With cryptocurrency going mainstream and getting legitimized here and there, it is only a matter of time before a huge population wants to get in on the action. As such, marketplaces where people can buy, sell, exchange and trade digital assets have become crucial places.
And right on cue, to fulfill the adage: “If there’s a demand for it, someone will try to fill up that demand.” As for this case, cryptocurrency exchanges came into the picture to remedy this marketplace demand.
A cryptocurrency exchange, by definition, is an online platform where users can trade one type of digital asset for the other. These exchanges will be based on the market value of the given assets.
Banks are real financial institutions that can receive deposits, store and transfer money, and are licensed in the real world. Banks, basically, regulate money. They are the only legal place offering the right to exchange one fiat currency for another to its customers.
Stock brokers can trade securities and stocks on a stock exchange. Only stocks that are listed on an exchange can be purchased or sold. Stock exchanges are marketplaces that stock sellers and buyers use to trade their stocks.
In the digital world, cryptocurrency exchanges provide similar services to banks and Stock exchanges.
Still, as with there are people who still treat cryptocurrencies with trepidations and agitations. For some people, cryptocurrencies and cryptocurrency exchanges are treated as borderline illegal online marketplaces.
These people believe these places could facilitate the trading of unregistered securities. They fear that crypto exchanges could be used by criminals to launder money, and they have limited AML/KYC capabilities to evade the law.
Some of these claims may not be entirely true. Just as with dealing with cryptocurrencies in general, using cryptocurrency exchanges come with its own inherent risks.
There is a chance that law enforcement will close down an exchange. When this happens, these exchanges might not be able to return your money because some operate illegally in gray areas.
There is also the possibility of your funds getting locked in the exchange, leaving you with no way of withdrawing or even selling your cryptocurrency and other digital assets. This can happen especially when the cryptocurrency exchange you are using has been seized by law enforcement or is under investigation by the proper authorities.
Lastly, there is a very big possibility of you losing your money from speculating cryptocurrency and then having the rug pulled under you by the founders or founding team of these exchanges. Especially when these founders are hustlers or scammers who are too good at what they are doing.
It is important to remember that cryptocurrency and any other related technology are always a risky business. It is smart to always proceed with caution. Like with gambling, there are more chances of losing than winning. High-risk, high reward.
For those of you who prefer a more visual experience, here is a video review from Mark Farfan’s YouTube channel. You can still check our article below for a complete overview of Binance. It also compares it with some other competitors.
Binance Exchange Binance US vs Binance
Binance Overview
Binance exchange is the largest cryptocurrency exchange in the world. It offers the largest number of trading pairs and has the highest trading volume among all crypto exchange services.
Binance was founded in 2017 by Chinese-Canadian entrepreneur and business executive Changpeng Zhao. The company was initially based in China, but with the growing crypto restriction on crypto in the country, it was moved to Japan and soon to Malta.
The company didn’t have a place to call home back then.
However, there is current news that the company was headed to Malta, where it is said to be currently based. That said, Binance serves most countries around the globe, except for the United States, where a specific version of the platform, Binance.US, had to be established.
Binance’s popularity among its users is due to its low fees, large selection of cryptocurrencies available, and innovative products. The platform has a lot to offer in terms of products that are based on cryptocurrencies.
These products/services offer the opportunity to earn, trade, stake, derive and NFTs. You can even get loans, do payments, and even avail of credit cards from the service.
Cryptos Under Binance
Binance has its own tokens and cryptocurrency. There are actually two.
The first one is called BUSD. It is a stablecoin fiat-backed issued by Binance and Paxos. Each token of this stablecoin is backed 1:1 with US dollars in reserve. The company created BUSD as a means to provide a more stable cryptocurrency alternative for traders and investors wanting to avoid the volatile nature of the digital asset market.
BNB is the second. Formerly called Binance Coin, it was launched in 2017 through an initial coin offering (ICO) as an asset for users when Binance was still in its infancy. It began as an ERC-20 standard token built on the Ethereum blockchain.
Currently, it is a native token of the Binance ecosystem, where it plays an essential role by powering operations. It’s used to pay trading, listing and exchange fees as well as other expenses that users incur on the platform.
Binance Perks
- Low Fees
This is the main reason Binance is the largest crypto exchange platform worldwide. Binance trades are as good as free. The platform uses a maker/taker fee structure. Fees will vary depending on trading volume and Binance Coin (BNB) balance.
That said, the platform still charges fees for some services, such as withdrawal and payment types.
- Large Selection of Cryptos
A crypto exchange platform will only be as good as the selection of cryptocurrencies available in its market. Of course, being the biggest one there is, Binance carries a lot and other digital currencies available.
Decentralized finance tokens (DeFi) are also available.
Some of the currencies available include:
- Binance Coins (BNB)
- VeChain (VET)
- VeThor (VTHO)
- Harmon (ONE)
- Matic Network (MATIC)
- Dogecoin (DOGE)
- Litecoin (LTC)
- Cosmos (ATOM)
- Cardano (ADA)
There are many other options.
- Earn Multiple Ways
For those wanting to get more mileage out of their investments, Binance allows you to earn more from your crypto assets. Customers can try to earn income via adding liquidity to pairs of tokens. You can also try on some staking options available on the platform.
However, these opportunities come with a lot of risk. Users must be able to recognize and weigh the risks. Trading and dealing in crypto is risky enough.
- Advanced trading tools
Binance wouldn’t be considered a crypto-exchange platform if it didn’t have trading tools.
Binance has advanced trading tools that allow users to customize trading options easily. It is easier to place limit orders to buy or sell crypto at a certain price.
Then there are charting tools that can be very useful for veteran traders making decisions. There are even features that allow users to sell leveraged tokens and make trade easier.
Binance Trading Experience
Binance’s overall trading experience is excellent. You can trade with Binance using a variety of trading tools, which allow for faster and more efficient transactions. You can even use real-time charts with moving averages, which makes it easy and accessible.
When trading, you do not need to be stuck to your computer. You can use Binance in any way you like. It’s possible to do this through the Binance App or the Binance website.
Traders will not need to use multiple platforms or other tools to keep track of their portfolios as the platform already does it for them. Anyone who wants to track their trades can access their trade history on the exchange platform.
You can even customize how they view trading. This allows for easier comprehension of data. Users can even choose how they want these data presented. This makes it easier for users to identify the most important.
Binance Trading Fees
Binance trading fees will depend on the customers’ trading history and trading volume in the past 30 days. The amount of BNB that the user has will also be important.
The fees you pay will depend on whether you are a taker or a maker. Takers, who remove liquidity orders from a market, tend to get higher fees than makers (those who add liquidity to it).
Binance uses its native currency to facilitate transactions. You get 25% off your trading fees when you use BNB to make trades. Binance also offers 0% trading on selected Bitcoin and Binance USD (BUSD) pairs.
The chart below can be used as a quick reference for Binance’s fees.
