KuCoin: Everything to Know
By Beluga Research August 6, 2023

Summary
- KuCoin is a cryptocurrency exchange platform that allows users to trade various digital assets securely and efficiently
- It is known for its user-friendly interface and extensive selection of cryptocurrencies
- The platform offers various benefits to users, including a native token called KuCoin Shares (KCS) that provides reduced trading fees and a share of the platform's revenue
- KuCoin prioritizes security, implementing measures such as two-factor authentication and cold storage for funds
Overview
KuCoin is a cryptocurrency exchange platform that allows users to trade various digital assets securely and efficiently. Launched in 2017, it quickly gained popularity within the crypto community due to its user-friendly interface, extensive selection of cryptocurrencies and commitment to security. With its headquarters in Seychelles, KuCoin serves a global user base and has established itself as a reliable platform for buying, selling, and trading digital assets.
A Brief History
KuCoin was founded by Michael Gan, a former technical expert at Ant Financial, in September 2017. The platform's initial coin offering (ICO) raised approximately $20 million, enabling the team to develop and launch the exchange. From its early days, KuCoin aimed to differentiate itself from other exchanges by offering a wide variety of cryptocurrencies for trading, including many smaller, lesser-known projects. This strategy attracted traders seeking opportunities beyond the mainstream cryptocurrencies.
Over time, KuCoin has continued to evolve and expand its services. In 2018, the platform introduced its native token, KuCoin Shares (KCS), which provides various benefits to holders, such as reduced trading fees and a share of the platform's revenue. The introduction of KCS further enhanced the appeal of KuCoin among cryptocurrency enthusiasts.
KuCoin: Everything to Know
- User Interface and Trading Experience: KuCoin provides users with an intuitive and user-friendly interface, making it accessible for both beginners and experienced traders. The platform offers a basic and advanced trading view, catering to users with varying levels of expertise. The basic view simplifies the trading process, while the advanced view provides more detailed market data and advanced trading features, such as limit orders and stop-loss orders.
- Security: Security is a top priority for KuCoin, and the platform implements multiple measures to ensure the safety of user funds. These measures include two-factor authentication (2FA), withdrawal whitelisting, and the use of cold storage wallets for the majority of funds. KuCoin also employs a dedicated security team to monitor and respond to potential threats promptly.
- Supported Cryptocurrencies: KuCoin boasts an extensive selection of cryptocurrencies available for trading. The platform supports a wide range of established cryptocurrencies like bitcoin (BTC), ether (ETH) and Ripple (XRP), as well as numerous emerging cryptocurrencies. This diverse offering allows users to access various investment opportunities and explore new projects in the crypto space.
- Trading Pairs and Liquidity: KuCoin provides a substantial number of trading pairs, allowing users to trade one cryptocurrency for another. The availability of numerous trading pairs enhances liquidity on the platform, enabling users to execute trades swiftly and at competitive prices. High liquidity is crucial for traders, as it reduces the risk of encountering slippage and ensures efficient market participation.
- KuCoin Shares (KCS): KuCoin Shares (KCS) is the native cryptocurrency of the KuCoin platform. Holding KCS provides users with several benefits, including a share of the platform's revenue and discounted trading fees. The amount of KCS held by a user determines the level of benefits they receive. This unique feature has contributed to the popularity of KCS among KuCoin users and has created an incentive for long-term holding.
- KuCoin Futures: In addition to spot trading, KuCoin offers futures trading for users who prefer to engage in derivatives trading. KuCoin Futures allows traders to speculate on the price movements of cryptocurrencies without owning the underlying assets. With various leverage options and contract durations, KuCoin Futures provides flexibility for traders seeking to profit from both rising and falling markets.
- KuCoin Community and Staking: KuCoin has fostered a vibrant and active community of cryptocurrency enthusiasts. The platform encourages community engagement through features such as staking, where users can lock up their crypto assets to support the network and earn staking rewards. Staking provides users with an additional way to generate passive income while actively participating in the KuCoin ecosystem.
Getting Started
- To start using KuCoin, first create an account. The registration process is straightforward and requires you to provide basic information such as an email address and password.
- After verifying an account, it's recommended to enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for added security. KuCoin supports various 2FA methods, including Google Authenticator and SMS authentication. By enabling 2FA, this adds an extra layer of protection to an account, reducing the risk of unauthorized access.
- Once an account is set up, deposit funds into a KuCoin wallet. KuCoin supports a wide range of cryptocurrencies. To deposit funds, simply navigate to the "Assets" tab on the KuCoin website, select the desired cryptocurrency, and follow the instructions to generate a deposit address. You can then transfer the funds from your external wallet or exchange to the provided address.
