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Best cryptocurrency exchanges
Discover our 6 best crypto exchanges for 2021 and find out what factors you should be considering when choosing your own.
Cryptocurrencies can be intimidating for new and veteran investors alike. From real scams to high fees that feel like scams, choosing the wrong exchange can be a real punishment. We want to help you avoid the potential aches and pains of investing in cryptocurrencies by highlighting these well-regarded exchanges that focus on reasonable fees, safety and convenience. Read on for the best cryptocurrency exchanges.
10 best crypto exchanges of 2021 (jump to read more)
Our list includes crypto exchange recommendations for everyone seeking to buy large amounts of cryptocurrencies — from beginners to traders and everyone between. We’ve highlighted four of the best crypto exchange standouts to get you started.
Our top pick for
Beginners
Our top pick for
Low fees
Our top pick for
Cryptocurrency selection
Best crypto exchanges
To arrive at these choices, we compared over 25 cryptocurrency exchanges on various factors, including user experience, fees, payment methods and selection of cryptocurrencies. The best crypto exchange for you depends on your unique situation:
- Beginners: Coinbase
- Low fees: Robinhood
- Diverse payment options: Coinmama
- Mobile users: Gemini
- Cryptocurrency selection: KuCoin
- Investors: Crypto.com
- Advanced traders: eToro
- Large purchases: Binance.US
- Margin-seekers: FTX US
- Swapping crypto for crypto: CoinSwitch
Best for beginners: Coinbase
Launched in 2012, Coinbase is now a tried-and-tested route for those seeking to enter the space. Coinbase is known for its user-friendly interface, and it provides inexperienced users a comfortable place to purchase a selection of high market cap cryptocurrencies.
Educational content is offered through Coinbase Earn, and users are provided with a Coinbase digital wallet to initially store cryptocurrencies. Coinbase Pro is offered as a more advanced trading platform.
Pros
- Simplicity. The beginner-friendly interface on Coinbase makes cryptocurrency purchases straightforward and comfortable.
- Instant purchases. Cryptocurrency can be purchased directly from Coinbase, meaning cryptos can be accessed almost instantly.
- Tried and tested. Coinbase is US regulatory compliant, has been around for years and holds 98% of cryptocurrencies offline in cold storage.
Cons
- Higher transaction fees. Transaction fees on the exchange are variable but tend to be on the higher side compared to other exchanges.
- Limited cryptocurrency selection. Coinbase offers a lower selection of cryptocurrencies than other exchanges.
- Lack of advanced exchange features. The platform is not suitable for those looking to frequently exchange or trade cryptocurrencies.
Fees: Starting at $0.99 + 0.5% transaction total
Best for low fees: Robinhood
Founded in 2015, Robinhood is an intuitive trading platform designed for straightforward access to the financial markets. Cryptocurrencies can be exchanged 24/7 with no commission payments, and accounts can be opened with no minimum deposits.
Alongside cryptocurrencies, the exchange also offers users access to stocks, options and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Advanced features such as research reports, margin trading and instant access to larger deposits are available through Robinhood Gold, a premium service.
Pros
- Commission-free. Trades are not charged a commission, which means cryptocurrencies can be exchanged freely.
- No account minimum. No minimum amount of capital is required to sign up, which means the exchange is accessible for all users.
- Intuitive trading platform. Robinhood’s intuitive platform simplifies trading to a few taps.
Cons
- No cryptocurrency withdrawals. Users must sell any cryptocurrency holdings and transfer funds out of Robinhood via fiat.
- Customer support. Robinhood does not offer phone or live web chat support for customers.
- Limited cryptocurrencies. A wider range of cryptocurrencies can be found on other exchange platforms, like Coinbase and KuCoin.
Fees: $0
Diverse payment options: Coinmama
Since 2013, Coinmama has served as a brokerage focused on the ease of cryptocurrency purchases through a wide variety of payment options. Users can purchase cryptocurrencies using a credit card, debit card, wire transfer, Fedwire, FasterPayments, Sofort and Apple Pay. With a strong focus on customer support and service, Coinmama can be a convenient exchange for those looking to make their first cryptocurrency transaction.
Pros
- Payment methods. A whole host of payment methods can be used on Coinmama.
- Transaction speed. Purchases of cryptocurrencies are quick as a result of users purchasing directly from Coinmama.
- Fast account verification. In terms of KYC checks, Coinmama offers some of the fastest in the business.
Cons
- Expensive fees. Coinmama’s purchase and sales fees are beaten by other cryptocurrency exchanges.
