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Our KuCoin review covers the key features, fees, and digital products. The cryptocurrency exchange landscape is vast, and choosing the right platform is crucial for any investor. KuCoin, known for its extensive altcoin selection and competitive fees, has been a popular contender for years.
This review examines KuCoin’s current state, addressing beginner concerns and experienced trader needs. We’ll explore its recent implementation of KYC (Know Your Customer) protocols, its recovery from a 2020 hacking incident, and the ongoing situation surrounding its founders’ arrests.
Whether you’re new to crypto or a seasoned investor seeking a new platform, this KuCoin review article provides a comprehensive overview of KuCoin’s strengths, weaknesses, and what to expect.
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Often called the “People’s Exchange,” KuCoin has earned its reputation for accessibility and a wide range of features.
KuCoin offers an impressive array of coins and tokens, surpassing many established exchanges. This particularly appeals to users looking to invest in new, innovative projects and lesser-known altcoins.
In 2024, the exchange reached 38M users. The biggest growth was seen in Latin America and the Middle East/Africa. Over 120 future contracts were added to KuCoin futures.
KuCoin is more than just a regular exchange; it’s a complete crypto ecosystem. Its OTC platform provides a wide range of trading options for trading new tokens before their official launch, including spot, margin, derivatives, and pre-market trading.
KuCoin also prides itself on its accessibility and inclusivity. It offers a comprehensive suite of tools for both novice and experienced traders, including advanced charting tools, API integrations, and mobile apps.
The exchange supports multiple languages and provides 24/7 customer support, catering to a global audience.
KuCoin provides automated trading through different trading bots, including spot and futures grid, spot martingale, smart balance, DCA, and more. Additionally, KuCoin interacts with its users via social media, contests, and community rewards, fostering a strong sense of community.
This KuCoin review section examines the platform’s pros and cons to provide a balanced understanding.
Pros:
Cons:
KuCoin is a global cryptocurrency exchange founded in Singapore by a team of experienced business specialists with backgrounds in projects like Ant Financial and iBox PAY.
Launched in September 2017 and headquartered in Seychelles, KuCoin has quickly become a prominent player in the cryptocurrency market, attracting millions of traders worldwide with its diverse digital assets and innovative features.
To celebrate its 7th anniversary, the crypto exchange launched a global tour dubbed ‘7rust KuCoin, Own Your Future.’
KuCoin Launched the “7rust KuCoin, Own Your Future” Global Tour to Mark its 7th Anniversary in August 2024. The tour will cover key regions, including Asia, Africa, Australia, and Latin America.
KuCoin supports over 800 cryptocurrencies and nearly 1,300 trading pairs, making it an ideal platform for traders and investors looking to diversify their crypto portfolios.
The exchange offers a variety of trading options, including spot trading, margin trading, futures trading, and staking.
KuCoin is known for its user-friendly interface, robust security measures, and competitive trading fees, which have helped it gain over 30 million users as of 2024.
KuCoin Pay was announced at the beginning of 2025. Similar to Binance Pay, it is a merchant solution. As the platform’s users grow to 38 million in 2024, merchants may be more keen to integrate KuCoin Pay into their payment systems.
Transactions can be made via the KuCoin app and QR codes.
Security is a top priority for KuCoin. The platform employs multi-layer encryption, micro-withdrawal wallets, and a dedicated risk control department to ensure the safety of user assets.
Despite a significant hack in 2020, where $281 million worth of assets were stolen, KuCoin managed a swift recovery, fully reimbursing affected users and enhancing its security protocols.
One of KuCoin’s standout features is its focus on community and user engagement. The KuCoin S platform, launched on October 22, 2021, offers social trading and a comprehensive crypto information feed, including token price movements, new listings, crypto news, trending coins, sectors, portfolios, and topics.
Using AI-based algorithms and machine learning, KuCoin S customizes the feed to help users make more informed trading decisions. This platform allows users to connect with fellow traders with similar goals and insights, enhancing the overall trading experience.
Native Token – KuCoin Shares (KCS): KuCoin’s native token, KuCoin Shares (KCS), offers users trading fee discounts and profit-sharing opportunities. KCS holders receive daily dividends from the exchange’s trading fees, making it an attractive investment option.
Commitment to growth: KuCoin continues expanding its offerings, with plans to support more than 1,000 cryptocurrencies. Its combination of a wide range of supported assets, innovative features, strong security measures, and commitment to user satisfaction make it a compelling choice for crypto enthusiasts worldwide.
