When it comes to crypto exchanges, there are several options that all promise to be the best for trading Bitcoin. Each claiming to offer low maker/taker fees, robust security with 2FA and passkeys, and advanced trading features like conditional orders and TradingView integration. So who can you really trust?
I’ve spent hundreds of hours hands-on testing exchanges by depositing my own money, trading on the exchanges, and assessing their security features, to create a list of the best exchanges out there.
I understand that not everyone is the same. That’s why I’ve created different categories that should accommodate everyone from beginners to professionals. I’ve chosen an exchange that best fits each category and highlighted its strengths to help you choose the exchange that’s best for you.
When looking for the best exchanges for trading Bitcoin, I compared the exchanges based on several key factors. I ranked them based on how well they scored on the following criteria:
| Exchange | Ranking | Taker/Maker | Available Crypto | Accepts Fiat | Payment Methods | KYC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Crypto.com | 4.3 Read Review | 0.5% / 0.25% | 432 | Yes | +5 | Full KYC Required |
Binance | 4.8 Read Review | 0.1% / 0.1% | 447 | Yes | +1 | Yes |
MEXC | 4.6 Read Review | 0.01% / 0% | 2179 | Yes | +3 | No |
Deribit | 3.6 Read Review | 0% / 0% | 1 | No | Yes | |
Paybis | No Rating Read Review | 4.5% / 4.5% | 84 | No | +6 | Optional for purchases up to 1,000 USD (mandatory in certain regions and for all Sell Crypto transactions) |
Kraken | 4.2 Read Review | 0.4% / 0.25% | 675 | Yes | +3 | Yes |
Crypto.com is the perfect match for users seeking a wide range of features that cater well to all types of traders. It’s easy to navigate and place trades, making it perfect for beginners whilst still offering advanced tools and features for more experienced traders. I found that it’s one of the most versatile platforms, with two separate “Lite” and “Pro” apps that offer beginner-friendly tools for new traders, without removing the advanced trading tools professional traders look for.
Binance is a perfect match for high-volume spot traders. Daily trading volumes in the tens of billions make it the largest exchange in the world, trusted by over 300 million users worldwide.
I consider MEXC to be a perfect match for futures trading, thanks to its zero maker fees and 500x leverage. Its advanced trading tools make it suitable for professional traders without compromising on security features or transparency.
Handling about 90% of all crypto options trading, Deribit, for me, is the clear market leader when it comes to Bitcoin options. Run by Coinbase, it offers the best options trading experience with support for advanced strategies, along with Coinbase’s reputation for transparency and reliability.
If you want to buy Bitcoin quickly and easily, look no further than Paybis. It was specifically designed to simplify the process of buying Bitcoin in seconds, making it a perfect match for beginners who don’t want to deal with the complexities of bank transfers or the risks of P2P trading.
HODLing crypto on an exchange can be risky. However, Kraken is a perfect match for security-conscious traders. As one of the most heavily regulated platforms, it adheres to some of the strictest financial regulations to keep your coins secure.
There are plenty of important questions and topics you should understand when choosing an exchange to trade or buy Bitcoin. Based on my experience trading Bitcoin on various exchanges, I’ve answered some of the most commonly asked questions to try to help you make an informed decision on which exchange to use.
I consider “buying Bitcoin” as a long-term investment, while “trading Bitcoin” means quickly buying and selling BTC to profit from shorter-term price movements. You can buy Bitcoin by depositing fiat to an exchange or by using a Quick Buy feature. Trading Bitcoin requires you to already hold crypto, typically USDT or USDC, which you can trade back and forth for BTC. I find that buying Bitcoin is a perfect place for beginners to start their journey in crypto, and then slowly progress towards trading Bitcoin as you gain experience and understanding.
I’ve found most exchanges offer a combination of spot, margin, futures, and options trading. Spot trading is where you buy and sell actual Bitcoin at current market prices. Margin trading is similar to spot trading, except it lets you borrow coins from the exchange to trade larger positions.
We sometimes call futures and options “derivatives”, since you’re not actually trading Bitcoin itself. Futures let you profit from Bitcoin price changes without having to actually buy BTC. Options involve trading contracts that give you the right to buy or sell BTC at a specified price on a specified date.
We almost always recommend that beginners start with spot trading, as there is no liquidation risk and your losses are not amplified by leverage. With a fair amount of spot trading experience, you can slowly progress to margin trading to learn the ropes of trading with leverage.
Only once you’re consistently profitable with margin trading should you move over to futures or options trading. Even then, we suggest practicing derivatives trading using demo trading and sticking to lower leverage levels until you become comfortable trading futures.
Trading fees typically fall into three categories: maker/taker fees, spread costs, and interest or funding fees. We’ve found most leading exchanges charge between 0.1% to 0.3% for spot trades, with fee structures that reward you with lower fees for having a higher monthly trading volume.
When you’re margin trading, you have to pay the spot trading fees as well as interest for borrowing assets from the exchange. I’ve seen this vary greatly depending on the exchange and asset being traded. Futures trading fees are typically around 0.02% for maker orders and 0.04% to 0.06% for taker orders; however, funding fees will also apply, which can add up over time.
Generally, we discourage users from keeping large amounts of crypto on exchanges. We believe that hardware wallets are the safest way to store your coins. However, some beginners may find hardware wallets difficult to set up, and private keys hard to keep secure. All of this can make storing coins on an exchange more convenient and safer.
Shennon Hewa is a crypto trader and crypto journalist based in London. Active in the crypto space since 2017, he specializes in scalping, derivatives day trading, and swing trading. At FXEmpire, he has reviewed dozens of crypto exchanges and has extensive knowledge of platform strengths and weaknesses.
At FXEmpire, we strive to provide unbiased, thorough, and accurate exchange reviews by industry experts to help our users make smarter financial decisions.