- With funds in a KuCoin wallet, start trading. KuCoin offers a diverse selection of trading pairs, including popular cryptocurrencies like bitcoin (BTC), ether (ETH) and litecoin (LTC). The trading interface is intuitive and user-friendly for placing market orders, limit orders and stop orders with ease. Additionally, KuCoin provides advanced trading features such as margin trading and futures trading for users seeking more sophisticated trading strategies.
Unique Aspects
One of the unique aspects of KuCoin is its native cryptocurrency, KuCoin Token (KCS). KCS holders enjoy various benefits, including reduced trading fees, access to exclusive promotions and a share of the platform's revenue through the KuCoin Bonus program. The more KCS you hold, the greater the benefits. This unique feature incentivizes users to hold and trade KCS, adding an additional layer of utility to the token.
Another notable aspect of KuCoin is its commitment to security. The exchange has implemented multiple security measures to safeguard user funds and information. These include cold storage for the majority of funds, encryption of sensitive data, regular security audits and a bug bounty program that rewards users for discovering vulnerabilities. By prioritizing security, KuCoin aims to provide users with a safe and trustworthy trading environment.
KuCoin also stands out for its dedication to expanding its offering of tradable assets. The exchange continually seeks to list new and promising cryptocurrencies, providing users with access to a wide range of investment opportunities. This commitment to innovation and diversity sets KuCoin apart from many other exchanges in the crypto space.
Furthermore, KuCoin has developed an application programming interface (API) that allows developers to integrate KuCoin's trading functions into their own applications. This API facilitates the creation of trading bots, algorithmic trading strategies, and other customized solutions, enabling users to automate trading activities on the platform.
Advantages
- Wide Range of Cryptocurrencies - KuCoin offers a vast selection of cryptocurrencies for trading, including popular ones as well as numerous altcoins and tokens. This extensive range allows users to diversify their portfolios and take advantage of various investment opportunities.
- User-Friendly Interface - KuCoin provides a user-friendly interface that is intuitive and easy to navigate, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced traders. The platform offers a clean and organized layout, enabling users to access essential information and execute trades efficiently.
- Advanced Trading Features - KuCoin offers advanced trading features such as stop-limit orders, margin trading, and futures contracts. These features provide users with greater control over their trades and allow for more sophisticated trading strategies.
- High Liquidity - Liquidity is crucial in a cryptocurrency exchange as it ensures that users can easily buy or sell assets without significant price slippage. KuCoin has established partnerships with several liquidity providers, resulting in a high level of liquidity for many trading pairs. This liquidity enhances the overall trading experience on the platform.
- Security Measures - KuCoin prioritizes the security of user funds and employs various security measures to safeguard against potential threats. These measures include two-factor authentication (2FA), cold storage for the majority of funds and regular security audits. Additionally, KuCoin has implemented a robust risk management system to detect and prevent suspicious activities.
- KuCoin Shares (KCS) - KuCoin has its native utility token called KuCoin Shares (KCS). Holding KCS provides users with certain benefits, such as discounted trading fees, access to exclusive promotions and a share in the platform's revenue. This incentivizes users to hold KCS, which can potentially increase its value over time.
Disadvantages
- Limited Fiat Support - Unlike some other cryptocurrency exchanges, KuCoin has limited support for fiat currencies. This means that users cannot directly deposit or withdraw traditional currencies like USD or EUR. While KuCoin does support some fiat on-ramps through third-party services, the options are relatively limited compared to exchanges that offer direct fiat support.
- Regulation and Compliance - As with any cryptocurrency exchange, regulatory compliance is an ongoing challenge. KuCoin operates in various jurisdictions, and operating withing different regulatory frameworks can be complex and time-consuming. Adapting to evolving regulations while maintaining a seamless user experience can pose challenges for the platform.
- Customer Support - Some users have reported issues with KuCoin's customer support, citing slow response times and difficulty in resolving certain inquiries or concerns. Improving customer support services and response times could enhance the overall user experience on the platform.
- Centralized Nature - KuCoin is a centralized exchange, meaning it operates through a central authority. While this allows for a more user-friendly experience, it also introduces a level of dependence on the platform's infrastructure and security measures. Centralized exchanges can be vulnerable to hacking attempts or other security breaches, although KuCoin has taken steps to mitigate these risks.
- Limited Trading Pairs for Some Assets - While KuCoin offers a wide range of cryptocurrencies, not all assets have a comprehensive selection of trading pairs. This can limit the flexibility of trading certain assets and may require users to convert assets into more commonly traded pairs before executing trades.