Choosing the best Ethereum exchanges for buying ETH requires extensive research and comparison of various factors, such as liquidity, security measures, trading features, and a number of other critical considerations.
This article will help you understand what to look for when researching exchanges and give you the necessary insights to help you find the best crypto exchange for your trading needs. Whether you’re buying Ethereum or any other coin, our aim is to equip you with the knowledge necessary to make better decisions and enter the crypto market with more confidence.
Here are the best Ethereum exchanges, according to our review team.
Before proceeding, take a look at the following quick reviews of the best Ethereum exchanges.
Founded in 2014 as Bitreserve and rebranded in 2015, Uphold is a digital money platform that allows users to trade cryptocurrencies, fiat currencies, metals, and stocks. It is headquartered in New York and operates in 150+ countries with more than 10 million users. The platform supports over 260 cryptocurrencies, 35 fiat currencies, four metals, and various stocks. Users can convert assets directly to minimize fees. Security measures include encryption, a 100% reserve model, and regular audits.
The platform follows FinCEN regulations in the US and holds money transmitter licenses in multiple states. The FCA regulates its UK operations, while FINTRAC oversees Canada and Lithuania’s Financial Crime Investigation Service to ensure European compliance.
The US version of eToro launched in 2018 with a customized platform, designed to meet the US’s stringent regulations, and to reliably serve US traders. At start, the platform only offered crypto trading, but has obtained the necessary regulatory approvals and expanded its offerings.
Despite its regulatory compliance, eToro USA is still considerably more limited than its international counterpart, particularly regarding its crypto exchange offerings. The US version supports considerably fewer cryptocurrencies, and offers fewer trading pairs. Additionally, it doesn’t provide staking services.
However, it is just as fiat-friendly as the international platform, and accepts fiat deposits from several payment methods. Additionally, it also charges the same 1% fee for both buying and selling cryptocurrencies.
Initially established in 2011 and officially launched as a crypto exchange in 2013, Kraken is a crypto trading platform headquartered in San Francisco, California. It is one of the most popular exchanges on the market and consistently generates billions of daily trading volumes.
Kraken offers its services to all but two states in the US and holds the necessary permits to operate globally.
Kraken supports over 300 cryptocurrencies. Its service offerings include spot trading, margin trading with up to x5 leverage, and derivative trading with up to x50 leverage. The platform also offers earning opportunities for a select group of cryptocurrencies.
On Kraken, users can make fiat deposits with six major fiat currencies using several different payment methods. Kraken’s trading fee structure is tiered and offers discounted rates to users who generate large monthly trading volumes.
Founded in 2013, CEX IO is one of the pioneers in the centralized crypto exchange industry. With headquarters in London, and multiple offices around the world, CEX IO is a well-regulated and licensed crypto trading platform, available in hundreds of countries, including the US, with some state-specific exceptions.
On CEX IO, traders can engage in spot trading and margin trading with up to x10 leverage. The exchange supports around 200+ cryptocurrencies, and allows users to directly purchase them with three major fiat currencies: USD, EUR, and GBP. In addition, CEX IO also provides earning and staking opportunities.
CEX IO supports a number of payment methods, including bank transfers, cards, PayPal, and Skrill. The exchange has a tiered fee structure and offers discounted maker and taker fees to users who generate large monthly trading volumes.
Gemini is a popular crypto trading platform that was launched in 2015, with headquarters in New York. It is an exchange with a significant global presence, regulated and operating in more than 60 countries worldwide. Gemini also provides its services to US users in all 50 states.
Traders on Gemini can buy, sell, and trade more than 70 cryptocurrencies. The exchange also offers a range of derivative trading options, including perpetual and dated futures with up to x100 leverage, options, and swaps. In addition to crypto trading, Gemini also offers staking services for a select group of coins.
Gemini supports seven major fiat currencies and accepts deposits made using a number of payment methods, including PayPal. Regarding trading fees, Gemini’s fee schedule is complex, and sometimes it charges fixed or tiered fees, depending on the trade.
Coinbase is a US-based crypto platform established in 2012 in San Francisco, California. It is one of the world’s most popular and largest crypto exchanges by trading volume. It operates in more than 100 regions worldwide and has the necessary licenses and approvals to offer its services to US users from all 50 states.
The Coinbase exchange supports over 240 cryptocurrencies and over 300 trading pairs. Its service offerings include spot trading, margin trading, perpetuals and futures trading with up to x20 leverage, and staking coins for interest.
On Coinbase, users can make fiat deposits using a range of payment methods, including popular options like PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. The exchange supports three fiat currencies: USD, EUR, and GBP.
