Crypto is riding high once again, but investors still need to be careful about where they put their money.
Christmas came early for bitcoin this year. Record-breaking launches of Bitcoin ETFs by firms like BlackRock and Fidelity, which accumulated $112 billion in Bitcoin, and the reelection of President Donald Trump in November propelled the digital asset past $100,000. Enthusiasts anticipate an even more bullish 2025 as a pro-crypto Congress prepares to pass regulations that could legitimize the industry.
While hype cycles fuel optimism and FOMO, caution remains critical—especially in selecting crypto exchanges. Not all platforms are created equal. Differences in licensing, asset security, and trading opportunities can significantly impact investor safety. The collapse of FTX in 2022 underscored the importance of choosing a trustworthy exchange.
Forbes’ third annual Best Crypto Exchange ranking evaluated over 200 firms, focusing on safety, regulation, and transparency. Below are the top 25 exchanges for 2025.
The Top 25 Trustworthy Crypto Exchanges
1. CME Group
- Key Feature: Largest regulated Bitcoin futures exchange.
- 2024 Performance: Crypto trading volume rose 135%, with Bitcoin open interest exceeding $20 billion.
- Why It Ranked: Highly regulated by the CFTC, offering Micro Bitcoin and Ether futures.
2. Coinbase
- Key Feature: Only major publicly traded U.S. crypto exchange.
- Assets Under Custody: 12% of all Bitcoin ($245 billion at current prices).
- Why It Ranked: Premium security and compliance, despite higher fees.
👉 Compare Coinbase fees with other top exchanges
3. Bitstamp
- Key Feature: Strong European presence.
- Upcoming Merger: Acquired by Robinhood (pending approvals).
- Why It Ranked: Transparent audits and robust product offerings.
4. Binance
- Key Feature: Largest exchange by trading volume.
- Compliance Improvements: New management prioritizes regulation.
- Why It Ranked: Dominance in BRICS and Europe (despite past legal issues).
5. Robinhood
- Key Feature: Leading marketplace for memecoins (e.g., Dogecoin).
- 2024 Growth: Trading volume surged 780% post-election.
- Why It Ranked: Zero-fee model (but wider spreads).
Crypto Trading Fees & Spreads
Investors often prioritize low fees, but spreads (the difference between buy/sell prices) also matter. The average execution cost among ranked firms is 80 basis points.
| Exchange | Fee (bp) | Spread (bp) |
|----------------|----------|-------------|
| Coinbase | 126 | 19 |
| Binance | 10 | 21 |
| Bitstamp | 29 | 143 |
Pro Tip: Check both fees and spreads before trading.
FAQs
1. What’s the safest crypto exchange?
- Answer: CME Group (CFTC-regulated) and Coinbase (publicly traded) lead in safety.
2. Which exchange has the lowest fees?
- Answer: Binance and OKX offer fees as low as 10 bp.
3. Can U.S. investors use Binance?
- Answer: Only Binance.US (limited services); global Binance is restricted.
👉 Learn how to diversify across crypto exchanges
Methodology
Forbes scored exchanges on 9 criteria:
- BTC/ETH holdings
- Transparency
- Regulation
- Trading costs
- Audit strength
- Institutional clients
- Spot volume
- Derivatives volume
- Product diversity
Data sources: Arkham, CoinGecko, SimilarWeb.
Final Thought: As crypto matures, regulation and security will define the most trustworthy exchanges. Choose wisely!