Best Regulated Crypto Exchanges in the USA – Top Picks Compared in 2026

We reviewed 8 top US crypto exchanges using our Coingape review methodology, which focuses on things that actually matter for crypto traders, such as fees, security, compliance, supported assets, availability, and simplicity. 

Our review caters to both retail and institutional users, focusing on fiat on/off ramps, staking, spot and stablecoins. Whether you’re a new trader or already experienced, there’s a US crypto exchange that suits your needs.

Globally, Coinbase ranks as the second-best crypto exchange in terms of market cap, coming behind only Binance. For US traders, Coinbase gives you the feel of trading on a platform like Binance, offering almost similar liquidity, features, and asset coverage.

Author’s Review

In my opinion, Coinbase stands out as the top US crypto exchange for several reasons, especially for beginners and institutions. First, it offers deep liquidity, good fiat on/off ramp option, spot and staking services. Plus, Coinbase offers educational resources that help beginners ease into crypto trading. The fees are the only downside to using Coinbase, especially for active traders. 

Kraken is one of the oldest US crypto exchanges. The platform is registered with FinCEN and offers spot, staking and derivatives services. Plus, Kraken boasts deep liquidity for institutional traders.

Author’s Review

From my experience as a crypto journalist and a first-hand user, Kraken may be a bit overwhelming for retail users, especially beginners. However, I recommend Kraken to high-volume advanced users and institutional clients as they can perfectly utilize Kraken’s advanced trading tools and security.

Crypto.com is the super app of crypto, meaning you can get multiple services in a single app. The platform is accessible to US traders, registered with FinCEN, and offers a decent coverage of crypto assets.a

Author’s Review

From experience, Crypto.com isn’t too friendly for advanced traders. Instead, it focuses largely on simplicity and easy access, which is what beginners should look out for on a US crypto exchange. The only downside for beginners is that the fees could be confusing and high.

Gemini is a crypto exchange that’s available in all 50 US states and regulated by the NYSDFS. Gemini also offers insured custody, giving it enough security appeal to attract institutions.

Author’s Review

Gemini gives institutions what they truly want in a crypto platform: security. The crypto exchange is available in all 50 US states and has the right licenses and insurance that institutional traders need to stay calm in a complex market like crypto. For retail traders, especially advanced users, Gemini may feel a bit limited since it supports limited crypto assets, unlike others like Coinbase. 

Binance. US is the US affiliate of the global crypto exchange Binance. Although it offers fewer assets and market access than the global platform. Binance.US is a good option for anyone seeking to use a regulated and US-friendly version of the Binance franchise.

Author’s Review

Binance.US is one of the top US crypto exchanges I’d recommend for beginners and anyone looking for a platform with USD deposit and withdrawals, trading view integration, good asset coverage, and decent fees.

CoinJar is one of the crypto exchanges that new traders can easily access and trade over 60 cryptocurrencies, and get USD funding via ACH and wire transfer. Overall, CoinJar is smaller than most top US exchanges, but the platform makes this list for its simplicity, long-standing presence, reputation, and license in over 20 US states.

Author’s Review

From experience evaluating US crypto exchanges, CoinJar is a beginner-friendly platform with modest pricing and decent asset coverage. The platform supports ACH funding and recurring buy, which makes it good enough for new spot traders.

Bitstamp is one of the oldest crypto exchanges available in most US states. Traders can access USD spot trading, ACH deposits, and fiat withdrawals under US compliance. Bitstamp offers up to 80 cryptocurrencies for trading, and fees are tiered based on your 30-day volume.

Author’s Review

From online reviews and popular opinion, Bitstamp is regulated and safe for US traders. It offers clear funding options via ACH. However, the supported assets are more on the conservative side, meaning Bitstamp may not be ideal for advanced or pro traders. 

CEX.io is widely known for its regulation-first approach and has a FinCEN registration. The platform offers over 300+ altcoins for trading, making it a good place for US altcoin hunters to find new tokens.

Author’s Review

CEX.io offers the kind of flexibility high-volume traders need. The platform serves 30+ US states, offering both spot and margin products to US crypto traders. Having used the platform, I recommend CEX.io to beginners and intermediate traders.

The US isn’t taking the back seat when it comes to regulating crypto. Authorities at both the federal and state levels are serious about compliance, and as a US crypto trader, you need to understand how the US regulates crypto on all fronts to improve your experience. Here’s what to know:

At the Federal Level

Various agencies are responsible for regulating crypto at the federal level, including

• The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC): The SEC is arguably the most popular federal agency regulating crypto. The regulator is responsible for overseeing assets considered securities, and is primarily focused on investor protection and enforcement. 
• Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC): Like the SEC with securities, this regulator is concerned about futures, options, and the derivatives market.
• Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN): FinCEN requires crypto firms to register as Money Services Businesses (MSBs) and set up all the right checks, such as AML and KYC compliance.

Crypto Regulation at the State Level

Different states have their own regulatory agencies. Here are some of the notable names:

• New York Bitlicense: New York has a strict crypto policy, which explains why most exchanges on our list exclude the state from their services. The state requires exchanges to meet high custody reporting and capital standards. 
• Wyoming Crypto Bank Charters: Although this licensing regime is more friendly, it also requires crypto exchanges to meet certain requirements. 

It’s important to know the crypto regulation policy in your state or region, as it would help guide you to know what to expect from any crypto platform operating in your region.

An exchange is considered legal in the US if it has FinCEN registration and complies with state-level requirements. Fortunately, there’s been an increase in the number of legal crypto exchanges in the US. As a trader, these are the platforms you should focus on using, since you enjoy investor protection. 

These exchanges have some level of regulation that’s good enough to operate in the US. However, they may not meet certain state-level requirements. 

What exchanges offer regulated derivatives in the US?

Some crypto exchanges offer regulated derivatives in the US. For advanced traders interested in this feature, Kraken and Coinbase are two notable names here. Both exchanges have different focus points. Kraken caters more to institutional-grade regulated futures, while Coinbase offers perpetual assets. 

Here’s a table clearly showing you what exchange is regulated and their type of license in the US.

We ranked the best US crypto exchanges using the CoinGape ranking system, which is a weighted methodology that focuses on compliance, security, ease of use, and other core factors. Here’s how we reviewed the top US exchanges: 

Overall, a licensed crypto exchange offers better security. However, you still have a role to play. For example, use really strong passwords and avoid using unofficial apps.

You should use an exchange that meets your trading needs. For example, beginners need a platform like Coinbase. It offers a smooth interface and decent crypto asset coverage. 

Advanced users can trade on Kraken and Binance.US due to deep liquidity. For institutional traders, the focus should be more on compliance and security, which Gemini offers. 

Always choose an exchange that’s available in your state or region. Look out for their fees, security, and compare fees to get the best low-fee exchange.