Founded | 2017 |
Headquarters | Seychelles |
Website | https://www.kucoin.com/ |
Daily volume trading | $1.8 Billion |
Number of cryptocurrencies | 700+ |
Crypto licences | 3 |
Cryptocurrency Fees | 0.1% |
Minimum deposit | $1 |
Digital Wallet | Yes |
Promotion | Yes |
Currency | 50+ fiat supported via third-parties |
Deposit Method | Crypto deposits only; limited fiat on-ramp through third-party vendors |
KuCoin has been one of the world’s leading crypto exchanges since its founding in 2017. It was originally based in China, but the exchange relocated to Singapore and eventually to Seychelles following regulatory changes. Known for its wide range of supported cryptocurrencies and a huge range of services, KuCoin is a favorite trading platform for many crypto traders worldwide. Its features go from spot and futures trading to advanced trading bots. Such features have made it one of the most versatile crypto platforms for both beginners and expert traders.
Nonetheless, KuCoin has faced and continues to face several challenges. Starting off with regulatory obstacles in the West, KuCoin has not been able to overcome some of its rivals. Nonetheless, KuCoin has millions of users globally and continues to appeal to traders looking to explore various cryptocurrencies and maximize their trading potential.
This review goes through all the features of KuCoin, including its security levels, fees, and much more so that it makes it easier for you to decide whether KuCoin is your go-to crypto exchange platform.
KuCoin does a remarkable job in terms of providing an extensive list of features that cater to both beginner and advanced traders. The platform includes several offerings that make it very versatile.
KuCoin offers several trading features. Starting off with spot trading, users can trade hundreds of crypto pairs, both major coins (i.e. Bitcoin and Ethereum) and lower microcap altcoins. The trading interface is user-friendly and offers customizable layouts for traders.
KuCoin supports perpetual futures contracts with leverage of up to 125x, allowing users to speculate on price movements without owning the underlying asset. Futures trading is popular among experienced traders seeking to capitalize on short-term market volatility.
KuCoin also provides margin trading, where users can trade with leverage up to 10x on selected pairs. Margin trading allows users to increase potential returns but also comes with increased risk.
KuCoin is also known for its trading bots. Some of its key most-used bots are:
The bots are relatively easy to set up and millions of people already use them.
KuCoin equips traders with different tools such as the Trading Terminal. The latter has three customizable layouts (Classic, Professional, and Full Screen) and integrates TradingView for advanced charting and technical analysis.
Users can use up to seven different order types, including market, limit, stop-limit, trailing stop, and OCO (One-Cancels-the-Other).
Similar to other exchanges, KuCoin’s mobile app is also very beginner-friendly and is available on Android and iOS.
KuCoin, similar to other exchanges, also has its native utility token, KuCoin Shares (KCS), which offers multiple benefits for KuCoin users.
For instance, users who hold KCS can reduce trading fees by up to 30%. Additionally, KCS holders receive daily dividends. KuCoin distributes 5% of its daily trading fee revenue to KCS holders as bonuses, proportional to the number of tokens held. KCS holders also gain priority access to new features and trading pairs. KuCoin uses a quarterly buyback and burn mechanism to ensure a sustainable value of KCS by reducing its supply over time.
KuCoin provides various ways for users to earn passive income with their crypto. First and foremost, users can engage in staking, where they lock their coins directly on KuCoin to earn rewards. Additionally, users can lend crypto to margin traders and earn interest. Interest rates and term lengths vary depending on the asset.
Users can also participate in liquidity pools to earn rewards through yield farming, especially with new token launches or promotions. KuCoin Earn provides a list of financial products (i.e. savings accounts) for users to earn money passively.
Perhaps one of the biggest selling points of KuCoin is its huge list of cryptocurrencies supported. It is actually one of the largest selections in the industry, especially for an exchange that has billions of dollars worth of trading volume every day. KuCoin is known for listing small-cap coins early, but this can be a double-edged sword given that small-caps are associated with higher risk.
In terms of fiat integration, KuCoin is quite limited, however. The platform is primarily a crypto-to-crypto exchange. Still, users can purchase crypto using credit or debit cards via third-party providers. Users can also use the Peer-to-Peer (P2P) market for buying and selling crypto directly with each other using fiat.
KuCoin has its own launchpad and offers early access to promising projects. Users can participate in token sales and invest in new cryptocurrencies before they list on other exchanges.
KuCoin also has various incentive mechanisms via its Rewards Hub. For example, users can earn rewards for completing tasks like exploring new features or participating in promotional events. Users can also redeem gift packages with exclusive perks for futures trading. Last but not least, users can earn reductions in trading fees via KuCoin’s referral program.
KuCoin’s fee structure uses a similar approach to other exchanges, meaning that it has a tiered fee system for different trading activities.
