Binance review
- Fiat currencies
- 70
- Supported assets
- 356
Our verdict
With over 500+ markets, Binance is more than just a crypto exchange but it's also highly controversial.
Despite its huge global popularity, Binance is quite a controversial platform. It offers "crypto derivatives", which the UK regulator has banned from sale to consumers in the UK. That led the regulator to issue a warning specifically about Binance. The platform isn't based in the UK, so due to the new rules coming into effect on 8 October 2023, it partnered with Rebuildingsociety.com, which is authorised to approve financial ads, but the regulator has again stepped in to block this.
With the number of features packed into Binance, it's sometimes easy to forget that the exchange is only 6 years old. Its centralised order book offers almost everything that experienced cryptocurrency investors would require and benefits from the platform's high liquidity figures.
Binance has now branched out into decentralised finance and thanks to its accompanying Binance Chain and Binance Smart Chain, facilitates the development of decentralised applications within its ecosystem.
But although the platform is one of the most powerful around, with some of the lowest trading fees, it can be overwhelming for the inexperienced cryptocurrency investor. Binance will willingly help them lose their money.
Pros
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High liquidity. It is the most used cryptocurrency exchange in the world which means all markets are highly liquid and offer low slippage.
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Innovative. Binance has a long list of features on the exchange.
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Market range. Binance hosts one of the largest selections of cryptocurrencies across any exchange.
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Accessibility. Thanks to its flexible nature, Binance is accessible from most countries worldwide.
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Low fees. Its popularity means Binance can charge some of the lowest fees on the market, with trading fees starting from 0.1%.
Cons
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Overwhelming. With so many features on offer, a new cryptocurrency investor could easily be overwhelmed by options.
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Custodial. To fully utilise all features of Binance a user must deposit and leave funds on the exchange platform.
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Feature access. Access to certain features will vary depending on geographic location.
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Warning from UK watchdog. The FCA issued a warning about Binance.
Details
Product details
| Product Name | Binance Cryptocurrency Exchange |
| Fiat Currencies | USD, AUD, CAD, EUR, CNY, RUB, TRY, NGN, UAH & 60+ more |
| Cryptocurrencies | BTC, ETH, BNB, XRP, ADA, UNI, XLM, EOS, LTC & 348 more |
| Deposit Methods |
Bank transfer Credit card Cryptocurrency Debit card Faster Payments (FPS) Apple Pay Google Pay |
| Trading Fee |
Maker: 0.02 - 0.10% Taker: 0.04 - 0.10% |
| Deposit Fees |
Instant Bank Payment: 0.5GBP Bank Card(Visa/MC): 1.80% Etana: None FPS: 1GBP Cryptocurrency: None |
| Withdrawal Fees |
Instant Bank Payment: 0.5GBP FPS: 1GBP Bank Card (Visa): 1.80% Etana: None Cryptocurrency: Fees vary |
Estimated reading time: 2 min
Due to the potential for losses, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) considers this investment to be high risk.
What are the key risks?
1. You could lose all the money you invest
- The performance of most cryptoassets can be highly volatile, with their value dropping as quickly as it can rise. You should be prepared to lose all the money you invest in cryptoassets.
- The cryptoasset market is largely unregulated. There is a risk of losing money or any cryptoassets you purchase due to risks such as cyber-attacks, financial crime and firm failure.
2. You should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong
- The Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) doesn't protect this type of investment because it's not a 'specified investment' under the UK regulatory regime – in other words, this type of investment isn't recognised as the sort of investment that the FSCS can protect. Learn more by using the FSCS investment protection checker.
- The Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) will not be able to consider complaints related to this firm or Protection from the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) does not cover poor investment performance. If you have a complaint against an FCA regulated firm, FOS may be able to consider it. Learn more about FOS protection here.
3. You may not be able to sell your investment when you want to
- There is no guarantee that investments in cryptoassets can be easily sold at any given time. The ability to sell a cryptoasset depends on various factors, including the supply and demand in the market at that time.
- Operational failings such as technology outages, cyber-attacks and comingling of funds could cause unwanted delay and you may be unable to sell your cryptoassets at the time you want.
4. Cryptoasset investments can be complex
- Investments in cryptoassets can be complex, making it difficult to understand the risks associated with the investment.
- You should do your own research before investing. If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
5. Don't put all your eggs in one basket
- Putting all your money into a single type of investment is risky. Spreading your money across different investments makes you less dependent on any one to do well.
- A good rule of thumb is not to invest more than 10% of your money in high-risk investments.
If you are interested in learning more about how to protect yourself, visit the FCA's website here.
For further information about cryptoassets, visit the FCA's website here.
Must read. From 16 October 2023, Binance stopped accepting new UK users, after the UK watchdog blocked the firm that was approving Binance’s ads. Existing UK users wil retain the current services available (providing they have completed their investor declaration and appropriateness test) but any new products and services will not be made available while Binance looks for another company to approve its ads.
