I will talking about the Best Crypto Exchange Alternatives for US Traders. US-based platforms have strict regulations, so traders are limited in the coins they can buy as well as the trading options and fees.
US customers are able to access some of these exchanges and get cheaper trade fees, more cryptocurrencies, flexible trading options, additional trading resources, and they are able to maintain security and compliance to regulations as they trade in this adapted digital environment.
What is Crypto Exchange?
A crypto exchange is simply a platform that lets users buy, sell, and trade virtual coins like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and a slew of altcoins. Within a crypto exchange, buyers and sellers can trade directly in a peer-to-peer manner or through an order book where the exchange indirectly facilitates the transaction.
A crypto exchange can either be centralized (CEX) where the exchange supervises the transaction and holds the users funds, or decentralized (DEX) where the transaction is between users and there are no intermediaries.
These platforms serve as essential services for the crypto economy since nearly all of them offer crypto wallets, allow users to stake coins, and provide market insights.
Why Use Crypto Exchange Alternatives for US Traders
Access to More Coins and Tokens – Each crypto exchange in the US has certain restrictions, in turn limiting the range of cryptocurrencies available for buying and selling. Other exchanges give customers the opportunity to trade a wider variety of coins: added niche and newly released tokens that other exchanges from the US don’t offer.
Lower Fees and Better Rates – Other exchanges from the US have higher contracts, withdrawal, and spread fees. Other exchanges, particularly international and decentralized, will charge lower fees and give better rates for the buying, selling, and transferring of crypto.
Fewer Regulatory Restrictions – Due to crypto related margins, derivatives, and some other coins that focus on privacy, activities within crypto have restrictions due to the US’s regulations. Other exchanges offer more flexible trading options that the US regulations do not allow.
Advanced Trading Tools – Some of the other exchanges have a lot of advanced trading options: on US exchanges these features are limited heavily, and some do not offer them at all.
Global Liquidity and Faster Transactions – Other decentralized or non US exchanges provide better liquidity within the market and offer faster transactions. This is a big selling point for traders that are looking to take advantage of the market volatility.
Key Point & Best Crypto Exchange Alternatives for US Traders List
| Exchange | Key Points |
|---|---|
| Coinbase | User-friendly interface, regulated in the US, strong security measures. |
| Kraken | Advanced trading tools, margin trading options, high liquidity, US compliant. |
| Gemini | High security, insured digital assets, regulated by NYDFS, easy-to-use platform. |
| Binance.US | Wide range of cryptocurrencies, low trading fees, tailored for US users. |
| Crypto.com | Mobile-friendly, rewards program (CRO), staking options, US compliant. |
| Bitstamp USA | Long-standing exchange, strong regulatory compliance, supports major cryptocurrencies. |
| Uphold | Multi-asset platform (crypto, fiat, commodities), user-friendly, supports instant transfers. |
| BitFlyer USA | Regulated in the US and Japan, secure platform, suitable for beginners and intermediates. |
| Robinhood Crypto | Commission-free trading, easy for beginners, limited coin selection, integrated with Robinhood app. |
1. Coinbase
Founded in 2012, Coinbase is one of the most reputable crypto exchanges in the US. Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin are some of the many cryptocurrencies, and the site is very easy to use.
Coinbase is fully regulated in the US, so the exchange is very safe, using 2FA, cold storage, and digital assets are also insured. The platform supports English and their customer support is responsive through email and live chat.
The site is also very easy to use and secure, providing an excellent trading experience for crypto trading beginners and experts. The trading fee is also very low, from 0.5 to 4% depending on the type of transaction.
Pros & Cons Coinbase
Pros:
- Excellent for beginners, the interface is the most user-friendly in the industry.
- The strongest US regulatory compliance in the industry and is extremely secure.
- Can buy and sell instantly via a variety of payment options.
Cons:
- Fees are higher than the majority of alternatives.
- Very few additional features for advanced trading.
- A number of coins are unavailable due to compliance and regulatory issues.
2. Kraken
Setting the standard for U.S. based crypto exchanges, Kraken has been operational since 2011. Advanced functions, reliability, and a strong emphasis on security demonstrates why Kraken has emerged to the forefront of crypto exchanges.
Users can trade Bitcoin, Ethereum and a myriad of altcoins, albeit only in the English language. Besides two-factor authentication, Kraken holds user’s digital assets in cold storage, and provides a global settings lock for user control of their account.
Customer support is easily accessible through a live chat and email system. Kraken’s trading fees are low, encumbering a 0 – 0.26% based on trading volume and is tiered. Overall, the combination of a wide range of security, a variety of digital assets and trading instruments is why Kraken is one of the top exchanges.
Pros & Cons Kraken
Pros:
- Extensive features for advanced trading, including futures and margin trading.
