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What to Look for in a Crypto Exchange in 2025
Not all crypto exchanges are the same. In 2025, the market has settled into a clear hierarchy: a few big players dominate, and the rest are either niche or fading out. If you’re looking to buy, trade, or hold crypto, your choice of exchange matters more than ever. It affects your fees, your security, your access to coins, and even how fast you can get your money out.
The biggest change since 2023? Regulation. After years of legal uncertainty, the SEC’s settlement with Kraken in March 2025 cleared the air. Now, every major U.S. exchange follows strict KYC rules, complies with the Travel Rule for transactions over $3,000, and keeps 95% or more of user funds in cold storage. That’s good news. It means you’re less likely to lose everything if an exchange gets hacked.
But compliance doesn’t mean all platforms are equal. Some are built for beginners. Others are made for traders who need advanced tools, low fees, or access to hundreds of altcoins. Your needs determine your best exchange.
Coinbase: Best for Beginners
Coinbase is still the go-to for people new to crypto. It’s simple. Clean. Easy to understand. If you’ve never bought Bitcoin before, Coinbase is the one that won’t overwhelm you. Its interface feels like a banking app - not a trading floor.
It supports 235 cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and major DeFi tokens. Fees range from 0% to 3.99%, depending on how you pay. Bank transfers are cheapest. Credit cards? That’s where the fees spike.
What makes Coinbase stand out for new users? Education. It has built-in learning modules that pay you small amounts of crypto for watching videos and answering quizzes. You can earn up to $100 in free crypto just by learning the basics. NerdWallet gave it a perfect score for ease of use, saying new users typically feel comfortable in 3 to 5 hours.
But it’s not perfect. Withdrawals to your bank account take an average of 1.8 business days. Some users report delays longer than that. And while the interface is simple, the fee structure is confusing. You might pay 1.5% on a $50 trade and 0.5% on a $5,000 trade - no clear pattern.
Still, if you’re just starting out, Coinbase is the safest bet. It’s trusted, regulated, and has the most customer support resources. Over 8,300 Trustpilot reviews give it a 4.1/5 rating. Most complaints are about slow withdrawals, not security.
Kraken: Best for Advanced Traders
If you’re serious about trading, Kraken is the exchange you’ll want to move to. It offers 350+ cryptocurrencies - more than any other U.S. platform. That includes obscure altcoins, memecoins, and tokens you won’t find on Coinbase or Robinhood.
Fees are lower too. Standard trading fees range from 0% to 0.4%. For active traders, Kraken Plus ($4.99/month) gives you zero fees on trades up to $10,000 per month. That’s a game-changer if you’re doing frequent trades.
Its charting tools are professional-grade. You get candlestick patterns, volume indicators, and advanced order types like stop-limit and trailing stops. Many professional traders use Kraken because it’s fast. Trade execution averages 0.85 seconds - the lowest latency in the U.S. market.
Security is top-tier. Kraken uses multi-signature wallets, biometric login, and keeps 98% of assets offline. It also offers stocks, ETFs, and NFTs in one app - something no other U.S. exchange does. That’s why Ryan Scribner, a top crypto YouTuber, called it the most versatile platform for global users.
The downside? It’s not beginner-friendly. The interface is cluttered. Setting up your account can take 24 to 72 hours for full verification. Customer support takes about 6.8 hours to respond on average. But if you know what you’re doing, these trade-offs are worth it. Kraken has a 4.4/5 rating on Trustpilot with 5,700+ reviews. Users praise its reliability and altcoin selection.
Crypto.com: Best for Staking and Rewards
Crypto.com isn’t just an exchange. It’s a crypto ecosystem. You can trade, stake, spend with its Visa card, and even get cashback in crypto. If you want to earn passive income from your holdings, this is the place.
It supports 313 cryptocurrencies - almost as many as Kraken. Its standout feature? Staking rewards. You can earn up to 14.5% APY on select coins like MATIC, DOT, and ATOM. That’s far higher than what Coinbase or Kraken offer. You don’t need to lock your coins for years. Many rewards are flexible.
