KuCoin review 2024
Investing options: 4.4
Platforms & usability: 4.2
Products, markets, & assets: 4.2
Safety & reliability: 4.1
Deposits & withdrawals: 3.9
Research & analysis tools: 3.8
Fees & costs: 4.3
Education & learning resources: 4.3
KuCoin review Summary
Theodor Tonca
Financial Writer
- Financial Markets
- Financial Services
- Market Analysis
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KuCoin provides an easy to use exchange platform that operates out of the Seychelles. It offers more than 700 different cryptocurrencies and 1200 crypto pairs, a range that exceeds many of its competitors. Along with large-cap, popular options like Bitcoin, there are all sorts of smaller altcoins available as well. Kucoin was set up in 2017 and is a great, beginner-friendly crypto exchange. It offers features, like a ‘lite’ trading platform, that are designed to help new users get started in crypto. Combined with the range of coins on offer, it means Kucoin has something for every different type of crypto enthusiast keep reading this review to find out everything you need.
What can I do with KuCoin?
The Kucoin platform allows you to trade over 700 crypto coins and tokens, including all the leading lights and many lesser-known altcoins a well. It has its own cryptocurrency – KuCoin Shares (KCS), which you can trade and withdraw for low fees.
It offers hundreds of crypto pairs to regular users. If you sign up for a pro account, you also have the option to buy and sell futures with a leverage of up to 100x.
It’s P2P marketplace allows you to buy and sell cryptos like USDT, ETH, BTC, CADH, and PAX directly to and from other merchants. The P2P marketplace also supports various payment methods, like Paypal and wire transfer.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
Cons:
Can I open an account with KuCoin?
Yes, residents of United Kingdom can open an account with KuCoin.
No, residents of United Kingdom cannot open an account with KuCoin. Consider trying our best-rated broker in , . Find the best broker in
KuCoin cryptocurrencies and trading options
What cryptocurrencies can you trade on KuCoin?
One of KuCoin’s best selling features is that it provides an exhaustive list of cryptocurrencies. Apart from the popular choices like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin, KuCoin also provides hundreds of obscure tokens.
Major cryptos traded on KuCoin
- Bitcoin
- Ethereum
- Velo
- Litecoin
- Bitcoin Cash
- XRP
- EOS
- Bitcoin SV
- Cardano
- Cosmos
- Polkadot
- Tezos
- VeChain
- Chainlink
- SERO
- Tron
- Monero
- Nimiq
- Tether
- Dash
KuCoin core currency pairs
- BTC/USDT
- ETH/USDT
- VELO/USDT
- ETH/BTC
- LTC/USDT
- ATOM/USDT
- XRP/BTC
- LTC/BTC
- NOIA/BTC
- NWC/BTC
- UDOO/ETH
- DASH/USDT
- LINK/BTC
- EWT/BTC
- ADA/BTC
- AVA/BTC
- TRX/BTC
- VET/BTC
- SENSO/BTC
- XLM/USDT
All KuCoin trading options
KuCoin offers a large number of cryptocurrencies and pairs for trading along with futures trading on larger coins like Bitcoin and Ethereum.
Product | Offering |
---|---|
Cryptocurrencies | 700+ |
Crypto pairs | 1200+ |
Crypto futures | 120+ |
Can I trade with leverage on Kucoin?
KuCoin allows you to trade up to a maximum leverage of 10x for most cryptocurrencies. Future contracts are designed for professional traders and, in some cases, offer leverage up to a maximum of 100x.
Keep in mind that margin trading requires extensive knowledge about the financial market and comes with great risk. We only recommend this option for experienced traders.
Product | Maximum leverage | Margin |
---|---|---|
Individual cryptocurrencies | 1:10 | 10% |
Bitcoin futures | 1:100 | 1% |
Ethereum futures | 1:100 | 1% |
What are the spreads?
Kucoin charges a fixed fee of around 0.10% for trading volumes under 50 BTC per month. Much lower fees are available if you trade more than the equivalent of 50 BTC a month, so that you can end up paying as little as 0.005% – 0.02% for larger trading volumes.
Fees, limits, and payment options on KuCoin
KuCoin doesn’t charge a direct fee for deposits or withdrawals in cryptocurrency but does limit the minimum withdrawal amount based on the cryptocurrency you use.
Payment method | Deposit | Withdraw |
---|---|---|
Cryptocurrency – min/max – fees – speed | Yes None None Instant | Yes None/1 BTC daily None Instant |
Debit/Credit Card (via Simplex) – min/max – fees – speed | Yes $50/$20 0003.5% or $10 minimum Instant | Yes $50/$20,000 3.5% or $10 24 hours |
Bank Transfer – min/max – fees – speed | Yes None None 1-2 business days | Yes $3,000/None None 3-4 business days |
PayPal – min/max – fees – speed | Yes None/$10,000 None Instant | No |
How much are KuCoin’s fees and commissions?
