Check out the Kraken page and learn what assets you can use on Kraken to earn a potential APY (%)
Kraken
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Rewards
APY
0.1% 16%
Details
Rating
9/10
Reward fee
20%
Risk
Medium
Unstake period
3 to 28 days
Introduction
Founded in 2011, Kraken is a reliable cryptocurrency exchange with a perfect security record, no hacks ever. Serving over 13 million users globally, it offers trading, staking, and more for beginners and pros alike. Its transparency, like regular Proof-of-Reserve audits, make it trusted in crypto.
Kraken’s Earn Program caught our attention for earning passive income. You can stake coins like Polkadot, Cardano, or Cosmos, or even USD and EUR, to earn up to 23% APY. It’s a way to grow your funds without active trading. Choose flexible staking to access your money anytime or bonded staking for bigger rewards. As with every crypto product, there is a risk involved, although it should be lower compared to trading.
Want to know why Kraken’s Earn Program is worth your time? Keep reading to see how it works, the rewards you can get, and why we think it’s something worth exploring!How Kraken Earn/Auto-Earn works
What is Kraken Earn?
Kraken Earn, also called Auto-Earn, is a simple way to make your crypto work for you. You lock up your cryptocurrencies on Kraken’s platform, and they help you earn rewards. It’s like putting money in a savings account, but for crypto! Your coins support blockchain networks, and you get paid for it.
| Asset | Earn Program Type | Max APR | Payout Frequency | Lock-up Period | Minimum Stake |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bittensor (TAO) | Flexible Staking | 16% | Weekly | None | $1 |
| Cardano (ADA) | Flexible Staking | 6% | Weekly | None | $1 |
| Celestia (TIA) | Flexible Staking | 6% | Weekly | None | $1 |
| Cosmos (ATOM) | Flexible Staking | 11% | Weekly | None | $1 |
| Dymension (DYM) | Flexible Staking | 2% | Weekly | None | $1 |
| Ethereum (ETH) | Flexible Staking | 3% | Weekly | None | $1 |
| Flow (FLOW) | Flexible Staking | 9% | Weekly | None | $1 |
| Injective (INJ) | Flexible Staking | 7% | Weekly | None | $1 |
| Kava (KAVA) | Flexible Staking | 6% | Weekly | None | $1 |
| Kusama (KSM) | Flexible Staking | 12% | Weekly | None | $1 |
| Mina (MINA) | Flexible Staking | 12% | Weekly | None | $1 |
| Polkadot (DOT) | Flexible Staking | 9% | Weekly | None | $1 |
| Polygon (POL) | Flexible Staking | 3% | Weekly | None | $1 |
| Secret Network (SCRT) | Flexible Staking | 11% | Weekly | None | $1 |
| Sei (SEI) | Flexible Staking | 3% | Weekly | None | $1 |
| Solana (SOL) | Flexible Staking | 6% | Weekly | None | $1 |
| Tezos (XTZ) | Flexible Staking | 6% | Weekly | None | $1 |
| The Graph (GRT) | Flexible Staking | 9% | Weekly | None | $1 |
| TRON (TRX) | Flexible Staking | 4% | Weekly | None | $1 |
| Bitcoin (BTC) | Opt-In Rewards | 0.1% | Weekly | None | $1 |
| Ripple (XRP) | Opt-In Rewards | 1% | Weekly | None | $1 |
| Global Dollar (USDG) | Opt-In Rewards | 4.5% | Weekly | None | $1 |
| Tether (USDT) | Opt-In Rewards | 4.25% | Weekly | None | $1 |
| USD Coin (USDC) | Opt-In Rewards | 4.25% | Weekly | None | $1 |
Note: Data accurate as of June 2025
How It Works
If you are holding eligible assets like Solana or Tezos, they are staked automatically. Kraken securely holds your coins and uses them to validate transactions on the blockchain. Beyond staking, Kraken also provides Opt-In Rewards. They accrue passively on certain non-stakable assets, like BTC or stablecoins, by simply holding them in your spot wallet. In return, you earn rewards, usually paid weekly. Auto-Earn makes it easy by automatically staking eligible coins in your account.Source: Kraken
These rates can change, but they give you an idea of what’s possible. For example, if you stake $100 worth of Solana, you could earn $6 in a year.
