Best Crypto Derivatives Exchange

Kraken is considered one of the best crypto derivatives exchanges, offering a secure and regulated environment for those looking to engage in futures trading. It provides access to USD linear perpetual futures on major cryptos, such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other altcoins (supporting over 350 markets), with leverage of up to 50x.

While this leverage is lower than some competitors, it offers a balanced approach to risk management, making Kraken a solid choice for retail and institutional traders. On top of that, it offers FX perpetual futures with up to 50x as well.

One of its key strengths is its regulatory compliance, setting it apart from offshore exchanges that operate with minimal oversight. That said, its futures trading might not be accessible to everyone in the same way. Traders from certain countries may have access to fewer contracts and features, or none at all.

For example, for users in the EU, Kraken offers over 100 perpetual futures contracts with up to 10x leverage (as opposed to 350+ with up to 50x leverage for traders from the US). Also, they have no access to the FX perpetual futures.

No matter which country you're from, though, the platform ensures deep liquidity, allowing traders to execute large orders with minimal slippage. Also, its average trade execution time is 0.000045 seconds.

Additionally, Kraken offers robust risk management tools, including customizable margin levels (isolated margin) and liquidation protections, helping users manage their exposure effectively.

📚 Read More: A Beginner-Friendly Guide to Kraken Futures

Overall, the CEX is designed to accommodate both beginners and experienced traders, offering advanced charting tools, multiple order types (a total of 14), and seamless API integration for automated trading.

Plus, its fees are lower than what some others offer, starting at 0.02% for makers and 0.05% for takers. They can be lowered even more by increasing your 30-day trading volume, with the lowest fees being 0.01% for takers and -0.005% for makers (otherwise known as a rebate).

This makes Kraken a top crypto derivatives platform, further complemented by its strong security, deep liquidity, and commitment to regulatory compliance.

Coinbase has built a strong reputation as one of the most trusted names in crypto, and its derivatives platform keeps that same energy. It’s fully regulated by the CFTC, which already sets it apart in an industry where trust and compliance are deal breakers.

What makes Coinbase derivatives especially appealing is their approachability. You don’t need to jump through hoops to get started or figure out complex dashboards. The experience is streamlined, and it blends seamlessly with the spot trading side of things, so you can manage everything in one place.

Coinbase offers both standard futures contracts and nano-sized futures, which are smaller, more accessible versions of major crypto futures like Bitcoin and Ethereum. These are USD-margined and cash-settled, meaning you don’t need to hold the actual crypto to trade them.

The platform supports up to 5x leverage, which strikes a nice balance between flexibility and responsible risk management. While it’s more conservative compared to most other exchanges, it aligns with Coinbase’s regulatory-first approach and makes sense for users who prioritize security and stability.

Coinbase derivatives are a great fit for anyone who wants the reliability of a regulated platform with the freedom and tools to trade actively. Whether you're managing large positions or just testing out strategies with smaller trades, it’s a platform that delivers performance without overwhelming you.

BYDFi, formerly known as BitYard, is a Singapore-based cryptocurrency exchange that offers a full suite of derivatives trading features tailored for both novice and experienced traders. The platform provides access to over 600 digital assets, enabling you to engage in spot trading and more.

However, our focus now lies on its derivatives trading, which includes perpetual contracts with leverage options of up to 200x, allowing traders to maximize their exposure to market movements.

The platform supports both USDT-margined and coin-margined contracts, offering flexibility in trading strategies. I particularly like the latter as it offers settlements not only in common options like BTC but also in DOT. These assets are pegged right away with USD, easing the process for crypto-to-fiat conversions.

What if you're new to all of this but eager to learn the depths of what are crypto derivatives? BYDFi has a demo trading account to get you off the ground. The UI looks the same as the actual futures trading terminal, but with step-by-step guides designed for newcomers. Not only can you learn how to simply place an order, but also how to short or long your crypto.

Additionally, its user-friendly interface is equipped with advanced trading tools. Integration with TradingView provides comprehensive charting capabilities, enabling you to perform in-depth technical analysis. Additionally, the CEX is accessible via desktop and mobile applications, ensuring a seamless trading experience across devices.

Fee-wise, BYDFi charges a 0.02% maker and 0.06% taker fees for futures trading, which is the usual industry standard.

Overall, BYDFi is a competitive crypto derivatives exchange with strong features, but traders should verify its regulatory status in their region before trading.

HTX, formerly known as Huobi, is a crypto trading exchange that offers up to 200x leverage for certain contracts.

A variety of derivative products are available here, including:

• USDT-M Futures. As the name implies, it offers contracts in the said stablecoin with four expiration types: weekly, bi-weekly, quarterly, and bi-quarterly.
• Coin-M Futures. If you're looking for contracts settled in more general digital assets, like ADA or LTC, this one is for you.
• Futures Grid. Automatically trade using a bot. While you need to set your ideal parameters initially, the system handles the rest seamlessly on autopilot.
• Options. Control how you grow your assets by selecting between American and European Spread options tailored to fit your unique strategy.

Moreover, the platform's interface is user-friendly, featuring advanced charting tools powered by TradingView, which support in-depth technical analysis. Additionally, it provides leveraged tokens, referred to as Exchange Traded Products (ETPs), allowing you to take leveraged positions without the complexities of margin trading.

