Tag: Best Options

Cryptocurrency is a digital currency that you can directly buy, sell, or trade online on crypto exchange platforms. The benefit of virtual coins and tokens is that they can be circulated without supervision from a central monetary authority. The fastest growing cryptocurrencies may be the best choice for you if you’re looking to invest or trade digital assets.

While the cryptocurrency market is generally volatile, we assessed which cryptocurrencies have increased in overall value over the years. Learn which fastest growing cryptocurrency is a worthy investment for you.

Best Fastest Growing Cryptocurrency Options in 2023

• Bitcoin – Best Overall
• Ethereum – Best for Versatility
• Ripple – Best for Cross Currency Transactions
• Binance – Best for Usefulness
• Solana – Best for Speed

Key Features

Bitcoin

Ethereum

Ripple

Binance

Solana

Overall Value Growth Rate

35,965,150% increase from 2010 to 2022

167,514.4% increase from 2015 to 2022

3,167.10% increase from 2017 to 2022

175,294% increase from 2017 to 2022

5,364,900% increase from 2020 to 2022

Starting Value

$0.08 as of July 2010

$1.25 as of August 2015

$0.76 as of March 2017

$0.17 as of September 2017

$0.001 as of July 2020

Current Value (As of May 2022)

$28,772.20 as of May 19, 2022

$2,095.18 as of May 18, 2022

$24.83 as of May 10, 2022

$298.17 as of May 17, 2022

$53.65 as of May 17, 2022

Cryptocurrency Coin Supply (As of May 11, 2022)

• Current supply: 19.04 million
• Maximum supply: 21 million

• Current supply: 120.73 million
• Maximum supply: Unlimited

• Current supply: 48,343.10 million
• Maximum supply: 100,000 million

• Current supply: 163.28 million
• Maximum supply: 165.12 million

• Current supply: 336.79 million
• Maximum supply: Unlimited

Inflationary or Deflationary

Deflationary

Inflationary transitioning to deflationary

Deflationary

Deflationary

Dis-inflationary inflation schedule

Accessibility Level

Everyone can participate

Open access to all

Open to all

Accessible to everyone

Open to everybody

Platform Type

Decentralized peer-to-peer payment network & open-source platform

Decentralized finance (DeFi) system & open-source platform

Open-source, permissionless & decentralized XRP Ledger

Borderless payment technology & open access learning hub

Decentralized blockchain & open network

Payment Scope

Worldwide payments

Global payments

Worldwide, cross currency payments

Global payments

Worldwide payments

Bitcoin: Best for Innovation

Overall Value Growth Rate: 35,965,150% increase from 2010 to 2022

4.5

★★★★★

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Bitcoin (BTC) is our top pick because it fuses together first-rate innovation and highest overall value growth rate among the cryptocurrencies in this list.

It’s widely acknowledged for its innovative technology because it’s the very first cryptocurrency to exist in the market. It started as the invention of Satoshi Nakamoto, who published a cryptography mailing list containing the first Bitcoin specification and proof of concept. While Satoshi exited the project in late 2010, the Bitcoin community of developers continue to improve this groundbreaking digital currency up to today.

As a pioneer in the cryptocurrency industry, Bitcoin initiated the use of blockchain, which is a ledger that logs transactions across multiple computer networks. Plus, it popularized the online payment system where virtual money is traded. It paved the way for the first ever decentralized peer-to-peer payment network, where users can directly transact with each other without the need for governing authorities.

Based on an open-source platform, Bitcoin has no owners who control it so everyone is free to participate in Bitcoin trades. The issuing of digital coins is also performed collectively by the network. As a result, Bitcoin has grown into a household name that is used for worldwide payments.

Aside from being a trailblazer in the cryptocurrency field, another important asset of Bitcoin is how its value has skyrocketed since its humble beginnings. After all, it boasts an astounding 35,965,150% overall growth from 2010 to 2022. While the early historical Bitcoin price was only $0.08 back in late July 2010, its current Bitcoin price is estimated at $28,772.20 as of May 19, 2022. Since its purchasing power increases over time, it can be counted as a deflationary currency.

While Bitcoin has advantages, you must be aware that it has certain disadvantages as well. For instance, Bitcoin pricing is considered to have a volatile pattern. While its general value has grown over the years, its price has a tendency to go up and down from month to month.

In addition to this, it issued only a limited number of finite coins, which may potentially cause a shortage in the future. As of May 11, 2022, the actual supply in circulation is 19.04 million coins, but the total maximum supply is just 21 million coins. 

Even if many new players are now catching the attention of cryptocurrency users, Bitcoin still remains a major player in the cryptocurrency market because of its continuous growth and cutting-edge contributions to the industry.

Why we chose it: We award Bitcoin as the best overall because of its groundbreaking innovative technology and exponential rise in value. It’s a good match for you if you want to be part of the movement that jump started the cryptocurrency revolution.

• Impressive overall growth of value over time
• Pioneering leader in cryptocurrency field
• Groundbreaking blockchain technology
• Peer-to-peer payment network open to all

• Price swings up & down during short-term periods
• Finite coins nearing maximum supply

Pricing: $28,772.20 as of May 19, 2022

Ethereum: Best for Versatility

Overall Value Growth Rate: 167,514.4% from 2015 to 2022

4.0

★★★★★

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Ethereum (ETH) is well-known for its versatile cryptocurrency Ether because it’s based on scalable and programmable blockchain technology. On one hand, it gives cryptocurrency users like you the chance to use virtual assets and data-friendly services. On the other hand, it’s also preferred by many program developers since the platform equips them to create non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and multiple applications.

Aside from its adjustability, Ethereum has other crucial strengths. For example, the decentralized finance (DeFi) system is accessible to everybody because it’s founded on an open-source program. As a result, it enables you to transfer virtual funds directly to and from other people all over the globe. Aside from this, it can function as a banking tool for everyone. All you need is an internet connection to tap into savings, borrowing, and lending solutions.

