with the spread included, quoted in full before you confirm
Trading fees	0.40% taker / 0.25% maker on Kraken Pro at the base tier	One all-in price per order with the spread included, plus an OTC desk for size
Pay with cash	Not offered	Cash at the Atlanta branch, or cash by mail from anywhere in the U.S.
Domestic wire	Fedwire deposits accepted through Kraken's banking partners	Same-day domestic wire for larger orders through the OTC desk
Apple Pay & Google Pay	Yes	Yes
Talk to a human	24/7 live chat and email tickets; voice support only through the app in specific cases	Phone (470) 748-2530, email, and two walk-in offices
Physical locations	None for customers	Atlanta branch and Miami office
Where it serves	Kraken serves most of the United States through Payward Ventures, Inc., but has refused New York since the 2015 BitLicense rather than apply for one, and does not serve Washington State; some products are also restricted in Maine and a few other states.	Serves customers worldwide, with U.S. branches in Atlanta, Miami and Houston; eligibility confirmed during verification
Identity verification	Government ID, selfie and Social Security number on every U.S. account; Pro and higher limits ask for proof of address.	Government ID and selfie online, or in person at the Atlanta branch
Bank account & debit card	No FDIC-insured cash account	FDIC-insured cash account with a free virtual debit card
Large orders	Kraken has an institutional OTC desk; retail customers are steered to Kraken Pro rather than a named trader	Dedicated OTC desk with a named contact
Custody of your coins	Held in your account until you withdraw	Your own wallet address, or the free non-custodial Anytime Capital wallet
Regulation	Registered with FinCEN as a money services business and licensed as a money transmitter in most states; the SEC's 2023 lawsuit against Kraken was dismissed in March 2025; Kraken has published proof-of-reserves attestations since 2014.	U.S.-based, FinCEN-registered money services business
Way to escalate a problem	Kraken warns that any phone number found online claiming to be Kraken support is a scam; callbacks are offered inside the app for certain issues only.	Phone, email, or in person at the Atlanta branch

Card purchase fee

Kraken: A card processing fee of about 3.75% on debit card, Apple Pay and Google Pay purchases, on top of a 1% Instant Buy fee and a spread
Anytime: From 4% with the spread included, quoted in full before you confirm

Trading fees

Kraken: 0.40% taker / 0.25% maker on Kraken Pro at the base tier
Anytime: One all-in price per order with the spread included, plus an OTC desk for size

Pay with cash