Kraken API — how to get keys, cost & limits

✓ Last verified: 2026-07-15· Source: official provider pricing page· Auto-monitored — report change →

Kraken offers a mature REST and WebSocket API for spot and futures with a long track record on security. Here's how to get keys and what it costs.

What the API does & cost

Use	Cost
Market data (REST/WS)	Free
Spot taker fee	~0.26% → 0.10% at volume
Futures taker	~0.05%
API access	Free

⚠️ The Kraken API is free to use — you only pay trading fees on the trades it places. Fees and limits change; confirm on the official docs. Market-data (read-only) endpoints cost nothing. · Report outdated price →

New to Kraken?

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How to get your Kraken API keys (step by step)

1. Sign up / log in at kraken.com and verify your account.
2. Go to Settings → API and click Create API key.
3. Choose key permissions (Query, Trade — leave Withdraw off unless needed).
4. Copy the API Key and Private Key; store the private key safely.
5. Optionally lock the key to a static IP for extra safety.

Quick test

# public market data — no key needed
curl "https://api.kraken.com/0/public/Ticker?pair=XBTUSD"

Security — read this

Never share your secret — regenerate it if leaked. For data-only bots enable read-only. Always whitelist your server IP and disable withdrawals on API keys unless you truly need them — a leaked withdraw-enabled key can drain your account.

Alternatives

Kraken is a safe base; for lower-fee derivatives compare Bybit, Bitget and OKX.

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