KuCoin has a simple fee structure. It charges both the market maker and the taker an average fee of 0.10%, which means it offers some of the lowest trading fees we have seen from any cryptocurrency exchange.
Fee type | Fee amount | Commission |
---|---|---|
Crypto trading | 0.10% each side | – |
Crypto futures | 0.10% | – |
KuCoin trade sizes and limits
Creating an account on KuCoin is free, which means there is no minimum deposit required. However, you will have to add funds in the form of cryptocurrencies to be able to trade futures and altcoins.
One drawback of the platform is that the minimum trading volume for some cryptocurrencies can be quite high. That means you might be stuck with an altcoin that you cannot sell or trade. Unfortunately, the exact limits on each coin are only available on the website when you try to buy or trade them, so you won’t know for sure until you’re about to purchase.
Product | Minimum trade | Maximum trade |
---|---|---|
Cryptocurrencies | 0.0001 BTC | – |
Crypto futures | 0.0001 BTC | – |
KuCoin trading platform
What devices can I use KuCoin on?
KuCoin offers a standard web and mobile trading platform that is available for both Android and Mac OS users for a quick and easy way to start trading.
- PC
- Tablet
- iOS mobile devices
- Android mobile devices
Can I use KuCoin in my country?
KuCoin is available in over 190 countries and territories.
Is KuCoin available in my language?
Kucoin provides support in a total of 17 languages, including English, Italian, Chinese, and Vietnamese.
How easy is it to use KuCoin?
It’s easy if you use KuCoin’s Lite trading platform. It’s aimed at beginners and comes with a user-friendly interface that’s intuitive and easy to use. For more experienced traders, KuCoin pro offers more advanced features like shorting and futures, and significantly more leverage.
Overall, the experience is nearly seamless when transitioning from the web to the mobile version with all the same functions and features in a more compact layout.
Key features
KuCoin offers a number of products and features which will satisfy all but the most sophisticated traders.
Staking
Via its Pool-X feature, KuCoin enables you to start earning rewards for holding coins and tokens. Rewards are distributed daily and it provides a highly flexible way to earn apart from locking up your money in trades.
Pro Trading Platform
If you are an experienced futures trader, then KuCoin’s pro trading platform is for you. With its familiar interface and multiple indicators, chart types, and trade setup tools.
Minimal Trading Fees
One of KuCoin’s best features is its low trading fee policy that helps you keep more of your money every time you trade. There are also even further fee reductions for those with larger monthly trading volumes.
Security and regulation
Is KuCoin safe?
Yes, KuCoin uses two-factor authentication which is compulsory, and separate trading passwords as part of their security protocol. All client data is protected by encryption too.
Am I and my cryptocurrency protected?
KuCoin is not insured and, therefore, cannot guarantee its clients’ funds safety against attacks. The platform only offers an online hot wallet to its users, doesn’t keep its assets in cold wallet storage, which is one of the reasons it doesn’t encourage large volume trading.
Is Kucoin regulated?
KuCoin is not a regulated exchange. However, the platform is authorized and licensed by The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK and Cyprus Securities & Exchange Commission (CySEC).
Do I have to verify my account with Kucoin?
On November 1st, 2018, KuCoin implemented KYC (Know Your Customer) verification to combat criminals and money laundering schemes. However, if you’re a small volume trader, verification is entirely optional, which means you can still get to trade anonymously up to certain limits.
Unverified accounts are allowed to withdraw up to 1 BTC/24 hours, while verified individual accounts increase the withdrawal limit to 100 BTC every 24 hours.
Extra information
Educational resources
KuCoin does provide a Beginner’s Guide to its trading platforms and to crypto trading in general with tips, articles, and recommended video tutorials. Beyond this and the FAQ section, which is more technical in nature, there are no additional learning resources provided.
Tools and charting
The Kucoin trading platform comes equipped with logbooks, charting capabilities like trend lines, drawing mode, and a straightforward ordering process. You can also view your complete order history and it allows for strategy backtesting whenever you want.
Kucoin also provides a REST API and Websocket feed, enabling developers to build custom trading bots to try out custom trading strategies and perhaps even develop some semblance of a competitive edge.
Customer support
KuCoin provides 24/7 live chat for its clients. The FAQ section also aims to solve most of the common problems and questions raised by customers.
