Best US Crypto Exchange (March 2023)
If you’ve been paying attention to the financial news at any time during the past decade, then you probably already know that cryptocurrency is a relatively new and widely popular asset. And for people who want to get started investing in cryptocurrency, crypto exchanges are a great place to start.
They’re usually pretty simple to use, functioning like many online brokerages and giving you all the tools necessary to buy and sell cryptocurrency. There are tons of crypto exchanges on the market, so it can be a little overwhelming to choose one initially.
Don’t worry though, we’ve taken all the guesswork out of choosing the right crypto exchange for you, and we’ll even tell you which factors you should consider when choosing a crypto exchange. Here’s the best US crypto exchange:
Best US Crypto Exchange
Here are the platforms that made our best US crypto exchange list:
Crypto.com
- Accessible in most countries
- Stacking capabilities to earn interest
- Several tiers of Visa cards
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Crypto.com
Crypto.com is second on our Best US Crypto Exchange list partially due to their fantastic app. They support more than 250 different cryptocurrencies (more than Coinbase!), and have a minimum deposit or purchase of $1 (which is $1 cheaper than Coinbase), but their fees are a little on the high side at 0.04%- 0.4%.
They have loads of digital asset trading and investing options available on their app. And their convenient app can be accessed from smart phones, which means you can access it on the go.
Crypto.com Pros
- They support more than 250 different cryptocurrencies
- They provide a variety of different cryptocurrency options to make trading and investing in cryptocurrency a breeze
Crypto.com Cons
- Expensive fees
- Customer support is lacking
![Best Us Crypto Exchange ([Month] [Year]) - Comparewise Banner-Crypto.com Review - Comparewise](https://comparewise.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/banner-crypto.com-review-comparewise.png)
More About Crypto.com
We want to provide you with everything you need to know about each of the platforms on our Best US Crypto Exchange list, so here’s a bit more about Crypto.com
They first hit the scene in 2016, and they’ve went on to become one of the biggest crypto exchanges in the world. They support more than 250 different cryptocurrencies and are currently available to customers in 90 countries.
They don’t just support loads of assets, but also provide users with a massive digital asset ecosystem which consists of Crypto.org Chain (its own blockchain), CRO (its own native token), a cryptocurrency Visa credit card, and cryptocurrency products that are yield-generating, among other things.
The app is its best feature, however. Although a lot of crypto exchange apps provide you with a disappointingly basic version of their browser-based platform, Crypto.com put a lot of work into building a different type of app.
There are loads of features and products that users can access through the app, and they can access the Crypto.com ecosystem while they’re on the go. You can not only buy, sell and trade your cryptocurrency, but also earn interest on it and pay with it, all through the app. This is why Crypto.com made it onto our Best US Crypto Exchange list.
There are a couple of drawbacks to Crypto.com’s services that users should be aware of. The first is that user reviews from Trustpilot reveal that Crypto.com doesn’t have great customer service.
Second, you’ll be charged high trading fees (up to 0.40%) unless you’re trading cryptocurrency in high volumes, which you probably aren’t if you’re reading an article about the Best US Crypto Exchange platforms to get an idea of which crypto exchange you should use to start out.
However, if you want a crypto exchange that provides you with a great app experience, then Crypto.com is your best option. It’s also a great choice for anyone who wants a crypto exchange with lots of supported cryptocurrencies.
Gemini
- Secured with a state-of-the-art storage system
- Buying and selling crypto is simple, reliable, and secure
- 24/7 customer support
Gemini
Gemini comes in third on our Best US Crypto Exchange list because they offer the best security features. They support more than 75 different cryptocurrencies (which isn’t as much as some of the other crypto exchanges on our list), their minimum deposit or purchase varies depending on the asset you choose, and they charge $0.99- $2.99 for small purchases and 1.49% on all orders over $200.
Some of Gemini’s robust security features include a slew of security protocols, insured user funds, and SOC 2-Certified sites.
