Kraken

Founded in 2011, Kraken has never suffered a security breach - a remarkable achievement in the crypto industry. This track record, combined with proof of reserves, makes it a top choice for security-focused traders.

Security Philosophy Kraken pioneered proof of reserves in the crypto industry, allowing users to cryptographically verify that the exchange holds their funds. 95% of funds are kept in air-gapped cold storage across multiple geographic locations.

Trading Platform Kraken Pro offers a professional trading interface with advanced charting, multiple order types, and margin trading. The standard platform is simpler but still feature-rich compared to competitors.

ETC Markets Primary pairs include ETC/USD, ETC/EUR, and ETC/BTC. Liquidity is solid for retail trades, though very large orders may need to use the OTC desk for best execution.

Fee Structure Maker/taker fee model starting at 0.16%/0.26% for low-volume traders, scaling down to 0%/0.1% for high-volume users. Competitive but not the absolute lowest available.

Verification Levels Kraken uses tiered verification - basic verification for crypto deposits/withdrawals, full verification for fiat. The process is thorough but straightforward.

Support 24/7 live chat support is a standout feature. Response times are generally quick, and support staff are knowledgeable about technical issues.