Best Cryptocurrency Exchange

Standard Fees: Spot trading - 0.25% for makers, 0.4% for takers; futures trading - 0.02% for makers, 0.05% for takers

Supported Crypto: Over 200

Looking for the best crypto exchange, or simply the best place to buy cryptocurrency, sooner or later, you’re going to come across Kraken.

Admittedly, this might be one of the better options as far as the “best” part is concerned.

What makes Kraken so special? Well, for starters, the exchange in question offers users more than 200 different cryptocurrencies to pick from, in regards to trading, buying and selling. While this is far from the 5000+ different crypto assets that exist today, let’s face it - most people are going to be interested in 3-7 cryptocurrencies, tops.

With a selection of over 200 crypto coins and tokens, Kraken does truly offer a good variety of choices! To add to that, you can purchase cryptos with fiat currencies on the exchange itself - this makes things significantly easier!

Kraken does also have a great mobile app that’s both intuitive and simple to use, and users point out that, as far as the top crypto exchanges are concerned, this particular one can surely boast about its customer support.

Fee-wise, Kraken takes anywhere from 0% up to 0.4% from your transactions in the spot market. Truly some of the better numbers, at least when it comes to crypto exchange fees!

Standard Fees: Spot trading - 0.4% for makers, 0.6% for takers

Supported Crypto: Over 240

If you’ve ever searched for the best crypto exchanges, without a single doubt, Coinbase must have popped up on your radar rather frequently.

This isn’t without a solid reason, either - Coinbase is often viewed as the best place to buy cryptocurrency, no matter what that currency is. Well, OK, perhaps it does matter - but we’ll get to that in a minute.

So, then, what makes Coinbase so special? Well, it ticks almost all of the essential parts of a great crypto exchange.

Coinbase is very simple and straightforward to use. The signup and registration process is quick, and while you have to verify your identity, this doesn’t take long at all, either. The exchange keeps things very simple and, more importantly, minimal - it won’t overcrowd you with a variety of different interface screens and features.

Another thing that makes Coinbase one of the top crypto exchanges is the fact that the platform’s very secure. While there have been multiple different attempts to breach the exchange’s security, Coinbase is yet to suffer a huge hack (think Mt. Gox levels of “huge”).

Now, the one qualm that many users have with the platform is that, while it does support over 240 crypto assets, it lacks some popular altcoins. Meaning, you can only purchase specific cryptos from the site, while others are going to be unavailable, even though they are listed.

And we’re not just talking about some unknown, niche cryptos that are unavailable here, either! Examples would include Monero and Tron - these are some of the better-known names in the industry!

Now, admittedly, fee-wise, Coinbase also isn’t the best crypto exchange out there. The fees on the platform start at 0.4% for makers and 0.6% for takers. These are some high numbers compared to the industry standard! Crypto purchasing fees are pretty high, too, but they depend on your country of residence, amount of money being traded, and so on.

Though, you do get better fees when you increase your trading volume and use Coinbase Advanced. That said, Coinbase does guarantee optimal security, and is very trusted among the community.

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.

Standard Fees: Spot trading - 0.1%-0.3%; futures trading - 0.02% for makers, 0.06% for takers

Supported Crypto: Over 400

BYDFi is a crypto exchange that has been making waves in the industry. In 2023 alone, it was recognized by Forbes as one of the top ten best crypto exchanges on the market - that’s no easy feat to accomplish!

What makes BYDFi stand out, then?

First and foremost, the company behind the exchange puts a strong emphasis on regulatory compliance. The exchange is available in over 150 countries around the globe. Most notably, it can also be accessed and used by residents of the United States and Canada. That’s not a common perk that many exchanges can boast about!

Naturally, it’s not the only major benefit of BYDFi, either. The exchange has a large variety of trading tools that cater to both industry newcomers, as well as veteran traders who are looking for some advanced options. There’s even a copy-trading feature available, too!

Spot trading fees range from 0.1% to 0.3%, which is in the range of the industry average. The only notable downsides of the exchange are the fact that it doesn’t support NFT trading and storage, as well as the fact that there are no staking capabilities available on BYDFi.

Gemini is a US-based cryptocurrency exchange. Naturally, it's a popular platform to use in the country, granted that it's available in all of the different states, with no exceptions.

Not all exchanges can claim that - good start!

To add to that, Gemini is a fully KYC-compliant platform. While this might not be the best news for anyone who's looking for decentralized exchanges, however, it makes the exchange compliant with the relevant laws.

A unique feature of Gemini is that it offers users the chance to insure their assets. Specifically, Gemini insures the digital assets held in their hot wallets. This should provide all customers with some peace of mind, and add an extra layer of reliability.

Hot wallets aside, Gemini does also use cold storage devices to secure their user assets, too. This is undoubtedly one of the strongest security measures that an exchange can take! So, Gemini's security features are quite decent, in general.