Gemini Pros
- Available in all 50 US states
- Considered a highly liquid exchange
- Insures all funds held in users’ hot wallets
- Provides a strong security system with lots of features
Gemini Cons
- You’ll pay high fees on any trade under $200
- They don’t support many cryptocurrencies compared to other crypto exchanges on our Best US Crypto Exchange list
More About Gemini
Here’s a bit more about the third exchange on our Best US Crypto Exchange list: Gemini.
It was started in 2014 by Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss (whose names you may recognize as being the Winklevoss twins from The Social Network.) They set themselves apart from other crypto exchanges by focusing on compliance and security measures.
![Best Us Crypto Exchange ([Month] [Year]) - Comparewise Gemini Mobile App - Comparewise](https://comparewise.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/gemini-mobile-app-comparewise.png)
The exchange is based in New York, and they provide insurance on each user’s hot wallet, which provides peace of mind and security that funds won’t be lost in the event of a security breach. They also require users to complete KYC (Know Your Customer) identification verification process, which means that there’s less chance of fraud on the platform.
Gemini offers two-factor authentication, which it strongly encourages users to utilize. It can be used to not only secure your account, but to review and approve all the devices that log into your account.
Another security feature that lands Gemini in 3rd place on our Best US Crypto Exchange list is the fact that it’s SOC 2- Certified. This means that third-party auditors have tested and verified the platform’s security systems.
Gemini is designed for advanced traders, and because of that it provides users with a trading dashboard full of advanced features. They also offer a cryptocurrency reward credit card, which means that you can pay for goods and services with your cryptocurrency.
This crypto exchange has two different platforms: the main platform and the active trader platform, and they both have their own fee structures. On the primary platform, they charge fixed fees for small trades and a steep 1.49% on any trade over $200.
On their active trader platform, there are maker-taker fees of up to 0.4%, which reduces as your volume grows. Basically, no matter what, their fees are quite expensive. But, it depends on how you look at it. Some people don’t mind paying the high fees to get the extensive security features that Gemini offers.
Any investor or trader who values high security will appreciate Gemini.
Coinbase
Coinbase is a great choice for beginners because it’s so easy to use. It supports more than 150 different cryptocurrencies, has transaction fees of 0.00%- 0.60%, and there’s a minimum deposit or purchase of only $2. In addition, they have beefed-up, industrial-grade security that should ease any new investor’s mind.
And even though Coinbase is great for beginners due to its simple format and tools, Coinbase Pro is available for more experienced traders. This means that as you gain experience, they can support your needs.
Coinbase Pros
- They support loads of different cryptocurrencies
- They offer both a beginner-friendly and advanced trading options, making it suitable for any trader
- They’re considered a highly liquid exchange
Coinbase Cons
- Their customer service is low-quality and lacking
- Your Coinbase.com account is what is known as a “custodial account”, so you don’t have control of its private keys. This means that you can’t transfer your cryptocurrency to a crypto wallet for additional security.
More About Coinbase
Many people who are reading this Best US Crypto Exchange article feel the origin story of a platform is important. Indeed, it can be the deciding factor that tells you what a company is all about and how they conduct business, and whether you can trust them.
Coinbase was started in 2012, and their goal was to provide people with a way to easily buy, sell and store cryptocurrencies. Today, their total market value is more than $36 billion.
![Best Us Crypto Exchange ([Month] [Year]) - Comparewise Coinbase Product - Ratewise](https://comparewise.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/coinbase-product-ratewise.png)
They were originally based in San Francisco, but since then they’ve become a decentralized business, which means they don’t have any central location. This is helpful to them because this way they’re able to serve people in over 100 countries.
They’re known for providing a user-friendly interface, excellent security, and offering advanced trading options for experienced traders. Many new traders choose Coinbase because of the large number of cryptocurrencies it supports, as well as its easy platform navigation, and this has made it one of the most popular crypto exchanges in the world.
Part of what makes it so easy to use is that its interface is designed similarly to online banking apps, which a lot of people use on a daily basis anyway, and it makes learning to use the Coinbase system quite easy.
Another reason we chose Coinbase as the best US crypto exchange is that they ensure all of the digital funds they hold on behalf of their customers in the form of U.S. dollar amounts in an FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation)- insured bank account. This means that if there’s ever a security breach, your funds are secured.
