1inch exchange vs Kucoin: Fees, Security, Features & Which to Choose (2025)

Trying to choose between 1inch exchange and Kucoin This side-by-side comparison reveals total cost (fees + spreads), security & licenses, coins/derivatives, deposits/withdrawals, and app quality. In 2 minutes you’ll see who wins for beginners, active traders, and long-term holders. Clear pros/cons, a quick verdict, and safe links to get started.

Last updated on September 11, 2025

1inch exchange

Kucoin

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Available Countries

United States

Europe

Yes

Latin America

Yes

India

Yes

China

Canada

Yes

United Kingdom

Yes

United States

Yes

Europe

Yes

Latin America

Yes

India

China

Yes

Canada

Yes

United Kingdom

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1inch exchange is ideal if:

Aggregated DEX routing: Seamlessly taps into multiple decentralized exchanges in real time to continuously seek the most efficient swap paths, helping you minimize slippage and achieve better price execution.
Advanced swap engine (Fusion/Fusion+): Provides gas optimization, front-running protection, and even gasless swap functionality—all designed to shield your trades and streamline execution.
Broad multi-chain access with advanced tools: Supports numerous blockchains and combines features like limit orders, a built-in wallet, and non-custodial governance mechanisms to offer both flexibility and control.

Kucoin is ideal if:

1inch exchange isn’t ideal if:

No fiat on-ramp available: You must already own cryptocurrency to use the platform, as it doesn’t allow direct fiat-to-crypto purchases via credit cards or bank transfers.
Steep learning curve for newcomers: Its advanced routing, multi-chain options, and DeFi tools can feel overwhelming if you're just starting out.
Subtle centralization elements: Some decisions and protocol updates are still managed by the founding team, which may raise concerns for users seeking full decentralization.

Kucoin isn’t ideal if:

If you're looking for full fiat on-ramp flexibility, you may find KuCoin lacking due to limited direct deposit and withdrawal options.
If you're just starting in crypto trading, KuCoin's advanced interface and tools could feel overwhelming rather than beginner-friendly.
If you're in a highly regulated market or prioritize strict compliance, KuCoin may fall short due to its offshore structure and past legal challenges.

Fees & Total Costs

Spot Maker/Take

1inch itself does not impose maker or taker fees on spot trades—instead, those fees are baked into the price you see and vary depending on the decentralized liquidity sources it pulls from, such as Uniswap or Balancer, each with their own fee tiers. There’s no volume-based fee structure directly on 1inch, nor token-based discounts to lower these costs.

KuCoin applies a standard maker/taker model where both roles initially face the same base percentage; however, as your trading volume increases or you hold more of the native KCS token, your fees can drop significantly—especially if you pay with KCS, which unlocks a built-in discount on those trading costs.

Futures/Derivatives

1inch primarily functions as a DEX aggregator and doesn’t offer native futures or derivatives trading, so maker/taker fee tiers and funding rates are not applicable within its ecosystem.

Futures trading follows a similar tiered fee structure, with makers generally enjoying lower rates than takers, and additional savings possible through higher VIP levels or KCS usage; funding fees are applied to perpetual contracts at regular intervals, aligning the futures price with the spot market.

Average Spreads on Liquid Pairs

As a decentralized aggregator, 1inch doesn’t publicly publish average spreads, since spread values dynamically depend on the liquidity depth across multiple sources and real-time routing, making them variable and not standardized in platform documentation.

On very liquid pairs like BTC/USDT and ETH/USDT, the typical bid-ask spread is extremely tight—often imperceptible to most users—making execution costs minimal for high-liquidity trades.

Fiat Deposits & Withdrawals

1inch does not support direct fiat deposits or withdrawals—you need to use an external exchange or service to convert fiat to crypto before transferring funds to 1inch; hence, method options, fees, and processing times depend entirely on that external provider.

Depositing fiat is supported through various channels (such as bank transfers, P2P, or third-party services), often with modest charges and varying settlement times; withdrawals follow a similar pattern, with costs and processing durations depending on the chosen method and currency.