VIP | 30-Day Trade Volume (BUSD) | Maker/Taker |
0 | Less than 1,000,000 | 0.10%/0.10% |
1 | 1,000,000 to 4999,999 with at least 25 BNB | 0.09%/0.10% |
2 | Between 5,000,000 and 19,999,999 with at least 100 BNB | 0.08% / 0.10% |
3 | 20,000,000 to 119,999,999 and at least 250 BNB | 0.07% / 0.10% |
4 | 120,000,000 to 199,999,999 and at least 500 BNB | 0.07% / 0.09% |
5 | Between 200,000,000 and 499,999.999,999 with at least 1,000 BNB | 0.06% / 0.08% |
6 | 500,000,000 to 999,999,999 and at least 1,750 BNB | 0.05% / 0.07% |
7 | 1,000,000,000 to 2,499,999,999 and at least 3,000 BNB | 0.04% / 0.06% |
8 | Between 2,500,000,000 and 4,999,999.999999999 with at least 4,500 BNB | 0.03% / 0.05% |
9 | More than 5,000,000,000 and at least 5,500 BNB | 0.02% / 0.04% |
Binance Issues
Despite being one of the biggest names in crypto, Binance has its issues and controversies.
The year 2019 was a terrible year for the exchange platform.
Binance was the victim of a large-scale security breach on May 7, 2019. It was discovered that hackers stole 7,000 Bitcoins worth $40 million. However, customers were reimbursed by the site’s “Secure Asset Fund for Users (SAFU).
However, it wasn’t as rough as the year 2021 was. In fact, saying that Binance had a rough year in 2021 is an understatement.
The United States Department of Justice and Internal Revenue Service, on allegations of money laundering and tax offenses, investigated the company.
It also had to cancel the planned launch of its own digital asset marketplace in Britain. This was due to their application not meeting the anti-money laundering requirements set by their government.
The next year, it was once again put in hot water as it was reported that Binance was said to have shared client data with the Russian government. These said data included names and addresses of users in a bid to fight crime.
In October the same year, another hacker attacked its network. The company had to temporarily suspend transactions and fund transfers after detecting an exploit between two blockchains. As soon as the issue was discovered, it was resolved.
However, about $100m in funds remained unrecovered from a total of $570m that was stolen.
Binance Pros and Cons
Pros
- Low Fees
- Easy Access to Passive Income Opportunities
- Large Selection of Cryptocurrencies
- Trading tools that are sophisticated
- Multiple ways of Depositing Money
- Flexible Trading Options and Order Types
Cons
- Non-beginner friendly. For beginners, many features can be difficult to access and use.
- Regulation Issues with many countries, including major ones like the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, Thailand, and many more.
- Due to regulatory issues, the service is not available in the United States. Even the US-specific service, Binance U.S. (a more limited version), is unavailable in some states.
- There is no built-in digital wallet
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Binance Versus Coinbase
There are no two different cryptocurrency platforms whose approach can differ as much as Coinbase and Binance.
The one is an American-based exchange and is suitable for beginners. It has a simple interface with limited transaction types and is best suited for veterans.
The crux of the difference between Coinbase and Binance is who their main audience is and how they cater to these people.
Coinbase Overview
Coinbase, also known as Coinbase Global, Inc, a publicly traded American company that acts as a cryptocurrency exchange platform. The platform is a distributed business, so all employees work remotely.
The company doesn’t have a physical headquarters. It used to have a company headquarters in San Francisco, but this palace was abandoned, and the company changed operation to remote-first.
Brian Armstrong, an ex-engineer at Airbnb, founded Coinbase in June 2012. He joined the Y Combinator incubator program and received a $150,000 cash injection.
Later on, co-founder Fred Ehrsam joined him after noticing Armstrong’s post on Reddit. This was back when bitcoin was worth only $6 and only known by ” a few nerds on the internet” (Ehrsam’s words, not mine).
The two guys believed that bitcoin was a crazy idea that would revolutionize money and finance. Both men shared the belief that bitcoin would be huge. They wanted to make crypto more mainstream and easy to use. This was the impetus behind Coinbase.
Coinbase is now the largest crypto exchange in America and the world, but its humble beginnings are not glamorous. Coinbase was actually founded in a shared two-bedroom apartment. Binance US vs Binance
Cryptos Under Coinbase
Coinbase doesn’t have any original coins or cryptocurrency. The platform supports over 100 cryptocurrencies. As the need arises, they add new cryptocurrencies regularly.
As such, here is a glimpse of the different cryptocurrencies coinbase has to offer:
- Bitcoin (BTC)
- Ethereum (ETH)
- Cardano (ADA)
- Solana (SOL)
- Polkadot (DOT)
- USD Coin (USDC)
- Dogecoin (DOGE)
- Uniswap
- Litecoin (LTC)
- Shiba Inu (SHIB)
- Algorand (ALGO)
- Stellar Lumens (XLM)
- Polygon (MATIC)
- DAI (DAI)
- SushiSwap (SUSHI)
Coinbase Perks
- A wide selection of cryptocurrency
There is a reason why coinbase is the biggest cryptocurrency exchange in the United States. This is because of the vast and varied cryptocurrencies available in the market.
A Bitcoin (BTC-focused exchange. Coinbase has grown to offer over 150 types of cryptocurrency on the platform. In fact, you can trade currencies like Bitcoin (BTC) and other major coins for smaller and newer digital tokens.
Coinbase is the only cryptocurrency exchange that offers a wide selection of products in the U.S. market.
- Simple and Advanced Trading
Coinbase offers two trading tools to make it easier for users to access their accounts. You can choose from a simple or advanced trade option.
Simple trading options are easy to use for beginners. This option has one drawback: it charges higher fees. This is contrary to the crypto investing philosophy of keeping fees low.
Advanced trading, on the other hand, offers more options such as charts and a live order list, as well as the ability to limit orders. While this option has lower fees, the trade-off is that it is less intuitive, more complex, and intimidating to new users.
With that said, placing your trades in advanced trading is highly advisable just to maintain low fees.
- Get Free Crypto
For those wanting to earn more crypto, Coinbase gives a cool feature that allows customers to do so. Coinbase Earn is Coinbase’s feature that lets users earn free crypto in exchange for learning more.
It is encouraged that users read more about cryptocurrency through educational modules. Once they have completed one module, coinsbase will allow them to earn more.
While the feature does not give much, it still doesn’t hurt. Even a few crypto bits can be a blessing in this economy. Also, anyone who declines to pay for money is a fool. Even if the amount is not.
- Educational Content
As lightly touched above, coinbase has a library that is a well of educational resource. These resources range form the basics of crypto, tips, and tutorials to more complex stuff and even market updates. It is for this reason that Coinbase is the ideal platform for those just starting to invest in crypto.
- Mobile App
Coinbase has made it easier for users to access their accounts via a mobile app. Like the web platform, their mobile app provides user-friendly ways to buy, sell, and manage your cryptocurrency.
This Coinbase App is not just something that is not some garbage or bloatware. It’s legit and gets high ratings from both the Apple App Store as well as Google Play Store.
- Crypto Rewards
Your Coinbase account can allow you to earn interest on many cryptocurrencies. This is because Coinbase pays interest on specific stables, like USD Coin (USDC), automatically.
This allows you to stake certain cryptocurrencies like Solana (SOL) and Ethereum (ETH).
Staking allows participants to receive rewards for their crypto assets. It is how many cryptocurrencies verify transactions. You commit your crypto assets to support a blockchain network and confirm transactions when staking in cryptocurrencies. Binance US vs Binance
You will receive certain rewards for staking cryptos. Of course, not all cryptos are eligible for this. It varies depending on your region as well as the cryptocurrency.
- Coinbase Debit card
Coinbase lets users trade, but also allows them to access their hard-earned wealth and use it with the Coinbase card.
