KuCoin is among the largest crypto-to-crypto exchanges by the number of assets it supports, with roughly 1,115 cryptocurrencies listed across more than 1,300 trading pairs. If you’re comparing KuCoin with domestically regulated alternatives or already using the exchange outside the U.S., the sections below from AXLToken.com examine what has changed, which features remain useful, and where KuCoin still falls short.
What is KuCoin?
KuCoin is a cryptocurrency exchange founded in 2017 by a team of blockchain specialists originally based in Hong Kong and mainland China. The exchange later relocated operations, and its current operating entity, Peken Global Ltd., is registered in Seychelles. KuCoin claims over 40 million registered users spread across more than 200 countries.
The platform centers on crypto-to-crypto trading. You won’t find a direct fiat order book; instead, fiat purchases are routed through third-party payment providers or a peer-to-peer marketplace. Spot, margin, and futures trading make up the core, but KuCoin also offers built-in trading bots, earn products, a P2P marketplace, and a Web3 wallet.
In 2022, KuCoin raised $150 million in a Series B round at a $10 billion valuation. Leadership changed in January 2025 when CEO BC Wong took over after the exchange’s co-founders entered deferred-prosecution agreements tied to U.S. criminal charges (more on that in the next section).
Is KuCoin legal in the USA?
No. KuCoin can’t legally serve U.S. traders right now, and all U.S. accounts were closed on January 23, 2025 at 9:00 PM EST.
On January 27, 2025, operator Peken Global Ltd. pleaded guilty in the Southern District of New York to running an unlicensed money-transmitting business, having served roughly 1.5 million U.S. users and collected approximately $184.5 million in fees without ever registering with FinCEN. The resulting penalty totaled about $297.4 million: $184.5 million in criminal forfeiture plus roughly $112.9 million in criminal fines.
Co-founders Chun Gan and Ke Tang each forfeited approximately $2.7 million, entered two-year deferred-prosecution agreements, and were barred from management roles. Trading for U.S. users is paused for at least two years from the plea date, meaning the earliest KuCoin could possibly re-enter the U.S. market is early 2027. Even then, a return isn’t guaranteed and would require proper licensing and compliance milestones.
If you’re a U.S. user with funds still on KuCoin, you can withdraw them through a support-assisted process by contacting KuCoin’s team directly. Have your identity documents ready because re-verification steps may be required before the withdrawal goes through. For active trading in the meantime, you’ll want to move to a domestically regulated exchange.
KuCoin availability outside the United States
KuCoin continues to operate for non-U.S. users, but access and available features depend heavily on where you live. The exchange doesn’t offer a single global experience; local regulations shape what you can and can’t do.
Thailand
KuCoin Thailand launched in 2025 as a separate entity licensed by the Thai SEC. Feature sets differ from the global platform, reflecting jurisdiction-specific rules.
United Kingdom
UK retail users have been barred from trading crypto derivatives since January 6, 2021, when the FCA’s ban took effect. That means perpetual futures and leveraged tokens on KuCoin are off-limits for UK retail traders. Spot trading remains accessible, but the derivative restriction removes a significant chunk of the platform’s appeal.
European Union
EU operations are in a transition period under the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework. Firms may continue under their national regimes until July 1, 2026 or until MiCA authorization is decided, whichever comes first. KuCoin EU Exchange GmbH received authorization from Austria’s FMA on November 27, 2025, but a separate prohibition on commencing business operations was imposed in February 2026. That prohibition remains active because governance requirements aren’t fully met. EU users should check whether KuCoin’s services are actually live in their country before signing up.
Canada
The Ontario Securities Commission permanently banned KuCoin and imposed penalties in June 2022. Ontario residents can’t legally use the platform.
Dubai
Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) issued a cease-and-desist alert on March 5, 2026, naming KuCoin-related entities for potential unlicensed activity. Users in the UAE should treat that as an active red flag.
VPN use and KYC
Using a VPN to bypass geo-restrictions violates KuCoin’s Terms of Use and can lead to account freezes or loss of access to your funds. KYC has been mandatory globally since August 31, 2023, so the exchange knows where you are.
