KuCoin
KuCoin
An exchange known as the 'People's Exchange' for its 1,000+ assets and low altcoin listing fees. The picture is marked, however, by a 2024 DOJ settlement, a 2020 hack and its Seychelles base.
Data & conditions
| Maker / Taker fee | 0.1% / 0.1% |
|---|---|
| Markets | Spot + Derivatives |
| Max leverage | 100× |
| Supported assets | 700+ |
| Fiat on-ramp | Yes |
| Deposit methods | Bonifico bancario (fiat, 50+ valute incl. EUR), Carta di credito/debito, P2P (Wise, Revolut, Payoneer e 70+ metodi locali), Deposito crypto on-chain |
| Geo restrictions | USA, Canada (Ontario, British Columbia), Cina continentale, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malesia, Corea del Nord, Iran, Cuba, Francia, Paesi Bassi, Ucraina (regioni occupate) |
| Staking / Earn | Sì, prodotti Earn e staking disponibili |
| Fund custody | Custodial (platform holds funds) |
| KYC | Full |
| Supported countries | EEA, APAC, LATAM, MENA, AFRICA · 200+ countries |
| Regulator | FMA Austria, FIU-IND, etc. |
| OAM Italy registration | No |
| Segment | B2C |
| Past incidents | DOJ NY settlement 2024 $300M · Exit US market |
| MiCA / License status | VASP misto |
Strengths
- 1.000+ asset ('People's Exchange'); bassi fee listing altcoin.
- No notable sovereignty advantage documented.
Weaknesses
- Fine DOJ 2024; hack 2020; sede Seychelles.
- Custodial: the platform holds your funds and can freeze or lose them.
- Full KYC required: verified identity, zero pseudonymity.
- Geographic restrictions (USA, Canada (Ontario, British Columbia), Cina continentale, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malesia, Corea del Nord, Iran, Cuba, Francia, Paesi Bassi, Ucraina (regioni occupate)).
Verdict
The mid-tier score reflects a trade-off: a broad lineup (1,000+ assets, 0.10% fees, low-cost altcoin listings) against a risk profile marked by the 2024 $300M DOJ settlement, the exit from the US market, a 2020 hack and a Seychelles base. For the ordinary user it is rich but with fragile oversight.
It is the most interesting case of the group on this lens: a privacy score of 4, the highest, because it has historically been lighter on KYC, even if today it remains custodial and formally full-verification. It is still a centralized intermediary, and the DOJ settlement signals how even the more permissive models end up bending to regulatory pressure.
Promp's editorial rating based on real fees and net annual cost. Promp reviews third-party products independently.
"Sovereignty" rating: score computed on privacy/anonymity (30%), fund control (20%), censorship resistance (20%), trustless/auditability (20%) and costs (10%). Same data, different weights.
FAQ
What are KuCoin's fees?
On KuCoin, spot fees are maker 0.1% / taker 0.1%. They drop with monthly volume and VIP tier.
Is KuCoin regulated in Europe?
KuCoin is not currently MiCA-authorised. It is not listed in the Italian OAM register. Licence: VASP mixed.
Does KuCoin publish Proof of Reserves?
Proof of Reserves publication is not documented for KuCoin. No third-party reserve audit is documented. Reserve transparency is a critical factor after the FTX collapse.
Can I send transfers to third-party IBANs from KuCoin?
No, KuCoin is an exchange and does not allow transfers to third-party IBANs: fiat withdrawals return to a bank account in your own name.
Does KuCoin support derivatives and futures?
KuCoin offers derivatives trading, with up to 100x leverage.
Sources
- Official service page Maker/taker fees · Regulatory framework · Derivatives · Founders · +11 Data verified on Jun 15, 2026
- businesswire.com Stock ticker · Stock listing · IPO date · Valuation Data verified on Jun 15, 2026
- coinspeaker.com Founders · Latest funding round · Investors Data verified on Jun 15, 2026
- datawallet.com Geo restrictions · Deposit methods Data verified on Jun 15, 2026
Show 2 more sources
- justice.gov Legal name · Company type Data verified on Jun 15, 2026
- wp.nyu.edu Data verified on Jun 15, 2026