A Coinbase account allows you to apply for a Coinbase Card, which is a prepaid Visa debit credit card that can be linked to your Coinbase balance. It allows you to spend cryptocurrency to purchase certain services, especially those that accept Bitcoin or other crypto payments.
What’s more, using the Coinbase card gives you a chance to win crypto rewards. This rewards program allows you to choose the crypto that you want from a rotating list.
Coinbase Trading Experience
If Binance provides low fees and more advanced training tools, Coinbase is geared towards a more different type of user. Coinbase’s target market is those just beginning their crypto journey.
This platform provides tools to enable crypto traders to quickly and easily trade. This is linked to their original goal of “making Bitcoin easier to use.”
They are determined to realize this vision and allow users to earn cryptocurrency by watching tutorial videos that are geared towards beginners.
However, this doesn’t mean that veteran traders have only beginner tools to use. Coinbase Pro is the perfect platform for you. This platform is designed for experienced traders. Binance US vs Binance
Coinbase Pro is different because it was designed for professional traders. It gives them more tools that allow for greater customization of their trades. You can choose from several order types such as stop, limit or margin orders.
Users can also access real-time charting tools, trade history, order book, and price charts. This can help them create more informed decisions when moving their positions and doing their trades.
Although it states pro on the can, that doesn’t necessarily mean users will need to pay a fee for Coinbase Pro. No, there is no need for that. Anyone with a Coinbase account can already access and use the pro version.
Coinbase Trading Fees
The thing with Coinbase is that they do not give away their pricing and fees. Their entire fee schedule was removed from the online help section. That said, this doesn’t mean you will pay your fees blindly. Costs are still shown when entering a trade, so you still know how much you will pay.
To be honest, this is where coinbase falls off from the competition. Its fee structure can be too complex and a little hard for the mind to wrap around. It is said that the fee structure depends on three confusing factors:
- Coinbase charges a spread for cryptocurrency purchases and sales. There is a huge charge that rates will vary depending on market fluctuations.
- Coinbase claims fees are also based on factors such as the selected payment method, market conditions (volatility and liquidity), and even the order size.
- Lastly, Coinbase also charges fees to cover the costs of executing transactions on the external blockchain networks that support the cryptocurrencies in which it deals. Binance US vs Binance
That said, Coinbase Pro’s pricing model is more straightforward. It is based on the customer’s monthly trading volume and liquidity of the asset at the time of purchase. Also, Coinbase pro users are required to make deposits and withdrawals through a bank account.
Below is a chart that shows you the fees you can expect from the main coinbase platform.
Trade Size | Coinbase Fee |
$10 or less | $0.99 |
$10 to $25 | $1.49 |
$25 to $50 | $1.99 |
$50 to $200 | $2.99 |
Trades over $200 are subject to a percentage-based fee instead of a flat fee.
For Coinbase Pro, a general idea of the fees is shown in the chart below.
Pricing Tier | Taker Fee | Maker Fee |
Get up to $10K | 0.60% | 0.40% |
$10K – $50K | 0.40% | 0.25% |
$50K – $100K | 0.25% | 0.15% |
$100K – $1M | 0.20% | 0.10% |
$1M – $15M | 0.18% | 0.08% |
$15M – $75M | 0.16% | 0.06% |
$75M – $250M | 0.12% | 0.03% |
$250M – $400M | 0.08% | 0.00% |
$400M+ | 0.05% | 0.00% |
Coinbase Issues
There is a good chance that cryptocurrency will be a legal issue because it is still a new area of technology.
Coinbase acknowledged that customers were being charged more for cryptocurrencies they purchased with debit and credit cards than they originally intended. These problems started earlier in the month when banks and card issuers charged crypto purchase merchant category codes (MCC).
The issue stemmed from the fact that crypto payments were categorized as “cash advances” and that banks and credit card issuers could begin charging cash advance fees for these purchases.
In a Financial Times article, Visa, the credit card company, blamed Coinbase at first. However, it later rescinded those statements and clarified on the Coinbase blog that the “issue was not caused by Coinbase”
In 2018, customer complaints against Coinbase jumped more than 100%. These complaints were mostly referred to as “money not available when promised.” Coinbase solved the problem by increasing customer service staff to decrease wait times.
Coinbase also participated in the first ever case of insider trading in cryptocurrency. A former product manager of the company as he shared information about certain tokens listed by the company. Prosecutors were provided with all the information necessary for an internal investigation by the company.
Coinbase Pros and Cons
Pros
- Easy to use and very friendly for those just starting in cryptocurrency
- Supports a large number of cryptocurrencies
- Provides opportunities to earn cryptocurrency while, at the same time, learning about them.
- You can trade simple or advanced depending on your preference
- Offers coinbase debit card, which allows for easy withdrawing of funds Binance US vs Binance
Cons
- Complex and convoluted fee structure that is also not transparent
- High fees on some transactions
- Limited staking and interest opportunities.
- There are a bunch of altcoins missing from their selection
- Problems with customer service
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Binance versus Kraken
Binance and Kraken, both giants in the cryptocurrency industry, have millions of users. It might seem that there is a big gap between these two platforms if we compare their ranks (Binance at the top and Kraken at the bottom), but there are more to it.
Binance.US users, for example, are severely limited by the fact that they cannot access Binance’s U.S.-based platform (Binance.US). while Kraken is widely available in the country.
There are a lot of similarities between these two platforms, with both offering advanced trading options, low fees, and even mobile apps. Their target audiences are the same as they are geared towards seasoned or even veteran and advanced cryptocurrency traders.
Customers will ultimately decide which platform they prefer by choosing the most important features. Will it be Binance and their offers of slightly lower fees, a huge variety of coins, and additional way of managing your funds. Or will it be Kraken and its high regard for security standards, which won them a bank charter approval in Wyoming in 2021. Binance US vs Binance
Kraken Overview
Kraken is a fully functioning crypto exchange that offers low fees and a wide selection of tokens and coins. This platform is unique in that it offers advanced trading tools such as margin.
Kraken’s main cause is to become the best and most secure crypto trading platform. In fact, users and traders have praised Kraken for being one of the only crypto exchanges that “has been probably the only exchange that hasn’t been involved in some kind of shady activity against its users…that doesn’t indulge in questionable corporate policies,”
Jesse Powell, Kraken’s founder and former CEO, tweeted that the November 2022 FTX Controversy was a “”…Happy life, pay a fee for matching trades” A balance sheet is mostly Bitcoin, some ETH.
Jesse Powell (alumnus from California State University, Sacramento) and Thanh Luu, co-founded Kraken in 2011. However, it was only launched in September 2013, offering Bitcoin, Litecoin, and euro trades. Additional currencies and margin trading were to follow.
Powell started working on Kraken to replace Mt.Gox (another bitcoin exchange, based in Shibuya Tokyo, Japan). Before its 2014 collapse due to failed security audits, Powell was a consultant to the exchange.
Kraken also joined with other US Bitcoin players in the formation of the “Committee for the Establishment of the Digital Asset Transfer Authority”, the industry’s selfregulating group. Binance US vs Binance
Kraken was very successful in 2014. In March of that year, the company received a $ 5 million Series A investment from Hummingbird Ventures and Bitcoin Opportunity Fund.
It was later listed on Bloomberg Terminal as one of the first bitcoin exchanges. It has since chosen to help with the investigation of Mt. Gox, CEO Powell’s former employer. Because of its track record of being secure, Kraken is trusted.
After Wyoming granted such a charter, Kraken was the first cryptocurrency exchange to have a special purpose deposit institution (SPDI), charter in September 2020.
