The basic path: link your bank, verify it, then withdraw
To move money from Kraken to your bank account, you link your bank through Kraken's withdrawal system, verify the connection with small test deposits, and then request a withdrawal. Kraken sends the money via ACH (Automated Clearing House), which is the standard electronic transfer system for US bank accounts. The whole process takes three to five business days from the moment you request the withdrawal, though the verification step can add a day or two at the start.
You will need your bank's routing number and your account number. You can find both on a check, or by logging into your bank's website or calling the bank directly. Kraken does not charge a fee for withdrawals to a US bank account, but your bank may charge you a fee for receiving an incoming ACH transfer—check your account terms or call to ask.
The withdrawal lands in your account as a standard ACH deposit. Your bank will show it as coming from Kraken or from a Kraken partner bank, depending on how Kraken routes the transfer that day. Once it arrives, the money is yours to use like any other deposit.
Key Takeaways
- You must link your bank account to Kraken first, then verify the connection before you can withdraw money.
- Kraken uses ACH transfers, which take three to five business days to reach your account after you request the withdrawal.
- You need your bank's routing number and your account number to set up the link.
- Kraken does not charge withdrawal fees, but your bank may charge you a fee for receiving the ACH transfer.
- Withdrawals are processed during business days; requests made on weekends or holidays will start processing the next business day.
How to add your bank account to Kraken
Log into your Kraken account and go to Settings, then Funding. Look for the section labeled "Withdrawal Methods" or "Bank Accounts." Click the button to add a new bank account. Kraken will ask for your bank's name, your account type (checking or savings), your routing number, and your account number.
Enter the information exactly as it appears on your checks or in your bank's system. If your routing number or account number is wrong, the transfer will fail and bounce back to Kraken, which can delay your money by several days. If you are unsure of either number, log into your bank's website, call the bank, or look at a check you have written.
After you submit the information, Kraken will tell you that verification is pending. Do not request a withdrawal yet. Kraken will send two small test deposits to your bank account—usually between $0.01 and $0.99 each. These deposits arrive within one to two business days.
Verifying your bank account with test deposits
When the test deposits land in your bank account, log back into Kraken and go to the same Funding section. Kraken will ask you to enter the amounts of the two test deposits. If you enter them correctly, your bank account is verified and you can now withdraw money.
If you do not see the test deposits after two business days, check that you entered your account number and routing number correctly in Kraken. If the numbers were wrong, delete the account from Kraken and add it again with the correct information. If the numbers were right, contact your bank and ask whether the deposits arrived but were held or rejected for any reason.
Once verification is complete, you can keep the test deposits—they are yours. Some people leave them in the account as a small reminder of the verification, and some withdraw them or let them sit. There is no requirement to do anything with them.
Requesting a withdrawal from Kraken
After your bank account is verified, go to Funding and select Withdraw. Choose your bank account from the list of withdrawal methods. Enter the amount you want to withdraw. Kraken will show you any fees (usually none for US bank accounts) and the estimated arrival date.
Review the amount and the destination account carefully. Once you confirm the withdrawal, Kraken will process it immediately if you request it during business hours on a weekday. If you request it after hours or on a weekend, Kraken will process it the next business day.
You will receive a confirmation email with a reference number. Keep this number in case you need to contact Kraken or your bank about the transfer. The money will leave your Kraken account right away, but it will not arrive at your bank for three to five business days.
What happens while your withdrawal is in transit
Once you request a withdrawal, Kraken sends the money through the ACH network. Your Kraken balance drops immediately, but your bank account does not show the deposit yet. During this time, the money is in the ACH system, moving from Kraken's bank to your bank.
ACH transfers are not instant. The standard timeline is three to five business days, meaning weekdays only—not weekends or federal holidays. If you request a withdrawal on a Friday afternoon, it will not start processing until Monday, and it may not arrive until Thursday or Friday of the following week.
You can check the status of your withdrawal in Kraken's Funding section. It will show as "pending" or "processing" until it arrives at your bank. Once your bank receives it, Kraken will mark it as complete, and you will see the deposit in your account.
What to do if your withdrawal does not arrive on time
If five business days have passed and the money has not arrived, log into Kraken and check the withdrawal status. If Kraken shows it as complete, the delay is on your bank's end. Contact your bank and provide them with the reference number from your Kraken confirmation email. Your bank can trace the ACH transfer and tell you where it is.
If Kraken shows the withdrawal as failed or rejected, the most common reason is an incorrect routing number or account number. Kraken will usually send you a notification explaining why it failed. You can request a new withdrawal with corrected information, or contact Kraken support with your reference number to ask what went wrong.
If the withdrawal shows as pending after five business days, contact Kraken support. Provide your reference number and the date you requested the withdrawal. Kraken can check whether the transfer was sent to your bank and, if so, ask your bank to investigate.
Withdrawal limits and how often you can withdraw
Kraken does not publish a single withdrawal limit that applies to all accounts. Your limit depends on your account verification level and your account history. When you request a withdrawal, Kraken will tell you if the amount exceeds your limit.
If your limit is too low, you can request a higher limit by completing additional verification steps in your Kraken account settings. This usually means providing more personal information or documentation. The process can take a few days to a week.
You can request multiple withdrawals in a single day, and you can request a new withdrawal as soon as the previous one is complete. There is no waiting period between withdrawals. However, if you request several large withdrawals in a short time, Kraken may flag your account for review, which can delay processing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I withdraw to a savings account, or does it have to be checking?
You can withdraw to either a checking or savings account. When you add your bank account to Kraken, you will specify the account type. ACH transfers work the same way for both, and the timeline is the same.
What if I enter the wrong amount and request a withdrawal by mistake?
If you catch the mistake immediately, contact Kraken support with your reference number and ask them to cancel the withdrawal. If the withdrawal has already been processed and sent to your bank, you cannot cancel it through Kraken. You will need to contact your bank and ask them to reverse the incoming ACH transfer, though banks are not required to do this.
Do I have to pay taxes on money I withdraw from Kraken?
Withdrawing money from Kraken to your bank account is not a taxable event by itself. However, if you sold cryptocurrency for a profit before withdrawing the money, that sale is taxable. Keep records of all your trades and the dates you made them. Kraken provides a tax report in your account settings that you can use when filing your taxes.
Can I withdraw to someone else's bank account?
No. Kraken only allows withdrawals to bank accounts in your own name. The account holder on your Kraken account must match the account holder on the bank account. This is a requirement of ACH transfers and anti-money-laundering rules.
What if my bank rejects the ACH deposit from Kraken?
If your bank rejects the deposit, the money will bounce back to Kraken within a few days. Kraken will credit it back to your Kraken account automatically. The most common reasons for rejection are a closed account, a frozen account, or a mismatch between the account number and the account holder's name. Contact your bank to find out why they rejected it, then request a new withdrawal once the issue is fixed.