KuCoin is a global cryptocurrency exchange serving over 20 million users in 200+ countries. It facilitates trading for more than 700 cryptocurrencies and offers advanced features like spot trading, futures, staking, and lending.
The platform uses a tier-based fee system starting at 0.1% per trade. KuCoin also has its own token, KuCoin Token (KCS), which provides discounts on trading fees and other benefits.
Here, we will give you a detailed KuCoin review. We will explain what KuCoin is, highlight its cryptocurrency trading features, talk about its fee structure, and show you how to buy and sell crypto on the platform. We will also answer the question “Is KuCoin safe and legit crypto exchange to use?”.
Table of Contents
KuCoin Exchange Review: What Is It?
- Best For: Derivatives Trading
- Supported Coins: 700+ trading pairs
- Trading Fees: 0.1% maker/taker
- Maximum Leverage: 125x futures contracts
- Fiat Currencies: USD, EUR, GBP, and 30+ more
- Deposit Methods: Bank transfer, credit/debit card, cash payment, PayPal, Simplex
KuCoin is a cryptocurrency exchange that started in 2017. It lets you trade various cryptocurrencies. It supports over 700 different cryptocurrencies and tokens. The exchange claims to have more than 20 million registered users from over 200 countries and regions.
It offers many features for cryptocurrency traders. It provides spot trading, margin trading, futures trading, and staking. The exchange has a user-friendly interface, making it easy for both beginners and experienced traders. It also has its own token, KuCoin Token (KCS). Holding this token can get you reduced trading fees and rewards.
Pros
- High trading volume and liquidity
- Competitive spot and futures trading fees
- 700+ tradable digital assets
- 125x leverage trading
- User-friendly interface with demo trading
Cons
- No U.S. availability
- Does not offer copy trading
- Limited crypto-to-fiat withdrawal methods
KuCoin Quick Summary
| Key Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Our Rating | 4.3/5 |
| Founded | 2017 |
| Founders | Johnny Lyu, Eric Don, Jack Zhu, Kent Li, Linda Lin, and Michael Gan |
| Headquarters | Seychelles |
| Supported Cryptocurrencies | 700+ |
| Fiat Currencies Supported | USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, etc. |
| Trading Fees | 0.1% maker/taker fee, 20% discount with KuCoin Token (KCS) |
| Withdrawal Fees | Varies by cryptocurrency (Gas fees) |
| Deposit Fees | Free for cryptocurrencies; fiat fees vary |
| Trading Types | Spot, Futures, Margin, P2P, Staking, Web3 Wallet, Bots |
| Native Token | KuCoin Token (KCS) |
| Mobile App | Available on iOS and Android |
| Security Features | 2FA, anti-phishing, insurance fund, SSL, account freeze, and more |
| Customer Support | 24/7 support, live chat, ticket system |
| Regulatory Compliance | Complies with global AML and KYC regulations |
| User Base | 20+ million users worldwide |
| Staking Services | Yes, KuCoin Earn |
| Lending Services | Yes, KuCoin Crypto Lending |
| Referral Program | Yes (Up to 50% commission) |
| Restricted Countries | The United States, Singapore, China, Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia, Uzbekistan, Canada |
Key Features of KuCoin
Derivatives Trading [Futures + Margin + Leveraged Tokens]
Futures trading on KuCoin lets you earn from cryptocurrency price changes without owning the actual coins. KuCoin offers two kinds of futures contracts: USDT-Margined Futures and Coin-Margined Futures.
- USDT-Margined Futures: These are settled in USDT (Tether) or USDC (USD Coin). For instance, in BTCUSDT contracts, you trade Bitcoin, but your gains or losses are calculated in USDT.
- Coin-Margined Futures: These are settled in the cryptocurrency itself. For example, BTCUSD contracts use Bitcoin for both trading and settling.
In futures trading, you can choose to go long or short. If you think a cryptocurrency’s price will increase, you go long and make a profit if the price rises. If you believe the price will fall, you go short and earn profit when the price drops.
Leverage is another key feature. It lets you control a larger position with a small amount of money. KuCoin offers up to 125x leverage for BTC and ETH trading pairs, and 100x for other altcoins.
For example, with 10x leverage, your $100 can control a $1,000 position. This increases the chances of both higher gains and bigger losses.
Margin is divided into two types: Initial Margin and Maintenance Margin.
