Binance

The largest global crypto exchange; not available to US residents, who are directed to Binance.US.

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Facts checked Sep 26, 2026

Binance key facts

CategoryCrypto exchange
US availabilityNot for US customers (Binance announced it would block them in 2019; US users go to Binance.US)
Trading fees0.100% maker / 0.100% taker (regular user)
CustodyCustodial

Not verified yet: simple buy fee, debit card purchase, coins available (us), staking (us), us licenses, self-custody wallet. We add a value only after checking it on Binance’s own pages.

About

What is Binance?

Binance.com is the global exchange of the Binance group. According to the US Justice Department, Binance announced in 2019 that it would block US customers and launched a separate US exchange, Binance.US. In November 2023 Binance pleaded guilty in the US to anti-money-laundering, unlicensed money transmitting and sanctions violations, with a total financial penalty of about $4.3 billion.

How Binance works

Binance.com is a custodial exchange with spot, futures, earn and payment products.

Spot fees for regular users are 0.100% maker and 0.100% taker, and paying fees in BNB takes 25% off, to 0.075%. VIP tiers start at 30-day volume of 1,000,000 USD and a balance of at least 5 BNB.

Part of the group operates under Abu Dhabi Global Market rules: the site footer states that Nest Exchange Limited, Nest Clearing and Custody Limited and Nest Trading Limited are regulated by the FSRA of ADGM.

How to start with Binance

  1. Binance.com is not the US route: the Justice Department notes Binance announced it would block US customers and set up Binance.US.
  2. The SEC names BAM Trading Services as the company that operates Binance.US, which has its own fee schedule and state list.

Binance fees and limits

  • Regular user spot: 0.100% maker and taker, or 0.075% when paid in BNB.
  • On USDC pairs the maker fee is the standard rate and the taker fee is 0.095%, or 0.07125% with the BNB discount.

Risks to know before using Binance

  • On June 5, 2023 the SEC filed 13 charges against Binance Holdings, BAM Trading Services and founder Changpeng Zhao.
  • It alleged unregistered exchange operation, commingling of customer assets, and that Binance let some high-value US traders keep using Binance.com while claiming to block them.
  • On May 29, 2025 the SEC filed a joint stipulation with the defendants to dismiss the case with prejudice.
Crypto exchangeCustodialWebiOSAndroid

Binance alternatives

Other exchanges US customers compare with Binance.

Coinbase

The largest US-listed crypto exchange, with a simple buy screen and the Coinbase Advanced order book.

Binance vs Coinbase →
Binance.US

US exchange run separately from Binance.com, with low order-book fees but limited state coverage.

Kraken

US-available crypto exchange with an instant-buy app and the Kraken Pro order book.

Gemini

US crypto exchange and custodian, public since September 2025, available in all 50 states.

Crypto.com

Crypto app available in every US state except New York, with fees shown in the trade preview.

Robinhood Crypto

Crypto trading inside the Robinhood app, commission-free by default with an optional exchange-routing mode.

Binance compared

Binance pros and cons

Pros
  • Very wide coin and market choice outside the US
  • Large trading volume
Cons
  • Not available to US residents
  • $4.3B US criminal resolution in 2023
  • Former CEO pleaded guilty to anti-money-laundering violations

Binance FAQ

What is Binance?

Binance.com is the global exchange of the Binance group. According to the US Justice Department, Binance announced in 2019 that it would block US customers and launched a separate US exchange, Binance.US. In November 2023 Binance pleaded guilty in the US to anti-money-laundering, unlicensed money transmitting and sanctions violations, with a total financial penalty of about $4.3 billion.

Is Binance available in the US?

Not for US customers (Binance announced it would block them in 2019; US users go to Binance.US), according to Binance’s own page (checked Sep 26, 2026).

What are Binance’s trading fees?

At the lowest volume tier: 0.100% maker / 0.100% taker (regular user). Higher-volume traders pay less.

Does Binance hold my crypto?

Binance is custodial: it holds the keys to your balance. To hold your own keys, withdraw to a self-custody wallet.

What changed

Sep 26, 2026Added outcome of the 2023 SEC case

Sources

  1. Binance: official site
  2. US Department of Justice: Binance and CEO plead guilty
  3. Binance: fee schedule
  4. SEC: Press release 2023-101
  5. SEC: SEC Announces Dismissal of Civil Enforcement Action Against Binance Entities and Founder Changpeng Zhao

How this page works

Sources: Binance: official site, US Department of Justice: Binance and CEO plead guilty, Binance: fee schedule. Data as of Sep 26, 2026.

How we review

Not affiliated with any project listed. Educational content, not financial advice.