Cryptocurrency trading has had a wild ride since its debut in 2009. The industry has experienced scandals and hacks, and weathered bull and bear markets. Through it all, crypto trading continues, with some investors seeing it as a buy low, sell high situation.
Top Crypto Trading Platforms
- Binance US
- Bybit
- Coinbase
- Crypto.com
- Kraken
- OKX
- Poloniex
- Robinhood
The crypto trading platforms and exchanges profiled here have fascinating histories. Some are traditional brokerages new to digital assets; others were founded with a specific type of trading in mind. All, given crypto’s innate ability to make headlines, are worth knowing about.
Cryptocurrency Trading Terms to Know
- AMM: Automated market maker, the underlying protocol that powers decentralized exchanges
- Altcoin: A digital asset that’s not Bitcoin or Ethereum
- Cryptocurrencies: Digital assets that have their own blockchain
- DEX: The acronym for decentralized exchange — the marketplace for peer-to-peer trading
- Pairs: Digital assets that can be traded with each other on an exchange; examples include Bitcoin for Ether (BTC/ETH) and Bitcoin for dogecoin (BTC/DOGE)
- P2P: Peer-to-peer trading, which eliminates the middleman
- Stablecoin: Tokens backed by fixed assets, such as the dollar or gold
- Staking: Earning interest on stored crypto assets
- Tokens: Digital assets built on an existing blockchain
Top Crypto Trading Platforms and Exchanges
Binance.US
The platform, Binance’s version for investors in the United States, offers fee-free trading for certain combinations of currencies, operates via desktop or mobile app, and serves both individual and institutional clients. Binance.US’s website offers resources for those looking for beginner tips, leadership insights and general education on cryptocurrencies.
Bisq
Bisq is a decentralized exchange, which means there is no middle party to handle the transfer; traders can trade peer to peer (P2P in crypto parlance), according to this explanation on newsletter Cointelegraph. Bisq’s open-source software can be downloaded for Mac or Windows. And while Bisq makes it easy for investors to sign up and start trading, it keeps users’ data secure with local Tor hidden services.
Bitfinex
Bitfinex is dedicated to making Bitcoin trading seamless for investors and closely monitors tokens on the exchange to ensure its listings live up to its high standards. Users can trade about 10 crypto and a handful of fiat currencies, and its website claims a “world class” trading platform with exchanging, margin funding, margin trading features and more. The platform also provides advanced features like the ability to place orders on a larger scale.
Bitflyer
BitFlyer, based in Tokyo, claims the top spot in Bitcoin trading volume in Japan for six years running. Users pay zero fees to trade; some coins carry a withdrawal fee, however. The site offers trading on a variety of currencies, including Bitcoin and Ethereum. Crawl type on the website’s home page posts the real-time trading price of the currencies.
BitMart
BitMart’s platform enables spot and futures trading on dozens of cryptocurrencies and trading pairs, or combinations that can be traded with each other. Individual and institutional investors can use the platform, which offers cash back and savings on crypto balances — except for U.S. residents, according to the BitMart website.
Bitnomial
Bitnomial is a U.S.-regulated crypto exchange and clearinghouse. It offers a vertically integrated solution for trading, clearing, and settlement. The company says it specializes in bitcoin and crypto derivatives, including physically delivered futures and options.
Bitstamp
Through Bitstamp, users can trade a handful of currencies, including Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash and Litecoin. Its website touts the platform’s “ease of trading” and “proven reliability” with round-the-clock support and “institutional-grade” security. Its Bitstamp Earn feature lets users earn rewards for “staking,” or holding assets for a certain amount of time, the website explains.
Bybit
Bybit supports seamless crypto trading with no fees, bank transfers, an auto-investing feature and a Bybit debit card that lets users quickly access their crypto funds. As a result, investors can easily complete trades with over 100 cryptocurrencies on the platform. Bybit complements this convenience with comprehensive security, monitoring real-time user behavior, running bug bounty programs and being transparent about the user data it collects.
Coinbase
Coinbase enables individual and institutional investors to buy and sell cryptocurrency, store it in a wallet, earn crypto by using the Coinbase debit card, dabble in derivatives and borrow using Bitcoin as collateral. Its trading page lists trading prices of over 11,000 crypto assets, searchable by gainers and losers. Tutorials offer help on crypto slang, buying NFTs and opening a crypto wallet.