KuCoin fees
KuCoin’s fee schedule starts low and drops further as your volume or KCS holdings increase. Here’s how it breaks down.
Spot trading fees
The base tier (Level 0) charges a flat 0.1% for both makers and takers. KuCoin runs 13 VIP tiers, from Level 0 through Level 12, with discounts based on your 30-day trading volume and KCS balance. At the highest tier (Level 12), makers receive a rebate of −0.003% and takers pay just 0.0025%.
If you hold KCS and choose to pay spot fees with it, you get up to a 20% discount, which brings the base rate down to roughly 0.08%. The maximum possible KCS-based discount across all tiers reaches 30%.
Futures trading fees
Futures fees at Level 0 are 0.02% maker and 0.06% taker. Level 12 drops those to a −0.008% maker rebate and 0.0025% taker. Perpetual contracts also carry funding fees that fluctuate with market conditions and can be payable by either longs or shorts depending on the funding rate at settlement.
Deposits and withdrawals
Crypto deposits carry no platform fee. Withdrawal fees are network-based and dynamic; the exact cost for each token and network is shown on the withdrawal screen before you confirm.
If you’re buying USDT with USD through a third-party bank transfer, expect a fee around 0.09%. Using Apple Pay bumps that to 1.35% to 2.15%, depending on the provider.
Leveraged tokens
Leveraged tokens carry a daily management fee charged at 23:45 UTC, which is built into the token’s net asset value rather than billed separately. Subscription and redemption fees are each 0.1%.
Supported cryptocurrencies and trading pairs
KuCoin lists over 1,100 crypto assets and roughly 1,300 active trading pairs. The catalog spans large-caps like BTC, ETH, and Tether stablecoin USDT down to niche micro-cap altcoins that haven’t appeared on other major exchanges yet. Major quote currencies are USDT, BTC, and ETH.
The exchange has a reputation for listing small-cap and emerging tokens early, which gives traders early access but comes with a trade-off. Liquidity varies widely across pairs. Spreads on long-tail tokens can be wide enough to eat into your position, so you’ll generally get tighter execution on major-quote pairs. If you’re trading a micro-cap, use limit orders rather than market orders to control your entry and exit prices.
Fiat purchases are available in over 60 currencies through third-party payment providers, though you’re not depositing fiat directly into a KuCoin order book. The third-party provider handles the conversion and deposits crypto into your KuCoin account.
Trading features and tools
KuCoin’s trading interface comes in three layouts: Standard, Professional, and Full Screen. All three integrate TradingView charting, so you get the same indicator library and drawing tools regardless of which view you pick. Standard works fine for straightforward trades, while Professional adds more data panels and order-book depth.
The platform supports seven-plus order types on spot, including limit, market, stop-limit, stop-market, OCO (one-cancels-the-other), trailing stop, and take-profit/stop-loss. That range covers most trading strategies without needing third-party execution tools.
Perpetual futures contracts are available with leverage up to 125x on select pairs. Margin trading offers up to 10x leverage on selected pairs. Both carry liquidation risk proportional to the leverage you choose.
Copy trading lets you follow other traders through in-app leaderboards that can be filtered by ROI, drawdown, and how long the leader has been active. Keep in mind that following someone else’s trades doesn’t remove your own risk. A leader’s past returns don’t guarantee future performance, and you’re still exposed to the same market moves.
One security-relevant design choice: KuCoin separates funds into a main account and a trading account. API connections only access the trading account, so you can keep the bulk of your holdings in the main account where they aren’t exposed to API key compromises. If you use trading bots or third-party tools that require API access, this separation limits how much could be affected if a key leaks.
The mobile app is available on iOS and Android and covers trading, portfolio viewing, and deposit/withdrawal functions.
KuCoin trading bots
KuCoin offers several built-in trading bots at no subscription cost. Each bot suits a different market condition, and none of them eliminates risk.
The grid bot automates buying low and selling high within a price range you define. It works best in sideways markets where the price oscillates. Dense grids (many price levels) generate a lot of small fills, and the cumulative fees from all those trades add up, so factor that into your expected returns.
The DCA bot executes periodic buys at regular intervals, averaging your entry price over time. It’s a mechanical way to build a position without trying to time the market.
