6 best crypto exchanges for beginners

While investing into digital assets is growing more common, you might be understandably worried about taking your first plunge into Web3. There are plenty of examples of “beginner-friendly” centralized exchanges (CEXs), like Voyager and FTX, which were poorly managed and went bankrupt. As a first-time crypto investor, how can you know if the exchange you’re using is both approachable and secure?

In this article, we’ll introduce you to six of the best crypto exchanges for beginners. But first, let’s talk about how to evaluate the many options.

What makes a crypto exchange beginner friendly?

If you’re looking for a safe crypto exchange for beginners, you’ll need a few non-negotiable features. Consider these criteria to make your transition into the crypto world as seamless as possible:

• Regulatory compliance: A reputable CEX needs to have the required licenses to operate within a user’s jurisdiction. Make sure the CEX follows local laws, and do some research to see if there are any restrictions on the services or assets they can provide in your area.
• High security standards: Any CEX you use should follow clear safety protocols, including crypto storage facilities and features like two-factor authentication. It’s also smart to review each exchange’s track record for prior hacks, and find out whether they have 24/7 customer service and insurance policies.
• Clear UI/UX: Highly technical exchanges are great for advanced traders, but beginners should prioritize CEXs that have easy-to-navigate interfaces. Preview the dashboards on the CEX’s mobile app and desktop settings to see if they make it easy to manage your crypto portfolio. 
• Educational resources: Even if a CEX is intuitive to navigate, you’ll probably have questions. Look for plenty of FAQs and documentation, and make sure there are multiple, responsive support channels where you can get help. 
• Deposit options: All reputable CEXs offer support for linked bank accounts, but the best ones provide a variety of payment options. Look for exchanges that offer alternative deposit methods like debit cards or PayPal, but also be wary of additional transfer fees. 
• Attractive fees: Keep an eye out for CEXs that have low trading and transfer fees. At the same time, those cost savings shouldn’t come at the expense of a CEX’s security standards and compliance. 

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6 best crypto exchanges for beginners

Now, let’s look at six of the top beginner crypto trading apps.

1. Coinbase

Founded in 2012, Coinbase is the largest CEX in North America, with high daily trading volumes and millions of users. Coinbase offers a simple UI/UX, both on desktop and mobile, and provides plenty of educational resources for new traders. Although this platform tends to charge higher fees than competitors, it’s considered one of the easiest crypto exchanges to use.

In addition, Coinbase has a strong commitment to compliance. It holds accreditations to operate in over 100 countries, and as a publicly listed company, it meets high standards for transparency from the SEC. As a bonus, Coinbase offers many ways to earn and use crypto assets with products like its crypto debit card and staking rewards. 

2. Kraken

While not as big as Coinbase, Kraken remains one of the most trusted names thanks to its longevity (founded in 2011) and safety features. Traders who use Kraken can rest easy knowing their digital assets are in a cold storage facility with 24/7 armed surveillance. Kraken also issues real-time proof-of-reserves (PoRs) to show that it always has a 1:1 assets-to-liabilities ratio.

This platform’s interface is user-friendly, and it offers 24/7 customer support via phone and live chat. The buy/sell options are straightforward, so you can get started quickly. But there are also plenty of advanced features, such as staking services, to help you grow as a trader over time.

3. Gemini

Gemini is a United States-based exchange with a reputation for transparency and regulatory compliance. Since its start in 2014, the Gemini team has emphasized working with regulators to remain within the law, and it holds security certifications like SOC 1 Type 2 and SOC 2 Type 2. 

Like Coinbase, Gemini is now a publicly traded company on the NASDAQ, giving even greater transparency into its operations. Gemini’s focus on working with government officials means it’s well-regarded by institutional clients, but it tends to have fewer cryptocurrencies and higher fees than competitors. Still, it’s a great place to start thanks to an intuitive UX, and you can get access to more advanced trading features on Gemini ActiveTrader. 

