10 Best Bitcoin Exchanges in 2021
If you're new to cryptocurrency, then finding the best bitcoin exchange isn't always easy. Everyone has different preferences. So what suits me might not be best for you. Some first-time investors are looking for easy to use exchanges, while more experienced traders might be trying to trade a specific currency.
Since there's no one-size-fits-all solution, we review all of the most popular exchanges and let you decide what's best for your situation. Like it or not, the best bitcoin exchange depends mostly on what you're looking for.
In this guide, we'll take a look at the top bitcoin exchanges in the world based on a variety of criteria so you can make an informed decision when deciding where and how to buy bitcoin or any other cryptocurrency.
Best Bitcoin Exchange Requirements & Scoring
After buying and selling bitcoin on dozens of cryptocurrency exchanges, you learn a lot about their differences and similarities. For example, while some exchanges are excellent for a first-time investor they might not work at all for an institutional investor. Or if you're planning on buying and selling a specific altcoin, you have far less options when it comes to exchanges. These seemingly subtle distinctions make a huge difference when it comes time to choose the best bitcoin exchange for your situation.
As a result, our reviews rank each bitcoin exchange against a variety of criteria to help give you an idea of what to expect when you make your final decision. Since our company is aimed at educating first-time investors we do give preference to easy-to-use exchanges. Here are the criteria we use to judge each bitcoin exchange:
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User Experience (UX) : How easy-to-use is the technology platform?
" ]The very best bitcoin exchanges are also usually the easiest to use for a brand new user. Our user experience score is based on how difficult it is to perform several basic operations like adding funds to our account, buying bitcoin, selling bitcoin, and withdrawing the funds to a digital wallet. While this sounds pretty basic, some bitcoin exchanges make this process much more difficult than others. In addition, we also look at how enjoyable this process is. Exchanges lost points when the navigation is confusing or basic features are hard to find.[/toggler]
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Security : How secure is the exchange?
" ]One of the most common misconceptions about cryptocurrency is it's "lack of security." Ironically, one of the biggest benefits of blockchain technology, the technology behind bitcoin and cryptocurrencies, is that it's virtually impenetrable. While the technology is solid, the company's using it (i.e. cryptocurrency exchanges) sometimes are not. Unfortunately, a few infamous hacks have given rise to the notion that cryptocurrency exchanges are unsafe.
In order to quash this misconception, many exchanges have taken extreme measures to keep user funds safe at all times. This includes bank-level encryption, offline cold storage, and geographically distributed safety deposit boxes storing paper wallets to each account. Our security score can help you see at a glance who is keeping your funds the safest.[/toggler]
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Payment & Fees : How do the exchange's fees compare to their competitors?
" ]If you don't know what you're doing, it's not hard to waste a ton of money paying unnecessary fees at Bitcoin exchanges. Fees vary from free to completely outrageous, depending on the company. Our payment and fees section will help you understand exactly how much each exchange charges you to transact in cryptocurrency.[/toggler]
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Technology : How reliable is the exchange in terms of technology?
" ]The technology score determines how reliable is a the Bitcoin exchange. Does their platform have frequent outages or 404 errors, and quickly do they respond to technical issues? The best exchanges usually have a dedicated page showing uptime and any other tech-related issues. When choosing the best Bitcoin exchange, it's important they have it together from a technology standpoint.[/toggler]