The Smart Rebalance bot maintains your portfolio at target weights you set. When one asset drifts above its target allocation, the bot sells a portion and buys the underweight assets.
The Martingale bot increases position size after losses. This strategy can recover from drawdowns quickly if the price reverses, but it can also amplify losses dramatically if the market keeps moving against you. It’s intended for advanced users who understand the risk of doubling down.
Futures bots charge a fixed 0.06% per fill, and the KCS fee discount doesn’t apply to bot trades. Before deploying any bot with real funds, use the back-testing feature to see how the strategy would have performed historically. Starting with a small amount reduces your exposure while you learn how the bot behaves in live conditions.
KuCoin Shares (KCS) token benefits
KCS is KuCoin’s native utility token, and holding it gives you three practical advantages on the platform.
First, KCS holders can pay spot trading fees with KCS and receive a discount of up to 30%. That’s the single most direct way to reduce your cost per trade on the exchange.
Second, KuCoin distributes a portion of its daily trading-fee revenue to KCS holders as bonus dividends. The amount you receive is proportional to how much KCS you hold, so it works as a passive income stream tied to exchange activity.
Third, KuCoin runs a quarterly buyback-and-burn program that removes KCS from circulating supply over time, which reduces the total number of tokens outstanding.
KCS also plays a role in governance and early access to new features on the KuCoin platform, making it more than just a fee-discount token.
Earning passive income on KuCoin
KuCoin Earn bundles several yield-generating products under one roof. The rates and terms vary by asset, and each product carries its own risk profile.
- Flexible savings let you deposit crypto and redeem at any time. The trade-off is that yields are typically lower than locked products. Rewards may be auto-compounded or distributed to your funding account depending on the specific product.
- Fixed-term deposits lock your assets for a set period in exchange for higher quoted yields. You can’t access those funds until the term ends, so only lock what you won’t need in the interim.
- On-chain staking delegates your tokens to a validator on the asset’s native network. This carries validator-specific risks: slashing can reduce your staked balance if the validator misbehaves or goes offline, and unbonding delays mean you can’t withdraw instantly when the unstaking period begins.
- Crypto lending lets you lend assets to margin traders on KuCoin and earn interest. Rates fluctuate with borrowing demand, so what you earn one week may differ the next.
- Launchpad (Spotlight) gives KCS holders and qualifying users early access to new token sales before the token is listed for broader trading. Allocation depends on your KCS holdings and participation requirements.
How deposits and withdrawals work
Getting funds into and out of KuCoin involves a few different paths depending on whether you’re moving crypto or buying with fiat.
- Crypto deposits are accepted across all listed assets with no platform-imposed minimum beyond what the network itself requires. Double-check that the deposit address and network match before sending; a mismatch can result in permanent loss of funds.
- Fiat purchases go through third-party card processors and bank-transfer providers. Each provider sets its own KYC requirements and fees, so you may need to verify with the provider separately from your KuCoin KYC.
- P2P marketplace charges zero platform fee, but merchants set their own margins. An appeals process exists for disputes, though user reviews suggest resolution can be slow.
- KuCard is a crypto debit card that lets you spend crypto as fiat. The physical card costs 9.99 EUR with an annual fee of 10.00 EUR. Non-Euro transactions carry a 2% fee. These fees may change, so check the current schedule before ordering.
- Crypto withdrawals go to an external wallet address you specify. You’ll enter the address, your six-digit trading password, and complete 2FA before the withdrawal processes. Fees are network-based and dynamic; you’ll see the exact cost for the token and network you’ve chosen before completing the transaction. Larger withdrawals that exceed a set multiple of the handling fee may be manually reviewed by KuCoin’s team, which can add a delay.
Is KuCoin safe?
KuCoin layers several account-level protections that you should enable immediately after signing up. Two-factor authentication is available through TOTP (time-based one-time password apps like Google Authenticator are preferred over SMS). A six-digit trading password is required for withdrawals and trades. Passkey login, an anti-phishing code on emails, login IP restrictions, and a withdrawal-address whitelist round out the security options. The anti-phishing code is especially useful: every legitimate email from KuCoin will display your chosen phrase, making phishing attempts easier to spot.