In addition to this, Ethereum serves as a secure environment for financial transactions. Your customers will feel more confident to transact with you, thanks to the built-in guarantee that the funds will be transferred only after you provide them with the promised product or service. Plus, your information will stay safe because you aren’t required to share all your personal data just to use the Ethereum app.

On top of this, Ethereum showcases a whopping growth in its overall value, with a 167,514.4% increase from 2015 to 2022. While it started with a low price of $1.25 back in August 2015, the present price of Ethereum is now approximately $2,095.18 as of May 18, 2022. Last but not least, there is an unlimited supply of Ether coins, with the current supply at 120.73  million coins as of May 11, 2022.

Although Ethereum has many strengths, it admittedly has a few weaknesses as well. For example, it can be confusing to figure out how the purchasing power increases and decreases, because the system is presently transitioning from inflationary to deflationary. Plus, the network tends to consume a high amount of energy during its operations, although future upgrades will hopefully minimize the energy usage.

Still, Ethereum is a noteworthy cryptocurrency then and now. Launched in 2015, the introductory paper was published by founder Vitalik Buterin in 2014. The digital currency continues to evolve through the joint efforts of the Ethereum community

Why we chose it: We commend Ethereum as the best for versatility among cryptocurrencies. After all, it gives you the ability to scale and adjust the platform, as well as the applications you develop through it, based on your business preferences and requirements.

• Adaptable platform enables multiple app creations
• Exponential growth of overall value over time
• Cryptocurrency and banking tools accessible to all
• Unlimited coin supply
• Secure transaction guarantee

• Ongoing adjustment of purchasing power system
• Big energy consumption of network operations

Pricing: $2,095.18 as of May 18, 2022

Ripple: Best for Cross Currency Transactions

Overall Value Growth Rate: 3,167.10% increase from 2017 to 2022

4.0

★★★★★

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Ripple (XRP) excels when it comes to affordable, accessible cross-border transactions. After all, it allows you to transfer and trade different types of currencies. The cheap fees only cost approximately $0.0002 per transaction.

Plus, the XRP Ledger has a solid open-source foundation which equips you to create applications in an efficient way. The decentralized, carbon-neutral technology enables you to settle transactions in as fast as three to five seconds.

Lastly, Ripple has exhibited major overall value growth over the years, with a 3,167.10% increase from 2017 to 2022. The rate was merely $0.76 back in March 2017, yet the Ripple price rose to $24.83 as of May 10, 2022.

Nevertheless, Ripple has certain limitations as well. For instance, there’s a possibility that more coins will unexpectedly get introduced into the market and suddenly affect the value of the digital coins. After all, only 48,343.10 million coins are in circulation as of May 11, 2022, while the maximum supply of this deflationary cryptocurrency is 100,000 million.

Also, you need to be aware that the SEC filed a lawsuit on registration issues against Ripple back in December 2020. However, the issue is settled for now since Ripple won a lawsuit against SEC this April 2022. Finally, the XRP blockchain is more complicated than typical blockchains so it can be perplexing to figure out how exactly it works.

In general, Ripple is a practical alternative to conventional banking when it comes to cross-border transfers and trades. The XRP Ledger, which was developed by David Schwartz, Jed McCaleb, and Arthur Britto, was launched back in June 2012. Along with Chris Larsen, they founded the NewCoin company, which was renamed OpenCoin and is now known as Ripple.

Why we chose it: We acknowledge Ripple as the best for cross currency transactions because it’s useful for trading various kinds of currencies. It’s a wise selection for you if you plan on swapping multiple currencies, instead of sticking to just a few.

• Compatible with different currencies
• Quick, economical transactions
• Significant growth in value over time

• Potential for sudden coin supply releases
• Once involved in a legal battle with SEC
• Confusing to understand how it works

Pricing: $24.83 as of May 10, 2022

Binance: Best for Usefulness

Overall Value Growth Rate: 175,294% increase from 2017 to 2022

4.0

★★★★★

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Binance (BNB) has an edge over other cryptocurrency options because it can be used for a wide variety of purposes. BNB, which is the virtual coin that powers the BNB Chain ecosystem, enables you to buy, sell, trade, and hold more than 600 types of cryptocurrencies. Learn more on how to trade crypto here.

Aside from the usual digital transactions, you can also use BNB to make global payments, book travel tickets and hotels, and purchase entertainment packages. It also allows you to subscribe to online services and create financial arrangements. Plus, this borderless payment technology is accessible to all because Binance is an open access learning hub.

In addition to this, Binance protects your online transactions through industry-grade security features to minimize the risk of cyber crime. For instance, it stores 10% of trading fees in a Secure Asset Fund for Users (SAFU) for safety purposes. It also provides you with customized access so you can control which devices and addresses are authorized to open your account. Plus, it safeguards your personal information and transaction data through end-to-end encryption.

You can manage your BNBs using different devices since it’s compatible with most popular operating systems. For example, you can download the app to your Android or iOS smartphone or tablet. You may also install the desktop client in your computer, whether it’s running on Windows, MacOS, or Linux.

On top of this, Binance has experienced massive growth over the years, with a huge 175,294% increase from 2017 to 2022. Although its price was only $0.17 back in September 2017, the Binance coin price is now approximately $298.17 as of May 17, 2022.

Although Binance has major perks, this deflationary digital currency comes with certain drawbacks as well. One of these cons is that it only issued a limited supply of virtual coins. Even more importantly, 163.28 million is already in circulation out of the 165.12 million maximum supply as of May 11, 2022.

Aside from this, Binance has a steep learning curve. Since it has many features, it may take time for you to figure out how to maximize each function. Plus, you may possibly be intimidated by all the available options in the desktop program or mobile app. Last but not least, keep in mind that U.S. users of Binance can trade with less cryptocurrencies compared to other global users.

At the end of the day, Binance is still a highly utilitarian cryptocurrency ecosystem that holds its own in the industry. It was launched by Changpeng Zhao a.k.a. CZ back in July 2017. The BNB Chain ecosystem developed and grew over time through the cooperation of the Binance community.

Why we chose it: We award Binance as the best for usefulness among cryptocurrency alternatives because it has a broad range of functions. It may be suitable for you if you need a digital currency platform that you can use for other purposes beyond basic online payments and trading.