You can fund your Coinbase account using a variety of payment method options, such as ACH and wire transfers.
While we mentioned in the “Cons” section of our Best US Crypto Exchange review that Coinbase doesn’t offer a non-custodial option for beginners, they do offer a non-custodial option for advanced users. A “custodial wallet” means that you don’t have access to the private keys necessary to transfer your cryptocurrency to a wallet. But more advanced users get access to Coinbase Wallet with Coinbase Pro.
We found a few downsides to using Coinbase during our research for this Best US Crypto Exchange list. The first is that they can charge high fees that range from 0%- 0.60%. Sure, 0% is as low as it gets, but 0.60% is pretty steep. A lot of users on Trustpilot report that they’ve had bad experiences with Coinbase’s customer support, which is disappointing. And reports of random account closures have given the platform a bad reputation with some people.
However, we chose Coinbase as the Best US Crypto Exchange due to all of its great features.
Binance.US
- Trade 65+ cryptocurrencies
- A low-cost crypto trading platform for Canadians
- P2P trading, spot trading, and margin trading
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Binance.US
Binance.US makes our Best US Crypto Exchange list because they’ve got some of the best fees around. They offer only a little over 60 cryptocurrencies, which pales in comparison to some of the other crypto exchanges on our list, but they offer maker/taker fees of 0%0 0.01%. They have instant buy fees of 50%, and users holding BNC get a 0.25% discount on fees.
Binance Pros
- Low fees for spot and general trading
- A range of cryptocurrencies
- Great cybersecurity
Binance Cons
- Their range of cryptocurrencies isn’t very wide
- They’re not available in all U.S. states. In particular, Texas and New York are excluded.
- They have a really lengthy verification process
- If you’re a beginner then you’re probably going to require tutorials.
More About Binance.US
Here’s a little more about Binance.US and why we chose to put it on our list of the best US crypto exchange platforms.
It was started in 2017 by a financial software developer named Changpeng Zhao. They had to shut down access to users in the United States in 2019 due to regulatory concerns in 2019.
![Best Us Crypto Exchange ([Month] [Year]) - Comparewise Binance-Android-Comparewise](https://comparewise.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/binance-android-comparewise.png)
Then they partnered with BAM Trading Services, which is a FinCEN (U.S. Treasury Financial Crimes Enforcement Network) registered company, and they teamed up to launch Binance.US. The company is currently headquartered in San Francisco, California.
Binance.US has some of the lowest trading fees in the industry with maker/taker fees between 0%- .1%, and instant buy fees of .50%. They also have loads of educational resources available.
If you’re new to cryptocurrency and blockchain, you can check out Binance Academy, which is full of educational videos and articles that are useful to all traders, no matter their experience level. And, you can get discounts on your fees. If you’re holding Binance Coin (BNB) then you can get a discount of up to 20% on trading fees.
In addition to low fees, Binance.US offers great security. Not only is there an identification verification process, there’s a multi-factor authentication feature, as well as biometric identification features (like facial recognition) for mobile users.
There are drawbacks to Binance.US. They require new users to participate in KYC protocol, which means you’ll have to verify your identity. This is usually a good thing, but Binance’s identification verification can take days.
Binance, which is the partner company of Binance.US, is banned in multiple countries due to its history of compliance and regulatory issues. And, they have a limited selection of supported assets.
Its partner company, Binance, offers hundreds of cryptocurrencies, but Binance.US offers a little more than 60.
Despite some of its drawbacks, Binance.US made it onto our list of the Best US Crypto Exchange platforms because it’s got great fees and security features that any beginner will appreciate.
KuCoin
- Available in over 150 countries
- Supports 500+ cryptocurrencies
- Great for beginners and pros
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KuCoin
KuCoin made it onto our Best US Crypto Exchange list because they offer attractive fees and have a large selection of supported cryptocurrencies. They support more than 400 different cryptocurrencies, which means they have the most supported cryptocurrencies of any exchange on our Best US Crypto Exchange list, and they have 0.1%/0.1% maker/taker fees.
