Kraken’s Institutional platform covers four distinct services, each purpose-built for a specific use case. Access to all Institutional APIs requires onboarding through your Kraken Account Manager.Documentation Index
Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://kraken-sandbox.mintlify.app/llms.txt
Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
Services overview
| Service | What it does | Protocol |
|---|---|---|
| OTC | Execute large block trades off the order book with minimal market impact | REST |
| Custody | Secure digital asset storage with segregated accounts, deposits, and withdrawals | REST |
| Prime FIX | Low-latency institutional order management via FIX 4.4 | FIX 4.4 |
| Prime WebSocket | Real-time market data, order updates, and account event streaming | WebSocket |
What can I build?
Block trading desk
Use the OTC REST API to request quotes and execute large trades at negotiated prices, avoiding slippage on the public order book. Suitable for single-asset and cross-asset block trades.
Institutional custody
Use the Custody REST API to manage segregated wallets, automate deposit monitoring, initiate withdrawals, and reconcile client balances programmatically.
Prime order management
Use Prime FIX for deterministic, low-latency order routing with cancel-on-disconnect, session-based message replay, and co-location at Equinix London. Designed for systematic and HFT workflows.
Real-time prime data
Use Prime WebSocket to stream live order book data, fills, open positions, and account balances into your own execution or risk systems.
Choosing your protocol
| Need | Use |
|---|---|
| Large off-book trade at a specific price | OTC REST |
| Programmatic custody and asset movement | Custody REST |
| Low-latency order management with replay | Prime FIX |
| Real-time fills and position data | Prime WebSocket |
| Combined order entry + data streaming | Prime FIX + Prime WebSocket |
Getting started
All Institutional API access requires onboarding. Contact your Account Manager or reach out at institutional@kraken.com to:- Request API credentials for the services you need
- Arrange co-location if using Prime FIX
- Complete any required NDA or compliance documentation
Custody REST authentication
How to authenticate requests to the Custody REST API
Prime WebSocket authentication
How to authenticate and subscribe to Prime WebSocket channels