Crypto Exchange comparison
BTC Markets vs Kraken
BTC Markets is the veteran Australian-owned exchange with a CGT calculator and a higher $30 minimum, while Kraken is the global heavyweight offering 24/7 phone support, a desktop trading platform, and a much lower $5 minimum. Both are AUSTRAC-registered and offer zero monthly fees, but their support models and tooling diverge sharply.
Choose
BTC Markets
if…
- ›You want a built-in CGT calculator and tax statement to simplify your end-of-year reporting
- ›You prefer an Australian-owned, Melbourne-based exchange with local support during business hours
- ›You want to deposit via BPAY or Direct Credit / EFT in addition to PayID and Osko
- ›You value a platform that has been operating in Australia since 2013 with a long local track record
Choose
Kraken
if…
- ›You want 24/7 phone and live chat support — not just business-hours email
- ›You prefer a desktop trading platform (web + app) for advanced charting and order management
- ›You want the lowest possible entry point with a $5 minimum deposit and purchase
- ›You want to fund your account via credit card, debit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay
- ›You want a global exchange with an AFSL (545124) and a parent company operating since 2011
Where they differ
| Fact | BTC Markets | Kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $30 AUD | $5 AUD |
| CGT calculator | Yes | No |
| Desktop platform | No | Yes |
| Customer support | Email and help portal, business hours | 24/7 live chat and phone |
| Deposit methods | PayID, Osko, BPAY, Direct Credit, debit/credit card | PayID, Osko, debit/credit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay |
Verdict
Choose BTC Markets for local roots and built-in tax reporting; choose Kraken for lower minimums, 24/7 support, and a desktop platform.
All data points side-by-side
Every verified fact for both platforms. Differences are highlighted.
| Field | BTC Markets | Kraken |
|---|---|---|
| account structure | ||
| Individual account | Yes | Yes |
| Joint account | No | No |
| Company account | Yes | Yes |
| Trust account | Yes | Yes |
| SMSF account | Yes | Yes |
| Kids / minor account | No | No |
| asset coverage | ||
| Crypto trading | Yes | Yes |
| IPO access | No | No |
| costs hidden | ||
| Market data fees | $0/month | $0/month |
| Conditional order fees | $0 | $0 |
| costs visible | ||
| Monthly platform fee | $0/month | $0/month |
| Annual platform fee | $0/year | $0/year |
| Inactivity fee | $0 | $0 |
| Withdrawal fee (AUD) | $0 | $0 |
| identity and trust | ||
| Legal entity name | BTC Markets Pty Ltd | Bit Trade Pty Ltd (trading as Kraken) |
| AFSL number | AFSL via sister entity BTCM Payments Pty Ltd (BTC Markets itself is not AFSL-licensed for spot crypto, as spot crypto is not a regulated financial product) | 545,124 |
| AUSTRAC registration | Yes | Yes |
| Year founded | 2,013 | 2,011 |
| Parent / ownership | Privately owned, Australian; headquartered in Richmond, Melbourne (Victoria) | Payward, Inc. (Bit Trade Pty Ltd acquired by Kraken in 2020) |
| Country of incorporation | AU | AU |
| Public company status | private | private |
| money movement | ||
| Minimum initial deposit | $30 | $5 |
| Minimum subsequent purchase | $30 | $5 |
| Deposit methods | PayID, Osko, BPAY, Direct Credit / EFT bank transfer, Bank card (debit/credit) | PayID, Osko bank transfer, Debit card (mobile app), Credit card (mobile app), Apple Pay, Google Pay |
| Withdrawal time | AUD withdrawals typically 1 business day (NPP/Osko often same-day where available) | AUD withdrawals via Osko bank transfer typically same business day (PayID withdrawals not yet supported) |
| platform ux | ||
| iOS app | Yes | Yes |
| Android app | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop platform | No | Yes |
| Demo account | No | No |
| Free real-time market data | Yes | Yes |
| Free research reports | No | No |
| 2FA support | authenticator | authenticator |
| Customer support channels | email, support portal / help centre | 24/7 live chat, email, support portal, phone (24/7) |
| Support hours (AU time) | Business hours (approx. 9am-5pm AET), Mon-Fri; help centre 24/7 self-service | 24/7 (live chat and phone) |
| Education content | basic articles | video + courses |
| tax and reporting | ||
| Australian tax statement | Yes | Yes |
| CGT calculator / report | Yes | No |
| Sharesight / Navexa integration | Yes | Yes |
| trading mechanics | ||
| Market orders | Yes | Yes |
| Limit orders | Yes | Yes |
| Stop loss orders | Yes | Yes |
| Conditional orders | Yes | Yes |
| Auto-invest / DCA | Yes | Yes |
| Auto-invest sophistication | single asset | single asset |
| After-hours / overnight trading | Yes | Yes |