The Crypto.com Visa Card lets you spend crypto like cash. Get 1% to 8% back in crypto depending on your tier. If you hold CRO (Crypto.com’s token), you unlock higher cashback. It’s a smart way to use your crypto daily.
But there’s a catch. Withdrawal fees are high. For most coins, you need to withdraw at least $50 to avoid extra charges. Some users report being charged $10 just to send $30 worth of Ethereum. And while the app looks slick, the fee structure is buried in menus.
Customer service is fast - average response time is just 2.1 hours. Trustpilot gives it a 4.9/5 rating. Most complaints are about withdrawal limits, not scams or security. If you’re into earning rewards and spending crypto, Crypto.com is unmatched.
Robinhood: Best for No-Fee Trading
Robinhood made trading stocks free. Then it did the same for crypto. It’s the only major U.S. exchange that charges $0 in trading fees. That’s huge if you’re doing small, frequent buys.
But you pay for it in selection. Robinhood offers only 25 cryptocurrencies. You won’t find Cardano, Chainlink, or Polkadot. If you want to diversify beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum, you’re stuck.
Account setup is instant. 92% of users get verified in under 15 minutes. Withdrawals take about 1.2 business days - faster than Coinbase. The app is simple, clean, and perfect for people who just want to buy a little Bitcoin or Ethereum without overthinking it.
But it’s not a full exchange. You can’t transfer crypto in or out. Everything stays locked inside Robinhood. That means you don’t own your private keys. If Robinhood goes down, you’re out of luck. It’s more like a crypto savings account than a trading platform.
Robinhood users love the no-fee model. But 78% of negative reviews mention the limited coin selection. If you’re just dipping your toes in, it’s fine. If you want to grow your portfolio, you’ll outgrow it fast. Robinhood plans to add 25 more coins by December 2025 - but even then, it won’t match Kraken or Crypto.com.
How Fees, Speed, and Security Compare
Choosing the right exchange isn’t just about which coins you like. It’s about fees, speed, and safety.
Here’s how the top four stack up:
| Exchange | Cryptocurrencies | Trading Fees | Withdrawal Speed (Avg) | Security Features | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coinbase | 235 | 0%-3.99% | 1.8 business days | Cold storage (95%), 2FA, biometric login | Beginners, education |
| Kraken | 350+ | 0%-0.4% (0% with Kraken Plus) | 0.9 business days | Cold storage (98%), multi-sig, biometric | Advanced traders, low fees |
| Crypto.com | 313 | 0%-2.99% | 1.5 business days | Cold storage (97%), biometric, insurance | Staking, rewards, spending |
| Robinhood | 25 | 0% | 1.2 business days | Cold storage (96%), no private key access | Small, no-fee trades |
Notice something? Kraken wins on fees and speed. Coinbase wins on simplicity. Crypto.com wins on rewards. Robinhood wins on cost - but only if you don’t need more than 25 coins.
What the Experts Say
Industry analysts agree: the U.S. crypto exchange market is now stable, but not equal. Coinbase leads in user count, with 32% of all U.S. trading volume. Kraken is second at 24%. Binance US is third at 18%. The rest split the remaining 26%.
NerdWallet gave Kraken a perfect 5/5 rating for its combination of low fees, wide selection, and strong security. They warned beginners to expect a steeper learning curve. Crypto.com got 4.9/5 for its rewards program, but lost points for high withdrawal minimums.
The SEC’s crackdown on unregistered exchanges in 2023 and 2024 reshaped the market. Platforms like Kraken and Coinbase survived because they played by the rules. Smaller exchanges with lax compliance are disappearing. CoinGecko’s trust scores show exchanges with full regulatory compliance have an 85%+ chance of surviving past 2027. Those without? Less than 30%.
