KuCoin is one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges in the world. The platform launched in September 2017 and has since grown into one of the top 10 exchanges globally by trading volume, processing over $1.25 trillion in trades in 2025. KuCoin offers a wide range of services including spot trading, futures trading, margin trading, lending, staking, trading bots and token launches. The platform is available on web and mobile (Android and iOS).
In this KuCoin review, you will learn everything you need to know about this exchange: features, user experience, a guide on buying and selling, security, fees and the new KuCoin EU platform for European users. Read on as we evaluate KuCoin’s position in the market.
First impression of KuCoin
KuCoin has grown from a newcomer into one of the largest exchanges worldwide with over 40 million users across 200+ countries. The platform is ranked among the top 10 exchanges on CoinMarketCap by trading volume.
KuCoin’s website is easy to navigate and offers support in 18 languages. The interface is user-friendly and accepts over 50 fiat currencies including USD, EUR, GBP and AUD. Both beginners and advanced traders will find the platform efficient, as it offers a simple Convert feature for quick trades alongside a professional trading terminal with TradingView charts.
Popularly referred to as “The People’s Exchange”, KuCoin has earned trust particularly for its wide selection of altcoins. The platform often lists new and smaller projects before they appear on larger exchanges, making it popular among traders looking for early opportunities.
Exclusive 20% trading fee discount
We have an exclusive deal for new users with KuCoin. Use referral code QBSSSP6M when registering and receive a 20% discount on all trading fees through commission sharing. This discount stacks with the KCS token discount (also 20%), bringing your effective spot fees down to just 0.064%. Here is how it works:
| Discount combination | Maker fee | Taker fee |
|---|---|---|
| Base fee (no discounts) | 0.10% | 0.10% |
| With referral code only (20% off) | 0.08% | 0.08% |
| With KCS token only (20% off) | 0.08% | 0.08% |
| With referral code + KCS (stacked) | 0.064% | 0.064% |
Key features of KuCoin
- Trade more than 1,000 cryptocurrencies with 1,200+ trading pairs.
- Over 40 million users across 200+ countries.
- Low spot trading fees: 0.10% maker / 0.10% taker (base).
- 20% discount on fees when paying with KCS tokens.
- Extra 20% off with referral code (stacks with KCS for 0.064% fees).
- Futures trading with up to 100x leverage.
- Trading bots: Grid, DCA, Martingale and more.
- Supports credit card, SEPA, Apple Pay, Google Pay and P2P trading.
- 24/7 customer support in multiple languages.
- Secure wallets with cold storage and multi-signature technology.
- KuCoin EU with MiCA licence for European users (currently restricted, see below).
Summary
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Offer | 1,000+ cryptos, 1,200+ trading pairs. |
| Fees | 0.10% maker / 0.10% taker (spot, base). 20% off with KCS. Extra 20% off with referral code. |
| Payment methods | SEPA, credit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, P2P and crypto. |
| Staking | Yes, via KuCoin Earn (flexible and fixed terms). |
| Built-in wallets | Yes, for all cryptos. |
| Insurance | Proof of Reserves published. SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001 certified. |
| Bonuses | 20% fee discount with referral code + welcome rewards via Task Center. |
| Registration | Required (KYC mandatory). |
| API | Yes, automatic trading is possible. |
| Regulation | KuCoin EU: MiCA licence (Austria, Nov 2025). Currently restricted by FMA. |
| Support | 24/7. |
| Email address | support@kucoin.com. |
KuCoin Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Â Huge selection: 1,000+ cryptos | Â KuCoin EU currently restricted by Austrian regulator |
| Â Low fees: 0.10% (0.064% with KCS + referral) | Â Was hacked in 2020 (funds recovered) |
| Â Futures, bots, margin and copy trading | Â Lower liquidity than Binance or Bybit on major pairs |
| Â Earn interest on your holdings | Â Complex platform for beginners |
KuCoin offer
KuCoin offers more than 1,000 cryptocurrencies with over 1,200 trading pairs. This includes all major coins such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana and Litecoin, but also a large selection of smaller altcoins and newly launched tokens. KuCoin is known for listing projects early, often before they appear on larger exchanges.
