There is no doubt that there are plenty of different cryptocurrency exchanges to pick from in today’s crypto market. This includes both centralized and decentralized exchanges, cryptocurrency brokers, and so on - not all of them, however, are going to be suitable all throughout the world. Today, we’ll be looking at the best US crypto exchanges.
Why are cryptocurrency exchanges in USA even important, to begin with? Well, being catered around the US market, you can be sure that, while using these exchanges, you won’t run into some issues with legalities or other “official” difficulties.
Now, some of the companies on this list aren’t US-based crypto exchanges - one of them doesn’t even support US users, in general (bare with me - it will all make sense in a bit)! Still, for one reason or another, all of the exchanges listed below are worth paying attention to, if you’re based in the US:
Best US Crypto Exchange: The Criteria
Before we jump into the list of the best US crypto exchanges, let us first get our priorities straight and figure out what are the criteria surrounding that very term - “best”.
The best crypto exchange for USA is going to possess the vast majority of the same features as a “best” exchange for any other part of the world, too - that’s why you’ll find that the majority of the exchanges found on this list are very well-known brands that you might be able to locate on some other lists, as well.
That, however, does not change the fact that they’re great.
First of all, the best US crypto exchange should, naturally, be super-secure. In this situation, decentralized exchanges are your best bet - they are often considered to be safer alternatives to centralized ones, even though not being as popular as the latter (although there are some exceptions).
In general, though, a secure crypto exchange is going to support 2FA, custom PIN code creation, and might even keep the cryptos stored offline, away from the potential hackers and their hacking attempts. Naturally, an exchange like that should have no (significant) history of security breaches, either.
Secondly, whether it be US-based crypto exchanges or foreign ones, they should offer a wide variety of different crypto assets for you to purchase, trade, sell, and exchange. In this day and age, hodling only Bitcoin is something that’s almost shunned upon - crypto investors aim to diversify their crypto coin portfolios, and thus need an exchange that supports multiple coins, as a result.
The best US crypto exchanges are going to be intuitive and simple to use. Assuming that you plan on trading cryptocurrencies for more than one or two days, you’d probably appreciate an exchange that doesn’t require you to pass multiple and unnecessarily difficult barriers just to log in, right?
Last but not least, fees - a top-tier cryptocurrency exchange in the USA should possess great fees, in the sense that they should be competitively low. Admittedly, while that may be the main thing that one might focus on while looking for the best US crypto exchanges, I urge you not to forget the rest of the features discussed above, either!
With all of that said, let’s get straight to the list!
1. Kraken - High Number of Supported Crypto Assets
Ranks #1 out of 8 Crypto Exchanges
- + Secure and reliable
- + Low fees
- + A good amount of fiat currencies accepted
- - Not the most helpful customer service
Kraken is one of the cryptocurrency exchanges in USA on this list - it’s headquarters are located in San Francisco. What does this exchange have to offer to make it one of the best US crypto exchanges, you ask?
Simple - low fees and multiple crypto asset support.
Crypto asset-wise, Kraken supports more than 150 different cryptocurrencies and crypto tokens. That’s a relatively small number in the grand scheme of things, but is usually more than enough for most crypto traders, both beginner and advanced ones. That’s because Kraken does support all of the main cryptos out there!
As noted above, the fees on Kraken are also very low. They range from 0% up to 0,26%, depending on the size of the transaction, locations, etc. Still, that’s actually surprisingly low, and definitely puts Kraken on the “best US crypto exchange” list!
To add to all of that, Kraken is also very simple to use, and does not require you to have extensive knowledge in the field of cryptocurrency trading to get into. Surely one of the better exchanges on the US market!
2. Coinbase - A Leading Cryptocurrency Exchange Platform
Ranks #2 out of 8 Crypto Exchanges
- + Fiat currencies - accepted
- + Simple to use
- + Accepts only the most trustworthy cryptocurrencies
- + Very secure
- - Some of the less-known coins aren't supported
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Coinbase is one of the US-based crypto exchanges of this list. Coincidentally or not, it’s also widely accepted as the best cryptocurrency exchange platform, in general!
There are many different aspects that make Coinbase an obvious pick as one of the leading crypto platforms. First of all, as you might be able to expect, the platform offers top-tier security - it’s known within the community for having some high-end crypto assets security features.
The brand themselves urge the users to protect their cryptos as best as they can - there are entire guides on their “Help” section that offer various advice on the topic!
Coinbase is also surprisingly easy to use. The platform is streamlined very well - you might find that it’s super-intuitive, even when you’re using it for the very first time. While it’s surely a great feature for any best US crypto exchange, it’s quite superb, in general!
Coinbase’s users seem to only have two significant complaints against the platform - its lack of coins, and the fees. Naturally, both of these topics are essential for a good exchange, but things aren’t as bad as they might appear at first glance - allow me to explain.
