KuCoin Review: Your Guide to Trading on One of the Top Exchanges

Recent Legal Developments & Impact

KuCoin’s U.S. saga crystallized in January 2025. The core facts below set the guardrails for what you can and can’t do on the exchange today.

What exactly happened

On Jan. 27, 2025, KuCoin’s operator, Peken Global Ltd., pleaded guilty to running an unlicensed money-transmitting business. The resolution included ~$297.4 million in total penalties ($184.5 million forfeiture + $112.9 million criminal fine) and a two-year exit from the U.S. market.

Co-founders Chun “Michael” Gan and Ke “Eric” Tang entered two-year deferred-prosecution agreements, agreed to forfeit ~$2.7 million each, and were barred from KuCoin management during that period. Prosecutors also said KuCoin served about 1.5 million U.S. users and earned roughly $184.5 million in fees from them while failing to register with FinCEN and to implement effective AML/KYC controls.

What this means if you’re in the U.S.

If you’re stateside, the rule is simple: no trading for at least two years from Jan. 27, 2025. Withdrawals remain allowed, but logistics changed: KuCoin closed all U.S. accounts on Jan 23, 2025 (9:00 pm EST); after that date, requiring support-assisted withdrawals. Any future U.S. re-entry isn’t automatic. KuCoin has signaled it would only return with proper licensing and compliance milestones. Plan as if trading is off the table until at least 2027, and monitor for licensing updates.

Outside the US: availability & caveats

Non-U.S. services continue.

KuCoin’s U.S. notice says the restrictions apply only to U.S. users (as noted above); elsewhere, operations remain active. The About page on KuCoin boasts over 40 million users across 200 countries. Access still depends on local rules: for example, KuCoin Thailand launched in 2025 as a Thai SEC-licensed exchange, illustrating how features (e.g., derivatives, staking) can vary by jurisdiction. Always check your local compliance and product availability before trading.

Regulatory timeline

Security Analysis & Track Record

KuCoin’s security is a blend of user-side switches (you control them) and platform-side assurances (they run in the background). Here’s the practical view.

Account protection

Start with 2FA, ideally Time-based One-Time Passwords (TOTP), plus KuCoin’s six-digit Trading Password for withdrawals, order placement, and API changes.

If your device/browser supports it:

• Enable passkeys for password-less logins
• Add an Anti-Phishing Code so genuine KuCoin emails show your phrase
• Turn on Login IP Restriction to auto-logout on IP changes

For withdrawals, use the Address Book and toggle whitelist-only (see more on KuCoin’s security overview). If you use APIs, bind keys to an IP whitelist so stolen keys are useless off-network.

Asset security & Proof of Reserves

Platform-side, KuCoin publishes a live Proof of Reserves with user-verifiable Merkle proofs. As of Aug. 31, 2025, reported coverage was:

• BTC 115%,
• ETH 107%
• USDT 107%

Note: Independent verification dated Sept. 5, 2025.

These ratios are periodically updated and may change over time. Note that KuCoin’s Futures Insurance Fund backstops liquidation shortfalls; it isn’t a blanket hack insurance for spot balances.

Certifications & audits

KuCoin announced SOC 2 Type II in April 2025 and ISO/IEC 27001:2022 in May 2025 (SOC 2 was noted earlier). These attest to the design/effectiveness of controls; they don’t prove solvency or segregated custody. That’s what PoR and financial reporting address.

Incident history: 2020 hack

In September 2020, attackers stole between $275 million and $281 million across BTC, ETH, USDT and many ERC-20 tokens; flows moved via DEXs, as mapped by Chainalysis. By November 2020, KuCoin said about 84% had been recovered as reported at the time, and by February 2021, the CEO stated that the remaining ~16% (~$45.6 million) was covered by insurance funds, keeping users whole. The episode accelerated wallet segregation and transparency cadence.

