NerdWallet’s comprehensive review Pum exchange process evaluates and ranks platforms and companies that allow U.S. customers to buy and/or sell cryptocurrency. Our aim is to provide an independent assessment of providers to help arm you with information to make sound, informed judgements on which ones will best meet your needs. The investing information provided on this page is for educational purposes only. NerdWallet, Inc. does not offer advisory or brokerage services, nor does it recommend or advise investors to buy or sell particular stocks, securities or other investments.
Kucoin
That’s exactly what Bitfinex offers, too – multiple different trading tools, as well as different trading products, as well (spot, perpetuals, etc.). Its global reach and adherence to regulatory standards in key markets further solidify its position among affordable cryptocurrency trading platforms. Uphold is a leading global platform that empowers individuals to trade, exchange, and hold a diverse range of assets, including cryptocurrencies and traditional currencies.
Knowing that the majority of funds are stored offline gives me confidence in using their platform. The Bundles feature is fantastic for diversifying my portfolio without too much hassle. I can invest in a group of cryptocurrencies with a single transaction. Knowing that 90% of funds are stored offline and that they have robust security protocols is reassuring. I like how they’ve got both spot and margin in the same interface, makes it easier to manage everything. KuCoin’s got a ton of features, but it’s a bit much if you’re just trying to buy and hold.
Before choosing an exchange, it’s essential to determine your investment strategy and what you expect from a trading platform. Once you’ve purchased bitcoin or your cryptocurrency of choice it’s important to withdraw it to your own secure personal wallet. To begin buying bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies you will need to link a bank account or credit card to the exchange. The platform you end up choosing will depend on your preferences and the cryptocurrencies and payment methods they support. The United States has 5 trusted exchanges available for you to sign up for, with the most popular being Coinbase and Kraken, which account for a combined 125,000,000 active users. When it was visible, the fee structure was complex, to say the least.
Coinbase has a fee structure that can be considered higher than average. It charges a spread of around 0.50% per transaction, along with a flat fee depending on the amount traded (up to 4.5%). Coinbase Advanced, the pro trading platform, uses a maker-taker model, with 0.4% maker and 0.6% taker. As with any innovation in the cryptocurrency space, it’s essential to thoroughly vet any DEX before engaging in trades. A good practice is to only invest what you can afford to lose and to trade on platforms where the code has been verified by independent smart contract auditors. [newline]The comparison between the risk and reward of using DEXs versus centralized exchanges has become clearer, especially in light of recent events (the FTX collapse in November 2022). As decentralized platforms continue to mature, their adoption is expected to rise.
In Conclusion: Choosing The Right Exchange For Your Needs
Those are actually some of the most important aspects to look at when picking the best cryptocurrency exchange, too. Security is a no-brainer – if the exchange doesn’t have some fundamental security measures[2], it isn’t even worth looking into. If you’ve ever searched for the best crypto exchanges, without a single doubt, Coinbase must have popped up on your radar rather frequently.
They check all the essential boxes, providing a beginner-friendly trading environment to help you grow. Once you’ve gained confidence and trading experience, you can branch out to explore more niche platforms that focus on specific strategies or unique types of assets. The platform has a clean and easy-to-use layout that’s ideal for those just entering the digital currency space. And if you like the thought of trading on the go, Kraken’s mobile app lets you manage your portfolio and trade right from your smartphone without hassle. For newcomers or casual traders, Binance has a helpful feature called “Buy Crypto”. This tool, easily accessible on the website or mobile app, lets you purchase your first Bitcoin in just a few clicks.
To see our full methodology and learn more about our process, read our criteria for how we evaluate crypto platforms and exchanges. Like Coinbase, Binance was named in the lawsuit in part because of its high profile — which comes from its being one of the easiest exchanges for beginners. You can buy its stablecoin Binance USD (BUSD) with fiat currency, then purchase any of 363 coins. You can also trade in Binance’s own coin, BNB, for a 25% discount on trading fees (10% on futures).
Top 20 Instant Cryptocurrency Swap Platforms Of 2025
Binance is a cryptocurrency exchange that lists more than 350 cryptocurrencies globally. In addition to cryptocurrency trading, it offers several services that enhance the experience for users and blockchain developers. The Indian cryptocurrency landscape has been on an exciting, yet turbulent, journey over the past few years. Despite regulatory uncertainty and market volatility, India remains one of the largest and most vibrant crypto markets in the world. As interest in digital currencies grows, more and more Indian investors are seeking reliable, user-friendly, and secure platforms to buy, sell, and trade cryptocurrencies.
Overall, the article aims to help readers make informed decisions when choosing a safe crypto exchange and provides a comprehensive guide to securing crypto assets. A crypto exchange is a marketplace where you can buy and sell cryptocurrencies, like Bitcoin, Ether or Dogecoin. While you’re ideally picking an exchange with the lowest costs, dwelling too much on the ins and outs of maker and taker fees can be counterproductive. That’s because you can’t choose whether your order is processed as a maker or a taker. Instead, you’re better served considering overall fees and any discounts available for trading a certain amount each month or holding an exchange’s native cryptocurrency.
The changenow platform supports over 800 cryptocurrencies, including major coins like Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and hundreds of altcoins, DeFi tokens, and stablecoins. Whether you’re looking to exchange Bitcoin to Ethereum, swap altcoins, or trade DeFi tokens, ChangeNow provides the most comprehensive selection of cryptocurrency pairs in the market. But aside from these major global exchanges, there are some providers that focus on just one or two domiciles. The 49 million traders in South Korea are primarily serviced by two major institutions, Bithumb and Upbit, who received a combined total of 70% of all crypto exchange visitors.