Kucoin vs Bitflyer: Fees, Security, Features & Which to Choose (2025)

Trying to choose between Kucoin and Bitflyer 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 August 16, 2025

Kucoin

Bitflyer

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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

Latin America

India

China

Canada

Yes

United Kingdom

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Kucoin is ideal if:

Bitflyer is ideal if:

Great for cautious starters – Offers a clean, beginner-friendly interface with strong regulation and security, especially suited if you value peace of mind and a guided experience.
Smart for professionals too – Its Lightning platform and API support advanced trading styles while remaining within a trusted, compliant ecosystem.
Best for mainstream assets – Focuses on the core major cryptocurrencies rather than obscure altcoins—ideal if you're after simplicity, not a sprawling asset list.

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.

Bitflyer isn’t ideal if:

Not for altcoin hunters — Offers only a small selection of mainstream cryptocurrencies, limiting your options if you're looking to explore lesser-known tokens.
Limited advanced trading tools — Lacks robust derivatives, futures, lending, and staking features that active or margin traders often need.
Less competitive for cost-focused users — May involve higher spreads or fewer deposit options compared to more versatile, low-cost exchanges.

Fees & Total Costs

Spot Maker/Take

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.

On bitFlyer’s Lightning Spot, maker and taker fees decrease progressively as your 30-day trading volume grows—from about 0.10 % at lower volumes down to roughly 0.03 % for very high turnover, with potential bespoke discounts for particularly active users or sizeable trades.

Futures/Derivatives

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.

bitFlyer offers Bitcoin futures and crypto CFDs with margin, where trading fees fall in the same low double-digit-basis-point range, plus a funding cost applied at fixed intervals based on price divergence from spot—creating a small rollover cost for open positions.

Average Spreads on Liquid Pairs

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.

Spread information isn’t explicitly disclosed on bitFlyer, but based on its exchange design, liquid pairs typically carry modest spreads that are embedded in prices, especially via the Easy Exchange interface where the buy/sell price includes conversion margin rather than a separate fee.

Fiat Deposits & Withdrawals

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.

methods, fees, timing

On-chain Withdrawals

Withdrawal costs depend on the coin and blockchain network you choose

fixed vs dynamic fees

Hidden Costs

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.

There are no apparent idle-account or express-KYC charges; however, minor implicit costs can stem from currency conversion spreads if you’re using a non-native fiat, and any third-party wire or bank fees—which vary regionally—can affect your overall cost.

Real-World Cost Example: “€500 BTC

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.

Buying €500 worth of BTC would entail a small embedded spread (via Easy Exchange) or low Lightning fee, plus the flat withdrawal charge (e.g., ~0.0004 BTC) if you choose to withdraw—resulting in a modest overall impact relative to the value but with no hidden or percentage-based surprises.

Crypto Offering & Trading Features

Number of Coins & Pairs

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.

bitFlyer supports around 7–8 core cryptocurrencies with roughly 10–12 trading pairs, mainly focused on major assets like BTC, ETH, LTC, BCH, ETC, LSK, MONA, and a few fiat pairings—its offering remains intentionally compact.

Product Range

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.

The platform offers spot trading, margin trading (up to around 2×–4× leverage depending on region), Bitcoin futures (derivatives), Ethereum staking (upcoming), and OTC for large volume trades—but lacks more exotic features like options, ETFs, lending, copy-trading, automated bots, or full DCA tools.

Liquidity

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.

bitFlyer handles daily trading volumes in the low-hundreds of millions USD (with top pairs like BTC/JPY and ETH/JPY dominating), while its order book depth on main pairs remains modest compared with major global exchanges—sufficient for moderate trades but not for ultra-large orders.

Tools

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.

Advanced users benefit from a Lightning platform offering standard order types (limit, stop), custom alerts, charting, API and WebSocket access, and a native professional interface—but there’s no built-in TradingView integration or OCO orders.

Geographic Restrictions by Product

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.

Derivatives and margin capabilities vary by region, with limited pairs available in the U.S. (e.g., BTC/USD, ETH/USD, BCH/BTC) and broader altcoin access in Europe and Japan, reflecting regulatory constraints across jurisdictions.

Innovation

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.

Recent enhancements include ETH staking (pending launch) and ongoing CFD asset expansions. However, bitFlyer does not currently offer launchpads, flexible vs locked Earn products, or structured innovative financial instruments.