September 21, 2022, saw CEO Powell stepping down as CEO of the platform citing “spending more of his time on the product of the company, user experience, and broader industry advocacy.
Dave Ripley replaced him as CEO.
Cryptos under Kraken
Kraken supports at least 110 cryptocurrencies. The most well-known and popular currencies are:
- Bitcoin (BTC)
- Ethereum (ETH)
- Cardano (ADA)
- Dogecoin (DOGE)
- Litecoin (LTC)
- Polkadot (DOT)
- Polygon (MATIC)
- Ripple (XRP)
- Stellar Lumens (XLM)
- Solana (SOL)
- Sushi (SUSHI)
- Uniswap (UNI)
Kraken supports several stablecoins, including Tether, USD Coin and Dai. A limited number of Kraken currency exchanges are also available in certain territories. You can convert US dollars into Canadian dollars, Japanese Yuen and Swiss Francs. Binance US vs Binance
Kraken Perks
- Beefy Security
Kraken has been an integral part of the cryptocurrency market since its inception in 2011 and its launch in 2013. Since its inception, Kraken’s focus was on security. It has never stopped focusing on it over the years. In fact, it is the only cryptocurrency exchange that has not had any major hacking accounts.
This exchange, which is based in the United States, is the industry’s leader in terms security. Some in the industry associate Kraken with financial stability and physical security. A claim that the company is just too happy to boast about
- A healthy range of available cryptocurrencies
Kraken offers trades on its platform with over 160 coins and seven fiat currency. While it’s not the biggest amount, it is still a healthy number and is comparable to some of the best crypto exchanges. Binance US vs Binance
This amount helps Kraken maintain high liquidity, making buying and selling at a fair price easier on the platform.
Kraken works using currency pairs, a one-to-one equivalency between two currencies. It is the price of the exchange rate between two currencies that are traded on FX markets.
In the case of Kraken, one currency pair would be using dollars to buy Bitcoin and vice versa. If you are using dollars to buy Bitcoin and then Bitcoin to buy Ethereum, you will always be swapping one currency for another.
Kraken’s currencies cannot be exchanged for each other.
- Advanced trading features
Kraken is the only exchange that offers margin, stop orders and crypto short sales. Kraken also has a dark pool where high-volume investors can trade without their names being known.
Kraken lets you leverage currency pairs up to 5x. Some eligible pro clients can access up to $500,000 in the margin. This does not remove the risk that margin trading inherently brings.
- The fees are affordable.
While it is not the lowest in the market, the prices of Kraken’s fees are pretty competitive and on par with several exchanges. It is even cheaper than other exchanges.
There are no set trading fees, which will differ from exchange to exchange. Your monthly trade history will determine how much you pay. While we will talk about fees in depth in another segment, it is important to know that fees are higher when using the instant buy feature rather than the pro platform.
- Optional Strong Staking
Staking options within Kraken are pretty good. Users have the opportunity to stake over 15 different cryptos. They can earn between 0.25% and upwards of 20%.
Staking refers to the act of holding your coins in order to make a contribution to the security of a specific blockchain. It can be a great way to passively earn an income.
Kraken Trading Experience
Kraken users can choose between Kraken and Kraken Pro. Between these exchanges, Kraken Pro offers lower pricing. Anyone can access both platforms with a Kraken Account.
Kraken is a trading platform that’s geared towards intermediate-to-experienced users. However, beginners can still use the platform if they want. To learn the ropes, it is recommended that they begin with the Kraken central platform. Binance US vs Binance
Kraken allows verified accounts to quickly buy cryptocurrency from linked bank accounts. It is easy to sell or convert your crypto to your account. The website has a simple form that allows you to place orders. It usually takes a few seconds.
Their system makes it easy to buy cryptocurrencies using your bank account balance. You don’t even need to fund your account first.
In terms of security, you can keep your Kraken account safe by enabling two-factor authentication (2FA). To log in to your account, you’ll need to have your device.
On the other hand, Kraken Pro is Kraken’s more advanced trading platform. It appears more complicated than the regular Kraken exchange. This makes Kraken Pro very intimidating, especially to trading newbies. However, it is worth learning. Binance US vs Binance
It includes more detail about assets, active charts and the ability to view open orders.
As stated above, Kraken also allows for lower fees. So if you think you are ready, it would be better to make the same trade with Kraken Pro instead of Kraken. You’ll pay less and earn more at the end of the day.
Kraken Fees
Kraken’s fees fall in the middle of the market, as we have already stated. It is not the lowest on the market and it is not the highest. There are other factors that could affect the cost of the fees you will be paying.
Prices and fees may vary depending on the platform. Kraken Pro will always be cheaper than regular Kraken.
In normal Kraken, fees for instant purchases include 1.5% for most cryptocurrencies and 0.9% for stablecoins using the U.S. dollar or another stablecoin.
There are also additional fees that depend on how you fund your purchases. These prices range from 0.5% for funding with a bank account. Meanwhile, 3.75% + 25 Euro cents with a debit card, credit card, or digital wallet. Binance US vs Binance
Meanwhile, Kraken Pro’s pricing is pretty different. The fees for Kraken Pro are generally lower than those on the main Kraken platform. Fees will be calculated based on the volume of your trades over the past 30 days. Another fee to remember is that most transactions are subject to a 0.26% taker fee or 0.16% maker fee.
Below is a chart showing their maker-taker fees for a volume of 30 days in US dollars.
30- Day Volume (USD) | Maker | Taker |
$0 – $50,000 | 0.16% | 0.26% |
$50,001 – $100,000 | 0.14% | 0.24% |
$100,001 – $250,000 | 0.12% | 0.22% |
$250,001 – $500,000 | 0.10% | 0.20% |
$500,001 – $1,000,000 | 0.08% | 0.18% |
$1,000,001 – $2,500,000 | 0.06% | 0.16% |
$2,500,001 – $5,000,000 | 0.04% | 0.14% |
$5,000,001 – $10,000,000 | 0.02% | 0.12% |
$10,000,000+ | 0.00% | 0.10% |
Kraken Issues
Kraken has not had to deal with any issues other than disagreements about its work culture, which the company has worked on and is now ready to move on.
On the security side, Kraken has lived up to customer expectations and has proven itself with being the only major cryptocurrency exchange that has not been a victim of a major hack.
That said, Kraken has its fair share of issues regarding government regulations.
In April 2018, Kraken refused to comply with an investigation by the New York Attorney General’s Office on issues about the measures taken by crypto exchanges to protect their customers from money laundering and market manipulation.
Kraken believes that this would be a bad business decision.
The Office of Foreign Assets Control began investigating the exchange in September 2021 for possible violations of sanctions by allowing trade with Iranian customers. In late September 2021, Kraken was ordered to pay a fine to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission for $1.25 million allowing unregistered margin trading.
Kraken Pros & Cons
Pros
- Advanced and sophisticated features like margin trading and staking.
- Excellent and reliable customer service
- Relatively low Bitcoin withdrawal fees (BTC).
- Provides a wide range of educational material.
- Most secure exchange in the market
- Simple user interface
Cons
- The Base Kraken platform is more expensive than Kraken Pro. Both modes can be accessed as long you have a Kraken account.
