www.nerdwallet.com
Open in
urlscan Pro
172.64.144.185
Public Scan
URL:
https://www.nerdwallet.com/best/investing/crypto-exchanges-platforms?trk_channel=web&trk_copy=Best%20Crypto%20Exchanges...
Submission: On May 24 via manual from US — Scanned from US
Submission: On May 24 via manual from US — Scanned from US
Form analysis
0 forms found in the DOMText Content
Credit cards * Credit cards * View all credit cards Best credit cardsBest credit cardsBest bonus offer credit cardsBest balance transfer credit cardsBest travel credit cardsBest cash back credit cardsBest 0% APR credit cardsBest rewards credit cardsBest airline credit cardsBest college student credit cardsBest credit cards for groceries Compare credit cards Get a card recommendationCard recommendation guide Credit card reviews Credit card calculatorsBalance transfer savings calculatorCredit card interest rate calculator Guides and resourcesTravel rewards credit cards0% APR credit cardsCash back credit cardsBusiness credit cardsAirline credit cardsHotel credit cardsStudent credit cardsStore credit cards Resources Get your free credit score Credit card basics Applying for a credit card Choosing a credit card Managing credit card debt Credit card resources Banking * Banking * Banking guide Savings accountsSavings account guideBest savings accountsBest high-yield savings accountsSavings accounts alternativesSavings calculator CDsCD guideBest CD ratesBest 3 month CD ratesBest 6 month CD ratesBest 1 year CD ratesBest 3 year CD ratesBest 5 year CD ratesCD calculator Checking accountsChecking account guideBest checking accountsBest free checking accountsBest online check accountsChecking account alternatives Payments and transfers NerdWallet's banking picksBest bank bonuses and promotionsBest money market accountsBest credit unions Bank reviews Banking calculatorsCompound interest calculatorEmergency fund calculator Home * Home Mortgage ratesToday's mortgage rates30 year mortgage rates5-year ARM rates3-year ARM ratesFHA mortgage ratesVA mortgage ratesBest mortgage lenders Best mortgage lendersMortgage guideBest mortgage lendersBest lenders for FHA loansBest lenders for low- and no-down-paymentBest VA mortgage lenders Refinance and HELOCRefinancing and equity guideToday's refinance ratesBest refinance lenders30-year fixed refinance rates15-year fixed refinance ratesBest cash-out refinance lendersBest HELOC Lenders Buying a homeView our home buying hubGet pre-approved for a mortgageHome affordabilityFirst-time homebuyers guideDown paymentRent vs buy calculatorHow much can I borrow mortgage calculatorInspections and appraisalsMortgage lender reviews HomeownershipHomeownership guideManaging a mortgageRefinancing and equityHome improvementHome valueHome insurance Selling a home Home calculatorsMortgage calculatorDown payment calculatorHow much house can I afford calculatorClosing costs calculatorCost of living calculatorMortgage amortization calculatorRefinance calculator First-time homebuyer's guide Loans * Loans * Loans guide Personal loansPersonal loans guideGetting a personal loanLoans for bad creditManaging a personal loanPersonal loan reviewsCompare top lendersPre-qualify for a personal loanPersonal loan calculator Types of personal loans Debt consolidation loans Best personal loans High interest loan alternatives Best quick cash loans Best emergency loans Best home improvement loans Cash advances and overdraft protection Student loansStudent loans guidePaying for collegeFAFSA and federal student aidPaying for career trainingPaying for graduate schoolBest private student loansRepaying student debtRefinancing student debt NerdWallet's student loan calculators Student loan calculator Student loan refinance calculator Student loan payoff calculator Auto loansAuto loans guideBest auto loans for good and bad creditBest auto loans refinance loansBest lease buyout loans Auto loan calculators Auto loan calculator Auto loans refinance calculator Total car cost calculator Insurance * Insurance * Insurance guide Auto insuranceAuto insurance guideAuto insurance ratesBest auto insurance companiesCheapest auto insurancePolicies and coverageAuto insurance reviews Auto insurance calculators Auto insurance calculator Total auto cost calculator Life insuranceLife insurance guideLife insurance ratesLife insurance policies and coverageLife insurance quotesLife insurance reviewsBest life insurance companiesLife insurance calculator Home insuranceHomeowners insurance guideHome insurance ratesHome insurance quotesBest home insurance companiesHome insurance