# Kraken Referral Code 2026: How to Get the Up-to-$75 Sign-Up Bonus (and Which Offer Actually Pays Most)

> **Disclosure:** The link below is my referral link. If you use it, we can both get a bonus from Kraken. I only recommend what I use: my trading bot runs on Kraken Pro with real money. Not financial advice, and crypto is risky.

**The short answer:** sign up for Kraken with a referral link, deposit US dollars, and buy crypto within the window in Kraken's terms (15 days at the time of writing). You can get **up to $75**. As of September 2026 that beats every cash-back offer I checked.

## [Get the Kraken sign-up bonus →](https://invite.kraken.com/JDNW/dkt2s9nr)

## Which Kraken sign-up offer pays the most?

I checked all three before opening my own account:

| Offer | Bonus | What you have to do |
|---|---|---|
| **Kraken referral link** | **Up to $75** | Deposit US dollars and buy crypto within the window (not a stablecoin) |
| TopCashback | $25 | Make a single trade of **$1,000+** within 30 days |
| Rakuten | $10 | Make a single trade of **$1,000+** within 30 days |

**You can't combine them.** Both cash-back sites say that using a Kraken referral code, discount or coupon cancels their cash back. So pick one.

For most people the referral link wins. It pays more, and you don't have to make a $1,000 trade.

## How to claim it, step by step

1. **Sign up using [the referral link](https://invite.kraken.com/JDNW/dkt2s9nr).** Kraken's help pages say the program runs through the **Kraken mobile app**, so open the link on your phone.
2. **Verify your identity.** Have your ID ready and expect to take a selfie.
3. **Deposit US dollars** from your bank. The free bank transfer (ACH) works.
4. **Buy real crypto within the window**, such as BTC, ETH or SOL. Converting dollars to stablecoins (USDC, USDT) **doesn't count**.
5. The bonus is paid after Kraken confirms you met the terms.

## Mistakes that lose you the bonus

- **Signing up through a cash-back site as well.** Then neither offer pays out.
- **Buying only stablecoins.** Stablecoins don't count toward the bonus.
- **Missing the deadline.** Buy within the window stated in Kraken's terms.
- **Creating more than one account, or using a VPN.** Both are listed as referral abuse in Kraken's rules.

## Is Kraken worth it after the bonus?

For small accounts in the US, I think so. It's what I use.

- **Fees:** Kraken Pro charges 0.40% on limit orders at the entry tier. Coinbase Advanced starts at 0.60%, and its market orders cost 1.20% versus Kraken's 0.80%.
- **API:** solid, and supported by Freqtrade, the open-source bot I run on it.
- **Skip Kraken+ (the $4.99/month subscription) if you trade on Kraken Pro.** Its zero-fee trading only covers the regular Kraken app, not Pro or API trades. [I explain the numbers here.](https://jcalloway.dev/crypto-trading-bot-strategies-tested-backtest-2026)

I tested 7 crypto bot strategies on Kraken fees before putting in real money, and most of them lost. [Read the full backtest →](https://jcalloway.dev/crypto-trading-bot-strategies-tested-backtest-2026)

## FAQ

**Is the Kraken referral bonus available in the US?**
Kraken says the program runs "in select countries." I'm in the US and it's available to me. Check the terms in the app when you sign up.

**How much can a referral earn?**
Kraken advertises up to $75 for each side. The person referring can earn up to $1,500 in total.

**Do I need to use the app?**
Kraken's help page describes the referral flow in the mobile app, so sign up on your phone to be safe.

**What if I already have a Kraken account?**
Referral bonuses are for new users only.

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I post the live results of my Kraken trading bot every week, real money and losses included:

**[Get the weekly live-bot update (free) →](https://jcalloway.beehiiv.com/subscribe)**

*Offer details are as of September 2026 and can change. Always check Kraken's current referral terms before signing up.*