- No crypto exchanges. Coinmama can only be used for cryptocurrency purchases. Crypto-to-crypto exchanges can not be completed.
- Customer support options. Support can only be found via email.
Fees: 2% of transaction + additional fees based on payment method
Mobile users: Gemini
Since its 2014 inception, Gemini has grown to be one of the most regulated cryptocurrency exchanges globally and holds one of the super-strict New York BitLicenses. Alongside security and regulation, the platform’s usability shines.
The Gemini mobile app echoes the desktop trading platform’s simplicity and ensures cryptocurrency trading on the go is straightforward. Gemini’s dynamic price alerts mean users never miss a price move.
Pros
- Mobile app. Gemini’s mobile application for trading on the go is both efficient and straightforward.
- Highly regulated. Unlike other platforms, Gemini works with US regulators to ensure best practices.
- High liquidity. Gemini’s exchange liquidity is one of the highest in the US.
Cons
- Higher fees. Gemini charges both a commission fee and a convenience fee for mobile users.
- Limited payment methods. Credit card and debit card payments are not available.
- Reduced coin selection. Gemini’s strict regulatory compliance means fewer cryptos available.
Fees: $0.99 and up per transaction
Cryptocurrency selection: KuCoin
Launched in 2017, KuCoin has become a market-leading cryptocurrency exchange that hosts over 200+ cryptocurrencies. To accompany the expansive range of cryptocurrencies, KuCoin offers users a range of features, including margin trading, futures trading, peer-to-peer exchange, instant purchases and staking. For crypto variety, KuCoin is a clear choice.
Pros
- Cryptocurrency selection. There are over 200 cryptocurrencies to choose from.
- High liquidity. A popular choice for many, the exchange offers high liquidity on the majority of cryptocurrency markets.
- No KYC checks. KuCoin upholds the decentralized belief by limiting KYC checks on customers.
Cons
- No crypto-fiat pairs. Although altcoin pairs are varied, fiat trading pairs are not available.
- Intimidating trading platform. For inexperienced cryptocurrency users, the trading platform can be overwhelming.
- Limited payment methods. Bank deposits can not be made to the platform to purchase cryptocurrency.
Fees: Trading fees start at 0.1%
Investors: Crypto.com
Crypto.com launched in 2018 and offers the ability to spend cryptocurrencies with a prepaid Visa card. This versatility makes Crypto.com an excellent choice for the frequent cryptocurrency investor looking to utilize cryptocurrencies for different use cases. Exchange benefits, such as staking rewards, are extended for users who hold the native cryptocurrency token CRO.
Pros
- Earning interest. Holders of Crypto.com’s native token, CRO, can earn interest on staked investments.
- Low fees. Deposits via bank transfer do not incur any fees, and cryptocurrencies can be purchased at cost.
- Wide range of currencies. Crypto.com offers 20+ different fiat currencies for the purchase of 100+ cryptocurrencies.
Cons
- Lack of educational resources. No basic information is provided for those just starting in the cryptocurrency sector.
- Not the most intuitive platform. Due to the huge list of features, the Crypto.com platform can be overwhelming for new investors.
- Limited access to features. Certain features are accessible from the US, whereas others, such as Crypto.com loans, are not.
Fees: Maker/taker fees start at 0.16%
Advanced traders: eToro
eToro has been around since 2007 and is often referred to as the social trading platform. The platform allows users to actively trade a wide variety of cryptocurrency/fiat pairings such as BTC/USD and XRP/EUR, utilizing multiple market orders. Users also have access to stocks, commodities, FX, ETFs and indices.
Pros
- CopyTrading. Users can track the trades made by profitable traders and copy them if they wish to.
- Flexible market orders. Positions can be placed via market and limit orders.
- Margin trading. Traders can utilize leverage, with eToro offering the ability to go long or short a cryptocurrency pairing.
Cons
- No set fee structure. Each cryptocurrency is defined by a specific spread, making it difficult to determine associated trading costs.
- Wide spreads. Market spreads on certain digital assets can often be variable and sometimes high.
- Limited cryptocurrencies. The list of cryptocurrencies will be larger on other exchanges than eToro.
Fees: Start at 0.75%, additional fees for longer positions
Large purchases: Binance.US
Launched in 2019, Binance.US was formed as a US-regulated subsidiary of the Binance global exchange, which is the world’s largest in terms of daily trading volume. Offering both a basic and advanced trading platform, the low fees and over the counter (OTC) service means it is an option to consider for investors looking to make large purchases in the cryptocurrency markets.
Pros
- Over-the-counter purchases. Any purchases over $10,000 can be completed using an OTC service to secure a competitive exchange rate with minimal transaction fees.
