Can crypto trading really pay?
There is no pay in trading, only gains or losses after fees. Kraken’s entry-level taker fee is 0.80% of each trade, and that adds up fast if you trade often.
Buying and selling crypto can make or lose money, and prices move fast. Fees apply every time you trade, and in the US a sale can be a taxable event. This page recommends no coin and no exchange.
What do you need for crypto trading?
- Money you can afford to losePrices can fall quickly.
- An exchangeCompare fees and where it is allowed.
- RecordsTax needs every trade.
What it costs
| Item | Figure | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Kraken taker fee | 0.80% | Spot trading, lowest tier, per its fee page |
| Kraken maker fee | 0.40% | The same tier, for orders that wait on the book |
| Instant Buy | 1%, plus a spread | Kraken’s page says instant trades cost more |
| Round trip | About 1.60% | Buying and selling once as a taker, our sum |
| Tax | Gain or loss per sale | The IRS treats crypto as property |
At 0.80% a side, $1,000 traded in and out ten times costs about $160 in fees. That is our sum.
What it adds up to
| Round trips of $1,000 | Fees at 0.80% a side |
|---|---|
| 1 round trip | $16 |
| 10 round trips | $160 |
| 50 round trips | $800 |
Before any gain or loss, which no one can promise. Our sums on Kraken’s numbers above: an example, not a promise.
When does crypto trading pay you?
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Pay | None. Only your own gains or losses |
| First money | Not predictable |
What is the catch with crypto trading?
- The FTC says only scammers guarantee profits or big returns.
- A stranger who offers to trade for you is a warning sign.
- In the US, the IRS treats virtual currency as property, so each sale can have tax.
How to start with crypto trading
- Start smallLearn with what you can lose.
- Add up feesTrade less, not more.
- Keep recordsYou will need every trade for tax.
- Ignore signal groupsNobody can promise you returns.
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Sources
- Kraken: fee schedule, checked 5 Nov 2026
- IRS: virtual currency questions, checked 5 Nov 2026
- FTC: what to know about cryptocurrency scams, checked 5 Nov 2026