Best Crypto Trading Exchanges in 2024

Crypto trading exchange is an online platform that allows users to buy and sell cryptocurrencies. Crypto trading exchange also offers other advanced features associated with crypto assets, such as staking, mining, or advanced trading.

Crypto trading exchanges work similarly to stock exchanges, but instead of stocks, you can buy crypto assets by paying their market price. Once you complete the purchase, you’ll receive your cryptocurrencies in your exchange’s custodial wallet.  

Editor’s Note: Cryptocurrencies are highly volatile, and there is a chance that quick price drops will lead to large losses. Therefore, it’s best to study and understand the risks involved before trading cryptocurrencies. Most importantly, beginners should avoid leverage-based trading as there’s a high probability of losing their entire capital on a single trade.

Below are the best crypto trading exchanges based on user experience, security features, and staking and rewards.

• Coinbase – Best for Beginner Investors
• StormGain – Bitcoin Cloud Mining Included
• Uphold – Best to Earn Cashback
• Gemini – Best for Security and Regulation Focus
• eToro – Best for Social Trading
• Crypto.com – Best for Rewards Ecosystem and DeFi Access
• Binance – Trading Bots Included
• Kraken – Best for Margin Trading
• Gate.io – Best for Wide Asset Selection and Startup Tokens
• OKX – Best for Experienced Traders
• KuCoin – Best for Altcoin and Lesser-Known Cryptocurrencies
• Bitstamp – Best for Institutional Traders
• Bitfinex – Best for Advanced Order Types
• CEX.IO – Offer to Buy from Credit/Debit Card
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Coinbase

Coinbase is one of the largest crypto exchanges in the world, and it is best for beginners to buy, sell, and store crypto investments and NFTs. In addition, this exchange is accessible to users from over 100 countries and offers spot, derivatives, and margin trading features.  

You can use Coinbase to trade around 250 crypto assets, including  Bitcoin (BTC) and  Ethereum (ETH). Moreover, you can stake over 120 assets in this exchange and earn staking rewards in return.

Coinbase became a publicly listed company in 2021, and that ensures transparency by publishing quarterly financial statements. In addition, this company uses state-of-the-art security and encryption methods to protect their user’s assets.

Coinbase Pricing

Coinbase offers free account creation, but you need to pay trading fees based on the maker-taker fee model. Orders that provide liquidity are charged a maker fee. On the other hand, orders that take liquidity are charged a taker fee.

• Maker Fee: 0% to 0.40%
• Taker Fee: 0.05% to 0.60%

Trade Crypto with Coinbase

StormGain

StormGain is a centralized crypto exchange (CEX) that you can visit to trade over 50 popular cryptocurrencies. It also provides the option to trade almost 80 crypto trading pairs with additional security features, such as Two-Factor Authentication (2FA).

You can also use their Bitcoin cloud mining feature to earn rewards by adding funds to your account. Here, you don’t need to set up any mining equipment or install any software, as StormGain takes care of the entire mining process on your behalf. 

StormGain allows you to trade spots, options, indices, and futures with leverage of up to 300x. In addition, you can stake your digital assets to earn passive income, starting with a minimum deposit of $50.

StormGain Pricing

• Maker Fee: 0.50%
• Taker Fee: 0.50%

Trade Crypto with StormGain

Uphold

Uphold is a multi-asset crypto trading exchange launched in 2015 that supports services for over 260 cryptocurrencies. You can also use this platform to stake up to 20 cryptocurrencies, such as Solana (SOL), Cardano (ADA), or Avalanche (AVAX), to earn weekly staking rewards.

Seasoned investors and traders can use Uphold to spot trade cryptocurrencies using crypto wallets or bank cards. Moreover, this platform offers cashback on every card purchase. 

Uphold offers complete transparency to its users. It reserves 100% of its crypto assets, and its details are updated on its website in real time. The platform also conducts 24/7 security monitoring to detect and fix potential threats.

Uphold Pricing

The trading fees charged on Uphold vary based on the crypto assets:

• Most Stablecoins: 0.25%
• BTC, ETH: 1.4% to 1.6%
• Other Altcoins: 1.9% to 2.95%

Trade Crypto with Uphold

Gemini

Gemini is a SOC-certified crypto trading exchange that is regulated across various jurisdictions. In addition, traders can use these tools to choose to trade on 300+ trading pairs across 70 cryptocurrencies.

