Best Crypto Exchanges and Platforms of 2026 [Licensed and Regulated]

Finder makes money from featured partners, but editorial opinions are our own.

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced investor or trader, finding the best crypto exchange is crucial for safe and efficient trading. We evaluate security, fees, user experience, available cryptocurrencies and other criteria across more than 40 providers to find the best crypto exchanges and trading platforms for buying and selling crypto.

Finder Award

eToro USA LLC Cryptocurrency Trading

Go to site

Trade leading cryptocurrencies including BTC and ETH
Copy top crypto investors with eToro's innovative CopyTrader
Access ready-made portfolios built by eToro experts for instant investment direction

SoFi Crypto

Go to site

Bank, borrow, invest and trade crypto in one app.
Trade 27 major cryptocurrencies, including BTC, ETH, SOL, ADA and XRP.
Access 24/7 support through chat, phone and email for troubleshooting and live human assistance.

Important information

DIGITAL ASSETS EXCEPT SOFI EARN (SOFIE) ARE NOT FDIC INSURED • ARE NOT BANK GUARANTEED • MAY LOSE VALUE

SoFi Crypto is offered by SoFi Bank, N.A. Cryptocurrency and digital assets are not deposits, involve risk and are not insured by FDIC. Please refer to the SoFi Crypto Account Agreement and SoFi Crypto Risk Disclosure for additional terms and conditions.

Finder Award

Kraken Pro

Go to site

Buy/sell 170+ cryptocurrencies
24/7 customer support
Supports EUR, USD, GBP, CAD, AUD, CHF and JPY

All providers on our list are US government-regulated and licensed to operate within the US. Many providers on our list also carry crime insurance covering fiat currency and digital asset theft. See which crypto exchange is right for you and learn how to start investing in crypto today.

At a glance: 8 best crypto exchange accounts of 2026

Exchange	Best for	Finder Score	Learn more
Crypto.com	Best overall	9.8 Excellent	Go to site
eToro	Best for beginners	8.2 Great	Go to site

Kraken	Best for coin selection	9.0 Excellent	Go to site
OKX	Best for low fees	9.4 Excellent	Go to site
Robinhood	Best all-in-one platform	9.0 Excellent	Read Review
Uphold	Best for fiat currencies and commodities	8.2 Great	Read Review
Gemini	Best for security	8.0 Great	Read Review
Coinbase	Best for advanced features	9.2 Excellent	Read Review

1. Crypto.com: Best overall

Crypto.com is Finder’s top pick for the best overall crypto exchange due to its low costs, robust security and user-friendly interface. Supporting a wide range of cryptocurrencies, it offers a low-cost fee structure for crypto trading, third-party asset insurance and seamless integration with its mobile app. Its intuitive design makes it accessible for beginners, while advanced features cater to seasoned traders. Regulated and widely trusted, Crypto.com is a top choice for all levels of crypto traders and investors.

Pros

No deposit fees
Trade 400+ cryptos
Advanced order types, charts and trading tools
Self-custody wallet
Crypto-earning debit card
Crypto insurance

Cons

Unavailable in New York
No phone support

Finder score:
9.8 Excellent

Supported coins: 442

Trading Fee:
Maker fees: 0% to 0.25%
Taker fees: 0.1584% to 0.50%

Minimum deposit: $0

Go to site
Read Review

2. eToro: Best for beginners

eToro is widely regarded as one of the most beginner-friendly platforms for getting started in crypto, thanks to its intuitive interface and straightforward fee structure. Its standout feature, CopyTrader, lets new users automatically replicate other investors’ trades at no extra cost — a powerful way to learn by doing. The platform also offers an unlimited demo account and a comprehensive online training academy with resources ranging from bite-sized articles to full courses, making it easy for newcomers to build confidence before committing real money.

Pros

Transparent 1% trade fee with no added spreads
Copy the crypto trades of other eToro users
Virtual portfolio to practice trading
Intuitive interface

Cons

Unavailable in HI, NV, PR or US VI
Wallet custody model not clearly disclosed
Crypto assets not insured

Finder score:
8.2 Great

Supported coins: 105

Trading Fee: 1%

Minimum deposit: $50

Go to site

Read Review

Investing & Crypto

ENDS SOON

Get $200 from Finder

Become a Finder member, then open a new etoro account through the Finder link as a first-time customer and make a single deposit of at least $1,000. Keep it in your account until January 29, 2027. Offer ends December 15, 2026. Separate T&Cs and limits apply.