Coin variety-wise, Coinabse does, in fact, lack support for some of the better-known cryptocurrencies out there (i.e. Monero). That said, you’ll find that all of the major cryptos (Ethereum, Bitcoin, Litecoin, etc.) are still fully-supported on the site.
When it comes to fees, these will range from 1,49% up to 3,99%. While that is, in fact, higher than average, one must keep in mind the fact that Coinbase remains one of the safest crypto exchanges, in general. Definitely worth looking into!
3. BYDFi - Compliance & Security
Ranks #3 out of 8 Crypto Exchanges
- + Huge trading variety
- + Copy trading functionality
- + Regulation-compliant around the globe
- + Fair trading fees
- + Available in the US
- + Beginner-friendly tools
- - No NFT services
- - No staking capability
BYDFI is a well-known crypto exchange within the space. What makes it one of the best US crypto exchanges is the platform’s security features and regulatory compliance.
As far as the compliance side is concerned, BYDFi holds a Money Service Businesses (MSB) license within the country (No. 31000215482431). This allows it to operate within the US and offer cryptocurrency-related services to US-based individuals, while remaining fully compliant with the local KYC & AML laws.
Security-wise, BYDFi employs 2FA, and also stores user funds in cold storage devices. The platform utilizes encrypted SSL protocols to keep user data secure, too, and the entire architecture of the exchange is based on Amazon Web Services (AWS).
In addition to all of that, BYDFi employs a decent fee model (up to 0.3% maker and taker fees), and has over 400 different crypto assets for users to trade and exchange.
Notably, the exchange doesn’t support NFT services and doesn’t have staking functionality. However, at least as far as the latter is concerned, it’s often not that simple to partake in, in the US - depending on the state you reside in, staking might be prohibited.
All of that being said, BYDFi is certainly one of the top choices, as far as crypto exchanges in the US go!
Did you know?
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4. Cex.io - Payment Method Variety and Good Security
Ranks #4 out of 8 Crypto Exchanges
- + Easy to navigate
- + Secure and regulated
- + Provides earning features
- + Competitive trading fees
- - Lacks advanced trading options
Cex.io is located (based) in the UK. Despite that, Cex is still often viewed as one of the best US crypto exchanges - it caters to the US market very well!
Cex.io will be great for those who truly care about the security of their crypto assets - the platform offers a wide range of security features, with 2FA being one of the mandatory ones.
Cex also sends you emails whenever you (well, hopefully, you) access your account - the emails act as an extra added layer of security, since they inform you about any activity regarding your account. Frankly, if you have your email protected, you’re going to be aware of your Cex account at all times, too.
The platform also offers its users various payment methods - this is great, since it significantly broadens the range of potential users who might be interested in accessing Cex with the purpose of purchasing some cryptocurrencies.
On top of all of that, Cex does also have high trading volumes. This is just further proof that the platform is alive and well, and that many people use it for their crypto trading needs.
The fees on Cex.io range from 0% up to 0,25%. That’s pretty good, and places the platform quite high on the best US crypto exchange list, at least as far as the actual topic of fees is concerned!
5. Uphold - A Digital Asset Exchange for Experienced Traders
Ranks #5 out of 8 Crypto Exchanges
- + Fully reserved and transparent
- + Multiple tradable asset classes
- + Early new token support
- + Over 265 supported cryptos
- + Multiple additional features (wallet, card, etc.)
- - No live customer support
- - May have a steeper learning curve
Uphold is a bit of a unique pick in this list of the best US crypto exchanges. This is because it’s not exclusively a cryptocurrency platform - rather, it’s a digital asset exchange that supports both crypto, as well as multiple traditional assets such as stocks and equities.
Uphold supports nearly 300 different cryptocurrencies, including both the top coins & tokens, as well as some lesser-known assets. This, in turn, means that most traders will be able to find what they’re looking for on the platform.
In addition to its multi-asset support, Uphold does offer its customers plenty of additional features, too. It has a built-in wallet where you’ll be able to store your cryptocurrencies (although acquiring a hardware storage solution is more recommended), and a dedicated debit card (with its own perks).
Circling back to the topic of the US, Uphold is - obviously - available to be used in most states within the country, and fully compliant with all the rules and regulations present. On top of that, Uphold a fully reserved - an important point for anyone who takes their crypto trading activities seriously.
One thing to note, however, is that the exchange is usually seen as catering to some of the more experienced traders and crypto enthusiasts. This is evident from simply navigating the platform - while it’s feature-rich, it doesn’t necessarily have a very beginner-friendly way to onboard new users.