- Maintenance Margin is the minimum balance you must keep to hold your position. If your balance falls below this, you’ll get a margin call, which may result in your position being closed.
- Initial Margin is the amount you need to open a position.
KuCoin also offers leveraged tokens, which work like regular cryptocurrencies on the spot market but come with a built-in multiplier.
For example, if Bitcoin’s price goes up by 10%, a regular Bitcoin token will show the same increase. However, a leveraged token like BTC3L (3x Long Bitcoin) targets a 30% gain due to its multiplier effect, managed through automatic adjustments. On the flip side, BTC3S (3x Short Bitcoin) aims for a 30% gain if Bitcoin’s price drops by 10%.
Just remember, these tokens aren’t magic—they amplify both gains and losses.
KuCoin Trading Bots
KuCoin provides free trading bots to automate your crypto strategies, helping reduce emotional decisions and possibly boosting profits. There’s no subscription fee for using these bots.
KuCoin offers five types of bots: Spot Grid, Dollar-Cost Averaging (DCA), Futures Grid, Smart Rebalance, and Infinity Grid.
- Grid Trading Bots: These include Spot Grid, Futures Grid, and Infinity Grid. They place buy and sell orders at set price levels in a range to profit from price changes.
- Martingale Bots: These double your investment after a loss, aiming to recover past losses when you eventually profit. However, they carry the risk of big losses if the market moves against you.
- Smart Rebalance Bot: It keeps your portfolio balanced by buying or selling assets to match your target allocation.
- DCA (Dollar-Cost Averaging) Bot: This invests a fixed amount in a cryptocurrency at regular intervals, regardless of the price.
KuCoin Earn and Savings
KuCoin Earn provides several ways to grow your crypto assets:
- Savings: Like a traditional savings account, you deposit your crypto for a set period (flexible or fixed terms) and earn interest. Flexible terms let you withdraw anytime, while fixed terms offer higher interest rates—up to 10% APR.
- KCS Staking: By holding KuCoin’s native token, KCS, you earn a high APR based on how much KCS you have and your trading activity on the platform.
- Dual Investment: Invest in a pair of cryptocurrencies and earn returns based on their performance. For example, if you invest in BTC and USDT, your returns depend on BTC’s price movement.
- Shark Fin: A product offering stable returns with some protection. If the price of a crypto stays within a set range, you earn a fixed return. For instance, if BTC remains between $30,000 and $35,000, you get steady returns; even if it moves outside the range, your returns are somewhat protected.
- Lending/Crypto Loans: Here, you act as a lender. You loan your crypto to others on the platform and earn interest based on the demand for that crypto and the loan term.
What Coins are Supported on KuCoin?
KuCoin offers an impressive range of over 700 cryptocurrencies, including popular ones like Bitcoin and Ethereum, as well as trendy meme coins and stablecoins.
When it comes to coin variety, KuCoin outshines most exchanges. Binance has 350+ coins, Coinbase offers 240+, and Kraken provides 200+. Only Bybit has more, with over 1,200 coins available.
Does KuCoin Charges Fees?
Spot Trading Fee
On KuCoin’s spot market, the base fee starts at 0.1% for both makers and takers. However, these fees reduce as your trading volume grows or your KCS holdings increase.
At the highest VIP level, the maker fee drops to 0%. Plus, you can save an additional 20% on fees by paying with KuCoin’s token, KCS.
Here is the complete KuCoin spot trading fees:
| VIP Level | Amount of KCS Held | Spot Trading Volume – USDT (Last 30 Days) | Maker/Taker | Maker/Taker (Pay Fees with KCS – 20% off) | 24h Withdrawal Limit (USDT) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LV0 | < 1,000 | < 3,000,000 | 0.100% / 0.100% | 0.080% / 0.080% | 1,000,000 |
| LV1 | ≥ 1,000 | ≥ 3,000,000 | 0.090% / 0.100% | 0.072% / 0.080% | 3,000,000 |
| LV2 | ≥ 10,000 | ≥ 6,000,000 | 0.075% / 0.090% | 0.060% / 0.072% | 3,000,000 |
| LV3 | ≥ 20,000 | ≥ 13,000,000 | 0.065% / 0.085% | 0.052% / 0.068% | 5,000,000 |
| LV4 | ≥ 30,000 | ≥ 35,000,000 | 0.045% / 0.065% | 0.036% / 0.052% | 5,000,000 |
| LV5 | ≥ 40,000 | ≥ 55,000,000 | 0.035% / 0.055% | 0.028% / 0.044% | 10,000,000 |
Futures Trading Fee
In the futures market, KuCoin uses a similar VIP tier system for fees, where lower levels pay higher fees. Makers usually get a discount or even a rebate compared to takers. The base fee for futures trading starts at 0.02% for makers and 0.06% for takers.
