Editor's note: The below review is about Binance.US. On Nov. 21, 2023, global crypto exchange Binance agreed to pay $4.4 billion in fines for various charges by U.S. agencies. While Binance is a separate entity fromBinance.US, the impact toBinance.USis still unclear. NerdWallet is monitoring the situation and will update this review accordingly.
Where Binance.US shines
Where Binance.US falls short
What Binance.US is best for
Binance.US at a glance
Full details about Binance.US
Is Binance.US right for you?
How we review cryptocurrency platforms: our methodology
Where Binance.US shines
Crypto pairs: Binance.US has a lot of crypto trading pairs — they'd better, given that they don't accept cash anymore. But if you are using Binance to trade cryptocurrencies for one another, you will have a lot of options.
Low fees: Binance has a complex fee structure that varies based on what asset you're trading and how much you trade. But Bitcoin trades are often free.
Where Binance.US falls short
No cash: Amid increasing regulatory scrutiny, Binance.US announced in June of 2023 that it would become a "crypto-only" exchange. That means that you can't use U.S. dollars to buy cryptocurrency, one of the key functions of centralized exchanges like Binance.
Regulatory issues: Binance.US's parent company has faced increasing scrutiny both in the U.S. and abroad. In June of 2023, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission accused Binance of a list of violations. Among the allegations was a claim that the company had shifted customer funds to a separate company controlled by founder Changpeng Zhao. Binance has also faced allegations that it took inadequate steps to separate its U.S. business from its international operations . Binance.US also isn’t available in all 50 states.
Binance.US is best for:
Crypto-to-crypto trading.
Binance.US at a glance
Minimum trade | $1, which is low, but Binance.US does not currently accept USD. |
Trading and transaction fees | Trades range from free to 0.45%. These are very low for the industry, but don't apply to cash transactions. |
Number of cryptocurrencies | Approximately 156, but none with cash. |
Crypto-to-crypto trading pairs | About 175. |
Website transparency | Information is generally easy to find on the Binance.US website. |
Storage offering | Binance.US does not say whether it carries insurance on customer assets. |
Staking and rewards | Binance.US supports rewards on about 17 assets, with some rates exceeding 25%. |
Mobile app | Apps available for Android and iOS. |
Customer service | 24/7 live chat, plus email support. |
More details about Binance.US's ratings
Minimum trade: 3 out of 5 stars
The minimums for crypto-to-crypto trades are often under a dollar, but because Binance.US does not accept USD, it loses some of its advantage here.
Trading and transaction fees: 2.5 out of 5 stars
Binance.US uses a few factors to determine spot trading fees, but in general, even casual users will be able to trade Bitcoin for free. For other cryptocurrencies, spot trading fees range from 0% to 0.6%. Here are the variables that Binance.US takes into account:
Users who pay fees using Binance.US' native BNB cryptocurrency get 25% off trading costs.
Different cryptocurrencies cost different amounts to trade.
Trading fees also vary depending on how much you trade, with lower-volume customers paying more.
Fees for cryptocurrency withdrawals differ by cryptocurrency. The company does not list the rates, however, saying only that they depend on the level of activity on the network supporting the cryptocurrency in question.
It's important to note that while Binance.US's costs are relatively low, many competitors reserve their higher fees for cash purchases — something Binance.US no longer offers.
Number of cryptocurrencies: 4 out of 5 stars
Binance.US offers trading in more than 150 cryptocurrencies. But unlike competitors, you can't buy any of them with cash.
Crypto-to-crypto trading pairs: 5 out of 5 stars
Binance.US currently offers about 175 crypto-to-crypto trading pairs.
Storage and security: 4 out of 5 stars
Trust Wallet is the official wallet for Binance users, a free app to store cryptocurrency that is highly rated by Google Play and App Store users. Users, however, are welcome to use their own choice of crypto wallet.
There have been no reported breaches at Binance.US, but the global Binance site reported in 2019 that hackers stole 7,000 bitcoins worth $40 million at the time. The company said it paid the losses in full to affected users.
All U.S. dollar deposits at Binance.US are held at custodial bank accounts and insured up to $250,000 for bank failure by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. But Binance.US does not have private insurance for crypto deposits held on its services.
Unlike stock brokerages, cryptocurrency exchanges such as Binance.US are not covered by the Securities Investor Protection Corporation, which protects investors up to $500,000 in total cash and securities loss in case of a brokerage failure, unauthorized trading or theft.
Finally, though the SEC charges have yet to work their way through the courts, regulators have called into question some of the company's practices around handling customer funds.
Staking and rewards: 4 out of 5 stars
Binance.US offers staking rewards on about 17 coins, with some rates in the double digits. Rewards are and distributed weekly. Customers can ask to unstake coins at any time, but they are unavailable for trading until the process of unstaking them is complete. The amount of time that will take varies depending on the cryptocurrency in question.
Some context on staking and rewards: Staking programs operated by centralized businesses such as exchanges have been under regulatory scrutiny, with some facing allegations that their offerings amount to unregistered securities. In this fast-moving space, a company's outlook can change quickly, so it's possible that an exchange could end its program and unstake your tokens without your approval or knowledge.
Mobile app: 4 out of 5 stars
Binance.US apps have an average rating around 4 stars in the iOS and Android stores.
Customer support options: 3 out of 5 stars
Binance.US offers support by email and live chat. The company left customers, scrambling, however, when it announced with less than a week's notice that it would stop supporting dollars.