KuCoin vs Competitors on Safety

PoR

• KuCoin offers ongoing Merkle PoR with user checks (as already noted above)
• Kraken publishes recurring PoR with client self-verification
• Binance uses Merkle trees plus zk-SNARKs
• Coinbase does not publish a user-verifiable Merkle PoR and instead relies on audited financial statements and public disclosures as a U.S. public company

Audits/Certs

• KuCoin (SOC 2 Type II; ISO 27001:2022)
• Kraken holds SOC 2 Type 2
• Binance reports ISO 27001 and ISO 27701 certifications
• Coinbase emphasizes public-company financial audits over user-verifiable Merkle PoR

Insurance/Backstops

• KuCoin’s futures insurance fund covers liquidation shortfalls
• Binance SAFU is an exchange-level emergency fund
• Coinbase maintains limited crime insurance for a portion of hot-wallet assets, according to their policy
• Kraken does not provide any insurance, and instead urges users to be more vigilant

The 2020 breach is a permanent lesson, but today’s stacked passkeys + TOTP + whitelists on your side, and PoR + SOC 2/ISO on theirs, mark a meaningfully tighter posture.

Availability & Compliance

KuCoin’s availability really depends on where you live. After its 2025 U.S. exit from trading, access elsewhere is shaped by local rules. Think derivatives, limits, licensing, and mandatory KYC.

Country-by-country high-level view

United States: As we've mentioned, KuCoin pleaded guilty on Jan. 27, 2025, and agreed to leave the U.S. market for at least two years, meaning U.S. users can withdraw but not trade. KuCoin also issued a U.S. IP access restriction notice (Jan. 16, 2025) explaining account closures and withdrawal steps; if you’re stateside, regulated options like Coinbase or Kraken are the practical alternatives while KuCoin is unavailable.

United Kingdom: The retail ban on crypto derivatives has been in force since Jan. 6, 2021. In 2025, the FCA opened retail access to crypto ETNs (cETNs), a move separate from derivatives that does not re-open futures/CFDs for retail. Expect full KYC on sign-up regardless.

European Union: Under MiCA, firms operating under national regimes may continue until July 1, 2026, or until they receive (or are refused) MiCA authorisation. Derivatives availability still depends on national rules (often under MiFID). KuCoin’s Futures Terms include country-specific restrictions (for example, Spain), and KYC is mandatory on KuCoin.

Singapore: From June 2025, MAS clarified the regulatory regime for Digital Token Service Providers that also serve overseas customers; users should confirm whether a platform is MAS-licensed before using it.

Canada: Ontario permanently banned KuCoin and imposed penalties in June 2022. Nationally, the CSA’s Staff Notice 21-333 set conditions around value-referenced crypto assets (stablecoins) and other CTP obligations, which tightened access and product limits; always check whether a platform is registered in your province.

MENA (UAE/Dubai): To operate an exchange in Dubai, a platform must be licensed by VARA and comply with the Exchange Services Rulebook; Version 2.0 (updated May 19, 2025; effective June 19, 2025) tightened leverage/margin controls and disclosures. Verify a platform’s license status on VARA’s site before trading.

Latin America: KuCoin typically allows spot trading across much of LatAm, but local regulators can affect fiat rails and derivatives. KuCoin enforces KYC globally, so plan to verify your identity to unlock full functionality.

VPN considerations

Using a VPN to sidestep geo-blocks can violate KuCoin’s Terms of Use, which prohibit access from restricted locations and attempts to circumvent IP restrictions, and can lead to account freezes or closure.

Bottom line: Follow your local regulations and KuCoin’s Terms, don’t rely on VPN workarounds, and use a regulated local alternative if KuCoin is restricted in your region.

KuCoin Features

KuCoin packs a lot under one roof. Huge asset coverage, multiple trading layouts, built-in bots, and earn options. This section is your quick tour of what’s useful, what’s advanced, and where to tread carefully.

Supported assets & pairs

KuCoin lists 1,115 assets and CoinGecko lists ~1,312 pairs, spanning large-caps through niche tokens. The upside is discovery: new or smaller projects often list here early. The trade-off is liquidity dispersion, as spreads and depth can vary widely by pair, so test with small orders first and favor major quotes (e.g., USDT) when you’re unsure.

