Best Altcoin Exchange

Kraken provides traders with ease of use and takes a very beginner-friendly approach. It has a really basic platform, making it perfect for first-time buyers. Not only that, if you are a seasoned trader, Kraken Pro offers even more trading options besides spot trading, such as margin, futures, and even OTC trading.

Kraken offers a solid selection of altcoins, including options like Stellar Lumens (XLM), Ripple (XRP), ZCash (ZEC), and many more. It even features its own NFT marketplace, giving users a way to explore digital collectibles directly on the platform.

While Kraken used to be limited in payment methods, it’s not anymore. Apart from debit and credit cards, it offers Apple Pay and Google Pay in many regions. Users in the US, Canada, Japan, and most of the European Union can also take advantage of traditional bank transfers. These expanded options make Kraken far more accessible, especially for those looking to convert fiat to crypto quickly and easily.

Of course, to be able to use all these features of Kraken, you need to verify your account before getting started. If you are only depositing cryptocurrency and planning to trade less than $100,000 per month, then you just need to provide basic information such as a valid ID and proof of address. However, if you want to exceed this amount, you need to provide additional details like proof of funds.

When it comes to trading fees, it depends on how much you trade over a 30-day period. Kraken uses a maker-taker fee model, with rates starting at 0.25% for makers and 0.40% for takers, but the more you trade, the lower your fees get. You can check each fee tier from your Kraken account.

📚 Read More: Kraken Fees Explained

Although there is no phone support available, you can request help through their live chat support, which is available 24/7. However, there do seem to be a few bad reviews about the quality of their customer service.

Table: Advantages and disadvantages of Kraken

All things considered, Kraken is definitely one of the best altcoin exchanges within the crypto industry.

If you have been involved in the world of cryptocurrency for a long time, then there is a good chance you've heard of Coinbase. Launched in 2012 and based in San Francisco, it’s one of the most recognizable names in the crypto world.

The platform is really easy to use, which makes it perfect for beginners. Not only this, but they have excellent customer service, which includes phone support!

If you're a more advanced trader, you can still benefit from Coinbase Advanced at no extra cost, unlocking features like margin trading, real-time charts, and deeper order controls – all without leaving the Coinbase environment.

You can even store your crypto right within the ecosystem using Coinbase’s non-custodial wallet, giving you full control over your assets while staying connected to the platform.

📚 Further Reading: Coinbase Wallet Review

One of the main reasons that people love Coinbase is that it allows you to deposit using a debit/credit card or a bank account. Keep in mind that before you get started with fiat money, you will need to verify your identity. It's a straightforward process, as all you need to do is provide a few personal details and then upload a government-issued ID, such as your passport.

Coinbase started out primarily focused on Bitcoin and a few altcoins and had one of the largest trading volumes for Bitcoin.

Today, it supports a wide variety of cryptocurrencies, over 290, including popular choices like ETH, LTC, BCH. While it's not as altcoin-heavy as some other platforms, it still gives users access to many of the most well-known and widely traded assets.

The security measures of Coinbase are also very good. It holds 98% of customer funds in cold storage, and you also have the option of setting up two-factor authentication.

While the globality of Coinbase was limited some time ago, now it has expanded its services to over 100 countries, including Australia, Canada, Singapore, the US, and most EU countries.

When it comes to fees, Coinbase offers decent rates, though not the lowest on the market. Trading fees start at 0.60% for takers and 0.40% for makers, slightly above the industry average. Deposits are generally reasonable, and in some cases completely free, depending on the payment method. Yet, using a debit or credit card can be costly, typically close to 4%, but it's fairly standard for instant card payments.

Table: Advantages and disadvantages of Coinbase

Even though it can be a bit more costly to use Coinbase compared to others like Binance, it's still a reliable platform with its global availability and variety of products.

CEX.IO was launched in 2013 and is based in the UK. During its first two years of trading, it was both an exchange and a mining pool. However, since 2015, it has been 100% focused on its trading platform. Let's explore if CEX.IO has the potential to be called the best altcoin exchange.

