Comparison of Kucoin vs Altcoin Trader [ 2024 ]

The crypto exchanges compared by their commissions, cryptos, security and much more. Here is the Kucoin vs Altcoin Trader comparison!

Your expert: Alejandro Borja

Kucoin

Your expert: Xavier Tarrasó

Altcoin Trader

Main points

Fees

≈ 0,10%

Earns

Customer service

4/5

0,10%

Fees

Yes

Earns

4/5

Customer service

Recommended for

Beginners

Yes

Trading

Yes

Passive income

Buy and hold

Yes

Beginners

Yes

Trading

Yes

Passive income

Yes

Buy and hold

Comparison of fees

Rating

4.3 – Competitive fees with additional rewards for using the native token.

3.5 – Competitive fees within South Africa but higher for international transactions.

Level

≈ 0,10%

0,10%

Brief explanation

KuCoin is renowned for its competitive and appealing fee structure, which is a major draw for traders. The exchange operates on a tiered fee system based on the 30-day trading volume, where fees are reduced as trading volume increases. Typical trading fees start at 0.1% for both makers and takers, which is already lower than many other exchanges. Additionally, users can enjoy further discounts on these fees by holding and using KuCoin’s native token, KuCoin Shares (KCS), to pay for trading fees. This incentivizes both higher trading volumes and the use of KCS within the platform, making it economically beneficial for frequent traders and KCS holders alike. Such a fee structure not only enhances trading profitability but also promotes greater liquidity on the platform.

AscendEX maintains a competitive and transparent fee structure, which is essential for both casual and serious traders. The platform typically charges a flat fee for both makers and takers, simplifying calculations for users. These fees are generally aligned with industry standards, ensuring that traders can engage in frequent trading activities without excessive costs. Additionally, AscendEX may offer tiered discounts based on the user’s monthly trading volume, which incentivizes higher trading activity with lower fees. For users looking to minimize costs while maximizing trading opportunities, AscendEX’s fee structure is designed to support a wide range of trading strategies and volumes, making it a compelling choice for those who value straightforward and equitable financial dealings in their trading platform.

Kucoin

Year Founded: Established in 2017, KuCoin has quickly grown to become one of the major players in the cryptocurrency exchange market. Its rapid growth and sustained operation over the years demonstrate its resilience and ability to adapt to the evolving crypto landscape.
Number of Users: KuCoin boasts a substantial user base, with over 8 million traders worldwide. This extensive community not only underscores the exchange's popularity but also enhances its liquidity, making it a reliable platform for executing trades efficiently.
Security Methods: Following the 2020 security breach, KuCoin significantly upgraded its security measures, implementing multi-layer encryption, enhanced authentication methods, and segregated customer wallets. These robust security protocols help in safeguarding user funds against potential threats.
Trading Volume and Liquidity: KuCoin is known for its high trading volume, which ensures liquidity across its numerous trading pairs. This liquidity is crucial for users to execute large trades quickly and at desired prices without substantial price slippage.
Reputation and Reviews: Despite the challenges, KuCoin has maintained a strong reputation within the crypto community. The platform is well-regarded for its wide range of services, competitive fees, and responsive customer support. Positive reviews from users across various forums highlight its usability and the effectiveness of its customer service team.

Altcoin Trader

Security Methods: AscendEX employs a comprehensive array of security measures including SSL encryption, two-factor authentication, and cold storage of assets. These rigorous security protocols ensure that users’ data and funds are protected against unauthorized access and cyber threats, fostering a secure trading environment.
Reputation and Reviews: Since its inception in 2018, AscendEX has built a solid reputation within the cryptocurrency community. User reviews often highlight the platform's reliability, wide range of services, and user-friendly interface, underscoring its standing as a reputable exchange in the crypto market.
Trading Volume and Liquidity: AscendEX supports a high trading volume and liquidity, which is crucial for traders looking to execute large trades without significantly affecting the market price. This high liquidity not only facilitates better price discovery but also enables efficient entry and exit from positions.
Customer Service: AscendEX is known for its robust customer support, offering quick and helpful responses to user inquiries and issues. This commitment to excellent customer service enhances user experience and trust, particularly for new traders who may need assistance navigating the platform.
Withdrawal and Deposit Policies: The platform’s policies on withdrawals and deposits are clear, secure, and user-centric, ensuring a smooth process for moving funds into and out of the exchange. AscendEX’s efficient handling of these critical operations reinforces its reliability and the trust users place in it.

