KuCoin Review

Want to start buying, selling and trading cryptocurrencies, but are not sure whether KuCoin is the right exchange for you? Or maybe you have seen a particular coin listed on it, and now want to make sure if KuCoin is safe to use?  Well, whatever it is that you want to find out, I have it covered in this KuCoin review!

Here, you'll find everything from an overview of the platform and its offerings to step-by-step guides. By the end, I'm sure you'll know whether KuCoin is the right exchange for you. If it's not, there are other great cryptocurrency exchanges out there.

That said, let's jump into the first part of this KuCoin review — the exchange’s background!

Verdict at a Glance: KuCoin stands out as a crypto exchange providing extensive trading opportunities and support for over 700 crypto assets. It prioritizes security and boasts competitive fees, enhancing its appeal among traders. However, its unavailability to US traders due to regulatory constraints is a notable limitation. Despite this, KuCoin remains a compelling option for accessing a wide array of crypto markets and products.

Stamatis Manos Papangelou

Blockchain and AI Researcher at the University of Nicosia

How can AI algorithms assist in detecting and preventing fraudulent activities on crypto exchanges?

AI algorithms can be trained to detect anomalies in transaction data, which can help identify and prevent fraudulent activities. They can spot unusual patterns that might indicate market manipulation or theft. AI's ability to monitor real-time transactions adds an extra layer of security in the largely anonymous world of cryptocurrencies.

What is KuCoin?

KuCoin is a centralized exchange that allows you to buy, sell, and trade a variety of cryptocurrencies (though its features don't end here). It was created in May 2017 by a group of experienced business specialists who had previously worked on projects such as Ant Financial and iBox PAY.

The objective of the founders was to create a simple and safe platform for people all over the world so they could trade a range of digital coins. In the long term, KuCoin wanted to become one of the top crypto exchanges globally, and it did!

In early 2018, it was reported that KuCoin had more than 1 million users, which seemed pretty impressive at the time. Fast-forward to 2024, and it has over 30 million users (now *that* is a lot). However, KuCoin's average trading volume is usually a bit lower compared to some other popular exchanges, like Binance.

Nevertheless, as stated in many user KuCoin reviews, since it was launched, the exchange has been functioning pretty well without experiencing any massive system overloads. You can access the platform through the web as well as the KuCoin app (available on Android and iOS devices). Many users praise the app for its ease of use and convenience.

Latest KuCoin Coupon Found:

KuCoin Review: PROS

Now that you know about the exchange's background, the next thing I want to discuss in my KuCoin review is the pros and cons of the platform.

Let's start with the pros.

Robust Security Measures

Before depositing your money into an exchange or providing private information about yourself, it's important to know whether it's safe or not. After all, you have to be able to trust the platform to safeguard your funds from cyber attacks.

You see, KuCoin is a centralized exchange, and centralized exchanges operate on what? You guessed it – centralized servers. This means that if it got hacked, your coins could be at risk. Can funds get stolen from a cryptocurrency exchange? Unfortunately, yes.

In September 2020, KuCoin experienced a significant security breach in which hackers stole close to $200 million worth of cryptocurrencies from its wallets. Despite this considerable loss, KuCoin was able to recover 84% of the stolen crypto and covered the remaining losses using its insurance fund.

Crypto theft is pretty common in the industry. For example, in the Chainalysis 2023 Crypto Crime report, it was stated that the total amount of coins stolen in 2022 was over $3.7 billion^[1], making it the year with the biggest crypto theft numbers as of writing. While the 2024 report revealed that the stolen funds decreased to $1.7 billion^[2], the numbers didn't fall to zero.

Does that mean that the answer to the question, "Is KuCoin safe?" is negative? Not really. The exchange did cover all the losses and has put a lot of effort into strengthening its security ever since. So, how does it ensure that security now?