- Kraken only accepts a few fiat currencies
- Some users have complained about having their accounts hacked. Binance US vs Binance
- Not available in all U.S. States
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Binance versus crypto.com
Binance and Crypto.com have become some of the most popular cryptocurrency exchanges. Both provide a variety of features such as low fees and staking as well advanced trading. However, it does not mean that the two platforms are identical.
While one exchange is better than another, that doesn’t mean you should always choose the highest-ranking exchange just for numbers. There are many factors that influence which exchange is ranked higher than another.
The better way to choose your crypto exchange is to examine both options and determine which one appeals to you more. Will you choose the more investor-friendly Binance with its wider selection of cryptocurrencies to invest in, or will you take Crypto.com’s side, which offers a more user-friendly experience and lower fees. Binance US vs Binance
Crypto.com Overview
Crypto.com was founded in Hong Kong back in 2018. The founders of Crypto.com, Gary Or, Kris Marszalek and Rafael Melo originally called it Monaco. It only became Crypto.com when the company purchased a domain that cryptography researcher and professor Matt Blaze owned.
The sales might be on the bigger one, with Domain sellers valuing the domain at US$5 – 10 million.
Crypto.com is a platform that does the same thing as most cryptocurrency exchanges. It allows users to trade, invest, put a stake in some currency and much more.
It also has a huge selection of currencies numbering at least 250 different currencies, reasonable fees, and even discounts to some specific customers (like those with huge stakes in the Crypto.com’s very own coin, the cronos (CRO).
Crypto.com’s main selling point and focus is in their exchange. However, that is not what they all do, they also offer a variety of crypto services which include their own crypto wallet, and even an NFT shop. Shopify has partnered with the company to accept cryptocurrency as a payment method.
Crypto.com can be described as a cryptocurrency platform that allows traders and investors to do more than just buy and hold. Crypto.com allows cryptocurrency to be used as currency.
Cryptos under Crypto.com
Crypto.com offers a wide selection of currencies. You can trade spot with more than 250 currencies, and you can also staking. The platform supports the following currencies:
- Bitcoin (BTC)
- Cardano (ADA)
- Dogecoin (DOGE)
- Ethereum (ETH)
- Polkadot (DOT)
- Litecoin (LTC)
- USD Coin (USDC)
- Chainlink (LINK)
- Polygon (MATIC)
- Cardano (ADA)
- Uniswap (UNI)
As mentioned above, Crypto.com also has its coin called Cronos (CRO). A significant stake in this cryptocurrency will reward you with lower trading fees and higher stalking interest rates as well as higher credit card rewards. Binance US vs Binance
Crypto.com Perks
- One-Stop Shop
Crypto.com is more than a trading platform. It allows you to buy and sell cryptocurrencies on the exchange and swap said cryptocurrencies with others through your DeFi wallet.
Crypto.com lets you spend your crypto with a prepaid Visa Card. Crypto.com places a lot of weight on cryptocurrency’s currency component.
- Low Fees
Crypto.com’s low fees are comparable to many other sites.
In fact, there are transactions within Crypto.com that do not even require any fees. You can deposit your money via wire transfer or electronic bank to your account.
Crypto.com allows you to buy and sell cryptocurrency at the true price, which is why you should know that “what you see is what your get”.
The platform charges a fee for purchases of crypto with a debit or credit card. Payments made with a debit card or credit card might also be subject to a cash advance fee for crypto purchases.
- Convert Your Money Easily
Although this feature isn’t unique to Crypto.com it deserves to be listed. The Crypto.com app allows users to convert their fiat currencies into crypto. Provided that Crypto.com is limited to 20 fiat currencies available on the platform.
These fiat currencies include USD, GBP, and EUR, among others. But, just because a fiat currency is listed on Crypto.com, does not necessarily mean it will be available for you to trade. You will be limited in your ability to trade certain fiat currencies due to the country you live in.
- Cashback cards
One of the best perks you can get as a member of Crypto.com com is the availability of Visa Cards connected to your Crypto.com account and its crypto currency.
Crypto.com currently offers five types of prepaid Visa cards to its customers. Granted, these cards will need to be topped up before one can fully utilize their uses.
The type of Card available for you will also depend on how much CRO stake you have in the platform.
The lowest available tier for those planning to access this card would be their Ruby Steel card, which also offers a 1% money back from your contribution. To be eligible, you must have at least $400 in stake.
For those with deeper pockets, Obsidian tier is available. This earns you 5% cash or crypto back, along with loads of extra bonuses. To qualify, you will need to have at least $400,000 in stakes. Binance US vs Binance
Midnight Blue, Jade Green/ Royal Indigo and Frosted Rose Gold/ Icy White are some of the other cards that are available. These cards don’t have an annual fee, and you get a certain number of ATM withdrawals and foreign transaction each month for no additional charge.
- Earn Interest
Crypto.com is more than a place to purchase tokens and coins. It’s a one-stop shop that offers everything crypto. Those who have a Crypto.com account can also earn high rates of interest. Crypto.com offers some of the highest-yielding savings accounts on the market.
To benefit from this perk you will need to have a lot of cash in your CRO. However, the maximum amount of interest you can earn is less than 10%.
The interest rate you can acquire will depend on factors like the duration of time you leave your money, the currency you save, and the amount of CRO you have staked.
Using the app, you can increase your interest rate in multiple ways. One way is to stake more than 4,000 CROs. You can even get more if your stake exceeds 40,000 CROs, but this may seem excessive.
You can also increase the interest rate if you deposit for a one-month term to three-month terms. While one-month terms are more flexible than three-month terms, deposits for three-month terms yield better rates.
Lastly, investing in stablecoin also increases your interest rate. Stablecoins are usually tied to an external reference. Some can be pegged to the U.S. dollar. These stablecoins can help you earn more interest.
That said, since stablecoins are stable, these are unlikely to appreciate in value compared to normal cryptocurrencies. That also means they are also less likely to depreciate in value.
It is risky to keep your crypto savings. Cryptocurrencies can be volatile and your savings could be cut if they fail.
- Gift cards and phone top ups
Crypto.com also offers phone top-ups and gift cards. You even earn cash-back benefits by buying gift cards from several popular brands.
Crypto.com sells gift cards from well-known brands in a variety of industries, including hotels, general retail, gaming, education, and entertainment from at least 41 different countries. You can also find gift cards from the United Arab Emirates, Norway, Singapore and Spain.
Macy’s and Barnes & Noble are some of the brands.
The amount of cashback you get will still depend on how much CRO you have staked and what type of company it is.
Crypto.com Trading Experience
Your trades with Crypto.com will largely revolve around the mobile app. This serves as the platform’s central hub. For those who have been trading stocks on their phone or tablet before, the experience will be easy and similar to what you would expect. Binance US vs Binance
The app in question shows the user’s portfolio and a list of their more popular assets. It offers everything that Crypto.com claims it can. You can trade currencies, earn by staking crypto, make cryptocurrency payments, and even apply for a Crypto.com card.
Without chart tools, where would you find a trading app? In the case of Crypto.com’s app, it shares a relatively simple set of data that aims not to intimidate or overwhelm the users. These charts provide enough information for users to understand the cryptocurrency and blockchain, which might be useful before they buy.
Crypto.com offers a wide range of fiat currencies. The most popular are the Australian (AUD), Canadian (CAD), and the euro (EUR) dollars, as well as the British pound sterling and the U.S. Dollar (USD), which are all very popular. This allows users from multiple countries to buy and enter crypto using their local currency.