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Product selection

Native token

Token KCS (KuCoin Shares)

Earns

Yes

NFT marketplace

Yes

Cripto/debit card

Yes

Full name

Mek Global Limited

Altcoin Trader (Pty) Ltd.

Regulation

Not regulated

Year founded

2017

2014

Founder

Michael Gan

Richard de Sousa

Payment methods

Transfers

Yes

Mastercard

Yes

Wire transfer

Yes

Card

Yes

Comparative table

Kucoin	FEATURES	Altcoin Trader
KuCoin allows users to trade with small amounts, making it accessible for beginners or those trading on a budget.	Minimum Trade	AscendEX allows small minimum trades, making it accessible for users with smaller capital.
KuCoin offers competitive fees, with low transaction costs compared to other exchanges.	Trading and Transaction Fees	Competitive fees, especially favorable for high-volume traders with further discounts available.
Supports over 600 cryptocurrencies, providing a wide range of options for traders.	Number of Cryptocurrencies	Offers a broad range of over 100 cryptocurrencies, catering to diverse trader demands.
Offers a vast array of trading pairs, enhancing trading flexibility and opportunities.	Crypto-to-Crypto Trading Pairs	Features an extensive array of trading pairs, facilitating varied and flexible trading strategies.
While generally transparent, improvements could be made in regulatory and security disclosures.	Website Transparency	Generally transparent about fees and terms, though some details on security could be clearer.
The Kucoin card has a wide range of services, providing convenience and accessibility for in-store purchases, while facilitating the conversion of cryptocurrency to fiat money. It also provides cashback and other benefits. This feature enhances the user experience by expanding the possibilities of using cryptocurrencies in everyday life.	Credit/Debit Card	AscendEX lacks an exchange card feature, which could enhance the usability of cryptocurrencies for everyday transactions and offer additional benefits to its users.
Provides secure storage with advanced security features, though not as comprehensive as some specialized wallets.	Storage Offering	Provides secure storage options with cold storage and multi-factor authentication.
Offers competitive staking options and rewards, but not as extensive as some exclusively staking platforms.	Staking and Rewards	Offers competitive staking rewards and various incentives for participation in trading activities.
Both platforms are well-designed, intuitive, and offer full trading functionality.	Mobile App and Desktop	Both mobile and desktop platforms are well-designed, offering full functionality and ease of use.
Responsive and helpful, but sometimes experiences delays during peak times.	Customer Service	Robust customer support with responsive service via multiple channels.
Supports multiple deposit and withdrawal methods with relatively quick processing times.	Deposit and Withdraw	Efficient deposit and withdrawal processes are in place, although adding more fiat options could improve accessibility and convenience.

Key features

Analysis tools

Advanced charting tools, technical indicators

Basic charting tools

Mobile APP

Yes

Security

High 4,9/5

High 4,5/5

Additional features

Margin trading, futures trading, staking, KuCoin Earn

Instant EFT payments, savings wallets, recurring buy orders, OTC trading

Anonymity

Yes

Key points

Available cryptocurrencies

400+

20+

User-friendliness

KuCoin offers a user-friendly platform that is easy to navigate, making it suitable for beginners. The interface is designed to facilitate a smooth trading experience with all necessary features easily accessible.

Altcoin Trader is known for its simple and user-friendly interface, which makes it accessible for new traders. The platform focuses on ease of use, ensuring that buying and selling cryptocurrencies is straightforward.

Value for money

Provides good value for money with competitive fees, a wide range of supported cryptocurrencies, and additional earning opportunities.

Delivers decent value for money, especially for South African users, with competitive fees and easy access to local banking options.

Countries of operation

Global, including United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, Germany

South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Lesotho

Best for

Ideal for traders of all experience levels looking for a platform with a wide range of cryptocurrencies and competitive fees.

Best for South African investors looking for easy access to local banking options and competitive fees, making it ideal for regional users.

Base currencies available

USD, BTC, USDT

ZAR, BTC

Account

Trading

KuCoin provides a wide range of cryptocurrencies and competitive fees. It offers advanced trading tools and a user-friendly interface, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced traders.