Let's start with the fact that KuCoin has an internal risk department that ensures user funds and private information are safe. To be able to do that, it has a multi-layer account security mechanism set in place. The "layers" include:

• Advanced Encryption. The website is protected using 256-bit encryption technology that keeps private account information secure.
• Multi-Layer User Authentication. The exchange allows you to set up Google Authenticator. If you do, you will need to enter a code from your mobile phone onto the KuCoin website to log in and to make a trade. I highly recommend that you set up this extra security feature. Even if somebody was able to find out your password, they still couldn't access your account without your mobile device.
• Privacy Protection. KuCoin employs advanced security systems to prevent unauthorized access. Besides, it collects only the data about you that is necessary to ensure the quality of its services.
• An Extensive Risk Control System. The exchange also has an account verification and risk identification system set in place, along with secure login, withdrawal, and other user security configuration features.

Regarding account verification, up until August 31st, 2023, KuCoin users were not required to identify themselves to start trading or use other services, a.k.a. you could use KuCoin anonymously. This was a big bonus as other cryptocurrency exchanges make you upload verification documents such as your passport and bank statement, which can sometimes take up to two weeks to get verified.

However, to enhance its security and compliance with crypto regulations, KuCoin became like those "other exchanges". It requires both new and old users to pass the Know Your Customer (KYC) process.

Another aspect of security that I must mention in this KuCoin review is that the exchange stores all user assets in cold and hot wallets that are further secured using multisig technology. Plus, KuCoin employs 24/7 wallet address monitoring to prevent suspicious activities.

In addition, it completes regular proof of reserves audits and publishes them for everyone to see. These audits prove that KuCoin has enough assets in its reserves that even if all users wanted to withdraw their funds, they could.

So, what do you think now, is KuCoin safe? I'd say it seems that it is.

Either way, no matter which exchange you use, you should never keep large amounts of funds stored there. It is always much safer to withdraw your coins to a secure hardware wallet (such as Ledger Nano X, for example).

Over 700 Available Coins

When picking a crypto exchange, it's also important to check what kind of crypto assets it supports. After all, instead of using five different exchanges to trade different coins, it would be so much better to find them all in one place.

At the time of writing, KuCoin has over 700 individual cryptocurrencies and more than 1,300 different trading pairs available. It's one of the main advantages of trading on this platform - the variety of choice! It's a lot more than some other popular exchanges offer. If you don't know what a trading pair is, here's an example of one – BTC/ETH. This means that you can trade Bitcoin with Ethereum.

Now, KuCoin's list of supported crypto assets includes the majority of popular coins, such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin and Bitcoin Cash, as well as less popular (but still top coins), such as VeChain and Lympo.

Besides, KuCoin seems to be very popular among new cryptocurrencies that have recently completed their ICO, which means that it's a great exchange if you want to purchase crypto assets at the very start of their journey.

The best thing is that KuCoin keeps on adding new assets to this list. According to the founders, KuCoin aims to support more than 1,000 different cryptocurrencies (I'd say they are pretty close).

Latest KuCoin Coupon Found:

Buy Crypto With Over 50 Fiat Currencies

Does KuCoin accept fiat currencies? In the past, it didn't, so you needed to deposit another crypto you already owned into your account and then trade it. Besides, there was a pretty big advantage to this mentioned in many user KuCoin reviews – there were no limits to the number of crypto you could deposit or withdraw from KuCoin.

You can still choose this route - deposit crypto and go trade it for other crypto. Just note that KuCoin now has 24h withdrawal limits. I'll cover them in the "KuCoin Fees" section.

That aside, if this is your first time in the cryptocurrency industry, the easiest way to get started is to purchase a popular cryptocurrency like Bitcoin or Ethereum using fiat. Luckily, KuCoin now supports fiat currencies, and a pretty big number at that - over 50! So, you won't only be able to buy crypto with the usual currencies like USD, EUR, or GBP, but also with the more niche ones.

Now, the question is how to buy crypto on KuCoin using fiat. There are three main ways: the Fast Trade feature, P2P, or via third-party payment channels.

The Fast Trade feature is the most convenient one. You just need to choose the currency you want to use, the crypto you want to buy (or sell) and the payment method. Speaking of which, Kucoin supports over 70 different payment methods, including traditional ones, such as debit / credit cards, bank transfers, SEPA, PayPal, and others.

P2P crypto purchasing, on the other hand, provides even more payment methods and zero fees. With this option, you buy crypto from other traders, and KuCoin just acts as an intermediary.

