Picking a cryptocurrency exchange is usually the first step when purchasing a digital asset. It allows you to buy, sell and trade coins. But choosing a crypto exchange can be like picking the nicest toothpick in a box.
Our team ranked the best crypto exchanges and apps of 2024 to help you narrow down your options. We examined more than 20 leading platforms and assessed their features, fees and more. Here are the best crypto exchanges and apps we found.
USA TODAY Blueprint may earn a commission from this advertiser.
Ad
Our Partner
Kraken
Coins
190+
Trading fees (maker/taker)
0%-0.25% Taker and 0.1%-0.4% Maker
Dedicated customer support
Options include a 24/7 chatbot and phone support
Via Kraken's website. Not investment advice. Crypto trading involves risk of loss.
Coins
190+
Trading fees (maker/taker)
0%-0.25% Taker and 0.1%-0.4% Maker
Dedicated customer support
Options include a 24/7 chatbot and phone support
Best crypto exchanges and apps
- Crypto.com Exchange: Best for crypto trading apps.
- Coinbase Exchange: Best for transparency.
- BYDFi: Best for advanced trading.
- Binance.US: Best for trading bitcoin.
- Interactive Brokers: Best for crypto stocks and funds.
- Kraken: Best for customer service.
- Bitstamp: Best for beginning traders.
- Uphold: Best for trading fiat currencies.
- Gemini: Best for availability in all 50 states.
Why trust our investing experts
Our team of experts evaluates many investing products and analyzes various data points to help you find the best product for your situation. We use a data-driven methodology to determine each rating. Advertisers do not influence our editorial content. You can read more about our methodology below.
- 20 crypto exchanges reviewed.
- 45+ data points analyzed.
- 3-step editorial review.
- 5-step fact-checking process.
Best for crypto trading apps
Crypto.com Exchange
Coins
350+
Trading fees (maker/taker)
0.075%/0.075%*
*For Level 1 trades
Why it’s the best
Crypto.com Exchange is an exchange by trade. But it’s also an entire ecosystem.
According to CoinMarketCap, its native coin, cronos (CRO), ranks among the top 40 cryptocurrencies by market cap. Paying in CRO can get you discounted trading fees.
Crypto.com also offers a wide range of products, including its Rewards+ program. You can also earn extra rewards through Soft Lockup. It’s a yield-earning program that’s more flexible than the standard CRO lockup.
Most of Crypto.com’s services are available through its mobile app. But unfortunately, New York residents can’t access them.
Pros and cons
Pros
- It’s a good app with an easy-to-use interface.
- Tiered banking cards allow customers to transact in crypto.
- Numerous features within the ecosystem.
Cons
- Came under pressure post-FTX collapse.
- Fees can be high if you don’t hold the native CRO token.
- Some services are available only via the mobile app.
More details
Staking coins: 21+
ETH staking:✔️
ADA staking:✔️
Best for convenience
Coinbase Exchange
Via Coinbase's website
Coins
240+
Trading fees (maker/taker)
0.40%/0.60%*
*For trading volumes of $10,000 or less
Why it’s the best
Coinbase is the second-largest crypto exchange in the world. Its rare public status gives investors some badly needed peace of mind in a notoriously opaque sector.
The exchange offers a wide range of coins, which is excellent for convenience. But if you use the platform’s basic version, you’ll be charged heftier trading fees.
Coinbase also offers Coinbase Advanced for active traders. This version offers in-depth technical analysis and charting via TradingView and real-time order books. You can also pay a monthly subscription fee for Coinbase One to get as low as zero trading fees, more rewards and better support.
Coinbase allows you to stake ethereum (ETH), solana (SOL), cardano (ADA), cosmos (ATOM), polygon (MATIC), tezos (XTZ) and polkadot (DOT).
Pros and cons
Pros
- A public company means there is greater transparency.
- Staking is available for ethereum, solana, tezos, cosmos, cardano and polkadot.
- No major hacks.
Cons
- The basic version carries heftier fees.
- Coinbase’s competitors offer lower fees.
