9 of the best crypto exchanges for day trading in 2026

Door Kraken Learn team
17 min
21 jan 2026
Belangrijkste conclusies 🔑
  1. Betrouwbaarheid van een platform en bewezen beveiliging zijn cruciaal. Consistente uptime en snelle uitvoering tijdens volatiele perioden beïnvloeden direct je vermogen om tradingkansen te benutten.

  2. Regionale beperkingen kunnen de toegang tot essentiële tradingfuncties beperken, dus verifieer of de door jou gekozen exchange legaal opereert op jouw locatie en de specifieke producten aanbiedt, zoals margin trading of derivaten, die jouw strategie vereist.

  3. Diepe liquiditeit op grote tradingparen maakt het eenvoudiger om orders uit te voeren tegen de verwachte prijs. Dit kan voor daytraders vaak waardevoller zijn dan toegang hebben tot duizenden minder bekende altcoins.

  4. In day trading, even small fees can add up. With hundreds of trades over time, platforms that keep costs low can make the difference between breaking even and turning a profit.

How to choose the best crypto exchange for day trading 🔍

Crypto day trading requires split-second decisions, razor-thin margins and the right platform to execute your strategy effectively. With hundreds of exchanges vying for your volume, choosing the best crypto exchange for day trading comes down to several critical factors that can make or break your trading performance.

Successful day traders typically look for platforms that offer:

  • Reasonable fees that scale down as trading volume goes up, helping traders hold onto more of their gains.
  • Extensive trading pairs that provide diverse opportunities across different markets and sectors.
  • Deep liquidity that keeps order execution steady, minimizing slippage and helping avoid unexpected shifts in trade prices.

In day trading, exchange details matter more than marketing hype. Here, we’ve laid out the facts about major platforms so you can clearly weigh your options. 

Kraken may be our favorite — no surprise there — but we’ll let the facts surrounding each platform do the talking, so you can determine which is right for you.

Note: Fees may vary based on monthly trading volume, payment methods, promotional offers, platform membership level, etc. 

1. Kraken Pro

  • Spot trading fees: Maker fees start at 0.25%, taker fees start at 0.40%
  • Futures trading fees: Maker fees start at 0.02%, taker fees start at 0.05%
  • Trading pairs: ~1,183
  • Kaiko liquidity score: 83/100
  • Advanced trading features: Kraken Desktop, Kraken Pro mobile app, futures and margin trading, advanced order types, in-depth technical analysis, API integrations, etc.

Kraken is one of the longest-standing crypto exchanges, known for strong security and deep liquidity. While the standard Kraken platform makes it easy for individuals to invest in hundreds of different cryptocurrencies, Kraken Pro provides the powerful functionality that advanced traders, funds and institutions require.

With enhanced charting, real-time trade order books and a suite of professional order types, Kraken Pro is designed to support the fast-paced decisions that active trading requires.

Kraken vs. Kraken Pro: Features and fees, explained
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For day traders, Kraken Pro’s maker-taker fee model is straightforward, and fees decrease as trading volume increases. If you’re executing multiple positions daily, this fee structure can translate to meaningful cost savings over time.

Kraken Pro also provides professional-level tools essential for day traders: 

  • Comprehensive charting tools, technical indicators and customizable layouts give traders the ability to analyze market trends and develop strategies.
  • Advanced order types, including stop-loss, take-profit and one-cancels-other (OCO) orders for effective risk management.
  • Reliable execution speeds and platform stability during high-volatility periods — critical when markets move fast and opportunities are brief.
  • Margin trading and futures with up to 10x margin on spot trading and up to 50x leverage when trading futures.
  • API access for algorithmic day trading strategies and more advanced users.

Waarom mensen voor Kraken kiezen

Traders often choose Kraken because it combines transparency, advanced trading features and reliability. Kraken’s fee structure rewards frequent trading, while advanced tools like real-time charting and customizable order types support precise execution.