You can use Gemini to trade on crypto spots and derivatives with up to 100x leverage. When it comes to staking, you can stake Solana(SOL), Ether (ETH), and Polygon (MATIC) tokens without any minimum staking amount.

This exchange offers multi-signature features, which require more than two digital signatures to restrict unauthorized fund access or transfer from your wallet. Gemini also stores its users’ private keys at high-security data centers to avoid possible crypto wallet hacks or attacks.

Gemini Pricing

• Maker Fee: 0% to 0.20%
• Taker Fee: 0.03% to 0.40%

Trade Crypto with Gemini

eToro

eToro offers crypto trading for over 100 cryptocurrencies and has gained over 30 million users since its launch in 2007. In addition, you can stake your Cardano (ADA) and Tron (TRX) tokens to gain rewards.

Traders can choose spots or derivatives according to their trading style. Moreover, traders can opt for their inbuilt social copy trading features to follow the strategies of expert traders on the eToro platform. 

eToro stores its users’ assets in a segregated account and provides a 2FA feature to enhance user security. In addition, this exchange operates according to ASIC, cySEC, and FCA regulations to protect the crypto assets of investors and traders.

eToro Pricing

eToro charges a flat 1% fee for trading cryptocurrencies.

Trade Crypto with eToro

Crypto.com

Crypto.com is an all-in-one crypto platform that supports spot, margin, and derivatives trading for beginners and experts. On its advanced trading platform, you can also trade over 350 cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin(BTC) and Ethereum (ETH). 

You can also use Crypto.com to stake almost 20 cryptocurrencies for staking rewards. Not just that, Crypto.com offers a loyalty program to reward its community. It provides crypto wallets for mobile devices, web browsers, and desktops to access various DeFi platforms.

You can use Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) to protect your assets using various methods, such as biometrics, password, phone, email, or authenticator verification. Moreover, Crypto.com follows the highest-level certification for cybersecurity and privacy framework with regular smart contract audits to ensure foolproof protection. 

Crypto.com Pricing

• Maker Fee: 0% to 0.075%
• Taker Fee: 0.050% to 0.075%

Trade Crypto with Crypto.com

Binance

Binance is one of the most popular cryptocurrency exchanges, offering traders spot, derivatives, and margin trading features. In addition, you can use trading bots to place automated strategies and conduct copy trading. 

This exchange has a good reputation in the crypto space and supports the trading of 350+ cryptocurrencies, offering quick trade execution on popular trading pairs. Additionally, you can use their platform to stake your cryptocurrencies in exchange for weekly token rewards.

Binance stores most users’ crypto assets in offline facilities, with a real-time monitoring system that detects unusual activities and suspends withdrawals for at least 24 hours. You can also opt-in for security features like API access control and allow transactions only to selected wallet addresses to prevent unauthorized crypto transfers.

Binance Pricing

• Maker Fee: 0.0120% to 0.1%
• Taker Fee: 0.0240% and 0.1%

Trade Crypto with Binance

Kraken

Kraken is a popular crypto trading exchange among traders for its user-friendly interface that provides trading features for over 200 cryptocurrencies. Users from over 190 countries can also stake 15+ assets to receive their staking rewards.

Most importantly, it’s best for crypto traders to start their spot, margin, and futures trading journey with Kraken at just $10. Moreover, Kraken Pro, a dedicated trading platform, is also provided to experienced traders for more advanced crypto analysis.

Kraken’s security management system is certified by international security standards like ISO/IEC 27001:2013. In addition, high-priority email and live chat support are available to address users’ urgent security concerns.

Kraken Pricing

• Maker Fee: 0% to 0.25%
• Taker Fee: 0.10% and 0.40%

Trade Crypto with Kraken

Gate.io

With over 1,700 cryptocurrencies listed, Gate.io is an ideal crypto trading exchange for traders who trade on many crypto assets and startup’s native tokens. Likewise, you can use this platform to perform spot, derivative, and margin-based trades. 

