Does Kraken require KYC?

Yes, Kraken requires KYC, the identity checks explained in what is KYC. Kraken's help pages say that completing verification is what lets you deposit funds and trade, and that your verification level decides which features and funding limits you get. Kraken says most checks finish in under 30 minutes. The details below come from Kraken's support center as of November 2026.

What are the Kraken verification levels?

Kraken now describes three paths:

• Verified. The standard level, which Kraken says suits the vast majority of clients. It covers buying and selling, cash and crypto deposits, staking and rewards where eligible, margin and derivatives subject to location, and OTC desk access. Cash deposit and withdrawal limits sit under $100,000 a month, with up to 16 API keys.
• Verified with higher limits. The top personal level, with cash limits above $100,000 a month and up to 25 API keys. Kraken notes you do not need it to use Kraken Pro.
• Business account. For companies and institutions.

You can upgrade at any time, and your status is shown in Kraken Pro under Settings, Account, then Account details.

What happened to Kraken Starter, Intermediate and Pro?

Those were the names of Kraken's earlier tiers. A June 2021 Kraken blog post, for example, told Starter clients outside the US to move up to Intermediate by June 23, 2021 to keep margin trading. Kraken's current help pages no longer use those labels and refer instead to Verified and Verified with higher limits. Older guides and forum answers may still mention the three tier names.

What does Kraken ID verification require?

Kraken's requirements page lists, for the standard level:

• email, full name, date of birth, phone number and home address
• occupation details
• a Social Security number or tax ID for US clients
• a valid government ID
• proof of address, which may be replaced by a face photo in some countries
• a face photo

The higher level adds a KYC questionnaire and two-factor sign-in. Users must be at least 18 and live in a supported area. US residency rules are in is Kraken available in the US.

Accepted IDs include passports, driver's licenses and national ID cards, front and back. Proof of address must show your name and address and be dated less than three months before you submit it. Kraken does not accept PO boxes, mobile phone bills or USPS change-of-address letters. A face photo is required for residents of the US and South Africa, or anyone funding from a bank in either country.

How long does Kraken verification take?

Kraken says verification typically takes under 30 minutes, but applications that need a manual review can take longer. Its October 2026 pages also warn of delays in processing new accounts and ask people not to submit several requests, which can slow things down. You can pause the web form and resume later by repeating the same steps from the home page. How Kraken protects verified accounts once they are open is covered in is Kraken safe.