- High liquidity and a great range of trading options at low and transparent fees.
- Excellent global reputation, and the platform is very secure.
Cons:
- Can be extremely complex for beginners given its vast range of features.
- US traders may face restrictions on margin and futures options.
- During busy times, the verification process can be quite slow.
3. Gemini
Gemini, based in the United States, is a reliable and fully regulated crypto exchange that is famous for its reliability and security. Gemini exchanges crypto in a number of languages, but primarily English. It offers Bitcoin, Ethereum, and over 50 altcoins.
Thanks to Gemini’s cold storage, 2-factor authentication, and digital asset insurance, the exchange has leading security in the industry. Gemini has email and live char support for their customers.
Gemini charges a transaction fee of 0.35% and 1%. Based on their security, regulation, and interface, Gemini is a great exchange for any trader in the US.
Pros & Cons Gemini
Pros:
- Excellent reputation for regulatory compliance, very secure, and insured by NYDFS.
- For beginners, the app and educational facilitates are user-friendly.
- Select digital assets are insured, and extraordinary security features are implemented for this insurance.
Cons:
- Trading fees are higher than most competitors.
- Compared to other global platforms, fewer altcoins are available.
- In comparison to other competitors such as Kraken or Binance.US, fewer advanced trading features are available.
4. Binance.US
Binance.US was created in 2019 and is among the most widely used crypto exchanges in the United States. The platform is in English and covers a variety of coins like Bitcoin and Ethereum as well as a number of altcoins.
An emphasis on account protection is evident with features like two-factor authentication, biometric login, and cold storage of funds. Binance.US operates on a .1% fee for trades, the most competitive fee in the US.
The platform caters to client issues with email support and a live chat feature. Due to the coin variety, low fee, and solid protection, the platform is ideal for new and experienced traders.
Pros & Cons Binance.US
Pros:
- Trading fees are quite low starting with 0.1%.
- There is a variety of cryptocurrencies and trading pairs available.
- The platform is quite user-friendly and offers good liquidity.
Cons:
- Has fewer features than Binance’s global platform.
- There are regulatory issues that might limit the services offered.
- There might be delays in customer support.
5. Crypto.com
Founded in 2016, Crypto.com is an all-encompassing platform for buying, exchanging, and earning cryptocurrency, making it a great option for US-based traders and beginners alike. The platform, supported in English, is for trading Bitcoin, Ethereum, and a diverse range of altcoins.
The exchange ensures safety with services like two-factor authentication, biometric logins, and insurance on funds stored in Crypto.com. Two forms of customer support are offered: real-time chat and email.
The company is known for having low trading and transaction fees, ranging between 0.04% and 0.4%, depending on how much volume is traded. The large number of available coins, durable security, and various levels of rewards provided all contribute to the increasing popularity of the service among US traders.
Pros & Cons Crypto.com
Pros:
- They support several cryptocurrencies.
- They have an excellent mobile app containing features like staking and rewards.
- The trading platform is easy to use and very affordable.
Cons:
- The US has some blocked services.
- A few customers complain about the responsiveness of customer service.
- Depending on which tier of the Crypto.com Visa card you have, you might incur additional fees.
6. Bitstamp USA
Founded in 2011, Bitstamp USA is one of the most old and reputable platforms in the industry, and one of the most well-established crypto exchanges for us traders. In an English interface, the exchange covers multiple crypto assets like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin and XRP.
The exchange takes user-fund safety measures seriously, including two-factor authentication, offline (cold) storage, and thorough regulation precautions. The exchange is able to help its users through emails and a live chat. The exchange has trading fees of 0,0 %- 0,5% based on the amount of trading executed that month.
Being in operation for such a long period of time while also being regulatory compliant, providing secure measures, and being one of the first exchanges to operate in the USA, Bitstamp is one of the most suited exchanges for first time traders as well as very experienced traders.
Pros & Cons Bitstamp USA
Pros:
- They are one of the most trustworthy and oldest exchanges in the ecosystem.
- They have strong regulatory compliance.
- Offers an easy-to-use platform that has great trading features.
Cons:
- Compared to other leading competitors in the space, they offer fewer coins.
- Their offering is not suited for very active or professional traders.
- Compared to other services like Binance.US or Kraken, they are missing some advanced features.
7. Uphold
Uphold is a versatile crypto exchange for US customers since 2014, having a multifaceted platform, and offering crypto, fiat, and commodities. Uphold, operating in English, enables the trading of notable cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin and a wide range of altcoins.
Uphold has also prioritized the safety of patron funds and has implemented two-factor authentication, encryption and cold storage. Uphold’s live chat service and email customer service is quick and efficient.
Overall, in the trading range, the customer can expect costs between 0.1% and 0.65% of the trading costs. Uphold’s diverse offerings, straightforwad and easy to use platform and solid safety measures Keep Uphold as one of the primary options to the US customers.
