Comparison of Kucoin vs Changenow [ 2024 ]

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

Your expert: Alejandro Borja

Kucoin

Your expert: Xavier Tarrasó

Changenow

Main points

Fees

≈ 0,10%

Earns

Customer service

4/5

hidden

Fees

Yes

Earns

3/5

Customer service

Recommended for

Beginners

Yes

Trading

Yes

Passive income

Buy and hold

Yes

Beginners

Trading

Yes

Passive income

Yes

Buy and hold

Comparison of fees

Rating

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

4.0 – Competitive fees with a focus on instant crypto swaps.

Level

≈ 0,10%

hidden

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.

ChangeNOW simplifies the process of trading cryptocurrencies by imposing a straightforward fee structure that varies depending on the transaction and the currency pair used. Typically, ChangeNOW integrates a service fee directly into the exchange rate, which means the rates you see already include the fee, ensuring transparency and avoiding unexpected charges. The platform does not charge a separate service fee, but network fees, which are payments to miners, still apply and are necessary for the transaction to be processed on the blockchain. This fee structure makes it easy for beginners to understand the total cost of each transaction without having to navigate complex fee schedules.

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.

Changenow

Security Methods: ChangeNOW employs robust security protocols, including non-custodial transactions that ensure users retain control over their private keys, enhancing overall security.
Customer Service: Despite some feedback about needing improvements, ChangeNOW is committed to enhancing its customer support services, with initiatives aimed at providing quicker and more effective responses.
Reputation and Reviews: The platform has received positive reviews for its user-friendly interface and quick swap features, establishing a solid reputation in the cryptocurrency community.
Trading Volume and Liquidity: With support for over 200 cryptocurrencies, ChangeNOW offers high liquidity, ensuring that transactions are executed swiftly and at competitive rates.
Transparency: ChangeNOW is transparent about its fees and processes, providing users with all necessary information upfront, which helps in building trust.

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Account Minimum

Get started with just $100.

And 1% fee on all cryptocurrency trades.

Direct link to the website

Product selection

Native token

Token KCS (KuCoin Shares)

Earns

Yes

NFT marketplace

Yes

Cripto/debit card

Yes

Full name

Mek Global Limited

ChangeNOW International Ltd.

Regulation

Not regulated

Year founded

2017

Founder

Michael Gan

Unknown

Payment methods

Transfers

Mastercard

Yes

Wire transfer

Card

Yes

Comparative table

Kucoin	FEATURES	Changenow
KuCoin allows users to trade with small amounts, making it accessible for beginners or those trading on a budget.	Minimum Trade	ChangeNOW allows users to trade small amounts of cryptocurrencies, accommodating users who prefer to trade minimal quantities.
KuCoin offers competitive fees, with low transaction costs compared to other exchanges.	Trading and Transaction Fees	While fees are competitive, they can vary and be higher for certain routes or less popular coins.
Supports over 600 cryptocurrencies, providing a wide range of options for traders.	Number of Cryptocurrencies	Supports over 200 cryptocurrencies, providing a wide selection for trading.
Offers a vast array of trading pairs, enhancing trading flexibility and opportunities.	Crypto-to-Crypto Trading Pairs	Offers a vast array of trading pairs, allowing direct swaps between a diverse range of cryptocurrencies.
While generally transparent, improvements could be made in regulatory and security disclosures.	Website Transparency	Generally transparent about fees and trading processes, but could improve accessibility of detailed information on the backend processes.
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	Does not provide its own exchange card for in-store purchases or benefits.
Provides secure storage with advanced security features, though not as comprehensive as some specialized wallets.	Storage Offering	Provides a secure, non-custodial service that doesn’t store user funds but could enhance security features or options.
Offers competitive staking options and rewards, but not as extensive as some exclusively staking platforms.	Staking and Rewards	Limited options for staking and rewards compared to other platforms that offer comprehensive staking services.
Both platforms are well-designed, intuitive, and offer full trading functionality.	Mobile App and Desktop	Both mobile and desktop interfaces are user-friendly, facilitating easy and efficient trading on any device.
Responsive and helpful, but sometimes experiences delays during peak times.	Customer Service	Customer service is available but has room for improvement in terms of response times and support quality.
Supports multiple deposit and withdrawal methods with relatively quick processing times.	Deposit and Withdraw	Facilitates easy and fast deposits and withdrawals but could expand the variety of accepted payment methods.

Key features

Analysis tools

Advanced charting tools, technical indicators

No significant tools, mainly a swap service

Mobile APP

Yes

Security

High 4,9/5

High 4/5

Additional features

Margin trading, futures trading, staking, KuCoin Earn

Instant crypto swaps, NOW token rewards, fiat on/off ramps, ChangeNOW API

Anonymity

Yes

Key points

Available cryptocurrencies

400+

200+

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.

ChangeNOW offers a straightforward and easy-to-use platform that is ideal for beginners. The interface is clean and intuitive, making it easy to navigate and execute trades.

Value for money

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

Offers good value for money with competitive fees and a straightforward swapping service, making it an easy option for quick trades.

Countries of operation

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

Best for

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

Ideal for traders looking for a straightforward and quick cryptocurrency swapping service with competitive fees.

Base currencies available

USD, BTC, USDT

BTC, ETH, USDT (varies by transaction)

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.

ChangeNOW is a non-custodial exchange known for its fast and anonymous transactions. It offers a wide range of cryptocurrencies but lacks advanced trading features and tools.

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.

ChangeNOW is a non-custodial exchange known for its fast transactions. It supports various deposit methods, and withdrawals are processed quickly with low fees.

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.

ChangeNOW provides a simple and quick account registration process. Users need to submit personal details and verify their identity. The process is fully digital and usually takes less than a day to complete.

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.

ChangeNOW offers support through email and live chat. The response time is quick, but the support team is not available 24/7, which may be a drawback for some users.

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.

ChangeNOW provides strong security with 2FA and encryption. However, it lacks regulation from major financial authorities, which might be a concern for some investors.

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 a cryptocurrency analyst at our website, I’ve spent considerable time exploring and using various exchanges, and ChangeNOW stands out for its remarkable simplicity and efficiency. From my personal experience, this platform is especially well-suited for those who are new to the cryptocurrency world or those who prefer straightforward, quick crypto exchanges without the hassle of lengthy registrations. ChangeNOW’s focus on user privacy and security, without requiring personal information, provides peace of mind, making it a top recommendation for users valuing anonymity alongside ease of use. Whether you’re looking to swap small amounts or engage in more significant trades, ChangeNOW facilitates it all with commendable ease and speed.

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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.