Frequently Asked Questions
Is Binance safe to use in 2026?
Yes. Binance holds over 21 global licenses, maintains a $1 billion SAFU insurance fund (converted to Bitcoin), publishes monthly Proof of Reserves, and stores over 90% of user assets in cold storage. It has never suffered a major hack since the 2019 incident, which was fully reimbursed via the SAFU fund.
What are Binance's trading fees?
Binance charges 0.10% maker/taker fees on spot trading — the lowest among major exchanges. Futures fees start at 0.02% maker / 0.05% taker. BNB holders receive a 25% discount, and VIP tiers offer further reductions.
Is Binance available in the EU?
Yes. Binance is fully MiCA-compliant with its EU entity registered in France. European users can deposit EUR via SEPA and SEPA Instant for free and access all core trading features.
How many users does Binance have?
Binance surpassed 300 million registered users globally by the end of 2025, making it the largest cryptocurrency exchange by both user base and trading volume.
Can I trade futures on Binance?
Yes. Binance offers USDT-margined, USDC-margined, COIN-margined, and options contracts with up to 125x leverage on select pairs. Since USDT is not available for EU users under MiCA regulations, USDC-margined futures provide a fully compliant stablecoin alternative. It is the world's largest crypto derivatives exchange by volume.
Does Binance have a mobile app?
Yes. Binance offers iOS and Android apps with full feature parity — spot, futures, margin, staking, P2P, and Binance Pay are all accessible from mobile.
What is the Binance SAFU fund?
The Secure Asset Fund for Users (SAFU) is a $1 billion emergency insurance fund maintained by Binance. In 2025, the fund was converted to Bitcoin to better align with user assets. It covers losses in the event of security breaches.
How does Binance compare to Bitvavo?
Binance offers lower fees (0.10% vs 0.25%), more trading pairs (350+ vs 200+), and advanced features like futures, margin, and copy trading. Bitvavo is a strong choice for EU beginners with its clean interface and Dutch regulatory approval, but lacks derivatives trading.
Our Verdict: 4.8 / 5
Binance remains the dominant force in cryptocurrency trading in 2026. With $34 trillion in total trading volume across all products in 2025, over 300 million registered users , and the deepest liquidity of any exchange globally, it continues to set the standard by which every other platform is measured.
Founded in 2017 by Changpeng Zhao (CZ), Binance has evolved from a scrappy startup into a full-blown crypto ecosystem. It's not just an exchange — it's a launchpad (Binance Launchpad & Launchpool), a DeFi gateway (Binance Alpha 2.0), an NFT marketplace, a payment network (Binance Pay), and an institutional-grade trading venue, all in one.
But size alone doesn't make an exchange great. In this review, we examine everything that matters: trading fees , security infrastructure , supported assets , regulatory compliance , advanced features , and who Binance is best — and worst — suited for .
Binance Fees: The Lowest in the Market
Binance's fee structure is its single biggest competitive advantage. At 0.10% for both maker and taker on spot trades, it undercuts virtually every major competitor. For context, Bitvavo charges 0.25%, Kraken charges 0.25%, and Bitpanda charges 1.49% at their default tiers.
BNB fee discount: Holding Binance's native token (BNB) and opting to pay fees in BNB grants a 25% discount, bringing spot fees down to an effective 0.075%. High-volume traders also unlock VIP tiers that reduce fees progressively — VIP 9 makers on spot pay just 0.011%.
For a deeper comparison, see our crypto trading fees guide .
Security: How Safe Is Binance?
Security is non-negotiable when choosing an exchange, and Binance has invested heavily here. The platform's multi-layered security architecture includes:
User-side security: Binance supports hardware key (YubiKey) 2FA, SMS, Google Authenticator, email confirmation for withdrawals, address whitelisting, and anti-phishing codes. We strongly recommend enabling all of these — see our crypto security guide for best practices.
Supported Cryptocurrencies
Binance lists 350+ cryptocurrencies across spot markets, with over 1,500 trading pairs . This includes all major assets (BTC, ETH, SOL, XRP, BNB, ADA, DOGE), mid-caps, DeFi tokens, memecoins, and newly launched projects via Binance Launchpad.
On the derivatives side, Binance offers 300+ USDT-margined futures contracts , USDC-margined futures , and 50+ COIN-margined contracts , plus European-style options on BTC and ETH. Since USDT is restricted for EU users under MiCA regulations , the USDC-margined futures are particularly important — they give European traders access to stablecoin-settled perpetual contracts using a fully MiCA-compliant stablecoin. It is by far the most comprehensive venue for crypto derivatives trading.