• Multiple functions involving payments, travel, entertainment, services & finances
• Enormous growth of overall value
• Industry-grade security measures
• Wide compatibility with desktop & mobile OSes

• Limited supply of coins mostly in circulation
• High learning curve

Pricing: $298.17 as of May 17, 2022

Solana: Best for Speed

Overall Value Growth Rate: 5,364,900% increase from 2020 to 2022

4.0

★★★★★

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Solana (SOL) makes a solid mark on the cryptocurrency industry because it showcases one of the fastest blockchains in the market. Thanks to the 400 millisecond block times, it allows you to settle online and in-store payments in a fraction of a second instead of days. As a result, you can quickly earn high yield on your stablecoins.

As the hardware speed increases, the ecosystem swiftly expands along with it. There are already thousands of projects encompassing NFTs, DeFi, and Web3. Plus, it equips developers to create new functional programs in an efficient way.

In addition to this, the low fees of Solana make it easy and affordable for owners of an online store to receive stablecoin payments. The average transaction fee is only $0.00025 as of February 2022. As a result, merchants gain more opportunities to share the incremental value with consumers via loyalty offers and on-chain rewards.

On top of this, everyone is welcome to use Solana because it’s a decentralized blockchain system. Because it’s resistant to censorship, the open network allows all applications to run and all legitimate transactions to be completed directly. As a result, customers and sellers all over the world can use it to make and accept payments without the need for intermediaries.

Last but not least, Solana boasts a staggering growth within just a few years, with a 5,364,900% increase from 2020 to 2022. While the early Solana price was estimated at just $0.001 back in July 2020, the Solana price index eventually rose to $53.65 as of May 17, 2022. Plus, the current amount of virtual coins in circulation is already 336.79 million, with no cap to its maximum supply.

Even if Solana has its advantages, it does have some disadvantages too. One of its major drawbacks is that the price isn’t as stable compared to other digital currencies because it has a shorter track record and smaller user base. 

Aside from this, Solana has a fluctuating inflation rate because it has an unlimited supply of coins. The Solana Foundation proposes a dis-inflationary inflation schedule, where the rate begins at the highest value and goes down eventually so that it will hopefully stabilize at a long-term inflation rate.

Still, Solana is an interesting cryptocurrency because of its accelerated payment processes and because it is one of the fastest growing cryptocurrencies. It traces its origins to November 2017, when Anatoly Yakovenko published a whitepaper on an effective method for time network synchronization.

In July 2018, Yakovenko and Greg Fitzgerald published a 50-node, permissioned, public testnet that supports bursts of 250,000 transactions per second. Up to today, the Solana team continues to make efforts to boost the pace of online payments.

Why we chose it: We acknowledge Solana as the best for speed among cryptocurrency options because of its capacity for lightning fast transactions. It’s appropriate for you if you want to pay and receive digital currency without unnecessary delays.

• Quick virtual payments
• Affordable transaction fees
• Open network is censorship resistant
• Large exponential growth

• Unstable price
• Changing inflation rate

Pricing: $53.65 as of May 17, 2022

Methodology for the Best Fastest Growing Cryptocurrency

We considered several relevant factors as we selected the fastest growing cryptocurrencies of 2023. These criteria include the overall value growth rate, starting value, current value, finite coins, inflationary or deflationary system, accessibility level, platform type, and payment scope of each cryptocurrency option.

• Overall Value Growth Rate: We computed the percentage of the growth of the cryptocurrency from its starting or early rates up to its present pricing. This is only a general historical overview of how it increased in value over the years since it doesn’t account for the ups and downs of the rates from month to month.
• Starting Value: We researched the initial or early price of the cryptocurrency coins when the network was first founded or when the digital coins began to be actively traded.
• Current Value: We evaluated the present price of the cryptocurrency coins as of May 2022 to find out how much each one is now worth.
• Cryptocurrency Coin Supply: We reviewed how many digital coins are being circulated in each cryptocurrency network as of May 11, 2022. In addition to this, we examined if there is a predetermined limit to the maximum supply of cryptocurrency or if the virtual coin supply is unlimited.
• Inflationary or Deflationary: We categorized the cryptocurrency based on whether the system is inflationary or deflationary. On one hand, inflation is the reduction of the value of currency when too many coins are in circulation. On the other hand, deflation is the rise in the value of a currency when its supply is limited. Learn more about inflationary and deflationary cryptocurrencies here.
• Accessibility Level: We checked if the cryptocurrency is accessible to everyone or if it’s only meant for certain groups of users.
• Platform Type: We assessed if the finance system of the cryptocurrency is decentralized or not. Aside from this, we also analyzed if the network is based on an open-source platform or not.
• Payment Scope: We confirmed if the cryptocurrency can be used to make and receive digital payments all over the world or if it’s limited to local use.

Each cryptocurrency has its own unique financial system so they’re not always directly comparable to one another. Nevertheless, we did put a spotlight on the special strengths of all the cryptocurrency ecosystems on the list to help you find the suitable one for you.

So What’s the Fastest Growing Cryptocurrency?

The cryptocurrency market is exciting because of the quick growth of its value and the cutting-edge developments in blockchain technology. Still, you must choose the right cryptocurrency which matches your needs to maximize the potential of these decentralized financial networks.

We highly recommend all the cryptocurrencies in our buyer’s guide. Overall, Bitcoin is our top choice because it merges together innovative cryptocurrency technology and phenomenal value growth rate.

Cryptocurrencies are primarily bought and sold on crypto exchanges. There are more than 600 crypto exchanges worldwide, but a major chunk of the daily trading volume stays in the top 25 exchanges. If you’re interested in trading crypto, here are the best crypto exchanges you can choose from.

