Kraken: Buy Stocks & Crypto represents Payward, Inc.'s mobile extension of their established cryptocurrency exchange platform, now expanded to include traditional stock trading. The application positions itself as a comprehensive investment solution, leveraging the company's industry experience dating back to 2011 when it emerged as an early Bitcoin exchange. This dual-market approach distinguishes Kraken from many competitors that typically specialize in either cryptocurrency or traditional securities. The application's core functionality encompasses real-time market data, order placement for both cryptocurrency and equity instruments, portfolio tracking, and fund management. Users can execute market and limit orders across multiple asset classes while accessing educational resources for market newcomers. Security features include two-factor authentication, encryption protocols, and cold storage for digital assets. The platform supports automated recurring purchases for dollar-cost averaging strategies, particularly useful for cryptocurrency accumulation. User experience varies significantly according to recent feedback. The interface employs a tab-based navigation system with separate sections for cryptocurrencies, stocks, and portfolio overview. While some users report intuitive navigation and clear information architecture, performance issues have emerged following recent updates. Real-world usage patterns indicate that mobile users primarily utilize the app for monitoring positions and executing urgent trades while preferring desktop platforms for complex analysis. Recent user feedback reveals concerning performance trends alongside positive functionality assessments. Multiple reviews from June 2025, including from long-term user Paul Nam, report severe performance degradation making the application 'unusable' for trading despite previous satisfaction. Conversely, 64bitAtheist praises the automated purchase features and banking integration, while Renecia Mccullem notes limitations in extended-hours stock trading availability. These contradictory experiences suggest significant variability in performance across devices or regions. The application's strengths include its unified approach to diverse asset classes and robust security heritage, though current performance issues substantially undermine reliability. Ideal for investors seeking consolidated management of crypto and traditional investments, provided they have desktop access as backup. The platform best serves users who prioritize security and asset diversity over advanced trading features or guaranteed mobile performance during high-volatility periods.