3. OKX: Best for low fees

OKX has a reputation for charging some of the lowest fees in the industry. Its transparent fee framework features a tiered system with a VIP structure that offers progressively lower rates, including negative maker fees for high-volume participation. ACH deposits are free of charge (debit card deposits carry a fee), and there are no account maintenance or inactivity fees, making OKX one of the leanest cost structures available to US crypto traders today.

Pros

Low fees, especially for high-volume traders
Multiple ways to earn extra cash
CeDeFi trading available
Self-custody wallet

Cons

Not available in NY
No fiats besides USD

Finder score:
9.4 Excellent

Supported coins: 181

Trading Fee: Regular users: 0.20% maker fees and 0.35% taker fees
VIP users: -0.0050% to 0.1% maker fees and 0.0150% to 0.2% taker fees
Spread: Varies, 1% average

Minimum deposit: $10

Go to site

Read Review

4. Kraken: Best for coin selection

With over 500 cryptocurrencies available, Kraken offers something for everyone — from Layer-1 coins like Bitcoin and Ethereum to stablecoins, meme coins, AI coins and real-world asset (RWA) projects. What sets it apart from exchanges with similarly large selections is the quality bar behind each listing — Kraken focuses on tokens with strong liquidity, vast adoption and real utility, meaning its coin selection is curated rather than indiscriminate. With a high liquidity score, Kraken is particularly well-suited for traders who want broad asset variety without sacrificing the ability to execute trades efficiently. For more advanced users, Kraken Pro builds on this with professional-grade trading tools, deeper analytics and a streamlined interface designed for executing more complex strategies.

Pros

Highly-customizable trading interface
Advanced order types, charting tools and API trading
Trade using margin with up to 5x leverage for eligible accounts
Trade 500+ cryptocurrencies
24/7 customer support

Cons

Not available to residents of New York and Maine
Some staking services subject to geographic restrictions

Finder score:
9.0 Excellent

Supported coins: 523

Trading Fee:
Trading: 0% - 1.5%
Spread: Variable spread included in the price, calculated before orders are executed

Minimum deposit: Varies significantly depending on the asset

Go to site
Read Review

5. Robinhood Crypto: Best all-in-one platform

Robinhood goes beyond crypto, making it a true all-in-one financial platform for investors who want to manage everything in one place. Alongside commission-free trading on stocks, ETFs, options and crypto, it offers IRA accounts with contribution matching and up to 3.6% APY on stored cash (for Robinhood Gold members). Its AI-powered tool, Robinhood Cortex, delivers real-time insights into crypto and stock movements, while its prediction markets feature lets traders speculate on real-world events like elections and Fed rate decisions — a unique offering few platforms can match.

Pros

IRA accounts with contribution match
Trade stocks, ETFs and more
Access prediction markets
Earn up to 3.6% on stored cash

Cons

Charts and trading tools not as advanced as some exchanges
Limited coin selection

Finder score:
9.0 Excellent

Supported coins: 81

Trading Fee:
Transfer fee: $0
Staking commission: 25%

Minimum deposit: $1

Read Review

6. Uphold: Best for fiat currencies and commodities

Uphold is unique in that it enables direct trading between cryptocurrencies, fiat currencies and precious metals. This means you can trade directly between any two of these assets without having to first go back into a common asset like US dollars. For example, you can trade ether (ETH) for Japanese yen or physical gold. Buy gold, silver, platinum and palladium, with instant liquidity into 27 national currencies and no custody fees.

Pros

Trade across 250+ crypto, traditional currencies and precious metals
Swap one asset type for another
Offers an assisted self-custody wallet

Cons

Unavailable in New York
Limited advanced order types
Spread fees on the high end
No phone support
No crypto insurance

Finder score:
8.2 Great

Supported coins: 253

Trading Fee:
Most stablecoins: under 0.25%
Major market FXs: 0.3%
BTC, ETH: 1.8%–1.95%
Altcoins: 2.85%–3.80%
Precious metals: 2.35%–3.40%

A $0.99 Uphold Fee may be applied if the value of your trade is below $500.

Minimum deposit: $10

Read Review

7. Gemini: Best for security

Gemini has built its reputation on being one of the most secure and trusted exchanges in the industry. Its NYDFS trust company charter, SOC 2 Type 2 certification and comprehensive insurance coverage combine into one of the most credible security and compliance profiles in the entire crypto exchange landscape. Add in a strong account security stack that includes mandatory 2FA, passkeys, hardware security keys and withdrawal address protections, giving users multiple layers of defense that most platforms simply don’t offer.