Best Crypto Exchanges in 2023

• Coinbase – Best Overall
• Kraken – Best for Experienced Traders
• Binance.com – Best for Users Outside the US
• Crypto.com – Best for Mobile
• Gemini – Best for Crypto Asset Security 
• KuCoin – Best for Variety of Cryptocurrencies
• Bittrex – Best for High Volume Traders
• FTX.us – Best for US-based Users

Exchange

Fees

No. of coins

Trade Minimum

Mobile Trading

Proprietary Wallet

Coinbase

0.5%-4.5%

100+

$2

Kraken

Up to 2%

120+

$0

Binance

0.5%-4.5%

395+

$10

Crypto.com

0%-2.99%

250+

$0

Gemini

0.5%-3.99%

110+

$0

KuCoin

0.0125%-0.1%

730+

$0

Bittrex

0%-0.75%

500+

$3

FTX.us

0%-0.4%

65+

$0

Coinbase: Best Overall Crypto Exchange

Fees: 0.5%-4.5%

★★★★★

4.8

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Founded in 2012, Coinbase is one of the oldest crypto exchanges and has developed quite a reputation over the years. It’s easy to use, supports more than 100 cryptocurrencies, and has a secure proprietary wallet which makes it our best overall choice for the best crypto exchange. A quarterly traded volume of $547 billion means it offers high liquidity for buying and selling assets as you please. 

Coinbase also offers Coinbase Pro, an advanced trading platform for experienced traders. The cryptocurrency exchange offers more than 100 tokens including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Cardano, and Solana. Though it’s not the highest number of cryptocurrencies available for trading on an exchange, it’s still a good option as most trades use the biggest cryptocurrencies only.

This crypto exchange has a very beginner-friendly interface. Coinbase also has an industry-standard mobile app that allows crypto traders to buy and sell assets on the go. The Coinbase Wallet lets you secure your crypto holdings with ease. 

It’s complicated and high transaction fees and other deductions are one thing that weakens Coinbase’s case. But if you’re willing to afford them and trust the exchange with its fee structure, it’s a great choice to get started. 

Why we chose it: Coinbase is a reliable crypto exchange that offers 100+ crypto assets, its own wallet for asset security, and mobile trading functionality which makes it our best overall pick. 

• Easy to use
• Offers advanced trading platform Coinbase Pro
• Highly liquid exchange

• Complicated fee structure
• Higher fees
• Not suitable for separate crypto wallet

Fees: Coinbase’s fee structure is not the most straightforward. Its fees and other charges are relatively higher than other exchanges. Here’s the breakdown:

The deposit and withdrawal fees vary depending on the payment method you use and the amount of money you deposit or withdraw. These fees can go up to 3.99% if you use a debit card to buy crypto. 

Coinbase charges a trading commission based on the maker/taker model. If you place an order at the market price and it gets filled immediately, you’re considered a taker and will pay a trading fee of 0.05-0.60%. When you place an order and it’s not immediately filled, you’re considered the maker and will pay a trading fee up to 0.40%.

Kraken: Best Crypto Exchange for Experienced Traders

Fees: Up to 2%

★★★★★

4.5

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Kraken is a low-fee, high-quality crypto trading platform that is a great choice for experienced traders. Established in 2011, it’s the oldest and most reputable crypto exchange with users from all over the world. If you’re interested in margin and futures trading, Kraken is a great choice as it offers high liquidity.  

The crypto exchange comprises two platforms, the basic version and the more professional trading platform, Kraken Pro. You get highly advanced trading features like detailed insights into order books, customizable chart analysis tools, 13 order types, and high-speed trade execution with the latter.

Kraken crypto exchange also has a mobile app, but it’s suitable only for basic functions. Advanced trading is best done on the web-based version. One drawback is that Kraken doesn’t have its own wallet service. If you want to store your digital assets securely, you might want to get a separate crypto wallet. 

You should also note that Kraken is not available in all states. It doesn’t offer its services in the state of Washington and New York. Plus, it’s not the best choice for beginners as it comes with a steep learning curve. 

Why we chose it: Kraken stands out with its advanced trading tools, low fees, and suitability for experienced traders. 

• Highly liquid exchange
• Offers advanced trading tools
• Relatively lower trading fees

• No proprietary wallet
• Not available in all US states
• Steep learning curve

Pricing: The instant buy fees on Kraken’s basic platform are quite high and go up to 1.5%. However, Kraken Pro’s fees are daily low. It has a tiered fee structure whereby trading fees fall as the traded volume increases. These are only the transaction fees. 

Kraken Pro’s trading fees are based on a maker/taker model. For traders who have a 30-day volume lower than $50,000, Kraken Pro’s maker and taker fees start at 0.16% and 0.26% respectively. Note that they can go as low as 0% and 0.10% if you have a 30-day rolling volume of more than $10 million. 

Binance.com: Best Crypto Exchange for Users Outside the US

Fees: 0.5%-4.5%

★★★★★

4.2

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It’s important to note here that we’re mentioning the global version of Binance.com. As it happens, Binance stopped providing its services in the US after some regulatory issues in 2019. Instead, it partnered with BAM Trading Services to establish Binance.us, a version of the exchange specifically for users based in the US.

Binance.us isn’t as good as its global counterpart. It has less than 70 tokens compared to more than 500 on Binance.com. The US version of the exchange also has lower liquidity and doesn’t let you trade derivatives. Plus, Binance.us isn’t available in all US states. You can’t use it in Louisiana, Hawaii, Idaho, New York, Texas, or Vermont. 

This is why we opted to keep it out of this list, and chose Binance.com, which is one of the most popular exchanges all over the globe. It has the highest number of tradable cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Cardano, and Solana, and offers great liquidity. 

It’s also a great option for experienced traders as Binance offers margin, futures, and spot trading, derivatives trading options, a wallet to secure your digital assets, and an NFT platform. When it comes to the drawbacks, using Binance can present a bit of a steep learning curve for beginners. Primarily because there are so many features to navigate.

Why we chose it: If you’re located outside the US, Binance.com is one of the best options you’ve got. It has the highest catalog of tradable cryptocurrencies and offers advanced features for professional traders.

