From humble beginnings in 2009 to becoming a global financial powerhouse that has taken on the role of being the official currency of countries like El Salvador, the rollercoaster journey of cryptocurrency is one that is impossible to ignore. And it shows no time to stop anytime soon!

From well-known names like Bitcoin and Ethereum to the more niche digital assets like Dogecoin, some cryptocurrencies have successfully provided a return on investment of over 500%, which rivals almost any form of investment in human history. 

But crypto is only just over a decade young. So, as a concept, it’s still very new and unexplored for countless people worldwide. This means that buying digital currencies for the first time can often be a huge hurdle for many. If you’re someone who can relate, help is at hand!

“Bitcoin actually has the balance and incentives center, and that is why it is starting to take off.” 

– Julian Assange.

We’ve been immersed in the cryptocurrency market since the early days. Over the years, we’ve seen everything there is to see regarding cryptocurrency platforms, whether the good, the bad, or the ugly. 

As a result, we’ve become experts at what makes a good crypto platform and the warning signs that signal a bad one. Today, we will share our expertise with you!

In this article, we cross oceans and continents to discover just who the top 15 crypto platforms worldwide are. Can you trust them, what makes them so good and, most importantly, what can they do for YOU? By the end of this unrivaled guide, you’ll know everything there is to know.

Now, let’s get started!

The One Platform That Does It All: Immediate Edge 

Deciding on a cryptocurrency platform can be a seriously stressful and long-drawn-out affair. Luckily, several platforms, such as Immediate Edge, take all the hard work out of this process for you. 

So, naturally, we start this list with the most convenient option, especially for newcomers. Immediate Edge is designed around a futuristic AI that considers users’ trading preferences, investment goals, and prior experience in the crypto market.

Then, it pairs them with a perfectly matched top-tier brokerage in a matter of seconds, saving them time, stress, and money. 

All of the partner brokers that Immediate Edge is partnered with are well-regulated and beginner-friendly, so users can relax and not worry about navigating scam platforms. The best part? It’s completely free to use, and the signup process is flawless.

The Original Cryptocurrency Exchange: Coinbase

Any guide to the world’s top crypto platforms wouldn’t be complete without Coinbase. One of the original cryptocurrency exchanges that first hit the scene around 2012, last year it made history when it became the first exchange to go public on Nasdaq.

Relatively beginner-friendly, packed with learning resources, and simple to use, it’s one of the most popular ways for people to invest in crypto. With well over 12,000 major businesses and institutions across 100 countries involved in the platform, it’s one of the most reputable platforms on the market.

Gemini Is All About Platform Security

Gemini might be a good pick for you if you’re a trader who values security (as we all should). Equally suitable for newbies and veteran investors, they place their platform’s security as a high priority. 

Gemini has a lot to offer, from world-class cold wallets to a wide range of learning resources on various aspects of the crypto market. In addition, they’re also a licensed trust company. As a result, this means Gemini is required to undergo regular audits than most other crypto exchanges.

Kraken Is An Exchange With Solid Foundations

Any crypto platform you consider should always have a well-established reputation, such as Kraken, at the core of its foundations. This global crypto exchange first hit the scene in 2013 and has since developed an enviable portfolio of more than 50 different digital currencies. 

If you trade regularly, fees are lower. You can also take advantage of its chain stacking feature to see Kraken users given weekly crypto awards.

BlockFi Is Popular For Those Seeking Passive Income Streams

Passive income is the dream, right? Cryptocurrencies offer numerous ways for traders to earn passive income, and one of the main platforms facilitating it is Blockfi. This popular exchange offers two popular forms of passive income opportunities for crypto investors.

• Blockfi Rewards Card: This card can be used to purchase almost anything and earn cryptocurrency awards in return. 
• Blockfi Interest Account (BIA): This popular savings account lets crypto owners earn generous interest rates on their holdings.

Bisq Was One Of The First Decentralized Autonomous Organizations.

Bisq first hit the crypto market in 2014 and was one of the first Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAO). Whilst the majority of crypto exchanges are centralized and web-based, Bisq is open-source and decentralized; it specializes in successfully connecting crypto buyers and sellers together. 

Security-wise, it’s decentralized nature makes it a very secure platform overall. Hackers are deterred as all sensitive info shared on the platform is restricted to the people involved in the transactions performed.

Huobi Global Is a Major Player In The Asian Crypto Market

Regarding major crypto platforms in Asia, Huobi is among the top players. This platform boasts more than 390 crypto assets to invest in and added bonuses such as staking, spot trading, crypto loans, and derivatives trading.

Plus, Huobi is one of the few crypto platforms that allows its users to invest in crypto using non-USD fiat currencies like the Chinese Yuan. 

Crypto.com Is Well Known For Its Crypto Cards 

A solely mobile-based app, crypto.com is a popular exchange that is a good middle ground between being suitable for newbies and experienced traders alike. From Bitcoin to Litcoin and some very obscure altcoins, it has a booming portfolio of crypto to invest in. But that’s not all.

As well as Crypto Earn, the platform’s native rewards program that lets users earn rewards when making purchases online using CRO coins, the platform also boasts its own visa debit cards that let you spend your crypto in day-to-day life and get rewarded with cashback. 