Standard Fees: Spot trading - 0.15% for makers, 0.25% for takers.

Supported Crypto: Over 200.

The simplicity of CEX.IO is probably notorious at this point - as far as the best cryptocurrency exchanges go, it is surely one of the most straightforward and easy-to-use platforms!

The exchange has some very strict security measures, too. These are evident each time you log into your account - in addition to 2FA, you will also receive notifications to your registered email about each and every single login attempt - that’s amazing for those who truly care about the security and integrity of their crypto coins.

When it comes to the features offered by the platform, there is spot trading, a crypto wallet, various earning features, and extensive learning materials. It truly is a great exchange for beginners. Though, there is also CEX.IO Prime, an institutional-grade crypto-fiat service provider for businesses and the CEX.IO crypto debit card.

Besides, same as with some other crypto exchanges, CEX.IO offers decent fees for its users. Trading fees range from 0% to 0.25%, while crypto purchasing fees might get somewhat high, but they depend on the payment method in question.

All in all, Cex.io is surely worth paying attention to!

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.

Standard Fees: Spot trading - 0.3% for makers, 0.4% for takers.

Supported Crypto: Over 80.

Admittedly, Bitstamp might be the less-mentioned cryptocurrency exchange platform, as far as this list is concerned. That being the case, though, it’s also considered to be one of the most reliable crypto exchanges in the industry!

In a very general sense, Bitstamp is one of those platforms that have truly earned their reputation - it wasn’t an easy feat, mind you! The exchange had to figure out how to solve its security vulnerabilities, as well as how to navigate the ever-changing world of crypto. Today, however, no matter which point you look at (customer service, fees, security, or else), Bitstamp is often regarded quite highly.

The cryptocurrency exchange in question is often regarded as one of the better options for anyone who's an advanced-level trader, and is looking for functionality to match their trading skills. Meaning, Bitstamp offers users those advanced features, and allows them to trade crypto in a professional manner.

When it comes to fees, Bitstamp will charge you from 0% to 0.4% when it comes to trading. Purchasing fees, on the other hand, can go anywhere from 0% to 4%. While that is a pretty broad range, for sure, the actual fees themselves depend on your preferred payment method.

All things considered, Bitstamp is surely one of the top cryptocurrency exchanges on the market today!

Binance.US is a cryptocurrency exchange platform tailored specifically for users in the United States. It was launched in 2019 as a separate entity from Binance, the globally recognized exchange, to comply with US regulatory requirements.

While both platforms share branding and some technological infrastructure, Binance.US operates independently under BAM Trading Services and follows strict US financial regulations.

The main difference between Binance.US and the global Binance platform is the reduced number of supported cryptocurrencies and trading pairs. Due to US regulatory constraints, Binance.US offers fewer digital assets and features compared to its international counterpart.

For instance, certain tokens available globally may not be listed on Binance.US because of compliance concerns. Additionally, the exchange does not offer derivatives trading, which is a significant part of Binance’s global offering.

Binance.US is known for its relatively low trading fees compared to other US-based exchanges, making it an attractive option for cost-conscious traders. The platform supports various order types, including market, limit, and stop-limit orders.

Some key features of Binance.US include:

• Low Fees: Competitive trading fees, often lower than other US-based platforms.
• Limited Selection: Fewer cryptocurrencies compared to Binance Global.
• Staking: Earn rewards by staking supported cryptocurrencies.
• Regulatory Compliance: Operates under US financial laws and regulations.
• Simple Interface: User-friendly platform suitable for beginners and experienced traders.

Overall, Binance.US is a streamlined, regulation-compliant exchange designed to meet the needs of US cryptocurrency traders, although it sacrifices some of the global platform’s extensive offerings.

Uphold is a unique exchange that offers its clients not only crypto acquisition options, but also financial products from other markets, such as stocks or equities.

On the crypto front, the exchange supports an impressive number of cryptocurrencies - 265, as of writing this. What this means is that both beginner investors, as well as experienced crypto enthusiasts are bound to find the assets that they’re looking for, bar some of the more niche options.

Discussing the benefits of Uphold, it’s impossible not to mention the security aspects of the platform. The company behind the exchange prides itself on a routine auditing and penetration testing schedule, in addition to having a dedicated bounty program for the platform’s users.

Obviously, Uphold employs all of the more “standard” security features as well, such as 24/7 monitoring, KYC, and advanced-level encryption.

Despite me referring to it as an exchange, Uphold is actually an entire ecosystem of crypto- (or, rather - Web3) related products. Clients can order their own credit card, and use the built-in exchange wallet. On top of that, as far as trading is concerned, Uphold does also provide its users with a solid selection of tools to choose from and utilize.

All in all, if you’re in the market for a well-designed, feature-full crypto exchange platform, Uphold is worth considering! Just keep in mind that it might not necessarily be super-simple to get into, if you’re just starting out in the crypto space.

Disclaimer: don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest.