Kraken's own referral program pays a fixed $20, which in Canada is CA$20 of Bitcoin, when a friend you invite makes the required deposit and trade within 30 days. The amounts to deposit and trade are variable and shown in the app. My link below is a separate partner link, and I could not confirm a bonus attached to it, so do not expect one.
- Referral bonus: fixed $20 in your default currency, so CA$20 of BTC in Canada, per Kraken's support page updated October 1, 2026
- My link: Open a Kraken account (partner link, no bonus confirmed)
- My score: 9.6/10, number 3 in my ranking
Kraken is the exchange I point most beginners to once they outgrow a simple app, because it is CSA-registered and offers both a simple buy screen and a cheaper Pro trading screen. Referral and promo pages for it are full of old numbers, so this page sticks to Kraken's own support article and the regulator lists.
Part of my guide to crypto sign-up bonuses for Canadians.
How Does The Kraken Referral Program Work In Canada?
Canada is on Kraken's list of eligible countries. A verified Kraken user shares a link from the app. The friend must create a new account through the Kraken app using that link, deposit cash, and then trade crypto. Both people get the bonus, and it is fixed at $20 in the default currency, for example CA$20 of BTC (Kraken referral program, updated October 1, 2026). The friend has 30 days after creating the account to do the required actions, and the bonus is paid within 14 days of completing them. Kraken says bonuses are subject to program limits and eligibility rules and are not guaranteed.
What Do You Have To Deposit And Trade To Qualify?
Kraken says the conditions are variable and are shown in the app. Card deposits do not count, but most other deposit options do. You can trade by Convert, a custom or recurring order, or on Kraken Pro, depending on your referral plan. Bundles and stablecoins are not eligible trading methods. The practical lesson is to read the countdown and the amounts in the Referrals dashboard before you deposit.
Does My Kraken Link Include A Bonus?
My link is a partner link, not the in-app friend referral above. I could not confirm that it carries a bonus, and I do not show one. If you want the CA$20 in-app referral, you need an invite link from an existing Kraken user, and you have to sign up through the mobile app. If you simply want the regulated platform at a fair price, my link is fine. Do not choose a platform for a CA$20 bonus when the fees on a $1,000 buy are $4 to $10.
| Detail | Verified Info |
|---|---|
| Legal entity | Payward Canada Inc., operating as Kraken |
| CSA status | CSA-registered Restricted Dealer; decision April 1, 2025 |
| FINTRAC | Registered MSB (M19343731), expiry August 2028 |
| Kraken Pro fees | 0.40% maker and 0.80% taker at the entry tier; 0.30% and 0.60% from $2,500 in 30-day volume |
| Instant buy and sell | 1% fee plus a spread; custom orders 1.5% |
| CAD funding | Interac e-Transfer free, minimum CA$5, up to CA$10,000 per transaction; withdrawal by e-Transfer costs CA$10 |
| Debit card funding | CA$0.25 plus 3.75% |
| Canadian limits | CA$30,000 rolling 12-month net purchase limit on most assets other than BTC, ETH, LTC and BCH for most clients |
| Not available in Canada | Margin and derivatives; Opt-in Rewards |
| Proof of reserves | June 30, 2026 snapshot: BTC reserve ratio 102.9% |
How Do You Sign Up For Kraken In Canada?
- Pick the route. For the in-app CA$20 referral you need a friend's invite and the Kraken app. For a normal signup use my Kraken link.
- Verify your identity. Government photo ID and a selfie check. Do this before you deposit.
- Deposit CAD. Interac e-Transfer is free to deposit. Card deposits cost 3.75% plus CA$0.25 and do not count toward the referral requirement.
- Buy. Convert is the easy screen. Kraken Pro charges less per trade once you are comfortable with limit orders.
- Move coins you plan to hold. Withdraw long-term holdings to a wallet you control.
Is Kraken Cheaper Than Other Canadian Exchanges?
Kraken Pro at the entry tier is cheaper than most simple-buy apps, but NDAX charges a flat 0.20% with no tiers. My fee comparison on a $1,000 trade lays out every exchange side by side. For the full verdict on safety, coin list and funding, read my Kraken review, or the Coinbase versus Kraken comparison.
What Can You Buy And Stake On Kraken In Canada?
Kraken does not publish an official Canada-specific coin count. Its public API lists about 498 tickers once the 135 that Kraken's own Canada restrictions list bars are removed, which is a derived figure and not a Kraken claim. Staking is available to Canadians with a few exclusions: Opt-in Rewards cannot be used, GRT and FLR cannot be staked, Babylon Bitcoin staking is not available and ETH2.S cannot be traded, though you can stake ETH. If you want a coin that Kraken has restricted for Canadians, you will not find it on the Canadian site, so check the coin before you fund.
What Are Kraken's Canadian Purchase Limits?
Kraken applies a rolling 12-month net purchase limit of CA$30,000 for most clients, and CA$100,000 for Eligible Investors, on assets other than BTC, ETH, LTC and BCH. It does not apply in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Quebec and Saskatchewan. This is a regulatory limit tied to Kraken's Restricted Dealer status, not a Kraken choice. If you plan to buy a lot of altcoins, ask whether it fits your plan before relying on it, and see my ranking for platforms with different limits.
What Is Kraken Plus And Does It Change The Maths?
Kraken's fee schedule lists a Kraken Plus plan with zero trading fees on up to USD 10,000 of monthly volume for Buy, Sell and Convert, with spreads and card fees still applying. If you buy small amounts often, that is relevant. I did not verify the subscription price, so I do not compare it to the flat fees elsewhere. For a one-off $1,000 buy, the fee table above is the number that matters.
What Changed For Kraken Canada In October 2026?
- Kraken updated its referral program support article, which lists Canada as an eligible country.
- Kraken republished its fee schedule, which still shows 0.40% and 0.80% at the entry tier for Kraken Pro spot.
- Kraken published a proof of reserves snapshot with a BTC reserve ratio of 102.9%.
- The CSA issued its Restricted Dealer decision for Payward Canada Inc.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Is The Kraken Referral Bonus In Canada?
Kraken's support page says the referral bonus is a fixed $20 in your default currency, such as CA$20 of BTC. It is paid within 14 days after the friend completes the deposit and trading requirements.
Is There A Kraken Promo Code For Canadians?
Kraken does not use a promo code to sign up. The referral is attached through an invite link or by entering a referral code when you create an account in the Kraken app.
How Long Does A Referred Friend Have To Qualify?
30 days after creating the new Kraken account, with a countdown shown in the app.
Do Card Deposits Count For The Kraken Referral?
No. You can use most deposit options except debit and credit card deposits to meet the requirement.
Is Kraken Legal In Canada?
Yes. Payward Canada Inc. is on the CSA authorized list as a Restricted Dealer, with a decision dated April 1, 2025, and is registered with FINTRAC.
Can Canadians Trade Derivatives Or Margin On Kraken?
No. Kraken says clients residing in Canada cannot trade using margin or trade derivatives.