KuCoin Connects Crypto With Fiat Currencies

One of the newer platforms on this list is Kucoin. It’s a fast-growing platform with over 7 million members and counting. Worldwide, it is amongst the top 10 crypto exchange platforms by trading volume.

As well as letting users invest in crypto using fiat currencies like USD and EUR, KuCoin also has a popular peer-to-peer loan function. This means that users can earn relatively passive income through interest on their crypto holdings by loaning them out.

Bitstamp Is Uncomplicated And Reliable

Another platform that has been around since the foundation years of cryptocurrency is Bitstamp. It first came around in 2011 and became popular as a reliable, easy-to-use platform that was equally suitable for beginners and experienced traders alike. 

Newton Is a Popular Platform For Canadian Traders

For Canadians seeking a straightforward, secure, and reliable crypto platform, then Newton is a popular option in the second biggest country on earth. 

As well as fairly flawless crypto trading, Newton is a very secure platform that strives to ensure all funds held on the platform are kept safe from cybercriminals. As an extra layer of security, Newton has teamed up with a global security firm called Balance to let its users store their crypto fully insured data center.

1inch Is One Of The Biggest Exchange Aggregators

Seeking a reliable exchange aggregator? Look no further than 1inch. This is one of the world’s main exchange aggregators that offers its users high liquidity rates with low fees.

This crypto platform is ideal for experienced traders with plans to make large trades across multiple digital currencies, coins or crypto tokens, all in one convenient place.

eToro

eToro is a huge name in the stock trading and crypto investing markets, with a dominant stronghold in mainstream media and online. It’s well designed and is equally suited to experienced and inexperienced traders thanks to its easy-to-use interface, demo trading accounts, and social trading functionality. 

The broker platform boasts a huge range of trading tools, cryptocurrencies to invest in, and the chance to create a diversified portfolio thanks to the ability to invest in stocks and shares of major companies and decentralized currencies. 

Bittrex Global

From low trading fees to extremely fast trade executions, Bittrex Global has become popular amongst traders keen to make high-volume trading on a wide range of crypto assets a significant part of their investment journey. 

It’s one of the fastest platforms on this list, thanks to a straightforward interface. Traders are given a refreshing trading experience free of lagging or delays as a result. 

Bitcoin Loophole Takes The Stress Out Of Trading

And last but certainly not least is the iconic Bitcoin Loophole. This cutting-edge ”middleman” platform has been connecting traders with world-class brokerages for a long time. It has helped countless people avoid scams, save themselves time and money, and facilitate a positive crypto trading journey.

Some of the brokers that Bitcoin Loophole is partnered with offer cutting-edge features such as a demo trading account, social trading, and a tonne of educational crypto materials. 

As well as its numerous mind-blowing features, Bitcoin Loophole doesn’t charge for its features. Overall, it’s one of the most stress-free, cost-effective, and reliable ways to get involved in crypto trading. 

In Summary, What Makes a Great Global Crypto Platform?

In the 13 years since cryptocurrency’s wild journey started, many platforms have sprung up to cater to the booming community formed around various digital currencies.

Not all platforms are created equal, but this guide has extensively tested some of the biggest names to determine which platforms are worth considering and which are best to avoid. 

How did we decide on which platforms to feature in this guide? We used strict criteria to grade each platform on its individual merits. This criterion is a checklist of things to consider whenever you are thinking of signing up for a new crypto platform, such as:  

• Crypto Portfolio: A reputable crypto platform will always offer a wide, varied, and constantly updated portfolio of digital currencies for you to choose from and diversify your portfolio.
• User-Friendly: User-friendliness is a must when choosing a new crypto platform. You want to avoid poor service, complicated interfaces, and poor system maintenance. 
• Affordable Trading Fees: If you’re regularly trading, such as day trading, trading fees can soon mount up and eat into your profits. So always aim for a platform that offers low or at least affordable trading fees. 
• Adherence to Global Financial Regulations: Any crypto platform you choose to use should always ensure that your funds are safe on the platform. So always double-check that your chosen platform is in adherence with global financial regulations. 
• Fast Speeds: The crypto market moves quickly. When you see a trade that you think is going to be profitable, you’ll need to jump on it fast before prices fluctuate. So always ensure your chosen platform guarantees high speeds for its clients. 
• Modern Security Systems: The modern crypto world is plagued by hackers, scammers, and other cybercriminals. Any platform, brokerage, or exchange you are considering signing up for should implement reliable and globally-trusted security protocols such as Two-Factor-Authentication, cold storage facilities, and high levels of cybersecurity for its clients.

Suppose you’re still stressed about which platform is best for you. In that case, we suggest handing over the decision to a platform that uses cutting-edge AI, such as Bitcoin Loophole or Immediate Edge, to match you with a broker best suited to you based on your trading preferences, experience, and overall investment plans. 

To round off, it’s important to remember that crypto can be risky, regardless of which platform, broker, or exchange you use. The world of decentralized currencies is volatile, and prices can dramatically rise or fall at a moment’s notice. If you’re thinking of investing for the first time, always consult with a financial professional and never invest more than you can afford to lose.