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KuCoin review: score, licensing and risks

68/100SCORE · CCaution Grade C, fair

KuCoin lists more assets than any other major exchange, which is exactly why people use it and exactly why it is risky. Listing standards are loose. It lost 280 million dollars in 2020 and made customers whole, then settled with the DOJ in 2025 and left the US market. Its EEA position is unclear post MiCA. Use it to reach a specific token, and do not leave a balance sitting there.

The facts

FOUNDED
2017
HEADQUARTERS
Seychelles
CUSTODY
Custodial.
MiCA / EEA
Not authorised across the EEA at the time of writing. Check your own country before depositing.
US ACCESS
No.
PROOF OF RESERVES
Yes. Merkle tree proof of reserves.
FEES
Around 0.10 percent maker and taker at entry tier.
ASSETS
900 plus, the longest list of any major venue

How the score breaks down

regulation10/25
security15/25
costs14/15
assets15/15
platform8/10
support6/10

Each dimension is explained on the methodology page.

Where it is strong and where it is not

✓ Strengths
  • The widest asset listing of any major exchange, including very early tokens
  • Cheap trading
  • Made customers whole after the 2020 breach
✗ Weaknesses
  • DOJ settlement in 2025 and no US access
  • Unclear EEA position
  • Listing standards are loose, so the long tail contains a lot of rubbish

Incident history

2020

Lost around 280 million dollars in a hot wallet breach. Recovered or covered the great majority, and customers were made whole.

2025

Settled with the US Department of Justice over operating without proper anti money laundering controls, and exited the US market.

Our read

Where you go when a token is not listed anywhere else, and that is the whole proposition. The compliance history is poor and the regulatory position is thin. Fine for accessing something specific with money you can afford to lose. Not a place to hold a balance.
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RISK WARNING Crypto assets are highly volatile and largely unregulated. You can lose everything you put in. Nothing on this page is financial, investment or tax advice, and nothing here is a recommendation to buy or sell any asset. Do your own research and never commit money you cannot afford to lose.