Overall, KuCoin has carved out a niche in the competitive cryptocurrency exchange market, establishing itself as a versatile and reliable platform dedicated to meeting the needs of its diverse user base.
KuCoin is known for its competitive fees, but navigating them can seem complex.
This section will break down KuCoin’s fee structure, including maker/taker fees, tiered discounts, and how their native token, KCS, can further reduce your trading costs.
We’ll also explore any additional fees you might encounter, like withdrawal fees and leveraged token management fees.
By the end, you’ll clearly understand what to expect when trading on KuCoin.
Important notes:
Additional Fees:
KuCoin offers a vast selection of cryptocurrencies for trading. Users can buy and sell over 810 coins on their Spot market, forming more than 1,290 trading pairs.
This extensive selection and a daily trading volume exceeding $863 million make the Spot market a popular choice for cryptocurrency enthusiasts.
Additionally, KuCoin boasts a thriving Perpetuals/Futures market featuring 318 perpetual contracts. This market’s daily trading volume surpasses $1.5 billion, providing users with opportunities for leveraged trading.
KuCoin has established itself as a prominent player in the cryptocurrency exchange market. Known for its wide range of features and user-friendly interface, KuCoin caters to beginners and experienced traders.
While all cryptocurrency exchanges offer similar features, certain tools are unique to each exchange.
The KuCoin app is a versatile and feature-rich platform that empowers users to trade, manage their crypto holdings, and explore various earning opportunities – all from the convenience of their mobile devices.
Here’s a closer look at what the KuCoin app offers:
It is worth noting that some features, especially those related to fiat on-ramping and margin trading, might be restricted for unverified users. The app may not offer the full spectrum of features on the KuCoin web platform.
KuCoin’s customer satisfaction is a complex issue. While some users praise its wide selection and past performance, others express concerns about recent developments. Due to legal restrictions, KuCoin is no longer available for US residents.
Another point of contention is KuCoin’s Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements. While some users appreciate the added security, others who previously enjoyed the exchange’s anonymity are unhappy.
There have also been reports of delayed withdrawals, leading some to fear a situation similar to the FTX collapse. However, others defend KuCoin, highlighting its large reserves and claiming these delays are often due to user error.
Overall, KuCoin’s customer satisfaction is divided. Those seeking a user-friendly platform with a vast coin selection may find it appealing, but US residents and those wary of KYC regulations should look elsewhere. It is crucial to do your own research and understand the potential risks before using any cryptocurrency exchange.
For this KuCoin review, keep in mind the following: Trustpilot has removed several fake reviews for KuCoin, which is why their TrustScore is currently unavailable. This means it’s difficult to gauge user sentiment from that platform. It’s important to consider that negative experiences can be more likely to motivate reviews than positive ones.
So, while user feedback is important, remaining skeptical and research is essential. Always research customer reviews before making a decision.
KuCoin offers 24/7 customer support to assist you with any questions or issues you might encounter while navigating their platform. This section will delve into all the available support options KuCoin provides, including:
When it comes to entrusting a platform with your crypto, security is absolutely crucial. Let’s take a closer look at KuCoin’s security measures and its history of past controversies to assist you in making an informed decision:
Security:
Insurance:
KuCoin doesn’t offer direct insurance on user funds in case of exchange hacks or losses. However, it partners with a custodian service called Onchain Custodian to safeguard some of its assets.
Onchain Custodian’s insurance is arranged by Lockton, a reputable insurance company, but it only applies to certain assets held by KuCoin, not user funds themselves.
Here’s a breakdown of what KuCoin offers:
While KuCoin utilizes custodian insurance for some of its assets, it’s important to remember that user funds on the exchange are not directly insured.
Proof-of-reserves:
KuCoin builds trust through its Proof-of-Reserves (PoR) system. KuCoin conducts its own regular audits, allowing users to independently verify that KuCoin holds enough assets to cover all user deposits.
These audits generate snapshots of KuCoin’s on-chain reserves, providing a window into the exchange’s financial health.
It’s important to remember that PoR audits are a point-in-time picture and don’t guarantee absolute security or prevent mismanagement. However, regular PoR audits are crucial for maintaining user confidence and demonstrating KuCoin’s commitment to transparency.
KuCoin’s Proof-of-Reserves (PoR) lets users verify their funds are backed by the exchange’s reserves. They take anonymized user balance snapshots and create a Merkle Root for verification. Users can confirm their holdings using a Merkle Proof and the public Merkle Root. For details, visit KuCoin’s Proof-of-Reserves & Audit page.
