Vol. IX / No. 07
16 July 2026
The July Rankings · 2026 Edition

The twelve exchanges
that matter this year.

Independent research, methodical scoring, and no sponsored placements. We test every exchange with our own capital before we score it.

12×
Exchanges Tested
147
Data Points Each
8.2k
Test Capital Used
0
Sponsored Rankings

The Editors' Picks

01
4.7 out of 5
Binance logo

Binance

Overall Winner · 2026

The world's largest crypto exchange by volume — deep liquidity, the lowest fees on the market, and over 500 supported coins. Best suited to active traders who want the full spectrum of spot, futures, and earn products.

Spot Fee
0.10%
Maker Fee
0.10%
02
4.6 out of 5
Kraken logo

Kraken

Best for Security

One of the oldest and most respected exchanges, with an exceptional security track record and strong fiat support. A favourite for serious traders who value reliability over hype.

Spot Fee
0.25%
Maker Fee
0.16%
03
4.5 out of 5
Coinbase logo

Coinbase

Best for Beginners

The most trusted name in crypto for beginners. Publicly traded on NASDAQ, fully regulated in the US, and packed with educational tools — though fees are higher than rivals unless you use Advanced Trade.

Spot Fee
0.40% (Advanced) / 1.49% (Simple)
Maker Fee
0.40%

The full standings

Rank Exchange Score Spot Fee Review
01 Binance 4.7 0.10% Read review →
02 Kraken 4.6 0.25% Read review →
03 Coinbase 4.5 0.40% (Advanced) / 1.49% (Simple) Read review →
04 OKX 4.4 0.08% Read review →
05 Bitstamp 4.3 0.30% Read review →
06 Bybit 4.3 0.10% Read review →
07 Crypto.com 4.2 0.25% Read review →
08 Bitget 4.1 0.10% Read review →
09 KuCoin 4.1 0.10% Read review →
10 Bitfinex 4.0 0.20% Read review →
11 Gate.io 4.0 0.20% Read review →
12 MEXC 3.9 0.00% (selected pairs) / 0.05% (default) Read review →

From the guides desk

Featured · Fundamentals
How to keep your crypto safe on an exchange

Practical security measures every exchange user should implement to protect their funds.

10 min read · Updated
Getting Started
How to choose a crypto exchange
12 min read
Fundamentals
What is a crypto exchange?
8 min read
§ Methodology · How we score

A ranking is only as trustworthy as the method behind it.

i.
Fees & Costs
Spot, maker/taker, deposit, withdrawal, and hidden spreads. Tested with real orders across sizes.
Weight · 30%
ii.
Security
Proof of reserves, insurance funds, historical incidents, custody model, and 2FA options.
Weight · 25%
iii.
Coins & Liquidity
Number of pairs, depth at market, slippage on standardized order sizes, and listing quality.
Weight · 20%
iv.
Experience
UI, mobile apps, customer support response times, KYC friction, and feature depth for active users.
Weight · 25%

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