With thousands of trading pairs and a Kaiko liquidity score of 83 out of 100, Kraken provides solid market depth for day traders. High liquidity on major pairs like BTC/USD and ETH/USD ensures orders execute at expected prices with minimal slippage—crucial for maintaining precise entry and exit points and preserving profit margins.

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$78.287.00
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24U
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$2.295.71
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Beyond spot trading, our margin and futures offerings give experienced traders additional tools to use more complex crypto day trading strategies. With margin trading, users can trade with more crypto than they can buy outright. For example, using $1,000 to control $5,000 worth of Bitcoin. 

On the other hand, futures contracts enable long and short positions with leverage — which is commonly used for hedging, arbitrage and directional plays.

Beyond these advanced trading capabilities, our commitment to security and regulatory compliance gives traders confidence. We prioritize fund safety and operate under oversight in multiple regions, so traders can focus on strategy without worrying about the infrastructure.

Kraken Pro offers day traders a combination of tools, markets and institutional-grade security needed to execute their trading strategies effectively. Want to see how we compare against other top exchanges across every factor that matters? Read our complete breakdown of the best crypto exchanges for 2026.

2. Binance

  • Spot trading fees: Maker fees start at 0.10%, taker fees start at 0.10%
  • Futures trading fees: Maker fees start at 0.02%, taker fees start at 0.05%
  • Trading pairs: ~1,492
  • Kaiko liquidity score: 90/100
  • Advanced trading features: Technical analysis, charting tools, advanced order types, Binance mobile app, etc.

Binance is a globally recognized crypto exchange with a wide selection of trading pairs and strong liquidity. Like Kraken Pro’s fee structure, day traders can use Binance’s maker-taker model, which rewards higher-volume trading with lower fees. 

The platform offers advanced charting, customizable dashboards and professional order types, allowing traders to execute advanced strategies efficiently.

With more than 1,500 trading pairs and high liquidity across major markets, Binance minimizes slippage for fast trade execution. Margin and futures options are also available for traders looking to apply leverage or implement more complex strategies. 

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Het platform hanteert een maker-nemer-kostenmodel, waarbij zowel de makerkosten als de nemerkosten beginnen bij 0,10%. Traders kunnen hun kosten verlagen door hogere maandelijkse tradevolumes. Gebruikers van het Advanced Trading-platform van Binance kunnen hun kosten ook betalen met Binance’s eigen token, BNB, wat een extra korting oplevert.

Hoewel Binance wereldwijd actief is en functies biedt zoals futures, opties en staking, kan de toegang tot bepaalde producten en diensten variëren afhankelijk van de locatie van de gebruiker en de lokale regelgeving. De combinatie van liquiditeit, een brede variëteit aan assets en transparante kosten heeft het tot een van de meest gebruikte exchanges ter wereld gemaakt.

Security measures include cold storage for most funds, two-factor authentication, but Binance has experienced breaches that resulted in the loss of client funds in the past. Additionally, although Binance aims to stay in compliance with multiple regulatory frameworks, it has faced challenges here in the past.

Kraken vs. Binance

TLDR: Kraken prioritizes transparency and security; Binance focuses on market reach.

Both Kraken and Binance serve millions of traders and provide robust crypto platforms. For advanced traders, the difference often comes down to priorities. Kraken is known for transparency and institutional-grade security — factors that matter when keeping large sums of capital on the trading platform.

Kraken Pro also offers advanced charting and professional order types, giving active traders the tools to move quickly and confidently in volatile markets.

Kraken is an ideal platform for traders who prioritize stability and reliability. Its advanced trading tools backed by an emphasis on security and premium customer support help millions of users trade confidently in the fast-paced crypto space.

Kraken vs. Binance: Vergelijking van crypto exchanges
Kom meer te weten over functies, kosten, beveiliging en beschikbare assets om het platform te kiezen dat het b...