Here is the full KuCoin futures trading fee:
| VIP Level | Amount of KCS Held | Spot Trading Volume – USDT (Last 30 Days) | Futures Trading Volume – USDT (Last 30 Days) | Maker/Taker | 24h Withdrawal Limit (USDT) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LV0 | < 1,000 | < 3,000,000 | < 5,000,000 | 0.020% / 0.060% | 1,000,000 |
| LV1 | ≥ 1,000 | ≥ 3,000,000 | ≥ 5,000,000 | 0.018% / 0.060% | 3,000,000 |
| LV2 | ≥ 10,000 | ≥ 6,000,000 | ≥ 8,000,000 | 0.015% / 0.060% | 3,000,000 |
| LV3 | ≥ 20,000 | ≥ 13,000,000 | ≥ 16,000,000 | 0.010% / 0.060% | 5,000,000 |
| LV4 | ≥ 30,000 | ≥ 35,000,000 | ≥ 40,000,000 | 0.008% / 0.053% | 5,000,000 |
Coin-margined perpetual contracts charge fees in the currency of the asset being traded and also include funding fees every 8 hours. On the other hand, USDT-margined perpetual contracts are simpler, with fees charged in USDT and funding fees applied every 8 hours as well.
Deposit and Withdrawal Fees
- Deposit Fees: Deposits are usually free! You won’t be charged any fees to add crypto to your KuCoin account.
- Withdrawal Fees: These vary depending on the cryptocurrency you’re withdrawing. Each crypto has its own network fee, and KuCoin adds a fixed charge to cover processing. You can find the exact fees for each coin on KuCoin’s Fee Rate page.
How Safe is KuCoin Now? Security Measures
KuCoin prioritizes your account and asset security with multiple protective measures:
- Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Add an extra layer of security by enabling 2FA. Use a code from an app alongside your password. You can also use “YubiKey.”
- Anti-Phishing Code: Set a unique code to appear in all KuCoin emails, helping you identify legitimate messages and avoid scams.
- Withdrawal Allowlist: Save trusted wallet addresses. Withdrawals to non-listed addresses will need extra verification for added safety.
- IP Restrictions: Limit account access to specific IP addresses to prevent unauthorized logins.
- Security Notifications: Receive alerts for important account activities, like logins from new devices or changes to settings, to catch anything unusual.
- Cold Wallet Storage: Most user funds are stored in secure cold wallets, away from online threats.
- Regular Security Audits: KuCoin works with top security firms and conducts regular reviews to ensure strong protection.
Does KuCoin Require KYC?
KuCoin has made Know Your Customer (KYC) verification mandatory for all users since August 2023. This means you must verify your identity to access most of KuCoin’s features and services.
The KYC process is simple. You’ll need to provide personal details, upload photos of your ID, and complete a short facial verification. Once approved, you’ll have full access to your KuCoin account.
Without KYC, you can’t deposit or trade cryptocurrencies, but you are allowed to withdraw funds with certain limits:
| Verification Status | Network Withdrawal Limit per 24 hours | P2P |
|---|---|---|
| Not Completed | 0-30,000 USDT (specific limits based on KYC info) | – |
| Completed | 999,999 USDT | 500,000 USDT |
What are the Supported Payment Methods on KuCoin?
KuCoin provides various payment options for buying and selling crypto, making it flexible and convenient. These include:
- Visa and Mastercard
- Bank Transfer
- Cash Payments (via the P2P platform)
- Digital Wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay
- Third-Party Processors such as Banxa and Simplex
KuCoin’s P2P platform supports over 30 fiat currencies, including USD, NGN, INR, MYR, and RUB. It also offers more than 100 payment methods, like credit/debit cards, local bank transfers, e-wallets, cash payments, or PayPal.You can use credit/debit cards, local bank account transfers, e-wallets, cash payments, or PayPal.