Past hacks:
In 2020, KuCoin faced a major challenge when hackers stole over $280 million in cryptocurrency. The exchange responded quickly to contain the incident, put extra security measures in place, and even compensated affected users.
This security breach served as a wake-up call for KuCoin, significantly prompting them to improve their security infrastructure and protocols.
Legal issues:
KuCoin operates within a somewhat ambiguous regulatory environment. Although the company is based in a jurisdiction with lenient regulations, it does not possess a comprehensive global license.
This absence of worldwide licensing may result in constraints in certain regions with more stringent financial regulations.
Consequently, certain features may be limited to users in particular countries. KuCoin has made strides towards complying with regional regulations, including registering with India’s Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU).
Reputation:
KuCoin’s reputation is mixed. The exchange boasts a large user base and is known for its wide variety of tradable cryptocurrencies and competitive fees. However, some Reddit users criticize the exchange for its lack of KYC (Know Your Customer) verification in the past, which some view as a security risk.
In 2024, U.S. prosecutors filed criminal charges against KuCoin, accusing it of violating anti-money laundering laws and operating without a license. The exchange denies the charges, but this incident has undoubtedly tarnished its reputation, particularly among U.S. users.
February 2025 Update: KuCoin reached a settlement with the US DOJ and agreed to pay $297M. The exchange will distance itself from the United States for at least 2 years.
‘KuCoin is pleased to announce that we have reached a resolution with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), bringing clarity and closure to past matters.
‘The resolution underscores KuCoin’s commitment to acting responsibly and operating with high compliance standards. While resolving regulatory challenges in the U.S., we want to reassure our global users that our operations in other non-restrictive markets remain fully unaffected.
‘KuCoin continues to deliver secure and innovative services worldwide, reflecting our dedication to growing as a leading cryptocurrency exchange.’
Ready to embark on your crypto journey with KuCoin? Here’s a step-by-step guide to creating your account:
1. Head to the website:
2. Sign up for an account:
3. Choose your registration method:
4. Enter your information:
5. Agree to terms and conditions:
6. Complete the verification process:
7. Congratulations, you’re in!
Additional notes:
To ensure a comprehensive and accurate review of KuCoin Exchange for 2025, we followed a systematic approach, including detailed research, hands-on testing, and user feedback analysis.
By integrating these methodologies, we aimed to provide a thorough, unbiased, and practical KuCoin review, helping potential users make informed decisions about signing up and trading on this platform.
No. Before the US charges over anti-money laundering violations, US-based users could trade in KuCoin with restricted access. KYC is being gradually enforced, preventing US-based traders from using KuCoin. US-licensed exchanges such as Coinbase or Kraken are a better choice.
Yes. KuCoin has a high trust score of 10/10 on CoinGecko and a 4/5 liquidity score. In 2020, a hack led KuCoin to enhance its security. They now offer a $1M bug bounty and more user protection features. However, the U.S. Department of Justice indicted KuCoin for violating the Bank Secrecy Act and anti-money laundering laws.
KuCoin launched in Singapore. It is now based in Seychelles. This strategic move helps it navigate different regulatory environments. Being in Seychelles allows KuCoin to offer a wide range of services globally.
It depends. Coinbase offers a smoother user experience than KuCoin. However, Coinbase has a reputation for poor customer support. If you have a large, risky portfolio, consider moving it to Binance or KuCoin for better support and features.
KuCoin’s popularity stems from its appeal to beginner and experienced crypto traders.
It offers low trading fees, many coins, including hard-to-find altcoins, and access to features like margin trading and staking.
KuCoin has low trading fees and a wide variety of cryptocurrencies. The platform supports margin and futures trading.
It also has robust automated trading options, including trading bots. KuCoin’s mobile app is user-friendly and efficient for trading on the go.
At ValueWalk, we’re committed to providing accurate, research-backed information. Our editors go above and beyond to ensure our content is trustworthy and transparent.
Sal Miah is a veteran crypto and fintech writer, having been involved in the blockchain and web3 spaces since 2017. He has worked for flagship crypto exchanges, including Kraken and Huobi, regularly breaking down complex topics with friendly clarity. In Sal’s writing, the intricate world of cryptocurrency and financial technology unfolds, which is not only informative but also accessible to all levels of enthusiasts.
Sal Miah is a veteran crypto and fintech writer, having been involved in the blockchain and web3 spaces since 2017. He has worked for flagship crypto exchanges, including Kraken and Huobi, regularly breaking down complex topics with friendly clarity. In Sal’s writing, the intricate world of cryptocurrency and financial technology unfolds, which is not only informative but also accessible to all levels of enthusiasts.
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