- Low fees. Due to the success of Binance, Binance.US is able to charge some of the lowest fees in the market.
- Cryptocurrency selection. Within US regulations, the exchange boasts one of the broadest range of cryptocurrencies.
Cons
- Limited crypto-to-crypto pairs. Restricted cryptocurrency selection compared with the parent Binance exchange.
- Strict KYL/AML procedures. Identity verification and signup may be slow for new users.
- Variable access. Binance.US is not yet accessible from every single state in the US.
Fees: Maker/taker fees start at 0.1%, with instant buys/sells costing an additional 0.5%
Margin-seekers: FTX US
The US subsidiary of FTX, FTX US, was formed in May 2020 and offers users the opportunity to place complex market orders to trade futures and leverage tokens, options and MOVE contracts. While many exchanges focus on instant buys or the exchange of cryptocurrencies, FTX focuses on trading cryptocurrency derivatives. Traders can also exchange cryptocurrencies at the spot price.
Pros
- Margin trading. 10x leverage can be applied when trading cryptocurrency pairs, which means profits can exponentially increase — the same also goes for losses.
- Instant purchase. Cryptocurrencies can be purchased directly with a credit card.
- Professional trading platform. FTX US offers users a sophisticated trading platform on both desktop and mobile.
Cons
- New platform. The platform has only been around since 2020 and isn’t as tried and tested as other exchanges.
- Limited customer support. Customer support is only available through email.
- Not beginner-friendly. Many advanced features, such as trading with leverage, may be intimidating for new users.
Fees: Taker fees start at 0.4%, and a spread may be charged on transactions
Swapping crypto for crypto: CoinSwitch
CoinSwitch was launched in 2017 and is an exchange aggregator. This means CoinSwitch doesn’t focus on buying/selling crypto. Instead, it lets you trade cryptocurrencies through an order book for other cryptos.
CoinSwitch finds the best rates across multiple cryptocurrency exchanges so the user can swap and trade cryptocurrencies with the optimum market rate at the time.
Pros
- No registration required. This makes it one of the fastest options for swapping cryptocurrencies.
- Cryptocurrency selection. Over 400 cryptocurrencies can be exchanged via the platform.
- Beginner-friendly interface. Inexperienced cryptocurrency users shouldn’t have much trouble navigating CoinSwitch.
Cons
- No fiat currencies. CoinSwitch focuses on crypto-to-crypto exchanges. You cannot purchase crypto with fiat.
- Higher fees. Investors have to pay an exchange fee and network fee for each transaction.
- Liquidity. Although CoinSwitch supports 400+ coins, price slippage may be an issue for less popular coins.
Fees: Typically under 1%
Disclaimer: This information should not be interpreted as an endorsement of cryptocurrency or any specific
provider, service or offering. It is not a recommendation to trade.
Is it safe to store your cryptocurrency on an exchange?
Cryptocurrency is held in digital wallets. Some exchanges will give you a wallet, which lets you hold cryptocurrency in your exchange account and then transfer it anywhere as desired. Others will require you to have your own wallet at the time of purchase.
However, using an exchange for long-term storage is not recommended. As the exchange controls the private key to your wallet, you don’t have total control over your funds. And with exchanges regularly — and sometimes successfully — targeted by hackers, storing crypto on an exchange long term is very risky.
Compare 20+ cryptocurrency exchanges you can use right now
Use our table to compare crypto exchanges on fees, fiat currencies, deposit methods and more. Once you’ve found the right fit, select Go to site to get started.
Disclaimer: Cryptocurrencies are speculative, complex and involve significant risks – they are highly
volatile and sensitive to secondary activity. Performance is unpredictable and past performance is no guarantee of
future performance. Consider your own circumstances, and obtain your own advice, before relying on this information.
You should also verify the nature of any product or service (including its legal status and relevant regulatory
requirements) and consult the relevant Regulators' websites before making any decision. Finder, or the author, may
have holdings in the cryptocurrencies discussed.
Our methodology for finding the best exchanges
We analyzed the range of 20+ cryptocurrency exchanges compared in the table on this page. We looked at the beginner-friendliness, suitability for fiat currency purchases, fees, cryptocurrency selection and advanced trading features of each exchange to find the one that’s best of each category.
Bear in mind this isn’t an exhaustive list of all the exchanges out there. Some exchanges may be better for some situations and currencies. What’s best for you depends on your own circumstances.
