Digital Surge vs Kraken
Digital Surge is an Australian-owned, smaller crypto exchange that bounced back from a 2022 FTX-related collapse with a focus on local support and joint accounts. Kraken is a global heavyweight with a broader asset range, 24/7 phone support, and deeper trading tools. The biggest practical difference? Kraken offers vastly more coins and advanced order types, while Digital Surge keeps it simple with a local-first approach.
- ›You want a joint account — Kraken doesn't offer them at all
- ›You value Australian-based customer support and want to keep your money with a locally owned company
- ›You need a straightforward CGT report or Sharesight integration for tax time
- ›You want zero withdrawal fees on AUD and free conditional orders
- ›You want access to hundreds of cryptocurrencies, not just the top 30 or so
- ›You need 24/7 phone support — Kraken has it, Digital Surge doesn't
- ›You prefer a desktop trading platform with advanced charting and order types
- ›You want to deposit with a credit/debit card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay
- ›You're after in-depth educational content like video courses, not just basic articles
Where they differ
| Fact | Digital Surge | Kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Crypto selection | ~30 coins | 200+ coins |
| Joint accounts | Supported | Not supported |
| Phone support | Not available | 24/7 phone support |
| Desktop platform | Not available | Full desktop platform |
| Deposit methods | PayID, Bank Transfer, OSKO | PayID, OSKO, debit/credit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay |
Choose Digital Surge for local ownership and joint accounts; choose Kraken for global scale, more coins, and 24/7 support.
Common questions
How do Digital Surge and Kraken compare on crypto selection?
Digital Surge: ~30 coins. Kraken: 200+ coins. Kraken offers a far wider range of tradable cryptocurrencies.
How do Digital Surge and Kraken compare on joint accounts?
Digital Surge: Supported. Kraken: Not supported. Digital Surge is the only option here if you need a joint crypto account.
How do Digital Surge and Kraken compare on phone support?
Digital Surge: Not available. Kraken: 24/7 phone support. Kraken provides round-the-clock phone support; Digital Surge relies on live chat and email.
When is Digital Surge the better choice over Kraken?
Pick Digital Surge if you want a joint account — Kraken doesn't offer them at all; you value Australian-based customer support and want to keep your money with a locally owned company; you need a straightforward CGT report or Sharesight integration for tax time; or you want zero withdrawal fees on AUD and free conditional orders.
When is Kraken the better choice over Digital Surge?
Pick Kraken if you want access to hundreds of cryptocurrencies, not just the top 30 or so; you need 24/7 phone support — Kraken has it, Digital Surge doesn't; you prefer a desktop trading platform with advanced charting and order types; or you want to deposit with a credit/debit card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay.
Digital Surge or Kraken — what's the verdict?
Choose Digital Surge for local ownership and joint accounts; choose Kraken for global scale, more coins, and 24/7 support.
All data points side-by-side
Every verified fact for both platforms. Differences are highlighted.
| Field | Digital Surge | Kraken |
|---|---|---|
| account structure | ||
| CHESS sponsorship model | custodian | — |
| Individual account | Yes | Yes |
| Joint account | Yes | No |
| Company account | Yes | Yes |
| Trust account | Yes | Yes |
| SMSF account | Yes | Yes |
| Kids / minor account | — | No |
| asset coverage | ||
| ASX shares supported | No | — |
| ASX ETFs supported | No | — |
| US shares supported | No | — |
| US ETFs supported | No | — |
| Fractional shares (ASX) | No | — |
| Fractional shares (US) | No | — |
| Options trading | No | — |
| CFDs supported | No | — |
| Crypto trading | Yes | Yes |
| Managed funds | No | — |
| Bonds supported | No | — |
| IPO access | No | No |
| costs hidden | ||
| Market data fees | — | $0/month |
| Conditional order fees | $0 | $0 |
| costs visible | ||
| Monthly platform fee | — | $0/month |
| Annual platform fee | — | $0/year |
| Inactivity fee | — | $0 |
| Withdrawal fee (AUD) | $0 | $0 |
| identity and trust | ||
| Legal entity name | Digital Surge Pty Ltd | Bit Trade Pty Ltd (trading as Kraken) |
| AFSL number | — | 545,124 |
| AUSTRAC registration | Yes | Yes |
| Year founded | 2,017 | 2,011 |
| Parent / ownership | Digital Surge Pty Ltd (privately held, Australian-owned; co-founded by Dan Rutter (CEO) and Josh Lehman). Following the 2022 FTX exposure event, an associated company 'Digico' provided a A$1.25M loan as part of the Deed of Company Arrangement that allowed the business to resume operations. | Payward, Inc. (Bit Trade Pty Ltd acquired by Kraken in 2020) |
| Country of incorporation | AU | AU |
| Public company status | private | private |
| money movement | ||
| Minimum initial deposit | — | $5 |
| Minimum subsequent purchase | — | $5 |
| Deposit methods | PayID, Bank Transfer, OSKO | PayID, Osko bank transfer, Debit card (mobile app), Credit card (mobile app), Apple Pay, Google Pay |
| Withdrawal time | 1 business day (typically same-day for PayID; up to 1-2 business days for standard bank transfer) | AUD withdrawals via Osko bank transfer typically same business day (PayID withdrawals not yet supported) |
| platform ux | ||
| iOS app | Yes | Yes |
| Android app | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop platform | No | Yes |
| Demo account | No | No |
| Free real-time market data | Yes | Yes |
| Free research reports | No | No |
| 2FA support | authenticator app | authenticator |
| Customer support channels | live chat, email | 24/7 live chat, email, support portal, phone (24/7) |
| Support hours (AU time) | Live chat available 365 days a year (Australian-based support team); specific hours not published | 24/7 (live chat and phone) |
| Education content | basic articles | video + courses |
| tax and reporting | ||
| Australian tax statement | Yes | Yes |
| CGT calculator / report | Yes | No |
| Sharesight / Navexa integration | Yes | Yes |
| trading mechanics | ||
| Market orders | Yes | Yes |
| Limit orders | Yes | Yes |
| Stop loss orders | Yes | Yes |
| Conditional orders | Yes | Yes |
| Auto-invest / DCA | Yes | Yes |
| Auto-invest sophistication | multiple | single asset |
| After-hours / overnight trading | Yes | Yes |