policies and coverageHome insurance calculatorHome insurance reviews Medicare Renters insurance Pet insurancePet insurance guideBest pet insurance Personal finance * Personal finance * View all personal finance Tracking creditGet your free credit scoreYour credit reportUnderstanding your credit scoreUsing your creditImproving your creditProtecting your credit Managing moneyMoney Management tipsSaving moneyHandling bills and expensesShoppingShopping rewardsFinancial healthSavings goal calculatorNet worth calculator NerdWallet's budgeting basics Budgeting Free budget worksheet How to budget The best budget apps Budget calculator Cost of living calculator Making moneyGig workMaking money online Managing debtPaying debtDealing with debt collectionDebt relief TravelView all travelBest travel credit cardsReward optimizationTravel insurance Investing * Investing Best investment accountsBest IRA accountsBest online brokers for tradingBest online brokers for beginnersBest robo-advisorsBest options trading brokers and platformsBest trading platforms for day trading Explore investments and accountsView all investmentsStocksFundsBondsReal estate and alternative investmentsCryptocurrencyEmployee equityBrokerage accounts529 college savings plansInvestment account reviewsCompare online brokerages RetirementRetirement planningSocial Security401(k)s401(k) savings calculatorRoth and traditional IRAsRoth IRA calculator Planning and strategyPlanning and strategyBest investments right nowEstate planningFinancial planning Investing and retirement calculatorsRetirement calculator401(k) savings calculatorRoth IRA calculatorInvestment return calculatorSocial Security benefits calculator Small business * Small business * Small business guide Funding your businessSmall-business loansSBA loansBusiness credit cardsBusiness grants Managing business financesBusiness bank accountsAccountingPayroll & HRBusiness taxes Running your businessPayment processingE-commerceMarketingBusiness insuranceBusiness legal General business tipsStarting a businessBusiness ideasEntrepreneurship Taxes * Taxes * View all taxes Tax strategy and planning Tax preparation and filingView all tax preparation and filingTax credits and deductionsTax formsTax software and productsTax preparation basicsNerdWallet tax filing Tax brackets and rates Solving tax issues Federal income tax calculator Skip to contentNerdWallet Home Page * Credit cards * Best credit cards * Compare credit cards * Get a card recommendation * Credit card reviews * Credit card calculators * Guides and resources * View all credit cards * Best credit cards * Best bonus offer credit cards * Best balance transfer credit cards * Best travel credit cards * Best cash back credit cards * Best 0% APR credit cards * Best rewards credit cards * Best airline credit cards * Best college student credit cards * Best credit cards for groceries * Card recommendation guide * Balance transfer savings calculator * Credit card interest rate calculator * Travel rewards credit cards * 0% APR credit cards * Cash back credit cards * Business credit cards * Airline credit cards * Hotel credit cards * Student credit cards * Store credit cards Resources * Get your free credit score * Credit card basics * Applying for a credit card * Choosing a credit card * Managing credit card debt * Credit card resources * Banking * Savings accounts * CDs * Checking accounts * Payments and transfers * NerdWallet's banking picks * Bank reviews * Banking calculators * Banking guide * Best savings accounts * Best high-yield savings accounts * Savings accounts alternatives * Savings calculator * Savings account guide * Best CD rates * Best 3 month CD rates * Best 6 month CD rates * Best 1 year CD rates * Best 3 year CD rates * Best 5 year CD rates * CD calculator * CD guide * Best checking accounts * Best free checking accounts * Best online check accounts * Checking account alternatives * Checking account guide * Best bank bonuses and promotions * Best money market accounts * Best credit unions * Compound interest calculator * Emergency fund calculator * Home * Mortgage rates * Best mortgage lenders * Refinance and HELOC * Buying a home * Homeownership * Selling a home * Home calculators * First-time homebuyer's guide * Today's mortgage rates * 30 year mortgage rates * 5-year ARM rates * 3-year ARM rates * FHA mortgage rates * VA mortgage rates * Best mortgage lenders * Best mortgage lenders * Best lenders for FHA loans * Best lenders for low- and no-down-payment * Best VA mortgage lenders * Mortgage guide * Today's refinance rates * Best refinance lenders * 30-year fixed refinance rates * 15-year fixed refinance rates * Best cash-out refinance lenders * Best HELOC Lenders * Refinancing and equity guide * Get pre-approved for a mortgage * Home affordability * First-time homebuyers guide * Down payment * Rent vs buy calculator * How much can I borrow mortgage calculator * Inspections and appraisals * Mortgage lender reviews * View our home buying hub * Managing a mortgage * Refinancing and equity * Home improvement * Home value * Home insurance * Homeownership guide * Mortgage calculator * Down payment calculator * How much house can I afford calculator * Closing costs calculator * Cost of living calculator * Mortgage amortization calculator * Refinance calculator * Loans * Personal loans * Student loans * Auto loans * Loans guide * Getting a personal loan * Loans for bad credit * Managing a personal loan * Personal loan reviews * Compare top lenders * Pre-qualify for a personal loan * Personal loan calculator * Personal loans guide * Paying for college * FAFSA and federal student aid * Paying for career training * Paying for graduate school * Best private student loans * Repaying student debt * Refinancing student debt * Student loans guide * Best auto loans for good and bad credit * Best auto loans refinance loans * Best lease buyout loans * Auto loans guide Types of personal loans * Debt consolidation loans * Best personal loans * High interest loan alternatives * Best quick cash loans * Best emergency loans * Best home improvement loans * Cash advances and overdraft protection NerdWallet's student loan calculators * Student loan calculator * Student loan refinance calculator * Student loan payoff calculator Auto loan calculators * Auto loan calculator * Auto loans refinance calculator * Total car cost calculator * Insurance * Auto insurance * Life insurance * Home insurance * Medicare * Renters insurance * Pet insurance * Insurance guide * Auto insurance rates * Best auto insurance companies * Cheapest auto insurance * Policies and coverage * Auto insurance reviews * Auto insurance guide * Life insurance rates * Life insurance policies and coverage * Life insurance quotes * Life insurance reviews * Best life insurance companies * Life insurance calculator * Life insurance guide * Home insurance rates * Home insurance quotes * Best home insurance companies * Home insurance policies and coverage * Home insurance calculator * Home insurance reviews * Homeowners insurance guide * Best pet insurance * Pet insurance guide Auto insurance calculators * Auto insurance calculator * Total auto cost calculator * Personal finance * Tracking credit * Managing money * Making money * Managing debt * Travel * View all personal finance * Get your free credit score * Your credit report * Understanding your credit score * Using your credit * Improving your credit * Protecting your credit * Saving money * Handling bills and expenses * Shopping * Shopping rewards * Financial health * Savings goal calculator * Net worth calculator * Money Management tips * Gig work * Making money online * Paying debt * Dealing with debt collection * Debt relief * Best travel credit cards * Reward optimization * Travel insurance * View all travel NerdWallet's budgeting basics * Budgeting * Free budget worksheet * How to budget * The best budget apps * Budget calculator * Cost of living calculator * Investing * Best investment accounts * Explore investments and accounts * Retirement * Planning and strategy * Investing and retirement calculators * Best IRA accounts * Best online brokers for trading * Best online brokers for beginners * Best robo-advisors * Best options trading brokers and platforms * Best trading platforms for day trading * Stocks * Funds * Bonds * Real estate and alternative investments * Cryptocurrency * Employee equity * Brokerage accounts * 529 college savings plans * Investment account reviews * Compare online brokerages * View all investments * Retirement planning * Social Security * 401(k)s * 401(k) savings calculator * Roth and traditional IRAs * Roth IRA calculator * Best investments right now * Estate planning * Financial planning * Planning and strategy * Retirement calculator * 401(k) savings calculator * Roth IRA calculator * Investment return calculator * Social Security benefits calculator * Small business * Funding your business * Managing business finances * Running your business * General business tips * Small business guide * Small-business loans * SBA loans * Business credit cards * Business