KuCoin employs a tiered fee system for spot trading, with fees varying based on your 30-day trading volume and KCS (KuCoin Token) holdings. Users are categorized into 13 levels, from Level 0 to Level 12.
As you progress to higher levels by increasing your trading volume or holding more KCS, both maker and taker fees decrease. At the highest tiers, KuCoin even offers rebates to market makers, effectively paying you to provide liquidity.
For a detailed breakdown of each fee level and the corresponding requirements, please refer to KuCoin’s VIP Privilege page.
KuCoin’s futures trading fees also follow a tiered structure, with distinctions between market makers and takers.
As with spot trading, higher trading volumes and KCS holdings can lead to reduced fees, with top-tier market makers receiving rebates.
Perpetual contracts incur funding fees to ensure the futures price aligns with the index price. These rates fluctuate based on market conditions and can be positive or negative, affecting whether long or short positions pay the fee. Current funding rates are displayed on the futures trading dashboard.
Leveraged tokens on KuCoin allow traders to gain amplified exposure without the risk of liquidation. The associated fees include:
There are no fees for crypto deposits in KuCoin. Withdrawals, on the other hand, depend on the cryptocurrency and its network transaction costs. For instance, tokens in the Ethereum network may have higher fees.
For a full list of withdrawals, check KuCoin’s official website.
KuCoin also provides its own crypto debit card for users interested. The KuCard also has its associated fees. First and foremost, the physical card costs 9.99 EUR and has an annual fee of 10.00 EUR (also depending on activity levels).
There are also withdrawal fees, which depend on the region as well as the fiat currency (i.e. 2% fee for non-Euro transactions).
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KuCoin has a strong focus on user security and has implemented multiple layers of protection to safeguard user funds and data. Still, KuCoin’s security has been exploited in the past and posed questions about its security reputation.
KuCoin has collaborated with many security platforms to secure user assets and provides insurance coverage from a private brokerage firm to cover potential losses in potential incidents.
But in 2020, KuCoin experienced a major security breach in which hackers stole around $280 million worth of user funds. To this day, it remains one of the biggest crypto exchange hacks. Still, KuCoin responded by recovering 78% of user funds (around $222 million) and utilized its insurance fund to reimburse the users for the remaining unrecovered assets. Ever since KuCoin has strengthened its security protocols.
Today, KuCoin employs a combination of technologies and user-focused security protocols to minimize risks. These include Two-Factor Authentication (2FA), anti-phishing codes, trading passwords, IP restrictions and session controls, and cold wallet storage for storing the majority of the funds.
KuCoin continues to monitor its platform for suspicious activity and unusual transactions and uses a bug bounty program to incentivize ethical hackers to identify and report vulnerabilities.
KuCoin also does a good job of building account security awareness for its users by providing tutorials and tips.
There’s still a lot to be made for KuCoin. There is a lack of regulatory oversight in multiple jurisdictions, which is a call for concern for many of its users. Furthermore, in regions such as the US, users cannot complete the Know Your Customer (KYC) verification.
In terms of licensing and regulation, there is also a lot of room for improvement. Other exchanges have done a remarkable job in terms of compliance in multiple jurisdictions, but KuCoin leaves a lot to be desired. Besides having headquarters in Seychelles, KuCoin also has offices in Singapore and Hong Kong and operates there with more flexibility.
Still, KuCoin remains not licensed in the US, meaning that its availability for US citizens is very limited. In 2023, the platform resolved a lawsuit with New York State by agreeing to block New York-based users and paying a $22 million fine. Earlier this year, the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) also filed charges against KuCoin for non-compliance and for breaching AML laws. According to the charges, KuCoin allowed billions of dollars of illicit funds to be transferred via its platform. In Canada, KuCoin was banned from Ontario’s capital markets and fined over $2 million for non-compliance. The Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) also accused KuCoin earlier of non-compliance.
In Europe, the Dutch central bank also flagged KuCoin back in 2022 for non-compliance. In the UK, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) added KuCoin to its “warning” list because of non-compliance to the UK market.
Needless to say, KuCoin is far from perfect when it comes to compliance and licensing efforts. It clearly lags behind its competitors such as Binance, Coinbase, and Crypto.com.
While these lower compliance barriers allow for quicker sign-up processes for new users, it also means that the funds stored on KuCoin may not be insured.
KuCoin has been actively expanding its ecosystem and adapting to the evolving cryptocurrency landscape through strategic partnerships and continuous updates. In recent years, the platform has made efforts to enhance its features, regulatory compliance, and global reach.
Starting with its trading ecosystem, KuCoin has steadily increased its cryptocurrency offerings, now supporting over 700 cryptocurrencies. The platform has become a preferred destination for early access to small-cap projects and emerging tokens. Trading features have also been enhanced, including customizable trading bots, new margin trading pairs, and updated leverage limits for futures trading.