Trading interfaces & tools

You can switch between Standard, Pro, and Full-screen layouts, each built around TradingView charts for indicators and drawing tools. The order ticket supports limit/market, plus stop-limit/stop-market, OCO, and TP/SL, so you can stage entries and exits without sitting in front of the screen. If you prefer to mirror others, in-app copy trading adds leaderboards and filters to sort by ROI, drawdowns, and tenure, which is useful for discovery, but it’s still your risk, so treat it like a research aid rather than advice.

Trading bots

KuCoin’s built-ins cover Grid, DCA, Smart Rebalance, and Martingale. There’s no subscription fee: spot bots follow the standard spot fee schedule, while futures bots charge a fixed 0.06% per fill; KCS discounts don’t apply to bot trades.

• Grid suits range-bound markets (but dense grids can rack up many small fills and fees);
• DCA automates periodic buys.
• Smart Rebalance keeps a portfolio at target weights.
• Martingale adds size after losses and is strictly for advanced users.

Always back-test your parameters and start small.

Earn & savings

• KuCoin Earn groups Flexible savings, Fixed terms, staking, and lending.
• Flexible products let you redeem anytime but typically pay less
• Fixed terms offer higher quoted yields in exchange for lockups or scheduled redemptions.

On-chain staking can involve validator risk (e.g., slashing) and unbonding delays, so read the specific token terms and confirm whether rewards are auto-compounded or distributed to your funding account.

We also have an exclusive coverage of KuCoin Earn for more details.

P2P & fiat rails

The P2P marketplace charges zero platform fees and supports many local payment methods with an appeals process for disputes. Best practice is to trade only with merchants who have strong completion stats and to release funds after confirming receipt. For card purchases and other processors, Fast Trade and Third-Party routes are available; these can require additional provider KYC and add gateway fees on top of exchange pricing.

Launchpad

KuCoin’s Spotlight relaunched in June 2025 with a pro-rata allocation model. Subscriptions can be funded in USDT or KCS, and holding/staking KCS may factor into eligibility tiers or benefits. As with any token sale, study the vesting and unlock schedule, caps, and any clawback conditions; oversubscription dilutes per-user allocations even when demand is high.

Web3/NFT

The integrated KuCoin Web3 Wallet is a multi-chain self-custody wallet with a DApp browser and in-wallet swaps, so you can bridge or interact with protocols without leaving the app.

On-chain actions carry smart-contract and phishing risk; review the platform’s risk disclosures and use permission managers to revoke stale approvals. KuCoin’s Uniswap fake-signature case study is a helpful reminder to verify sign requests and spend caps before you click Sign.

Use the features that match your goals (and skill level), watch fees and liquidity on niche pairs, and test new tools with small sizes first, especially bots, P2P, and anything on-chain.

KCS Token

KCS is the native asset of the KuCoin ecosystem and the KuCoin Community Chain (KCC), designed to power a self-circulating value network. Since 2017, the aim has been simple: use KuCoin’s scale, tech, and community to lower onboarding barriers and push blockchain from “geeky” to mainstream.

What KCS powers

• Access and participation: Stake/pledge KCS to join new project launches and earn ecosystem benefits.
• Payments and fees: Use KCS across DeFi, NFTs, games, storage, bandwidth, and other KCC services.
• Liquidity and growth: KCS underpins liquidity programs and captures value from on-chain activity, loans, and ecosystem investments.

Value capture & burn (deflation)

• Platform buyback and burn: KuCoin regularly repurchases KCS from revenue and destroys it, reducing circulating supply.
• EIP-1559-style KCC fees: A base fee (burned) plus a priority fee to validators means network usage can continuously decrease supply while rewarding infrastructure.

Holder incentives

• Daily yield: KuCoin allocates a portion of platform fees to repurchase KCS and distribute incentives to holders based on balances.
• VIP tiers and discounts: Larger KCS holdings unlock higher VIP levels, better trading fee rates, and the option to pay fees in KCS at a discount.

