KuCoin at a glance
Affiliate disclosure: KuCoin is an affiliate partner of Investory Spot. If you open an account through our link, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. This does not change the fees you pay, and it did not influence the assessment in this review. Availability of the exchange and its products depends on your country of residence, and KuCoin does not accept customers from every jurisdiction.
KuCoin is one of the largest exchanges globally and the clearest example of what sits just below the tier-one platforms. It is big enough to offer real liquidity on major pairs and a deep derivatives market, but smaller than Binance, and the difference shows in asset coverage, liquidity depth and regulatory standing.
Where Binance lists around 600 assets, KuCoin carries close to 1,000, which keeps it relevant for tokens that have not yet made it onto the largest platforms.
Fees
On the highest-volume spot pairs, KuCoin charges 0.10% maker and 0.10% taker. The important detail is that this is the best case. Spot markets are grouped into fee classes, and lower-liquidity pairs price higher at 0.16% for class B and 0.24% for class C before any VIP discount. Users who trade a long tail of assets pay materially more than the headline rate suggests.
Perpetual futures are 0.02% maker and 0.06% taker at base level, with a settlement fee of 0.025% on delivery contracts. Paying fees in KCS reduces spot costs by about 20%. KuCoin adjusted its spot fee structure in April 2026, removing the negative maker fee mechanism that previously paid users for placing orders, and setting maker fees to zero at the top VIP tiers.
Asset coverage
KuCoin lists 1,000+ tokens with roughly 1,180 spot pairs tracked, alongside more than 500 futures contracts. CoinGecko tracks close to 1,000 assets on the platform, which keeps it ahead of most tier-two peers.
Security and regulation
KuCoin publishes proof of reserves with Merkle tree verification and supports 2FA. It has pursued licensing including MiCA authorisation in Europe and AUSTRAC registration in Australia. The platform has nonetheless suffered a significant regulatory breach, with a large balance frozen by US authorities and later partly released, and leadership and compliance leadership have changed repeatedly.
Pros
- Very large asset list for a tier-two exchange
- Deep derivatives market with competitive futures fees
- KCS token gives a meaningful spot fee discount
- Proof of reserves and AUSTRAC and MiCA registrations
Cons
- Spot fees rise to 0.24% on lower-liquidity pairs
- Negative maker fee removed in April 2026
- History of significant regulatory action and frozen funds
- Liquidity is materially shallower than Binance
Who KuCoin suits
KuCoin suits traders who need broader asset access than the tier-one platforms offer and are comfortable with more regulatory complexity in exchange for it. It works as a secondary venue for discovery and mid-tier trading. It is a poorer choice for large balances or for anyone who wants minimal regulatory friction.
Verdict
KuCoin is a capable second-tier exchange. Asset breadth and futures pricing are genuinely competitive, but the tiered spot fee structure punishes trading smaller pairs, and the regulatory history argues for keeping it from being your only venue.
Opening a KuCoin account
If KuCoin suits how you trade, you can open a KuCoin account here. Before funding the account, check which fee class your intended pairs fall into. The 0.10% rate quoted in this review applies to the highest-volume pairs, and lower-liquidity markets price at 0.16% or 0.24% before any VIP discount.
Before you commit, compare it against the other venues on our exchanges page. KuCoin is a strong fit if you need a longer asset list than the tier-one platforms offer, and a weaker one if you hold larger balances and want the most settled regulatory position.
Fee figures reflect published schedules at the time of writing and change frequently. Verify current rates on the exchange before trading. This review is for information only and is not investment advice.