When you sign up on a trading platform or a broker's website, they often offer a welcome bonus to attract your attention. These bonuses might seem like free money, but they come with certain conditions. For instance, you might need to complete a specific number of trades or reach a minimum trading volume before you can withdraw the bonus.
Similarly, many platforms offer referral bonuses to users who invite friends and family to join. Since these bonuses come with requirements, it's essential to understand how they work before you can benefit from them.
This guide explores how you can benefit from Kraken’s offerings, including its referral program and other earning opportunities.
Does Kraken Offer Bonuses?
Kraken is a popular cryptocurrency exchange that allows users to buy, sell, and trade a wide range of digital assets. The platform is user-friendly and offers various features, making it a solid choice for those entering the crypto trading world. Kraken also provides a mobile app, making it convenient to trade on the go.
If you're new to the platform, you might wonder if Kraken offers any sign-up bonuses. Currently, Kraken does not have any active promotional bonuses for new users.
However, there are still two primary ways to earn additional money on Kraken: staking and participating in its affiliate program. With staking, you can earn rewards by holding certain digital assets in your Kraken account. The affiliate program allows you to earn a commission based on the trading activity of users you refer to the platform.
According to Kraken, you can earn up to 23% on your crypto holdings through staking. Here’s how to get started:
- Purchase or fund your Kraken account with an asset that is eligible for staking.
- If you already hold multiple assets in your spot wallet, check which ones qualify for staking rewards.
- Stake the eligible asset.
- Kraken will distribute staking rewards twice a week.
The amount you earn depends on the liquidity and volume of the staked asset.
How to Get a Sign-Up Bonus on Kraken
A sign-up bonus is an incentive many brokers and online trading platforms offer to encourage people to open an account and start trading. It usually comes in the form of a cash deposit or a percentage of the initial deposit.
At the moment, Kraken does not offer a sign-up bonus. Some third-party websites may claim to provide promo codes or coupons for Kraken bonuses, but these often lead to a page stating that no current promotions are available.
Therefore, you shouldn’t expect to receive bonus funds for your initial trades when signing up on Kraken. That said, the platform has offered bonuses and rewards in the past, so future promotions may be introduced.
In the meantime, you can still earn through staking. As mentioned, staking allows you to earn rewards—up to 23% annually—by holding certain cryptocurrencies.
In the crypto world, staking involves locking funds in a wallet to support network operations. This differs from day trading or long-term investing. When you stake, you receive rewards in the form of new coins or tokens.
Kraken Referral Program
Kraken offers a highly attractive affiliate program that allows you to earn commissions for every friend you refer to the platform. In an affiliate program, a company pays you a commission for referring new customers.
Kraken’s program offers 20% of the trading fees paid by your referrals. For example:
- If a referred friend trades $100 in cryptocurrencies and pays $10 in fees, you earn $2.
- If they trade $1,000 and pay $100 in fees, you earn $20.
This is an excellent way to earn extra income simply by recommending Kraken to others. You continue to earn a percentage of the trading fees for as long as your referrals remain active. However, there is a maximum referral payout of $1,000 per user.
Eligible fees include spot trading, margin opening, and rollover fees. You’ll receive 20% of the total fees generated by your referrals.
Key features of Kraken’s affiliate program:
- There’s no expiration date, so you can refer users indefinitely.
- Payments are made in real time—no need to wait for a specific payout period.
- Commissions are sent directly to your linked bank account, not your exchange account.
- All payments are processed via bank transfer in your account’s default currency.
Affiliate Eligibility
To become a Kraken affiliate, you must have at least 5,000 followers on your social media accounts. You don’t need to be a financial or crypto influencer specifically—any niche with sufficient followers may qualify.
Mobile apps and websites can also become affiliates if they are related to finance or cryptocurrency. For example, a Facebook group with over 5,000 members focused on crypto trading would be eligible.
Kraken Referral Codes
A referral code is a unique identifier assigned to you when you join an affiliate program. This code helps track the customers you refer.
Once you’re accepted into Kraken’s affiliate program, you receive a unique referral code. Share this code with people you refer to Kraken. The platform tracks users who sign up using your code, and you earn a commission when they trade.
How to Get Extra Cashback When Trading with Kraken
If you’re interested in receiving cashback on your trades, consider signing up through a platform like Traders Union. After registering, you’ll receive a referral link to open a Kraken account.
By using this link, you can participate in a cashback program. First, add your Kraken account to the “Accounts” section of Traders Union. Then, you’ll receive a percentage of cashback on every trade you make through their affiliate program.
👉 Explore more strategies for earning through crypto platforms
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Kraken’s affiliate program work?
Kraken’s affiliate program allows you to earn 20% of the trading fees from every verified new customer you refer. Social media influencers, apps, websites, and Facebook groups with over 5,000 followers are eligible. When someone signs up using your referral link and starts trading, you receive a commission based on their activity.
What is a sign-up bonus?
A sign-up bonus is a cash incentive offered by brokers to new users when they create an account. It can be a fixed amount (e.g., $10 or $30) or a percentage of the initial deposit. This bonus is often used to execute your first trades on the platform.
Does Kraken offer a sign-up bonus?
No, Kraken does not currently offer a sign-up bonus. However, you can earn through staking—holding funds in your account to support the network—and receive crypto rewards. You can also watch for occasional promotions throughout the year.
Can I withdraw a bonus immediately?
Bonuses themselves are usually not withdrawable. However, you can withdraw profits earned by using the bonus to trade. For example, if you receive a $10 bonus and use it to make a trade that grows to $18, you can withdraw the $8 profit.
Is staking safe on Kraken?
Staking on Kraken is generally considered safe, as the platform follows industry-standard security practices. However, all investments carry inherent risks, including the potential loss of staked assets.
How often are staking rewards paid?
Kraken pays staking rewards twice a week, providing a consistent stream of income for eligible users.
Final Thoughts
While Kraken doesn’t currently offer a sign-up bonus, it provides multiple avenues for earning, such as staking and its referral program. By understanding these opportunities, you can make informed decisions and optimize your experience on the platform.
Whether you're staking crypto or referring friends, Kraken offers legitimate ways to grow your assets. Always ensure you meet the terms and conditions for each program to maximize your benefits.