Crypto.com Fees
Crypto.com’s trading fees are very competitive. In fact, they are among those who offer the lowest trading fees in the market. Trade volume can be higher and qualify for lower fees, as low as 0.4% for makers or 0.1% for takers. This is even with no CRO.
Users who have at least 5,000 CRO in their bank account can get discounted trading fees. Rates go lower with larger stakes.
That said, newer Crypto.com users without any CRO staking will pay a 0.4% fee on trades with a total monthly trading volume of less than $25,000.
Below is a table that shows fees for spot trades and margin trades for customers who have no CRO stake.
30-Day Spot Trading Volume (USD) | Maker | Taker |
Less than 250,000 | 0.0750% | 0.750% |
Greater than or equal 250,000 | 0.0700% | 0.0720% |
Greater than or equal to 1,000,000 | 0.0650% | 0.0690% |
Greater than or equal to 5,000,000 | 0.0600% | 0.0650% |
Greater than 10,000,000 or equal to 10,000,000 | 0% | 0.0500% |
Meanwhile, the table below is the maker and taker rates for those who have less a stake of than or equal to 100 CRO (3% discount)
30 Day Spot Trading Volume (USD) | Maker | Taker |
Less than 250,000 | 0.0728% | 0.728% |
Greater than or equal 250,000 | 0.0679% | 0.0698% |
More than 1,000,000 or equal | 0.0631% | 0.0669% |
Greater than or equal to 5,000,000 | 0.0582% | 0.0631% |
Greater than 10,000,000 or equal to 10,000,000 | 0% | 0.0485% |
As said, the higher your CRO stakes are the bigger your discounts. Stakes over 50,000 CRO are exempt from maker fees. People with even higher stakes may be eligible for rebates.
Crypto.com Issues
Like most cryptocurrency exchanges, Crypto.com does have its fair share of problems.
Crypto.com was the victim in a serious hacker attack on January 20, 2022. It was reported that the company lost US$15 million worth of Ether. After users reported suspicious activity to their accounts, the company lost US$15 million worth of Ether. The company immediately halted withdrawals, which were then restored. The company stated that customer funds had not been lost in the process of restoring withdrawals.
Crypto.com’s problems were mostly caused by the decline in cryptocurrency. As such, Crypto.com had to let go of hundreds of employees, which started in May. In October 2022 alone, it was reported that the company had to lay off at least 30% to 40% of its staff.
In November of 2022, their exchange token Cronos (CRO) has lost approximately $1 billion in value. This was due in part to the collapse of FTX. Crypto.com CEO Marszalek reassured that the exchange was operating normally.
Crypto.com Pros and Cons
Pros
- Very low fees
- Provides lots of avenues for paying with crypto
- Converts money easily
- Visa card perk with great cash back rewards
- Allows you to earn interest on crypto
- Pretty big selection of cryptocurrency coins and tokens Binance US vs Binance
- Strong security
Cons
- User interface and the exchange itself is pretty difficult to navigate
- There are limited availability of coins.
- Some areas are lacking customer service and some of it is very poor.
- There is a shortage of educational resources.
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Binance versus Kucoin
Comparing KuCoin to Binance side-by-side, it is clear who the winner is. Binance is the clear winner, and it is by quite a bit. KuCoin was one of the first platforms to trade cryptocurrencies. However, FTX and Kraken have taken over.
As of today, while KuCoin still has its users and most traders generally avoid the platform like the plague. Many negative reviews have been written about the exchange, with a variety of reasons. Some are semantics while others are alarming.
KuCoin Overview
KuCoin was founded in 2017 by top tech geeks Micahel Gan and Eric Don. It is a cryptocurrency exchange platform that was launched by Top Lan, Kent Li. John Lee, Jack Zhum, Linda Lin, and John Lee. The company was established in 2013.
KuCoin started because of MichaelGan’s eagerness to learn about blockchain and its application possibilities. Eric was his boss and he told him about Bitcoin. He then got involved in the action.
The impetus came when he found out that the biggest cryptocurrency exchanges during that time were very difficult for beginners to use. They believed this was inversely proportional to how blockchain changed the world, especially with how Bitcoin and crypto changed the global financial system.
By the end of 2013, Michael and Eric wrote down the first code of what would become KuCoin in a cafe. This was how the platform, which would later be known as the “People’s Exchange,” got its start.
Cryptos under KuCoin
It is not surprising that the exchange is an older cryptocurrency exchange platform. This means there are a lot of cryptocurrencies that you can trade and buy.
Veteran traders looking for a wide selection of assets may appreciate this extensive selection of coins and tokens. KuCoin’s greatest strength is its ability to mine altcoins for tokens and coins. Binance US vs Binance
It was also one of the main reasons why the company was founded in the first place, to give fewer mainstream currencies their spotlight and allow people to access them.
These lesser-known coins are riskier than the more stable and popular ones. As such, people need to understand what people are getting themselves into.
KuCoin has its token, called KuCoin Token or KCS. Aside from that, some of the more popular coins available in the exchange platform include the following:
- Bitcoin (BTC)
- Ethereum (ETH)
- Tether (USDT)
- Binance Coin (BNB)
- XRP (XRP)
- Chainlink (LINK)
- Filecoin (FIL)
- Internet Computer (ICP)
- Wrapped Bitcoin (WBTC)
- USD Coin (USDC)
Bear in mind that these are just a few selections of what you can find in the exchange platform
KuCoin Perks
- Wide range of Coins
KuCoin offers a wide range of tokens, coins and altcoins that are available for trading on their exchange. In fact, it ranks in the upper echelon when selecting coins available in the exchange.
It is also easier to find smaller coins than other platforms on these platforms. For traders who want to branch out into less popular crypto, KuCoin will be the perfect platform for them.
It is a key mission of KuCoin to help smaller and more recent cryptocurrencies succeed. In fact, they even have a Spotlight section, which promotes new currencies.
This is a good thing for users and the coin, as it allows them to start using a new currency earlier.
- Low Fees
KuCoin has very low trading fees. Although it’s not the lowest on the market, it’s still low enough to be competitive with other exchanges.
KuCoin doesn’t charge any monthly fees. Withdrawal fees are in line with other exchanges, and depositing cryptocurrency to the service is free. That said, you will still need to pay a fee to deposit fiat money, such as U.S. dollars. Binance US vs Binance
These fees depend on the transfer method you choose and what third-party app that you use.
- Earn Through Interest on Your Crypto
Like most cryptocurrency exchanges, KuCoin lets you earn money through your deposited crypto. KuCoin Earn is the name of the KuCoin service.
With KuCoin earn, you are given two ways to earn from your crypto. You can first take your coins through Pool-X which is backed by KuCoin. The second way is to loan out your crypto and get paid the interest.
Your interest rate for borrowing crypto is higher than the one you would get from a savings account. However, your earnings will still be affected by the demand for your coin.
The exchange claims that you can make a lot of money this way, with an average earning rate of 8% to 12.5%. KuCoin uses this money to finance margin trading. Although it might seem risky, the company assures that all lenders will be fully repaid.
This repayment could be made from collateral or KuCoin margin insurance funds.
- Advanced Features
KuCoin provides veteran users with plenty of toys and extra features to play with. They permit margin trading which allows users leverage their position which allows them to borrow money to purchase more crypto.
KuCoin’s mobile app also supports trading bots. This means that you don’t have to buy and sell your cryptocurrency yourself. Rather, you can have a computer do that for you. This is very convenient because you don’t always have to be online in order to run your business.
