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After comprehensively reviewing 28 cryptocurrency exchanges in more than 20 weighted categories, our top picks for the best cryptocurrency exchanges include Kraken, Coinbase, and Crypto.com. To find you the best options, we researched key criteria such as security, offerings, availability, fees, financial options, features, and mobile capabilities.
Cryptocurrency exchanges operate similarly to other central exchanges, such as traditional online brokerages. With the price of Bitcoin touching new all-time highs of over $73,000 in March 2024, the best crypto exchanges offer you all the tools needed to research and invest in Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies such as Shiba Inu or Dogecoin.1 In addition to providing a platform to securely buy and sell digital currencies and tokens, many crypto exchanges offer additional crypto investment services, such as staking, lending, and digital asset custody.
Best Crypto Exchanges and Apps for September 2024
- Best for Low Fees and Best for Experienced Traders: Kraken
- Best for Beginners: Coinbase
- Best Mobile App: Crypto.com
- Best For Security: Gemini
- Best for Altcoins: BitMart
- Best for Bitcoin: Cash App
- Best Decentralized Exchange: Bisq
Our Methodology
We performed an in-depth assessment of the features and options offered by nearly 25 cryptocurrency exchanges, crypto trading apps and brokerage platforms that offer crypto trading options.
The trading fees reflected for each brokerage or crypto exchange are the trading fees for the lowest volume of trade, using the most basic version of the platform.
The data addressed 10 key variables to assess the quality of each platform:
- Basic Trading Features. Key metrics included the number of cryptocurrencies available to trade, the number of fiat currencies accepted, the exchange’s overall liquidity and trading fees.
- Advanced Trading Features. We looked at the availability of complex trading features like advanced order types and volume discounts for frequent trading.
- Margin Trading. An assessment of margin trading rates, if applicable.
- Platform Availability. While some of the best crypto exchanges are available everywhere, others have widely varying degrees of accessibility to different features by country and by U.S. state.
- Customer Service. Available types of customer support.
- Educational Resources. We evaluated the educational content offered by each platform.
- Crypto Rewards Credit Card. A few platforms offer crypto rewards credit cards.
- Security and Storage. Types of storage options, security and insurance available, plus an assessment of any large-scale hacks of each exchange over its lifetime.
- Staking and Rewards. Some platforms allow users to stake selected cryptos and earn interest payments.
- Crypto Lending. Some crypto exchanges allow users to lend out their cryptocurrency.
These ten variables benchmark features and options across the crypto exchanges and brokerages we surveyed.
For each ranking, the sum of weighted values across all or some of these key factors was calculated to award each brokerage or exchange its overall rank. Margin trading, platform lending and advanced trading were not considered for choosing the best crypto exchanges for beginners.
To learn more about our rating and review methodology and editorial process, check out our guide on How Forbes Advisor Rates Investing Products.