ACATS Transfers – Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated: 30 sty 2026

ACATS transfers allow you to move eligible stocks and ETFs from another brokerage into your Kraken account. While most transfers complete successfully, some requests may be rejected due to unsupported assets,mismatched information, and most commonly an incorrect account number.

This article outlines the most common reasons ACATS transfers are rejected—and what you can do to avoid delays.

What is an ACATS transfer?

An ACATS (Automated Customer Account Transfer Service) transfer moves eligible stocks and ETFs from another brokerage into your Kraken account.

Kraken currently supports transfers of full shares of U.S. stocks and ETFs from taxable brokerage accounts.

Account types we support

What accounts can I transfer to Kraken?

Kraken supports transferring in individual cash and margin accounts held at most U.S.Brokers.

What is the difference between a full and partial ACATS transfer?

Full ACATS transfer
A full ACATS transfer moves all eligible assets from your sending brokerage account to Kraken. In most cases, the sending firm will close the account once the transfer is complete.

Partial ACATS transfer
A partial ACATS transfer moves only the specific eligible stocks or ETFs you select, while the rest of the account remains at the sending firm.

Why this matters:
A partial transfer can be useful if:

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Your account contains unsupported assets you want to keep at the sending firm.
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You want to exclude fractional shares, options, or margin-related positions.
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You prefer to move assets gradually instead of transferring the entire account.

Before submitting either type of transfer, confirm with your sending brokerage how they handle full vs. partial ACATS requests.

Transfer setup & submission issues

What if I enter the wrong account number?

Your account number at the sending firm must be entered exactly.

A single incorrect digit will cause the transfer to be rejected. Dashes and other non-alphanumeric characters should be excluded.

What to do:
Double-check your account number at the sending firm before submitting.

Transferrable account types

Can I transfer a retirement (IRA), trust, or custodial account?

No. Kraken currently does not support ACATS transfers for:

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Retirement accounts (including IRAs, Roth IRAs, SEP IRAs, and other tax-advantaged accounts)
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Trust accounts
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Custodial accounts

Transfers from these account types will be rejected during ACATS processing.

Can I transfer a margin account?

Kraken does not currently support margin balances or borrowed securities.

However, an account that is enabled for margin may still be eligible for an ACATS transfer if:

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The margin balance is $0, and
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All securities being transferred are fully paid, or
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You submit a partial ACATS transfer that includes only fully paid stocks or ETFs.

If a margin debit or borrowed positions are included in the transfer request, the sending firm may reject the transfer.

What to do:
Before initiating an ACATS transfer, confirm with your sending brokerage that:

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Your margin balance is fully paid off, or
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You are submitting a partial transfer that excludes any margin-related positions.

Can I transfer a joint account?

Yes. Joint accounts can be transferred as long as all account holders authorize the transfer.

If the required signatures or authorizations from both parties are missing, the sending firm may reject the transfer as unauthorized.

Do business or corporate accounts transfer?
Currently business or corporate accounts are not supported for stocks and ETFs, and are not eligible for transfer.

Transferrable assets

What assets am I allowed to transfer?

Kraken supports ACATS transfers of full shares of U.S.-listed stocks and ETFs only.

Assets that are not supported by Kraken include:

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Mutual funds
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Bonds or other fixed-income securities
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Options or derivatives
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Foreign (non US) equities
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Structured products or private placements

How unsupported assets are handled depends on the sending brokerage’s policies:

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Some brokers may reject the transfer entirely.
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Some may liquidate unsupported assets and transfer the proceeds as cash.
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Some may ask you whether you want to retain unsupported assets at the sending firm.

Kraken does not control how unsupported assets are treated during an ACATS transfer.

What to do:
Before initiating a transfer, confirm with your sending brokerage how they handle unsupported securities. To avoid delays or rejections, consider selling or excluding unsupported assets before submitting your ACATS request.

Can I transfer fractional shares?

No. ACATS transfers to Kraken currently require full shares only.

Fractional shares cannot be transferred directly. How fractional positions are handled depends on the sending brokerage’s policies:

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Some brokers may liquidate fractional shares and transfer the proceeds as cash.
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Some may leave fractional shares at the sending firm.
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Some may reject the transfer if fractional shares are included.

What to do:
If you are submitting a full ACATS transfer and your account includes fractional shares, confirm with your sending brokerage how they handle fractional positions to avoid delays or rejections.

No. ACATS transfers to Kraken require full shares only.

Can I transfer options or derivatives?

No. Open options/derivatives positions are not supported.

Required account details for successful transfers

Why was my transfer rejected for a name mismatch?

All identifying details – including legal name – must match exactly between the sending firm and your Kraken account. Even small variations (e.g., missing middle initial or suffix) can cause rejection.

Does address or tax ID need to match?

Yes. ACATS validation includes checking your address and SSN/TIN. Mismatches here can cause failure.

What if I entered the wrong account number?

An incorrect account number will lead to immediate rejection. Double-check account numbers before submission.

Transfer issues that may cause rejection

Why did a restricted account get rejected?

Accounts with holds, freezes, compliance restrictions, or other limitations at the sending firm cannot be transferred via ACATS.

Can unsettled trades block my transfer?

Yes. Trades must be fully settled at the sending firm before an ACATS request can be processed.

Can I have multiple transfers active at once?

No. Only one ACATS transfer can be active per account at a time. Multiple overlapping transfer requests may be rejected.

Will partial transfers always work?

Kraken supports partial transfers, but some sending firms do not. If the sending firm restricts partial transfers, the transfer may be rejected.

Can missing or improper authorization cause a rejection?

Yes. ACATS transfers require proper authorization. If required signatures or supporting documents are missing or incomplete, the sending firm may reject the transfer. In some cases, additional documentation—such as trust documents, or proof of a legal name change due to marriage or death—may be required.

What to do:
Confirm with your sending brokerage whether any additional authorization or documentation is required before submitting your transfer.

What happens if my transfer is rejected?

A rejected transfer can be corrected and resubmitted once the issue is resolved.

Rejections do not prevent future attempts.

Timing & what to expect

How long does an ACATS transfer take?

Most ACATS transfers complete within 5–10 business days. Depending on the sending firm, assets may be delivered to your Kraken Equities account in multiple partial transfers, especially if issues need to be resolved during the process.

Cost basis information may take longer to transfer.
In some cases, cost basis details are delivered after the shares arrive and may appear in multiple transactions over time. This timing is determined by the sending firm and does not affect your ability to hold or trade the transferred shares once they are available.

How can I avoid ACATS transfer issues?

Before you start a transfer: