KuCoin is one of the most popular cryptocurrency exchanges in the world, and that’s for good reason. Although Bitcoin is down 58% this year and about 72% from its all-time high, it could still be the perfect time to invest while prices are low.
Before you join the ranks of crypto connoisseurs, you need to sign up on a reputable exchange. You can find dozens, if not hundreds, of exchanges online. So, how do you know which is the right one? It’s an important choice with a lot of consequences.
Unfortunately, the US restricts many crypto exchanges, which makes trading a little bit more difficult. Although KuCoin is technically not available for US citizens, it doesn’t mean you can’t trade at all. We have a workaround to let you enjoy crypto safely and anonymously, free from limitations.
What is Cryptocurrency?
Cryptocurrency is a digital asset backed by blockchain technology. A digital ledger is used to keep all cryptocurrency transactions transparent, making it near-impossible to counterfeit or use loopholes for double-spending.
Cryptocurrency is technically immune to government reinforcement or manipulation, although many major governments are interested in regulating the crypto space. Others, like China, have banned cryptocurrency entirely.
Using crypto, you can invest in thousands of potential projects offering different communities, goals, and the use of blockchain technology. Of course, investing in crypto also comes with the risk of exposing your personal information to fraudsters online.
What Is an “Asset”?
Crypto projects create tokens of their own most of the time. For example, metaverse games have tokens used to purchase in-game items. Axie Infinity has the AXS token, and Sandbox uses the SAND token to fund the in-game economy. Investors can join the community and purchase tokens with the hope their prices go up, or just use them as intended.
Bitcoin was the first official cryptocurrency to be released and has remained at the top ever since. Not only that, but it’s still the #1 asset in the crypto industry and has an impressive market cap worth billions of dollars.
KuCoin lists Bitcoin for trade, but it also has hundreds of other tokens to consider, so you’ve got to do your research before committing to any projects.
Why is KuCoin So Popular?
KuCoin is a reliable cryptocurrency exchange, especially for beginners who haven’t invested in the space before. It has hundreds of crypto assets to choose from and stellar support.
It was founded by several people in 2013 before being officially launched in 2017. Michael Gan, Eric Don, Top Lan, Kent Li, John Lee, Jack Zhu, and Linda Lin all had a part to play in the development of KuCoin. Nowadays, the exchange is owned by two people, but Johnny Lyu, the CEO, is the most public name associated with it.
Crypto exchanges like KuCoin link the internet and your bank when investing in the crypto industry. It used to be hard to purchase Bitcoin, but now it’s quite easy to get your hands on some by simply signing up for a KuCoin account. Not only that, but you can also purchase alternative crypto assets (what the industry calls Altcoins).
However, KuCoin does have one drawback – it’s restricted in the US. Not to the point where you can’t use it, but the US places limitations on how people can trade using KuCoin.
Warning: Cryptocurrency, DeFi (Decentralized Finance), ICO (Initial Coin Offerings), or even NFT (Non-Fungible Token) projects are incredibly volatile and highly speculative. You should consult a certified professional before investing your money or making any financial decisions that involve either of them. This article is for informative purposes only, it does not serve as a replacement for professional recommendations and it’s not financial advice by Private Internet Access or the writer to invest in cryptocurrencies (or any of the mentioned projects).
Coinbase vs. KuCoin, Which One Is Safer?
KuCoin claims 1 out of 4 crypto holders worldwide is with KuCoin, which is a testament to its legitimacy. It has 700+ crypto assets available for trade and is considered one of the largest social trading platforms within the crypto community.
Over 20 million investors from all over the world use KuCoin because it’s a proven exchange with the ability to serve 200+ countries. They also remain flexible by providing a mobile app and website.
KuCoin secures accounts through micro-withdrawal wallets (to prevent the theft of large accounts), industry-standard multilayer data encryption, and a mandatory multi-factor authentication system.
Coinbase, however, has over 100 million verified users in total. It also features 2FA (2-factor authentication) and biometric logins, allowing you to sign in with your fingerprint or face ID.
Coinbase secures accounts with USB drives and paper backups before storing them in vaults/safes located all over the world. If you want to work at Coinbase, you have to pass a criminal background check – but that hasn’t stopped Coinbase employees from committing crimes in the past.
In comparison to KuCoin, the fees on Coinbase aren’t as low and you cannot trade anonymously, so your personal information is slightly more at risk.
Binance vs. KuCoin, Which One Is Better?
As a US citizen, you’re restricted in terms of how much you can deposit or withdraw at once with KuCoin, as well as how much leverage can be used for trades. This is where the argument of Binance being “better” is viable.
Binance.US is easy to use as a US citizen without restrictions. Unfortunately, they offer a limited number of assets and fewer features than KuCoin. Despite this, your data is safe with Binance. They give you the ability to use security features like IP/wallet address whitelisting, device management, biometric logins, and even API access control.
KuCoin has a somewhat complicated process when it comes to USD, especially compared to other exchanges. The number of assets you can trade is hard to pass up on though, so the juice is worth the squeeze!