Pros & Cons Uphold
Pros:
- It is a multi-asset platform that supports cryptocurrencies, fiat, and metals.
- Offers transparent pricing in an instant trade.
- Great for beginners because of the user friendly interface.
Cons:
- Their spread-based pricing is a little higher when there’s a lot of volatility.
- They offer very few advanced trading features.
- Some coins have restrictions on withdrawals.
8. BitFlyer USA
BitFlyer USA is a reputable crypto exchange for US users and is the US branch of BitFlyer, a Japanese company. Established in 2014, BitFlyer USA is one of the oldest active crypto exchanges in the US.
It offers user-friendly, English-supported, and seamless trading across major crypto assets like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin. BitFlyer USA offers an extra layer of safety and security with two-factor authentication, cold storage, and crypto regulatory compliance. For US crypto exchanges, BitFlyer has one of the best response times through their email and website help center.
Fees start from 0.0% up to 0.15% depending on the trading volume, so their trading fees are in the mid-range. It has strong security and regulatory oversight which are major factors in reliable crypto trading. Overall, BitFlyer USA is one of the best exchanges for beginners and advanced users in the US to use.
Pros & Cons BitFlyer USA
Pros:
- Very beginner friendly with low trading fees.
- Both US and Japan have regulatory leeway.
- Excellent, straightforward, and effortless trading systems.
Cons
- A few different digital currencies.
- Fewer sophisticated instruments.
- Some users may find the interface a bit dated.
9. Robinhood Crypto
Beginng in 2013, Robinhood Crypto is one of the many cryptocurrency trading platforms in the US. Their trade commissions are zero and their app is one of the easiest to use, making them popular among US users. Robinhood Crypto deals in many coins such as Bitcoin, Dogecoin, and Ethereum.
While the app is in English, their customer service is through an email chain and an in-app chat service. They have basic security, such as encryptions and two factor authentication, but do not have complete crypto custody to users.
They charge coin to coin spreads, making their commissions zero but still have a way to make money. They are best suited for beginner and casual trading in the US and have even a more easier time due to the quick and streamlined account setup.
Pros & Cons Robinhood Crypto
Pros:
- Mobile commission-free crypto trading.
- Great beginner’s app.
- Stocks and options trading is easily integrated.
Cons:
- Less coins available compared to real crypto exchanges.
- No complete control of your crypto assets and no way to withdraw.
- No advanced trading tools or chart features available.
Benefits Of Crypto Exchange Alternatives for US Traders
Diversity of Digital Assets Offer – Some US exchanges do not allow trading of certain assets due to regulation issues. Other exchanges however accommodate a wider selection of coins and tokens, including assets at the tail end of the market.
Cost Effectivity – Other exchanges offer competitive pricing and reasonable trading and withdrawal fees, which is of benefit to traders who trade cost effectively and withdraw frequently.
More Complexity in trading – Some exchanges offer US traders the option to trade crypto on margin, trade crypto futures and other sophisticated trading sketches not typically available on US exchanges.
More Flexibility – Other exchanges that are outside the US operate in a relatively looser regulatory environment compared to US based exchanges.
Generally Faster Transactions – Other exchanges also operate on a relatively higher liquidity, which helps to execute trades rapidly.
Stronger Privacy Protocols – Other crypto exchanges are also able to offer their users sophisticated privacy features such as no KYC, which gives traders privacy over their data.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the alternatives to crypto exchange allow US traders more flexibility, broader access to crypto, and more competitive trading costs versus US-centric trading platforms. These alternatives offer advanced trading tools, more liquidity, and opportunities which are generally unavailable on tradable platforms within the US borders.
These platforms are great options to US traders, especially the novice ones. The traders, however, need to select the top platforms so they get to experience the best the US accessible crypto exchange have to offer, which include security, good response time to clients’ queries, and an extensive range of altcoins.
Overall, the alternatives to crypto exchange expands the options to US traders for the efficient and safe diversification of their digital assets. These platforms help US traders remain in the digital assets trading and diversification.
FAQ
Crypto exchange alternatives are platforms other than the major US-based exchanges that allow users to buy, sell, and trade cryptocurrencies. They often provide access to more coins, lower fees, and advanced trading features.
US exchanges have regulatory restrictions that limit certain coins, trading tools, or derivatives. Alternatives offer wider cryptocurrency selection, better liquidity, lower fees, and more flexible trading options.
Many regulated international exchanges and reputable decentralized platforms prioritize security, offering two-factor authentication, cold storage, and encryption. However, traders should always research the platform’s regulatory compliance and reputation before use.
Fees vary by platform but are often lower than US exchanges, ranging from 0.0% to 0.5% per trade. Some may charge withdrawal or conversion fees depending on the asset.