Additionally, you can use their crypto trading bots and copy trading features. Gate.io also provides cloud mining and crypto staking features to reward their users.

Gate.io’s self-developed trading system is consistently audited to maintain a high level of security and ensure the safety of traders’ assets. Moreover, the Web Application Firewall (WAF) protection system is implemented to handle data tampering, vulnerabilities, and illegal instructions on their trading platform.

Gate.io Pricing

• Maker Fee: 0.055% to 0.2%
• Taker Fee: 0.065% to 0.2%

Trade Crypto with Gate.io

OKX

OKX is a leading crypto trading exchange that provides its services and support in over 100 countries. Their major services also include spot, options, P2P, perpetual futures, margin trading, lending, and mining services.

OKX is best for high-volume traders to trade over 350 cryptocurrencies with a wide range of trading pairs. Moreover, you can opt for flexible staking for over 30 crypto tokens and receive daily rewards.

This exchange has a dedicated ‘OKX Risk Shield’ that allocates asset reserve funds to safeguard user’s funds against security risks. Additionally, the user’s private keys are encrypted and stored on an offline computer with the help of Advanced Encryption Standard (AES).

OKX Pricing

• Maker Fee: 0.060% to 0.080%
• Taker Fee: 0.060% to 0.1%

Trade Crypto with OKX

KuCoin

KuCoin is a centralized exchange that offers users over 700 crypto assets, including Bitcoin(BTC), altcoins, and other lesser-known cryptocurrencies. Along with trading, you can also use this platform to explore the staking options for around 40 cryptocurrencies without any lock-in period. 

KuCoin offers features such as spot, margin, and derivative trading with a maximum leverage of up to 125x on futures. In addition, they provide Halo Wallet, a self-custody wallet to store, swap, and stake-supported crypto holdings.

When it comes to security, KuCoin protects users’ assets with continuous wallet address monitoring and taking action against suspicious behavior alerts. In addition, they conduct rigorous security architecture reviews, penetration testing, and code audits to avoid possible vulnerabilities in the system.

KuCoin Pricing

• Maker Fee: -0.005% to 0.1%, Maker Fee: -0.005% to 0.1%
• Taker Fee: 0.025% to 0.1%

Trade Crypto with KuCoin

Bitstamp

Launched in 2011, Bitstamp is an exchange that offers its trading services to retail and institutional traders alike. Its ‘Pro’ platform offers advanced tools and charts for expert traders, along with live customer support.

This exchange allows spot trading on around 100 crypto assets, including top cryptocurrencies. In addition, Bitstamp helps you stake Ethereum (ETH), Cardano (ADA), and Algorand (ALGO) to earn rewards without any lock-in period.

Bitstamp also offers institutional-grade security to encrypt your data while protecting your privacy. Most importantly, 95% of their crypto assets are stored offline to safeguard their user’s assets from potential online attacks.

Bitstamp Pricing

• Maker Fee: 0% to 0.30%

• Taker Fee: 0.006% to 0.40%

Trade Crypto with Bitstamp

Bitfinex

Bitfinex is one of the earliest crypto trading exchanges, founded in 2012 for retail and professional users. In addition, this platform is best for advanced order types for trading over 200 crypto tokens, including spot and derivatives.  

Bitfinex also supports the staking of 10 digital currencies, including Ethereum (ETH), Polkadot (DOT), and Tron (TRX). For new traders, Bitfinex also provides paper trading options to test trading strategies without depositing real funds.

Security audits are conducted annually to ensure that all safety measures on Bitfinex’s trading platform are in ideal condition. Moreover, this platform offers advanced verification tools to its web and mobile device users for added security protection.

Bitfinex Pricing

• Maker Fee: 0% to 0.1%
• Taker Fee: 0.055% to 0.2%

Trade Crypto with Bitfinex

CEX.IO

CEX.IO is a centralized crypto trading exchange that allows you to trade over 200 crypto assets using a credit or debit card. In addition, you can stake over ten cryptocurrencies on this platform to earn rewards. 

CEX.IO provides spot trading options with advanced trading instruments and charting tools for traders. Moreover, this platform provides crypto APIs for advanced traders.