On the infrastructure side, KuCoin stores the majority of user funds in cold storage, limiting hot-wallet exposure. The Futures Insurance Fund covers liquidation shortfalls on perpetual contracts, but it’s not blanket hack insurance for spot balances. If a spot-side breach happened, that fund wouldn’t cover your losses.
KuCoin runs a bug bounty program that pays external security researchers to find and report vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.
A Proof-of-Reserves snapshot from November 30, 2025 showed reserve ratios of 102% for BTC, 102% for ETH, 105% for USDT, and 115% for USDC. These figures are point-in-time snapshots and update periodically, so they reflect the exchange’s reserves at that date rather than a guaranteed current ratio. Users can verify their own account’s inclusion through Merkle proofs.
KuCoin announced SOC 2 Type II certification in April 2025 and ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification in May 2025. Both are third-party audits that evaluate security controls and information-security management.
September 2020 security breach
In September 2020, KuCoin’s hot wallets were compromised, resulting in losses between $275 million and $281 million across BTC, ETH, USDT, and ERC-20 tokens. The stolen funds were moved through decentralized exchanges in an attempt to launder them. Blockchain-analysis firms attributed the attack to a state-sponsored threat actor.
By November 2020, roughly 84% of the stolen funds had been recovered through a combination of token freezes, cooperation with affected projects, and law-enforcement coordination. The remaining approximately 16%, around $45.6 million, was reportedly covered by KuCoin’s insurance fund. No users lost funds as a result of the breach.
The incident pushed KuCoin to strengthen its wallet-segregation practices and increase the frequency of its transparency reporting. The main-account and trading-account separation that exists today is partly a product of lessons learned from that event.
Customer support and common user complaints
KuCoin offers support through in-app live chat, email tickets, and a help-center FAQ. There’s no toll-free phone line. The exchange claims 24/7 availability with support in English, Russian, Turkish, Chinese, and other languages.
In practice, user feedback paints a more complicated picture. A major review platform lists 1,601 total reviews for KuCoin, with 290 in the most recent 12 months. The platform’s rating was removed due to a guidelines breach, which itself reflects the polarized sentiment around the exchange.
Slow response times during high-volume periods are a recurring complaint. Some users report tickets taking weeks to resolve. Frozen accounts trigger a particularly frustrating cycle: users describe complex re-verification loops that require video submissions and additional documents, sometimes repeatedly.
P2P dispute handling draws its own criticism. Sellers report that the resolution process is slow and sometimes demands documentation unrelated to the transaction in question.
Several users mention dormancy fees applied to inactive accounts, a policy that doesn’t get much visibility until it affects your balance. Making things worse, deleting a KuCoin account is reportedly difficult, leaving users stuck between paying fees on an account they don’t use and being unable to close it cleanly.
Withdrawal problems tied to expired payment methods or mismatched bank details also surface in complaints. If your linked payment method has changed since you set up the account, resolve that before attempting a withdrawal to avoid delays.
Pros and cons of KuCoin
Pros:
- One of the largest altcoin selections among major exchanges, with over 1,100 assets and frequent early listings of emerging tokens that aren’t yet available elsewhere.
- Low base trading fees: 0.1% on spot and 0.02%/0.06% maker/taker on futures, with further reductions through KCS discounts and 13 VIP tiers.
- Built-in trading bots covering grid, DCA, rebalance, and martingale strategies at no subscription cost, making automated trading more accessible.
- Proof-of-Reserves snapshots with user-verifiable Merkle proofs, plus SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001 certifications add a layer of transparency and third-party validation.
- KCS token provides fee discounts up to 30%, daily bonus distributions from trading-fee revenue, and early access to Launchpad events.
Cons:
- Completely unavailable for trading to U.S. users for at least two years following the January 2025 guilty plea, with no guaranteed return date.
- Mixed customer-support reputation, with reports of slow ticket resolution, bot-like initial responses, and drawn-out re-verification processes.
- No direct fiat order book. Fiat on-ramps depend entirely on third-party providers, each with their own fees and KYC requirements layered on top of KuCoin’s.
