The cryptocurrency exchange landscape is crowded, making it challenging to select the right platform. Two major players, KuCoin and Bitget, consistently rank among the top global exchanges. This detailed comparison covers fees, features, security, liquidity, and product offerings to help you decide which platform suits your needs.
Overview of KuCoin and Bitget
KuCoin launched in 2017 and is headquartered in Seychelles. It has earned a reputation as a leading altcoin exchange, offering over 800 cryptocurrencies. With more than 12 million users, it ranks among the largest crypto platforms globally. Beyond trading, KuCoin provides various passive income options like staking, mining, and algorithmic trading bots. The platform underwent a significant rebranding in Q2 2023, resulting in a more user-friendly and reliable interface. Its mobile app, available for iOS and Android, has over 10 million downloads and a 4.2/5 star rating.
Bitget was established in 2018 and operates from headquarters in Seychelles and Singapore. It serves over 12 million users across 130+ countries and supports 570+ cryptocurrencies for spot and futures trading. As of 2023, it ranks among the top 5 exchanges globally by derivatives trading volume, regularly exceeding $10 billion daily. Bitget is trusted for its low fees, deep liquidity, and innovative copy trading feature. The platform has a clean security record with no major hacks or exploits. Its mobile app has over 5 million downloads and a 4.6/5 star rating.
Sign-Up Process and KYC Requirements
Both platforms allow registrations via email, phone number, and a strong password. Bitget also supports registration using MetaMask wallets, appealing to Web3 enthusiasts.
The KYC (Know Your Customer) policies differ significantly:
- KuCoin: Requires identity verification for withdrawals. Level 1 KYC (government-issued ID, name, and ID number) allows daily withdrawals up to $499. Level 2 increases this to $1,999, and Level 3 unlocks limits up to $999,999.
- Bitget: Allows trading and withdrawals without KYC, though unverified accounts have a daily withdrawal limit of 50,000 USDT. Verification with an ID or passport increases these limits.
👉 Explore secure verification methods
Products, Features, and Services
Both exchanges offer a broad range of crypto products and services.
Trading Services
- Bitget: Offers spot trading with 10x margin, futures trading with up to 125x leverage, and 500+ cryptocurrencies. It averages over $5 billion in daily trading volume and is favored by active day traders for its user-friendly interface.
- KuCoin: Supports 800+ cryptocurrencies on spot markets and 250+ on futures, with up to 100x leverage. It averages around $2 billion in daily volume and is renowned for listing new altcoins early. It also includes a fractional NFT marketplace called Windvane.
Passive Income Options
- Bitget: Excels with copy trading, allowing users to automatically mimic successful traders. It also offers savings accounts, staking, crypto loans, dual investments, and mining launchpools.
- KuCoin: Stands out with automated trading bots that execute strategies 24/7. It also provides staking, savings accounts, dual investments, and mining options.
👉 Discover advanced trading tools
Trading Fees Comparison
Fee structures are nearly identical between the two exchanges.
- Spot Trading: Both charge 0.1% for makers and takers. Holding native tokens (BGB for Bitget, KCS for KuCoin) grants a 20% discount, reducing fees to 0.08%.
- Futures Trading: Both start at 0.02% maker and 0.06% taker fees. Volume-based discounts can lower Bitget’s fees to 0.0015% maker and 0.035% taker, while KuCoin’s can go as low as -0.015% maker and 0.03% taker for high-volume traders.
For most users, fee differences are negligible unless trading billions monthly.
Deposit Methods
- Crypto Deposits: Free on both platforms.
Fiat Deposits:
- KuCoin supports 20+ currencies (EUR, GBP, AUD, USD, etc.) via bank transfers, wire transfers, and occasionally credit cards. Fees range from $1 to $25, with bank transfers costing a fixed 1€/£.
- Bitget supports 5 currencies (GBP, EUR, RUB, UAH, BRL) via SEPA (0% fee for EUR/GBP), Advcash (0% fee for RUB), and PIX (for BRL). Both platforms allow direct crypto purchases with credit cards for 40-50+ fiat currencies, charging 2-6% in fees.
Bitget offers lower deposit fees, though KuCoin supports more currencies.
Withdrawal Methods
- Crypto Withdrawals: Both support 400+ coins across major networks. USDT and BUSD via TRC20 or BEP20 have fixed fees of ~$1.
Fiat Withdrawals:
- KuCoin supports USD, EUR, GBP, RUB, TRY, UAH, and BRL. Fees vary from 0% (Advcash) to $80 (bank wire), with SEPA transfers costing 1€/£.
- Bitget supports the same deposit currencies (EUR, GBP, RUB, UAH, BRL). SEPA withdrawals cost 0.5€/£, Advcash/PIX have 0% fees, and UAH incurs 8% fees.
Note: KuCoin does not allow U.S. citizens on its platform.
Which Exchange Is Better for You?
This comparison shows both exchanges excel in different areas:
KuCoin is best for:
- Spot trading and altcoin access
- Automated trading bots
- User-friendly interface
- NFT trading
Bitget is best for:
- Futures and derivatives trading
- Active day trading
- Copy trading features
- Diverse passive income products
Your choice depends on your priorities: KuCoin for altcoins and bots, Bitget for leveraged trading and copying experts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which exchange has lower fees?
Both have nearly identical fee structures. For spot trading, Bitget offers slightly better discounts, while KuCoin has marginally lower futures fees for ultra-high-volume traders.
Can I use KuCoin or Bitget without KYC?
Yes on Bitget, with a 50,000 USDT daily withdrawal limit. On KuCoin, you can trade without KYC but cannot withdraw until verified.
Which platform is better for beginners?
Both are user-friendly, but KuCoin’s redesigned interface and extensive educational resources make it slightly more beginner-friendly for spot trading. Bitget is ideal if you’re interested in copy trading or leveraged products.
Do these exchanges support U.S. users?
KuCoin explicitly prohibits U.S. users. Bitget allows global access but restricts certain services based on jurisdiction. Always check local regulations.
Which exchange offers more cryptocurrencies?
KuCoin lists 800+ cryptocurrencies on its spot market, compared to Bitget’s 500+. KuCoin is better for accessing new or rare altcoins.
Are these exchanges secure?
Both have strong security records. Bitget has never been hacked, and KuCoin has implemented robust measures since a 2020 incident, including full user reimbursements.