What You Should Do Next
Here’s how to pick your exchange in 2025:
- If you’re new to crypto - start with Coinbase. Learn the basics, buy Bitcoin and Ethereum, and get comfortable.
- If you’re trading regularly and want low fees - switch to Kraken. Use Kraken Plus to eliminate fees entirely.
- If you want to earn interest on your crypto or spend it - go with Crypto.com. Stake your coins and get a Visa card.
- If you only want to buy small amounts with no fees - stick with Robinhood. But know you can’t move your coins out.
Don’t keep all your crypto on one exchange. Use Coinbase for buying, Kraken for trading, and a hardware wallet like Ledger for long-term storage. Exchanges are convenient, but they’re not banks. Never leave large amounts on them.
What’s Next in 2026?
Look for bigger changes in 2026. Crypto.com is launching "Crypto.com Prime" for high-net-worth users with personalized portfolios. Coinbase is rolling out "Advanced Trade Pro" with institutional-grade tools. Kraken is adding more NFT features. Robinhood will expand to 50 coins.
One thing’s certain: regulation isn’t going away. The exchanges that survive will be the ones that follow the rules, keep fees low, and give users real control over their assets. Pick wisely - your money depends on it.
Which crypto exchange has the lowest fees in 2025?
Kraken has the lowest trading fees in the U.S., ranging from 0% to 0.4%. With its Kraken Plus subscription ($4.99/month), you can trade up to $10,000 per month with zero fees. BitFlyer USA offers slightly lower fees (0.03%-0.1%), but it only supports 11 cryptocurrencies, making it impractical for most users.
Is Coinbase safe for beginners?
Yes, Coinbase is one of the safest exchanges for beginners. It’s regulated, insured, and keeps 95% of funds in cold storage. It also offers educational content and a simple interface. While withdrawal times can be slow (1.8 business days on average), there have been no major security breaches since its founding. Trustpilot gives it a 4.1/5 rating from over 8,300 reviews.
Can I withdraw crypto from Robinhood?
No, you cannot withdraw crypto from Robinhood. All assets are held in custodial wallets, meaning you don’t own the private keys. You can only buy and sell within the app. If you want to move your crypto to a personal wallet or another exchange, Robinhood doesn’t allow it. This is a major limitation for anyone serious about crypto ownership.
Which exchange has the most cryptocurrencies?
Kraken offers the most cryptocurrencies in the U.S. market, with over 350 tokens available for trading. This includes major coins like Bitcoin and Ethereum, plus hundreds of smaller altcoins and newer projects. Crypto.com comes second with 313, followed by Coinbase at 235. Robinhood only offers 25.
Why do some exchanges take days to verify my identity?
Exchanges like Kraken and Coinbase require full KYC (Know Your Customer) verification due to U.S. regulations. This includes submitting government ID and proof of address. During peak times, manual reviews can take 24 to 72 hours. Robinhood is faster because it uses automated systems and limits its offerings. Slower verification is the price of regulatory compliance and higher security.
Are crypto exchanges insured?
Yes, major U.S. exchanges like Coinbase, Kraken, and Crypto.com carry insurance policies that cover a portion of customer funds in case of hacks or theft. Coinbase insures up to $250 million in digital assets. Kraken uses cold storage and insurance to protect 98% of assets. But insurance doesn’t cover everything - especially losses from user error or phishing. Never share your login details.
Evelyn Gu
I just started with Coinbase last month, and honestly? I didn’t think I’d get through the first week without crying over a failed transaction. But the learning modules? Genius. I earned $12 in ETH just by watching five 3-minute videos about DeFi-like, I didn’t even know what a liquidity pool was, and now I can explain it to my dad, who still thinks Bitcoin is a virus. The interface is so clean, it feels like using Apple Pay, but for digital money that might crash tomorrow. I still hate the 1.8-day withdrawals, though-my rent was due, and I was sweating bullets. But hey, at least I didn’t lose everything to a hack. That’s more than I can say for my cousin who used Binance US before it vanished into thin air.