10 Best Crypto Exchanges & Platforms Of February 2023
Investing in Bitcoin is all the rage but how exactly does a beginner get started?
Do you need to already have Bitcoin to invest?
Or do you transfer money from your bank account to somewhere and convert it to Bitcoin? What does that look like?
We’ll answer all of these questions and list 10 of the best cryptocurrency exchanges and platforms that allow you to buy Bitcoin and other tokens.
Going forward, we’ll use BTC, which is the symbol for Bitcoin on exchanges and trading platforms.
If you just want to earn a high return with crypto, you might consider a crypto savings account. These accounts pay up to 12%, but do come with risks (just like regular crypto investing). Check out the best cryptocurrency savings accounts here.
Editor’s Picks For Best Crypto Exchanges:
- Best Overall: Gemini
- Best For Trading: Binance
- Best To Earn Interest: Crypto.com
- Best For Altcoins: Uphold
Best Crypto Exchanges and Investing Platforms
Here is our list of the 10 best cryptocurrency exchanges and investing or trading platforms. The cyrpto offers that appear on this site are from companies from which The College Investor receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). The College Investor does not include all cryptocurrency exchanges or all crypto offers available in the marketplace.
1. Binance
A great platform for getting into some currencies like Cardano or Neo. Not as easy to use as some of the top platforms on this list, but they do have one of the most robust trading platforms out there. They do have a decent mobile app, but again, not as easy to use and we’ve been frustrated with it. Try Binance here.
Plus, right now, you can get a $10 bonus when you trade $100 within the first 30 days of opening your account on Binance.US.
Note: Binance.us is the US-version of the platform and has limited coins and tokens to invest in versus the international version of Binance.
2. Uphold
Uphold offers simple solution to trading multiple assets — open one account and trade multiple assets without making a trip back to cash. If you’ve every traded crypto, you’ll know a lot of coins and tokens only trade in certain pairs, so you’re always going back to BTC or ETH. But on Uphold, you can trade multiple assets directly.
Plus, Uphold is one of the few exchanges that allows you to trade XRP, DOGE, and more.
3. Coinbase
Coinbase is by far the most popular and one of the best cryptocurrency exchanges because you can invest directly with USD. You can currently purchase Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin and 30+ other coins and tokens on the platform. Furthermore, you can earn interest on your USDT, and you can earn token rewards by completing various activities.
Plus, when you open a new Coinbase account, you get a $10 BTC bonus after you trade $100 if you sign up using our link!
4. Kraken
Kraken is one of the original crypto trading platforms and they have a good selection of coins and tokens to trade and invest in. They also allow margin trading. However, it’s a real exchange, and not as easy to use as some of the top platforms on this list.
Kraken is one of the few platforms on this list that allow you to trade in DOGE and other, more risky, tokens.
Note: Kraken offers a limited section of coins and tokens to US customers versus international customers.
5. Gemini
Gemini is a popular platform to invest in crypto as it was one of the first major exchanges, and today it’s one of the largest by assets.
Gemini supports most major cryptocurrencies, has decent support and engagement, and pays competitive interest rates on assets, if you qualify.
Plus, when you open a Gemini account, you can earn $10 in BTC after trading $100 in crypto.
6. Bitstamp
Bitstamp is one of the oldest and most well-established cryptocurrency exchanges. Founded in 2011, it’s been operating for over 10 years. It offers over 70 tokens that you can trade.
Bitstamp has a volume-based fee structure, allows you to buy crypto instantly with your credit or debit card, and has a solid mobile app.
7. eToro
eToro has been around for a while in the UK and throughout Europe, but they are now allowing traders in the United States. They offer a huge variety of digital assets to buy and sell on their platform, and even better, they have a practice trading account so you can give it a try before you actually use real funds.
Right now, eToro is also offering a $10 bonus if you deposit and trade $100 in crypto-assets. This offer is only available for US users.
9. Crypto.com
Crypto.com is one of the largest and fastest growing crypto exchanges. It’s based in Hong Kong, but offers a ton of support for US-based customers.
Right now, you can have access to over 90 tokens and coins worldwide, and 50 tokens and coins if you’re in the United States. Plus, the offer solid rates on their crypto savings accounts.
The only major drawback is that it’s only app-based at this time, there is no desktop platform.