What about staking rewards and locked positions?

All staking positions must be terminated and unstaked before closure. If you have staked cryptocurrency in lock-up periods, you must wait for those periods to expire before the funds become available for withdrawal.

Are there tax implications for closing my account?

Closing your account itself doesn't trigger taxes, but withdrawing cryptocurrency may. If you're converting crypto to fiat or selling crypto, that's a taxable event. Download your transaction history and tax reports before closing.

Can I recover my account after closure?

No. Once your Kraken account is closed, it cannot be recovered. The closure is permanent and irreversible. You would need to create a completely new account if you want to use Kraken again.

What are API keys and why must I remove them?

API keys allow third-party applications and bots to access your Kraken account. Before closure, you must revoke all active API keys to prevent any unauthorized access attempts and ensure proper account termination.

Does Kraken delete all my personal information?

Kraken retains transaction records and identity information for regulatory compliance and anti-money laundering requirements for a period mandated by law. Complete data deletion is not possible for compliance reasons.

How long does account closure take?

After you request closure and confirm via email, the account is typically closed immediately. However, you must first meet all requirements including zero balance and closed positions.

Can I use my email address for a new Kraken account?

After closure, you may not be able to immediately create a new Kraken account with the same email address. You may need to wait or use a different email address.

How to Delete Your Kraken Account - Step-by-Step Guide (2025)

Written & Verified By

Delete.Directory Content Team

Our team of privacy advocates and digital rights experts has helped over 100,000 users reclaim control of their online presence. We test every deletion process to ensure accuracy.

This guide helps you permanently delete your Kraken account. We believe in digital autonomy: your right to leave any platform should be as easy as joining it. Follow these verified steps to ensure complete account deletion.

How We Verified This Guide

Methodology: Hands-on testing with live accounts

Quick Information

Time Required

10 minutes

Difficulty

medium

Steps

6 steps

Official Resources

Kraken Support Center

Official deletion guide from Kraken

Additional Resources

[1]

Kraken Account Closure

Official guide for closing Kraken accounts

[2]

Kraken Privacy Policy

Details about data handling and privacy

[3]

Kraken Security Settings

Information about 2FA and security features

Step-by-Step Guide

Close all open trading positions

If you have active trades, futures positions, or margin positions open, close them first. Kraken will not allow account closure with open positions.

Tips

•Check Spot Trading, Futures, and Margin sections
•Cancel any pending orders
•Close derivatives positions first
•Verify zero open positions

Unstake and terminate staking

If you have cryptocurrency staked for rewards, unstake all positions. Wait for unstaking period to complete before proceeding.

Tips

•Navigate to Staking section
•Unstake all active positions
•Wait for lock-up periods to expire
•Verify all staking is inactive

Withdraw all cryptocurrency

Withdraw all cryptocurrency from your Kraken wallets. You must have a zero balance before closure. Transfer to external wallets or exchange for fiat.

Tips

•Check all wallet types (Funding, Spot, Margin)
•Use external wallet addresses for transfers
•Wait for withdrawal confirmations
•Verify zero balance across all wallets

Remove 2FA and API keys

Disable two-factor authentication and revoke all API keys. Go to Settings > Security > 2FA/Authenticators and delete them. Then go to API and remove all active keys.

Tips

•Save backup codes if needed
•Remove all authentication methods
•Delete or deactivate all API keys
•Disable any third-party integrations

Request account closure

Log into your Kraken account, go to Settings > Account, and look for the 'Close Account' option. Click it and confirm your decision.

Tips

•Must have zero balance to proceed
•Read all closure warnings carefully
•Keep closure confirmation for records
•Note the confirmation email

Confirm closure via email

Kraken will send a confirmation email. Click the confirmation link within the specified timeframe to finalize the account closure.

Tips

•Check email immediately
•Click confirmation link within timeframe
•Save confirmation for records
•Account will be permanently closed

Important Warnings

Permanent data loss

Account closure is permanent and irreversible. All account history, data, and records will be permanently deleted. There is no recovery option after closure is complete.

Must withdraw all cryptocurrency

You cannot close your Kraken account if you have any cryptocurrency balance remaining. All funds must be withdrawn to external wallets or converted to zero balance first.

Trading history loss

Closing your account will remove access to all historical trades, order history, and transaction records. Download or export this information before closure if you need it for tax purposes.

Tax documentation required

As a crypto exchange user, you likely have tax reporting obligations. Ensure you have downloaded all tax documents and transaction history before account closure, as you won't be able to access them afterward.

Email address unavailable

After account closure, you may not be able to create a new Kraken account using the same email address immediately. You may need to wait a certain period or use a different email.

Alternatives to Consider

Keep account inactive with zero balance

easy

Withdraw all funds and cryptocurrency but maintain the account without closure. This allows reactivation if needed.

Pros

•Can reactivate your account anytime
•Maintains access to transaction history
•No permanent closure process
•Easier to return if you change your mind

Cons

•Your data remains on Kraken's servers
•Account still technically exists
•May receive notifications about your account
•Not truly deleted

5 min

Transfer to self-custody wallet

medium

Move all cryptocurrency to a hardware wallet (Ledger, Trezor) or software wallet that you fully control before closing your account.

Pros

•Full control of your cryptocurrency
•Enhanced security and privacy
•Not subject to exchange regulations
•Better long-term storage solution

Cons

•You become responsible for wallet security
•Network fees apply for transfers
•Must manage and backup private keys
•More complex to learn wallet management

30 min

Switch to alternative exchange

medium

Transfer your assets to another cryptocurrency exchange like Binance, Coinbase, or KuCoin before closing Kraken.

Pros

•Continue your cryptocurrency trading
•May find different features or lower fees
•Different security or staking options
•Keep account activity going elsewhere

Cons

•Transfer and trading fees apply
•New KYC verification required
•Learning curve for new platform
•Additional data collected by new exchange

60 min

Frequently Asked Questions

You must withdraw all cryptocurrency from Kraken before closing your account. Any remaining crypto must be transferred to an external wallet or exchange. Kraken will not close your account if any balance remains.

References & Citations

[1]
Kraken Account Closure
Official guide for closing Kraken accounts
https://support.kraken.com/hc/en-us/articles/360023011311
[2]
Kraken Privacy Policy
Details about data handling and privacy
https://www.kraken.com/legal/privacy
[3]
Kraken Security Settings
Information about 2FA and security features
https://support.kraken.com/hc/en-us/sections/200259836

All citations verified as of 11/10/2025. We regularly review and update all external links to ensure accuracy.

Found incorrect information?

We strive for accuracy. If something's outdated or wrong, let us know.

Report incorrect information

Quick Navigation

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Critical Warnings

Permanent data loss
Account closure is permanent and irreversible. All account history, data, and records will be perman...
Must withdraw all cryptocurrency
You cannot close your Kraken account if you have any cryptocurrency balance remaining. All funds mus...
Trading history loss
Closing your account will remove access to all historical trades, order history, and transaction rec...

Last Updated

November 10, 2025

Kraken Account Deletion

How We Verified This Guide

Quick Information

Official Resources

Additional Resources

Step-by-Step Guide

Close all open trading positions

Unstake and terminate staking

Withdraw all cryptocurrency

Remove 2FA and API keys

Request account closure

Confirm closure via email

Important Warnings

Permanent data loss

Must withdraw all cryptocurrency

Trading history loss

Tax documentation required

Email address unavailable

Alternatives to Consider

Keep account inactive with zero balance

Transfer to self-custody wallet

Switch to alternative exchange

Frequently Asked Questions

References & Citations

Found incorrect information?

Quick Navigation

Related Guides

Critical Warnings

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