3. Coinbase

  • Spot trading fees: Maker fees start at 0.40%, taker fees start at 0.60%
  • Futures trading fees: Rates not publicly available
  • Trading pairs: ~460
  • Kaiko liquidity score: 72/100
  • Advanced trading features: Technical analysis, price alerts, Coinbase mobile app, Base app, etc.

Coinbase is a widely used U.S.-based crypto exchange known for its straightforward interface and broad accessibility. For day traders, Coinbase offers a tiered maker-taker fee structure, with lower fees available to higher-volume traders.

The platform also has trading tools like real-time charts, basic order types and a user-friendly dashboard. That said, its advanced order options can be more limited when compared to other platforms like Kraken Pro.

Coinbase supports a wide range of cryptos, and major markets generally maintain strong liquidity to help reduce slippage. Regardless of the exchange, margin trading and derivatives availability are more restricted in certain regions. Active traders looking to use leverage should review local requirements. 

Kraken vs. Coinbase

TLDR: Kraken offers advanced trading tools; Coinbase prioritizes user-friendly simplicity.

Day traders who prioritize security and control over their assets often find Kraken a strong fit. Predictable, competitive fees combined with professional-grade tools make it easier to manage multiple trades efficiently. Meanwhile, features like deep liquidity and advanced order types support fast, precise execution. 

Coinbase, by contrast, is known for its user-friendly design and accessibility, which can be particularly appealing to newer traders. Both platforms serve millions of users effectively, but day traders often prefer Kraken when advanced functionality, reliability and security are top priorities.

Kraken vs. Coinbase: Hoe deze crypto exchanges zich tot elkaar verhouden
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4. Crypto.com

  • Spot trading fees: Maker fees start at 0.25%, taker fees start at 0.50%
  • Futures trading fees: Rates not publicly available
  • Trading pairs: ~631
  • Kaiko liquidity score: 67/100
  • Advanced trading features: Advanced order types, derivatives trading, crypto staking, Crypto.com mobile app, etc.

Crypto.com is a global exchange recognized for its strong marketing and brand presence. It stands out for its high-profile sponsored partnerships, like the Crypto.com Arena. 

When it comes to the product itself, Crypto.com offers around 631 trading pairs and a liquidity score of 67/100. Kraken, by comparison, supports roughly 1,183 trading pairs with higher liquidity across major markets. 

This difference can be significant for day traders since more trading pairs increase opportunities to diversify strategies. Meanwhile, higher liquidity can help reduce slippage and ensure trades execute closer to expected prices.

Kraken vs. Crypto.com

TLDR: Kraken delivers professional trading depth; Crypto.com focuses on marketing and rewards.

While Crypto.com draws attention to its token-based rewards and brand partnerships, Kraken offers deep liquidity and professional-grade tools for high-frequency strategies.

Kraken’s emphasis on security and transparency — backed by regular Proof of Reserves audits and strict regulatory alignment — makes it a platform designed for serious traders who want confidence in every trade. 

The combination of broader market access, reliable liquidity and advanced trading features makes Kraken a platform well-suited for active traders who need flexibility and stability.

Kraken vs Crypto.com: crypto exchange comparison
Get to know two of today’s top exchanges: Kraken and Crypto.com.

5. Bybit

  • Spot trading fees: Maker fees start at 0.10%, taker fees start at 0.10%
  • Futures trading fees: Maker fees start at 0.02%, taker fees start at 0.055%
  • Trading pairs: ~656
  • Kaiko liquidity score: 73/100
  • Advanced trading features: Automated trading bots, copy trading, derivatives, Bybit mobile app, etc. 

With more than 650 trading pairs and a liquidity score of 73/100, Bybit provides a wide range of markets but falls behind the scale of larger global platforms. Its futures market and leverage options are central to its appeal, particularly for those pursuing aggressive trading strategies

While security measures such as multi-signature wallets are in place, Bybit’s regulatory presence is limited compared to exchanges prioritizing compliance in major jurisdictions.

For day traders, Bybit may be attractive for tactical, high-volume activity, but it may be less aligned with those seeking the long-term stability offered by more established, compliance-focused platforms.