Alternatively you are also encouraged to contact KuCoin via its social media channels as well, such as Facebook Messenger and Telegram. Customer support is generally quick to answer and will solve most quests within a few hours.
Our verdict
KuCoin is really simple to use and its Lite trading platform caters to the needs of beginner traders with a simple layout and easy order process, without any additional distractions. It also offers a Pro version of the platform designed to meet the needs of more experienced traders, providing up to 100x leverage and more advanced trade analysis tools and time frame charts.
One of its only drawbacks is the lack of oversight that comes with not being an insured and regulated exchange and the fact that it recently experienced a significant security breach. Apart from this, the platform is relatively easy to use and provides some of the lowest trading fees in the industry.
How to buy and sell cryptocurrency on KuCoin
How to buy crypto on KuCoin
- Create your account on Kucoin
- Fund your account
- Click on the “Markets” page in the header bar
- Search for the coin you want to buy and select the most convenient pair for your trading.
- You will be directed to the main trading screen. On the right side of the page, check for the “buy” box
- Enter the number of coins you want to buy, click on the blue “best price” button, and then click the green buy box to complete your transaction
How to sell crypto on KuCoin
- Log into your KuCoin account
- Scroll to the “Open Orders” section at the bottom of your screen
- Select the coin/token or pair you would like to sell
- Enter the price, amount, and type of sell order you would like to place (market, limit, stop limit)
- Click the “Sell” button to complete your transaction
Who owns KuCoin?
KuCoin is owned by founder and Chairman Michael Gan. KuCoin’s operational headquarters are based in the Seychelles and the company was founded in 2017.
How does Kucoin make money?
From the fixed maker/taker fees it charges on every trade. These start at 0.10% for any trade you make on the platform.
Do I have to pay tax on KuCoin profits?
Depending on the country of your residence, you might be liable to pay tax on your profits from KuCoin. Please consult your local tax laws to determine what applies to you.
How do I delete my KuCoin account?
At this time KuCoin does not offer the capability to delete your account. If you no longer wish to use your current KuCoin account, you can simply stop using it or open a different account with another email address. If you suspect your account has been compromised, you can request to freeze your account.
How can I short on KuCoin?
Log into your KuCoin account and select the coin or pair you wish to trade. Click on the left side of your screen on “Margin” and choose the leverage you wish to trade with, enter the price, amount, and type of order you would like to place, then click the “Sell” button.
What if I forget my account password?
Go to the login screen and click “Forgot Password?” An email will be sent to verify your account and reset your password.
Can I transfer from my Kucoin account into my PayPal account?
No, you can use PayPal to buy crypto, but at this time you can only choose to withdraw your funds in cryptocurrency equivalents..
What if Kucoin closes down while I have open trades?
All your open trades are processed in real-time and will be visible in your trade history.rnrnIn the event that KuCoin ceases operations altogether, it does have an insurance fund which acts as a reserve pool and can be used to partially or wholly secure client’s funds.
Can I access my full trading history on KuCoin?
Yes, to access your complete trading history, simply log into your account, then select “Trade history” on the bottom left side of your screen. Under the “Operation” tab choose “Export to CSV”.
Can I pay in cryptocurrency with KuCoin?
Yes, KuCoin only allows you to use cryptocurrency to trade on their platform. There is no fiat currency support.
Does Kucoin offer bonuses?
KuCoin does offer a Global Affiliate and Ambassador Program, which allows you to earn rewards, privileges and benefits ranging from direct compensation to priority support and being invited to official KuCoin events.
How do I transfer from KuCoin to Coinbase?
Simply choose the ‘send’ option in your crypto wallet, fill in all the required data and provide an external Crypto wallet address (KuCoin). You will then receive a QR code to complete the transaction.
Is KuCoin anonymous?
KuCoin offers the capability to trade anonymously under one of their three different account types. The simple account option supports anonymous trading but only allows you to withdraw up to 2 BTC per 24 hours.
Does KuCoin have an integrated wallet?
Yes, the platform only offers users an online, hot wallet in which to store coins.
How do I withdraw from KuCoin?
To withdraw your funds, log into your account, click on “Overview” under the “Assets” tab, and then the “Withdraw” tab. Then click on the coin you want to withdraw, enter your wallet address, and click “Confirm” and you are done.
Has Kucoin ever been hacked?
Yes, KuCoin was hacked on September 25, 2020, with initial reports suggesting around $150-$281 million in cryptocurrency was stolen. The vast majority of funds have since been recovered due to cooperation between KuCoin and other global exchanges and the suspects have since been identified and arrested.
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Sources & references
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Theodor Tonca
Financial Writer
- Financial Markets
- Financial Services
- Market Analysis
- Apps
- Regulation