Kraken Supported and Restricted Countries

What Countries Does Kraken Restrict?

In line with Kraken's eligibility criteria in Section 1 of its Terms of Service, the platform restricts access in sanctioned or embargoed regions, including Crimea, Cuba, Donetsk, Iran, Luhansk, North Korea, Russia, Belarus, and Syria. 

Kraken also bars individuals and entities on major sanctions lists, such as the U.S. Treasury’s SDN List, the U.S. Commerce Department’s Denied Persons List, the UN Security Council Consolidated List, and relevant regional or foreign government watchlists.

These restrictions stem from key compliance requirements, which include:

• Regulatory Compliance: Kraken strictly observes local laws, blocking service where regulatory adherence isn't achievable.
• AML and CTF Standards: Kraken enforces strong anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorist financing (CTF) policies.
• Sanctions Compliance: Adherence to international sanctions is central to Kraken’s operational framework.
• Risk Mitigation: Political and economic stability assessments exclude regions with heightened risks.

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Kraken Supported Countries

Kraken is a global exchange that operates in over 190 countries. In North America, it’s active in the U.S. and Canada, drawing millions of users. In Europe, it covers top markets like the UK, Germany, France, Spain, the Netherlands and all of the European Economic Area (EEA).

In Asia, Kraken supports major hubs including Hong Kong, Japan, and Singapore, with steady growth in Japan, Australia, Thailand, and other parts of the Asia-Pacific region.

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Is Kraken Available in China?

Yes, Kraken is also available in China. Based on our review of Kraken’s terms of service and reports of users signing up from both Hong Kong and mainland China, users in these regions can access Kraken’s platform. 

Kraken also provides Chinese language support, making it easier for users to navigate and trade.

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What Currencies Does Kraken Support?

Kraken supports seven fiat currencies for deposits and withdrawals, including:

• USD (US Dollar) - Available via ACH, FedWire, SWIFT, and other methods.
• EUR (Euro) - SEPA, SEPA Instant, PayPal, and SWIFT options available.
• CAD (Canadian Dollar) - Supports Interac e-Transfer, domestic wire transfer, and SWIFT.
• AUD (Australian Dollar) - Offers Osko, PayPal, and SWIFT options.
• GBP (British Pound) - Available through FPS, BACS, PayPal, and SWIFT.
• CHF (Swiss Franc) - Supports SIC in Switzerland and SWIFT worldwide.
• JPY (Japanese Yen) - SWIFT available globally.

Processing times and fees vary by currency and deposit method. Kraken’s range of fiat support allows users in major markets to easily fund their accounts.

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Kraken Regulation and Licenses

Kraken operates under a range of regulatory licenses and registrations worldwide. This is to offer compliant services for users across major markets. Here is their current list of publicly known licenses:

• North America: Registered as a Money Services Business with FinCEN in the U.S. and FINTRAC in Canada. Kraken Bank is also chartered as a Special Purpose Depository Institution in Wyoming.
• Europe: Licensed by the FCA in the UK, Kraken holds VASP registrations in Italy, Spain, Ireland, Belgium, and the Netherlands. It also has an E-Money Institution license in Ireland.
• APAC: In Australia, Kraken is registered with AUSTRAC as a Digital Currency Exchange.
• Middle East: Kraken operates under an FSRA Financial Services Permission in Abu Dhabi for custody and trading.

These licenses emphasize Kraken's commitment to compliance and secure, transparent global operations.

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About Kraken

Kraken is a global cryptocurrency exchange founded in 2011, serving millions of users in over 190 countries with access to 200+ digital assets. It’s recognized for strong security, regulatory compliance, and advanced trading features, including staking, margin, and futures. Kraken also conducts Proof of Reserves audits using a Verkle root system, ensuring cryptographic transparency and 1:1 asset backing for all client funds.

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Bottom Line

Kraken's tight regulatory controls keep it accessible in over 190 countries, while restrictions on high-risk regions reflect a clear commitment to global standards. 

The platform's support for multiple fiat currencies, compliance with AML and CTF measures, and broad licensing ensure secure, seamless trading across major markets.