On-chain Withdrawals

1inch does not charge withdrawal fees; you only pay the dynamic network (gas) fees required by each blockchain, which vary by network (e.g., Ethereum, Binance Smart Chain, Polygon) and are not set by 1inch itself.

Withdrawal costs depend on the coin and blockchain network you choose

Hidden Costs

There are no hidden platform costs like currency conversion charges, inactivity penalties, or speedy KYC fees, as 1inch is non-custodial and does not manage fiat or user funds directly—your only costs are visible swap pricing and network gas.

While KuCoin operates transparently, you may encounter additional indirect costs like currency conversion spreads, potential inactivity fees, or expedited KYC processing—so it’s wise to review their service terms for any such ancillary charges.

Real-World Cost Example: “€500 BTC

Since 1inch doesn’t accept fiat and embeds swap fees in its quoted price, you’d need to first convert your €500 to crypto on another platform (incurring any fiat-related fees and spread there), then swap that crypto to BTC via 1inch (price includes underlying DEX fees), and finally withdraw on-chain, paying network gas—making the practical steps and costs vary depending on which fiat-to-crypto provider and network you use.

If you use €500 to purchase BTC, your total cost includes the base trading fee, the difference between buy and sell price embedded in the execution price, and any eventual withdrawal costs—so the actual amount delivered to your wallet will be slightly less than €500 worth of BTC.

Crypto Offering & Trading Features

Number of Coins & Pairs

1inch aggregates a broad range of tokens across multiple chains—hundreds of crypto assets are available for swaps, although no fixed total or “top-20 pairs by volume” is published on-site.

KuCoin lists well over 900 cryptocurrencies—pushing close to or beyond the 1,000-mark—covering approximately 1,200+ trading pairs, with the top 20 dominated by high-volume staples like BTC/USDT and ETH/USDT.

Product Range

1inch specializes in spot swaps via its DEX aggregator and supports staking of its token but does not offer margin, perpetuals, options, ETFs, lending, copy-trading, grid bots, or automatic DCA features.

The platform supports a comprehensive range including spot, margin, futures (perpetuals), options, staking and lending (via Earn), copy trading, automated grid bots, and DCA tools, positioning itself as a multi-product hub for diverse trading styles.

Liquidity

While exact figures aren’t listed, 1inch routes trades through deep liquidity pools across DEXs and on peak days handles multi-billion-dollar trading volumes—ensuring sufficient liquidity and execution depth for major assets like BTC or ETH.

With daily trading volumes typically exceeding $1.5 billion and strong order book depth in major pairs such as BTC/USDT and ETH/USDT, KuCoin delivers robust liquidity suitable for both strategic executions and large-volume limit orders.

Tools

The platform offers on-chain limit orders, RFQ functionality, Fusion mode for gas-efficient swaps, and API access; however, it lacks native advanced charting tools, alerts, OCO, or built-in TradingView interfaces.

Users have access to advanced order types (limit, stop, OCO), price alerts, rich charting tools, native TradingView integration, and both REST API and WebSocket endpoints for seamless automation and real-time data feed.

Geographic Restrictions by Product

1inch is available globally with no region-based restrictions on its decentralized tools—derivative-like features simply don’t exist on the platform, so there’s no regional limitation for unavailable products.

While KuCoin serves a global user base, it restricts access to certain products like derivatives in highly regulated jurisdictions such as the United States, limiting some trading features for residents in those regions.

Innovation

1inch drives innovation with its Fusion swaps (gas-saving mode), limit-order automation, and staking/delegation model featuring “Unicorn Power,” but it doesn’t offer launchpads, flexible vs locked earn products, or similar launchpool mechanisms.

The exchange continuously rolls out innovative features including token launch initiatives like Launchpad/Launchpool, and diversified Earn options with both flexible and locked staking products to suit different investor appetites.