- Coinbase isn’t licensed in California, Hawaii, Indiana, Massachusetts, Montana, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
More details
- Staking coins: 16
- ETH staking: ✔️
- ADA staking: ✔️
Best for advanced crypto trading
BYDFi
Coins
550+
Trading fees (maker/taker)
0.10% – 0.30%/0.10% – 0.30%
Why it’s the best
BYDFi, or BUIDL Your Dream Finance, is one of the best crypto exchanges and apps for advanced trading techniques. You don’t even need to be an expert or spend hours watching the market to do it. The platform’s Trading Bots enable automatic arbitrage trading within a fixed price range.
The platform offers leveraged tokens, copy trading and crypto derivatives trades. Almost everywhere you click, you’ll find yourself staring down an intricate chart with real-time data.
You can earn rewards by completing tasks like the Know Your Customer requirements. The app is well rated in the Google and Apple app store, earning 4.6 and 4.7 out of 5 stars, respectively.
One area where BYDFi falls short is staking, which it doesn’t offer. This can make it less appealing to buy-and-hold investors looking for a little extra reward.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Advanced trading tools.
- Crypto derivatives available.
- Solid app for both Android and Apple.
Cons
- No crypto staking.
- Minimal education materials.
- Only online and email customer support.
More details
- Staking coins: 0
- ETH staking: ❌
- ADA staking: ❌
Best for trading bitcoin
Binance.US
Coins
150+
Trading fees (maker/taker)
0.40%/0.60%*
*For trades of $10,000 or less in 30 days for Tier I pairs
Why it’s the best
Binance.US is the U.S. trading arm of Binance, the largest cryptocurrency exchange by market cap. Binance.US also ranks in the top 20 largest exchanges.
Trading fees vary based on volume. They start at 0.40% for maker fees and 0.60% for taker fees at volumes of $10,000 or less. You can get a 5% discount by paying your fees in BNB. Most exciting is that BTC/USDC spot market pairs qualify for zero trading fees.
The platform also supports over-the-counter trading. This lets you get customized quotes with prices negotiated directly between you and your buyer or seller. Some may appreciate the added discretion of this feature when trading large sums. There’s no additional fee for this service, although spreads apply.
One point of concern is the Securities and Exchange Commission’s recent allegations regarding the platform and its partner company, Binance. Regulators accused Binance.US of operating without registering in the U.S. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission also filed a complaint against Binance.
Binance.US is unavailable in Alaska, Hawaii, Maine, New York, Texas, Vermont, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Pros and cons
Pros
- No trading fees for bitcoin.
- Wide ranges of cryptocurrencies and features.
- Wide range of coins for staking.
Cons
- Not available in all 50 states.
- The mobile app isn’t well rated on Android.
- Regulatory actions are concerning.
More details
- Staking coins: 20
- ETH staking:✔️
- ADA staking: ✔️
Best for crypto stocks and funds
Interactive Brokers
Coins
4
Trading fees (commissions)
0.12% – 0.18%
Why it’s the best
While Interactive Brokers is predominantly a broker-dealer for stock market trading, you can also trade cryptocurrencies. Only four coins are available: bitcoin, bitcoin cash, ethereum and litecoin.
But you can trade more than individual coins. Interactive Brokers also lets you trade stocks, ETFs and mutual funds. This means you can invest in cryptocurrency without handling the coins directly. You can also invest indirectly by owning shares of Coinbase stock.
Interactive Brokers is unique in that it offers a flat fee model for crypto trades. There are no markups, spreads or custody fees. Depending on your trading volume, you’ll pay a commission of 0.12% to 0.18% of the trade value. But you’ll pay no more than 1% of the trade value.
Interactive Brokers doesn’t offer crypto staking.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Invest in crypto ETFs or stocks.
- Straightforward, flat trading fee.
- Trading fees are capped at 1% of trade value.
Cons
- It’s primarily focused on traditional investing.
- Only four coins are available.
- It doesn’t offer crypto staking.
More details
- Staking coins: 0
- ETH staking: ❌
- ADA staking: ❌
Best for customer service
Kraken
Via Kraken's website
Coins
190+
Trading fees (maker/taker)
0.25%/0.40%*
*Trades on Kraken Pro for the $0 – $10,000 trading tier
Why it’s the best
Kraken offers some of the best “bread and butter” features. You can buy cryptocurrency quickly with Kraken Instant Buy. The platform charges a flat fee for this service. A spread might be built into the price, determined at the time of the trade.