For trading fees, Coinbase uses a tiered structure and offers discounted rates to active traders who generate large trading volumes.
WEEX is a futures-focused exchange founded in 2018. Based in Singapore and available in over 130 countries, WEEX supports over 1000 cryptocurrencies.
Spot trading is available with a variety of advanced orders. For futures, the exchange offers up to 400x leverage, and an additional platform for professional traders.
WEEX’s copy trading feature makes it easier for beginners to get into trading. It allows you to instantly copy someone’s trades. This way, you can make the same trades as a professional.
The exchange’s tiered VIP level structure lets holders of WXT, its native token, save up to 70% of its already low fees.
ECXX was founded in Singapore in 2019. The exchange is currently in its early stages, with some features still in development.
ECXX's current infrastructure is designed for more serious spot traders who don’t mind the limited range of 20 crypto.
The trading views available are quite sophisticated and show the exchange plans to implement options trading.
There are also plans for passive income in the form of staking, with more sophisticated features in the pipeline.
It is sensible to approach any review site with skepticism. After all, many provide little more than half-hearted reviews that barely skim the surface. Others allow their biases to shine through. Entities such as these provide little or no use to anyone genuinely looking for the best ETH exchange.
At CCN, we approach things very differently. Our team uses plenty of data points to produce all-encompassing reviews. These include but aren’t limited to security, product volume, and customer service standards.
By the time you finish reading our reviews, you’ll feel educated. Thus, you’re in a fantastic position to choose the best Ethereum trading platform for your needs. Our reviews are neutral, with a focus on getting to the truth. Not every Ethereum exchange will like it. But, if our readers benefit, that’s what matters the most.
Casino | Welcome Bonus | Our Rating |
---|---|---|
Uphold | Trusted, Secure & Crypto Friendly | 4.50 |
eToro US | Get $10 of free Qualified Cryptocurrencies when you register and verify your account. | 4.00 |
Kraken | Get $10 in Bitcoin when you register through a referral link from an existing member. | 4.50 |
CEX.IO | Receive 250 USDT in trading fee balance | 4.00 |
Gemini | Get $10 in BTC when you sign up with a referral link and trade $100 in 30 days | 4.50 |
Coinbase | Earn $10 in Ethereum (ETH) when you stake $100 in ETH for the first time, up to $30 in rewards | 4.50 |
Bitbo | Trusted, Secure & Crypto Friendly | 4.00 |
WEEX | Enjoy up to 30,000 USDT Bonus when you sign up and complete tasks. | 3.00 |
Nemo.Money | Get $50 credited directly to your account when you deposit $100. | 4.00 |
Ecxx | Trusted, Secure & Crypto Friendly | 4.00 |
Disclaimer: Investing in cryptocurrencies carries significant risk. Values are highly volatile. Never invest more than you can afford to lose. This site does not provide financial advice. Act based on your own research and consult with a financial professional before making decisions. Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest.
Choosing the right exchange for buying Ethereum is a process that requires extensive research and comparison of various factors, such as liquidity, security measures, trading features, and a number of other critical considerations. Let’s examine some of the most important aspects of choosing a CEX.
In the simplest of terms, liquidity is the ease with which an investor can buy or sell a crypto asset at a price close to its market value. The higher the liquidity of the platform, the easier it is to achieve this.
The liquidity of any crypto exchange, or any trading platform for that matter, is influenced by multiple factors, including the diversity of trading pairs, the daily transaction volumes, the number of traders trading on the platform, as well as their overall sentiment.
When choosing the best platform for your purchase of ETH, you should look for highly liquid exchanges that will allow you to quickly execute your trades at a minimal cost.
Look for exchanges that use robust security practices. These might include encryption, two-factor authentication (2FA), and cold storage for storing cryptocurrencies. Strong security helps protect your coins from hacks and theft.
Licensing and reputation among its users are a good indicator of an exchange's reliability and trustworthiness. An exchange that holds the necessary licenses and adheres to regulatory standards is much more likely to be secure and dependable.
Additionally, if most people who use the exchange are satisfied with its service and are not shy about praising its offerings in their reviews, that's another positive sign. Having said that, you should always take user reviews with a grain of salt, as not everyone thinks the same.
A good Ethereum exchange should provide educational resources. These tools can help users understand cryptocurrency trading and the platform's features. Look for exchanges that offer tutorials, guides, or blogs. Such info can enhance your knowledge and confidence in navigating the crypto market.
You can’t expect to find the ideal Ethereum exchange if you don’t dedicate a good portion of your research to examining and comparing fees. Transaction fees, market spreads, deposit and withdrawal fees, currency conversion charges, you name it. Every CEX has a different fee structure, but ultimately, they all take from your money to cover their operational costs.