Pros

Available in all 50 states
Assets in Gemini custody are insured
Advanced order types, charts and trading tools
Offers a crypto rewards credit card

Cons

Limited number of coins
Trade fees on the high end for web and mobile trading

Finder score:
8.0 Great

Supported coins: 81

Trading Fee:
Trading: Dependant on transaction size:
$10 or less: $0.99
$10–$25: $1.49
$25–$50: $1.99
$50–$200: $2.99
More than $200: 1.49% of order value

Spread: 0.5% convenience fee on all transactions

Minimum deposit: $0

Read Review

8. Coinbase: Best for advanced features

Top Offer: Get up to $200 in crypto with eligible purchases.

Coinbase is the standout choice for traders who want powerful tools without sacrificing usability. Coinbase Advanced’s TradingView integration — a rare feature among crypto exchanges — gives active traders access to 400+ indicators, 100,000+ public scripts and real-time chart trading for both spot and futures markets. Users can place market, limit and stop orders, and toggle seamlessly between the simple and advanced interfaces with a single click.

Pros

Earn small amounts of free crypto with Learning Rewards
24/7 customer support
Crypto rewards debit card
Offers a self-custody wallet
Audited financials as a public company

Cons

Staking services limited in CA, MD, NJ and WI
Trade fees on the high end

Finder score:
9.2 Excellent

Supported coins: 271

Trading Fee:

Trading: Varies based on trade

Spread: Varies based on trade

Taker fee: 0.05% to 0.60%

Maker fee: 0.00% and 0.40%

Minimum deposit: $0

Read Review

Why you can trust Finder's crypto experts

We're free

Our comparison tables are completely free to use. We link you directly to the platform's secure sign-up page and often have offers you won't find elsewhere.

We're experts

We've researched and rated dozens of exchanges for our Crypto Trading Platform Awards and are often called upon to comment in media.

We're independent

We're not owned by an exchange or investment firm. Our opinions are our own and we put our users first to help you find the product that's right for you.

We're here to help

We're a team of crypto nerds with extensive experience in investing, trading and decentralized finance but we also remember how it feels to be a beginner.

Methodology: How we choose the best crypto exchanges and platforms

Finder’s investments experts reviewed over 40 cryptocurrency platforms available to narrow down the best exchanges in the USA for trading and investing in crypto. Only platforms registered with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network operating in the US were considered part of the final methodology.

We analyze each platform based on 98 key metrics we collect directly from exchanges and brokers and assess each provider’s performance based on eight different categories, weighing each metric based on the expertise and insights of Finder’s investment experts. We then score and rank each provider depending on its performance in each category.

How we weigh the overall rating

Category	Weighting
Availability	20%
Supported cryptocurrencies	20%
Trading costs	20%
Security	15%
Storage	10%
Customer support	5%
Mobile app store ratings	5%
Features and amenities	5%

We update our best picks as products change, disappear or emerge. We also regularly review and revise our selections to ensure our best provider lists reflect the most competitive.

How to choose the best crypto exchange

Not all crypto exchanges are created equal. The right platform for you depends on your experience level, trading goals and where you live — but regardless of those factors, there are five core areas every trader should evaluate before committing to an exchange.

Costs. Most exchanges charge a maker-taker fee of 0.1%–0.5% per trade. Check deposit and withdrawal methods too — bank transfers are cheapest, while card payments are faster but carry added surcharges.
Trading access. Confirm the exchange lists the coins you want and supports fiat-to-crypto trading if you’re buying with traditional currency. Also consider whether you need a web platform, mobile app or both.
Safety. Choose an exchange that requires KYC verification, stores funds in cold storage and offers two-factor authentication. Check their track record — how a platform has handled past incidents is a strong indicator of trustworthiness.
Ease of use. Look for a clean interface, fast account verification and responsive customer support across multiple channels.
Market quality. Prioritize exchanges with high trading volumes. Greater liquidity means faster order fills and less slippage when executing trades.

What's your top priority when choosing a crypto exchange?

Strong security and insurance (e.g., 2FA, cold storage)

0% Low trading and withdrawal fees

0% Wide selection of cryptocurrencies and tokens

0% High liquidity and trading volume

0% Regulatory compliance and licensing

0% User-friendly interface and mobile app

Is it safe to store your cryptocurrency on an exchange?

Securely store your crypto:

Cryptocurrency is held in digital wallets. Some exchanges will give you your own wallet that lets you hold cryptocurrency in your exchange account and then transfer it anywhere as desired.