• 395+ cryptocurrencies
• Highly liquid exchange
• Advanced trading features

• Complex to navigate
• Not available in the US
• Faces regulatory issues in different countries

Fees: Binance has relatively lower transaction and trading fees. If you make a purchase with a debit card, you’ll have to pay up to 4.5% in transaction fees. Wire transfers come with no transaction fees but aren’t available in some places. The cryptocurrency exchange charges a 0.1% fee for trading along with a 0.5% fee for Instant Buy/Sell.

Crypto.com – Best Crypto Exchange for Mobile

Fees: 0%-2.99%

★★★★★

4.0

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With more than 250 different tokens available for trade, Crypto.com is a top-performing exchange with some remarkable features. It offers some of the lowest fees and is great for users who prefer operating on mobile devices.

The biggest drawback of Crypto.com is that it doesn’t offer crypto-to-crypto trading. This means you can only buy a cryptocurrency with fiat money and sell it back to get fiat in return. As a result, Crypto.com isn’t used as widely in the crypto trading world. Plus, it offers limited features in the US.

This crypto exchange has a range of offerings including its own blockchain, the Crypto.org Chain, a crypto Visa card, a native cryptocurrency, and other yield-generating products. But what makes it stand out from the crowd is Crypto.com’s mobile app.

Most other exchanges offer a makeshift version of their desktop platform as their mobile app. But this is not the case with this exchange. Crypto.com has a very well-developed mobile version that offers almost the same functionality as its web-based counterpart. 

Why we chose it: Crypto.com is best for users who prefer buying and selling cryptocurrencies on mobile with fiat money. It offers more than 250 tokens and also lets you earn interest and pay with your crypto. 

• Low fees for cash transfers
• Great mobile app
• 250+ cryptocurrencies

• No crypto-to-crypto trading
• High fees for credit and debit card purchases
• Not all services offered in the US

Fees: Crypto.com has volume-based trading fees where the percentage falls as the volume increases. The fees also depend on whether you end up as a maker or taker. Trading fees start from 0.4% for transactions worth $0-$25,000 and go as low as 0.04% for transactions higher than $200 million. 

Depositing funds in this exchange is completely free. But it charges a fee for withdrawals. Withdrawal fees depend on the cryptocurrency you’re selling, and are a fixed amount for different tokens.  

Gemini: Best Crypto Exchange for Asset Security

Fees: 0.5%-3.99%

★★★★★

4.0

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Gemini cryptocurrency exchange is the best choice for users who prioritize security. It uses the strongest security protocols, is SOC-2 certified, and insures funds held in the Gemini hot wallet. Like all other exchanges, Gemini also requires users to submit a KYC to reduce the risk of scams. 

The fact that it’s SOC-2 certified means that its security and compliance frameworks have been verified by third-party auditors. Gemini is best for experienced traders as it features an advanced trading dashboard and two wallets, a cold crypto storage system, Gemini Custody, and a hot wallet, Gemini Wallet.

This crypto exchange doesn’t offer as many tokens as other exchanges. This seriously limits your choice to enter different trades. The fee structure is also a bit convoluted. Beginners might need a bit of help understanding what it costs to use Gemini. Not only are the fees complicated, but they’re also higher than other cryptocurrency exchanges. 

Why we chose it: We chose Gemini for its strong emphasis on asset security and fraud prevention. It’s SOC-2 certified and insured funds held in the Gemini wallet, making it an excellent option for security-conscious traders.

• Works in all US states
• Funds held in the hot wallet are insured
• Prioritizes security

• Supports fewer cryptocurrencies
• Higher fees
• Complex fee structure

Fees: Gemini has a particularly complex fee structure. Its trading fees are also a bit higher than alternatives. The trading fees start at $0.99 for a total trade amount of $10 or less and can go up to 1.49% of the total trade amount above $200.

The maker and taker fees are 0.25% and 0.35% respectively. Deposits are free unless you use a debit card. Transactions involving debit cards are charged at 3.49%.

KuCoin: Best Crypto Exchange for Variety of Cryptocurrencies

Fees: 0.0125%-0.1%

★★★★★

3.8

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KuCoin’s single most powerful selling point is its wide variety of cryptocurrencies. With more than 600 coins, KuCoin is a favorite of traders all over the world. This is because users can invest and trade in a lot of different fast-growing cryptocurrencies that are not available on other crypto trading platforms. 

It works in over 200 countries but is unfortunately not licensed to operate in the US. Although you can still use it in the US, it presents a higher risk. It has a more complex user interface and if you’re just learning how to trade crypto, KuCoin isn’t the best choice for you. Moreover, most customers are unhappy with its services as suggested by reviews on Trustpilot and G2.

As far as the trading fees are concerned, KuCoin is a much better alternative with fees ranging between 0.0125% and 0.1%. The exchange also gives you staking options that let you earn interest on your holdings by locking them in the exchange for a given amount of time. 

Why we chose it: KuCoin supports more than 600 coins, which means you have the widest variety of digital currencies to invest in and trades to enter. That along with its low fees make it a popular choice among professional traders worldwide. 

• 730+ cryptocurrencies
• Low fees
• Offers crypto staking

• Not licensed in the US
• Not easy to use
• Poor customer reviews

Fees: KuCoin follows a tiered maker/taker fee structure. The trading fees vary from 0.0125% to 0.1%. Plus, the cryptocurrency exchange also deducts a withdrawal fee for different assets. This is a fixed rate for every cryptocurrency. Deposits are free, however, funding options are limited. 

Bittrex: Best Crypto Exchange for High Volume Traders

Fees: 0%-0.35%

★★★★★

3.6

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With some of the strongest account security features, Bittrex is a quality crypto exchange that offers a wide range of digital assets, low transaction fees, and a cold storage wallet. But the one thing that’s special about this crypto trading platform is its low trading fees for high-volume trades. 

Before we come to the fees, let’s talk about some of the features offered by Bittrex. The exchange employs strong security features to keep your account safe. These include multi-factor authentication, wallet and IP address whitelisting, and a cold storage wallet that keeps your digital assets secure offline.

Bittrex lets you buy and sell the tokens of your choice with a single click with its Instant Buy & Sell feature. Its mobile app lets you enter trades on the go, but isn’t as powerful as its web-based version. 