The exchange has its own native token:Â KuCoin Shares (KCS). Holders receive a 20% discount on trading fees and earn daily dividends from the exchange’s trading fee profits. This is based on the amount of KCS you hold.
Beyond spot trading, KuCoin offers:
- Futures trading with up to 100x leverage on 200+ contracts.
- Margin trading with up to 10x leverage on spot.
- Trading bots (Grid Bot, DCA Bot, Martingale Bot and more) for automated strategies.
- KuCoin Earn for staking and flexible/fixed-term deposits.
- KuCoin Convert for instant, fee-free swaps (spread-based pricing).
- P2P trading with zero maker/taker fees.
KuCoin EU: European platform
KuCoin launched a dedicated European entity, KuCoin EU Exchange GmbH, based in Vienna, Austria. The platform received a MiCA licence from Austria’s Financial Market Authority (FMA) on November 27, 2025, allowing it to offer regulated services across 29 European Economic Area (EEA) countries.
KuCoin EU was designed as a separate platform for European users with spot trading, euro deposits and withdrawals, and local customer support. The entity is led by managing director Sabina Liu, a former London Stock Exchange Group executive.
Important: as of February 19, 2026, the Austrian FMA has prohibited KuCoin EU from onboarding new customers or launching new products. The regulator found that key compliance staff responsible for anti-money laundering (AML) and sanctions oversight had departed, leaving these mandatory roles unfilled. Trading and deposit services on KuCoin EU had already been suspended since February 4, 2026. Existing clients can still access available services, but no new registrations are possible until the compliance positions are filled. KuCoin states this is a temporary situation and that recruitment is underway.
This is a significant development that happened less than three months after KuCoin EU received its MiCA licence. For European users looking for a regulated exchange with a proven track record, alternatives like Bybit EU (also licensed under MiCA from Austria) or OKX (MiCA licence from Malta) are currently more reliable options.
Guide how to trade on KuCoin
To start trading on KuCoin, you first need to create an account and deposit funds. KYC verification is now mandatory for all users.
Deposit fiat or crypto
KuCoin supports multiple ways to deposit:
If you already own crypto, you can transfer it to KuCoin:
- Log in to your KuCoin account.
- Go to Assets and click on Main Account (Deposit & Withdraw).
- Search the crypto you want to deposit and click Deposit.
- A deposit address will be generated for you.
- Send your crypto to this address from your wallet or other exchange.
To buy crypto with fiat: KuCoin supports SEPA bank transfer, credit/debit card (Visa, Mastercard), Apple Pay and Google Pay. Euro withdrawals have a flat fee of €1. You can also use P2P trading to buy crypto directly from other users with various payment methods.
How to place a buy order
- Log in to your KuCoin account.
- Click on Trade and then Spot.
- Search for the trading pair you want (e.g. BTC/USDT or ETH/EUR).
- Choose between a Limit order (executed at your set price) or Market order (executed immediately at current price).
- Enter the amount and review the order details.
- Click Buy to place the order.
For beginners:Â KuCoin Convert offers a simpler alternative. Just select the crypto you want to buy, enter the amount, and click one button. There are no direct fees, though the price includes a small spread.
How to place a sell order
In the previous guide we bought Ethereum with our deposited Bitcoin. Now we’re going to sell our Ethereum and buy back the Bitcoin.
To sell, you will have to enter the trading markets by clicking on the Spot option. You can enter different markets (BTC, KCS, USD, ALTS, DeFi, NFT, Polkadot) depending on which tab you click on and proceed as follows:
- If you wish to use Ethereum to buy your Bitcoin back, click on the BTC tab and use the search bar button to search ETH. Click on it and enter the trade interface.
