KuCoin has the widest altcoin selection outside Binance — 800+ listed tokens including many low-cap gems. The 2024 US settlement narrowed the addressable market but improved compliance materially. Best for altcoin-focused traders outside the US.
What KuCoin is
KuCoin operates spot, margin, futures, and staking across 800+ assets. Headquartered in Seychelles, founded 2017. Known for aggressive new-token listings and competitive fees.
US settlement in 2024
KuCoin settled with US DOJ + CFTC in early 2024 ($297M penalty + exit from US market). Post-settlement, KuCoin operates outside the US with materially improved compliance posture globally.
Fees
- Spot: 0.10% maker/taker (Regular), discounts with KCS holding or volume
- Futures: 0.02% maker / 0.06% taker
- KCS discount: 20% fee reduction with KCS payment
Where KuCoin shines
- Widest altcoin selection outside Binance
- Trading bots and grid trading built in
- Deep low-cap liquidity for opportunistic trading
- Competitive fees
Verdict
KuCoin is the go-to altcoin exchange outside Binance. Post-2024 settlement, US access is closed but international users get broad altcoin depth with clean fees.