However, once you have purchased what you consider to be a sizeable amount of digital assets, you may want to consider transferring the private keys to those assets to a self-custodial wallet.

This is because the exchange controls the private key to your wallet, which means you don’t have total control of your funds. And with exchanges sometimes falling victim to hackers, there is some degree of risk involved with leaving the private keys to your crypto in the hands of a centralized exchange.

Learn about wallets

Frequently asked questions

Which crypto exchange is safest?

Gemini is widely regarded as one of the safest crypto exchanges available, particularly for U.S. users. It was the first exchange to achieve SOC 1 Type 2 and SOC 2 Type 2 certifications — the gold standard for internal controls and data security — and keeps the majority of assets in cold storage, with USD deposits FDIC-insured up to $250,000. Gemini also maintains $125 million in total digital asset insurance ($25 million for hot wallet holdings, $100 million for cold storage) and, as a New York Trust Company, is subject to regular audits and strict capital reserve requirements.

Is Kraken better than Coinbase?

It depends on your goals and experience as a trader. Coinbase is the better choice for beginners who want the smoothest first experience, while Kraken better serves advanced users who value granular control and lower fees. On cost, Kraken Pro’s base tier charges 0.40% maker and 0.80% taker, with rates dropping significantly at higher trading volumes — so the cheaper of the two depends heavily on your trade volume rather than a fixed comparison. Both are highly secure and reputable, and Coinbase is publicly traded on Nasdaq with the large majority of assets in cold storage.

Can the IRS see your crypto wallet?

Effectively, yes. The IRS tracks crypto by combining blockchain analysis with user data from exchanges — all legally operating U.S. exchanges must collect KYC information and report activity to the IRS via Form 1099-DA. Even self-custody wallets aren’t truly hidden: the 1099-DA includes wallet addresses for every transfer off an exchange, allowing the IRS to trace wallet-to-wallet movements and map your entire crypto portfolio over time.

The IRS also works with blockchain analytics firms like Chainalysis and CipherTrace, which can follow funds across dozens of wallets and flag suspicious patterns even when users move crypto between multiple addresses.

Disclaimer: This page is not financial advice or an endorsement of digital assets, providers or services. Digital assets are volatile and risky, and past performance is no guarantee of future results. Potential regulations or policies can affect their availability and services provided. Talk with a financial professional before making a decision. Finder or the author may own cryptocurrency discussed on this page.

Finder’s crypto exchange reviews

Figure Markets

Gemini

Huobi

Robinhood crypto

SoFi Crypto

Uphold

Finder writers are subject matter experts and use primary sources, in-depth research and interviews with other experts to ensure you're getting accurate, up-to-date information. Articles are fact checked in line with our editorial guidelines.

Thank you for your feedback!

To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Holly Jennings as part of our fact-checking process.

Written by

Matt Miczulski

Investments editor and market analyst

Add to Preferred Sources

Matt Miczulski is an investments editor and market analyst at Finder. With over 450 bylines, Matt dissects and reviews brokers and investing platforms to expose perks and pain points, explores investment products and concepts and covers market news, making investing more accessible and helping readers to make informed financial decisions. Before joining Finder in 2021, Matt covered everything from finance news and banking to debt and travel for FinanceBuzz. His expertise and analysis on investing and other financial topics has been featured on Yahoo Finance, CBS, MSN, Best Company and Consolidated Credit, among others. Matt holds a BA in history from William Paterson University. See full bio

Matt's expertise

Matt has written 295 Finder guides across topics including:

Trading and investing
Broker and trading platform reviews
Money management

Co-written by

Frank Corva

Writer

Frank Corva is business-to-business (B2B) correspondent for Bitcoin Magazine and formerly the cryptocurrency writer and analyst for digital assets at Finder. Frank has turned his hobby of studying and writing about crypto into a career with a mission of educating the world about this burgeoning sector of finance. He worked in Ghana and Venezuela before earning a degree in applied linguistics at Teachers College, Columbia University. He also taught writing and entertainment business courses in Japan and worked with UNICEF in Namibia before returning to the US to teach at universities in New York City. Earlier in his career, he spent years working as a publicist and graphic designer for record labels like Warner Music Group and Triple Crown Records. During that time, he was also a music journalist whose writing and photography was in published in Alternative Press, Spin and other outlets. See full bio

More resources on Finder

8 Best Crypto Exchanges and Apps of 2026

Find the top licensed and regulated crypto exchanges, apps and trading platforms available to US residents.