To find the most cost-effective CEX, you will need to cover all these fees in detail and match them to your own trading habits and strategies. Although they may seem minor, fees accumulate quickly. If you pay no mind to them, they will eat away at your earnings and significantly impact your bottom line.
Also, investigate the number and variety of cryptocurrencies available for trading. A diverse range of coins allows you to explore different investment opportunities. It also helps diversify your portfolio . Look for Ethereum exchanges that offer a wide selection of popular cryptos.
Check the variety of payment methods supported by the ETH exchange. Ensure that the site offers payment options that are convenient and accessible to you. These might include popular fiat payments like credit cards or debit cards. It should also offer eWallets and crypto as options. With lots of choices, you can deposit and withdraw funds easily.
You may only be interested in buying ETH now and have no use for other financial products or services. But what if your trading strategy evolves or market conditions change? Wouldn’t it be nice to have access to more advanced tools and options? To get the most out of your trading experience, try to find an exchange that offers the following.
Spot trading is the most basic form of trading, exchanging one coin for another or fiat currency at the current market price. In other words, buying ETH from a CEX is spot trading. Naturally, you want this feature to be readily available in the exchange you plan to use to buy Ethereum.
While it is slightly more complicated than that, in simple terms, margin trading is buying cryptocurrencies with more funds than you have, by using funds borrowed by the exchange. It is a very risky strategy used by experienced traders to amplify their rewards. Of course, we don’t suggest you try margin trading as a beginner, but at least understanding how it works may help you grow as a trader.
Trading a future contract is buying or selling a cryptocurrency at a predetermined price at a later date. It is a trading tool that allows experienced traders who think they can predict if a coin's price will go up or down to earn profits by speculating on this price movement. In some strategies, traders also use futures contracts to protect their positions and minimize their losses.
Similar to futures contracts, options contracts allow the trader to buy or sell a coin at a predetermined price at a later date, but also the option not to proceed with the trade, hence the name "options." Both futures and options contracts deal with predicting coins' prices and are suited for experienced investors. However, even beginners should at least understand how they work.
Unlike some of the more advanced trading options we just mentioned, staking and lending are straightforward and accessible strategies that every crypto owner should consider. Whether you lock up your ETH on a staking platform to support its operations or lend it to other users or platforms to earn interest, these methods offer a relatively low-risk way to earn passive income and are a welcome addition to the features on the CEX you will be using to buy Ethereum.
Many new blockchain projects use the popularity of crypto exchanges to reach investors and try to raise funds for their development. Supporting new projects through participating in ICOs and token sales can be a profitable venture but also a risky one. We strongly recommend you gain sufficient experience and learn more about managing risk before considering to becoming a capital investor.
While similar to staking and lending, cryptocurrency savings accounts are actually the decentralized counterpart of traditional banking savings accounts. You lock up your assets in a savings account, the platform invests them in various opportunities to generate returns, and you get it back with interest. If you want to have additional ways to generate profits with your ETH, try to find a CEX that provides this option.
Access to various crypto payment solutions can help you integrate cryptocurrency into your everyday life. While most CEXs provide access to the most basic payment options, some CEXs truly excel at providing a comprehensive suite of services for every type of transaction. Try to find a CEX that will provide enough flexibility to make your life easier and efficiently handle daily transactions, purchases, transfers, etc.
Buying Ethereum on a centralized exchange may seem intimidating, but with a little help, anyone can manage it. If you need guidance for your first purchase of ETH on a CEX, our simple guide below will walk you through the entire process.
Buying Ethereum on a centralized exchange may seem intimidating, but with a little help, anyone can manage it. If you need guidance for your first purchase of ETH on a CEX, our simple seven-step guide below will walk you through the entire process.
DEXs are platforms allowing users to trade cryptocurrencies directly with each other without intermediaries. Here are some pros and cons of using DEXs.
CEXs are “traditional” crypto exchanges. They permit buyers and sellers to trade through a centralized platform managed by a company or organization. Here are some pros and cons of using them.
Hybrid cryptocurrency exchanges combine characteristics of centralized and decentralized exchanges. Many crypto traders prefer them because they offer the best of both worlds. Some CEX qualities, such as quick transactions and dependable customer service, are present on the best hybrid exchanges. Similarly, these platforms support peer-to-peer trading and other decentralized features, such as users' control over private keys.
The goal of a hybrid exchange is to offer a balance between security and consumer ease.
You can also benefit from a fast transactional process and an easy-to-use UI. Nevertheless, you are in charge of your money and can take use of decentralized systems' security features.