6. Coinmama - Top-Rated Crypto Exchange Platform
Ranks #6 out of 8 Crypto Exchanges
- + High levels of security
- + Helpful customer support
- + User-friendly platform
- + Available in 188 countries, and most US states
- + Accepts credit/debit cards
- - No way to call the support via phone
- - Limited amount of cryptocurrencies
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Coinmama is a leading brokerage service that allows you to purchase Bitcoin, Ethereum and other popular cryptocurrencies with your credit card. There are multiple reasons why Coinmama deserves to be called one of the best US cryptocurrency exchange platforms.
First of all, Coinmama is very easy to use. Unlike many other crypto exchange platforms that have a very confusing interface and can be too difficult to figure out (especially for newbies), Coinmama manages to make every process super simple.
Moreover, since Coinmama is registered with FinCEN, the company performs multiple anti-money laundering procedures and other actions in order to ensure users' security. Also, in case you encounter some issues when using Coinmama, you can contact the company's customer support or visit its help center and easily find a solution.
The only issue is that Coinmama has relatively high fees - 5.9%. However, you can rarely avoid this problem when purchasing cryptocurrencies using a credit card.
7. Changelly - Some of the Best Crypto Asset Prices on the Market
Ranks #7 out of 8 Crypto Exchanges
- + Flat cryptocurrency exchange fee of 0,5%
- + No history of security breaches
- + Offers widgets and API
- + 24/7 live customer support
- - Can be slow
- - Quite high fees when changing fiat currencies
Admittedly, Changelly might just be one of those crypto exchanges that you might have heard about the most. That’s because, unlike many other platforms on this “best US crypto exchange” list, Changelly is actually very commonly integrated into cryptocurrency wallets, as the default in-wallet trading outlet.
Changelly promises its users some of the best (most competitive) crypto prices on the entire market. Naturally, this is a huge deal! If your prime concern is to purchase cryptocurrencies for the lowest price possible, this is something to take note of!
One of the best features of Changelly, however, is the fact that it’s a non-custodial exchange. This means that the platform does not hold on to your cryptocurrency - while this does also mean that you’re the solemn party that is responsible for its safety, it also hands all of the power into your hands, which is in-line with the general philosophy of cryptocurrencies (decentralization).
Changelly’s fees are simple - it’s a flat 0,25% fee for all of your transactions. That’s very decent, for sure!
8. Bitstamp - High Levels of Trust Within the Community
Ranks #8 out of 8 Crypto Exchanges
- + Helpful customer support
- + Fiat payments are accepted
- + Reliable and established
- + Low trading fees
- - Small number of supported cryptos
Bitstamp might be one of the less-known crypto exchanges on this list, especially in the US. Still, the platform is quite worth paying attention to, since it has, debatably, been one that had to work for its reputation the most!
You see, in regards to the argument of Bitstamp being the best crypto exchange for USA, it needs to be pointed out that the brand had some security issues some time ago. While this is common with crypto exchanges, Bitstamp was hit quite hard - the one redeeming factor here is that no user assets were compromised.
Since then, Bitstamp has improved on practically all of the aspects of their business - security, customer support, communication, and so on. The great reputation that the platform has now is surely earned!
Bitstamp’s fees range from 0,05% up to 5%. The actual fees are going to depend on a variety of different factors!
While not being one of the cryptocurrency exchanges in USA, Bitstamp is still worth checking out!
Conclusions
So, then - that’s the list of the best cryptocurrency exchanges in USA, and for USA! Admittedly, not all of the platforms were located (based) in the States, but all of them are going to be useful for any US citizen, for sure!
Remember - the actual best US crypto exchange for YOU is going to depend on YOUR own, personal wants and needs. That said, any one of the exchanges mentioned on the list above should suffice!
Than you for reading, good luck trading, and see you next time!
Other Crypto Exchanges in This Category
Here are other crypto exchanges related to the category but not as favored by BitDegree readers yet. In my personal opinion, today there are much more optimal crypto exchanges in the list with the higher rating that I'd recommend for the same price range or less.
Bittrex - Crypto Assets are Kept Offline
- + Very secure
- + Small, fixed fees
- + Fast exchanges
- + Wide variety of crypto and fiat currencies
- - Some user complaints regarding support
- - May be somewhat difficult for a beginner
- - Not available in the US since May 2023 (Chapter 11 bankruptcy)
UPDATE 2024: Bittrex is no longer operational.
Now, Bittrex is one of those cryptocurrency exchanges that take the term “security” to a whole new level.
The platform is often regarded as one of the safest options for cryptocurrency traders. Apart from all of the usual security features of crypto exchanges (anything from 2FA up to verification checks), Bittrex offers a very unique crypto storing solution - close to 90% of all of the crypto assets located on the exchange are stored offline, in cold wallets.
