Is Kraken available in the United Kingdom?
Kraken is available to United Kingdom residents. Its UK entity, Payward Limited, is on the Financial Conduct Authority register of cryptoasset firms, and an affiliated entity is authorised as an electronic money institution. UK users can buy, sell, and trade supported crypto, while derivatives, opt in rewards, and some features are restricted under United Kingdom rules.
Information, not advice. This is general information, not legal, tax, or financial advice. Verify the current rules with a qualified local professional and the official regulator before acting.
How we checked this. We set this status by reading the platform's own terms of use and country eligibility, and the public register kept by the named regulator, then dated the result. Availability can change, so confirm directly with the platform and the regulator before acting. As of 26 June 2026.
Yes. As of June 2026 Kraken is available to United Kingdom residents. Its UK entity, Payward Limited, is registered with the Financial Conduct Authority for cryptoasset activities under the Money Laundering Regulations 2017. UK retail users can buy, sell, and trade supported coins, but crypto derivatives are not offered to retail consumers because of the FCA ban, and certain features such as opt in rewards are limited under United Kingdom rules.
What Kraken is and the United Kingdom position
Kraken is a long established cryptocurrency exchange that offers spot trading, custody, staking on supported networks, and other products to customers in many countries. It is operated by the Payward group of companies.
In the United Kingdom, Kraken services are provided by Payward Limited, which is on the Financial Conduct Authority register of cryptoasset firms. An affiliated entity, Payward Services Limited, is authorised by the FCA as an electronic money institution. United Kingdom residents can open an account, verify their identity, and trade supported assets.
As with all firms on the FCA cryptoasset register, registration is an anti money laundering registration rather than a broad financial services authorisation, and crypto holdings are not covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. The position described here is current as of June 2026.
How Kraken operates in the United Kingdom
- FCA cryptoasset registration. Payward Limited is on the Financial Conduct Authority register of cryptoasset firms under the Money Laundering Regulations 2017, and Payward Services Limited is authorised as an electronic money institution (as of June 2026).
- Cooling off period. Newly verified United Kingdom retail accounts are subject to a mandatory cooling off period of 24 hours before trading can begin, in line with the FCA financial promotions rules (as of June 2026).
- Retail derivatives ban. The FCA prohibits the sale of crypto derivatives such as futures to retail consumers, in force since 6 January 2021. Kraken does not offer these products to United Kingdom retail users (as of June 2026).
- Feature limits. Certain features are not available to United Kingdom residents under local rules, which have included opt in rewards and some specific products. Available assets and features can change (as of June 2026).
- Identity and funding. United Kingdom users must complete know your customer identity verification. Funding is generally available in pounds sterling, subject to Kraken and the user bank processing rules (as of June 2026).
What this means for United Kingdom residents
Because Kraken is genuinely available to United Kingdom residents and Payward Limited is on the FCA cryptoasset register, this site can point United Kingdom users to it. New users should expect identity verification, an appropriateness check, and a 24 hour cooling off period before they can trade.
Registration with the FCA is an anti money laundering registration and does not protect the value of any crypto you buy. Crypto holdings are not covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. Read the risk warnings shown at sign up and only commit funds you understand.
How crypto is taxed in the United Kingdom is handled by His Majesty's Revenue and Customs, generally through capital gains tax on disposals and income tax in some cases. See the United Kingdom crypto tax page for a general explanation. This is general information and not tax advice, so verify your position before filing.
Regulator and sources
The relevant United Kingdom authority is the Financial Conduct Authority for registration and conduct, and His Majesty's Revenue and Customs for tax.
- Financial Conduct Authority, register of cryptoasset firms and cryptoassets information pages.
- Kraken, support pages on where it is licensed or regulated and on changes for clients residing in the United Kingdom.
- Financial Conduct Authority, policy on the financial promotions regime for cryptoassets effective 8 October 2023.
- His Majesty's Revenue and Customs, guidance on the taxation of cryptoassets.
Kraken is available to United Kingdom residents as of June 2026 and is on the FCA cryptoasset register. It is one of several platforms available in the United Kingdom, so compare the exchanges that genuinely serve United Kingdom users before you choose.
Every availability status here is dated and checked against the named regulator's public register. We never place a link to a platform where it is not available.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kraken legal in the United Kingdom?
Yes. As of June 2026 Kraken is available to United Kingdom residents through Payward Limited, which is on the Financial Conduct Authority register of cryptoasset firms. Confirm the current position before acting.
Is Kraken FCA registered?
Payward Limited is registered with the Financial Conduct Authority for cryptoasset activities under the Money Laundering Regulations 2017, and Payward Services Limited is authorised as an electronic money institution. This is an anti money laundering registration and does not bring crypto holdings within the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.
Why is there a 24 hour wait before trading on Kraken in the United Kingdom?
Under the FCA financial promotions rules, newly verified United Kingdom retail accounts are subject to a mandatory cooling off period of 24 hours before trading can begin. This applies across FCA registered platforms, not only Kraken.
Can I trade futures on Kraken in the United Kingdom?
No. The Financial Conduct Authority bans the sale of crypto derivatives such as futures to retail consumers, a ban in force since 6 January 2021. Kraken does not offer these products to United Kingdom retail users as of June 2026.
How is Kraken crypto taxed in the United Kingdom?
His Majesty's Revenue and Customs treats crypto disposals as potentially subject to capital gains tax, and some activity can be subject to income tax. This is general information, not tax advice. See the United Kingdom crypto tax page and verify your position with a qualified professional.
Rules change frequently. Exchange availability, registrations, and the rules that govern them can change at short notice. The United Kingdom is moving toward a wider authorisation regime under new cryptoasset regulations, and reporting obligations under the Crypto Asset Reporting Framework began phasing in during 2026. This page is dated June 2026 and was last reviewed on 13 June 2026. Confirm the current status with the Financial Conduct Authority and Kraken before you act.
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