Cryptocurrencies have been on everyone’s minds ever since Bitcoin has hit the mainstream. The digital gold rush has attracted many enthusiasts – from stock exchange experts to privacy freaks. Some see crypto as an option to diversify their portfolio and have more opportunities to make a profit. Others are excited at the prospect of a decentralized and anonymous currency that isn’t controlled by any authority.

Whatever your reasons are, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with all the available cryptocurrency exchanges. They offer different benefits to traders and can radically change how you trade your assets online. So don’t dive into the crypto market blindly and arm yourself with some crucial information.

What is crypto trading?

Essentially, crypto trading is the process of exchanging one digital cryptocurrency for another based on its market value. While expert traders typically trade exclusively in crypto, others may want to start with fiat currencies, such as euros and dollars.

The crypto trading process depends on what exchange you choose. For starters, transactions may have a cost, which could be a problem if you trade often. Some platforms require certain verification processes, such as Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML), which negatively affect your confidentiality. Naturally, there are anonymous exchanges, but they could have a reputation as havens for illegal trade.

Types of crypto exchanges

Crypto exchanges come in a few different flavors, which will affect the trading process and how your digital assets are handled.

Centralized

As the name suggests, centralized crypto exchanges (CEX) operate on a singular central platform that covers every step of the transaction process. Most importantly, they offer hot storage of your assets, which means your cryptocurrencies are stored online and not on your own device.

While this results in fast and convenient transactions, it also makes the platform more vulnerable to hackers and data breaches. Plus, it requires identity verification, which isn’t ideal if you want to use cryptocurrencies to maintain anonymity.

Thankfully, it’s possible to use a VPN for crypto trading to minimize these downsides. A Virtual Private Network reroutes your connection through a remote server, granting you an additional layer of security and privacy by hiding your IP and encrypting your traffic.

Decentralized

Meanwhile, decentralized exchanges (DEX) lack a central server where everything is stored. Instead, it uses a decentralized system with a wide array of servers spread across the globe. Furthermore, users can use cold storage to keep their assets on a personal device. Of course, that also means that any issues become the responsibility of the user.

Another downside is that transactions are completed rather slowly. That means you don’t have the opportunity to capitalize on quick market changes. However, decentralized exchanges are great for maintaining your confidentiality since they lack KYC and AML verification.

Hybrid

Hybrid exchanges (HEX) try to combine the best aspects of the previous platform types. Mainly, they provide the fast and smooth trading experience of a CEX with the confidentiality of a DEX without compromising security. They do this by utilizing blockchain technology to create the marketplace. Plus, these platforms offer cold cryptocurrency storage for added security.

The 5 best crypto trading platforms

Now that you’re familiar with the types of crypto exchanges available, it’s time to look over some of the best crypto trading platforms available in 2021. Some are great for newcomers and offer an easy and intuitive way to trade. Meanwhile, others are more suitable for experts – either for trading anonymously or monitoring the crypto market in real-time.

It’s important to note that not all crypto exchanges are available worldwide. That means you may have to change your location with a VPN to access these marketplaces.

Using a VPN not only hides your true location and IP address but also encrypts your traffic and makes it secure from hackers. That way, your online data will be safe no matter which crypto trading platform you decide to use.

eToro

eToro – eToro is an excellent option for beginners as it offers many features for learning the ropes. Firstly, the marketplace has similarities to a social network where people can discuss trading strategies with other traders. Furthermore, it’s possible to mimic top-performing members on the platform by copying their trades. Lastly, newcomers can try trading risk-free with a virtual account.

Coinbase

Coinbase is one of the most popular centralized crypto exchanges in the US. It’s fully regulated and isn’t available worldwide. Additionally, the marketplace supports fiat currencies and is a great place to start if you don’t own any cryptocurrencies at the moment. It also has a paid version that offers smaller transaction fees and powerful features for keeping track of your investments.

Binance

Binance is an excellent crypto trading platform for traders interested in other options besides Bitcoin. It offers around 600 different trading pairs with a wide range of altcoins. Luckily, it’s also possible to trade using fiat currencies. Best of all, the platform provides a good number of educational resources to teach newcomers some of the basics of crypto trading.

Bisq

Bisq is the perfect choice for privacy enthusiasts. It’s a decentralized crypto exchange platform that works with the help of P2P technology. There’s no need to register or verify your identity, and your funds are kept in cold storage, aka on a device you own. However, the downsides are that transaction speed is abysmal, and trading volumes must be kept low.

Cash App

Cash App is an excellent choice as a financial jack of all trades app. You can use it to transfer money, split bills, buy stock, and, most importantly, Bitcoin. It’s primarily a mobile app that is simple and easy to use. However, this simplicity might be lacking for more serious traders who want access to a wider variety of cryptocurrencies. In that case, Binance is the better alternative.

Conclusion

Choosing the right crypto exchange platform can have a significant impact on your trading experience. Some are easy to use and don’t require a working knowledge of how cryptocurrencies work. Typically, they even support fiat currencies and allow you to trade without owning any cryptocurrencies. However, such platforms might limit your trading volume and could have relatively high transaction costs.

Meanwhile, experts can opt for a platform that offers more control and insight into the market. But with high trading volumes, mistakes and losses are more likely to happen.

Whatever your goals are, thoroughly research many different crypto trading platforms to see if it offers the features you need. And most importantly, ensure top-notch security and geo-unblocking by using a reliable VPN.