Staking APY Comparison
Kraken leads with the highest rewards for Cosmos and strong returns for Solana and Tezos, though it charges a small fee. Binance follows closely, offering great rewards across all three assets with no fees and the widest coin selection. Bybit is a strong contender with competitive rewards and low fees, ideal for traders. Coinbase trails behind with lower rewards due to high fees, but it’s the easiest for beginners, especially in the U.S.
| Platform | Solana (SOL) APR | Tezos (XTZ) APR | Cosmos (ATOM) APR | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kraken | 6–7% | 5–6% | 12–15% | ~7.25% staking fee |
| Binance | 5–8% | 5–7% | 9–10% | No staking fees |
| Coinbase | 4–5% | 4–5% | 5–6% | Up to 25% fee |
| Bybit | 6–8% | 5–6% | 8–10% | Low fees |
| Native Staking | ~7.5% | ~6% | ~15% | Validator commission applies (varies by validator) |
Note: Data accurate as of June 2025
Staking Overview
Staking Rewards
Kraken’s Earn program offers high staking rewards, especially for Cosmos, with good returns on Solana and Tezos. You can stake 24 coins, and rewards are paid twice a week.
Note: Rewards vary based on network conditions, so check Kraken’s Earn page for current APYs before staking.
Source: Kraken
Fees
Kraken takes a staking commission, usually 7.25%, but up to 15% for Ethereum. No extra fees apply for staking or unstaking.
Note: Fees reduce your earnings, especially on small stakes, so calculate net returns to see if staking is worth it.
Withdrawals
Unstaking can take time, like 21 days for Cosmos or 2-7 days for Solana. Crypto withdrawals have network fees, and fiat withdrawals cost up to $35 with possible 72-hour holds. U.S. users can’t stake due to SEC rules.
Note: Plan for unbonding delays and check regional availability to access funds when needed.
What to Consider When Staking and Unstaking on Kraken
- Lock-Up Periods: Staked crypto is locked, and unstaking can take days or weeks (e.g., 21 days for Cosmos). Ensure you don’t need quick access to funds.
- Reward Variability: APYs aren’t fixed and can change. Monitor Kraken’s Earn page to stay updated on rates.
- Fees vs. Rewards: The 7.25%-15% fee cuts into profits. Check net returns, especially for small stakes or high-fee assets like Ethereum.
- Security Risks: Kraken is secure with 2FA and cold storage, but CEXs carry risks like hacks. Enable 2FA and stake only what you can afford to lose.
- Price Volatility: Crypto prices can drop, reducing your stake’s value. Stake coins you believe in long-term.
- Bonded vs. Flexible Staking: Bonded staking offers higher rewards but longer lock-ups, flexible staking gives quicker access but lower returns. Choose based on your needs.
These points are key for Kraken’s staking program and can be used in guides, blogs, or reviews. Always verify APYs, fees, and terms on Kraken’s website before staking.
Pros
Automatic Earnings
With Auto Earn, you earn rewards on your supported assets automatically. You don’t need to do anything once it’s turned on. Kraken moves your assets into reward programs like staking or opt-in rewards. This saves you time and helps you earn more without extra steps.
Asset Liquidity
You still have full access to your assets. You can trade, withdraw, or use them as collateral at any time. Auto Earn doesn’t lock your funds, so you stay flexible.
Compounding Rewards
Your rewards grow over time. They build up daily and are paid to you once a week in the same asset. This lets you compound your earnings without doing anything manually.
No Extra Fees
You won’t pay extra to use Auto Earn. Kraken doesn’t charge a separate fee for this feature. But it does take a share of the rewards as commission.
Easy Setup and Control
You can enable or disable Auto Earn at any time using Kraken or Kraken Pro. This works on both desktop and mobile. It’s easy to turn on and just as easy to stop if you change your mind.
Manual Asset Selection with Kraken Pro
If you want more control, Kraken Pro lets you choose which assets go into earning programs. You can turn Auto Earn on or off for each asset. You can also pick reward types like Flexible Staking, Bonded Staking, or Opt-In Rewards. This is useful if you prefer to manage each asset based on your own strategy.
Cons
Geographic Restrictions
Auto Earn is not available in all countries or regions. If you live in a place where financial rules don't allow this service, you won’t be able to use it. These restrictions are based on local laws, not Kraken’s policies. You can check availability in your account or contact support for more details.
Commission on Rewards
You won’t pay a separate fee to turn on Auto Earn. However, Kraken takes a small commission from the rewards you earn through the program. This reduces your final payout slightly. The commission is taken automatically before rewards are sent to you.
Asset Caps
Each supported asset has a limit, or “cap,” on how much can earn rewards. If you hold more than this cap, only the part below the cap will earn. The rest of your holdings will not generate any extra rewards. These limits are set by Kraken and may change over time.
Variable APRs
The Annual Percentage Rates (APRs) you earn aren't fixed. They can go up or down depending on market conditions and network activity. You won’t always earn the same amount. This means your future rewards may be higher or lower than expected.
Limited Customization
Auto Earn uses one earning strategy for all your supported assets. You can’t adjust the settings for each asset individually unless you use Kraken Pro. If you want full control over how each asset earns, such as picking staking types or reward options, you’ll need to manage that manually through Kraken Pro.