Trading cryptocurrency? Here are 5 crypto exchange platforms for experienced traders.
1. Kraken
Platforms: Web, iOS, Android, macOS
Fees: Depends on the volume traded, between 0.16% and 0.26%.
Minimum Altcoins to purchase: Coin listings are made by the vote of users.
Popular cryptocurrencies on the platform: Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Cardano (ADA), Dogecoin (DOGE), Polkadot (DOT), etc.
Founded in 2011, Kraken is known for being one of the first cryptocurrency exchanges in the world. The platform used to be part of Payward Inc’s exchange called Cryptoworks but was later acquired by the well-known financial institution named Majors Financial Group in 2016.
Initially, Kraken’s assets were limited to Bitcoin, Litecoin, and Euro. As time goes by, the exchange has expanded its portfolio, and now, there are 110 different coins available for buying, selling, and trading. One of Kraken’s advantages is it allows users to stake with many cryptocurrencies at the same time.
Experienced crypto traders can appreciate the Kraken Pro platform which you can access through a smartphone and web browser. It features advanced order types, multiple charting options, and lower transaction fees. The last point serves as a killer feature that makes Kraken stand out from other crypto exchange platforms.
Kraken Pro is priced according to your total trading volume over the past 30 days. The maximum fee for a taker is 0.26%, when for a maker — 0.16%.
In case you face any issue, you can report it using different technical support channels, be it live chat, phone, and email.
2. Gate.io
Platforms: Web, iOS, Android
Fees: 0.20% for both makers and takers.
Minimum Altcoins to purchase : 3-4 depending on market cap.
Popular cryptocurrencies on the platform: Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Tron (TRX), Litecoin (LTC), BinanceCoin (BNB), etc.
Gate.io was founded in 2013 in China as an altcoin exchange that has gained significant growth just in a few years. The platform operates almost anywhere in the world except for Cuba, Venezuela, Sudan, Syria, Iran, Crimea, North Korea, Pakistan, and PRC. Currently, the main offices are located in the USA.
The exchange offers operations with over 800 coins and 23 more fiat currencies. Gate.io is categorized as a platform for crypto experts and has opportunities for spot or margin trading. Another feature is support for futures and derivatives, which is a great benefit for crypto investors.
The exchange has no deposit fees and very low withdrawal fees. However, the transaction fee equals 0.2% which is a little more than on other exchanges like KuCoin. However, the platform offers can pay the fee with the Gate.io tokens and receive a 25% discount. Makers pay an additional fee of 0.025% and takers — 0.075%.
For any issues, Gate.io has customer support running 24/7 and available via chat or email. One more option is to search for an answer in the platform’s help center, which provides comprehensive instructions on each topic.
3. KuCoin
Platforms: Web, iOS, Android
Fees: 0.1% for both makers and takers.
Minimum Altcoins to purchase: 5.
Popular cryptocurrencies on the platform: Bitcoin (BTC), Dogecoin (DOGE), Ethereum (ETH), Polkadot (DOT), Shiba Inu (SHIB), etc.
KuCoin is a popular altcoin exchange that was launched in 2017 by the same people that created the well-known crypto wallet called Hua Yong. Over 500 cryptocurrencies available on the platform make KuCoin one of the largest exchanges in the world.
The platform is ideal for experienced traders as it offers advanced charting features such as trend lines, Fibonacci levels, and more than 30 technical indicators. Moreover, KuCoin has options for margin, futures, and peer-to-peer (P2P) trading. Additionally, users can stake their crypto or lend it to earn rewards. Though it doesn’t have stop-limit orders, everything can change in the future if there is a strong demand for it.
Compared to some competitors, KuCoin offers low trading fees, ranging from 0.0125% to 0.1%. Moreover, the platform tries to be aware of environmental protection and gives additional discounts for miners who use renewable energy sources.
KuCoin has average customer support service — users can solve their issues in a live chat or send a request, but there are no options for reaching out to a representative directly by phone or email.
4. Bittrex
Platforms: Web, iOS, Android
Fees: 0.25% for both makers and takers.
Minimum Altcoins to purchase: 200.
Popular cryptocurrencies on the platform: Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Cardano (ADA), Chainlink (LINK), etc.
Bittrex is a well-known altcoin exchange that has been operating since 2014. Right after its launch, the platform worked only with crypto-to-crypto trading, but now it’s possible to exchange coins to fiat currencies. Bittrex has a big variety of cryptocurrencies and offers 360 coins. on its website. The exchange is available in 190 and most of the American states, except for Connecticut, Hawaii, New York, and Vermont.
The crypto exchange platform is suitable for advanced traders but at the same time has a user-friendly interface. Options for trading include stop, stop limit, trailing stop, and ladder limit. However, Bittrex doesn’t support margin trading.
The maker/taker fee model is quite easy and relatively low: the starting point for both equals 0.35%, but the higher your volume, the less you need to pay.
One thing that can push traders away is limited customer support: solving issues are possible only if you submit a ticket on the Bittrex website or interact with the company’s chatbot, Trexie. Besides, the platform offers a help center with answers to common questions.
5. BlockFi
Platforms: Web, iOS, Android
Fees: Depending on altcoins purchased, no deposit fees but monthly fees are applied if there’s any interest generated from coins deposited in their wallet.
Minimum Altcoins to purchase: 6.
Popular cryptocurrencies on the platform: Bitcoin (BTC), Chainlink (LINK), Ethereum (ETH), Litecoin (LTC), Tether (USDT), etc.
BlockFi is a crypto exchange that was founded in May 2017 by Zac Prince and Flori Marquez. It was created with the idea of making crypto trading accessible to everyone, which is the main reason the company offers loans in cryptocurrency. Unlike other crypto exchange platforms, there are only thirteen cryptocurrencies available on BlockFi.
The platform is definitely not beginner-friendly, but there is everything that advanced crypto traders and investors may need. Besides taking out a loan, you can choose to buy and hold coins, manage credit expenditures, and earn up to 9.5% in interest.
The fee structure takes into consideration the fact that traders may not have enough liquidity available at their disposal. That’s why BlockFi doesn’t charge maker/taker fees imposing withdrawal fees and withdrawal limits instead. For such cryptocurrencies as Bitcoin and Litecoin, the platform allows one free withdrawal per month. There is also a fee per withdrawal, which amount depends on the cryptocurrency you operate with.
The customer support on BlockFi is quite diverse, and you can ask a question by submitting a ticket, calling a representative, and engaging with a chatbot. Like some of the other crypto exchange platforms, BlockFi has a help center with useful materials on various topics.
