Binance Review 2026 - Still the Best Crypto Exchange?
Binance processes more crypto trades than any other exchange — over $20 billion daily. But size doesn’t always mean quality. We’ve been trading on Binance since 2019 and here’s our comprehensive 2026 review.
Quick Verdict
| Category | Rating |
|---|---|
| Fees | 10/10 |
| Coin Selection | 10/10 |
| Security | 8.5/10 |
| Ease of Use | 7/10 |
| Customer Support | 7/10 |
| Overall | 9.5/10 |
Fees — Industry’s Lowest
Binance’s fee structure is its strongest selling point:
| Trade Type | Standard | With BNB Discount | VIP 1 ($1M/mo) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spot Maker | 0.1% | 0.075% | 0.06% |
| Spot Taker | 0.1% | 0.075% | 0.08% |
| Futures Maker | 0.02% | 0.018% | 0.016% |
| Futures Taker | 0.05% | 0.045% | 0.04% |
Real-world impact: On $100,000 monthly trading volume, Binance saves you $25-$400 compared to Coinbase, and $100-$260 compared to Kraken.
How to Minimize Fees
- Hold BNB — 25% fee discount automatically applied
- Use limit orders — Maker fees are always lower than taker
- Refer friends — Earn 20% of their trading fees
- Trade volume — VIP tiers kick in at $1M+ monthly
Coin Selection — 600+ Cryptocurrencies
Binance lists more tradable pairs than almost any exchange:
- Major coins: BTC, ETH, BNB, SOL, XRP, ADA, DOT, AVAX
- DeFi tokens: UNI, AAVE, COMP, MKR, CRV
- Meme coins: DOGE, SHIB, PEPE, BONK, WIF
- New listings: Binance Launchpad gives early access to new projects
- Stablecoins: USDT, USDC, BUSD, TUSD, FDUSD
Trading Features
Spot Trading
Clean order book with market, limit, stop-limit, OCO, and trailing stop orders. The advanced charting (powered by TradingView) is excellent.
Futures & Derivatives
- USDT-margined perpetual contracts (300+ pairs)
- Coin-margined contracts
- Options trading
- Up to 125x leverage (we recommend max 5-10x)
Binance Earn
Passive income products:
- Simple Earn: Flexible or locked staking, 1-20% APY
- Launchpool: Stake BNB to earn new token airdrops
- Dual Investment: Structured products for advanced users
- Auto-Invest: DCA into crypto automatically
Copy Trading
Follow top traders and automatically mirror their trades. Binance shows PnL, win rate, and risk metrics for each leader.
Security
The good:
- SAFU fund ($1B+) to cover losses in case of breach
- 2FA (Google Authenticator, SMS, YubiKey)
- Address whitelisting
- Anti-phishing codes
- Proof of Reserves published regularly
The concern:
- 2019 hack ($40M lost, covered by SAFU)
- Regulatory issues in multiple countries
- Not as transparent as publicly traded Coinbase
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Lowest trading fees in the industry
- Largest coin selection (600+)
- Most liquid order books
- Comprehensive earning products
- Advanced trading tools
Cons:
- Complex interface overwhelms beginners
- Regulatory uncertainty in some regions
- Not available everywhere in the US
- Customer support can be slow
- KYC required for most features
Who Should Use Binance?
✅ Great for: Active traders, altcoin hunters, futures traders, yield seekers, anyone who wants the lowest fees.
❌ Not for: Complete beginners (use Coinbase first), US users in restricted states, users who prioritize maximum regulation.
Final Verdict
Binance earned its #1 spot by offering the lowest fees, widest selection, and most features. The 2019 hack is a black mark, but the SAFU fund and improved security measures since then demonstrate commitment to user protection. For anyone beyond the absolute beginner stage, Binance is the best exchange available.
Rating: 9.5/10
FAQ
Is Binance safe to use in 2026?
Yes. Despite the 2019 hack, Binance has significantly improved security and maintains a $1B+ insurance fund. Enable all security features (2FA, whitelisting, anti-phishing).
Is Binance legal in the US?
Binance.US operates as a separate entity for US customers with fewer features. Some states are restricted. Check Binance.US for availability.
How do I reduce Binance fees?
Hold BNB for 25% discount, use limit orders for maker rates, and build trading volume for VIP tiers.
Can I earn passive income on Binance?
Yes. Binance Earn offers staking (1-20% APY), launchpool farming, and dual investment products.