However, bots can pose a risk. Bots can be prone to glitches, and being too dependent on them may cost you a lot of opportunities. Then there is the fact that you mostly don’t know about their perimeters and strategies when doing their trades.
The convenience bots offer may not be worth the uncertainty about how they handle your assets.
KuCoin Trading Experience
KuCoin can be accessed online or via an Android and iOS mobile application. Both have an abundance of features and tools which you can use when doing trades on the platform.
After logging into your KuCoin account on mobile or desktop, you can access KuCoin’s dashboard or front page. Users can view markets, trade, buy, lend, or trade cryptos from there.
In the case of order types, the platform supports four. These include market order, limit or stop-limit orders, and stop-market orders.
Users have access to orders as well as margin, futures and P2P trading. If you want, you can even stake your crypto with the benefit of earning some back or a discount on some trading fees. Binance US vs Binance
The exchange recently added a Trading Bot feature that will simplify the entire trading process.
Overall, KuCoin has plenty of advanced features. Veteran traders might find this a great benefit. They can be difficult for novice traders, as they aren’t user-friendly on mobile platforms.
KuCoin Fees
When it comes to trading fees, KuCoin divides their rates by levels. The three main factors that determine the trading fees are: To determine the trading fee level, you have to look at the Minimum KCS Holding within the last 30 days, and the Spot trading volume last 30 days (BTC), or the Future Trading Volume within the last 30 days (BTC).
Below is a table showing which trading level corresponds with which.
Trade Fee Level | Min KCS Holding last 30 Days | Spot Trading Volume Last 30 Days (BTC) | Futures Trading Volume Last 30 Days (BTC) |
LV0 | 0 | <50 | <200 |
LV1 | 1000 | >=50 | >=200 |
LV2 | 10000 | >=200 | >=400 |
LV3 | 20000 | >=500 | >=1000 |
LV4 | 30000 | >=1000 | >=2000 |
LV5 | 40000 | >=2000 | >=3000 |
LV6 | 50000 | >=4000 | >=6000 |
LV7 | 60000 | >=8000 | >=12000 |
LV8 | 70000 | >=15000 | >=20000 |
LV9 | 80000 | >=25000 | >=40000 |
LV10 | 90000 | >=40000 | >=80000 |
LV11 | 100000 | >=60000 | >=120000 |
LV12 | 150000 | >=80000 | >=160000 |
These levels will determine how much you’ll have to pay for taker or maker fees. Spot trading fees will be charged based on the base currency of the trading pairs. KCS users will receive 20% off for paying fees.
Also, KuCoins has a 24h withdrawal limit.
Trade Fee | Maker/Taker | 24-hour Withdrawal Limit |
LV0 | 0.1% / 0.1% | 200 |
LV1 | 0.09% / 0.1% | 200 |
LV2 | 0.07% / 0.09% | 200 |
LV3 | 0.05% / 0.08% | 200 |
LV4 | 0.03% / 0.07% | 200 |
LV5 | 0% / 0.07% | 500 |
LV6 | 0% / 0.06% | 500 |
LV7 | 0% / 0.05% | 1000 |
LV8 | -0.005% / 0.045% | 1000 |
LV9 | -0.005% / 0.04% | 2000 |
LV10 | -0.005% / 0.035% | 2000 |
LV11 | -0.005% / 0.03% | 3000 |
LV12 | -0.005% / 0.025% | 3000 |
KuCoin Issues
KuCoin doesn’t have the best reputation in this industry, to be honest. Just by looking at reviews of the company, you can already see a glimpse of how bad the dissatisfaction is.
In Trustpilot reviews, it got an average of just 1.7 out of 5 stars out of 600 reviews. Many of the negative reviews focus on customer service, withdrawals, or even deposits. Binance US vs Binance
KuCoin has also been accused of market manipulation, with some even saying their assets randomly disappeared from their accounts. This can be a very big problem, especially when we talk about assets, money, and finance.
Then there is an issue of security.
While KuCoin is a generally secure crypto exchange, it was subject to a major hack back in 2020. About $280 million in crypto was stolen from hot wallets and sent to hackers by the exchange. This was a concerning security breach despite the assets being covered by an insurance fund.
KuCoin Pros and Con
Pros
- Low fees
- Strong user base
- Large range of coins
- Allows you to earn interest on your crypto
- Advanced trading features
- Good customer service
Cons
- Not licensed in the U.S.
- Payment methods are limited
- New traders can find it intimidating and overwhelming
- Has limited education resources
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Binance versus Bittrex
Bittrex and Binance are two crypto exchanges with more similarities than differences. Both have similar features that users can use. That said, these two platforms do have their major differences.
The key difference between the two platforms is their size. While Binance boasts about the largest amount of trading volumes among the different exchanges, Bittrex aims for a more scaled-down experience.
Bittrex was once one of the top cryptocurrency exchanges in the world. Still, Binance surpassed them after the former implemented stricter Know Your Customer (KYC) and anti-money laundering policies.
Bittrex Overview
Bittrex is a cryptocurrency exchange that aims to operate a world-class service with focus and trust.
It was founded in 2014 by three cybersecurity engineers from Amazon: Bill Shihara, co-founder and CEO; Richie Lai, co-founder, and chief information officer; and Rami Kawach, co-founder and chief technology officer. Its headquarters can be found in Seattle.
The platform initially offered only crypto-tocrypto trading. However, it quickly added fiat-tocrypto trading. Binance US vs Binance
Despite their new fiat trading platform, they offer many cryptocurrencies and stablecoins. Also, they are available in 46 U.S. states, excluding Hawaii, New York, and Vermont
Cryptos under Bittrex
Bittrex has a wide selection of cryptocurrencies and stablecoins available in their exchange. This variety, like most exchanges makes Bittrex platforms attractive to traders.
They include:
- Bitcoin (BTC)
- Ethereum (ETH)
- Cardano (ADA)
- Chainlink (Link)
- Dogecoin (DOGE)
- Polkadot (DOT)
- Tether (USDT)
- Polygon (MATIC)
Bittrex Perks
- Huge selection of cryptocurrency
As stated above, Bittrex has a rather sizable option of cryptocurrency available in their market. Customers looking for niche, but more risky trades will find it attractive.
- Low fees
Bittrex offers low fees starting at 0.3% This can get lower depending on the trade volume. It is still not the lowest on the market. Some exchanges charge lower fees than others.
- Execution of fast trading
Unlike other services, Bittrex has a custom-built trading engine that allows faster trades. This even keeps up despite having a heavy demand. This is a great way for investors to take advantage of volatile markets like cryptocurrency’s price fluctuations.
- Cardano staking
Cardano (ADA), cryptocurrency holders would be thrilled to have this platform. Bittrex allows users to stake their Cardano crypto throughout the exchange. This can earn them up to 5.5% in rewards. Binance US vs Binance
- Educational Content
We all know how complicated and elusive finances can be. So by association, cryptocurrency is just as mind-boggling and arcane. So anything that offers a way to educate yourself on the topic is a godsend.
Bittrex has an impressive library of educational resources available in its Discover section. You will find references and articles on a variety of crypto topics here. You will find references and lessons on topics that range from crypto taxes to crypto mining.
You can even see a breakdown of some of these cryptocurrencies on the platform, which will give you an idea about what you’re betting on and whether it is worth your time.