HTX futures fees are competitive, starting with a 0.02% maker fee and 0.06% taker fee for USDT-marginated contracts and 0.02% maker/0.05% taker fee for coin-marginated contracts. Plus, you can lower them by increasing your trading volume and using HTX or TRX to cover fees.

In summary, HTX's derivatives trading platform offers a wide range of products and tools suitable for various trading strategies.

OKX is a well-established and feature-rich crypto derivatives platform for traders of all experience levels.

It supports a leverage of up to 100x on select assets like EOS. Overall, it offers futures, options, and even pre-market futures, which is a quite unique concept not many others provide. It allows you to trade new crypto assets before they are launched with 2x leverage.

When it comes to futures on OKX, you can choose between USDC-, USDT-, or coin-margined contracts, allowing for greater flexibility in managing collateral and trading preferences.

Its user interface is designed for efficiency, featuring line tools to identify trends and chart patterns accurately. Additionally, it offers multiple types of trading bots that help you navigate bullish or bearish markets seamlessly.

📚 Read More: A Guide to Crypto Chart Patterns

Furthermore, you can refine your trade execution with various order types, from basic options like limit and market orders to more advanced strategies. For instance, an Iceberg order allows you to discreetly trade large volumes, while a trailing stop helps you automatically adjust your position as the market moves.

As for trading fees, it charges a 0.02% maker and 0.05% taker fee on USDT- or coin-marginated contracts, while USDC-marginated contract makers have to pay a 0.018% fee. As your 30-day trading volume increases or your asset balance grows, you can achieve VIP levels that offer reduced fees.

At the highest tiers, maker fees can be as low as -0.005%, effectively giving you a rebate, and taker fees can drop to 0.015%.

Margex is a cryptocurrency trading platform established in 2019, offering derivatives trading with a leverage of up to 100x on perpetual futures contracts. The platform supports over 40+ crypto pairs, including those pegged to GALA and JASMY.

The UI is designed for ease of use, featuring comprehensive tools to streamline your decision-making and a straightforward registration process that doesn't require KYC verification. This allows you to quickly access the platform and begin trading.

Margex also emphasizes security by implementing cold storage for user funds and 2FA, among other measures.

Fee-wise, the exchange charges a 0.019% maker fee and a 0.060% taker fee for all futures trades. The maker fee applies when adding liquidity to the order book with limit orders, while the taker fee is charged when removing liquidity through market orders. These are fixed rates, with no tiered discounts.

A funding fee may also apply every 8 hours, depending on market conditions.

Summing things up, Margex provides a comprehensive derivatives trading experience with high leverage, user-friendly tools, and additional features like copy trading and staking.

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.

Gemini is a prominent cryptocurrency exchange established in 2014 by Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss with its headquarters in New York. It caters to both novice and experienced traders, offering a secure and user-friendly platform for buying, selling, and storing digital assets.

Currently, Gemini supports around 70 cryptocurrencies, including major assets like Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and some meme coins like Shiba Inu (SHIB) and Pepe (PEPE). While this list is relatively limited to other big names in the market, it still allows users to diversify their portfolios and explore other investment opportunities.

The platform is known for its user-friendly interface, making it easy for newcomers to buy, sell, and manage cryptocurrencies. For more experienced users, Gemini provides ActiveTrader, a platform with advanced charting tools, multiple order types, and faster order execution.

Another notable feature is Gemini Earn, which allows users to earn interest on their cryptocurrency holdings. Security is also a cornerstone of Gemini's operations. The exchange implements robust measures to protect user assets and data, including:

• Cold Storage: The majority of user funds are stored in offline, air-gapped cold storage systems, safeguarding them from online threats.
• Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Users are required to enable 2FA, adding an extra layer of security to account access.
• SOC Certifications: Gemini has achieved SOC 1 Type 2 and SOC 2 Type 2 certifications, demonstrating its commitment to industry-leading security standards.
• Insurance Coverage: Digital assets held in Gemini's hot wallet are insured against security breaches and fraudulent transfers.

All in all, Gemini stands out as a reliable and secure cryptocurrency exchange, offering a comprehensive suite of features tailored to meet the needs of a diverse user base.

CEX.IO, founded in 2013, has evolved from a Bitcoin cloud mining service into a comprehensive cryptocurrency exchange, serving over 15 million users globally. As of 2025, the platform supports more than 220 cryptocurrencies, including major assets like Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and a diverse range of altcoins, enabling users to diversify their digital portfolios.

The platform offers a user-friendly interface suitable for both beginners and experienced traders. Users can fund their accounts through various methods, including credit/debit cards, bank transfers, and cryptocurrency deposits, providing flexibility in managing funds.

For advanced traders, CEX.IO provides features such as margin trading, stop-loss orders, and limit orders, catering to sophisticated trading strategies. Additionally, the platform offers staking services, allowing users to earn rewards by staking supported cryptocurrencies directly on the platform.

CEX.IO employs robust security measures to protect user assets and data, including the use of cold storage solutions to safeguard the majority of user funds offline, minimizing exposure to potential online threats.

Two-factor authentication (2FA) is implemented to enhance account security, requiring users to provide an additional verification step during login. Furthermore, CEX.IO maintains compliance with regulatory standards, ensuring a secure and transparent environment for cryptocurrency trading.

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.