A Crypto exchange is the digital market place for users to buy and sell crypto coins exchanging with fiat money. It acts as a middleman matching buyers and sellers, holding the currency in wallets. Binance is for volume, Coinbase is for volume and user friendly and Kraken is for low fees.
Major global Crypto exchanges in 2026
These are the major crypto exchanges in 2026:
- Binance – largest by trading volume
- Coinbase – popular and beginner-friendly
- Kraken – strong on security
- Bitget – advanced trading tools
- Bybit – popular for derivatives
- KuCoin – wide range of altcoins
- Bitstamp – one of the oldest exchanges
Binance is launched in 2017 by Changpeng Zhao and Yi He. CZ, a Chinese-Canadian engineer and early crypto builder, leveraged his background at Bloomberg and Blockchain.com to scale Binance into a global trading powerhouse. Binance is the best cryptocurrency exchange and its Secure, low fees, trusted by millions of users worldwide.
Coinbase was founded in 2012 by Brian Armstrong, a former Airbnb software engineer, and Fred Ehrsam, a former Goldman Sachs trader with deep roots in the early crypto ecosystem. Coinbase Exchange is a major U.S.-based digital asset platform that has influenced the global crypto market by providing a secured environment to buy, sell, trade, and store cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum, making it one of the best apps for both beginners and advanced traders.
Kraken, a major U.S.-based crypto exchange established in 2011, has influenced the evolution of digital asset trading by delivering a secured platform with low fees and a wide range of services, including spot, margin, and futures trading, positioning it as a best app for professional and institutional traders.
Bitget is founded in 2018, Bitget is a global crypto exchange and Web3 platform that has influenced modern crypto trading by offering a secured, easy-to-use experience and positioning itself as a best app for digital asset trading.
Crypto exchange towns
Some cities are known as crypto hubs, such as Dubai, Hongkong and Singapore, There is no official town called a crypto exchange town, also these are called crypto cities:
- Dubai
- Singapore
- Hong Kong
- Miami
- Zug, Switzerland (“Crypto Valley”)
How to choose crypto exchange
Choosing a crypto exchange depends on how you plan to use crypto. Here are the key factors to consider so you can pick the right platform for your needs
Security & Trust
- Strong security features (2FA, cold storage, insurance)
- History of avoiding major hacks
- Clear compliance with regulations
Fees & Cost
- Trading fees (maker/taker)
- Deposit and withdrawal fees
Ease of Use
- Beginner-friendly interface if you’re new
- Advanced tools
- Mobile app
Supported Cryptocurrencies
- Large selection of coins if you want altcoins
- Major assets (BTC, ETH) are available almost everywhere
Trading Features
- Spot Trading
- Margin and options
Liquidity & Volume
- High trading volume
- Faster trades and best prices
Regulation & Location
- Legality in your country
- supports in local currency
- ease in payment methods
Customer Support
- 24/7 support
- Good documentation
- Crypto exchange community