Kraken Pro offers lower trading fees. The pro version charges up to a 0.20% taker fee for stablecoins, pegged tokens and forex pairs. The more you trade, the lower the costs. Volumes of $50,001 to $100,000 qualify for 0.14% maker fees and 0.24% taker fees, for instance.
Kraken suspended its on-chain staking program in February 2023. But non-U.S. clients can continue through a separate Kraken subsidiary. The company has since announced that bonded staking of specific coins is available in Canada.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Longer track record than most exchanges.
- Fees are competitive compared with bigger rivals.
- The possibility of going public in the future would increase its transparency.
Cons
- Staking services in the U.S. have been suspended.
- Not available in New York, Washington or Maine.
- Kraken Instant Buy is steeper in price.
More details
- Staking coins: ❌
- ETH staking:❌
- ADA staking:❌
Best for beginning traders
Bitstamp
Coins
86
Trading fees (maker/taker)
0.30%/0.40%*
*For trade volumes of $10,000 or less in 30 days
Why it’s the best
Bitstamp is a great place to start your crypto trading journey. It offers fewer technical strategies than other platforms. But this can be a real asset to novice traders. For example, you can’t trade cryptocurrencies on margin. Given how risky this strategy is, it may be for the best.
Instead, if you’re a new trader, you can focus your time in the Learn Center. You’ll find many articles, videos and how-to guides on crypto and blockchain here.
That isn’t to say Bitstamp lacks a trading platform. More advanced traders can use Bitstamp Pro, which lets you chart and track to your heart’s content. The Pro version also offers lower maker-taker fees.
Staking is offered but not available to residents of the U.S., U.K., Singapore, Japan or Canada. The same is true of its lending program.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Wide range of educational content.
- Well-rated mobile app.
- The pro version is available for advanced traders.
Cons
- Staking isn’t available to U.S. customers.
- No margin trading.
- The lending program isn’t available in the U.S.
More details
- Staking coins: 0 (in the U.S.)
- ETH staking: ❌
- ADA staking: ❌
Best for trading fiat currencies
Uphold
Coins
250+
Trading fees (fixed)
0.25% for most stablecoins, 1.40% – 1.60% for BTC and ETH, and 1.90% – 2.95% for other altcoins
Why it’s the best
Uphold lets you trade fiat currencies and metals in addition to digital assets. The platform also claims to be a pioneer in transparency. It offers an all-inclusive fee model, where you’re quoted a single, flat fee before you place a trade. It also makes its assets and liabilities publicly available, with updates every 30 seconds on its transparency page.
Despite its best intentions, a class-action lawsuit was filed against the platform for negligent security on client accounts. Uphold was able to have a portion of the charges dismissed. But litigation remains surrounding whether Uphold violated the Electronic Funds Transfer Act. The EFTA is a regulation that covers, in part, consumer disclosures of electronic transactions and customer liability in case of unauthorized transfers.
You can stake 19 coins on Uphold. These include ethereum and cardano as well as lesser-known cryptos like fantom and hedera. But staking services aren’t available in the U.S., Canada, Japan and Singapore.
New York residents are also unable to open new accounts at this time.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Great selection of cryptocurrencies.
- Offers metal trading.
- Promotes transparency in its fee structure.
Cons
- Security concerns.
- High spread fees, particularly for low-liquidity tokens.
- The mobile app has had poor reviews.
More details
- Staking coins: 0 (in the U.S.)
- ETH staking: ❌
- ADA staking: ❌
Best for availability in all 50 states
Gemini
Via Gemini's website
Coins
70+
Trading fees
0.2%/0.4%*
*For trades up to $10,000 in 30 days
Why it’s the best
Gemini’s cryptocurrency platform allows you to trade and store over 70 coins. It offers just three cryptos for staking: ethereum, solana and polygon. But staking solana is not available to U.S. customers.
Gemini also has a currency called the Gemini dollar (GUSD), a U.S. dollar-backed stablecoin.
The New York-based exchange is available in all 50 U.S. states. It’s lauded for its wide variety of features, including trading, a digital wallet and a credit card. But be mindful that the exchange charges higher fees than its competitors. For example, you’ll be on the hook for a convenience fee if you use the web or mobile app for trades.
