Binance Us vs Bithumb: Fees, Security, Features & Which to Choose (2025)

Trying to choose between Binance Us and Bithumb 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

Binance Us

Bithumb

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Available Countries

United States

Yes

Europe

Latin America

India

China

Canada

United Kingdom

United States

Yes

Europe

Yes

Latin America

Yes

India

Yes

China

Canada

Yes

United Kingdom

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Binance Us is ideal if:

Streamlined US-Focused Platform Ideal if you're a U.S. resident seeking a trusted exchange tailored to domestic regulations and compliant with U.S. financial standards.
User-Friendly with Flexible Trading Options Perfect for both beginners and experienced traders thanks to intuitive interfaces, mobile app improvements, and customizable dashboards with widgets.
Beyond Trading—Built for Convenience Offers handy features such as staking, an integrated tax portal, and responsive customer tools to simplify your overall crypto experience.

Bithumb is ideal if:

Perfect for KRW-centric traders: If you prefer trading with South Korean Won as your base currency, Bithumb offers seamless fiat integration, high liquidity, and a smooth experience for KRW-based spot trading.
Great for beginners and hands-off traders: Its clear, user-friendly interface plus built-in features like staking and bot trading make it accessible and appealing to those starting out or seeking passive strategies.
Best for users prioritizing credibility and safety: With strong security certifications (like ISMS, ISO27001), full separation of client assets, and external audits, Bithumb focuses on institutional-level protection and transparency.

Binance Us isn’t ideal if:

Limited Asset & Feature Access Not ideal if you want futures, margin, or a broader range of tokens beyond what Binance.US offers.
Challenging Support & Verification May frustrate you if you prefer real-time customer service—delays and rigid ID checks are common.
Strict U.S. Compliance Only Not suitable if you're outside supported U.S. states, as geofencing and regulatory restrictions can block access.

Bithumb isn’t ideal if:

You need global fiat flexibility: If you want to deposit with non-KRW currencies, Bithumb’s fiat support is limited, which may not suit you.
You're an advanced trader seeking leverage: Those looking for margin or futures trading won’t find these tools available on Bithumb.
You prefer seamless international onboarding: Verification hurdles, language barriers, and slow KYC in non-Korean languages can slow down global users.

Fees & Total Costs

Spot Maker/Take

Binance.US uses a maker-taker fee structure that scales with your 30-day trading volume—higher tier means lower percentage fees—and offers an additional discount when you pay with BNB.

In KRW markets, maker and taker fees typically range from roughly 0.04% to 0.25%, with better rates unlocked through tiered trading coupons based on volume (discounts apply via native coupons, not necessarily token-based discounts).

Futures/Derivatives

For futures and other derivatives, you have both maker and taker fees based on contract type and trading tier, plus a periodic funding fee depending on open position direction, each influenced by volume and BNB-based discounts.

Bithumb does not currently offer any futures or derivatives markets, so there are no associated maker, taker, or funding fees to consider.

Average Spreads on Liquid Pairs

Spreads on highly liquid pairs like BTC/USDT or ETH/USDT remain narrow due to deep order books and tight market competition, helping minimize cost impact when trading.

Precise spread data is not publicly provided, but given Bithumb’s strong liquidity in major markets, spreads on BTC/USDT and ETH/USDT pairs are generally tight—typically consistent with reputable high-volume exchanges.

Fiat Deposits & Withdrawals

You can move USD using methods like ACH, wire transfer, or sometimes even debit card or digital wallet; ACH tends to be fee-free and takes a few business days, while other methods may incur modest fees or vary in speed.

Fiat operations center on KRW only, with deposits via bank transfer or card usually fee-free (unless below minimum thresholds) and withdrawals processed via Korean banking channels with typical processing times, without showing fixed fees.

On-chain Withdrawals

Crypto withdrawals carry a network fee that adapts dynamically to blockchain congestion and network conditions, rather than a fixed flat fee, and varies by coin (e.g., BTC, ETH, TRX).

Withdrawal costs depend on the blockchain

Hidden Costs

Beyond trading costs, you may face spread on conversions, potential third-party bank fees, or processing fees for expedited verification—but there’s no inactivity fee if you’re not trading.

Some indirect costs may arise from currency conversion if funding in non-KRW, and there are no inactivity fees; extra-fast verification services may not be standard or may carry internal pricing, though not explicitly detailed.

Real-World Cost Example: “€500 BTC

Suppose you buy €500 worth of BTC—you’d pay a small trading fee (reduced if using BNB), incur a minimal spread if using instant convert, and then pay the network’s dynamic withdrawal fee when sending BTC out.

If you were to buy €500 worth of BTC, you’d first face a regular spot trading fee (within 0.04–0.25%) plus a small spread in execution, then a withdrawal fee in BTC (e.g., 0.0005 BTC)—that combined cost reflects the total out-of-pocket expense.

