If you are searching for the best exchange to buy and sell Bitcoin, our simple comparison highlights five of the largest and most prominent exchanges across Europe and North America. Each of these exchanges allow you to withdraw Bitcoin directly from the platform.
The information below has been updated and reviewed as of April 2024.
PRO TIP: It is safer to trade using the computer's web browser for the simple reason that using a proper keyboard can save you from mistyping and hence costly mistakes.
PRO TIP: Depending on the exchange, you may have to switch to the “Pro” or “Trader” version of the platform on the web browser or on the mobile app, to access the “maker” and “taker” trading fees indicated above. If you use the basic version you may end-up paying higher fees.
Kraken is a U.S. based crypto exchange established in 2011. It is one of the most reputable crypto exchanges out there. Its main markets are is America and Europe, however they are expanding to other continents. Kraken provides services to European customers through its hub in the U.K.
Additionally, to providing the best customer service and having astable platform, a reason that Kraken is one of the most trusted crypto exchange out there, is the strong management team. At present lead by the Chairman of the Board and Co-founder Jesse Powell, the management team has stuck to its libertarian principles.
Gemini is a U.S. based crypto exchange launched in 2014. The exchange covers mainly the American clientele but is expanding its operations in Europe and Asia further. Gemini is transferring the European based hub from the U.K. to Ireland.
Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss co-founded Gemini and are part of Gemini’s solid management team. Cameron is serving as the President and Tyler as the CEO. Their key focus has been from the start on security and keeping the exchange compliant with regulation. And with its stable platform, Gemini has maintained a more than decent reputation.
Coinbase is a U.S. based exchange founded in 2012. The co-founder, Brian Armstrong, is currently the Chairman of the Board and CEO of the company. In 2021, Coinbase became public company and was listed on the NASDAQ stock exchange. The crypto exchange now serves over 100 countries around the globe.
Coinbase has become notorious for its unstable platform. It has the tendency to crash during periods of high volume when it is usually most important for users to be able to trade. Furthermore, its awful customer service has lead to Coinbase’s mediocre reputation.
Crypto.com isa Singapore based exchange created in 2016. The co-founders CEO Kris Marszalek, CFO Rafael Melo and Head of Crypto.com Capital Bobby Bao are leading the management team. The crypto exchange is currently providing services to over 90 countries.
Crypto.com launched at inception its own token raising a huge red flag. Any platform creating a token should be viewed with caution as this could lead to regulatory or financial issues later. Moreover, its latest hack in 2022 has raised questions about the security and substantially impacting negatively its reputation.
Binance is an exchange founded in 2017. The company currently has no official headquarters and although it operates via different entities in various jurisdictions, Binance is available in over 100 countries world wide.
Binance, like Crypto.com, also launched its own token potentially leading to regulatory or financial issues later. Furthermore, in 2023, many senior executives left the company and the co-founder Changpeng “CZ” Zhao had to step down as CEO and Chairman of the Board putting the company in the hands of the new CEO Richard Teng. Accordingly, the state of the leadership and the company remains questionable.
If you are aiming to purchase and accumulate Bitcoin, Kraken stands out as the clear premier choice among the larger exchanges presented here. It is a great platform for novices and seasoned users alike.
If you are an experienced user and looking to save on fees, you may consider going with Crypto.com or Binance. In this case, make sure to assess properly your risks and you may consider withdrawing your Bitcoin promptly from the exchange.
PRO TIP: Once you start accumulating a significant amount of Bitcoin on the exchange, you should withdraw it to a Cold storage solution. Always test your Cold storage solution before doing so. Check out the Self-Custody section for more information by clicking on the link below.