grants * Business bank accounts * Accounting * Payroll & HR * Business taxes * Payment processing * E-commerce * Marketing * Business insurance * Business legal * Starting a business * Business ideas * Entrepreneurship * Taxes * Tax strategy and planning * Tax preparation and filing * Tax brackets and rates * Solving tax issues * Federal income tax calculator * View all taxes * Tax credits and deductions * Tax forms * Tax software and products * Tax preparation basics * NerdWallet tax filing * View all tax preparation and filing Simple tax filing with a $50 flat fee for every scenario Hassle-free tax filing powered by Column Tax is $50 for all tax situations - no hidden costs or fees. Access is included with a NerdWallet account. REGISTER NOW for a NerdWallet account Sign in Sign up Join Investing Investing Best Crypto Exchanges, Apps & Platforms of May 2024 0 offers selected Reset Compare 0 Advertiser disclosure YOU’RE OUR FIRST PRIORITY. EVERY TIME. NerdWallet, Inc. is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. Its articles, interactive tools and other content are provided to you for free, as self-help tools and for informational purposes only. They are not intended to provide investment advice. NerdWallet does not and cannot guarantee the accuracy or applicability of any information in regard to your individual circumstances. Examples are hypothetical, and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific investment issues. Our estimates are based on past market performance, and past performance is not a guarantee of future performance. We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with confidence. And while our site doesn’t feature every company or financial product available on the market, we’re proud that the guidance we offer, the information we provide and the tools we create are objective, independent, straightforward — and free. So how do we make money? Our partners compensate us. This may influence which products we review and write about (and where those products appear on the site), but it in no way affects our recommendations or advice, which are grounded in thousands of hours of research. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services. Here is a list of our partners. BEST OF 9 BEST CRYPTO EXCHANGES, APPS & PLATFORMS OF MAY 2024 Looking to buy and sell cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin? You likely want a crypto exchange. The list below includes our picks for the best crypto exchanges, online brokers and platforms to trade crypto. By Andy Rosen Andy Rosen Lead Writer/Spokesperson | Cryptocurrency, investing, alternative assets, taxes Andy Rosen is a former NerdWallet writer who covered taxes, cryptocurrency investing and alternative assets. He has more than 15 years of experience as a reporter and editor covering business, government, law enforcement and the intersection between money and ideas. In these roles, Andy has seen cryptocurrency develop from an experimental dark-web technology into an accepted part of the global financial system. He is based in Boston. Learn More May 10, 2024 Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The investing information provided on this page is for educational purposes only. NerdWallet, Inc. does not offer advisory or brokerage services, nor does it recommend or advise investors to buy or sell particular stocks, securities or other investments. Choosing a cryptocurrency exchange is often the first step investors take when exploring the word of digital assets. While there are many ways to exchange cryptocurrencies for one another, centralized crypto exchanges provide a relatively easy way to convert cash into coins and tokens. There are many exchanges to choose from — some with a longer track record than others. When comparing exchanges, investors can look at fees, cryptocurrency selection, advanced trading options and customer service offerings. But it's also important to keep in mind some caveats. Though some stock brokers also offer crypto exchanges, crypto trading is not subject to the same investor protections you get when working with traditional investments. U.S. Securities Investor Protection Corp. insurance doesn't apply to cryptocurrency, so if your exchange fails (as FTX did in the fall of 2022), you could lose your investment. For this reason, some users prefer not to store assets on exchanges unless they're actively trading. You can use your own crypto wallet in many cases to store, trade and carry out transactions using cryptocurrency. WHICH