Although it doesn’t completely eliminate the risk of cryptocurrency, it can help users make better decisions. Binance US vs Binance
- Referral Program
Bittrex operates a referral program where when someone you know signs up for an exchange account and uses your referral link, you will earn 10% on all trading commissions they pay.
While this may not look like much. Referring someone who is a serious crypto whale could net you sizable rewards. It is an easy way to passively make crypto income, even though it is not reliable.
Bittrex Trading Experience
Bittrex trading is simple and straightforward. Logging in is all that’s required to access the trading dashboard. It can be accessed via a desktop or mobile app.
In the desktop interface, users have a simple “instant buy Buy/Sell” option. This option lets users quickly make trades or purchase crypto with a debit card, bank account, or Bittrex account balance.
A real-time view of all the market data available on the platform is also available to users. Besides that, users have the option for more advanced order types. Stop, stop limit, trailing stop, and laddered orders.
Bittrex Fees
Bittrex has a simple fee structure that makes it easier to understand their fees than other exchanges. That said, you still get fee discounts for trades with higher volumes. Overall, these fees are pretty low but are not the lowest available in the market.
30-Day Volume (USD) | Maker | Taker |
Less than $25,000 | 0.35% | 0.35% |
$25,000 – $50,000 | 0.25% | 0.30% |
$50,000 – $100,000 | 0.15% | 0.25% |
100,000 – 1 Million | 0.10% | 0.20% |
$1 million – $5 million | 0.06% | 0.16% |
$5 million – $10 million | 0.05% | 0.15% |
$10 million – $60 million | 0.02% | 0.10% |
$60 million – $100 million | 0.00% | 0.08% |
$100 million + | 0.00% | 0.05% |
Bittrex Issues
Bittrex has received negative reviews from users. Many of these problems are caused by account lockouts, assets that have been frozen, and identity verification issues. Most of these problems are common across many crypto exchanges.
At the very least, the platform has not seen any major controversies or setbacks.
Bittrex Pros & Cons
Pros
- High security
- A wide range of cryptocurrency available
- Very low fees
- Advanced trading tools
- Pretty helpful educational content
Cons
- Mediocre and mostly unhelpful customer support
- For beginners, it can be difficult
Binance versus eToro Binance US vs Binance
eToro and Binance are two pretty famous cryptocurrency platforms. They are both pretty famous and lead the market in what they do.
However, there is a difference that divides the two. That is, they are very different platforms. Binance is a cryptocurrency exchange. eToro, however, is not. Rather, it is a cryptocurrency broker.
Binance offers a variety of digital assets, including NFTs and services. Meanwhile, a cryptocurrency broker sells crypto alongside other investment products like stocks and fractional shares.
eToro Overview
eToro was not founded as a cryptocurrency platform, unlike most companies in this review. Rather, the Tel Aviv-based company was originally an online forex broker under the name RetailFX. This was back in 2007.
RetailFX began offering stocks, indices and commodities. It changed its name to eToro. It later launched the innovative social trading feature, which allowed users to copy trades from successful traders on the platform.
eToro was only able to get involved in the cryptocurrency market after it added support BTC in 2014. CFDs could now be bought and sold to non-U.S. users. On the world’s leading digital currency. It added support for Ripple and Ethereum four years later. Binance US vs Binance
In 2018, eToro also made a big push in the crypto market. More coins and currencies were added to the platform. The company even launched its digital asset platform, eToroX, and even its crypto wallet.
Cryptos under eToro
eToro and its digital asset platform have few cryptocurrency selections. They were not originally set up as an exchange, but rather as a brokerage. Nevertheless, the service does include some of the most popular currencies:
- Bitcoin (BTC).
- Bitcoin Cash (BCH).
- Cardano (ADA)
- Dash (DASH)
- Dogecoin (DOGE).
- Ethereum (ETH).
- Litecoin (LTC).
- Polkadot (DOT)
- Polygon (MATIC).
- Solana (SOL)
- Stellar Lumens (XLM)
eToro Perks
- CopyTrader
The CopyTrader is eToro’s signature feature. It was a feature that existed before the platform dabbled in the crypto industry. Binance US vs Binance
This allows eToro users simply to copy trades made by their favorite traders. The trade can be initiated by setting the money that the user wants to spend.
From there, the platform will set those funds and try to mirror the positions of their favorite eToro trader proportionally.
What is surprising about this tool is that it is entirely free. There is a need to pay an additional fee for this feature, which can be used as much as the user wants.
- Invest more than crypto.
It was expected that users would still be able to participate in the action since the platform began in foreign currency.
eToro allows you to have both stocks and cryptocurrency in one account. The platform also offers stock trading at zero commissions and the possibility to purchase fractional shares.
Even for people who want to test out stock investing, eToro offers a virtual brokerage account that lets you simulate owning stocks without putting real money at risk.
- Deposits to Fee Debit cards
Unlike most cryptocurrency exchanges, eToro does not charge fees for users who want to do a debit card deposit. Investors can deposit fiat money using a bank transfer or debit card for no additional fees.
Users should be aware that there is a conversion charge for transactions not in U.S. dollars.
eToro Trading Experience
eToro can be used as a web-based platform or as a mobile app.
It is easy to get started on the platform by depositing fiat currency using a bank account or debit card. Once they have done that, they can trade instantly.
A trading tab provides an intuitive view of the current prices, buys, sales, and converts crypto.
The top perk CopyTrading makes doing trades pretty simple and easy. You can even trade with high-performing traders on the platform.
The platform provides basic market and limit orders. It does not offer advanced charting and conditional orders.
Also, the lack of cryptocurrency choices limits the cryptocurrency fairs the platform can offer.
It’s also eToroX – the digital asset platform that is the most prominent.
Some of the new features included in eToroX include U.S. dollar deposits, margin trading, trading APIs, and fast execution.
eToro Fees
When it comes to fees, eToro is a breath of fresh air. Unlike other cryptocurrency exchanges that don’t list their fees, eToro lists its fees when trading crypto.
eToro users are charged a flat fee of 1% per trade in crypto. The platform refers to this 1% market fee as a bid-ask spread. It is also included in the platform’s price when users open or closes their position.
However, most users do not like that on eToro, and you pay for the “round trip” upfront. This is different from other exchanges, which only charge fees when an asset is purchased or sold.
With eToro, you pay 1% for the eventual sale of the coin in advance, plus a $1 fee on the purchase.
Users can have this problem if they transfer their coins to another wallet. They can’t return the coins to the trading platform.
eToro Issues
Due to its age, it is not surprising that the platform has had its fair share of controversies. However, most of these do not involve the crypto market.
One that does, though, happened during the 2021 closure of leveraged position. The following was notified to European clients of the platform in the early part of that year:
Margin positions for all leveraged crypto position should be changed from leveraged to non-leveraged. Otherwise, they will be closed in less than four hours.
This was a bad move and many users and lawyers expressed their intent to file a lawsuit as a group. This led to the revocation of the eToro licence in Cyprus.
eToro also found itself in an unfavorable feud against Redditors from /r/wallstreetbets following the GameStop short squeeze.
eToro Pros and Con
Pros
- An established platform
- Regulated in many jurisdictions
- CopyTrading, a unique feature only available on the platform, is an exclusive feature.
- Has more to offer outside of crypto trading
- Fee is transparent
Cons
- Stock, ETF, and cryptocurrency trading only available in 44 U.S. states
- Margin trading not available to U.S. users
- There is a limited selection of cryptocurrencies.
- The 1% fee is quite high in comparison to other fees.