You can use KuCoin in the US without the traditional restrictions, but you’ll have to adjust a few things beforehand.
| KuCoin Pros and Cons | |
|---|---|
| Pros | Cons |
|
✅ 700+ Assets to Choose From ✅ 18+ Million Users ✅ Low Trading Fees ✅ Earn Interest on Cryptos ✅ 24/7 Customer Support ✅Advanced Trading Functions |
⛔Unlinced in The US ⛔Limited Payment Options |
Using KuCoin in the US
KuCoin is perfect for getting started in the crypto scene because it’s so easy to use and offers low fees with plenty of coins to purchase. However, it’s restricted for US citizens due to a lack of license and KYC (Know Your Customer) process. As such, you’ll need a bit of assistance if you’re determined to sign up for full membership.
Here are KuCoin’s restrictions for US-based accounts:
- 1 to 2 BTC limit for withdrawals every 24 hours (which fluctuates according to BTCs price).
- No access to leverage or margin trading.
- No KYC verification (to remove limitations).
KYC verification isn’t available for US residents on KuCoin. As such, you can use almost every service on KuCoin in the US, but with limitations – leveraged trading and unlimited withdrawals are unavailable. KuCoin also doesn’t offer the same hack/fraud protection to unverified accounts as they do to verified users.
If the platform sees you’re from a country where these restrictions don’t apply, like the UK, then you’re not subjected to them. You can use Private Internet Access to get a UK IP. PIA hides can give you an IP from whichever location you choose, so you can enjoy KuCoin anywhere.
How to Protect Your Financial Information When You Go Online
We recommend using a VPN when doing anything online – but especially when it regards your financial information. VPNs help you invest in crypto without exposing your personal information, because they hide your online traffic so no one can intercept your trade and steal sensitive information. On top of that, they’re a necessity if you want to trade freely with KuCoin while you travel.
PIA has an independently verified, No Logs policy, which means we don’t monitor or store any of your online activities. We also use 256-bit AES encryption which masks your traffic and protects it from accidental leaks.
Sounds like a much better time, right? To start trading on KuCoin in the US freely, just follow the steps below.
How to Use PIA to Trade on KuCoin When Traveling
- Step 1. Sign up for Private Internet Access.
- Step 2. Download the relevant PIA app for your device.
- Step 3. Open the PIA application.
- Step 4. Connect to a location where KuCoin isn’t restricted, like back home.
- Step 5. Sign up for a KuCoin account with PIA enabled.
- Step 6. Voila! Access the website or app and trade on KuCoin from the US freely.
KuCoin is fully licensed in most European countries, and signing up for an account from these regions gives you access to the full KuCoin experience.
Create the Safest Experience Possible on KuCoin
KuCoin is a worthy exchange for many reasons, but US citizens will find it tough to get signed up at first. You can sign up regularly and have a limited account, but nobody wants that. Since they offer hundreds of assets to invest in and an abundance of advanced trading features, it’d be a shame to miss out on all the action.
Other fully licensed countries allow you to use KuCoin without restrictions or a need for your personal information. A VPN lets you change your IP and make it look as if you’re someplace else.
Get more out of your experience with KuCoin while in the US – all you’ve got to do is sign up for PIA. Private Internet Access protects your personal information, and makes it possible to use KuCoin fully while traveling.
FAQ
Is KuCoin Legit?
Yes, KuCoin is legit. KuCoin launched in 2017 and has become an integral part of the cryptocurrency community.
They are a legitimate cryptocurrency exchange that has helped people complete millions of trades over the years. It’s also one of the quickest growing exchanges in 2022. Of course, you’ll need a VPN to use safely while traveling in the US, so you can change your location and avoid any temporary restrictions.
Is KuCoin legal in the US?
Yes, but they lack a proper license. Although KuCoin is currently unlicensed in the US, you can use it with restrictions. The US forces a withdrawal limit of 1 BTC, imposes a restriction on funding options for your trading account, as well as on other activities.
Thankfully, you can trade unrestricted if you use a VPN. PIA hides your IP address, so you can change your location when you travel. We use military-grade encryption to wrap your traffic in code, so no one can read it or see that you’re using KuCoin.
Who owns KuCoin?
KuCoin is owned by “two tech geeks” according to their About Us page. Its most public face is the co-founder and CEO of KuCoin, Johnny Lyu.
Unfortunately, KuCoin lacks a proper license in the US, so you can’t enjoy all the benefits of KuCoin without a bit of help. Sign up for PIA to access KuCoin securely and safely anywhere you are.
Is KuCoin secure?
Yes, KuCoin is secure. KuCoin has completed almost 1 billion trades as an exchange and even has a total trading volume of over 1T USD. Yes, that’s trillion with a T!
However, you’ll still need extra security to stop cybercriminals from stealing your financial information. So, use a VPN to protect your digital identity and trade anonymously.
Is Binance better than KuCoin?
Both cryptocurrencies have their pros and cons. Binance offers low fees and is unrestricted anywhere in the world, but it has a limited number of assets. KuCoin has far more features and assets, but it’s limited for US users. Both use tough security measures to protect your financial data, though, including multi-factor authentication.
Ultimately, the choice is yours. If you’re still not sure, read our comparison.