CoinDCX
Calling itself “India’s most valuable crypto investment app,” CoinDCX is on a mission to make crypto trading easier by boosting crypto literacy. Experienced traders can conduct spot, margin and futures trading through the platform. For those who are just starting out, CoinDCX provides extensive learning content that includes online courses led by experts ranging from a TEDx speaker to a Bitcoin adopter.
CoinFlip
CoinFlip allows users to buy and sell cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin, Ethereum and more) with cash at the company’s ATMs. With north of 5,000 machines worldwide, including at least one in 49 U.S. states, CloinFlip makes crypto trading accessible. To start, users need a minimum of $20, a crypto wallet and a phone number. Users can also get additional support through CoinFlip Preferred, which connects investors with client teams who share personalized advice.
Crypto.com
The Crypto.com universe includes an app for trading, an NFT, a cash-back credit card, a Pay function for users to send and receive payments in crypto, and trading bots, which are automated strategies that enable users to build their portfolios, the website says. Users can also accumulate rewards through the company’s Crypto Earn program.
Cryptohopper
Cryptohopper places a special emphasis on automated cryptocurrency trading, giving users the option to employ trading bots and even train AI-powered bots. With AI trading, users can train bots to follow trading strategies and make decisions on their own. Users who prefer a more hands-on approach can still leverage Cryptohopper’s platform to manage their accounts, follow cryptocurrency price changes and observe the moves of professional traders.
eToro
eToro enables trading of 21 currencies in the U.S., including Bitcoin, Ethereum and Dogecoin. The website touts low and transparent fees, ready-to-go portfolios, social trading, and an easy-to-use platform. Investors can also strengthen their reputation through eToro’s Popular Investor network, which gives investors the attention and credibility needed to build their businesses.
Interactive Brokers
Interactive Brokers, a global trading platform, enables trading of Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum and Litecoin. Investors can fund their accounts in 27 currencies and trade on 150 global markets. They can trade cryptocurrencies for as low as 0.12 percent of trade value and conduct transactions through Paxos Trust Company and Zero Hash LLC, both of which are regulated for added security and peace of mind.
Kraken
Kraken facilitates spot and futures trading of over 200 cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin and Ethereum, against hard currencies including the Japanese yen and U.S. dollar. Professional charting tools help individual traders, while concierge service is available for those trading large amounts. Those with questions can get 24/7 support from Kraken’s Client Engagement team.
KuCoin
KuCoin’s website promises fast trading of more than 700 currencies, with options for spot and margin trading as well as platforms on which to buy and sell NFTs. The company has made crypto investing accessible with no fees, options to purchase crypto with a bank deposit and credit or debit card and trading bots to automate the trading process.
OKX
OKX provides users with a versatile platform that features zero-fee peer-to-peer trading, various trading bots and the ability to get started with just $5. Users can explore the cryptocurrency market with dashboards that organize cryptocurrencies according to price, performance and other categories. OKX also gives users the chance to accumulate interest on their crypto funds through its slate of OKX Earn products.
Poloniex
Poloniex offers trading of more than 400 currencies, including Bitcoin, tokens and stablecoins such as USDD and USDJ. Investors can experiment with different types of trading on the platform, including spot, margin and futures trading. Active users can also receive perks from Poloniex’s Rewards Center, which incentivizes users to complete tasks like spot trading for the first time or completing a futures trade of a certain value.
Robinhood
Robinhood offers trading for popular cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum and Dogecoin, and newcomers can start trading for $1. The company pioneered fractional trading (portions of one share of stock) to tempt young investors, putting it in some hot water in 2021. Still, Robinhood remains a popular crypto trading choice since it claims to offer the lowest average cost for trading crypto.
Webull
Webull has partnered with Bakkt Crypto Solutions, LLC, to equip clients with its crypto trading platform Webull Pay. Users can download the mobile app to trade from anywhere without having to worry about trading fees. On the Webull Pay web page for trading, users can review short profiles of each cryptocurrency and trade popular cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Shiba Inu and DogeCoin.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most traded crypto platform?
The largest crypto platform is Binance, followed by Coinbase and Bybit.
What is the safest crypto exchange?
Crypto exchanges that have received top security ratings include Binance, Coinbase, Crypto.com and Kraken.