It's important to consider these factors and your personal preferences when you choose between DEX, CEX, or a hybrid exchange. As you can see, every option has its advantages and disadvantages.
Buying Ethereum on a centralized exchange may seem intimidating, but with a little help, anyone can manage it. If you need guidance for your first purchase of ETH on a CEX, our simple seven-step guide below will walk you through the entire process.
By now, you should already understand the importance of choosing the right platform for your purchase of Ethereum. Using everything you learned in this article, do a thorough research and find the ideal CEX to buy ETH under the terms and conditions that work in your best interest.
Once you find it, you will need to sign up with the exchange so that it lets you use its trading capabilities. Hit the “Sign Up” or “Register” button on its homepage, and follow the on-screen instructions to create your account. Make sure to choose a strong password and enable all the security measures the platform will offer you to maximize the protection of your assets. Finally, complete the KYC verification.
You are now ready to make transactions after completing all the preparation steps. Before you can buy ETH, you will need to load funds into your account. Navigate to the right section of the platform that deals with funding and choose to make a deposit. This will pull up the payment gateway, from which you can choose your preferred payment method. Make your choice and go to the next step.
Insert the amount of money you would like to purchase Ethereum for. Follow the on-screen instructions to get to the transaction details. Here, double-check all the costs and fees attached to your deposit. If you are happy with the costs, confirm your payment. If you feel the costs may be excessive, try using an alternative payment method.
Now that your account is funded, you can move on to the final phase. Navigate to the tab where trading is done and look for Ethereum (ETH) on the list of tradeable cryptocurrencies. Choose the trading pair you want to work with and tap on it to pull up the trading interface.
Decide the amount of Ethereum you want to buy and enter the details in the order form. Specify the price you want to buy or choose the market price for an instant purchase. Review the details and confirm the order.
Shortly after confirming your order, the trade will be executed, and the Ethereum coins will be credited to your crypto exchange account's balance. You now own the ETH, but it is still under the CEX's custody. If you want to take your ETH under your custody, you will need to make a withdrawal by inserting your wallet's public address in the designated field and confirming the transfer. The ETH will shortly be stored in the safety of your crypto wallet.
Using multiple Ethereum exchanges is a sensible practice for a few reasons. Let’s explore them below.
Above, we mentioned the need to move your newly purchased ETH to your crypto wallet to keep it under your custody and enjoy enhanced control over your assets. However, storing your cryptocurrencies in your crypto wallet can also improve their security and protection.
While reputable CEXs utilize a range of the most advanced security measures and protocols and provide adequate security, nothing beats the unmatched safety of a cold wallet.
Even though CEXs can provide you with two-factor authentication and biometric security features, these platforms are simply too big of a target for cybercriminals and hackers. Your assets could be at risk if an exchange is breached or compromised.
It is a good idea to diversify your investments , even in the world of cryptocurrencies. Like traditional investments, spreading your holdings across different platforms minimizes risk. Each exchange may have its strengths, features, and security measures. So, by using more than one site, you can take advantage of the benefits offered by each.
Lastly, using different exchanges lets you become familiar with how different platforms work. Each cryptocurrency exchange has its own user interface, tools, and features. Using multiple sites, you can gain experience and understand how these platforms operate. This knowledge is valuable in helping you explore the cryptocurrency landscape. You make informed decisions and adapt to changes in the market as a result.
Ethereum is a decentralized blockchain platform launched by Vitalik Buterin in 2015. Envisioned as a highly versatile and programmable network, Ethereum is the backbone of decentralized finance and the foundation for countless innovations in Web3.
Its native coin, ETH, is the driving force behind the creativity of the Ethereum network, fueling countless smart contracts and decentralized apps across various industries. It is currently the world’s second most valuable coin, behind only Bitcoin, in both price and market cap. However, while BTC is more expensive, ETH is more expansive, enabling a wider range of applications beyond just being a store of value.
As we mentioned, ETH is a key component of the Ethereum blockchain. It is the fuel that drives innovation by powering smart contracts, which in turn are used to develop and run decentralized applications for all kinds of purposes, from finance to gaming to digital art and beyond.
At the moment, there are more than 4,000 dApps deployed on the Ethereum network, giving users access to a wide range of services and tools, such as:
As Ethereum’s decentralized network expands, so do the developers’ ambitions, and there have even been attempts at creating healthcare dApps and decentralized real estate platforms.
That is to say, ETH is not just central to its own blockchain but also drives the overall development of the Web3 ecosystem. There is a little that ETH can’t do, and as time goes by, we can only expect it to drive even more groundbreaking innovations.