The majority of the user’s crypto assets are stored in cold wallets to avoid online security exploitation. Furthermore, CEX.IO has incorporated a self-regulated reserve fund as a part of the platform’s risk management system to help recover users’ assets in adverse situations. 

CEX.IO Pricing

• Maker Fee: 0% to 0.15%
• Taker Fee: 0.01% to 0.25%

Trade Crypto with CEX.IO

Crypto Trading Exchange Comparison Table

Crypto Trading Exchange	Fees Range	Mobile App	No. of Cryptos Supported	Instant Account Creation
Coinbase	0% to 0.60%	Yes	~250	Yes
StormGain	0.50%	Yes	50+	Yes
Uphold	0.25% to 2.95%	Yes	260+	Yes
Gemini	0% to 0.40%	Yes	70+	Yes
eToro	1%	Yes	100+	Yes
Crypto.com	0% to 0.0750%	Yes	350+	Yes
Binance	0.012% to 0.1%	Yes	350+	Yes
Kraken	0% to 0.40%	Yes	200+	Yes
Gate.io	0.055% to 0.2%	Yes	1,700+	Yes
OKX	0.060% to 0.1%	Yes	350+	Yes
KuCoin	-0.005% to 0.1%	Yes	700+	Yes
Bitstamp	0% to 0.40%	Yes	~100	Yes
Bitfinex	0% to 0.20%	Yes	200+	Yes
CEX.IO	0% to 0.25%	Yes	200+	Yes

How Does a Cryptocurrency Exchange Work?

A cryptocurrency exchange operates as an intermediary between a crypto buyer and a seller. All orders placed by sellers and buyers are sorted by price on the order book.

When a buyer matches the seller at the same price, the order is placed, and the cryptocurrency is transferred from the seller to the buyer. Millions of such trades are automated within the exchange in real time.

How Does a Cryptocurrency Exchange Make Money?

A cryptocurrency exchange makes money by charging a fee on every trade. The main fees charged to a user include a maker fee, taker fee, deposit fee, and withdrawal fee.

How to Choose a Crypto Exchange?

When choosing a crypto trading exchange, these are the 5 factors to consider:

1. Security Features: Crypto exchange platforms have witnessed numerous hacks and attacks, including the security breach of Bitmart exchange, which led to a $200 million loss. For this reason, it’s one of the important financial decisions to choose exchanges that follow high-end security standards. You can also choose exchanges that offer additional protection methods, like two-factor authentication. Also, check if the exchange’s app supports biometric logins.
2. Supported Crypto Assets: There are thousands of cryptocurrencies, and you can’t find all of them in a single exchange. For this reason, always check the availability of your favorite crypto assets with the exchange. You can choose exchanges that support at least 100 crypto assets to avoid switching among multiple exchanges.
3. Trading Fees: You need to pay fees for almost every exchange-related activity, including trading. The charged fee percentage might seem low, but it can eat up your profits if you’re placing numerous trades. The best method is to compare the fees of the best crypto trading platforms and pick the one that is most beneficial for your trading style. Suppose you’re a crypto margin trader; choose an exchange with the lowest margin trading fees.
4. Customer Service: Choosing an exchange with good customer support can help when something goes wrong. There always exists a possibility for technical glitches on crypto exchanges that a customer care member can solve. Moreover, timely problem-solving helps you to focus on your next trading. It’s better to opt for crypto exchanges that offer multiple 24/7 support options like email, chat, and call.
5. Jurisdiction: The government regulations associated with the crypto exchange restrict its operations in various states and countries. Sometimes, certain trading activities, such as futures trading, are restricted to citizens from certain regions. Ensure your preferred exchange is available in your area and complies with the jurisdictional requirements. You can easily find the list of unsupported countries on the exchange’s website.

What’s the Difference Between a Crypto Exchange and a Crypto Brokerage?

A crypto brokerage consists of an individual or a firm that acts as a middleman between the buyers and sellers of crypto assets. Moreover, these brokerages provide a user-friendly interface for those who prefer a simple trading experience.

On the other hand, a crypto exchange is a more complex platform that offers trading between a buyer and a seller. Moreover, these exchanges provide advanced trading features suitable for expert traders.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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