KuCoin Fees

KuCoin’s headline fees are low; 0.10% spot (Level 0) and 0.02% / 0.06% on futures, but your all-in cost depends on funding/withdrawals, order type, and a few easy-to-miss line items.

Trading fees

Spot

Level-0 fees are 0.10% / 0.10%, and turning on Pay with KCS applies a 20% discount (effective 0.08% / 0.08% when settled in KCS). Deeper cuts come from higher tiers; VIP1 generally starts at ≥1,000 KCS or ≥$1M 30-day spot volume or ≥$5M 30-day futures volume.

Futures

Base fees are 0.02% maker / 0.06% taker. Fee = notional × rate (e.g., $50,000 × 0.06% = $30).

Quick math: $1,000 spot buy = $1.00; with KCS = $0.80. A $10,000 futures taker fill at 0.06% = $6.00 (maker at 0.02% = $2.00).

Funding & withdrawals

Deposits

Crypto deposits are typically free, but USDT on some networks uses a quota system: if your net deposit exceeds the free monthly allowance, an excess fee of 0.1% applies on the overage (check the asset/network on the deposit page before sending).

Withdrawals

Fees are network-based and dynamic (BTC uses a fixed BTC amount; ETH tracks gas; USDT varies by network). Always rely on the live quote on the withdrawal screen.

Bank/cards

For cards and other processors, Fast Trade and third-party routes show provider fees at checkout; these are separate from maker/taker.

Hidden costs

• Spread vs order book: One-click buy/convert adds a spread; posting limit orders on the book avoids that spread (you just pay maker/taker).
• P2P: KuCoin’s P2P marketplace charges zero platform fees, but merchant margins act like a risk premium; use verified merchants and follow the appeal process if needed.
• Bots: No subscription; spot bots pay spot fees and futures bots pay futures rates. Dense grids = more fills = more fees.
• Perps funding: Funding is a peer-to-peer payment that runs on set intervals (commonly every 8h; sometimes 4h). In volatile markets, it can exceed trading fees, so check before holding.

KuCoin vs Competitors Fee Comparison 

Snapshot for typical retail tiers; verify your exact tier, network, and promos on each site.

Withdrawal fees change frequently and differ by asset + network; always check the live schedules/withdraw screen before moving funds.

User Experience & Mobile Deep Dive

This section takes a fast, practical look at KuCoin’s web and mobile experience: how beginners get started without friction, how pros unlock deeper tooling, and what to expect when markets get hectic.

Web UX for beginners vs pros

KuCoin keeps the “easy first, advanced when you’re ready” feel. New users can start with Fast Trade and then graduate to the spot interface, where order types are clearly labeled (market, limit, stop-limit/stop-market, and OCO with tooltips and walkthroughs). If an order won’t fill, the platform surfaces reasons and fixes, (see “Open orders did not go through”), so you learn by doing instead of guessing.

Pros can flip to the enhanced trading panel (Standard/Pro/Full-screen) and dive into advanced controls without losing the familiar layout. For edge-case moments (vol spikes, partials, cancels), KuCoin’s spot API error/status references make troubleshooting fast.

Mobile app analysis

The mobile flows cover what matters: place/cancel orders, attach TP/SL on spot, margin, and futures (feature guide), and toggle position modes. Copy trading sits in its own tab with leaderboards and filters (app flow), making it easy to follow a strategy without building one from scratch.

Security-wise, passkeys are now supported (alongside 2FA), cutting friction at login on devices that support them. And for risk control on derivatives, KuCoin recently introduced Hedge Mode; you can only switch modes when no positions or orders are open (policy note), a sensible guardrail to avoid accidental offsetting.