Once you buy Ethereum, there are several things you can do with it. Let’s explore a few options below.
You can hold onto Ethereum, hoping its value will increase over time. Like buying stocks or other assets, you can buy and hold ETH as a long-term investment, anticipating its price appreciation.
ETH is a highly tradeable asset. If you time your positions right, you can sell your ETH for profit or trade it for another cryptocurrency to diversify. Trading is a risky but potentially rewarding activity.
Ethereum has fueled the growth of decentralized finance (DeFi) applications. DeFi platforms allow you to lend, borrow, earn interest, or participate in liquidity provision using your Ethereum. These entities offer financial services without intermediaries like banks. This means they provide new ways to manage and grow your assets.
Cryptocurrencies are not the only assets with potential for profit in decentralized finance. There are plenty of opportunities to earn in this market, and NFTs are no less a contender. If you find an NFT you believe will appreciate greatly, you can use your EHT to buy it and become a collector of fine digital arts.
DeFi is a dynamic ecosystem and there are always new projects that require funding and development. If you find a project you particularly like or are convinced it is poised for success, you can use your ETH to support its operations and help it grow. In return, you will likely receive tokens and other rewards and have the honor of becoming one of its early adopters.
Buying multiple coins, not just Ethereum, is important for diversification. Different cryptocurrencies have different characteristics, use cases, and price movements.
By investing in a variety of cryptocurrencies, you spread your risk. If the value of one cryptocurrency goes down, your other holdings may still retain value or even increase. Diversification helps to balance potential losses and maximize potential gains.
You can use cryptocurrency wallets to store your Ethereum and other cryptocurrencies securely. There are two main types.
Software wallets, commonly known as hot wallets, are software programs used for storing crypto assets. Because they are not physical, they exist exclusively online and are a convenient solution for storing the coins you want to use every day.
They can be accessed from practically any device connected to the internet, allowing you to easily make crypto transactions anywhere at any time.
However, because they are always online, these wallets are vulnerable to cyber-attacks and unauthorized data breaches. Even though they have robust security measures, sophisticated hackers sometimes find a way to bypass them and steal your assets.
Hardware wallets, also known as cold wallets, are physical storage devices that store crypto assets offline. You can connect them to the internet if you want to, but that requires a physical connection using a cable or Bluetooth to a different online device.
Obviously, this is less than ideal for crypto traders, who need to constantly be online to time their positions and exit exactly when they want to.
But if you want to HODL your ETH, cold wallets are the perfect storage solution, as they are not vulnerable to the threats imposed by online presence. Many argue that cold hardware wallets are the ultimate protection for your crypto assets, and we agree.
Choosing the right Ethereum exchange demands careful consideration of various factors. Factors such as liquidity, security measures, licensing, educational resources, fees, asset variety, payment methods, and available products should guide your decision-making process.
Decentralized and centralized exchanges each offer their own advantages and drawbacks, and diversifying across platforms can safeguard investments and broaden understanding within the crypto landscape. It's important to understand Ethereum's potential, functionalities, and diversified utility, and to store assets securely in personal wallets. Ultimately, becoming well-informed and cautious is key when entering cryptocurrency trading, ensuring that you invest only what you can afford to lose.
Yes, there are several types of restrictions and requirements for using crypto exchanges. There are geo-location restrictions, age restrictions, identity verification requirements, and potentially legal restrictions and requirements based on your local jurisdiction. Then, there are restrictions imposed by the platform you are using, such as the availability of payment methods, minimum and maximum deposit and withdrawal limits, etc.
The time it takes for the ETH to reach your balance after confirming the order depends on several factors, such as the liquidity of the CEX, network congestion, and the transaction speed of the native network. While in normal circumstances, you should receive your ETH within a few minutes, in periods of high traffic, this process may be drastically delayed to a few hours or a few days on slower platforms.
While the blockchain itself imposes no limits, most crypto trading platforms set their own limits on the amount of ETH you can buy and sell. However, on reputable exchanges, these limits are lenient and placed at amounts that will allow you to trade with great flexibility and buy as much or as little ETH as you want.
To choose the best exchange for your purchase of Ethereum, you will need to do a lot of research and make many comparisons of different platforms. Some of the most important factors you need to consider include liquidity, ease of use, customer support, availability of payment methods, and affordability. You can use both expert assessments and user reviews to get the necessary insights and compare the exchanges.
To compare the different terms and conditions various exchanges provide, you must gather data from their official websites, user reviews, and expert assessments. Then, you will carefully review each important factor that may impact your trading experience and determine which exchange offers the best features, fees, and security measures that meet your personal needs and preferences.