Lastly, you can buy crypto via third-party party payment channels like Banxa. When you buy crypto this way, you temporarily leave KuCoin and complete the purchase on the channel in question. Once you confirm it, your coins get transferred directly into your KuCoin account.

Trading, Earning, and Other Features

Now that you've bought crypto, what can you do with it? Many things!

KuCoin is not just an exchange; it's a full-fledged crypto ecosystem. When it comes to trading, it offers basically any type you might need – spot, margin, derivatives, and even pre-market trading (an OTC platform where you can trade new tokens before they are launched).

If you're looking for automated trading, KuCoin offers that, too. To be more precise, it allows you to trade using trading bots. There's quite a big variety of those, including spot and futures grid, spot martingale, smart balance, DCA, and others.

More interested in earning? Say less. There's the KuCoin Earn program, which offers staking options, savings accounts, crypto lending, and even advanced earning products like Shark Fin, Dual Investment, Snowball, and so on. By the way, you can also earn some additional crypto by completing tasks in the KuCoin Rewards Hub.

It's kind of crazy, but the features don't end here. The exchange also offers the KuCoin Learn program for newbies, various institutional features for businesses, and even the KuCoin Labs incubator for new projects. Moreover, it has an NFT launchpad (Wonderland), a fractional NFT marketplace, and a decentralized public blockchain called KCC.

Fun fact: KuCoin can be accessed via a mobile app or from your browser!

In addition, KuCoin offers a Web3 crypto wallet and a Visa debit card (KuCard) that allows you to use crypto just like you would use fiat.

Since there is a lot to say about each and every feature offered by the exchange, I would need to write separate KuCoin reviews to cover them fully (like this KuCoin wallet review). So, I will not go into detail further.

KuCoin Shares (KCS) Token

One more thing I want to mention while discussing the pros of this KuCoin review is that the exchange has its own cryptocurrency, KuCoin Shares (KCS). It was introduced in 2017 as a profit-sharing token, but it also has a few additional use cases:

• KCS Bonus. The main use case of the token is the initial one – profit-sharing. If you hold 6 KCS or more, you'll receive a portion of KuCoin's trading fee revenue as a reward. The exchange dedicates 50% of its revenue to that, which is quite generous.
• Trading Fee Discount. There are two ways KCS can be used to get discounted trading fees. Firstly, you can increase your VIP level by increasing your KCS holdings (the higher the level, the lower your fees are). Secondly, you can use KCS to cover those fees, this way getting a 20% discount (this only applies to spot trading fees).
• Early Access to KuCoin Spotlight. If you hold KCS, you'll get early access to newly launched token sales. This way, you might get a higher ROI than you would if you bought these tokens in secondary markets.

The KCS token use cases don't end here, but those I've mentioned above are the main ones. Apart from them, though, you can also use KCS as a payment method in a variety of dApps, as a gaming token in BetProtocol or PlayGame, as collateral for borrowing USD or VND on Constant, and whatnot.

Do note that the initial supply of KCS tokens was 200 million. However, it's a deflationary token that has a burning mechanism set in place. The end goal of KuCoin is to reduce the KCS supply to 100 million tokens.

Did you know?

Compare Crypto Exchanges Side by Side With Others

All Crypto Exchanges may look similar to you but they're NOT all the same!

Yes! Show me the Comparison Chart

KuCoin Review: CONS

So, I've told you about the cool aspects of the exchange. However, to make this a full KuCoin review, we should also talk about its drawbacks. Are there any? 

Not Available for US Traders

While I didn't notice many major drawbacks, there is one thing mentioned in several KuCoin reviews – the fact that KuCoin cannot be accessed in the US. Of course, if you're not from the US, this is not a drawback to you at all. But why can't US traders access it?

Well, in order to operate within the United States, cryptocurrency exchanges must comply with a complex set of regulations and licensing requirements. Some of the exchanges that do include Kraken and Coinbase.

However, compliance with these regulations can be challenging and costly for cryptocurrency exchanges, particularly those based outside of the US.