CRYPTOCURRENCIES ARE AVAILABLE AT WHICH BROKERS? If you're looking to trade a specific cryptocurrency, you'll want to confirm it's available through the platform you're interested in. And, the number of coins on offer can vary widely, from just two (in the case of Fidelity Crypto) to more than 250 (in the case of Crypto.com). Generally speaking, if you're looking for anything more than Bitcoin, Litecoin and Ethereum, you should probably consider a pure-play crypto exchange rather than a traditional broker with a crypto offering. This becomes clear when comparing the number of cryptocurrencies available at pure-play crypto platforms and traditional brokers below. CRYPTO PLATFORM AND NUMBER OF CRYPTOCURRENCIES AVAILABLE * Crypto.com: 250+ * Coinbase: 245 * Kraken: 230+ * Binance.US: 150+ * Gemini: 80+ * eToro: 25 * Robinhood Crypto: 15 * Webull Pay: 8 * Interactive Brokers: 4 * Fidelity Crypto: 2 Choosing a cryptocurrency exchange is often the first step investors take when exploring the word of digital assets. While there are many ways to exchange cryptocurrencies for one another, centralized crypto exchanges provide a relatively easy way to convert cash into coins and tokens. There are many exchanges to choose from — some with a longer track record than others. When comparing exchanges, investors can look at fees, cryptocurrency selection, advanced trading options and customer service offerings. But it's also important to keep in mind some caveats. Though some stock brokers also offer crypto exchanges, crypto trading is not subject to the same investor protections you get when working with traditional investments. U.S. Securities Investor Protection Corp. insurance doesn't apply to cryptocurrency, so if your exchange fails (as FTX did in the fall of 2022), you could lose your investment. For this reason, some users prefer not to store assets on exchanges unless they're actively trading. You can use your own crypto wallet in many cases to store, trade and carry out transactions using cryptocurrency. WHICH CRYPTOCURRENCIES ARE AVAILABLE AT WHICH BROKERS? If you're looking to trade a specific cryptocurrency, you'll want to confirm it's available through the platform you're interested in. And, the number of coins on offer can vary widely, from just two (in the case of Fidelity Crypto) to more than 250 (in the case of Crypto.com). Generally speaking, if you're looking for anything more than Bitcoin, Litecoin and Ethereum, you should probably consider a pure-play crypto exchange rather than a traditional broker with a crypto offering. This becomes clear when comparing the number of cryptocurrencies available at pure-play crypto platforms and traditional brokers below. CRYPTO PLATFORM AND NUMBER OF CRYPTOCURRENCIES AVAILABLE * Crypto.com: 250+ * Coinbase: 245 * Kraken: 230+ * Binance.US: 150+ * Gemini: 80+ * eToro: 25 * Robinhood Crypto: 15 * Webull Pay: 8 * Interactive Brokers: 4 * Fidelity Crypto: 2 Show More BEST CRYPTO EXCHANGES, APPS & PLATFORMS BrokerNerdWallet rating NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each financial product and service. FeesAccount minimumPromotionLearn more Coinbase Learn more on Coinbase's website 4.8 /5 Best for beginner crypto trading 0% - 3.99% varies by type of transaction; other fees may apply $0 Get $200 in crypto when you sign up. Terms Apply. Learn more on Coinbase's website Robinhood Crypto Learn more on Robinhood's website 3.9 /5 Best for traditional brokers $0 per trade $0 None no promotion available at this time Learn more on Robinhood's website Gemini Read review 4.6 /5 0.5% - 3.49% depending on payment method and platform $0 $20 of BTC for new users after trading $100 or more within 30 days Read review Binance.US Read review 3.7 /5 0%-0.6% depending on payment method $0 None no promotion available at this time Read review Webull Pay Read review 3.5 /5 1% spread $0 None no promotion available at this time Read review View More Our pick for beginner crypto trading Coinbase has been at the forefront of cryptocurrency trading since it was founded in 2012, paving the way for beginners who had previously been skeptical of decentralized wallets and how to use them. And that ethos continues to this day — Coinbase is consistently one of the most user-friendly crypto apps we review, even when using its more advanced trading features. This makes it a strong choice for beginners looking for an onramp into the world of crypto. Add to Compare COINBASE NerdWallet rating NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula for online brokers and robo-advisors takes into account over 15 factors, including account fees and minimums, investment choices, customer support and mobile app capabilities. 