Strategic partnerships have played a vital role in KuCoin’s growth. In May 2022, KuCoin raised $150 million in a Series B funding round led by Jump Crypto, boosting its valuation to $10 billion and enabling infrastructure enhancements and global expansion. This was followed by a $10 million investment from Susquehanna International Group (SIG) in July 2022, focused on blockchain startup incubation and Web3 innovations. KuCoin also integrated the Arwen Protocol, which allows users to trade while retaining direct control over their assets, enhancing security and user trust. The platform’s Spotlight Launchpad has become a hub for new token introductions, further expanding its role in the blockchain ecosystem.
KuCoin’s commitment to ecosystem growth is evident through its initiatives like KuCoin Labs, an investment and research arm supporting innovative blockchain startups in DeFi, NFT, and GameFi. The exchange has also strengthened its Web3 integration by supporting decentralized applications (dApps) and NFTs through its wallet services and partnerships. Trading competitions and promotions remain a key feature, engaging users with rewards in KCS, Bitcoin, and other cryptocurrencies.
On a global scale, KuCoin has expanded its reach with localized services and multilingual support, operating in over 200 countries and regions. Although restrictions apply in highly regulated markets like the U.S. and Canada, the platform continues to grow its user base. KuCoin has also partnered with third-party providers to enhance fiat-to-crypto solutions, especially in regions like Brazil, where BRL payments are supported.
Opening an account and trading on KuCoin is a straightforward process designed to cater to users of varying experience levels. The sign-up process begins on the KuCoin website or mobile app, where users can register using an email address or phone number.
Once a verification code is received, users create a secure password. For enhanced security and benefits like higher withdrawal limits and access to advanced features, users can opt for KYC verification by submitting a government-issued ID, a selfie for verification, and occasionally proof of address. Additionally, users are encouraged to enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA), set anti-phishing codes, and configure a trading password for added protection.
Once security is set up, you’re ready to trade. The first step is funding your account. Unlike other exchanges such as Binance and Coinbase, KuCoin separates your account into a ‘main account’ and a ‘trading account’. The main account is generally used for storage, as APIs can only access the trading account. If you want to use third party APIs, you can be extra careful by keeping the majority of your funds in your main account.
To fund an account, users can deposit cryptocurrencies directly by copying the deposit address of their desired coin and transferring funds from an external wallet. It is crucial to verify the deposit address and network to prevent any loss of funds.
KuCoin also offers fiat purchase options through third-party providers like Simplex and Banxa, as well as a Peer-to-Peer (P2P) market where users can trade cryptocurrencies with local fiat currencies. While crypto deposits generally have no minimum requirement apart from network fees, fiat purchases may have specific limits based on the provider.
Once the account is funded, you can begin your trading journey in KuCoin. When it comes to withdrawals, users can transfer cryptocurrencies to external wallets by entering the recipient address and selecting the appropriate network. Withdrawal fees vary by cryptocurrency and network conditions.
Fiat withdrawals, facilitated by third-party providers, are available only in specific regions. Withdrawal limits depend on the user’s verification status, with verified accounts enjoying higher limits.
The user feedback for KuCoin is a mix of positive and negative reviews. Here’s an analysis of the overall user sentiment:
50+ fiat supported via third parties. KuCoin does not support direct fiat deposits.
What is KuCoin?
KuCoin is a global cryptocurrency exchange offering trading, margin, and futures for over 700 cryptocurrencies.
Is KuCoin available in the United States?
KuCoin is accessible in the U.S., but users cannot complete KYC, limiting access to some features.
What are KuCoin’s trading fees?
KuCoin charges 0.1% for both makers and takers on spot trades, with discounts for KCS holders.
Is KuCoin trading real or fake?
KuCoin trading is real, with a strong reputation, though users should exercise caution with unregulated exchanges.
What is KuCoin used for?
KuCoin is used for cryptocurrency trading, margin trading, futures trading, and earning rewards through staking or lending.
Is KuCoin better than Binance?
KuCoin excels in altcoin offerings, while Binance offers broader services and is more regulated.
Can I withdraw money from KuCoin?
Yes, you can withdraw cryptocurrencies or fiat using supported methods and networks.
Can you make money on KuCoin?
Yes, users can profit from trading, staking, lending, or participating in promotions like airdrops.
What Makes KuCoin Token Unique?
KuCoin Token (KCS) offers fee discounts, daily dividends, and access to exclusive features on the platform.
Who Are the Founders of KuCoin Token?
The founders of KuCoin Token include Michael Gan, Johnny Lyu, Ke Tang, and Chun Gan.
What Is KuCoin Token (KCS)?
KCS is KuCoin’s native utility token that provides trading discounts and rewards for holders.
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