Like all exchanges, Bittrex has its disadvantages too. It doesn’t offer margin trading, seriously limiting your earning potential. Plus, the crypto exchange doesn’t work in the states of New York, Connecticut, Vermont, and Hawaii. Its customers’ reviews are also predominantly negative, particularly because of its lacking customer support. 

Why we chose it: If you’re a high-volume, professional crypto trader, you are set to benefit from Bittrex’s very low trading fees. This maximizes your profitability as compared to other trading platforms. 

• Easy to use
• Wide variety of cryptocurrencies
• Offers low purchase minimums

• No margin trading
• Poor customer reviews
• Not available in all 50 US states

Fees: Bittrex’s trading fees start at 0.75% if you trade an amount under $5,000. The fees get lower as you trade more, eventually falling to 0.00% or 0.05% if you trade more than $100 million. Transaction fees are also low. Deposits are fees whereas withdrawal fees vary between cryptocurrencies. 

FTX.us: Best Crypto Exchange for US-Based Users

Fees: 0%-0.4%

★★★★★

3.3

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FTX.us is an advanced cryptocurrency exchange that offers low transaction fees and trading options with multiple fiat currencies. The selection of cryptocurrencies is severely limited with only about 65 coins. However, its advanced trading options and license to operate in the US makes it a good choice for US-based users.

FTX.us is best for experienced traders who know their way around trading crypto. It’s not as beginner-friendly as some of the other exchanges. The associated trading and transaction fees are relatively low. FTX.us also lets you mint your own NFTs to trade on the platform. 

Its customer support isn’t the most responsive as suggested by customer reviews. The biggest drawback of this exchange is that although it’s licensed in the US, it still isn’t available in New York. 

Why we chose it: With its advanced trading features, low fees, and license to operate in the US, FTX.us is a great choice for experienced traders. 

• Low withdrawal fees
• Advanced trading tools
• Licensed in the US

• Limited variety of cryptocurrencies
• Limited customer support
• Not beginner-friendly

Fees: Trading fees charged by FTX.us are one of the lowest in our best crypto exchanges guide. This trading platform also uses a maker/taker fee model whereby the fees are arranged in tiers. 

The maker fee ranges can go up to 0.10% based on trading volume. Taker fee can be between 0.05% and 0.40%, based on trading volume. 

Methodology for the Best Crypto Exchanges

If you’re new to the world of crypto and don’t have a lot of experience with cryptocurrency exchanges, telling which crypto exchange is best isn’t really clear. It takes research and trading experience on all exchanges to tell which trading platform offers what. 

We’ve conducted an in-depth analysis of the most used and best crypto exchanges out there and have shortlisted eight based on the following criteria. 

Best Crypto Exchanges Fees

Crypto exchanges don’t have a subscription fee, but they take trading and charging fees for using their platform. These fees make up what you pay for the exchange’s services.

No. of Coins

The selection of cryptocurrencies supported by an exchange determines your freedom of choice to invest in different assets and enter different trades. The more coins, the greater the possibilities of earning.

Trade Minimum for Best Crypto Exchanges

This is the minimum amount of money you must spend to buy or sell a cryptocurrency on an exchange. We chose exchanges with a trade minimum of less than $5 only.

Mobile Trading

An intuitive mobile app is crucial for crypto trading because you want to be able to enter and exit trades wherever and whenever you want. We gave more credit to exchanges with their own app.

Best Crypto Exchanges Proprietary Wallets

A crypto wallet is a must to safely store your digital assets as they’re vulnerable if kept on the exchange. An exchange with its own wallet makes it easy to transfer crypto between the exchange and wallet.

Accessibility

Exchanges that are easily accessible from all locations rank higher than those that are not available in all states or countries. 

Bottom Line on the Best Crypto Exchanges

Choosing the best crypto exchange isn’t the simplest of decisions. You’ve got to consider several factors and need to read between the lines to make the right choice. We rank Coinbase as the best overall crypto exchange that combines everything and does well in almost all departments. Kraken and Binance.com are good options too if you’re looking for advanced trading options.

Crypto wallets can provide security for the multitudes of digital assets currently available for purchase. However, not all cryptocurrency holders are created the same. This article offers the lowdown on the best crypto wallets on the market today.

Best Crypto Wallets

• Exodus – Best Overall
• Coinbase – Best for NFTs
• Ledger – Best Physical Wallet
• Trezor – Best for Security
• Electrum – Best for Bitcoin
• Mycelium – Best for Mobile Apps
• Trust Wallet – Best for Staking

Software

Price

Security

Platforms

Type of Wallet

Number of Currencies Supported

Exodus

Free to download, minor fees for sending and receiving

Encrypts private keys, no registration required

Windows, Android, and iOS

Hot

185

Coinbase

Free to download, customizable transaction fees

Uses unique offline phrases that only the user can see

Chrome Extension, Windows, Android, and iOS

Hot

Over 5,000

Trezor

$77 or $280

U2F and FIDO2 authentication, Encryption via GPG

Windows, Mac, Browser, Android

Cold

Over 1,000

Ledger

$59 to $149

CC EAL5+ secure element, 24 word recovery phrase

Windows, Mac, Android, iOS

Cold

5,500+ assets

Electrum

Free to use, customizable transaction fees

Very secure seeds, encrypted private keys

Windows, Android, iOS

Hot

Bitcoin only

Mycelium

Free to use, customizable transaction fees

Reproducible wallets, no logins, several levels of pin protection

Android, iOS

Hot

Bitcoin, Ethereum, some ERC-20 tokens

Trust Wallet

Free to download and use, fees for exchanges

Uses private access keys to keep assets safe

Browser, Android, iOS

Hot

Over 1 million assets

Exodus: Best Overall Crypto Wallet

Price: Free to download, minor fees for sending and receiving

4.7

★★★★★

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Exodus wins out as the best crypto wallet thanks to its ability to hold almost every currency under the sun. It is free outside of blockchain transaction fees and comes with a handy mobile app for on the go.