Performance under load

Like most exchanges, KuCoin runs rolling spot system upgrades and periodic API upgrade windows to keep throughput high; during these, you may see websocket delays or brief “system busy” messages. The API docs also publish service status, note tiny post-match settlement latency on certain endpoints (example), and define HTTP error codes & throttling so you can distinguish user-side issues (bad params, rate limits) from maintenance or venue throttling. If you’re trading into a news candle, use post-only/IOC and check funding/position mode ahead of time, which are sensible guardrails when milliseconds matter.

Bottom line: Pick the layout that fits your style, enable strong security, and practice with small orders before scaling. On mobile, double-check TP/SL and position mode; during volatility, expect brief slowdowns and lean on post-only/IOC to stay in control.

Real User Feedback

Real user reviews tell you how KuCoin feels day to day; what’s smooth and where people struggle. Here’s a concise read on those patterns across app stores and review sites.

App stores snapshot

The KuCoin iOS app shows 4.7/5 from ~2.8K ratings, with recent update notes highlighting passkeys, hedge mode, and a smoother KYC flow. The Android app lists 4.5/5 from ~273K reviews and 10M+ downloads.

Themes in recent store reviews: praise for broad features and bots; friction around P2P appeals and verification steps during onboarding.

(App Store and Google Play figures are as stated there at publish time.)

Trustpilot / G2 themes

On Trustpilot, KuCoin’s profile shows an overall 1.7/5, with frequent 1-star posts citing ticket delays, KYC/withdrawal holds, and P2P dispute pain; several 2025 entries reference the U.S. exit’s impact on access.

Over on G2, reviews skew more balanced: users like low fees, wide listings, and bots, but often call out complex UI and slow support.

Treat both sources with context, as Trustpilot skews toward unprompted complaints, while G2 mixes incentivized and organic reviews.

Our take

Some pain points are user-side: depositing on an unsupported network or opening P2P trades with weak documentation can trigger long appeals or asset-recovery hurdles. Others are platform-side, notably slow human follow-ups during spikes and account reviews.

Mitigate by completing KYC early, using small test deposits (double-check the exact network), sticking to verified P2P merchants, and keeping tickets plus evidence tidy for escalations. If you’re in a restricted region (e.g., U.S.), plan for withdrawal-only access and move funds before deadlines.

Customer Support & Service Quality

Support is where an exchange proves itself. Here’s a fast look at KuCoin’s help channels, what real users experience in queues and escalations, and how it stacks up against Binance and Coinbase when you actually need a human.

Channels & languages

KuCoin offers 24/7 assistance via the Help Center, with two primary entry points: Online Live Chat and ticket submission (bot first, then human-agent escalation).

You can also verify any contact or domain through the Official Verification Center and check/validate tickets via Ticket Verification, which is useful to avoid phishing. The chatbot currently supports English and Traditional Chinese, with more languages “coming soon.” KuCoin’s broader community spans 20+ languages (see KuCoin by Your Side), though live-agent languages may be narrower.

Support testing results

What to expect in practice: An instant bot reply, quick triage, and a 24/7 live agent on escalation. Complex cases (KYC review, compliance checks, P2P disputes) often shift to ticket workflows where resolution time varies. 2025 user reviews frequently praise feature breadth but report slow human follow-ups or template replies during spikes, especially around KYC/withdrawals.

Mitigate by completing KYC early, attaching TX IDs & screenshots, using verified P2P merchants, and validating any contact via the Verification Center before sharing info.

How it stacks up

Against peers, all three — KuCoin, Binance, and Coinbase — offer searchable help centers and real-time support options.

• KuCoin: 24/7 chat plus tickets, with verification tools baked in the Help Center.
• Binance: 24/7 live chat is standard (see the direct chat invitation).
• Coinbase: live chat and the option to request a call in supported regions; not all markets have phone callbacks.

KuCoin’s channel mix is competitive, but if you prioritize phone callbacks, Coinbase has an edge; if you want round-the-clock chat, KuCoin and Binance are similar. Depth and speed still vary by queue and case type.

Who Should Use KuCoin (and Who Shouldn’t)

KuCoin isn’t a one-size-fits-all exchange. It shines for traders who want lots of coins, powerful tools, and automation. But that mix won’t suit everyone.

