Updated September 29, 2026 · DebitCue Editorial Team
Kraken vs Wirex
Kraken
Wirex
Higher score in this comparison
Where Kraken and Wirex differ
| Compare | KrakenReviewVisitVisit | WirexReviewVisitVisit |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly fee | €0 | $0 |
| Cashback rate | 2% | 8%Higher |
| Card network | Mastercard | Visa |
| Currencies | 600Higher | 150 |
| Free ATM withdrawals | Not confirmed | $400 |
| Custody | Not confirmed | Custodial |
Same on both: Currency conversion fee (0%), Card type (Debit).
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Key differences
- Wirex scores higher overall: 9.6 vs 9.2.
- Cashback rate is higher at Wirex: 8% vs 2%.
- Currencies is higher at Kraken: 600 vs 150.
- Features: only Wirex offers Custodial.
Our verdict on each
Kraken
Kraken pairs a crypto wallet with a debit card that charges €0 a month and 0% for currency conversion, which suits people already holding digital assets and spending across currencies. Overall the card scores 7.3, with the offer side ahead of the cost side.
Wirex
Wirex suits people who want crypto spending, travel money and cashback on one custodial Visa debit card. Costs are the draw: a monthly fee of $0 and a currency conversion fee of 0% place it at the front of the 259 brands compared on conversion costs.
Score breakdown
| Area | Kraken | Wirex |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.4The monthly fee is €0 and the currency conversion fee is 0%, both at the bottom of the site spread. | 9.4Monthly fee of $0 and a currency conversion fee of 0% keep running costs at the floor. |
| Offer | 9.4Cashback of 2%, a virtual card, crypto, multi currency and travel and balances in 600 currencies give the offer its edge. | 9.9HigherCashback of 8% and 150 currencies with crypto and virtual card options drive the offer. |
| Trust | 8.9 | Not confirmed |
Licences and countries
| Country | Kraken | Wirex |
|---|---|---|
| Ireland | Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) MiCA CASP 9845003D98SCC2851458 IE_CBI PSD_EMI IE_CBI!C453020 | Not confirmed |
| United Kingdom | Not confirmed | FCA 902025 |
If neither fits
PUMB has cashback rate at 20%, against 2% for Kraken and 8% for Wirex.
PUMB reviewWhat we checked
Kraken
- krak.app: 7 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- esma.europa.eu: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- coingecko.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
- support.kraken.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
Wirex
- coincodecap.com: 4 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- currencyexpert.com: 4 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- budgetfitter.uk: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
How they place
| Ranking | Kraken | Wirex |
|---|---|---|
| Debit cards | 22 of 1336 | 17 of 1336 |
| Travel cards | 14 of 443 | 12 of 443 |
| No foreign transaction fee cards | 6 of 111 | 4 of 111 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Kraken | Wirex |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Crypto, Multi currency, Travel, Virtual card | Crypto, Custodial, Multi currency, Travel, Virtual cardCovers more |
| Legal entity | Payward Europe Solutions Limited | Wirex Limited |
| Headquarters | Ireland | Not confirmed |
| Founded | 2011 | Not confirmed |
| Support channels | Chat, Help centre | Not confirmed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Kraken | Wirex | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Currency conversion fee | 0%below the median | 0%below the median | 1% |
| Free ATM withdrawals | Not confirmed | $400highest quarter | $0 |
| Cashback rate | 2%at the median | 8%highest quarter | 2% |
| Currencies | 600highest quarter | 150highest quarter | 8 |
Median across 387 listed cards.
Pros and cons
Kraken
Pros
- The monthly fee is €0 and the currency conversion fee is 0%, so travel spending adds no conversion cost.
- Cashback of 2% rewards ordinary card spend.
- Balances span 600 currencies and crypto, multi currency and travel covers crypto, multi-currency, travel and a virtual card.
Cons
- Support runs on chat and help centre, with no phone number in the list.
- It is a debit card, so spending stops at the balance held and no credit record is built.
Wirex
Pros
- Monthly fee of $0 on a standard Visa debit account
- Currency conversion fee of 0%, ranked 1 of 259 brands
- Cashback of 8% returned on everyday card spending
Cons
- The account is custodial, so balances sit with Wirex Limited rather than with you
- Free ATM withdrawals of $400 rank 8 of 115
Who each suits
Kraken
Who it suits
- People who already hold crypto and want a card that spends it.
- Readers paid in several currencies who convert at a 0% conversion fee.
- Travellers who want crypto, multi currency and travel covered by one card.
Who should look elsewhere
- Wise, for a multi-currency account rather than a crypto wallet: its monthly fee is £0.
- Varo Believe Secured Credit Card, if the aim is building a credit record with a secured card rather than spending digital assets.
- Chime Card (Secured Visa Credit Card), for a secured Visa credit card with a $0 monthly fee.
Wirex
Who it suits
- Crypto holders who want to spend through a normal Visa debit card
- Travellers who convert several currencies at a low conversion fee
- Multi currency earners who want cashback and a virtual card
Who should look elsewhere
- People who want to hold their own keys, since the Wirex account is custodial
- Anyone wanting a plain current account: Starling Personal Account Debit Card charges £0
- Anyone who only needs a bank debit card: Wise charges a monthly fee of £0
Current offers
Wirex
Current offer
Bonus
Up to 8% Cashback on Card Spend - Wirex: Up to 8% cashback
Earnings subject to eligibility
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Country by country
| Country | Kraken | Wirex |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | No | Yes |
Questions about each
Kraken
What does the Kraken card cost each month and abroad?+
The monthly fee is €0 and the currency conversion fee is 0%. Because the card type is debit, there is no revolving balance to pay interest on. It holds position 1 of 419 on monthly fee and position 1 of 259 on currency conversion.
Who regulates Kraken, and where is the entity based?+
The card runs through Payward Europe Solutions Limited, based in Ireland and listed with the Central Bank of Ireland under MiCA CASP 9845003D98SCC2851458 for crypto services, plus an electronic money licence recorded as PSD_EMI IE_CBI!C453020. The exchange itself was founded in 2011.
Wirex
What does Wirex cost to hold each month?+
The monthly fee is $0 on the standard debit account, and Wirex ranks 1 of 419 brands compared on that measure. Costs are simple to state: the currency conversion fee is 0%, so there is little to add for everyday use.
What does Wirex charge to convert currency?+
The currency conversion fee is 0%, which places Wirex at 1 of 259 brands compared. Travellers moving between several of the 150 currencies held on the account can convert at that rate.