KuCoin Pros
- They have tons of supported cryptocurrencies
- Low fees
- You can decrease your already low trading fees by as much as 20% if you use KCS to pay, which is KuCoin’s proprietary stablecoin
- They provide both automated and margin-based trading
- Ability to earn interest on cryptocurrency assets
KuCoin Cons
- Trading doesn’t rely on fiat currency, but rather on U.S. dollar stablecoins
- You’re able to use USD to buy some crypto assets, but you have to do it using an OTC, peer-to-peer market, which is complicated and may be too much for beginners.
- They’re not licensed in the U.S.
More About KuCoin
As part of our Best US Crypto Exchange review list, we want to tell you more about each of the companies listed so that you’re aware of their history, as well as their pros and cons. Here’s a bit more about KuCoin.
KuCoin was launched in 2017, and they’re based in Seychelles. Since 2017, it’s grown to become one of the biggest names in crypto exchanges, and has some of the highest numbers in trade volume. They have more than 10 million users worldwide, and it’s available in over 200 countries.
![Best Us Crypto Exchange ([Month] [Year]) - Comparewise Kucoin Crypto Exchange - Comparewise](https://comparewise.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/kucoin-crypto-exchange-comparewise.jpeg)
KuCoin offers a wide selection of cryptocurrency assets to choose from (more than 400!) and beats every other crypto exchange on our Best US Crypto Exchange list in that regard.
They also charge really low rates of 0.1%/0.1% maker/taker fees. You’ve got the option to use automated and margin-based trading for faster transactions, and you can decrease your fees by 20% by using KuCoin’s proprietary stablecoin to pay for transactions.
There are two big drawbacks for U.S. users. The first is that they’re not licensed in the U.S. You’re still able to sign up for an account if you live in the U.S., but you’ll notice that features are limited.
This means there are risks associated with signing up for an account as a U.S. user. If U.S. regulations target KuCoin, you may find your assets frozen and not be able to withdraw them.
The other drawback is that KuCoin’s user reviews are remarkably poor. They tell of problems such as withdrawl issues, poor customer service, and issues involving market manipulation.
However, we include KuCoin on our list of the Best US Crypto Exchanges because of its low fees, numerous supported cryptocurrencies and other features.
Are Crypto Exchanges Worth It?
You’re probably reading our Best US Crypto Exchange article and wondering if crypto exchanges are worth checking out. In short, if you want to invest in cryptocurrency, then yes crypto exchanges are the best option you have available to you.
It may seem convenient to you to purchase small amounts of cryptocurrency from a Bitcoin ATM, but if you’re going to invest in large amounts of cryptocurrency or you want to buy more than one type of cryptocurrency, then crypto exchanges are a better option. (Bitcoin ATMs also charge higher fees than exchanges, and they’re not as quick-and-easy as you may think they are due to KYC verification.)
Crypto exchanges are considered the safest, easiest way to invest in and trade cryptocurrency. However, that’s not the only reason you should consider using a crypto exchange. Here are some reasons you should think about using some of the Best US Crypto Exchange options on our list:
- Lots of crypto exchanges have mobile apps, which means you can easily conduct trade transactions on the go.
- Many crypto exchanges (and certainly all of the exchange platforms on our Best US Crypto Exchange list) support a number of cryptocurrencies and tokens. This means that you can obtain multiple digital assets and create a diversified portfolio.
- The Best US Crypto Exchange options hold customer funds in cold storage and insure it so that they’re safe in the event of cyber attacks.
- Lots of global crypto exchanges are in compliance with KYC/AML (Know Your Customer/ Anti-Money Laundering) rules and other financial regulations. This means you can have peace of mind knowing that you’re dealing with a legitimate company and you’re not making deals with shady, unverified users on the platform.
How to Compare the Best US Crypto Exchange Platforms
When you’re on the hunt for the Best US Crypto Exchange, it can get confusing alarmingly fast. There are so many crypto exchanges on the market, and not all of them are good choices. So, what should you look for?
