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

Trying to choose between Kucoin and Htx 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

Htx

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Europe

Yes

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India

Yes

China

Canada

Yes

United Kingdom

Yes

United States

Yes

Europe

Yes

Latin America

Yes

India

China

Canada

United Kingdom

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Kucoin is ideal if:

Htx is ideal if:

A wide trading toolkit for all levels – HTX serves both beginner and advanced users with spot, margin, futures, copy-trading, automated bots, and staking features, offering real flexibility for growth.
Consistently deep liquidity and broad token access – With over 700 cryptocurrencies and hundreds of trading pairs—including fiat support and various passive income options—it’s great if you want choice and market depth.
Security and transparency at its core – Offering live cold storage, proof-of-reserve commitments, 2FA, withdrawal controls, and regulatory alignment across key regions ensures a secure trading environment you can trust.

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.

Htx isn’t ideal if:

Limited regional access – HTX is unavailable in key markets like the United States, Canada, UK, China, and others, restricting access for traders in many major territories.
Not beginner-friendly – The platform’s advanced interface and rich feature set can overwhelm newcomers who prefer a more intuitive, streamlined onboarding experience.
Customer support delays – Some users report slow response times and limited fiat withdrawal options, which can impact trading during urgent situations.

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.

HTX uses a tiered “Prime” structure where both maker and taker fees start around 0.20 % at the entry tier and progressively fall to near zero (maker) and a few hundredths of a percent (taker) at the top tiers; holding the native HT token offers an extra discount on spot taker fees via applied HT deduction.

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.

Futures contracts (USDT- or coin-margined) begin with maker fees around 0.02 % and takers around 0.05–0.06 %, improving with higher-tier status—even offering negative maker fees at top levels—while funding isn’t a direct HTX charge but rather settled among traders according to position and the prevailing funding rate.

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.

HTX reports tight spreads on major pairs like BTC/USDT and ETH/USDT; spreads tend to remain narrow thanks to deep liquidity, though exact percentages aren’t published—indicative of competitive conditions.

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.

Fiat can be deposited or withdrawn via common methods (like bank transfers or cards) with fees and processing times varying by method and region; details are available in the platform’s fiat interface, but HTX tends to streamline these operations for ease of use.

On-chain Withdrawals

Withdrawal costs depend on the coin and blockchain network you choose

Crypto withdrawals on HTX incur network (mining) fees specific to each blockchain (e.g. BTC, ETH, TRX), dynamically reflecting network conditions rather than fixed, flat charges.

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.

Beyond trading and network fees, there may be supplemental costs such as currency conversion margins when using non-supported fiat, possible inactivity penalties, or optional express–KYC surcharges, depending on region or promotion—users should review account settings for those.

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.

If you purchase €500 worth of BTC, your total outlay would include a spot taker fee (e.g. ~0.20 %), plus the implied buy-side spread, and on-chain withdrawal would add the relevant network fee—so the net BTC received would reflect those combined, though precise numbers depend on market and network conditions at execution.

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.

HTX lists over 700 digital assets (some sources suggest over 1,000, though officially it’s 700+) and supports hundreds of trading pairs; the top 20 by volume typically include heavily traded pairs like BTC/USDT, ETH/USDT, XRP/USDT, and other high-liquidity altcoin-USDT combinations, reflecting mainstream market interest.

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.

HTX delivers a robust suite

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.

HTX maintains high liquidity with daily volumes in the multi-billion-dollar range (for example, around $5.4 billion in one snapshot), offering strong order-book depth in BTC and ETH pairs—meaning large trades face minimal slippage—though depth metrics fluctuate with market behavior.

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.

Traders can access advanced tools such as limit orders, stop-limit, OCO orders, along with real-time alerts, sophisticated charting (including TradingView-style analysis), and full API/WebSocket support—ideal for both hands-on and automated strategies.

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, such as futures and options, are not available in certain jurisdictions—examples include the UK (retail users), Spain, Taiwan, China, and others—so availability varies significantly by country and regulation.

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.

HTX embraces innovation with mechanisms like Launchpool (dual rewards for staking HTX tokens) and both flexible and fixed-term staking options, enabling creative earning paths for users engaging with new tokens or tapping liquidity.

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.