KuCoin has chosen to prioritize compliance with regulations in the jurisdictions where it operates. As a result, it has implemented restrictions that prevent US traders from accessing its platform. While this limitation may be disappointing for US traders, it is ultimately a reflection of the exchange's commitment to compliance and regulatory integrity.

KuCoin Fees

Up to this point in my KuCoin review, I've discussed many things that can help you decide if this exchange is for you. However, fees can make or break any trader's decision when choosing an exchange. So, let's talk about those.

One of KuCoin's main aims is to offer its traders low fees. But just how low are they?

Well, for starters, cryptocurrency deposits are free, other than the blockchain transaction fee that you pay to make the transfer. The latter will depend on the cryptocurrency you are depositing.

In terms of withdrawing your coins from the exchange, the fee depends on what cryptocurrency you want to take out and which network you want to use. For example, if you want to withdraw BTC using the Bitcoin network, the fee will be 0.001 + Amount * 0% BTC. You can find all the information about other withdrawal fees on KuCoin.

Remember I mentioned before in this KuCoin review that the exchange imposes 24-hour withdrawal limits? Well, these limits depend on your KYC verification. If you're unverified, you cannot withdraw from KuCoin. If you are verified, on the other hand, you can withdraw up to 999,999 USDT daily (or 500,000 USD via P2P).

Now, when it comes to making a trade, there are spot and futures fees, both based on the usual maker / taker model and a VIP-level mechanism. However, spot trading KuCoin fees are also influenced by the token class the asset in question falls into. There are three token classes that are based on the asset's volume, and a few other factors:

• Class A includes the top cryptocurrencies, such as BTC, ETH, AAVE, and many others.
• Class B includes such cryptocurrencies as HYDRA, PEPE2, SATS, and so on.
• Class C includes less popular cryptocurrencies, like BMX, VELO, LITH, etc.

Now, for spot trading Class A assets, both maker and taker fees start at 0.1%. So, you will only pay 0.1% of the amount you are buying. For example, if you wanted to purchase $1000 worth of Litecoin, you would only pay $1. These fees are one of the lowest in the industry, which is a good reason to use KuCoin.

As for the Class B base maker / taker fee, it's 0.2%, while for Class C, it is 0.3%.

However, as you increase your VIP level, the fees get lower. How can you increase it? Well, either by increasing your KCS holdings or your 30-day trading volume. While there are 12 levels in total, Levels 0, 5, 8, and 12 are the core ones when it comes to bigger changes in fees.

Now, I've only listed out Class A spot fees in the table below, but you can check all other fees on KuCoin.

Table: KuCoin fees for spot trading Class A assets

By the way, as you already know, when using KCS to cover fees, KuCoin users get a discount. So, you can reduce them even more (by 20%, to be exact).

As for the futures trading fees, note that there are only contracts with Class A assets. Also, just like with spot trading, the fees depend on your VIP level. Just remember that there is no discount with KCS tokens when it comes to covering futures trading fees.

Table: KuCoin fees for futures trading

So, now that you know the main information regarding KuCoin fees, the next part of my KuCoin review is going to get a bit more practical.

How to Use KuCoin?

Have you decided to try out the platform for yourself after reading my KuCoin review? Let me help you get started.

How to Sign Up on KuCoin?

The first thing you need to do is create an account.

Step 1: To create a new account on KuCoin, you will need to go to their homepage. Once you're there, click on the "Sign Up" button, which is at the top right corner of the screen.

Step 2: You will then be taken to the registration page. Here, you will need to enter your email address or phone number and read the exchange’s terms of conditions.

Make sure to actually read them, so you understand everything (don't be one of those people who skip the reading part and tick the box without knowing what they are getting into). Once you have, tick the accept terms and conditions box and then the "Create Account" button.

Step 3: You will then be asked to prove that you are human by solving a captcha. Once you do that, you'll need to confirm your email address (or phone number) by filling in the code that KuCoin sends you.

Step 4: Finally, to get your account open, it's time to come up with a password. Make sure to choose a very strong password; don't use something like "Crypto123".

Step 5: Now, you have to verify your identity to start using KuCoin products. However, you can also explore the platform and verify it later, if you wish.

