The rising number of cryptocurrency owners worldwide shows growing interest in digital assets and highlights the need for trustworthy trading platforms. With this expanding user base, choosing crypto trading platforms that uphold high standards of reliability and security has become vital. This article examines key factors when selecting a cryptocurrency trading platform and reviews some of the most trusted ones.
How Many People Worldwide Own Cryptocurrency?
According to a study by Triple A, the number of cryptocurrency owners worldwide will reach 562 million by the end of 2024, up 34% from 420 million in 2023. The Asia-Pacific region leads the way in terms of cryptocurrency owners. In 2024, their number grew to 326.8 million owners compared to 268.2 million in 2023, representing an increase of 22%. The number of people who own cryptocurrency reached 134 million in Europe, 56 million in the US and Canada, 40 million in Latin America and the Caribbean, and 18 million in Africa. The highest concentration of cryptocurrency owners falls within the 24-35 age group.
Reliable Platforms for Trading Cryptocurrency
Forbes has published a rating of the most reliable crypto exchanges for 2025, highlighting CME Group, Coinbase, Bitstamp, Binance and Robinhood.
CME Group
CME Group is the world’s largest regulated crypto futures exchange, specializing in derivatives, particularly Bitcoin and Ethereum futures. Forbes reports that open interest in Bitcoin contracts has grown by 83% to over $20 billion, while crypto futures trading volume on CME has grown by 135% to $1.4 trillion in 2024. Given the strict regulations set by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commissions (CFTC), the exchange is considered one of the most trusted platforms, especially for institutional investors.
Although it primarily targets institutional clients, CME Group provides retail investors access to futures contracts through traditional brokerages such as Charles Schwab and Fidelity.
Coinbase
Coinbase, the largest cryptocurrency exchange in the United States, is known for its simplicity and reliability. The platform offers more than 250 cryptocurrencies for storage and trading. Beyond its basic apps for cryptocurrency transactions, Coinbase provides a professional trading platform called Coinbase Pro for experienced traders. Users can also spend their cryptocurrency through the company’s Visa debit card.
Bitstamp
Bitstamp, a cryptocurrency exchange headquartered in Luxembourg, takes a leading position in the European market. The exchange is known for transparency, a pure ownership structure, and regular audits, which makes it attractive to investors. In mid-2024, the American company Robinhood announced the acquisition of Bitstamp for approximately $ 200 million, confirming the reputation and importance of the platform.
Bitstamp is aimed at retail and institutional clients, offering a wide selection of cryptocurrencies and high liquidity, but has relatively high spreads compared to other exchanges.
Binance
Binance is one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges in the world, offering a wide range of services, including spot and margin trading, futures, and staking. The exchange supports over 1,200 trading pairs, including fiat currencies. The standard fee is 0.1%, but can be reduced when using the BNB token or large trading volumes. Binance is actively developing and introducing innovations, which makes it attractive to both beginners and experienced traders.
Binance returned to the ranking after resolving legal issues. The exchange has 245 million registered users and processes almost 25% of all cryptocurrency trades.
Robinhood
Robinhood, an American trading platform headquartered in Menlo Park, is known primarily for stock and options trading. Recently, it has been actively expanding its presence in the cryptocurrency market. In the 2025 Forbes rating, Robinhood took the fifth place among the most trusted crypto exchanging platforms, due to a significant increase in user interest in trading meme coins such as Dogecoin. Since October 2024, the volume of client assets in meme coins on the platform has grown from $6 billion to $15 billion.
Other key exchanges include Kraken, Gemini, Crypto.com, Fidelity, OKX, Bybit, Upbit, BitFlyer, and Bithumb. Together, they held over $1.2 trillion in customer assets and had 438 million visits in November 2024.
How to Choose a Reliable Crypto Trading Platform?
When choosing a platform for cryptocurrency trading, it is recommended to consider the following factors:
- Regulation and Legal Transparency
Exchanges that operate under the supervision of financial regulators provide more guarantees for users. For example, in the US, exchanges are required to comply with strict KYC (Know Your Customer) and AML (Anti-Money Laundering) rules. Exchanges such as Coinbase and CME Group are strictly regulated by US financial authorities (SEC, CFTC), making them reliable for institutional and retail investors.
- Asset Security
Strong security measures, including two-factor authentication and cold storage of funds, minimize the risk of asset loss. Kraken maintains asset protection through cold wallets and rigorous verification procedures. Bitstamp demonstrates its commitment to security by publishing regular independent audit reports that verify safe asset storage.
- Trading Volumes and Liquidity
High trading volumes and liquidity ensure that trades are executed quickly at market price. Exchanges with high liquidity, such as Binance or Coinbase, provide fast trades and tight spreads. - Fees and Commissions
Low trading fees reduce transaction costs. Bybit and Binance have some of the market’s lowest fees (up to 0.1%), making them particularly attractive to active traders.
- Ease of Use
The intuitive interface and mobile app make trading more accessible. Robinhood has an intuitive interface and a user-friendly mobile app, which has made the platform popular among beginner traders, especially in the U.S. - Customer Support
With millions of active users worldwide—including in Europe and Asia—OKX has earned great honors for its effective customer service. - Supported Cryptocurrencies and Instruments
When selecting a reliable crypto trading platform, consider its range of cryptocurrencies and trading instruments. A broad selection helps traders diversify their portfolios, reduce risk, and seize various market opportunities. Traders interested in derivatives might consider PrimeXBT crypto futures, pin down for leveraged trading with futures contracts, CFDs, and professional trading tools.
Conclusion
When it comes to selecting a trustworthy platform for cryptocurrency trading, several important factors warrant consideration, from regulation and trading volume to fees, security, and customer support. The exchanges discussed above are among the most trusted and well-frequented that fit those criteria. You are urged to do your research and choose a platform that best fits your needs and ambitions before trading.
