Cryptocurrency exchanges are platforms that facilitate the trading of cryptocurrencies for other assets, including digital and fiat currencies. In effect, cryptocurrency exchanges act as an intermediary between a buyer and a seller and make money through commissions and transaction fees.
As the digital asset domain continued to fall, investors swiftly shifted from riskier digital assets to more centralized and traditional forms of investment assets. Trading volumes declined dramatically pushing crypto exchanges and platforms towards major financial risks. It is still quite unclear as to when the crypto bear market phase will clear out, but it is quite evident from the present conditions of the crypto exchanges that investors are slowly losing their appetite to invest in digital assets, as crypto prices continue to plummet immensely. Here we have listed the top crypto exchanges that are facing huge financial risks amid volatile market conditions.
When choosing a cryptocurrency exchange, it’s important to look at factors such as supported assets, fees, payment methods, and security. To help you find the right exchange, we considered these factors when selecting this list of the best cryptocurrency exchanges.
1. Celsius
Recently, Celsius Network, a retail crypto lending platform experienced immense liquidity issues which caused cryptocurrencies to plummet heavily. The platform froze withdrawals and transfers between accounts to stabilize liquidity. Celsius accumulates crypto deposits and invests them in the crypto market to offer loan and insurance services. But even those investments declined slowly since most investors were fleeing the market and stopped applying for crypto loans. As a result, the company was unable to meet the users’ demands.
2. BitPanda
BitPanda recently announced its decision to cut down its workforce, which triggered an unprecedented change in the market sentiments which were also catalyzed by rising inflation and concerns about an incoming economic recession. The company employed over 1,000 employees, which is believed to be cut down to around 700 right now. The company also revoked various job offers in order to cope with the current financial problems.
3. BlockFi
BlockFi is one of the largest crypto lenders in the world that is facing immense financial risks. The company declared that it would be laying off 20% of its total number of employees. BlockFi has been hit by the drastic changes in the crypto market and has experienced intense negative effects on its daily operations.
4. BEST MOBILE APPCrypto.com
Investopedia’s Rating
4.7
- No. Currencies Available for Trade: 250+
- Transaction Fees: 0.04% to 0.4%
- Minimum Deposit or Purchase: $1
Why We Chose It
We chose Crypto.com as the best mobile crypto exchange app because it provides an extensive digital asset trading and investing ecosystem that you can access easily from your smartphone.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Supports over 250 cryptocurrencies
- Provides a range of cryptocurrency products
Cons
- Relatively high fees
- Poor customer support
Overview
Launched in 2016, Crypto.com has established itself as one of the leading global crypto exchanges. It’s now available in 90 countries worldwide, and it supports over 250 cryptocurrencies.
In addition to offering a large number of supported assets, Crypto.com provides a vast digital asset ecosystem composed of its own blockchain, Crypto.org Chain; a native token called CRO; a crypto visa card; yield-generating crypto products; and more.
What stands out the most, however, is the Crypto.com mobile app. While many crypto exchange mobile apps provide a watered-down version of the exchange’s web-based platform, Crypto.com put a strong focus on building an app that offers a wide range of products and features so users can benefit from this exchange’s ecosystem on the go. Mobile app users can buy, sell, trade, and earn interest on their crypto, as well as pay with crypto.
While Crypto.com offers an impressive amount of products and features, customer support is lacking, according to TrustPilot reports from former and existing users who leave poor reviews. Additionally, unless you trade at higher volumes, you will end up paying relatively high trading fees of up to 0.40%.
If you are looking for an excellent mobile crypto trading experience, Crypto.com is arguably the best option thanks to its range of products and features, as well as its large number of supported assets.
5. BEST FOR SECURITYGemini
Investopedia’s Rating
4.6
- No. Currencies Available for Trade: 75+
- Transaction Fees: $0.99 to $2.99 for small purchases, 1.49% of orders over $200
- Minimum Deposit or Purchase: Varies with the asset
OPEN ACCOUNT
Why We Chose It
We have picked Gemini as the crypto exchange with the best security because it has robust security protocols, insures user funds, and is SOC 2-certified.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Available to users in all 50 U.S. states
- Highly liquid exchange
- Insures funds held in hot wallet
- Strong security framework
Cons
- High fees on many trades
- Supports fewer cryptocurrencies than many competitor exchanges
Overview
Launched in 2014 by Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss, Gemini stands out for putting a strong emphasis on security and compliance. The New York-based exchange has hot wallet insurance to make sure user funds remain safe in the case of a security breach. Additionally, it requires users to complete an identity verification process to reduce the potential for fraud.
Gemini also encourages users to utilize two-factor authentication to secure their accounts and provides the option to review and approve devices used to log onto the trading account. Another standout security feature of Gemini is that it is SOC 2-certified, which means that third-party auditors have verified the company’s security and compliance frameworks.
Built with advanced traders in mind, Gemini provides a professional-grade trading dashboard and supports over 75 digital currencies and tokens. Gemini also offers a cryptocurrency reward card and allows users to pay for goods and services with crypto.
Gemini’s main platform and active trader platform use different fee structures. The primary platform charges fixed amounts for smaller trades and a very high 1.49% on trades above $200. The active trader platform charges maker-taker fees up to 0.4% with reductions as your volume grows. These are also on the high side. However, paying the comparatively high fee may be a small price to pay for Gemini’s highly robust security.
Traders and investors who prefer to trade on a highly secure platform will appreciate what Gemini has to offer.
6. Binance
Binance remains unwelcomed in Texas, New York, and Florida due to regulatory concerns. Even though the platform has gained immense popularity in the field of cryptocurrencies, investors in these states are not allowed to access the platform. Amid the current market conditions, Binance’s regulatory issues have led to greater financial risks for the platform.
7. Gemini
Gemini is another eminent cryptocurrency trading platform that announced its recent plans to lay off a significant part of its staff due to unfavorable market conditions. Due to the recent crypto bear market conditions, the Gemini Trust business reportedly cut 10% of its employees. Gemini claims that the platform will refocus on products that are currently more important to the firm’s growth.
8. Bitso
Major Latin American crypto exchange Bitso faced quite a similar issue and declared that it would lay off about 80 employees, out of its 700 employees, just a week before welcoming a tightening global financial and economic market conditions. The company claimed that it would restructure its internal operations to match the existing market conditions.
9. 2TM
2TM also said that it would lay off 12% of its total number of workers. The company is the second-largest cryptocurrency exchange in Latin America by market volume. The existing changes in the global financial landscape forced the firm to go above and beyond to reduce its operating expenses.
10. Crypto.com
Crypto.com is also one of the many crypto exchanges that have decided to lay off about 5% of its company’s employees. The company took this initiative to ensure sustainable growth in the long term. The team is utilizing its strongest resources and is preparing for the next crypto market bull run.
How We Chose the Best Crypto Exchanges
Our team reviewed 28 cryptocurrency exchanges and collected over 1000 data points using publicly available information before selecting our top choices. We weighted more than 20 criteria and gave a higher weight to those with a more significant impact on potential customers.
The top picks were selected based on factors like trading fees (weighted 20%), withdrawal fees (15%), and if an exchange offers cold storage of crypto assets (weighted 10%).
We also took into account platform availability, the number of cryptocurrencies available, and customer support options. For further information about our selection criteria and process, our complete methodology is available.