4.8 /5 Learn more on Coinbase's website Fees 0% - 3.99% varies by type of transaction; other fees may apply Account minimum $0 Promotion Get $200 in crypto when you sign up. Terms Apply. Our Take Pros * Offers access to more than 200 cryptocurrencies. * Low minimum to fund account. * Quick crypto withdrawals. Cons * Higher fees than other cryptocurrency exchanges. Why We Like It Coinbase is the largest U.S.-based cryptocurrency exchange, trading more than 200 cryptocurrencies. Its fees, however, can be confusing and higher than some competitors. Our pick for traditional brokers When Robinhood initially launched its crypto trading product, it was barebones and lacked many features central to crypto trading, such as the ability to send and receive coins. But over time, Robinhood has improved the offering, bringing its incredibly easy stock user interface to crypto markets. While it still can't compete with the pure-play crypto platforms on this list, Robinhood Crypto is a solid choice for those looking for an app that features crypto and stocks all in one. Add to Compare ROBINHOOD CRYPTO NerdWallet rating NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula for online brokers and robo-advisors takes into account over 15 factors, including account fees and minimums, investment choices, customer support and mobile app capabilities. 3.9 /5 Learn more on Robinhood's website Fees $0 per trade Account minimum $0 Promotion None no promotion available at this time Our Take Pros * No fees for crypto trades. * Convenient if you already have a Robinhood brokerage account. Cons * Comparatively fewer cryptocurrencies offered. * No crypto-to-crypto trading. Why We Like It Robinhood brings its no-fee ethos to cryptocurrency trading, but currently offers fewer cryptocurrencies compared to pure-play crypto platforms. Our pick for overall experience Crypto.com rose to the top of the ranks thanks to its huge selection of digital assets, low fees, DeFi companion app, earnings and rewards program and slick user experience. For more advanced traders, the platform offers trading in crypto derivatives, as well as customizable alerts and watchlists. Beginners will find plenty of explanations and tool tips along the way. Add to Compare CRYPTO.COM NerdWallet rating NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula for online brokers and robo-advisors takes into account over 15 factors, including account fees and minimums, investment choices, customer support and mobile app capabilities. 5.0 /5 Read review Fees 0%-2.99% Varies by type of transaction; other fees may apply Account minimum $0 Promotion None no promotion available at this time Our Take Pros * Large selection of crypto assets and trading pairs. * Fees are low if you fund your account with cash transfers. * Straightforward staking program. Cons * Some services not offered in the U.S. * High fees to withdrawal cryptocurrency. Why We Like It Crypto.com offers a massive selection of digital assets, low or no fees, and additional perks for holders of its CRO cryptocurrency. Want to compare more options? Here are our other top picks: * Gemini * Binance.US * Webull Pay * Kraken * Fidelity Crypto * Interactive Brokers Crypto COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT CRYPTOCURRENCY EXCHANGES WHAT IS A CRYPTO EXCHANGE? A crypto exchange is, very basically, a place where you can purchase a cryptocurrency using either cash or another kind of digital asset. This roundup primarily discusses a type of crypto exchange known as a centralized exchange. A centralized exchange is a marketplace operated by a business entity that buys, sells and facilitates transactions in cryptocurrency. If you're new to cryptocurrency, or if you just need to convert fiat currency into crypto, you'll likely be using a centralized exchange. Another way to get crypto is through what is known as a decentralized exchange. These are largely automated, blockchain-based programs that allow users to swap certain kinds of cryptocurrency for one another. While these can have lower transaction costs, they also require more technical expertise. And if you don't already have cryptocurrency, your options are limited. WHAT SERVICES DO CRYPTO EXCHANGES OFFER? Aside from their primary role at the center of crypto sales and purchases, exchanges have added a handful of other offerings. Among those are services that pay