That’s it, you have an account at KuCoin! If you've verified your identity, you can deposit some coins and start trading straightaway.

How to Buy Crypto on KuCoin?

Speaking of trading, are you also wondering how to buy on KuCoin? It's really easy, too! You can use the Fast Trade option (or any of the other methods I've mentioned in this KuCoin review), but since it's very intuitive, I don't think you need a step-by-step guide for that. So, let's say you've deposited some crypto into your account and want to try your hand at spot trading.

Step 1: Once you have funded your account, click on "Markets" at the top of the page.

You could also go straight to the spot trading interface by clicking on "Trade" and then "Spot Trading," but let's go with the former option, as it might be a bit easier to understand if you're a beginner.

Step 2: You then need to search for the coin you want to buy. To do this, enter it into the search box that can be found on the right side of the page.

In my example, I am looking to buy NEO. Once it pops up, click "Trade," and you'll be taken to the spot trading interface.

Step 3: I was taken straight to the NEO/USDT trading pair. However, if you don't have USDT in your account, you can pick another pair.

Just click on the pair, type in the asset you want to buy into the search bar, and KuCoin will list all the different trading pairs that are available. For example, I chose NEO/BTC, meaning that I will be trading Bitcoin for NEO. Click on the trading pair that matches the coin you deposited.

Step 4: You will now be on the main trading screen. On the right side of the page, look for the "Place Order" box that is displayed next to the list of orders.

All you need to do here is enter the number of coins you want to buy and then click on the green "Buy" button to complete your trade. It’s as simple as that!

So, now that you know how easy it is to open an account and how to buy on KuCoin, the last thing I'm going to talk about in this KuCoin review is which traders the exchange is most suited for.

Who Should Choose KuCoin?

When I first started using KuCoin, I was very pleased to see that the platform is quite simple to navigate. I've noticed the same sentiment in other user KuCoin reviews, too. As you've probably seen from my instructions above, everything from creating an account to completing a trade is pretty straightforward. Though, since it has a lot of features, it might get a bit overwhelming for complete newbies.

Therefore, the KuCoin exchange is great for more experienced traders, as it has lots of features for trading, earning, and analyzing pricing trends (such as candlestick bars, for example). Of course, if you're a beginner, I'm not saying that you should turn away from KuCoin. It does put a lot of effort into helping new users with various guides and tutorials.

Besides, it's worth noting that when new cryptocurrencies are first launched, they are sometimes only listed on particular exchanges. The good news is that KuCoin often is *that* exchange (over 700 supported cryptocurrencies, and all).

However, as mentioned before, the average trading volume at KuCoin is a bit lower compared to some other exchanges like Binance.

Lower trading volumes can sometimes mean that there is not enough liquidity. If you are only trading small amounts, this shouldn’t be an issue. However, if you are looking to exchange very large quantities, KuCoin might not be the best option.

Latest Deal Active Right Now:

Conclusions

That’s the end of my KuCoin review! If you have read it from start to finish, you should now have a good understanding of whether KuCoin is the right exchange for you. If it is, you already know how to set up an account and how to buy on KuCoin, so you can easily start your trading journey.

You also know that KuCoin fees are pretty competitive, that it supports over 700 cryptocurrencies and over 50 fiat currencies, and that it has a user-friendly interface. Besides, you don't have to wonder anymore is KuCoin safe or not (because it seems that it is).

I’ve used KuCoin quite a few times myself, as it usually supports the cryptocurrency that I am looking to buy or sell. My experience has always been positive. One reason for that is that both deposits and withdrawals have been really quick and simple. Besides, I also like how you can access the markets through the KuCoin app.

Anyway, if you're looking for an exchange with a higher trading volume, you should check out Binance. Or, if you're a US trader, then Kraken might be the one for you.

The content published on this website is not aimed to give any kind of financial, investment, trading, or any other form of advice. BitDegree.org does not endorse or suggest you to buy, sell or hold any kind of cryptocurrency. Before making financial investment decisions, do consult your financial advisor.

Scientific References

1. Chainalysis: 'The Chainalysis 2023 Crypto Crime Report';

2. Chainalysis: 'The Chainalysis 2024 Crypto Crime Report'.