Kraken vs. Bybit

TLDR: Kraken provides security and deep liquidity; Bybit offers aggressive leverage options.

Bybit and Kraken offer advanced trading tools and access to spot and futures markets. That said, Kraken Pro combines these features with deeper liquidity, predictable low fees and top-notch security features.

Kraken consistently ranks among the top exchanges for liqudity on major trading pairs, which can help minimize slippage during periods of heavy activity. For day traders who depend on precise execution, that level of reliability can directly impact outcomes.

Trust is equally important. Kraken’s security track record and adherence to regulatory standards in multiple jurisdictions provide a layer of assurance that is not always present with offshore platforms. 

This combination makes Kraken a platform designed to support day traders as they build sustainable, long-term strategies.

Kraken vs Bybit: A detailed comparison
Kraken en Bybit richten zich op verschillende typen traders. Ontdek welke exchange het beste bij jou past.

6. OKX

  • Spot trading fees: Maker fees start at 0.14%, taker fees start at 0.23%
  • Futures trading fees: Maker fees start at 0.02%, taker fees start at 0.05%
  • Trading pairs: ~683
  • Kaiko liquidity score: 74/100
  • Advanced trading features: Charting tools, API trading, futures trading, OKX mobile app, etc. 

The OKX platform supports roughly 683 trading pairs with a Kaiko liquidity score of 74, providing adequate market depth for some trading strategies. The exchange also provides professional trading tools, including advanced order types, algorithmic trading options and charting capabilities. 

OKX's trading engine handles high-frequency trading with low-latency execution. The platform also maintains institutional-grade security measures, including cold storage and multi-signature wallets.

Kraken vs. OKX

TLDR: Kraken provides double the trading pairs and established U.S. operations; OKX is newer to American markets.

OKX offers a solid range of markets and advanced trading tools, but Kraken provides nearly double the trading pairs and consistently higher liquidity across major markets. For day traders, this means more opportunities to diversify strategies and reduced slippage when executing frequent trades.

Platform reliability and security also favor Kraken, providing proven operational stability that OKX, despite solid security measures, hasn't yet matched in terms of longevity. For day traders managing significant capital, Kraken's established security history offers greater confidence, particularly given OKX's relatively recent entry into the U.S. market in April 2025.

Despite OKX's recent U.S. launch, Kraken benefits from years of established American operations, mature customer support infrastructure and proven regulatory relationships. These factors may provide additional confidence for traders who value well-established local market presence and compliance frameworks.

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7. KuCoin

  • Spot trading fees: Maker fees start at 0.10%, taker fees start at 0.10%
  • Futures trading fees: Maker fees start at 0.02%, taker fees start at 0.06%
  • Trading pairs: ~1,296
  • Kaiko liquidity score: 71/100
  • Advanced trading features: Futures trading, advanced order-matching, trading bot, KuCoin mobile app, etc.

KuCoin operates as a global cryptocurrency exchange with approximately 1,296 trading pairs, making it one of the platforms with the broadest market coverage available. 

The exchange has built its reputation on listing a wide variety of altcoins and providing access to emerging projects that may not be available on other major platforms. This could appeal to day traders seeking smaller-cap tokens or newly launched projects beyond major cryptos. 

That said, KuCoin is not accessible to U.S. traders due to regulatory restrictions. This limits its availability for American day traders who might be interested in its token selection.

Kraken vs. KuCoin

TLDR: Kraken offers superior liquidity and U.S. access; KuCoin has more altcoins but restricts American traders.

Day traders may favor Kraken over KuCoin for several practical advantages that directly impact trading performance. For example, Kraken's liquidity score of 83 outperforms KuCoin's 71, providing better order execution and reduced slippage for active traders. 

While KuCoin offers more trading pairs, Kraken's higher liquidity on major markets means smoother trades with more predictable pricing. This is crucial for day trading strategies that depend on more precise entry and exit points.