- The interface can feel cluttered and overwhelming for beginners, even with customizable layouts. The sheer number of products and menus takes time to learn.
- Regulatory standing lags behind peers in multiple jurisdictions, including the U.S., UK, EU, Canada, and Dubai, creating uncertainty about long-term access.
How to get started on KuCoin
- Go to kucoin.com or download the mobile app. Register with an email address or phone number, then enter the verification code sent to that contact.
- Create a strong, unique password to finish basic registration.
- Before depositing anything, enable two-factor authentication (TOTP is more secure than SMS) and set a six-digit trading password. These two steps protect your funds from unauthorized access.
- Optionally complete KYC by submitting a government-issued ID and a selfie. Completing KYC raises your withdrawal limits and unlocks features like P2P trading and higher-tier earn products. Without KYC, your daily withdrawal limit will be restricted.
- Deposit crypto by navigating to Assets, selecting Deposit, and copying the deposit address for the asset you want to send to your crypto wallet. Send from your external wallet, and double-check that both the address and the network are correct before you hit confirm. A wrong network selection can mean lost funds.
- Alternatively, purchase crypto through a third-party card provider or the P2P marketplace directly within the app.
- Navigate to the Markets tab, select a trading pair, choose your order type (limit, market, stop-limit, or others), set the amount, and execute the trade.
- To withdraw, go to Assets, then Withdrawal. Pick the asset and network, paste where you want the funds sent, then authorize with your trading password and 2FA. Review the withdrawal fee shown on screen before confirming.
Frequently asked questions
Which country is KuCoin from?
KuCoin was founded in 2017 by a group of blockchain specialists who started the company out of Hong Kong and mainland China. Peken Global Ltd., the company behind the exchange, holds its registration in Seychelles and runs offices in Singapore and Hong Kong.
How do I get my money out of KuCoin?
Go to Assets, then Withdrawal. Choose the asset and its corresponding network, paste your external wallet address, then verify the transaction with your trading password and 2FA. If you’re a U.S. user whose account was closed in January 2025, you’ll need to contact KuCoin support directly for an assisted withdrawal. Have your identity documents ready, as re-verification may be required.
Does KuCoin require KYC verification?
Yes. KYC has been mandatory for all users globally since August 31, 2023. Completing verification raises your daily withdrawal limits and unlocks the full range of features, including P2P trading and certain earn products. Without KYC, you’ll face lower withdrawal caps and limited functionality.
Does KuCoin offer futures trading?
Perpetual futures on KuCoin let you take positions at up to 125x on select pairs. Funding fees apply and fluctuate with market conditions. Futures trading isn’t available to UK retail users due to the FCA’s crypto-derivative ban, and it’s unavailable to U.S. users during the current trading suspension.
Does KuCoin report to tax authorities?
There’s no confirmation in available sources that KuCoin issues standard tax documents like a 1099 or reports directly to the IRS or other tax authorities. If you’ve traded on KuCoin, you’re still responsible for reporting your gains and losses according to your local tax rules. You can export your trade history from the platform to use with third-party crypto tax tools.
Who benefits most from KuCoin in 2026
KuCoin’s strongest draw is its catalog. Traders focused on altcoins and early-stage tokens will find over 1,100 assets and frequent new listings that hit KuCoin before they appear on larger competitors. Pair that with low base fees, built-in bots, and KCS-based discounts, and the platform works well for active, non-U.S. traders who want variety and cost efficiency in one place.
U.S. residents can’t trade on KuCoin right now, and that won’t change before early 2027 at the earliest. If you’re based in the U.S. and need an active exchange, one of the best crypto exchanges with domestic regulation is your only practical option. Beginners who prefer a compliance-first approach, wherever they are, may also find KuCoin’s interface and regulatory patchwork more friction than it’s worth.
If you’re outside the U.S. and considering KuCoin, verify your local product availability first. Derivative restrictions in the UK, unresolved MiCA authorization in the EU, the Ontario ban, and the Dubai cease-and-desist all limit what you can actually access. Check whether KuCoin holds a valid license in your jurisdiction and which features are live before you deposit funds.