rewards to people who lend out their crypto. Many crypto exchanges will hold your crypto for you if you don't want to set up a wallet that you control by yourself. It's important to note that some crypto exchanges have had issues with these secondary services. For instance, some have had to freeze withdrawals from their rewards programs amid liquidity issues. And storing crypto in an exchange's wallet can leave you vulnerable to losses if an exchange fails or suffers a cyberattack. HOW MUCH MONEY DO I NEED TO USE A CRYPTO EXCHANGE? If you're just thinking about dabbling in crypto, it's good to remember that you don't have to put your life's savings on the line to get a sense of how it works. Crypto exchanges reviewed by NerdWallet generally have no account minimums, which means you're free to create an account and look around without spending a dime. And if you decide to buy some crypto, you don't have to buy a lot. Many exchanges have a minimum purchase of around a dollar. HOW IS INVESTING IN CRYPTO DIFFERENT FROM INVESTING IN STOCKS? Trading cryptocurrencies is different from traditional investing in several ways. A few examples: * Compared to traditional investing, which has seen fees steadily decline in recent years, trading in cryptocurrencies costs much more. For example, depending on the method of payment, you could pay 5% or more in fees when trading Bitcoin. Most online brokers no longer charge a commission to trade stocks. * Crypto is still a relatively new and burgeoning industry, and customer service has lagged behind what's available at traditional brokerages. Want to speak to a person concerning questions or account issues at crypto exchange? Many pure crypto exchanges don't offer that service. * You have more responsibility for protecting your crypto from theft with cryptocurrency exchanges, especially if you use your own digital wallet. While exchanges protect you from losses due to site-wide hacks, you won’t be protected from individual attacks on your account — for example, a phishing email attack in which you unwittingly reveal your passwords to cybercriminals. Last updated on May 10, 2024 METHODOLOGY How do we review cryptocurrency platforms? NerdWallet’s comprehensive review process evaluates and ranks platforms and companies that allow U.S. customers to buy and/or sell cryptocurrency. Our aim is to provide an independent assessment of providers to help arm you with information to make sound, informed judgements on which ones will best meet your needs. We adhere to strict guidelines for editorial integrity. We collect data directly from providers through detailed questionnaires, and conduct first-hand testing and observation through provider demonstrations. The questionnaire answers, combined with demonstrations, interviews of personnel at the providers and our specialists’ hands-on research, fuel our proprietary assessment process that scores each provider’s performance across more than 20 factors. The final output produces star ratings from poor (one star) to excellent (five stars). For more details about the categories considered when rating brokers and our process, read our full methodology. To recap our selections... NERDWALLET'S BEST CRYPTO EXCHANGES, APPS & PLATFORMS OF MAY 2024 * Coinbase: Best for beginner crypto trading * Robinhood Crypto: Best for traditional brokers * Gemini * Binance.US * Webull Pay * Kraken * Crypto.com: Best for overall experience * Fidelity Crypto * Interactive Brokers Crypto ABOUT THE AUTHOR ANDY ROSEN Andy Rosen is a former NerdWallet writer focused on cryptocurrency and alternative investments. He has more than 15 years of journalism experience as a reporter and editor at organizations including The Boston Globe and The Baltimore Sun. Read more Twitter Email LinkedIn NerdWallet Home Page Finance Smarter BankingCheckingSavingsPrepaid Debit CardsMoney TransferCDsBanking News Credit CardsCredit Card BasicsStudent Credit CardsCash Back Credit CardsAirline Credit CardsLow Interest and No Fee Credit Cards Financial PlanningPaying off debtCollege SavingsMaking MoneyCredit Score Financial News InsuranceAuto InsuranceHomeowners InsuranceLife InsuranceMedicareRenters InsurancePet Insurance InvestingRetirement PlanningRoth IRAEstate PlanningBrokers401k LoansAuto LoansStudent Loans MortgagesMortgage RatesMortgage ProcessHomeownershipHomeownership CostsSelling Your HomeHome AffordabilityProperty Taxes Small BusinessRunning Your BusinessSmall-Business LoansBusiness Credit CardsSmall-Business TaxesStarting a Business TaxesIncome TaxesInvestment