Like many exchanges, Gemini has experienced difficulties recently. Gemini Earn, the company’s yield-earning product, was terminated in January 2023.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Easy to use with a good interface and mobile app.
- Many features are offered.
- Easy to use and stake in ethereum, solana and polygon.
Cons
- Only three coins can be staked.
- The Gemini Earn program suspended withdrawals amid the FTX crash.
- Fees are higher than some rivals for low-volume users.
More details
- Staking coins: 2 (in the U.S.)
- ETH staking: ✔️
- ADA staking: ❌
Compare the best crypto exchanges and apps
| COMPANY | COINS | STAKING COINS (U.S. AVAILABLE) |
|---|---|---|
Crypto.com | 350+ | ✔️ |
Kraken | 190+ | ❌ |
Coinbase Exchange | 240+ | ✔️ |
Binance.US | 150+ | ✔️ |
BYDFi | 550+ | ❌ |
Interactive Brokers | 4 | ❌ |
Bitstamp | 86 | ❌ |
Gemini | 70+ | ✔️ |
Uphold | 250+ | ❌ |
Methodology
We researched some of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges to rank the best available today.
Among the crypto brokers we considered, the firms that made our list excelled in areas across the following categories:
- Coins offered and fiat currency is accepted.
- Fees, measured at the upper end of the taker fee for low-volume users.
- Trading features.
- Availability.
- Customer service.
- Education.
- Security.
- Storage.
- Staking and rewards.
Within each major category, we considered several subcategories. We then combined them to give an overall score for that category.
Data points were scored on a 0.00 to 1.00 scale. The top raw score was 0.75 and was curved to a five-star rating as the highest possible score.
Why other crypto exchanges and trading apps didn’t make the cut
There are countless other crypto exchanges and trading apps on the market. We didn’t include exchanges that aren’t well established or lack the necessary size.
Many excellent companies exist. Unfortunately, they’re tarnished by bad actors. The lack of transparency and public disclosures led us to focus on more prominent exchanges.
Final verdict
Each crypto exchange offers pros and cons that suit certain users over others.
There aren’t many reasons to recommend exchanges beyond the biggest ones. Many exchanges have gone under, a pattern that’s unlikely to change going forward.
More prominent exchanges aren’t immune to becoming insolvent. But they’re less likely than smaller exchanges. Larger exchanges like Binance.US and Kraken offer more features and greater customer support.
Overall, our top pick is Crypto.com Exchange. It offers a wide range of cryptocurrencies and some of the lowest fees in the industry.
What is a crypto exchange?
A cryptocurrency exchange is a platform that lets you buy and sell cryptocurrency. You can trade one crypto for another or convert your fiat currency, like the U.S. dollar, into crypto and vice versa. An exchange typically charges a commission or fee for transactions.
Think of crypto exchanges as brokers for cryptocurrencies. Some online brokers, such as Fidelity and Robinhood, now operate as crypto exchanges. But they tend to be limited in the cryptocurrencies they offer. For example, Fidelity allows trading in bitcoin and ethereum, while Schwab lets clients invest in crypto funds.
“Using these companies is a good option for beginners,” said Matthew Weathers, applied instructional technology administrator and adjunct professor of mathematics and computer science at Biola University in La Mirada, California.
But one of the motivating goals of cryptocurrency was to allow users to act as their own bank by holding their assets themselves.
How to choose the best crypto exchange
With so many available, figuring out the best spot crypto exchanges can be challenging. You might be tempted to go with the exchange that lets you trade the largest number of assets. But there is more than size to consider.
Security
The cryptocurrency world is like the Wild West. Exchanges come and go almost as readily as crypto assets. They’re also rife with scams and fraud. So, before committing, you should research how the company protects its customer assets.
Reputation
Look for an exchange that doesn’t have a history of hacks, scams or other occurrences that could limit access to your assets. For example, exchanges might temporarily freeze withdrawals due to technical issues. This can be inconvenient. But the real problem is that regular freezes might be a sign of liquidity issues.
Registration
For the best security, look for an exchange that is incorporated within the U.S. You might also check if it’s registered as a securities broker, money transmitter or depository institution.
You can determine if an exchange is registered as a broker by looking it up on FINRA BrokerCheck.
Money transmitters must register with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network.