How we looked at each of the five categories
Beginner-friendliness
We assessed the level of beginner-friendliness by looking for exchanges that offer direct fiat purchases, have a managed cryptocurrency wallet for customers, use a clean and intuitive user interface, allow quick signups and have a reputation for good customer service.
To be one of the best beginner-friendly exchanges, a platform had to be a broker where customers can simply buy cryptocurrency from the exchange, rather than needing to deal with other traders on the open market.
Being a regulated exchange with specific, legally enshrined consumer protections was highly regarded.
Fiat currency purchases
To be eligible in this category, an exchange naturally needs to offer fiat currency purchases. We then compared exchanges to find one where any eligible customer who wanted to buy cryptocurrency with their local currency could, regardless of their preferred payment method. Various payment methods, including some with low- or no-deposit fees, some which can be processed instantly and cash payment facilities, were highly regarded.
Fees
We assessed 0.5% per trade as a cutoff point above which an exchange could not be determined to have low fees. We then looked for the exchanges that have no hidden costs, such as excessive withdrawal fees, and include options for reducing fees even further, such as different trading fee tiers and other ways of reducing fees. The value of these fee reduction techniques was judged based on how much they reduced fees by and how accessible they are to a wide range of users.
Cryptocurrency selection
Cryptocurrency selection was judged on the sheer range of cryptocurrencies but also strongly considers how quickly exchanges typically are to list newly released cryptocurrencies and how often an exchange is the first major platform to list a given token.
Suitability for active trading
The factors considered here include an exchange’s suitability for a wide range of different types of traders. For example, a platform that is equally suitable for an experienced or inexperienced trader, or a frequent or infrequent trader, would be judged more positively than a more narrowly focused platform.
We also considered fees, liquidity, selection of cryptocurrencies, the ability to go both long and short on cryptocurrencies, access to leverage, advanced trade types, bot or API trading support and other features.
Read more on this topic
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Review: FTX US cryptocurrency exchange
What you need to know about using FTX US, including fees, available cryptocurrencies and what payment methods are available.
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Review: Crypto.com cryptocurrency app and exchange
Learn more about the Crypto.com platform in our complete review.
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Review: Paybis cryptocurrency exchange
Your detailed review of the Paybis cryptocurrency exchange, including supported cryptos, registration, fees and payment methods.
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Top cryptocurrency exchanges methodology
Finder’s methodology for best cryptocurrency exchanges on the US market in terms of speed, ease of use and cost-effectiveness.
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eToro USA cryptocurrency trading review
Learn more about trading cryptocurrencies on eToro USA by reading the full review.
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Binance.US cryptocurrency exchange review
Learn more about Binance.US, the American arm of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange.
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Review: Zebpay cryptocurrency exchange
Read the Zebpay review to find out how to use the app and what to watch out for.
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Cointree cryptocurrency exchange review – September 2021
Read our Cointree cryptocurrency exchange review to find out how it works and what you need to know before signing up.
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Remitano P2P cryptocurrency platform – review
Remitano lets you buy bitcoin and other cryptos in a peer-to-peer marketplace, but is it safe to use? Find out what to expect in our review.
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Review: Bithumb cryptocurrency exchange
A comprehensive look at the features and fees of the Bithumb cryptocurrency exchange, including how you can sign up for an account.
Ask an Expert
I need to withdraw/transfer some STK coins from one exchange to another, but I cannot find any exchanges that trade that coin. Can you help me find an exchange I can send my STK coins to?
Hi Gerald,
Thanks for getting in touch! As of this writing, our pages don’t show information on an exchange that can be used for STK coins. For now, you can search for this information by doing a quick web search.
Sorry I couldn’t be of help at the moment. Feel free to reach out to us again for further assistance.
Best,
Nikki
Why are there so many fake “ bitcoin traders” on Instagram? How do you know if someone is real?
I am looking for someone real to help me invest with quick earnings and reinvestment.
Hi Juliana,
Thanks for getting in touch!
People who are interested in investing in cryptocurrency often turn to social media for information so it provides scammers access to people who lack the expertise to tell a legitimate from an illegitimate offer. In addition to this, digital currencies including Bitcoin aren’t controlled by any financial institution or government so when Bitcoin fraud is committed, it is impossible to recover any losses.
Our guide on common Bitcoin scams has helpful information on how to detect a Bitcoin scam and ways on how you can avoid it. Using our checklist can also help you identify if a particular cryptocurrency website is a scam or not.
As a reminder, cryptocurrencies are speculative, complex, and involve significant risks. Please verify the nature of any product or service and consider your own circumstances before making any decision.
Hope this helps and email us back if you have other questions.
Best,
Nikki