#1 Exchange for HODLers in 2021: Binance.US
We have rated Binance.US as our top cryptocurrency trading platform for HODLers.
How We Choose:
First, what is a HODLer? H-O-D-L stands means: Hold On for Dear Life and references Bitcoin’s volatility (usually to the upside!). You have long-term conviction regarding Bitcoin’s future. You don’t want to trade or sell it - you want to buy and hold it for the long term. Congrats, you’re a HODLer!
If your goal is to ignore the volatility and just increase your stack, which is an easy way to be involved in Bitcoin / Crypto without having to learn to trade, then you’re in the right place.
Only exchanges that are safe, reputable, utilize good storage protocols and don’t have a ‘scam’ factor are included. We are trying hard to direct new traders away from scammy exchanges and into honest and secure ones. That isn’t easy to do. There are a lot. We’ve also only included sites that have excellent HODLing features, dashboards, and liquidity.
Below are the attributes we used, and their weightings, to rank our crypto HODLing platforms:
- Trust Score (55%)
- Recurring Buys (20%)
- Fees (15%)
- Customer Service (5%)
- Funding Options (5%)
You’ll find other information included, but these are what we deemed to be of the highest importance and priority.
#1
Binance US
|
Total Grade |
96 / 100 |
|
Trust Score (CoinGecko) |
9.50 |
|
Fees |
10.00 |
|
Customer Service |
10.00 |
|
Funding Options Score |
7.50 |
|
Recurring Buys |
10.00 |
HODLers care about security. We want to make sure our hard-earned crypto will be safe, and Binance.US has a great Trust Score (9.5/10).
WE LOVE RECURRING BUYS! Auto-add to your stack without evening thinking about it. Recurring buys help you buy the dips, run-ups, and lateral movements. This is, by far, the best way to grow your position while limiting short term price risk.
Binance.US also has low fees, excellent customer service, and good funding options.
Binance has great educational tools that are important for new HODLers at the beginning of their journey.
#2
Kraken
|
Total Grade |
78.125 / 100 |
|
Trust Score (CoinGecko) |
10.00 |
|
Fees |
8.75 |
|
Customer Service |
10.00 |
|
Funding Options Score |
10.00 |
|
Recurring Buys |
0.00 |
Kraken will take good care of your crypto. There is nearly industry-wide consensus that Kraken is the safest exchange to store your crypto. Their security features and protocols are unmatched.
We wish they offered recurring buys, but do love their excellent customer service and funding options.
Kraken has great educational tools which are important for new HODLers at the beginning of their journey.
#3
FTX US
|
Total Grade |
74.5 / 100 |
|
Trust Score (CoinGecko) |
9.00 |
|
Fees |
10.00 |
|
Customer Service |
10.00 |
|
Funding Options Score |
10.00 |
|
Recurring Buys |
0.00 |
FTX.US has excellent security features - borrowed from their more established and internationally known FTX platform. FTX.US utilizes cold storage protocols and is a well-respected newcomer on the crypto exchange scene.
FTX.US has some of the lowest fees in the industry and even covers user network withdrawal fees.
This exchange offers great customer service and has many funding options.
#4
Bittrex
|
Total Grade |
74.5 / 100 |
|
Trust Score (CoinGecko) |
9.00 |
|
Fees |
10.00 |
|
Customer Service |
10.00 |
|
Funding Options Score |
10.00 |
|
Recurring Buys |
0.00 |
Bittrex is one of the older exchanges and has withstood the test of time. This is one of the greatest testaments to the security of an exchange. This, along with their use of Penetration Tests and Proof of Funds, is why they get a 9/10 Trust Score.
Their low Fees, excellent Customer Service, and robust Funding Options are industry-leading.
Bittrex has a pretty robust education section under ‘Discover’. They offer (by far) the most number of coins and tradable pairs and do a good job of providing short write-ups on many of their coin offerings. This is very valuable for buyers/traders who want to research new or lesser-known coins.
#5
CEX.io
|
Total Grade |
69.5 / 100 |
|
Trust Score (CoinGecko) |
8.50 |
|
Fees |
8.50 |
|
Customer Service |
10.00 |
|
Funding Options Score |
10.00 |
|
Recurring Buys |
0.00 |
We gave them an 8.5/10 Trust Score and love that they institute Proof of Funds.
CEX.io has a good fee structure that definitely benefits high volume traders.
This exchange has great Customer Service and plenty of Funding Options.
They have released some statements leading us to believe they will soon be adding Savings Accounts AND Recurring Buys - which would be a game-changer. We will keep you up to date as they roll out new features.
If a robust Education Center matters to you we would recommend using a different exchange. We would recommend Binance.US, Kraken, or Bittrex.