Customer Support and User Ratings
KuCoin provides several customer support options to help you with any questions or issues:
- Online Help Center: A good starting point with a wide range of articles, FAQs, and guides about trading, deposits, withdrawals, and more.
- 24/7 Online Chat: For live support, you can use the chat feature available in the Help Center to connect with a representative anytime.
- Email Support: For detailed or complex issues, you can reach out to KuCoin via email at support@kucoin.com.
- Social Media: KuCoin is active on platforms like Twitter, Telegram, Facebook, and Reddit, where you can contact their team.
- VIP Service: High-volume traders with significant KCS holdings can access a VIP channel for priority support tailored to their needs.
KuCoin currently doesn’t have a Trustpilot rating. However, even after filtering out suspicious reviews, 79% of the remaining ones are negative.
Interestingly, low Trustpilot ratings are common among major crypto exchanges. Here’s a comparison:
- Binance: 2.1/5 stars
- Bitget: 1.8/5 stars
- Bybit: 2.9/5 stars
- MEXC: 2.0/5 stars
Best KuCoin Alternatives
Binance and Bybit are the best alternatives to the KuCoin exchange. Here is a quick KuCoin vs Binance and KuCoin vs Bybit comparison. You can also read our Bybit exchange review and Bitget review.
Binance
Bybit
How to Get Started on KuCoin to Buy and Sell Crypto?
Step 1: Create a KuCoin Account
To create a KuCoin account, visit the website and click “Sign Up” at the top right corner. Choose email or phone as your sign-up method and create a strong password. Agree to the terms and complete the verification process.
For extra benefits, you can use the referral code “r8G7TQH” to get a signup bonus and trade fee rebates.
To enhance security, enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) with an app like Google Authenticator or SMS verification. Additionally, ensure that you complete identity verification for added account protection.
Step 2: Deposit funds on KuCoin
To deposit funds, go to the “Assets” section, select “Deposit”, and choose the cryptocurrency you want to deposit. Transfer it from your wallet or another exchange to the deposit address provided.
For fiat deposits (like USD or EUR), head to the “Buy Crypto” section. Choose your preferred method, such as bank transfer or credit/debit card, and follow the steps. Ensure the name on your bank account matches your KuCoin account to avoid delays.
Step 3: Start Trading Crypto
Now you’re ready to trade! Head to the “Trade” section and select “Spot Trading” for buying and selling basic cryptocurrencies. Pick your desired currency pair, like BTC/USDT, and decide on your order type.
- Use a limit order to set a specific price for your trade.
- Choose a market order to trade at the current market price.
Enter the amount, review your details, and confirm your trade to complete the process.
Final Verdict on KuCoin Review
Our review shows that KuCoin stands out with its wide selection of over 700 cryptocurrencies, as well as futures, spot, and margin trading options. Its advanced charting tools and intuitive mobile app make it a great choice for experienced traders.
On the downside, new investors may find the platform somewhat complicated, and it does not yet support copy trading. Moreover, while it is accessible worldwide, KuCoin operates with minimal regulation.
Despite these challenges, KuCoin’s feature-rich mobile app and ability to quickly list trending tokens have earned it a loyal base of seasoned crypto enthusiasts.
FAQs
Is KuCoin trustworthy?
KuCoin is widely regarded as trustworthy in the cryptocurrency community. It has a strong security reputation, offering features like multi-factor authentication and withdrawal management tools. Since its launch, KuCoin has faced very few security breaches compared to other exchanges. Additionally, the platform maintains insurance funds to help cover potential losses from hacking incidents.
Is KuCoin restricted in the USA?
KuCoin is indeed restricted in the United States due to regulatory challenges. Since the platform doesn’t comply with U.S. regulations, it refrains from offering its services to U.S. residents to avoid legal complications.
Does KuCoin have a mobile app?
The KuCoin app is accessible for both Android and iOS users, providing a seamless way to manage your cryptocurrency investments anytime, anywhere. You can trade, monitor market prices, and handle your account with ease. Designed to mirror the desktop experience, the app ensures full functionality, including security features like biometric login and two-factor authentication, to keep your assets safe on the go.
Where is KuCoin based?
KuCoin is headquartered in Seychelles, an island nation in the Indian Ocean. Initially established in Hong Kong, the company later relocated its base. This move to Seychelles provides KuCoin with greater regulatory flexibility compared to operating in stricter financial jurisdictions.
