Crypto Exchange comparison
eToro vs Kraken
eToro and Kraken both let Australians trade crypto, but they're fundamentally different beasts. eToro is a multi-asset platform that also offers ASX and US shares, ETFs, and CFDs — crypto is just one piece of the puzzle. Kraken is a pure crypto exchange first and foremost, with deeper order types, 24/7 trading, and a much lower minimum deposit.
Choose
eToro
if…
- ›You want a single platform for crypto plus ASX and US shares, ETFs, and fractional shares
- ›You want zero-commission ASX and US share trading alongside your crypto portfolio
- ›You want a demo account to practise trading before committing real money
- ›You want to deposit via PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, or credit/debit card
- ›You want a publicly listed company (NASDAQ: ETOR) with a longer Australian regulatory track record (AFSL since 2017)
Choose
Kraken
if…
- ›You want a dedicated crypto exchange with 24/7 live chat and phone support
- ›You want the lowest possible minimums — start trading crypto with just $5
- ›You want same-day AUD withdrawals via Osko bank transfer
- ›You want a desktop trading platform, not just mobile and web
- ›You want Sharesight integration for portfolio tracking and tax reporting
Where they differ
| Fact | eToro | Kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $50 | $5 |
| Inactivity fee | $10 | $0 |
| Withdrawal speed | 2-10 business days | Same business day (Osko) |
| Deposit methods | Bank transfer, debit/credit card, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, POLi, online banking | PayID, Osko, debit/credit card (mobile app), Apple Pay, Google Pay |
| CGT calculator / report | Yes | No |
Verdict
Choose eToro if you want crypto plus shares in one place; choose Kraken if you want a pure, fast, low-minimum crypto exchange.
All data points side-by-side
Every verified fact for both platforms. Differences are highlighted.
| Field | eToro | Kraken |
|---|---|---|
| account structure | ||
| CHESS sponsorship model | custodian | — |
| Individual HIN | No | — |
| 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 | ||
| ASX shares supported | Yes | — |
| ASX ETFs supported | Yes | — |
| US shares supported | Yes | — |
| US ETFs supported | Yes | — |
| Other markets supported | United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Hong Kong, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Sweden, Belgium, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Switzerland, Portugal | — |
| Fractional shares (ASX) | Yes | — |
| Fractional shares (US) | Yes | — |
| Options trading | No | — |
| CFDs supported | Yes | — |
| Crypto trading | Yes | Yes |
| Managed funds | No | — |
| Bonds supported | No | — |
| IPO access | No | No |
| costs hidden | ||
| FX spread (AUD/USD) | 0.75% | — |
| Holds USD account | Yes | — |
| FX currency switch trick | No | — |
| Market data fees | $0/month | $0/month |
| Conditional order fees | $0 | $0 |
| Corporate action fees | eToro passes through cash dividends from non-leveraged real positions (debit/credit to wallet). It does not facilitate participation in rights issues, share purchase plans (SPPs), DRPs or shareholder votes because shares are held in a managed investment scheme by the custodian, not in the user's name. No explicit fee, but corporate action access is materially restricted. | — |
| costs visible | ||
| ASX brokerage minimum | $0 | — |
| ASX brokerage percentage | 0% | — |
| ASX free trade conditions | Zero commission applies to all non-leveraged (real) ASX share and ETF purchases. Leveraged / short positions are executed as CFDs and incur 0.15% open/close spread plus overnight financing. | — |
| US brokerage minimum | US$0 | — |
| US brokerage percentage | 0% | — |
| Monthly platform fee | $0/month | $0/month |
| Annual platform fee | $0/year | $0/year |
| Inactivity fee | $10 | $0 |
| Withdrawal fee (AUD) | $0 | $0 |
| identity and trust | ||
| Legal entity name | eToro AUS Capital Limited | Bit Trade Pty Ltd (trading as Kraken) |
| AFSL number | 491,139 | 545,124 |
| AUSTRAC registration | Yes | Yes |
| Year founded | 2,017 | 2,011 |
| Parent / ownership | eToro Group Ltd (NASDAQ: ETOR) — listed 14 May 2025; originally founded in Israel by Yoni and Ronen Assia. eToro AUS Capital Limited is a wholly-owned Australian subsidiary. | Payward, Inc. (Bit Trade Pty Ltd acquired by Kraken in 2020) |
| Country of incorporation | Australia | AU |
| Public company status | public | private |
| money movement | ||
| Minimum initial deposit | $50 | $5 |
| Minimum subsequent purchase | $50 | $5 |
| Deposit methods | Bank transfer, Debit card, Credit card, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, POLi, Online banking | PayID, Osko bank transfer, Debit card (mobile app), Credit card (mobile app), Apple Pay, Google Pay |
| Settlement period | T+2 ASX, T+1 US (settlement managed by the eToro Service custodian; user funds reflect immediately in eToro wallet) | — |
| Withdrawal time | 1-2 business days for eToro processing; total 2-10 business days end-to-end depending on payment method (bank transfer longer than card) | 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 | Yes | No |
| Free real-time market data | Yes | Yes |
| Free research reports | No | No |
| 2FA support | SMS + authenticator app | authenticator |
| Customer support channels | Live chat (Club members only), Email / web ticket, Help centre | 24/7 live chat, email, support portal, phone (24/7) |
| Support hours (AU time) | — | 24/7 (live chat and phone) |
| Education content | video + courses | video + courses |
| tax and reporting | ||
| Australian tax statement | Yes | Yes |
| CGT calculator / report | Yes | No |
| Sharesight / Navexa integration | No | 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 | multiple | single asset |
| DRP (dividend reinvestment) | No | — |
| After-hours / overnight trading | No | Yes |