- Before proceeding, you will have to provide your trading password for obvious security reasons.
- Select your order type
- Click Sell ETH to place the order.
You successfully sold your Ethereum back for BTC.Â
Verifications and Limits
KYC verification is now mandatory for all KuCoin users. This is a change from the early days when KuCoin allowed anonymous trading. All users must verify their identity to trade, deposit and withdraw.
You need to submit a photo of your ID and a selfie. Once verified, you can enjoy higher withdrawal limits and full access to all features including fiat deposits and withdrawals.
KuCoin fees and other costs
KuCoin uses a maker/taker fee model based on tiers. The base spot trading fees are 0.10% for both makers and takers, which is competitive compared to the industry average. Fees decrease as your 30-day trading volume increases.
| Level | 30D Volume or KCS Holdings | Maker | Taker | With KCS (20% off) | With KCS + Referral |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LV 0 | < $50K or 0 KCS | 0.10% | 0.10% | 0.08% | 0.064% |
| LV 1 | $50K+ or 1,000 KCS | 0.09% | 0.10% | 0.072% / 0.08% | 0.058% / 0.064% |
| LV 2 | $200K+ or 10,000 KCS | 0.07% | 0.09% | 0.056% / 0.072% | 0.045% / 0.058% |
| LV 3 | $500K+ or 20,000 KCS | 0.06% | 0.08% | 0.048% / 0.064% | 0.038% / 0.051% |
| LV 4 | $1M+ or 30,000 KCS | 0.05% | 0.08% | 0.04% / 0.064% | 0.032% / 0.051% |
| LV 5 | $2M+ or 40,000 KCS | 0.00% | 0.07% | 0.00% / 0.056% | 0.00% / 0.045% |
How the discounts stack: The KCS token discount (20%) is applied first, reducing the base fee. Then the referral code commission sharing (20%) gives back 20% of the fee you actually pay. For a basic user at LV 0, this means: 0.10% → 0.08% (KCS) → 0.064% (referral commission back). Register with this referral code to activate the 20% discount.
Note:Â not all trading pairs have the same fees. Some tokens (Class B and C) have higher base fees of 0.20% or 0.30%. Always check the trading page for the exact fee rate.
Futures fees start at 0.02% maker and 0.06% taker, which is very competitive for derivatives trading.
Additional costs: Crypto deposits are free. Withdrawal fees vary per coin and network. Euro withdrawals cost a flat €1 via SEPA. Credit card purchases typically incur a 3-5% fee through third-party payment providers.
For comparison: Bybit also charges 0.10% maker and 0.10% taker on spot, but does not offer a stacking discount like KuCoin. With KCS + our referral code, KuCoin is actually cheaper at 0.064%. Both exchanges are significantly cheaper than Coinbase (1.49%) or the Crypto.com App (0.5-2%+ spread).
KuCoin Futures
KuCoin offers futures trading with up to 100x leverage on over 200 perpetual contracts. The futures platform supports both USDT-margined and coin-margined contracts.
Futures fees start at 0.02% maker and 0.06% taker, with reductions based on volume and KCS holdings. At higher tiers, makers can even earn rebates (negative fees).
KuCoin also offers trading bots specifically for futures, including Grid Bots and DCA Bots that can automate your trading strategies.
Please note that futures trading is only suitable for experienced traders. Leveraged trading carries significant risk and you can lose more than your initial investment.
Is KuCoin safe?
KuCoin has invested significantly in security since the 2020 hack. In September 2020, the exchange was hacked for approximately $280 million. However, KuCoin managed to recover the vast majority of funds and no customer lost money thanks to their insurance fund.
Since then, KuCoin has strengthened its security measures:
- 95%+ of all funds stored in cold storage, entirely disconnected from the internet.
- Multi-signature technology required for any withdrawal from hot wallets.