Best for

• Altcoin explorers: KuCoin’s wide listing roster (1115 assets; over 1200 pairs) makes it a strong hunting ground for smaller-cap and early listings, which is great for discovery if you manage liquidity risk.
• Advanced traders: Full-featured spot and futures with TradingView charts, OCO/TP-SL, copy trading, and API access suit power users comfortable with leverage and complex order flow.
• Bot users: Built-in trading bots, including DCA and Spot Martingale, let you automate rules without third-party tools (learn how each behaves before deploying size).
• P2P power users: Escrowed P2P with many local payment methods can be cost-efficient if you stick to verified merchants and follow the buying guide when needed.

Suggested alternatives

• U.S. residents: KuCoin pleaded guilty in January 2025 and agreed to exit U.S. trading for at least two years; U.S. users have withdrawal-only access. Use a regulated local venue while KuCoin is unavailable.
• Beginners prioritizing simple fiat on-ramps: If you want the most hand-holding (bank transfers/cards with minimal moving parts), a more fiat-first exchange may feel smoother.
• Users who value regulation + concierge support: If your top priorities are deep regulatory coverage, phone callbacks, or white-glove service, consider alternatives known for those features instead of a listings-first exchange.

If you love breadth, bots, and P2P flexibility, KuCoin fits. If you need simple fiat ramps, premium hand-holding, or you’re in a restricted region, a more regulated, beginner-friendly venue is the safer bet.

KuCoin Alternatives

If KuCoin isn’t available in your region, or just isn’t the right fit, these alternatives map to specific needs: compliance-first (U.S.), lowest fees and depth, or copy-trading/social features.

For U.S. users / compliance-first

Coinbase and Kraken are the straightforward picks. Both are long-standing, U.S.-regulated venues with clear fiat rails, robust KYC/AML, and deep help centers.

Coinbase adds the comfort of a public company profile and broad state licenses supported by published regulatory compliance documentation. Kraken’s pro stack and disclosures appeal to traders who want a regulated venue with solid tooling; you can see where Kraken is licensed or regulated and review its legal disclosures.

If you’re replacing KuCoin’s altcoin breadth, expect a smaller long-tail selection but a simpler compliance story.

For the lowest fees & depth

Binance generally offers tight spreads and aggressive maker/taker schedules, which is why active spot/perps traders gravitate there. Access is region-dependent: U.S. residents use Binance.US, which publishes its supported and unsupported states and guidance for crypto-only states; Binance.com is unavailable in the U.S.

For copy trading / social

If you want a one-tap strategy following, Bybit and Bitget lead with mature copy-trading hubs (leaderboards, risk caps, futures and spot copy).

Bybit’s Copy Trading center and intro guide are good starting points, and you should confirm coverage on its Service Restricted Countries page. Bitget offers a broad copy-trading overview plus a Futures Copy guide; check prohibited jurisdictions in its Terms of Use before committing funds.

Pick the platform that matches your priority, double-check regional availability and fees, and test with small amounts after completing KYC to make sure the experience works for you.

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Final Verdict — Is KuCoin Right for You in 2025?

KuCoin is withdrawal-only in the U.S. for at least two years. Everywhere else, access depends on local rules, KYC, and derivatives restrictions. The upside is breadth; over a thousand coins, bots, P2P, and pro-grade charts. The trade-off is complexity and the need to manage liquidity, counterparty, and operational risk.

Power users, altcoin hunters, automation fans, and heavy spot/perps traders will squeeze the most value here. Compliance-first beginners, U.S. residents, and anyone wanting bank-simple ramps or phone-style concierge support should look elsewhere.

If you stay, watch the licensing/compliance roadmap, Proof-of-Reserves and other security reporting cadence, and real improvements in support first-response and resolution times. Do KYC early, test small transfers, scale positions gradually, and treat bots and P2P like power tools: useful, but only with gloves on.

Also Read

• KuCoin Earn Review
• KuCoin Trading Guide
• Best KuCoin Alternatives

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