Exodus only recently started allowing users to purchase crypto from the app and still lacks functionality. Because there’s no cloud, you’ll have to sync apps often to ensure information is up to date.

Why we chose it: Exodus is a powerful crypto wallet supporting over 180 cryptocurrencies in an app with robust built-in security features.

• Supports over 180 cryptocurrencies
• Free to download and use
• Android and iOS mobile app

• Fees for sending and receiving currencies
• Can only buy limited crypto through a third-party app
• No cloud, have to sync apps

Pricing: Exodus’s wallet is free to download and use to view your assets from the 180+ currencies currently supported. This holds true for both desktop and mobile apps.

The wallet doesn’t charge any fees for transactions, but you will incur costs for sending and receiving cryptocurrencies through the app. These fees come from the blockchain itself, as miners use electricity and computing power to perform these actions on your behalf.

Fees will vary depending on the amount of cryptocurrency you’re transferring and how much data the system uses. You’ll see these deductions come right out of your crypto wallet.

Coinbase: Best Crypto Wallet for NFTs

Pricing: Free to download, customizable transaction fees

4.6

★★★★★

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Coinbase Wallet has grown from a Bitcoin app to a platform that can store thousands of unique types of cryptocurrency and any NFTs you’ve managed to acquire. It is entirely free to use outside of unavoidable blockchain transaction fees, but Coinbase allows customizable transactions to keep costs down. You will need Coinbase’s main app to do any buying or selling, and customer service seems to struggle at providing good help.

Why we chose it: Coinbase is one of the few free crypto wallets that can store your growing NFT collection alongside numerous crypto assets.

• Stores NFTs alongside cryptocurrencies
• Supports over 5,000 currencies
• Customizable transaction fees

• Need a separate app to buy or sell
• Transaction fees from blockchain
• Lackluster customer support

Pricing: The Coinbase Wallet is part of the larger Coinbase platform with a few different available apps. The NFTs wallet is free to download and set up to view whatever assets you have. This also holds true for NFTs, and is one of the few wallets to support these tokens.

Anyone sending and receiving currencies on Coinbase has to deal with blockchain transaction fees charged by the miners who perform the transfer. With Coinbase, you can customize these fees to pay only what you feel comfortable with. Generally speaking, the less you pay, the slower the transfer will be.

Ledger: Best Physical Crypto Wallet

Pricing: $59 to $149

4.6

★★★★★

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Ledger’s physical cryptocurrency wallets were some of the first to hit the shelves and remain the best available. The portable devices can store over 5,500 different types of coins and up to 100 apps for detailed management.

It’s possible to buy, exchange, or trade currencies straight from Ledger’s app or from the wallet on higher-end models. Wallets are not cheap, and portability means a small screen size to work with. Devices also have a limited capacity to store apps.

Why we chose it: With layers of security, backups, and a smooth interface, Ledger’s Nano series of hardware wallets offer top-tier protection while letting you buy, trade, or exchange straight from the device.

• Can buy, trade, and exchange straight from the app
• Small, compact devices
• Possible to install up to 100 apps on the device

• Devices are on the pricey side
• Small display
• Limited app capacity

Pricing: Ledger brings three devices into the mix. Its newest, the Nano S Plus, is a revamped version of the original device that dominated the market for several years.

The Nano S started it all for Ledger. Now at $59, this physical device is one of the more budget-friendly options on the market while still containing several security features to keep you safe. The wallet holds thousands of different crypto assets while allowing you to buy, trade, or exchange at any time through the accompanying app.

Ledger’s newest offering is the Nano S Plus for $79, designed to take its original wallet to a whole new level. This pocket-sized device looks like ordinary USB storage but can manage over 5,500 assets alongside up to 100 crypto apps. A larger screen makes it possible to monitor coins straight from the stick, but you can also plug it into a phone or computer through a USB-C port.

The top-of-the-line Nano X contains the same level of security but can stand alone with up to eight hours of battery life. Connectivity is easier than ever with Bluetooth support, but you’ll need to get past the $149 price point.

Trezor: Best Crypto Wallet for Security

Pricing: $77 or $280

4.5

★★★★★

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Trezor looks to the physical world with a pair of hardware devices for protecting your crypto assets. Taking everything offline is the best way to defend your accounts from plunder by digital thieves. However, these products are not cheap and can take a bit of time to understand for new users. Although devices can pair up with Android phones, there’s no app to make the process easy. iOS phones aren’t compatible with Trezor at present.

Why we chose it: Trezor’s handheld wallets not only take your crypto assets offline, but each device contains additional protection and ways to recover coins if lost or stolen.

• Wallet is a physical device
• Several built-in security features
• Stores assets and data offline

• Expensive devices
• No mobile app
• Can be confusing to use

Pricing: Trezor showcases two unique physical devices for storing cryptocurrencies. Each offers high levels of security and takes your assets offline, keeping them safe from digital attacks.

The Trezor Model One is a petite hardware wallet costing $77. At just over two inches tall, you can carry it in a pocket, purse, or leave it in a safe location at home. The screen is a bit on the small side, making it a bit difficult for some users to make sense of the prompts at first glance. When you do need to perform trades, you can hook up the device to a computer or Android phone with a micro-USB cable.

Trezor’s other offering is the Model T, coming in at $280. This single device becomes your wallet, authenticator, and digital ID all in one bite-size package. It even features a backup system to protect your currencies should you lose the device. A foolproof design ensures you don’t make any accidental actions as you monitor assets or trade.

Electrum: Best Crypto Wallet for Bitcoin

Pricing: Free to use, customizable transaction fees

4.3

★★★★★

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Electrum was made specifically for Bitcoin and still reigns as the best crypto wallet for the coin. Its security is second-to-none due to very secure encryption seeds, which allows you to use the seed to recover your Bitcoin should you lose it. The software is quite easy to get up and running but minimalistic in its appearance and features. You may get help from the community if there’s an issue, but you won’t find any official customer support.

Why we chose it: Bitcoin users need to look no further for top-of-the-line security and customizable transaction fees.