- Proof of Reserves published regularly so users can verify the exchange holds their crypto.
- SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001:2022, ISO 27701:2025 and CCSS certifications.
Regarding regulation:Â KuCoin obtained a MiCA licence for its European entity (KuCoin EU Exchange GmbH) from Austria’s FMA in November 2025. However, as noted above, the FMA has since restricted KuCoin EU’s operations due to compliance staffing gaps. The global platform (kucoin.com) continues to operate from the Seychelles.
For users who prioritise regulatory certainty, exchanges like Bybit EU and OKX currently offer more stable European operations under MiCA.
KuCoin vs Bybit: comparison
Here is how KuCoin compares to Bybit, another major exchange popular with active traders:
| Â | KuCoin | Bybit |
|---|---|---|
| Offer | 1,000+ cryptos | 1,700+ cryptos |
| Spot fees | 0.10% / 0.10% (0.064% with KCS + referral) | 0.10% / 0.10% |
| Futures fees | 0.02% maker / 0.06% taker | 0.02% maker / 0.055% taker |
| Futures leverage | Up to 100x | Up to 200x |
| Users | 40+ million | 72+ million |
| EU regulation | MiCA (Austria) – currently restricted by FMA | MiCA (Austria) – fully operational |
| Crypto Card | No | Mastercard (up to 10% cashback) |
| Trading bots | Yes (Grid, DCA, Martingale) | Yes (Grid, DCA, Arbitrage) |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Native token | KCS (20% fee discount + dividends) | No native token discount |
| Payment methods | SEPA, credit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, P2P | SEPA, Wero, credit card, P2P |
Conclusion: KuCoin and Bybit are both strong choices for active traders. With this referral code and KCS tokens combined, KuCoin actually becomes cheaper than Bybit on spot fees (0.064% vs 0.10%). KuCoin also stands out for its massive altcoin selection and the KCS dividend system. Bybit offers higher leverage (200x vs 100x), more users, a crypto Mastercard and more stable European operations under MiCA. For European users specifically, Bybit EU is currently the more reliable option given KuCoin EU’s regulatory issues.
KuCoin FAQ
What are the KuCoin fees?
KuCoin charges 0.10% for both makers and takers on spot trades (base rate). With the KCS token, you get a 20% discount, bringing fees down to 0.08%. Futures fees start at 0.02% maker and 0.06% taker. Fees decrease further with higher trading volume.
Is KuCoin Safe to use?
KuCoin was hacked in 2020 but recovered all customer funds. Since then, the platform has strengthened security significantly with cold storage, multi-signature wallets, Proof of Reserves and ISO 27001/SOC 2 certifications.
Is KuCoin Regulated?
KuCoin EU obtained a MiCA licence from Austria’s FMA in November 2025. However, the FMA restricted KuCoin EU’s operations in February 2026 due to compliance staffing gaps. The global platform operates from the Seychelles. KuCoin also holds registrations in Australia (AUSTRAC) and other jurisdictions.
Which payment methods are supported by KuCoin?
SEPA bank transfer, credit/debit card (Visa, Mastercard), Apple Pay, Google Pay, P2P trading and crypto deposits. Euro withdrawals cost a flat €1 via SEPA.
How can I contact KuCoin?
Via 24/7 live chat on the website or app, or by email at support@kucoin.com.
Can I use KuCoin in Europe?
KuCoin EU (the regulated European platform) is currently restricted by Austria’s FMA and not accepting new users as of February 2026. The global platform (kucoin.com) may still be accessible, but European users should be aware it operates outside of EU regulation. For a regulated European alternative, consider Bybit EU or OKX.
What is KCS and why should I hold it?
KuCoin Shares (KCS) is KuCoin’s native token. Holding KCS gives you a 20% discount on trading fees and daily dividends from the exchange’s trading fee profits. The more KCS you hold, the higher your VIP tier and the lower your fees.
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