Altcoin Trader is ideal for users looking to trade a variety of altcoins. The platform is easy to navigate, but its fee structure is slightly higher than average. Additionally, the platform’s customer support could use improvement.

Deposit and withdrawal

KuCoin offers multiple deposit and withdrawal methods, including bank transfers and crypto. Withdrawals are processed efficiently, usually within a day, with low fees.

Altcoin Trader provides bank transfer and cryptocurrency deposit options. Withdrawals are usually processed within 24 hours. Fees are relatively low, making it accessible for beginners.

Account opening process

KuCoin provides an easy and fast account opening process. Users need to provide personal information and verify their identity. The process is fully digital and usually completed within a day.

Altcoin Trader has a simple account registration process. It requires basic personal information, proof of identity, and address verification. The process is quick, usually taking less than a day, making it accessible for new users.

KYC required?

Yes

Customer Service

KuCoin provides extensive customer support via email, live chat, and phone. The support team is responsive and available 24/7, making it reliable for users globally.

Altcoin Trader provides support through email and live chat. The support team is responsive and helpful, but the lack of 24/7 availability can be a downside for users needing immediate assistance.

Security

KuCoin provides robust security with 2FA, encryption, and cold storage. However, it is not regulated by major financial authorities, which might be a concern for some users.

Altcoin Trader employs standard security measures like 2FA and encryption. It lacks regulation from major financial bodies, which could be a concern for some investors regarding the safety of their funds.

Which of these exchanges is for you?

Alejandro Borja

In concluding our comprehensive review of KuCoin as part of Threenvest’s analysis, it’s evident that KuCoin stands out as a formidable player in the global cryptocurrency market. With an expansive array of over 700 cryptocurrencies available for trade and a presence in over 200 countries, KuCoin offers a rich trading experience that caters to both novice traders and seasoned investors. The platform’s strength lies in its extensive selection of trading options which includes spot, margin, and futures trading, alongside advanced features like leveraged tokens and a robust API that appeals to a technologically savvy clientele. However, KuCoin’s lack of formal regulatory oversight in significant markets like the U.S. poses a considerable limitation, reflecting a critical area where it trails behind competitors that boast strong regulatory frameworks. From Threenvest’s perspective, while KuCoin demonstrates robust security measures and a commitment to user safety, exemplified by its recovery actions during the 2020 security breach, potential users should weigh these against the absence of regulatory assurances that can offer additional layers of protection. The platform’s innovative approach to customer service, extensive educational resources, and competitive fee structure further solidify its position as a top choice for users looking to explore the crypto space. However, the challenges associated with regulatory uncertainties and potential geo-restrictions should be carefully considered by anyone looking to engage with KuCoin. Overall, KuCoin’s offerings make it a worthy consideration for those seeking a comprehensive and dynamic trading platform, provided they are comfortable with the associated risks and limitations highlighted in this review.

Xavier Tarrasó

As an expert reviewer on our website, I highly recommend AscendEX for both new and experienced traders looking for a comprehensive crypto trading platform. Its robust security measures, extensive range of cryptocurrencies, and competitive trading fees make it a reliable choice. The platform’s user-friendly interface, coupled with excellent customer support, ensures a smooth trading experience, making it well-suited for anyone looking to delve into the crypto market.

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How do we review crypto exchanges?

At Threenvest, we conduct a thorough review process to evaluate and rank the world’s leading crypto exchanges. Our goal is to offer an unbiased assessment, providing you with the information you need to make informed decisions on which ones best suit your needs. We strictly adhere to the guidelines of our editorial policy.

We collect data directly from exchanges through detailed questionnaires and conduct first-hand testing and observations during crypto exchange demonstrations. Questionnaire responses, combined with demonstrations and hands-on research from our experts, feed into our proprietary evaluation process that scores each provider’s performance on more than 15 factors. The end result produces star ratings ranging from poor (one star) to excellent (five stars).

For more details on the categories considered when rating brokers and our process, read our full methodology.

Risk Disclaimer

Investing in cryptocurrencies is very risky, you should only invest the money you are willing to lose. Also you should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong.

Neither Threenvest, nor the author, are recommending you to invest with this article.