• Top-notch Bitcoin security features
• Customizable transaction fees
• Quick and easy to set up and use

• Bare-bones user interface
• Bitcoin only
• Limited customer service

Pricing: Electrum has been free since it rolled out all the way back in 2011. The open-source software keeps your Bitcoin safe while eliminating downtimes across multiple platforms.

You won’t be able to avoid miners’ fees for processing your exchanges, as is the case across the blockchain as a whole. However, these costs are customizable, allowing you to limit how much to pay for a transaction. As a rule of thumb, smaller fees lead to longer wait times.

Mycelium: Best Crypto Wallet for Mobile Devices

Pricing: Free to use, customizable transaction fees

4.3

★★★★★

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Mycelium’s mobile app features the best protection across all platforms. Not only are assets secure, the software also has backup options should the unthinkable happen. For whatever reason, these features have yet to extend beyond mobile devices. The scope of coins you can store is somewhat limited, as are options for customer support.

Why we chose it: Mycelium is a free mobile-only app with reproducible technology that ensures your wallet is completely secure.

• Stellar mobile apps
• Customizable transaction fees
• Reproducible, secure, backs up your data

• Email customer service only
• Supports a limited number of coins
• No computer-based apps

Pricing: Mycelium features a free app for iOS or Android devices, providing complete security and a backup system should you lose access to your assets. While miners’ fees are unavoidable, Mycelium allows you to customize your costs whenever you make an exchange. Keep in mind that higher fees have the best chance of being completed fast.

Trust Wallet: Best Crypto Wallet for Staking

Pricing: Free to download and use, fees for exchanges

4.2

★★★★★

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Trust Wallet offers an unusual means of earning interest on lesser-known crypto in a similar way to storing money in a bank. The platform as a whole supports over one million digital assets to cover all your needs while remaining free to download and use. Outside limited browser functionality, you’re forced to use your phone for all transactions. Trust Wallet doesn’t provide clear information on each of its coins, and you can’t rely on the slow customer service team for timely help.

Why we chose it: Going beyond simple storage, Trust Wallet allows you to stake coins and make passive income on currencies you’re not actively trading.

• Can stake 12 different cryptocurrencies
• Supports over 1 million different assets
• Free to download and use

• No desktop app
• Minimal customer service
• Little documentation on supported coins

Pricing: Trust Wallet has a free app for mobile devices and browsers that lets users buy and exchange cryptocurrencies with the push of a button. Its stand-out feature is the ability to earn interest on one of 12 different currencies, although most are less popular types of cryptocurrency.

By staking your coins, you effectively enter into a contract with Trust Wallet to store assets for an amount of time. The process isn’t much different from a bank account, and you can make income on crypto you’re not currently using.

If you do want to exchange any of your coins, Trust Wallet allows you to do so through miners. Since miners provide the resources to transfer currency, you’re required to pay a small fee (in cryptocurrency) for the swap to take place.

Methodology for the Best Crypto Wallets

Cryptocurrency wallets are complex by design to keep their contents out of the wrong hands. We studied everything that goes into making a crypto wallet great and used the following considerations to make our picks.

• Security:
  • A wallet does little good if it can’t keep your valuable assets safe. Hackers are ever-present in this day and age, and the top cryptocurrency wallet creators have to go above and beyond with advanced algorithms and detailed seeds to keep your digital money safe.
  • Look for software that uses long strings for seeds, ideally at least 12 words. The more words the better when it comes to security, but you may need to call upon this seed to restore your information from a backup in the event of a loss.
  • Consider extra security features like encryption and authentication to create additional barriers from hacking. Some even require biometric information to boost security that much more. It’s also worth noting which companies have been hacked in the past and the measures they put in place to prevent another.

• Type of Wallet:
  • Going hand in hand with security, the type of wallet you use can further protect your assets from unsavory characters. Wallets are either hot or cold.
  • Hot wallets require a connection to the internet to access and interact with. This “hot” connection does mean they are susceptible to attacks from outside sources, but as mentioned earlier, most products add layers of security to prevent this from happening. While less secure than the alternative, hot wallets allow convenient access to the crypto market for buying or trading.
  • Cold wallets function independently of the internet, keeping your assets completely offline and away from the hands of thieves. These wallets come in physical form as a device similar to a flash drive. They store your information, but with much more security. These devices keep your investments safe but require a few extra steps should you want to make a sale or exchange.

• Fees:
  • Cold storage wallets will come with a one-time cost to acquire the physical device. Other than that, the best crypto wallets don’t charge to view currencies or for transactions.
  • The only fees you should encounter come from miners who use resources to transfer or exchange your coins. These are unavoidable but are often customizable to keep costs at a level you can afford.

• Ease of Use:
  • Crypto wallets need not be nearly as complicated as the coins and tokens they store. Many hot wallets come with user-friendly apps for navigating assets and making crypto trades on the web. Others may have complex features best suited for those very familiar with blockchain. Find an app that speaks to the level of functionality you’re most comfortable with.

• Number of Cryptocurrencies:
  • Gone are the times of one or two cryptocurrencies. Today, there are millions of crypto assets out there for trade. The value of coins rises and falls just like stocks, so you’ll want to pick a wallet that lets you transfer from one coin to another to avoid a sinking ship.
  • It’s also worth finding a wallet that’s quick on the update of new coins. Getting in on the ground floor of a cryptocurrency can spell considerable gains if the timing is right.

• Accessibility:
  • Whether you prefer mobile, PC, Mac, or some combination therein, it’s important to pick a wallet that’s easily accessible for you. Some wallets are only available on limited platforms, so shop around accordingly.

• Customer Support:
  • Depending on how long you’ve been dabbling in the crypto world, you may have hundreds or thousands of dollars worth of coins tucked away in your wallet. In the event of downtime or loss, you want to know how to reach someone as soon as possible to regain access to what’s yours.

Bottom Line on the Best Crypto Wallets

Crypto wallets provide necessary protection from theft or loss of digital currency. Whether cold or hot, the best ones offer layers of security to keep your assets safe. No matter which wallet you choose, it should be free of unnecessary fees while being easy to use.