Security, Regulation & Custody

Operating Entity & Jurisdiction

1inch Network is operated by 1inch Labs, founded in May 2019 and headquartered in the United States, though governance is decentralized through its DAO.

KuCoin is run by PhoenixFin Pte. Ltd., a company incorporated in Singapore, with its founding roots tracing back to 2017 and its current operational base in Seychelles—positioning it as a globally-focused exchange governed under offshore legal structures.

Licenses/Registration

The platform isn’t a centrally licensed exchange—there’s no VASP or EU MiCA registration; instead, it’s governed by a DeFi-oriented self-regulation framework with audit and compliance standards.

The platform is actively pursuing regulatory compliance, including a recent MiCA license application in Europe, having also secured VASP recognition in regions like India, while still operating without licensing in highly regulated markets such as the United States.

Custody

1inch is completely non-custodial—users manage their own funds. It hasn’t published third-party proof-of-reserves reports, though it is working toward self-regulation tools including reserve transparency.

KuCoin maintains full custody of user funds, combining its own wallets with institutional-grade infrastructure like BitGo; it publishes independent monthly Proof of Reserves audits—over 32 consecutive reports—consistently showing reserve ratios above 100%, ensuring all user assets are fully backed.

Insurance & Protection Funds

There’s no dedicated insurance or protection fund covering user assets, as the platform relies on its decentralized, audited smart-contract architecture rather than custodial safeguards.

While not publicly detailing a dedicated insurance fund, KuCoin has relied on insurance coverage and recovery mechanisms in past incidents, signaling that asset protection tools are in place though not deeply specified for public reference.

Incident History

A notable security event involved a March 2025 exploit that targeted deprecated Fusion v1 third-party resolvers, resulting in a ~$5 million loss, though most funds were recovered after negotiations.

The platform suffered a significant security breach in 2020, losing around $281 million; users recovered approximately 94% of assets through a mix of platform reserves, law enforcement aid, and insurance; more recently, KuCoin settled legal matters in the U.S. with sizable fines and market exit agreements.

Risk Controls

1inch employs robust protections—real-time AML screening, address blocklists, non-upgradable contracts, dApp simulations, geofencing, and resolver whitelists enhance safety and reduce fraud risk.

Security measures include mandatory two-factor authentication, email/domain whitelisting, real-time anti-phishing alerts, granular API permissions, and support for sub-accounts—all designed to help users control access and minimize threats.

Transparency

While there are no formal monthly reports or SLAs published, 1inch’s smart contracts and security framework are thoroughly audited and documented, and it has introduced a self-regulation initiative for improved transparency.

KuCoin delivers high transparency via monthly PoR reporting, real-time reserve verification tools, and meets enterprise security standards such as SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001; it also provides a law-enforcement request framework, strengthening its operational accountability.

Deposits, Withdrawals, KYC & Support

Fiat Deposit Methods

1inch Wallet enables fiat-to-crypto purchases via top-tier providers like Banxa, MoonPay, Sardine, Mercuryo, Transak, Stripe, and Ramp—offering card, bank transfer, and local payment options; minimums, maximums, and processing times vary per provider and region.

You can top up your KuCoin account using bank transfers (e.g., SEPA, PIX), credit/debit cards via the Fiat Account interface, or e-wallet services; transaction limits and processing times vary by method, with same-day or instant options available alongside longer-bank-transfer alternatives.

Supported Fiat Currencies & Conversion

KYC (Verification Levels)

The wallet relies on integrated fiat-on-ramp providers to handle KYC—there’s no platform-level tiering; purchase limits and verification requirements depend on the chosen provider’s policies.

KuCoin enforces a tiered identification system—ranging from basic registration to full verification (including photo ID and selfie)—each unlocking broader functionality and higher daily limits for withdrawals, fiat interactions, and product access.

Withdrawals

Limits, Times, Networks

Crypto withdrawals are available across major networks like ERC-20, TRC-20, and BEP-20, each with distinct processing speeds; withdrawal limits scale with KYC level, with fully verified users able to move very large sums daily.