Additionally, Kraken operates legally in the United States with proper regulatory compliance, while KuCoin is inaccessible to American traders. For U.S.-based day traders, Kraken is the only viable option between the two platforms. 

KuCoin alternatives: Compare platforms similar to KuCoin
Looking for a new crypto exchange? See how these KuCoin alternatives stack up.

8. Bitget

  • Spot trading fees: Maker fees start at 0.10%, taker fees start at 0.10%
  • Futures trading fees: Maker fees start at 0.02%, taker fees start at 0.06%
  • Trading pairs: ~778
  • Kaiko liquidity score: 56/100
  • Advanced trading features: Real-time alerts, technical analysis tools, trading bots, futures trading, Bitget mobile app, etc. 

Bitget is known for its copy trading features and derivatives market, allowing users to automatically replicate the trades of successful traders. For day traders, this creates an opportunity to either follow others or earn additional income by allowing others to copy their successful strategies.

However, users should note that copy trading involves additional subscription fees. These specific costs depend on which traders they follow, on top of standard maker/taker costs.

Kraken vs. Bitget

TLDR: Kraken ondersteunt actieve daytradingstrategieën; Bitget legt de nadruk op passieve copy trading.

Daytraders geven meestal de voorkeur aan Kraken boven Bitget omdat de platformen verschillende filosofieën over trading ondersteunen. 

De belangrijkste copy tradingfunctie van Bitget is ontworpen voor beginners of passieve investeerders, wat in contrast staat met de actieve aanpak die kenmerkend is voor daytrading. Daytraders vertrouwen op realtime analyse en snelle beslissingen, vaardigheden die je niet kunt uitbesteden aan copy tradingsystemen.

Naast die filosofische verschillen biedt Kraken ook praktische voordelen, met een hogere liquiditeitsscore van 83 tegenover 56 voor Bitget. Dit kan zich vertalen naar een betere orderuitvoering die daytraders nodig hebben. De beschikbaarheid van Kraken voor Amerikaanse traders betekent ook een voordeel ten opzichte van Bitget, dat beperkt blijft op de Amerikaanse markt.

Bitget-alternatieven: Vergelijk platformen die lijken op Bitget
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9. MEXC

  • Spottradingkosten: Makerkosten beginnen bij 0,00%, nemerkosten bij 0,25%
  • Futures-tradingkosten: Makerkosten beginnen bij 0,00%, nemerkosten bij 0,02%
  • Tradingparen: ~2,217
  • Kaiko-liquiditeitsscore: 76/100
  • Geavanceerde tradingfuncties: Futures-trading, pre-market trading, copy trading, MEXC-app, enz.

MEXC heeft een sterke reputatie opgebouwd in de crypto-community dankzij het uitgebreide aanbod aan altcoins en nieuwe projecten. Deze worden vaak genoteerd voordat ze op andere grote exchanges verschijnen, waardoor MEXC een populaire optie is voor traders die toegang zoeken tot opkomende crypto.

De exchange biedt standaard tradingtools, waaronder grafiekmogelijkheden, diverse ordertypes en opties voor margin trading met hefboomwerking voor geavanceerde strategieën. Daarnaast biedt MEXC futurescontracten, stakingdiensten en API-toegang voor geautomatiseerde trading.

Het platform implementeert gangbare beveiligingsmaatregelen, waaronder offline wallets en authenticatieprotocollen. Vanwege regelgevende beperkingen is MEXC echter niet beschikbaar voor Amerikaanse traders, wat de toegang voor Amerikaanse daytraders beperkt.

Kraken vs. MEXC

TLDR: Kraken biedt beveiliging op institutioneel niveau en voldoet aan de Amerikaanse regelgeving; MEXC biedt vroege toegang tot nieuwe altcoins.

Een daytrader kan Kraken verkiezen boven MEXC vanwege de robuuste beveiliging, naleving van regelgeving en diepe liquiditeit, allemaal essentieel voor professioneel traden. 