Security, Regulation & Custody

Operating Entity & Jurisdiction

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.

bitFlyer, Inc. was founded in 2014 and is based in Tokyo, Japan; it has extended operations internationally through regulated subsidiaries such as bitFlyer Europe to serve multiple regions globally.

Licenses/Registration

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.

It holds Virtual Asset Exchange licensing under Japan’s FSA, and its European arm is a fully regulated payment institution in Luxembourg, holds the first VASP registration there, and undergoes annual audits by a Big Four firm.

Custody

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.

Customer assets are stored offline in proprietary cold wallets (often over 80–100%), with multilayer physical security; while specific Proof of Reserves disclosure isn’t public, financial statements undergo external audit and assets are held separately from company funds.

Insurance & Protection Funds

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.

There’s coverage for unauthorized withdrawal via encrypted authentication and secure wallet infrastructure, but no widely advertised comprehensive insurance fund for hacks or exchange-level failures.

Incident History

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.

Apart from regulatory enforcement fines (e.g., levied by New York DFS), bitFlyer does not have public records of hacks or fund losses, reflecting a clean operational history with no major security breaches or customer fund suspensions.

Risk Controls

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.

The platform enforces strong password policies, two-factor authentication, account lockouts, encryption, and segregates client and company funds; features such as whitelists, sub-accounts, anti-phishing, and granular API permissions enhance security.

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.

While bitFlyer doesn’t publish monthly reserve reports or wallet addresses, it provides audited compliance, segregated custodian practices, encryption standards transparency, and maintains clear regulatory and operational SLAs via its regional legal frameworks.

Deposits, Withdrawals, KYC & Support

Fiat Deposit Methods

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.

Bank transfers (like SEPA, ACH, Fedwire) are available (sometimes free), with PayPal accepted in Europe; credit/debit card options depend on region, and deposit limits lift with full Trade Pro verification, while processing ranges from instant (cards) to 1–3 business days (bank transfers).

Supported Fiat Currencies & Conversion

KYC (Verification Levels)

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.

Accounts start at a basic (Standby) level with entry-only access, upgrade to Trade Class to deposit and trade within limits, and finally Trade Pro unlocks unrestricted activity—requiring progressively more ID documentation during verification.

Withdrawals

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.

Crypto withdrawals have fixed minimums (e.g., 0.001 BTC plus fee), fiat withdrawals via bank take about 1–3 business days, and supported networks include the standard ones like BTC and ETH—no TRC20/BEP20 options mentioned.

Customer Support

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.

Support is accessible via email and contact form (weekdays during business hours), with response typically within that timeframe; a FAQ/help center exists, but there’s no live 24/7 chat available.

Languages & Localization

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.

The platform offers native-level English (and other EU languages like French); pricing and fees are shown in local fiat (€/USD/JPY), with region-specific regulatory compliance embedded per locale.

App Quality & Stability

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.

The mobile app supports core functions, is generally stable, though users report some limitations in advanced trading features, occasional minor bugs, and mixed ratings—recent updates aim to improve usability and reliability.

Experience, Performance & Ecosystem

UX/UI

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.

bitFlyer strikes a balance between accessibility and power—casual users will find the Lite interface intuitive with a gentle learning curve, while experienced traders can switch to a Pro mode that offers deeper functionality without overwhelming novice users.

Performance

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.

Order execution is generally responsive during normal conditions, but like many exchanges, there can be brief latency or slight slowdown during high-volatility spikes; KYC queues may also lengthen during strong bull runs, potentially delaying onboarding.

Education

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

The bitFlyer Academy provides beginner-friendly articles and guides to help users understand crypto fundamentals, though there’s no live demo or simulator, and educational content in languages other than English is limited.

Community

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.

bitFlyer maintains an official help center and blog for updates, but lacks public community forums like Discord or Telegram; it does offer a referral program to incentivize bringing new users—but no broad peer-to-peer community space is currently provided.

Integrations

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

The platform supports API and WebSocket access for automated trading, yet does not offer native TradingView charts, external bot marketplaces, or integrated tax/accounting tools—so users typically rely on external systems for advanced analytics or bookkeeping.

Who Each One Is Best For

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.

bitFlyer is ideal for traders who want a secure, regulated platform with a choice between streamlined and professional UIs, while those who prefer community-driven tools, extensive integrations, or a learning sandbox may find more options on other platforms.