Crypto Offering & Trading Features

Number of Coins & Pairs

The platform lists around 160–185 cryptos across 220–244 trading pairs, with the top 20 by volume including major assets like BTC, ETH, ADA, BNB, SOL, USDT, USDC, XRP, LINK, LTC, MATIC, DOT, BCH, DOGE, and a few others.

Bithumb lists approximately 170–180 cryptocurrencies across roughly 400 trading pairs, with the top 20 by volume dominated by KRW-based pairs like BTC/KRW, ETH/KRW, XRP/KRW, USDT/KRW, and others in similar high-turnover positions.

Product Range

Binance.US offers spot trading, basic staking (sometimes via an “Earn” program), margin trading for experienced users, and automated tools like grid bots and DCA strategies, though it does not provide futures, options, crypto ETFs, lending, or copy-trading services.

The exchange supports spot trading, margin trading, staking, crypto lending, and bot/automated trading, but does not offer perpetual futures, options, ETFs, copy trading, or built-in DCA features.

Liquidity

The 24-hour trading volume sits in the hundreds of millions of USD, with BTC/USDT and ETH/USDT among the most active markets; these pairs generally benefit from decent orderbook depth that supports smooth execution for typical retail trades.

Bithumb handles daily spot volumes in the high hundreds of millions to over a billion USD, ensuring deep order books—particularly for BTC/KRW and ETH/KRW—offering robust liquidity and execution.

Tools

You’ll find classic order types like limit, market, stop-loss, and OCO, plus basic on-platform alerts, integrated charting features (including chart overlays), API/WebSocket access for automation, and even built-in TradingView-style charts for enhanced analysis.

Traders have access to basic orders (limit and market), stop orders, and coupon-driven fee tools; there are also alerts and API access (including WebSocket), though there’s no native TradingView integration.

Geographic Restrictions by Product

As per U.S. regulatory constraints, Binance.US excludes advanced derivatives like futures and options altogether, and even spot services are blocked in certain states due to local licensing—so product availability depends on where in the U.S. you live.

Derivatives and margin features are not globally available, with access mainly focused on South Korean users; many international regions, notably US and EU, face limitations or lack derivative access.

Innovation

While the platform doesn’t offer launchpad or launchpool features common on Binance Global, it does support staking options with flexible “Earn”-style products, allowing users to stake and unstake relatively easily—though locked-term staking options exist too depending on the coin.

Bithumb offers staking services and crypto lending along with occasional airdrop or DeFi/NFT promotions, but lacks formal launchpad or launchpool platforms and doesn’t separate between flexible vs locked earn products.

Security, Regulation & Custody

Operating Entity & Jurisdiction

BAM Trading Services is the U.S. legal operator behind Binance.US, established in 2019 and headquartered in the United States, operating under domestic law and oversight.

Bithumb is operated by BTC Korea.com Co., Ltd, founded in 2014 and based in Seoul, South Korea. It is one of the country’s major crypto exchanges firmly entrenched in Korean financial infrastructure.

Licenses/Registration

The platform is registered with FinCEN as a Money Services Business and holds Money Transmitter Licenses across multiple U.S. states, ensuring compliance with federal and state-level financial regulations.

As a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) in South Korea, Bithumb is subject to oversight under local regulations, and as of mid-2025 it was designated a “conglomerate,” meaning it must adhere to heightened compliance and public disclosure rules.

Custody

Custody is managed in-house with rigorous compliance systems; while they don’t publish a typical Proof of Reserves like Binance Global, they conduct regular audits and maintain internal asset coverage, with an independent custodian handling certain customer funds like fiat.

A significant portion of user assets is held in cold storage, meeting at least 80% reserve requirements; the exchange has also set aside a substantial protection reserve fund (worth over KRW 100 billion) as a buffer in case of operational risk.

Insurance & Protection Funds

There’s no FDIC or SIPC-style coverage for customer crypto holdings; U.S. dollar deposits were previously held at FDIC-insured banks but such protections have since been discontinued, leaving assets unprotected by government insurance.

It maintains robust cyber insurance coverage, with multi-billion won policies through top Korean insurers, designed to help cover losses from cyber incidents and personal data breaches.

Incident History

Binance.US hasn’t suffered major public hacks or fund losses, but it has faced license revocations in states like North Dakota and regulatory scrutiny—notably, a court ruling now mandates third-party custody and Treasury bill investments for certain customer assets.

Bithumb has endured several hacks and investigations, including major cryptocurrency thefts in 2017 and 2018, a large insider-related loss in 2019, and multiple regulatory probes since then, though it has taken steps to strengthen its security posture.

Risk Controls

Security features include mandatory 2FA, anti-phishing tools, IP and withdrawal whitelists, granular API permissions, and controlled sub-account structures—designed to manage risk and enforce strong user protection.

The platform employs industry-standard security measures—such as two-factor authentication, withdrawal whitelists, IP restrictions, anti-phishing controls, and regular external audits—to offer layered protection for user accounts and funds.

