Having extensively reviewed numerous crypto exchanges, particularly those operating in the USA, we present a curated list of the top five platforms for 2025. Our evaluation criteria include supported currencies, liquidity, security, customer support, fees, and trading pairs.
Comparison Table
| Exchange | Supported Assets | Fees | USP | Insured |
|----------------|------------------|--------------------|---------------------------------------|---------|
| Coinbase | 45+ | 0.5% | High liquidity; secure | Yes |
| Uphold | 250+ | Variable | Diverse assets; multi-currency | Yes |
| CEX.io | 31 | 0.16%–0.25% | Beginner-friendly; credit cards | No |
| Gemini | 26+ | 0.5% | OTC desk; 50-state compliance | Yes |
| Binance.US | 200+ | 0.1% | Wide range of features/services | Yes |
👉 Explore these exchanges for detailed features and sign-up offers.
Summary (TL;DR)
- Coinbase: Ideal for beginners and pros, offering staking, custodial accounts, and a Visa card. High liquidity but complex fees.
- Uphold: Supports 250+ assets, including cryptocurrencies, fiat, and equities. Unique "Anything-to-Anything" trading.
- CEX.io: Multifunctional with margin trading and staking. Charges deposit fees for card transactions.
- Gemini: Fully compliant in all 50 states. Offers ActiveTrader for advanced features and Gemini Pay for retail.
- Binance.US: Extensive asset selection and low spot trading fees. Not available in all states.
1. Coinbase
Features
- Cryptocurrency Investing: Trade 50+ coins.
- Coinbase Pro: Advanced platform with lower fees.
- Staking: Earn rewards on held assets.
- Crypto Insurance: FDIC-insured USD balances.
Fees
- Standard trading: 1.49%
- Credit card purchases: 3.99%
Pros & Cons
| ✅ High liquidity | ❌ High fees |
| ✅ User-friendly | ❌ Poor customer support |
👉 Compare Coinbase alternatives.
2. Uphold
Features
- Multi-Asset Trading: Crypto, fiat, metals.
- Debit Card: 4% cashback in XRP.
- Staking: Earn interest on crypto.
Fees
- Free ACH deposits.
- Variable fees for card transactions.
Pros & Cons
| ✅ 100% reserved funds | ❌ No live chat |
3. CEX.io
Features
- Margin Trading: Up to 100x leverage.
- Staking: Passive income options.
Fees
- Deposit: 2.99% (card).
- Trading: 0.16% maker fee.
Pros & Cons
| ✅ Credit card support | ❌ Limited assets |
4. Gemini
Features
- ActiveTrader: Low-fee professional platform.
- Gemini Earn: Up to 7.4% APY.
Fees
- 0.5% convenience fee + variable trading fees.
Pros & Cons
| ✅ Fully insured | ❌ High fees for small trades |
5. Binance.US
Features
- 125x Leverage: Futures trading.
- OTC Portal: Bulk transactions.
Fees
- 0.1% spot trading fee.
Pros & Cons
| ✅ Low fees | ❌ Limited state availability |
FAQ
How to withdraw from Coinbase?
Via bank transfer or PayPal (no card withdrawals).
Is CEX.io a wallet?
Yes, but use non-custodial wallets for security.
Are Gemini fees high?
Yes, due to a 0.5% convenience fee.
Is Binance.US available nationwide?
No, excluded in 7 states.
Conclusion
Choose based on needs:
- Beginners: Coinbase or CEX.io.
- Advanced Traders: Binance.US or Gemini.
- Diverse Assets: Uphold.
👉 Start trading today with these top-tier platforms!