There is a decent number of different altcoins you can buy on CEX.IO, as it supports over 200 cryptocurrencies, and new ones are being added all the time. While it doesn't have the thousands of trading pairs you’d find on platforms like Bybit, the exchange offers a clean and stable experience for those looking to trade top altcoins without diving into overly complex interfaces.

When trading on CEX.IO's spot market, you can choose the Time in Force Policy (the lifetime of the order you want to place). By default, the CEX.IO trading system uses the Good Till Cancel (GTC) model, which leaves the order open until you fill or cancel it.

However, it can also process orders in a Good Till Date (GTD) or Immediate Or Cancel (IOC) model, though you must choose those explicitly. IOC, for example, processes orders similarly to a “fill or kill” trade. If you are only trading low amounts, this shouldn’t be a problem, as there will always be enough liquidity to fill your order.

One of the best features of using CEX.IO is that you can deposit and withdraw funds using a variety of different methods, including bank transfers, which is one of the most convenient ways possible. If you are based in the EU, then you can use SEPA, but you must use an international wire transfer if you're based elsewhere.

To deposit fiat, you will need to complete a verification process, just like on any other reputable centralized exchange. This includes uploading your ID, sending them an image of you, and some other personal information like your residential address. It usually takes CEX.IO a few minutes to verify your ID.

Depositing with a debit/credit card (including Apple Pay and Google Pay) will typically cost you from 0.49% to 4.99%, plus an additional service charge. Bank transfers tend to have flat fees, usually around $2.99 for both deposits and withdrawals.

Trading fees vary according to your levels, starting from 0.15% for makers and 0.25% for takers, which is not the best option, but still not really above the current market prices.

As a UK-based company, CEX.IO prioritizes security, and the majority of funds are held in cold storage, which makes it one of the more secure platforms featured in this best altcoin exchange review.

Table: Advantages and disadvantages of CEX.IO

In my opinion, CEX.IO is a considerable platform, especially for beginners. The interface is quite intuitive, and since it also features a wallet, you don't necessarily need to leave the platform to keep your funds. However, if you are planning to trade high amounts, I would highly recommend getting a cold wallet like Ledger Flex for more security.

Coinmama is located in Israel and is well-known for serving 190 different countries around the world. These include countries from Europe, Asia, and other parts of the world, with only a small list of restricted countries being present. By that extent, Coinmama also works in most US states, as well.

You can swap over 500 cryptocurrencies, trade over 80, and buy over 100 assets with fiat on Coinmama.

The exchange in question is considered to be reliable, secure, and well-established. Users can expect all of the common payment gateways to be present within the platform - you can purchase Bitcoin and altcoins via a credit or debit card, or bank transfers, as well. The entire process is very newbie-friendly, so if you've never bought crypto before, you needn't worry - there shouldn't be any hurdles along the way!

Coinmama is also often praised for having a really friendly and helpful support team. While there's no direct live support via phone, you may submit an inquiry ticket, and you should receive an answer in 24 hours.

That said, email support is for the days when Coinmama's support isn't working (Friday and Saturday) – any other day, from 9 AM till 6 PM (GMT+3), you can talk with an agent via built-in live chat on their official website.

Table: Advantages and disadvantages of Coinmama

All in all, while Coinmama doesn't have all that many supported crypto assets, it will still offer users many of the main altcoins on the market. Definitely an exchange worth looking into!

Gemini was created in 2015 by Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss. The twins are famous for suing Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg for $65 million, as they say that he stole their idea!

Gemini is based in New York, and it holds something called a “BitLicense”.  This means that it is regulated in the same way as the banking industry, meaning that it takes security very seriously.

As Gemini is also used by institutional investors, there are always high trading volumes, meaning that you will have no issues finding liquidity. Gemini also has good relationships with regulators, so they allow you to deposit and withdraw using a bank account.

Before you're able to fund your account, you will need to complete a verification process. This will include entering your personal details and uploading a government-issued ID (such as a passport). Depending on how busy the verification department is, it could take a few days before your account is verified.

While deposits with bank transfers are free, card payments cost 3.49%. Trading fees start at 0.2%; however, when you start trading with larger amounts, these fees are reduced.