Fiat support is equally broad: EUR, USD, GBP, AUD, BRL, TRY , and 40+ other currencies via bank transfer, card, or P2P. European users benefit from free SEPA deposits and withdrawals. Read our guide to buying crypto with EUR for details.
Track live prices for all Binance-listed assets on our crypto price hub .
Trading Features & Products
Binance isn't just a spot exchange — it's a full-spectrum trading and investment platform. Here's a breakdown of every major product:
Mobile App Experience
The Binance mobile app (iOS and Android) mirrors the full desktop experience. Every feature — spot, futures, margin, staking, P2P, Binance Pay, and portfolio tracking — is accessible from your phone with a responsive, well-designed interface.
The app includes TradingView charting , price alerts, push notifications for order fills, biometric login (Face ID / fingerprint), and a customizable home screen. It consistently ranks as the #1 crypto app on both app stores.
For beginners, the app offers a simplified "Lite" mode that strips away advanced features and presents a clean buy/sell interface. You can toggle between Lite and Pro mode at any time.
Regulation & Compliance
Binance has undergone a dramatic regulatory transformation. After facing scrutiny from multiple jurisdictions in 2021–2023, the exchange has pivoted to a compliance-first approach under CEO Richard Teng.
Key regulatory milestones in 2025:
For EU-based traders, Binance's MiCA compliance means your funds are subject to European consumer protection standards, segregated custody requirements, and regular audits. Learn more about KYC in our KYC guide .
MiCA Compliance: What It Means for EU Traders
The Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) is the EU's landmark regulatory framework for crypto, fully enforceable since December 2024. As one of the first global exchanges to achieve full MiCA compliance, Binance's EU entity (registered in France) operates under some of the strictest consumer protection standards in the crypto industry.
One of the most impactful changes under MiCA is the restriction on non-compliant stablecoins . Tether's USDT does not meet MiCA's reserve transparency and licensing requirements, which means EU-based traders cannot use USDT on regulated platforms like Binance.
In practice, this means:
This transition is a net positive for EU traders: USDC's transparent reserve model and regulatory oversight provide stronger guarantees than USDT ever offered.
MiCA regulates crypto-asset service providers and stablecoin issuers, but it does not cover:
For a broader overview of how European regulations affect your trading, see our EU crypto tax guide and our KYC requirements explainer .
Key MiCA Protections for Binance EU Users
One of the most impactful changes under MiCA is the restriction on non-compliant stablecoins . Tether's USDT does not meet MiCA's reserve transparency and licensing requirements, which means EU-based traders cannot use USDT on regulated platforms like Binance.
USDT Restriction & USDC Alternative
One of the most impactful changes under MiCA is the restriction on non-compliant stablecoins . Tether's USDT does not meet MiCA's reserve transparency and licensing requirements, which means EU-based traders cannot use USDT on regulated platforms like Binance.
What MiCA Does NOT Cover
MiCA regulates crypto-asset service providers and stablecoin issuers, but it does not cover:
Binance vs Competitors (EU Focus)
How does Binance stack up against the top EU-friendly exchanges? Here's a side-by-side comparison:
Data as of March 2026. Fees reflect default tiers without volume discounts. For a full comparison, see our Best Crypto Exchanges in Europe guide.
How to Get Started on Binance
For a detailed walkthrough with screenshots, see our step-by-step Binance registration guide .
The BNB Token
BNB (originally "Binance Coin") is Binance's native utility token and the backbone of its ecosystem. Holding BNB provides:
BNB is consistently a top-5 cryptocurrency by market cap. Track its price on our BNB price page .
Customer Support
Binance offers 24/7 customer support via live chat, email, and an extensive help center with guides and video tutorials. The platform also maintains active communities on Twitter/X, Telegram, and Discord.
In our testing, live chat responses averaged 5–15 minutes during normal hours. During market volatility spikes, wait times can increase significantly — a common issue across all major exchanges. For account-specific issues (locked accounts, KYC rejections), resolution typically takes 1–3 business days.
Final Verdict
Binance isn't perfect — no exchange is. The interface can overwhelm newcomers, US access is limited, and mandatory KYC puts off some privacy-focused users. But on every metric that matters for active crypto traders — fees, liquidity, asset selection, feature depth, and security — Binance remains the clear market leader in 2026.
With $34 trillion in 2025 trading volume, 300+ million users, a $1 billion insurance fund, 21+ global licenses, and the most comprehensive product suite in crypto, Binance has earned its position as the world's #1 exchange. If you're serious about crypto trading, it's the obvious starting point.
Best for: Active traders, derivatives, and anyone seeking the lowest fees with the deepest liquidity.