That’s great news - since the cryptos are located offline, they are practically inaccessible to any hackers that might want to breach the platform’s security!
Bittrex also offers users the ability to trade around 200 different cryptocurrencies, and has a fixed fee of 0,25%. It’s not one of the cryptocurrency exchanges in USA (Bittrex is based in Liechtenstein), but will surely fit the US market, nonetheless!
eToro - Convenience Meets Functionality
- + Copy trading service available
- + A variety of cryptocurrencies to choose from
- + Beginner-friendly
- - Withdrawals can be slow
- - Slow verification process
Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest. This is a high-risk investment and you should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong. Cryptocurrency is offered by eToro USA LLC (“the MSB”) (NMLS: 1769299) and is not FDIC or SIPC insured. Investing involves risk.
eToro is, admittedly, a very well-known name both in the crypto world, as well as among many traditional day traders out there. The platform has managed to build a reputation as a reliable exchange with some high-end, advanced features for its customers.
So... How is this exchange special?
Well, for starters, eToro supports a feature called "copy-trading". This is when you are able to automatically copy the trades performed by some high-level investors. It's actually one of the more popular features available on the exchange - you can choose from a large list of potential investors, check their statistics, and if you like what you see, opt in to copy their trades, at a ratio that's comfortable for you.
On top of that, eToro supports a large variety of different cryptocurrencies. These include both the industry-leading coins (Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin), as well as a healthy list of some of the less-known coins and tokens. Whether you're an expert trader or an industry-newcomer, this is definitely something that can be appreciated!
All in all, eToro is a reliable, high-tier cryptocurrency and other financial asset exchange. If you're looking for the best crypto exchange in the US, it's definitely a platform that you should check out!
Cryptocurrency is offered by eToro USA LLC (“the MSB”) (NMLS: 1769299) and is not FDIC or SIPC insured. Investing involves risk, and content is provided for educational purposes only, does not imply a recommendation, and is not a guarantee of future performance. BitDegree is not an affiliate and may be compensated if you access certain products or services offered by the MSB.
Binance US - Leading Exchange in Trading Volume
- + Simple to use
- + Fiat payment methods - accepted
- + A dedicated tax statement tool
- + Advanced trading functionality
- + Some of the best trading fees
- + A lot of crypto education-related resources
- - Mediocre customer support experiences
- - Lack of security-related information
Binance.US is surely one of the best US crypto exchanges - it offers users all of the core features that you’d come to expect from a top-tier cryptocurrency exchange, and is universally praised for constantly being ahead of the “crypto wave”.
Having said that, though, Binance does have a huge history with the States. Allow me to explain.
The main Binance exchange isn’t one of the US-based crypto exchanges - it’s primarily located in Tokyo, Japan. At some point in time, Binance was frankly ‘banned’ in the US - people with US passports could no longer use the exchange (things were a bit more complicated than that, but you get the idea).
The only way a US user could access Binance was via a VPN. As of 2019, though, there now exists a US version of the platform - Binance.US.
You might ponder - why would anyone go through all of the effort to access a crypto exchange platform when there are multiple others that do not have all of these limitations?
Well, the answer is simple - it’s just that good.
Binance is very secure - you can protect your coins with two-factor authentication, and the platform has a reputation of being very safe.
Also, the fees of Binance are almost unbeatable - while they vary according to some factors, they “top out” at 0,1%. That’s superb!
Gemini - Asset Insurance, Good Trading Fees
- + Strong security
- + US dollar accounts are ensured
- + Easy-to-use
- - Limited selection of cryptocurrencies
- - Requires lots of personal information
- - Sometimes can go offline
Gemini is a cryptocurrency exchange that was founded in 2014. Only two years later, in 2016, it became the very first licensed Ether exchange in the world. This is a huge deal! However, it's also just scratching the surface of the benefits and features offered by the platform.
Gemini is based in New York. The platform offers its users insurance on select assets - this insurance guards users from any potential break-ins that might happen. So, if the exchange was to be hacked, and its security would be breached, your assets would still be protected, nonetheless. That's not a common feature, and is thus very appreciated!
Being based in the States, and often regarded as one of the best US crypto exchanges, naturally, Gemini is available in all of the states within the country. This is also rather uncommon, since many exchange platform often exclude their services from one or two states.
To top it all off, Gemini has very decent trading fees, too! They start from 0,5%, and can go up to 1,49%, depending on the sum traded, and the cryptos themselves. Considering all of the additional features offered by the platform, these fees are definitely great!
All in all, Gemini is surely one of the best crypto exchanges in the United States.
The content published on this website is not aimed to give any kind of financial, investment, trading, or any other form of advice. BitDegree.org does not endorse or suggest you to buy, sell or hold any kind of cryptocurrency. Before making financial investment decisions, do consult your financial advisor.