Customer Support

The platform offers 24/7 in-app chat support, email contact options via its help center, and a comprehensive knowledge base with guides and troubleshooting articles.

KuCoin offers round-the-clock support via live chat and email, backed by a comprehensive help center and FAQs; typical response times are swift, and resources are regularly updated to guide users through common issues.

Languages & Localization

The developer portal and support interface currently operate in English only, though the Card interface includes localized language support via its issuing partners; fiat amounts are displayed depending on your currency selection but no full Spanish-native interface exists.

The platform supports multiple language interfaces—including native Spanish—with local display of amounts (e.g., in €), although deeper regulatory tailoring depends on region and may affect product availability.

App Quality & Stability

The 1inch Wallet shows a sleek, intuitive interface with frequent updates, Fusion mode enhancements, and robust security features—while occasional crash reports exist, the app remains generally stable and well-optimized across Android and iOS.

KuCoin’s mobile app is actively maintained with frequent updates; it’s generally reliable and user-friendly, with minimal stability issues reported—ensuring a smooth on-the-go trading experience.

Experience, Performance & Ecosystem

UX/UI

The 1inch Wallet delivers a polished, intuitive interface praised for outperforming competitor wallets while remaining accessible to both newcomers and seasoned DeFi users. Although there’s no explicit “Lite” or “Pro” mode, its design balances simplicity and depth—favorites, all-networks view, and QR-based actions keep navigation smooth while advanced features remain within reach.

KuCoin’s interface balances flexibility and ease with its dual modes—“Lite” offers a streamlined, intuitive view that’s ideal for casual or first-time users, while “Pro” unlocks advanced charts, controls, and insights for more seasoned traders looking for precision and customization.

Performance

Order execution in 1inch is impressively fast, thanks to its intelligent routing system, and it handles peaks in volatility with reliable stability. Built-in features like canceling or accelerating transactions further ensure resilience—there are no widespread reports of app or KYC delays even during high-traffic bull market periods.

The platform typically delivers swift order execution with low latency, though in extreme volatility spikes there have been isolated slowdowns; KYC verification tends to scale reasonably well, but during surges in trader interest (e.g., bull markets) processing times may stretch longer before full access is granted.

Education

While 1inch lacks a formal academy, demo environment, or Spanish-language tutorial series, it’s rich in practical guidance via its Help Center, blog posts, and built-in quick tips within the app—as well as “Pro Tips” playlists—designed to help users learn on the go.

KuCoin provides a rich learning ecosystem via its KuCoin Learn portal—packed with crash courses, tutorials, and guides in multiple languages, including Spanish—and also offers a demo trading environment (paper trading) to help users gain hands-on practice risk-free before diving into live markets

Community

The platform supports an active ecosystem with official channels on Discord, Telegram, Reddit, and a functional referral system, fostering an engaged user base—even if it doesn’t yet host its own formal forum or AMA events.

A strong global community supports KuCoin users through official channels like Telegram and Discord, complemented by discussion forums and a referral program that rewards both new and existing users for spreading the word.

Integrations

1inch excels in Web3 integration, allowing seamless dApp connectivity via WalletConnect and Ledger hardware; however, it does not currently embed TradingView, tax tools, external bots, or accounting features directly into its wallet—signal potential for future expansion.

KuCoin integrates seamlessly with tools like TradingView for advanced charting, supports external bot connections and offers an SDK for developers, and is compatible with various third-party tax and accounting services to simplify portfolio tracking and financial reporting

Who Each One Is Best For

The wallet is best suited for users who value a sleek, secure DeFi experience across chains, including budget-conscious DeFi explorers and power users needing advanced routing—while newcomers benefit from its intuitive design, though those seeking built-in educational modules or portfolio tools may have a slight learning curve.

This platform shines for intermediate to advanced traders who value diversity of products, automation, integrated trading tools, and flexible educational options—but beginners may find the initial interface a bit overwhelming without spending time in Lite mode or reviewing the learning materials first.