Depository institutions will be registered with the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council National Information Center. But U.S. registration doesn’t guarantee the exchange is safe. That is evidenced by the now-defunct FTX exchange, which was registered as a money transmitter.
Fees
You want to keep fees low when investing. The same applies to crypto exchanges. Ideally, the exchange you choose will have minimal fees. But a slightly higher fee might be worthwhile if the exchange offers better security.
Most important is that the exchange’s fees are transparent.
Customer service
Check how easy it is to reach the exchange’s customer service department. If you’re still looking for contact information, take your assets elsewhere. Reputable exchanges should be accessible and quick to address your concerns.
How to open a crypto exchange account
To open a crypto exchange account, you must register on the exchange’s platform. Each platform has its own procedure. But you can expect some commonalities wherever you go.
Most exchanges — especially reputable ones — require you to provide personal information, such as your name, contact information, employment status and ID. This is because many exchanges follow the Know Your Customer standards. You might also need to be at least 18 and live in a supported country to register.
After verifying your personal information, you must provide a payment method. The options available will vary depending on your exchange. But many allow for bank transfers, debit card or credit card payments. Watch out for the fees associated with whichever funding method you choose. Credit card payments, for example, often carry high transaction fees. Once you provide the necessary information and verify your ID, you can place your first trade.
Tip: Before your first trade, make sure you set up a wallet account to store your crypto. The exchange will likely provide a hot wallet option, storing your coins online. But a cold wallet might be a more secure alternative.
Crypto market outlook for 2024
Crypto enthusiasts are optimistic that the Federal Reserve is approaching its terminal interest rate in the current cycle. The central bank could pivot to rate cuts by mid-2024, potentially relieving pressure on crypto and other risk assets.
As of Jan. 10, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has greenlighted spot bitcoin ETFs from various providers. They include VanEck, WisdomTree and BlackRock.
Bitcoin bulls have long believed SEC-approved spot bitcoin ETFs would make it easier for institutional and retail investors to access bitcoin. This could open the floodgates for cryptocurrency to become a mainstream asset class.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
While the vast majority of crypto exchanges may (and hopefully do) operate above board, the reality is that there is no way to know. Proof-of-reserve reports have helped with transparency. But there need to be more proper audits.
The exception is Coinbase, which is publicly listed. For that reason, it’s required to make public disclosures that private exchanges aren’t required to make.
Tip: If you don’t store your assets on an exchange and use them only to transact before withdrawing assets, that behavior should reduce your risks.
Trading cryptocurrency is different from trading stocks because the regulation rules are different. Because cryptocurrency is a relatively new industry, legislation must still be built up. That means trade can be more difficult, depending on your jurisdiction.
Cryptocurrency is still an experimental area where gambling is a more apt word than investment. While trading stocks is extremely risky in its own right, trading cryptocurrency is even more risk-on.
Binance.US is the best crypto exchange with low fees. Bitcoin trades are free. And there are zero fees for Tier 0 pairs.
When using BNB tokens to pay your trading fees, you can get 5% off all maker and taker fees. High-volume traders might qualify for even higher fee discounts. But you must trade a lot to get the best prices.
No one can predict the future, especially not the future of a new and volatile asset like cryptocurrency.
The release of more cryptocurrency ETFs and mutual funds might spur demand. Bitcoin reached a new high after investors poured money into U.S. bitcoin spot ETFs. If this demand continues, investors could see even higher prices from crypto in the future.
The most stable cryptocurrency exchanges include Coinbase, Binance and Kraken. They’re among the top 10 largest exchanges by trading volume. Higher trading volume helps stabilize market prices.
That said, stability is largely asset-dependent. Even large cryptocurrency exchanges can see high volatility on thinly traded cryptocurrencies. Cryptocurrency might not be the best investment if you’re concerned about stability.
You can buy cryptocurrency through a cryptocurrency exchange, an online broker, trading apps like Robinhood or money transfer apps like PayPal. Bitcoin ATMs also let you buy bitcoin with your debit card, similar to how you get cash from a standard ATM.
To make a purchase, you must set up an account, which usually requires verifying your identity. If you use a bitcoin ATM, be prepared to provide documentation or your phone number.
Once your account is verified, you can purchase cryptocurrency with a bank transfer or credit card. If you choose the latter option, watch out for fees.