HTX originated in China in 2013 but is now legally based in the Republic of Seychelles, with additional offices or operations in locations like Hong Kong, South Korea, Japan, and previously the U.S., reflecting its international setup reshaped by evolving regulatory environments.

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.

HTX holds multiple regulatory approvals including a Virtual Asset Service Provider registration in Lithuania, a DLT license in Gibraltar, a VARA license in Dubai, a SIBA investment business license in the BVI, AUSTRAC registration in Australia, and permission for payment and remittance services in parts of South America—demonstrating ongoing efforts toward regional legal compliance.

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.

HTX uses its own custody infrastructure and has implemented a Merkle-Tree–based Proof of Reserves system that publicly verifies 1

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.

HTX maintains a Security Reserve Mechanism that sets aside a substantial BTC reserve—reportedly around 20,000 BTC—to help compensate users in the unlikely case of a breach, providing an added layer of protection against potential losses.

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.

While HTX hasn’t had major publicized hacks recently, its history includes structural changes like being removed from the Seychelles crypto exchange register and a prior license revocation in Thailand—illustrating some regulatory and administrative challenges in its past.

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.

HTX emphasizes robust account security through features like two-factor authentication (2FA), address whitelisting, anti-phishing tools, structured sub-accounts, and granular API permissions—allowing fine-tuned control and protecting users from unauthorized access.

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.

HTX publishes regular (monthly) Proof of Reserves reports and claims that users can verify their own assets via Merkle-root tools; however, it does not appear to offer public wallet addresses, comprehensive monthly financial statements, or formal service-level guarantees like an SLA.

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.

HTX accepts fiat deposits via bank transfers (e.g., SEPA), cards (Visa/MasterCard), e-wallets (Advcash), PIX, UPI, etc., with minimum amounts generally starting around €10 or equivalent depending on currency, and processing times ranging from a few minutes to a business day, depending on method and region.

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.

HTX offers account usage without KYC but limits certain actions like withdrawals; completing basic and advanced KYC quickly unlocks substantially higher daily limits (even up to multiple BTC), with level-up requiring ID documents and, for higher tiers, a live face check or investment capability assessment.

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.

limits, timing & networks

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.

HTX provides customer assistance via 24/7 live chat, email support, and an extensive FAQ/knowledge base; response times vary but live chat ensures faster handling while the help center offers self-serve guidance across common topics. (No specific data found; this is based on typical platform structure.)

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 is primarily in English but also supports local language interfaces depending on region; fiat amounts and fees display in currency local to the user (e.g., €/USD), with regulatory prompts and guidance tailored to supported jurisdictions. (Platform behavior inferred from multilingual support practices.)

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.

HTX’s mobile app is regularly updated and generally delivers stable performance. Although specific crash-rate metrics aren’t disclosed publicly, user reviews suggest it remains reliable, with frequent updates ensuring bug fixes and feature enhancements.

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.

HTX offers a dual-mode interface—“Lite” for faster, simplified navigation ideal for newcomers, and “Pro” for advanced users who need comprehensive trading dashboards and customization; this tiered approach smooths the learning curve by letting traders start simply and progressively explore deeper functionality.

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.

Recent platform updates report a 20% boost in transaction efficiency thanks to UI refinement, reducing delays during order execution; while there’s no widespread evidence of system outages during volatility spikes, we should note that KYC verification can experience delays during market surges, as increased registrations lengthen processing queues.

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

HTX maintains a Learn & Earn educational track with interactive lessons and quizzes (previously tied to CrossFi projects), though there’s no dedicated demo trading simulator; while core materials are in English, there’s growing on-platform educational content, but supports for Spanish learners appear limited at this time.

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.

HTX fosters an active presence across official Telegram channels (English, Portuguese, Chinese), and maintains a Discord server for futures traders, encouraging peer support and platform discussions; referral incentives further engage users, though traditional web‐forum communities seem less prominent.

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 native TradingView-style charts and full API/WebSocket connectivity, enabling integration with external trading bots and strategies; although there’s no direct accounting or tax tool within HTX, the open integration ecosystem lets users adapt third-party portfolio trackers for their record-keeping.

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.

HTX is highly suitable for intermediate to advanced crypto enthusiasts—those who appreciate interface flexibility, deep liquidity, and integration options—while casual or non-English speakers may find it less approachable, and Spanish-speaking beginners may need external educational support.