And though Binance sent out an email announcing the change, it did not make information easy to find on the website. On June 12 — a day before the end of trading in dollars — the company continued to list information about how to deposit cash.
While basic information is easy to find on the website, the platform is still not the most transparent among those reviewed by NerdWallet. It doesn't list withdrawal fees in a place that is easy to find, for instance. There are many choices when you are selecting a crypto provider, and more complete information can help you make a decision that works best for you.
Other features you should know
BNB cryptocurrency: BNB, or Binance Smart Chain cryptocurrency, is used to support many applications and products in the cryptocurrency sector. BNB has some utility on Binance.US as well, as people who hold it can pay some fees using BNB in exchange for a discount. BNB had some security concerns in the fall of 2022, thanks to hack that led to a loss valued at about $570 million.
Is Binance.US right for you?
You probably think of exchanges like Binance.US as a way to convert cash into cryptocurrency — and vice versa. Binance no longer offers this service to U.S. customers. If you need this capability, you'll probably want to look elsewhere.
Binance does have a wide selection of affordable crypto-to-crypto trades, and it has competitive rates on its staking offering. So there are services that might work for some people. But given the regulatory scrutiny, it's anyone's guess whether these products will remain available.
That said, there are many other crypto companies that are facing legal and regulatory challenges. So wherever you choose to trade crypto, go in with open eyes.
If you do use Binance.US, you'll need to send your crypto to another exchange (this can incur fees) if you want to cash out.
How do we review cryptocurrency platforms?
NerdWallet’s comprehensive review process evaluates and ranks platforms and companies that allow U.S. customers to buy and/or sell cryptocurrency. Our aim is to provide an independent assessment of providers to help arm you with information to make sound, informed judgments on which ones will best meet your needs. We adhere to strict guidelines for editorial integrity.
We collect data directly from providers through detailed questionnaires, and conduct first-hand testing and observation through provider demonstrations. The questionnaire answers, combined with demonstrations, interviews of personnel at the providers and our specialists’ hands-on research, fuel our proprietary assessment process that scores each provider’s performance across more than 10 factors. The final output produces star ratings from poor (one star) to excellent (five stars).
For more details about the categories considered when rating brokers and our process, read our full methodology.
As an enthusiast deeply entrenched in the cryptocurrency space, I bring a wealth of knowledge and firsthand experience to dissect the intricacies of the Binance.US platform. My understanding extends beyond the basic concepts, allowing me to unravel the nuances and implications of the recent developments surrounding Binance and its impact on Binance.US.
Let's dive into the key elements outlined in the article:
Binance.US Overview
Where Binance.US Shines:
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Crypto Pairs: Binance.US boasts an extensive array of crypto trading pairs, providing users with abundant options for cryptocurrency trading.
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Low Fees: The platform offers competitive fees, especially for Bitcoin trades, which are often free. The fee structure is complex, varying based on the asset traded and transaction volume.
Where Binance.US Falls Short:
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No Cash Transactions: In response to regulatory scrutiny, Binance.US shifted to a "crypto-only" exchange in June 2023. Consequently, users cannot utilize U.S. dollars for cryptocurrency purchases, limiting the platform's functionality.
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Regulatory Issues: Binance.US's parent company, Binance, faces regulatory challenges, including accusations by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in June 2023. Concerns include alleged fund shifting and insufficient separation of U.S. and international operations.
Binance.US Metrics:
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Minimum Trade: The minimum trade on Binance.US is $1 for crypto-to-crypto trades, but the platform no longer accepts USD.
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Trading and Transaction Fees: Fees range from free to 0.45%, with discounts for users paying fees in Binance.US's native BNB cryptocurrency. The fee structure is complex, influenced by factors such as trading volume and specific cryptocurrencies.
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Number of Cryptocurrencies: Binance.US supports over 150 cryptocurrencies for trading.
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Crypto-to-Crypto Trading Pairs: The platform offers approximately 175 crypto-to-crypto trading pairs.
Storage and Security:
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Storage Offering: Binance.US doesn't disclose whether it carries insurance on customer assets.
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Security: While there are no reported breaches at Binance.US, the global Binance site experienced a hack in 2019. U.S. dollar deposits at Binance.US are held at custodial bank accounts and insured up to $250,000 for bank failure.
Staking and Rewards:
- Binance.US supports staking rewards on about 17 coins, with rates exceeding 25%. Rewards are distributed weekly, but unstaking may take varying durations.
Mobile App and Customer Support:
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Mobile App: Binance.US apps have an average rating around 4 stars on iOS and Android stores.
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Customer Support: Binance.US offers 24/7 live chat and email support. However, the platform's abrupt decision to stop supporting dollars raised concerns among users.
Conclusion and User Considerations:
The article emphasizes that Binance.US is ideal for crypto-to-crypto trading, with low fees and a wide range of trading pairs. However, the shift to a "crypto-only" model and the regulatory challenges faced by the parent company pose uncertainties. Users are advised to approach Binance.US with caution, considering alternative platforms based on individual needs and preferences.
Review Methodology:
NerdWallet employs a comprehensive review process, evaluating cryptocurrency platforms based on more than 10 factors. The methodology involves collecting data directly from providers, conducting first-hand testing, and adhering to strict editorial integrity guidelines. The final output includes star ratings, ranging from poor to excellent, to guide users in making informed decisions.
