What is specific to Kraken
Kraken has always been stricter than its peers on jurisdictional restrictions and looks deeper into source of funds: requests more often include tax documents and statements rather than screenshots alone. The upside is a more transparent procedure — the notice usually names the exact list of documents required.
What to do
- Read the request in full: Kraken lists the documents explicitly. Gather exactly what is named, following our guide to the source of funds file.
- Reply in a single package within the same ticket, with a chronology of where the funds came from.
- The typical review takes 2–6 weeks; send a reminder every 5–7 business days.
- Escalate through the official complaints procedure, then to the regulator in your region.
If you are locked out of the account entirely, the access recovery procedure mirrors the one described for Coinbase: the official form, identity confirmation, and no parallel enquiries.
Frequently asked questions
Why has Kraken asked for source of funds documents?
An AML monitoring trigger: a large deposit, renewed activity after a dormant period, or turnover that does not match your profile. This is a standard check, not an accusation.
How long does Kraken take to review documents?
Typically 2–6 weeks, depending on how complete the file is. An incomplete answer restarts the cycle.
Account freeze diagnostic — 5 questions
Identify your scenario: compliance review, offboarding or an external freeze. A week-by-week action plan and a complexity estimate — in two minutes.