TaxesPersonal Taxes TravelVacations & Trip PlanningReward OptimizationsRental CarsTravel Insurance Banking Explore Banking Checking Savings Prepaid Debit Cards Money Transfer CDs Banking News Credit Cards Explore Credit Cards Credit Card Basics Student Credit Cards Cash Back Credit Cards Airline Credit Cards Low Interest and No Fee Credit Cards Financial Planning Explore Financial Planning Paying off debt College Savings Making Money Credit Score Financial News Explore Financial News Insurance Explore Insurance Auto Insurance Homeowners Insurance Life Insurance Medicare Renters Insurance Pet Insurance Investing Explore Investing Retirement Planning Roth IRA Estate Planning Brokers 401k Loans Explore Loans Auto Loans Student Loans Mortgages Explore Mortgages Mortgage Rates Mortgage Process Homeownership Homeownership Costs Selling Your Home Home Affordability Property Taxes Small Business Explore Small Business Running Your Business Small-Business Loans Business Credit Cards Small-Business Taxes Starting a Business Taxes Explore Taxes Income Taxes Investment Taxes Personal Taxes Travel Explore Travel Vacations & Trip Planning Reward Optimizations Rental Cars Travel Insurance about Company Leadership Careers Corporate impact Diversity & Inclusion Editorial guidelines Star rating methodologies Editorial team News Press kit Investors help Help center Support team Community Security FAQs legal Terms of use Supplier Code of Conduct Privacy policy California privacy policy Privacy preferences Do not sell or share my personal information Learn more about the app Download the app Disclaimer: NerdWallet strives to keep its information accurate and up to date. This information may be different than what you see when you visit a financial institution, service provider or specific product’s site. All financial products, shopping products and services are presented without warranty. When evaluating offers, please review the financial institution’s Terms and Conditions. Pre-qualified offers are not binding. If you find discrepancies with your credit score or information from your credit report, please contact TransUnion® directly. NerdUp by NerdWallet credit card: NerdWallet is not a bank. Bank services provided by Evolve Bank & Trust, member FDIC. The NerdUp by NerdWallet Credit Card is issued by Evolve Bank & Trust pursuant to a license from MasterCard International Inc. Impact on your credit may vary, as credit scores are independently determined by credit bureaus based on a number of factors including the financial decisions you make with other financial services organizations. NerdWallet Compare, Inc. NMLS ID# 1617539 NMLS Consumer Access|Licenses and Disclosures California: California Finance Lender loans arranged pursuant to Department of Financial Protection and Innovation Finance Lenders License #60DBO-74812 Insurance Services offered through NerdWallet Insurance Services, Inc. (CA resident license no.OK92033) Insurance Licenses NerdWallet™ | 55 Hawthorne St. - 10th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105 NerdWallet USA | NerdWallet UK | NerdWallet CA | NerdWallet AU NerdWallet CA|NerdWallet AU © 2024 NerdWallet, Inc. All Rights Reserved. * * * * * PREFERENCES View privacy policy STRICTLY NECESSARY COOKIES Always Active These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. They are usually only set in response to actions made by you which amount to a request for services, such as setting your privacy preferences, logging in or filling in forms. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable information. TARGETING COOKIES Always Active These cookies may be set through our site by our advertising partners. They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant adverts on other sites. They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising. PERFORMANCE COOKIES Always Active These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. If you do not allow these cookies we will not know when you have visited our site, and will not be able to monitor its performance. FUNCTIONAL COOKIES Always Active These cookies enable the website to provide enhanced functionality and personalisation. They may be set by us or by third party providers whose services we have added to our pages. If you do not allow these cookies then some or all of these services may not function properly. Back Button COOKIE LIST Search Icon Filter Icon Clear checkbox label label Apply Cancel Consent Leg.Interest checkbox label label checkbox label label checkbox label label Save