MEXC vs KuCoin
Side-by-side comparison of fees, features, and country availability. Last updated 2026.
Quick Verdict
MEXC is the better pick for most people. It scores higher in user ratings (4.3) and is best for small-cap altcoins and no-kyc trading.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
| Feature | MEXC | KuCoin |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2018 | 2017 |
| Headquarters | Seychelles | Seychelles |
| Maker Fee | 0% | 0.1% |
| Taker Fee | 0.02% | 0.1% |
| Spot Pairs | 2,800 | 750 |
| Min Deposit | $1 | $1 |
| US Users | No | No |
| KYC Required | No | No |
| Max Leverage | 200x | 100x |
| Staking | Yes | Yes |
| User Rating | ★ 4.3 | ★ 4.2 |
MEXC
- Zero maker fees on spot trading
- Largest selection of small-cap altcoins (2,800+ pairs)
- KYC optional for basic trading
- Frequent airdrops and listing events
- Lower liquidity on niche pairs
- US users officially restricted
- Interface less polished than top competitors
KuCoin
- Lists new altcoins faster than most exchanges
- KYC optional for basic withdrawal limits
- Built-in trading bots available
- KCS token gives fee discounts
- Had security incidents in past (2020 hack, funds recovered)
- Restricted for US users
- Customer support has mixed reviews
Which should you choose: MEXC or KuCoin?
MEXC was founded in 2018 and is best known for small-cap altcoins and no-kyc trading. KuCoin, on the other hand, launched in 2017 and stands out for early-stage altcoin exposure.
Fees
On standard trades, MEXC charges a maker fee of 0% and a taker fee of 0.02%, while KuCoin charges 0.1% and 0.1% respectively. For a trader doing $10,000 in monthly volume, that difference adds up to roughly $ 8.00 in saved fees per month on the cheaper side.
Country availability
MEXC does not support US residents. KuCoin does not support US residents. If you are in the US and neither supports you directly, you'll want to look at Kraken, Coinbase, or Gemini instead.
Bottom line
For most traders, MEXC is the better choice. It scores higher in user ratings (4.3) and is best for small-cap altcoins and no-kyc trading. That said, if your priority is early-stage altcoin exposure, the other exchange may actually fit your use case better.
FAQ
Is MEXC safer than KuCoin?
Both exchanges publish proof-of-reserves and have security measures in place. MEXC has been operating since 2018 and KuCoin since 2017. Neither has a perfect record, so you should never store long-term funds on any exchange — use a hardware wallet for holdings you are not actively trading.
Can US residents use MEXC or KuCoin?
MEXC is not available to US residents. KuCoin is not available to US residents. US traders should avoid using VPNs to access restricted exchanges — it violates terms of service and can freeze your funds.
Which has lower fees, MEXC or KuCoin?
MEXC has lower taker fees (0.02% vs 0.1%), making it cheaper for active traders.