Transparency

While there’s no public wallet or monthly transparency report, Binance.US underwent a court-authorized setup enabling U.S. customer assets to be held independently and invested in short-term Treasuries, reinforcing a structured, regulated custody approach.

It has enhanced disclosure practices, driven by its conglomerate status, though real-time proof-of-reserve reporting is not publicly available; ongoing regulatory scrutiny is pushing it toward greater transparency in operations.

Deposits, Withdrawals, KYC & Support

Fiat Deposit Methods

Binance.US supports fiat funding via ACH transfers and bank wires; ACH typically has daily limits in the low thousands, incurs no fees, and processes in a few business days, while wire transfers allow much higher limits and faster settlement but may be subject to bank charges.

Fiat deposits are exclusively in Korean Won (KRW) and handled via local bank transfers—debit/credit options or e-wallets aren’t supported—amount thresholds vary and processing is typically completed within the same day for local transfers.

Supported Fiat Currencies & Conversion

KYC (Verification Levels)

Full identity verification is mandatory on Binance.US—without it, accounts are severely restricted; once verified, users can access full services and higher deposit/withdrawal limits in accordance with regulatory requirements.

Bithumb enforces tiered identity verification—basic phone/email for browsing, but Level 2 KYC is required to activate withdrawals, with higher limits tied to full verification.

Withdrawals

Fiat withdrawals via ACH or wire have notable limits (up to around $1 million daily when fully verified), clear processing times, and crypto withdrawals support common networks—selection affects speed and applicability depending on the token.

Crypto withdrawals require KYC Level 2, lower minimums for verified accounts, and are processed within hours (first withdrawal may take longer for security); supported networks include standard chains like ERC-20 and TRC-20, with fees varying by asset.

Customer Support

Binance.US offers support through email and a help center with FAQs and guides; live chat or 24/7 support availability is limited, so response times typically range from several hours to a few days depending on complexity.

Support is reachable via live chat (available 24/7), email, and a regional phone line; response quality varies, backed by an FAQ and help center to assist common issues.

Languages & Localization

The platform operates mainly in English and is fully tailored for the U.S. market—with fees shown in USD, legal disclosures compliant with U.S. regulators, and no Spanish-native interface or pricing in EUR.

The interface supports multiple languages including English, with prices shown in KRW—there’s no automatic display in USD or EUR, and localization is limited for non-Korean regulatory zones.

App Quality & Stability

The native app is regularly maintained with stability improvements and feature upgrades; while crash rates are not publicly disclosed, user feedback suggests a generally solid experience following frequent updates.

The mobile app delivers a smooth trading interface with real-time data and strong security features (biometric login, 2FA), though user reports cite occasional crashes or slow performance during high-traffic periods.

Experience, Performance & Ecosystem

UX/UI

The interface balances simplicity and depth—Lite mode offers a clean, low-clutter layout ideal for beginners, while Pro mode unlocks advanced trading tools and customizable dashboards as you gain confidence.

The platform strikes a balance between newcomer friendliness and advanced functionality, offering a clean interface with clear labels and comprehensive charting tools, though it doesn’t explicitly offer separate “Lite” or “Pro” modes.

Performance

Generally, the app handles order execution swiftly under normal conditions; however, sharp market surges can lead to minor delays or interface lag, and KYC queues may stretch during bull markets, affecting onboarding speed slightly.

Order execution is generally fast thanks to high liquidity, though peak volatility can bring some delays or gateway slowdowns, and KYC may slow onboarding during intense market rallies.

Education

The platform includes a Help Center with articles and tax guides, but lacks demo trading or comprehensive educational modules—particularly with limited Spanish-language resources—so users may need to look elsewhere for simulated trading or multilingual tutorials.

Bithumb provides a dedicated academy and tutorial content via its official channels to help users learn, but it does not currently offer demo accounts or Spanish-language learning resources.

Community

Binance.US maintains an online knowledge base and referral program, but doesn’t officially manage public forums or Telegram/Discord communities—most peer discussion happens informally in external groups and third-party forums.

The platform encourages engagement through referral incentives and publishes on Medium, but it lacks officially managed forums, Discord, or Telegram communities for user interaction.

Integrations

While tools like TradingView are not embedded directly, you can export data to connect with tax tools and third-party bots via APIs—Enabling flexible integration for analysis and bookkeeping, though not natively seamless.

Bithumb supports external tools like TradingView for charting and provides API/WebSocket access for automation, but lacks built-in tax tools or direct accounting integrations.

Who Each One Is Best For

Binance.US works best for U.S.-based beginners or casual investors who value straightforward spot trading and basic features, while highly active or advanced traders may find its toolset and language support somewhat limited.

It’s ideal for traders seeking a high-liquidity, reliability-focused exchange that caters to a mix of moderate experience levels, whereas those needing demo tools, Spanish-language education, or a vibrant community may look elsewhere.