4. Binance

Binance often has the highest daily trading volumes on the market, which translates to exceptional liquidity and lower odds of price slippage. Binance built its reputation as a major crypto trading hub by offering attractive fees and welcoming more altcoins and derivatives than competitors. To protect its clients, Binance provides insurance through secure asset funds and publishes its PoR reports online. 

Note that U.S. users can’t sign up for the flagship Binance exchange. Instead, Americans in select states only have access to the subsidiary Binance.US, which has a limited range of features when compared with Binance. 

5. eToro

Founded in 2007, eToro wasn’t initially a crypto trading platform, but it entered the U.S. market as a CEX in 2019. Today, U.S. customers on eToro have access to over 100 cryptocurrencies from one account, as well as stocks, ETFs, and options. As of 2025, eToro is a publicly traded company on the NASDAQ. 

One of eToro’s signature features is its Social Trading portal, where users share opinions on the markets in an Instagram-like feed. eToro also offers a “CopyTrader” service, where you can mirror the moves of a pro crypto trader for an extra fee.

This platform offers zero commissions on stocks and options, as well as a flat 1% fee on all crypto trades. Just keep in mind that eToro only offers support for its custodial eToro Crypto Wallet, and it doesn’t let users transfer their digital assets to self-custodial accounts.

6. Robinhood

Robinhood is an online brokerage that gained traction following its 2013 launch, largely thanks to its easy-to-use mobile app and zero commissions on stocks and ETFs. Starting in 2018, Robinhood added a new portal for crypto trading with assets like Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH), and it now has 35+ cryptocurrencies to buy and sell. 

While this number is lower than most competitors, Robinhood has industry-leading fees and boasts one of the simplest user interfaces. Robinhood also allows users to transfer crypto from their accounts to self-custodial wallets, and offers bonus features like in-app staking and IRA investing.

How to choose the right crypto exchange

To help you decide which platform is right for your needs, here are our recommendations:

• If you’re looking for the most simplicity and the easiest start, go with Coinbase or Robinhood.
• If you prioritize security and compliance, take a look at Kraken and Gemini.
• If you’re shopping around for the lowest fees, Binance is a good place to begin.
• If you want the option for multi-asset investing, eToro might be for you.

Start your crypto journey off right with CoinTracker 

The days of crypto as a niche field for highly technical users are long gone. Platforms like the ones above help beginners of all backgrounds learn the basics and start trading with confidence. But no matter where you buy crypto, there’s still a lot to do if you want to be successful – no platform can remove all of the challenges and work involved.

Managing your crypto assets shouldn’t be complicated. CoinTracker lets you track your entire portfolio across multiple exchanges and wallets, all in one place. Join the two million users who rely on CoinTracker for a seamless crypto experience – start free today.

Disclaimer: This post is informational only and is not intended as tax advice. For tax advice, please consult a tax professional.

FAQ

What’s the easiest crypto exchange for beginners?

CEXs like Coinbase, Gemini, and Kraken are straightforward to use and offer educational resources for new traders. If you’re planning to manage a mix of stocks and digital assets, brokerages like eToro and Robinhood are also well known for their intuitive layouts.

Which crypto exchange is safest for first-time investors?

CEXs with long histories, multiple accreditations, and transparency are generally the safest for new crypto investors. For example, Coinbase, Gemini, and Kraken all have track records for compliance, and store their cryptocurrencies in secure ways.

Do beginner crypto exchanges require ID verification?

Most reputable CEXs require users to submit personal details, in order to comply with anti-money laundering laws and “countering the financing of terrorism” policies. They’ll usually ask for a government-issued photo ID, along with your home address and full legal name.

What fees should beginners expect from crypto exchanges?

Most crypto exchanges charge trading fees or commissions – which could be variable, flat rate, or tiered – along with blockchain gas fees when you want to transfer digital assets off of the exchange. There may also be fees associated with deposits and withdrawals.