Ranked in 14 of 16 countries · Exchange
KuCoin Review (October 2026): Fees, Licences and Where It Works
By Vahe Hakobyan Verified No affiliate links
- Taker fee0.10%
- Maker fee0.10%
- Coins845
- CustodyCustodial
- Founded2017
- Headquarters— Not verified
Our verdict
KuCoin is a custodial exchange launched in 2017 with a wide altcoin list: its public API shows about 845 tradable coins. Spot fees start at 0.1% per side for major coins but rise to 0.2% or 0.3% for smaller ones. It publishes Merkle tree reserves and pleaded guilty to a US licensing charge in 2025.
Pros
- About 845 tradable coins on the spot order book
- Merkle tree reserves updated, latest snapshot Sep 30, 2026
- Futures, margin, Earn, P2P, copy trading and KuCard
Cons
- Smaller coins cost 0.2% or 0.3% per trade
- 2025 US guilty plea with over $297M in penalties
Where KuCoin works
| Country | Status | Rank | Local licence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | Available | #2 of 25 | Axis One Markets Pty Ltd (ABN 41 660 251 141), DCE-100844683-001, registered with AUSTRAC as a virtual asset service provider; CAR 1318896 of Echuca Trading Pty Ltd (AFSL 297499) for derivatives |
| European Union | Available | #1 of 36 | MiCA CASP authorisation, KuCoin EU Exchange GmbH (FMA, Austria), notified 27/11/2025; passported to all EEA states except Malta |
| France | Available | #1 of 34 | MiCA CASP authorisation, KuCoin EU Exchange GmbH (FMA, Austria), notified 27/11/2025; passported to all EEA states except Malta |
| Germany | Available | #1 of 33 | MiCA CASP authorisation, KuCoin EU Exchange GmbH (FMA, Austria), notified 27/11/2025; passported to all EEA states except Malta |
| India | Available | #2 of 16 | FIU-IND registered VDA service provider (offshore; registration reported in March 2024, number not published) |
| Italy | Available | #1 of 32 | MiCA CASP authorisation, KuCoin EU Exchange GmbH (FMA, Austria), notified 27/11/2025; passported to all EEA states except Malta |
| Netherlands | Available | #1 of 31 | MiCA CASP authorisation, KuCoin EU Exchange GmbH (FMA, Austria), notified 27/11/2025; passported to all EEA states except Malta |
| Poland | Available | #1 of 30 | MiCA CASP authorisation, KuCoin EU Exchange GmbH (FMA, Austria), notified 27/11/2025; passported to all EEA states except Malta |
| Serbia | Available | #7 of 24 | — Not verified |
| Spain | Available | #1 of 33 | MiCA CASP authorisation, KuCoin EU Exchange GmbH (FMA, Austria), notified 27/11/2025; passported to all EEA states except Malta |
| Turkey | Available | #6 of 14 | On SPK provisional list (KuCoin TR Kripto Varlık Alım Satım Platformu AŞ); final SPK operating licence not yet shown |
| Ukraine | Available | #7 of 22 | — Not verified |
| United Arab Emirates | Available | #13 of 18 | — Not verified |
| United Kingdom | Limited | #17 of 17 | — Not verified |
| Canada | Not available | — | — Not verified |
| USA | Not available | — | — Not verified |
How secure is KuCoin?
- Proof of reserves
- Yes - Merkle tree PoR with self-verification, latest snapshot Sep 30, 2026 (BTC 109%, ETH 117%, USDT 110%)
- Custody
- Custodial
Incidents since 2019
- 2025settlementOn Jan 27, 2025 KuCoin pleaded guilty in the US to operating an unlicensed money transmitting business, paying over $297M and agreeing to exit the US market for at least two years.
Crypto held on a platform is generally not covered by deposit insurance.
What you can do on KuCoin
- Spot
- Futures
- Margin
- Staking
- Earn
- Copy trading
- Card
- P2p
Products can differ by country; check what the platform offers where you live.
KuCoin FAQ
Where is KuCoin available?
Among the countries we cover it accepts residents of Australia, European Union, France, Germany, India, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Serbia, Spain, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom. It is not available in Canada, USA.
What are KuCoin's trading fees?
At the base tier of its main order book KuCoin charges 0.10% maker and 0.10% taker. Volume tiers and promotions can lower this.
Is KuCoin regulated?
Australia: Axis One Markets Pty Ltd (ABN 41 660 251 141), DCE-100844683-001, registered with AUSTRAC as a virtual asset service provider; CAR 1318896 of Echuca Trading Pty Ltd (AFSL 297499) for derivatives. European Union: MiCA CASP authorisation, KuCoin EU Exchange GmbH (FMA, Austria), notified…
Does KuCoin publish proof of reserves?
Yes - Merkle tree PoR with self-verification, latest snapshot Sep 30, 2026 (BTC 109%, ETH 117%, USDT 110%)
Not financial advice. Crypto prices are volatile and you can lose everything you put in. World-Crypt earns nothing from the platforms reviewed here.