Launched in 2017, Binance has grown to become the most popular exchange in the world for cryptocurrency investors. Known for its expansive cryptocurrency offerings and high liquidity, the exchange has remained at the forefront of exchange innovation offering simple cryptocurrency purchases alongside advanced features, interest earning products and access to DeFi. UK-based investors may not be able to access all the features that Binance offers.
Unsatisfied with the centralised exchange, Binance has now expanded its reach to include elements from decentralised finance (DeFi). The exchange is accompanied by dual blockchain networks: Binance Chain and Binance Smart Chain, which are powered by the native BNB cryptocurrency token. These blockchains have greatly expanded the options available for the average cryptocurrency investor to earn interest from cryptocurrency holdings. They have also facilitated Binance’s own ecosystem of decentralised applications (dApps). The development of the Binance Decentralised Exchange (DEX) and the latest Binance Liquid Swap automated market maker (AMM) clearly shows Binance’s intention to continue innovating in the sector. In the UK, however, the Financial Conduct Authority has issued a warning about Binance. The global site offers crypto derivatives, which the regulator has banned from sale to UK consumers.
What fiat and cryptocurrencies are supported?
- Supported fiat currencies: USD, AUD, CAD, EUR, CNY, RUB, TRY, NGN, UAH & 60+ more
- Supported cryptocurrencies: Approximately 356 cryptocurrencies
Which payments methods are accepted?
Accepted payment methods include:
- Bank transfer
- Credit card
- Cryptocurrency
- Debit card
- Faster Payments (FPS)
- Apple Pay
- Google Pay
What’s it like to use Binance?
The amount of cryptocurrencies and features available on Binance is second to none, which is why the exchange is popular. Users have the opportunity to buy, sell, stake, yield farm, access a decentralised exchange (DEX), and invest in new projects. Every feature listed then has a significant host of options situated within. With all that’s on offer, this can make the website feel overwhelming for first-time cryptocurrency investors.
Although overwhelming online, the mobile application offers a much simpler route for those that have never used Binance before. The mobile app provides both a ‘Lite’ and ‘Pro’ user interface which greatly simplifies the dashboard.
Customer service for the exchange is mixed with users having to submit requests via an online form.
Fees and limits
The fees below are accurate as of 7th June 2021.
Binance’s trading fees are some of the lowest on the market.
Platform trading fees
| Platform Fee Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Instant buy with credit/debit card | 3.5% |
| Instant buy with bank card transfer | Up to 1.8% |
| Spot trading fees (maker/taker model) | From 0.1% |
| Borrow interest rate | Varies |
Spot trading fees can be reduced by holding the native BNB token. If the trading fees are paid with BNB the user receives a 25% discount. To access this discount a user needs to hold BNB tokens in their Binance wallet. The BNB tokens will automatically be used to pay trading fees unless changed within the settings.
Deposit and withdrawal fees
Deposit fees
Binance does not charge deposit fees. For cryptocurrency deposits, associated transfer fees will still be required for utilising the corresponding blockchain network. This will vary depending on the cryptocurrency. There are no fees for fiat deposits.
Withdrawal fees
Binance charges a flat fee dependent on the blockchain network which is subject to change.
Transaction Limits
| Transaction Type | Limits |
|---|---|
| Fiat purchase | Varies by payment method and currency. Lower limits are approximately $5000 USD or equivalent per 24 hours. |
| Withdrawal of coins to external wallet if a non-verified user | 2 BTC or equivalent per 24 hours. |
| Market order limits | Maximum market order in low liquidity markets can be as low as $50,000 USD or equivalent. |
Fees for buying $1000 of Bitcoin
To purchase $1000 of Bitcoin on Binance using a credit or debit card a 3.5%, or $35, transaction fee would be charged. This would result in a final payment of $1035.
To purchase Bitcoin on the Binance BTC/AUD spot market a 0.1%, or $10, transaction fee would be charged. This would result in a final payment of $1010.
How do I create an account at Binance?
Creating an account on Binance is very straightforward and can be achieved in a few simple steps.
Lending: Binance Earn
Binance Earn is a collection of products within Binance that offers users an annual percentage yield (APY) in return for depositing their crypto holdings. These products include staking, flexible savings, locked savings, activities, the LaunchPool, the Binance Liquid Swap and the BNB vault.
Flexible and Locked Savings
Within Binance Earn there are both flexible and locked saving account options. Flexible savings allows users to deposit funds into Binance Earn in exchange for an APY. As it’s flexible, these funds can be removed at any time. Locked savings accounts offer higher yield opportunities but require funds to be locked between 7 and 90 days.
As of 7 June, 2021, there are 73 flexible savings products and 3 locked saving products.
Activities
Activities, similar to savings accounts, allow users to deposit digital assets in return for a yield. However, unlike savings, these activities have a capped supply which means a user needs to be quickly accessing them. They’re only available at set times on the exchange which means an investor needs to be actively watching.
