KRAKEN* Charge (What It Is + Is It Legit?)

When Kraken Exchange processes transactions through payment networks, the billing descriptor is truncated to "KRAKEN*" because most card networks and banking systems impose a strict character limit on merchant descriptors, typically between 22 and 25 characters. The asterisk following "KRAKEN" is a common formatting convention used by payment processors to separate the merchant identifier from any additional transaction reference codes or sub-identifiers that may follow, such as a transaction ID or service type. If you see "KRAKEN*" on your bank statement, it almost certainly refers to a fee or transaction processed through your Kraken cryptocurrency exchange account.

No, this is a legitimate charge from Kraken Exchange. However, if you did not authorize this charge or cancelled your subscription, you may be eligible for a refund.

Frequently Asked Questions