Crypto Exchange comparison
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.
Choose
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
- ›You want zero withdrawal fees on AUD and free conditional orders
Choose
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
- ›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 |
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 |