Here are some of the factors you should take into consideration when looking for the Best US Crypto Exchange:
Supported Assets
You should consider whether you want to, or will want to, invest in multiple cryptocurrency assets in the future. If you’re looking for crypto assets beyond the typical Bitcoin, then you should find a crypto exchange that offers a variety of cryptocurrency options. You’ll notice that some crypto exchanges only offer a handful, while the best US crypto exchange platforms support hundreds of cryptocurrencies.
Payment Methods
Another factor to consider when choosing the best US crypto exchange is the number of payment methods it supports. Most crypto exchanges will accept several different payment methods. If you want to use a more exotic option, such as PayPal or Venmo to fund your crypto account, then you should make sure that the crypto exchange you choose supports it. Most crypto exchanges accept credit or debit cards, as well as ACH and wire transfers.
Fees
You should do thorough research on each crypto exchange you consider to find out about their fees before choosing one. If you find a great price on a crypto asset, it won’t do to have that bargain negated by high fees. Some fees you can expect from crypto exchanges are trading fees, withdrawl fees, and other miscellaneous fees. You can learn more about crypto exchange fees later in our Best US Crypto Exchange article.
Security
One of the most important things to look for when you’re looking for the best US crypto exchange is security. Security is a big deal any time you’re dealing with online finances, and crypto exchanges are no different. Hackers are keen to hit crypto exchanges, and security breaches and cyber theft happen frequently on the platforms. This is why you should choose an exchange with exemplary security measures in place.
Customer Service
It’s important that beginners choose an exchange platform with good customer support because they’ll have lots of questions. After all, don’t all students have questions while they’re still learning? Check out the reviews left by other users on review sites like Trustpilot to learn about their customer service practices and how they’ve interacted with other users.
Reputation
Another important factor to consider when choosing the best US crypto exchange is the exchange’s reputation. This can be achieved by not only reading through user reviews on major online review platforms like Trustpilot, but also by Googling “_____ reputation”.
You’ll get loads of information about the company’s history, news stories about the company, thorough reviews, and more to help you learn about the company’s reputation. This is a big factor for most advanced investors, so it’s a good idea to get into the practice of checking out a company’s reputation when you’re just starting out to get used to it.
How to Sign Up for a Cryptocurrency Exchange Account
Once you’ve selected the best US crypto exchange, the next step is to sign up to use their platform. Luckily, it’s not difficult to sign up for a crypto exchange account. Here’s everything you need to know about signing up for a crypto exchange account:
You’ll start this process by entering an email address and creating a password. You may need to verify your email address, which means they’ll send you an email and you’ll need to open it and follow a link to verify the email address, or enter a code that you received in the email.
After you’ve completed the email process, the best US crypto exchange platforms require you to complete a KYC (Know Your Customer) identity verification process. To do this, you’ll provide them with information and proof of address, as well as upload a copy of your photo ID.
Some of the information that crypto exchanges typically ask for during this process includes your full name, address, phone number, copies of utility bills or bank statements, proof of address and a copy of either your driver’s license or passport.
A few of the best US crypto exchange platforms require you to complete an extra step to verify you’re the person depicted on the photo ID. This means that you’ll have to take a picture of yourself with your ID either using a webcam or your cell phone’s camera.
The verification process can take anywhere from a few minutes to a few days to complete. It depends on the exchange and the type of verification they require. Most exchanges have different levels of identification verification, with the lower levels being reserved for lower deposit and withdrawal limits.
Once you’ve completed the identity verification process, all you have to do is add funds to your account. Choose the payment method you want to use and how much you want to add to your account, and once the funds are added to your account you should be ready to start buying cryptocurrency.
Best US Crypto Exchange Conclusion
It can be difficult to choose the best US crypto exchange to meet your needs because of the sheer number of exchanges on the market. But, you should know what to look for now, and since we gave you a list of the best US crypto exchange platforms, you should have a list of platforms to research on your own and consider.
And while we can guide you in the right direction and make helpful suggestions based on thorough research and experience, in the end the decision is yours. We hope that our recommendations help, and happy hunting for the best US crypto exchange!
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