Kraken heeft al jarenlang de reputatie een van de meest veilige en betrouwbare exchanges op de markt te zijn. Bovendien werkt Kraken legaal in meerdere grote rechtsgebieden. Dat zorgt voor een extra laag betrouwbaarheid die het risico op operationele onderbrekingen of inbeslagname van assets vermindert. Dit is een belangrijk aandachtspunt voor traders die hoge volumes verhandelen.

Liquiditeit is ook een belangrijk verschil tussen beide platformen. Kraken behoort consequent tot de topexchanges wat betreft liquiditeit op belangrijke tradingparen, waardoor daytraders grote orders efficiënt en met minimale prijsslippage kunnen uitvoeren. Hoewel MEXC meer assets aanbiedt, is de algehele liquiditeit minder diep.

MEXC-alternatieven: Vergelijk platforms die lijken op MEXC
Hoe andere cryptoplatformen het doen op het gebied van noteringen, hefboomwerking en prijs.

Begin met daytraden met Kraken 🤝

De beste cryptoplatformen voor daytrading bieden de belangrijkste fundamenten: concurrerende kosten, betrouwbare uitvoering en diepe liquiditeit op de belangrijkste tradingparen. 

Met Kraken Pro krijgen traders de tools om kosten voorspelbaar te houden, orders efficiënt te vullen en toegang te krijgen tot de liquiditeit die nodig is om snel te handelen. Registreer je vandaag nog voor meer controle en efficiëntie in je tradingstrategie.

FAQ: Beste crypto exchange voor daytrading 📚

Is daytraden in crypto legaal?

Ja, daytraden in crypto is legaal in de meeste landen, inclusief de Verenigde Staten. Je bent echter zelf verantwoordelijk voor het rapporteren van winst en verlies voor belastingdoeleinden, en sommige rechtsgebieden kunnen specifieke regels hanteren op het gebied van high-frequency trading of margevereisten.

Hoe beïnvloedt liquiditeit het daytraden?

Liquiditeit bepaalt hoe snel en efficiënt je posities kunt openen en sluiten zonder de marktprijs te beïnvloeden. Hoge liquiditeit betekent kleinere spreads tussen bied- en laatprijzen en minder slippage, waardoor daytraders trades dichter bij hun bedoelde prijs kunnen uitvoeren en betere winstmarges kunnen behouden op frequente transacties.

Hoe beheren investeerders risico’s tijdens het daytraden?

Veel daytraders beheren hun risico via de grootte van posities (nooit meer dan 1–2% van het kapitaal per trade riskeren), stoploss-orders, diversificatie over meerdere trades en strikte discipline om verliezen snel te beperken. Sommige traders stellen zelfs dat risicobeheer even belangrijk (of nog belangrijker) is dan het kiezen van winnende trades.

Hoe kies je crypto voor daytrading?

Succesvolle daytraders kiezen hun munten niet willekeurig; ze selecteren assets die passen bij hun specifieke strategie. Dit betekent dat ze op zoek gaan naar een van de volgende twee dingen: een duidelijke technische opstelling waarbij de prijsgrafiek een voorspelbaar patroon laat zien, of een overtuigend verhaal, zoals een belangrijke gebeurtenis zoals een software-update die de prijs waarschijnlijk in beweging zal brengen.

Geographic restrictions apply. Projected annual rate is an estimate based on the average staking rewards accrued over the past period, before commission, and is subject to change.  Staking involves risks including no guarantee of rewards, potential loss from slashing or hacks, and depreciation in the value of assets while staked. Please refer to Kraken's Terms of Service for additional information. 

 

Trading derivatives and other financial instruments, including leveraged financial instruments, involves significant risks and is not appropriate for all investors. See our Risk Disclosure to learn more.

Availability of margin trading services is subject to certain limitations and eligibility criteria. Trading using margin involves an element of risk and may not be suitable for everyone. Read Kraken's Margin Disclosure Statement to learn more.