When it comes to withdrawals, there were some limitations before. You were allowed to make up to 30 bank account withdrawals and 10 Bitcoin or Ethereum withdraws for free each month. However, that's no longer the case. Gemini now charges dynamic withdrawal fees, meaning you only pay the actual network fee—Gemini doesn't add any extra charges on top.

The main downside of Gemini is that, due to its strict regulatory compliance, it only supports 70+ cryptocurrencies, which limits your overall strategies and narrows your portfolio. Don't get me wrong, you can still buy Ethereum and other top altcoins; however, keep in mind that you won't be able to find a lot of niche altcoins on this platform like you would on MEXC, for example.

In terms of the platform itself, although there are tools available for advanced users, the exchange is really simple to use, making it a good option for first-time buyers.

Table: Advantages and disadvantages of Gemini

Most users appear to be generally satisfied with the platform, which is an important consideration when seeking the best altcoin exchange.

Crypto.com is a prominent player in the cryptocurrency world, offering a comprehensive suite of financial services centered around digital assets. Founded in 2016, the platform has grown rapidly, boasting a user base of over 100 million by mid-2024.

Crypto.com provides a user-friendly app for buying, selling, and trading around 400 cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and many altcoins. Beyond its exchange services, Crypto.com offers a non-custodial DeFi wallet, an NFT marketplace, and even a direct payment service for cryptocurrency transactions.

One of Crypto.com's most recognizable features is its Visa card, which allows users to earn cashback in CRO, the platform's native token, on their everyday spending. The card comes in various tiers, each offering different levels of rewards and perks, such as rebates on streaming subscriptions and airport lounge access.

Crypto.com also takes security seriously. It holds all customer assets deposited on our platform in institutional-grade reserve accounts on a 1:1 basis. Users’ accounts are protected by the latest security advancements, including Passkeys, HSMs, and FIDO2, as well as MFA methods like passwords, biometrics, and authenticator codes.

It also runs an active bug bounty program on Hacker One, where people can disclose security vulnerabilities on the platform and get rewards.

BYDFi is a cryptocurrency exchange platform that aims to provide a user-friendly experience for both novice and experienced traders. While relatively newer compared to some established giants, BYDFi has focused on offering a diverse range of trading options. Some of BYDFi’s key features include:

• Spot Trading: Buy and sell cryptocurrencies at current market prices.
• Derivatives Trading: Trade cryptocurrency futures and options contracts.
• Copy Trading: Automatically replicate the trades of experienced traders.
• Mobile App: Trade on iOS and Android devices.
• Educational Resources: Guides and tutorials for learning about crypto trading.
• Trading Bots: Use automated tools to trade cryptocurrencies like a pro.

The platform supports more than 400 cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Litecoin (LTC). BYDFi also aims to provide competitive trading fees by offering a flat maker/taker rate of 0.1% on its spot trading platform.

When it comes to security, BYDFi implements essential measures to ensure users' data and funds safety. It uses Amazon Web Services, multi-factor authentication and hardware verification, as well as SHA512 with 512-bit encryption to protect the system. Users can also use two-factor authentication (2FA) using Google Authenticator and SMS to protect their accounts.

Robinhood is a popular commission-free investment platform that gained widespread recognition for democratizing access to financial markets. Initially known for its user-friendly mobile app and commission-free stock trading, Robinhood has expanded its offerings to include options trading, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and cryptocurrencies.

The platform's intuitive interface and simplified trading experience have attracted a younger generation of investors, making it easier for them to start investing with smaller amounts of capital. Robinhood's appeal lies in its ease of use, particularly for beginners who might find traditional brokerage platforms intimidating.

While Robinhood offers access to a growing number of cryptocurrencies, its selection is generally smaller compared to dedicated crypto exchanges at around 40 assets.

Despite that, Robinhood takes security seriously. It holds the majority of users' coins in cold storage, entirely disconnected from the internet. Robinhood also carries crime insurance that protects a portion of the assets held across its storage systems against losses from theft, including cybersecurity breaches.

The platform also provides multi-factor authentication on all accounts, so users can protect their assets even further. Last but not least, Robinhood maintains strong US regulatory compliance, holding licenses from the New York State Department of Financial Services and FinCEN.