The Best Cryptocurency Exchanges to Trade & Buy Crypto

These best cryptocurrency exchanges offer a range of features, from seamless user interfaces to advanced trading tools and a wide selection of cryptocurrencies to choose from. 

Whether you're an experienced trader or a beginner dipping your toes into the cryptocurrency market, these trading platforms have got you covered.

Importance of choosing the right cryptocurrency exchange

In the world of cryptocurrency, choosing the right exchange can make all the difference. The best crypto exchange you choose will affect the security of your digital crypto assets, the fees you pay, and the options you have for trading.

One of the most important factors to consider when choosing an exchange is security. Since the crypto market is largely unregulated, exchanges are not required to adhere to the same security standards as traditional financial institutions. 

This means that some exchanges are more vulnerable to hacking and other security breaches than others. Therefore, it's crucial to choose an exchange with a strong security track record and robust security features.

Another factor to consider is the range of cryptocurrencies available for trading. While Bitcoin is the most well-known cryptocurrency, there are thousands of other digital assets available for trading, each with its own unique characteristics and potential for growth. Therefore, it's essential to choose an exchange that offers a diverse selection of cryptocurrencies to choose from.

Finally, ease of use is also a critical factor to consider when choosing an exchange. Some exchanges are more user-friendly than others, with intuitive interfaces and easy-to-navigate menus. This can make a significant difference for beginners who are just getting started with cryptocurrency trading.

Factors to consider when selecting a cryptocurrency exchange

When selecting a cryptocurrency exchange, there are several factors to consider. These include:

• Security

Security is perhaps the most critical factor to consider when selecting an exchange. Look for an exchange that has a strong security track record and offers robust security features, such as two-factor authentication, cold storage, and insurance against theft and hacking.

• Reputation

The reputation of an exchange is also essential. Look for an exchange that has a positive reputation in the cryptocurrency community, with a track record of reliability and good customer service.

• Fees

Fees can vary significantly between exchanges, and they can have a significant impact on your trading profits. Look for an exchange with transparent and competitive fees, and be sure to factor in any deposit and withdrawal fees.

• Range of cryptocurrencies

The range of cryptocurrencies available for trading is also a critical factor to consider. Look for an exchange that offers a diverse selection of digital assets, including established cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum, as well as emerging coins with high growth potential.

• User experience

Finally, ease of use is also an essential factor to consider. Look for an exchange with an intuitive and user-friendly interface, easy-to-navigate menus, and helpful customer support.

Fees

Considering fees at any exchange holds significant importance. Each trade involves two parties: the maker, whose order exists on the order book prior to the trade, and the taker, who places the order that matches the maker's order. The term "makers", maker fees, is used because they contribute to the market liquidity with their orders. Takers, taker fees, on the other hand, reduce market liquidity by matching makers' orders with their own. The maker-taker model encourages liquidity as makers often receive a fee discount compared to takers.

Furthermore, there are several top crypto exchanges that do not differentiate their fees between takers and makers. Such exchanges are commonly referred to as having "flat" trading fees.

Top 5 cryptocurrency exchanges

Binance

Binance is one of the largest and most popular cryptocurrency exchanges in the world, its the best option for Europe, united kingdom or US users, with over 10 million users and a daily trading volume of over $1 billion. The exchange offers a wide range of cryptocurrencies to choose from, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and over 200 other digital assets. It also offers a range of advanced trading tools, including margin trading and futures trading.

One of the standout features of Binance is its low fees. The exchange charges a flat fee of 0.1% for all trades, which can be reduced further by holding Binance's native cryptocurrency, Binance Coin (BNB). Binance also offers a mobile platform that allows you to trade crypto on the go.

Binance Exchange Fees: Withdrawal Fee 0.0002 BTC • Taker Fee 0.10% • Maker Fee 0.10%

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Pros:

- Wide range of cryptocurrencies to choose from

- Low fees

- Advanced trading tools

- Mobile app

- Top up account with a bank account or debit cards

Cons:

- Limited customer support

Coinbase

Coinbase is one of the most well-known and respected cryptocurrency exchanges in the world, with over 30 million users and a daily trading volume of over $2 billion. The exchange offers a range of cryptocurrencies to choose from, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin. It also offers a range of advanced trading tools for coinbase pro (if you want to use a company), including margin trading and futures trading.

One of the standout features of Coinbase is its ease of use. The exchange has a simple and intuitive interface that makes it easy for beginners to get started with cryptocurrency trading. Coinbase also offers a mobile app that allows you to trade on the go.

Coinbase Exchange Fees: Withdrawal Fee 0.000079 BTC • Taker Fee 2.00% • Maker Fee 2.00%

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Pros:

- Simple and intuitive interface

- Mobile app

- Strong security features

Cons:

- Higher fees than some other exchanges

- Mostly fo US users

Kraken

Kraken is a well-established cryptocurrency exchange that has been around since 2011. The exchange offers a range of cryptocurrencies to choose from, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Ripple. It also offers a range of advanced trading tools, including margin trading and futures trading.

One of the standout features of Kraken is its low fees. The exchange charges a flat fee of 0.16% for all trades, The transaction fees are even lower if you opt for the Kraken pro.

Kraken Exchange Fees: Withdrawal Fee 0.0002 BTC • Taker Fee 0.26% • Maker Fee 0.16%

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Pros:

- Low fees

- Strong security features

- Mobile app

Cons:

- Limited range of cryptocurrencies

- User Interface could be better

Bitfinex

Bitfinex is a popular cryptocurrency exchange that offers a range of cryptocurrencies to choose from, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin. The exchange also offers a range of advanced trading tools, including margin trading and futures trading.

One of the standout features of Bitfinex is its advanced trading platform. The exchange offers a range of advanced order types, including limit order, stop-loss orders and trailing stop orders, as well as advanced charting tools. Bitfinex also offers version for high-volume traders.

Bitfinex Exchange Fees: Withdrawal Fee 0.0004 BTC • Taker Fee 0.20% • Maker Fee 0.10%

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Pros:

- Advanced trading platform

- Range of advanced order types

- Mobile app

Cons:

- Limited range of digital currencies

KuCoin

KuCoin is a relatively new cryptocurrency exchange that has quickly gained a reputation for reliability and security. The exchange offers a range of cryptocurrencies to choose from, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Ripple. It also offers a range of advanced trading tools, including margin trading and futures trading.

One of the standout features of KuCoin is its low fees. The exchange charges a flat fee of 0.1% for all trades, which can be reduced further by holding KuCoin's native cryptocurrency, KuCoin Shares (KCS). KuCoin also offers a mobile app that allows you to trade on the go.

Kucoin Exchange Fees: Withdrawal Fee 0.0005 BTC • Taker Fee 0.10% • Maker Fee 0.10%

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Pros:

- Low fees

- Strong security features

- Mobile app

Cons:

- Limited range of cryptocurrencies

There are different types of exchange, and you can select the one that fits best your needs, but we highly recommend not storing your crypto on a centralized exchange, the best practice is to buy/exchange the crypto on the platform and then store it in your own wallet, it can be a wallet on metamask or any crypto hard wallet like Trezor or Keepkey.

The reason is any of those exchanges could freeze your assets or even get hacked, the very nature of blockchain is for the users to be able to own their assets and not trust any third party to hold them. Remember the saying: Not your key, Not your Bitcoin. So it's always best to move your assets from your crypto exchange account and store them safely in the safest and best place: a crypto wallet you fully control. This is the best of all security measures.