As of 7 June, 2021, there are 18 activity products available.
Locked Staking
Certain blockchains and their native cryptocurrency work on a Proof-of-Stake (PoS) consensus mechanism. The PoS ensures the blockchain is validated and remains secure. To provide validation users must deposit and lock a set amount of the native cryptocurrency into the network. This process is referred to as staking. Binance offers users the opportunity to stake cryptocurrencies through its platform and earn rewards. All rewards are stated as an APY figure.
As of 7th June 2021, there are currently 61 locked staking products available.
Find out more about staking in our guide here.
LaunchPool
The Binance LaunchPad facilitates the launch of projects within the Binance ecosystem via Initial Exchange Offerings (IEOs). Users can invest in upcoming projects by depositing applicable cryptocurrencies into the LaunchPool. In return for their investment users effectively receive a stake in the new project. This is usually in the form of the new native cryptocurrency token.
Binance Liquid Swap
Binance Liquid Swap is an automated market maker hosted on the centralised Binance exchange. It is the first of its kind. It allows for the exchange of cryptocurrencies via liquidity pools. Users can deposit cryptocurrencies into the liquidity pools on Binance Liquid Swap and earn a return from fees.
As of 7th June 2021, there are currently 58 liquidity pools available.
BNB Vault
The BNB vault combines the best offerings from the Binance Earn ecosystem and combines them in an aggregator. The Vault combines flexible savings, BNB DeFi staking and Launchpool opportunities to offer users the best APY return. To access the BNB Vault a user needs to stake the native BNB token.
Borrowing: Crypto Loans
Binance offers users the ability to borrow cryptocurrency funds through overcollateralised Crypto Loans. The loan to value (LTV) ratio is set at 65% which means a user can borrow 65% of the collateral amount deposited. For example, if a user deposits $1000 as collateral, they would be able to borrow $650 as a loan.
As of 7 June, 2021, 43 cryptocurrencies are available to loan.
Borrowing fees
Borrowing fees are provided by an hourly and daily interest rate fee. This fee changes depending on the loan received and the term of the loan.
Additional features
Buy crypto with P2P network
When purchasing cryptocurrencies, Binance users have the option to utilise a peer-to-peer network facilitated by Binance for the exchange of assets. Users can specify at what price they wish to sell an asset and publish it to the platform. Other users can then fill the orders if they agree to the price. The P2P network is handled with the application of escrow.
Buy crypto with OTC portal
The Over the Counter (OTC) portal allows investors to purchase large amounts of cryptocurrency at slightly better prices than using the centralised order book exchange.
For a more detailed explanation of OTC trading, check out our guide here.
Mobile Application
Binance users can use the Binance mobile application on both Android and iPhone. The mobile application separates out basic and more advanced features into ‘Lite’ and ‘Pro’ user interfaces.
Binance Visa Card
The Binance Visa Card allows users to transfer cryptocurrencies into their spot wallet so that they can be converted and used at over 60 million merchants. The card does not charge any processing fees and offers up to 8% cashback. Funds are covered by the Secure Assets Fund for Users (SAFU) insurance.
Binance Smart Pool
Binance Smart Pool is a platform developed to combine the effects of cryptocurrency miners that support Proof-of-Work consensus mechanisms. Mining efforts can be automatically switched between BTC, BCH and BSV. All income is settled in BTC.
Decentralised Exchange (DEX)
The Binance DEX allows users to exchange cryptocurrencies in a peer-to-peer network whilst remaining fully in control of their digital holdings. The DEX works on the decentralised Binance blockchain and is powered by the native BNB token. The exchange allows users to trade BEP2 which are tokens built on the Binance Chain.
Customer support
The Binance exchange hosts a dedicated Help Center with searchable FAQs, along with an entire website dedicated to project research for those interested in new and upcoming projects.
To speak to a Binance representative users will need to use the online form and ticketing system.
Is Binance safe to use?
- Regulation. Crypto trading isn’t regulated in the UK, but the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) keeps a cryptoasset register of firms with a UK base that have passed anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism checks; Binance UK is not on that register. The FCA has also issued a warning about the company.
- Verification. Users in certain countries are now required to verify their account using photo ID before they can start trading. This is in compliance with local laws and helps prevent illegal activities such as money laundering.
- Security features. Binance is a security conscious exchange and has only ever fallen victim to one attack in May 2019. $40 million worth of funds were extracted, but thanks to Binance’s holdings, all users were compensated. Now security is always a priority. All account access requires two-factor authentication (2FA), and often further 2FA is required for operations on the exchange. A percentage of digital assets are held offline in cold storage facilities, with the remaining funds covered by the Secure Assets Fund for Users (SAFU). Binance collects 10% of all trading fees for the safety fund, which acts as an insurance package against security breaches.
Compare Binance against other exchanges
Frequently asked questions
