Surface Crypto Exchange Review: Best Platforms for Beginners and Traders in 2025

Choosing a crypto exchange in 2025 isn’t about finding the cheapest one-it’s about finding the right one for how you trade. Whether you’re buying your first Bitcoin or running complex trades with leverage, the platform you pick changes everything. Some exchanges are built for beginners who want simplicity. Others are built for pros who need speed, depth, and control. There’s no single best exchange. But there are clear winners for different types of users.

Best Overall: eToro

eToro stands out as the top pick for most people in 2025. It’s not just a crypto exchange-it’s a full social trading platform with over 38 million users. Launched in 2007 and now publicly listed on Nasdaq, eToro brings a level of credibility most crypto platforms still lack. It holds licenses from major regulators like the FCA, CySEC, and ASIC, and uses segregated custodial accounts with SOC 2 Type II certification. Your funds aren’t just sitting in a wallet-they’re protected.

What makes eToro special isn’t just security. It’s the CopyTrader feature. You can look at the real-time portfolios of top investors, see what they’re buying, and click one button to copy their trades. It’s like having a professional trader in your pocket. For beginners, this removes the guesswork. For experienced users, it’s a way to discover new strategies.

eToro offers over 130 cryptocurrencies, including major ones like Bitcoin and Ethereum, plus newer tokens. It added futures trading in Europe and options in the UK in early 2025. The platform also has a free learning hub called eToro Academy, with videos, articles, and demo accounts so you can practice without risking real money. Fees are higher than some competitors-around 1% per trade-but you’re paying for ease, safety, and education.

Best for Beginners: Coinbase

If you’ve never bought crypto before, Coinbase is your safest starting point. It’s the most trusted name in U.S. crypto, with a 4.6/5 rating from NerdWallet in September 2025. The interface is clean, intuitive, and doesn’t overwhelm you with charts and buttons. You can buy Bitcoin or Ethereum in under 90 seconds.

New users get $200 in cryptocurrency just for signing up and completing a small trade. There’s no minimum deposit, and fees range from 0% to 4%, depending on how you pay. If you use a bank transfer, you pay less. If you use a credit card, you pay more. That’s standard across the industry.

Coinbase also leads in education. Its Learn & Earn program lets you earn free crypto by watching short videos and answering questions. It’s a smart way to learn while getting rewarded. Tax reporting is built in, which is huge for U.S. users. The platform files your 1099 forms automatically, saving you hours of bookkeeping.

The downside? Coinbase doesn’t offer advanced tools like limit orders with time-in-force or margin trading. You’re not here to day trade. You’re here to buy, hold, and learn.

Best for Advanced Traders: Binance

For serious traders, Binance is still the king of volume and selection. It supports over 200 trading pairs and has access to hundreds of altcoins you won’t find anywhere else. Its global version offers futures, options, leveraged tokens, and even crypto savings accounts with APYs over 10%.

Binance US, the version available in the U.S., is more limited due to regulations-but it still beats most competitors in fees and asset variety. Trading fees start at 0.1% and drop with volume. Maker fees (adding liquidity) are even lower. If you’re trading $10,000 a day, you’ll pay far less than you would on Coinbase or eToro.

Binance’s interface is complex, though. New users get lost in the tabs. But once you get used to it, you’ll appreciate the depth: customizable charts, stop-loss triggers, trailing stops, and API access for automated bots. It’s not for everyone. But if you know what you’re doing, it’s the most powerful tool in the market.

Best for Security and Institutions: Kraken

Kraken is the exchange that institutional investors trust. It’s been around since 2011 and was one of the first to comply fully with U.S. regulations. It holds a BitLicense from New York State and is registered with FinCEN. Its security record is flawless-no major hacks in over a decade.

Kraken Pro is its professional trading platform. It offers advanced order types, real-time depth charts, and low-latency execution. Maker fees are just 0.16%, taker fees are 0.26%. That’s competitive with Binance. But Kraken adds something Binance doesn’t: transparent audit reports. Every quarter, Kraken publishes proof of reserves showing it holds more crypto than it owes users.

It also leads in staking. You can earn up to 8% APY on Ethereum, Solana, and other major coins. Kraken’s mobile app is solid, and customer support is available 24/7 via live chat. It’s not the easiest platform to use, but if you care about safety, transparency, and long-term reliability, Kraken is the quiet powerhouse.

Best for Security-Conscious Users: Gemini

Gemini, founded by the Winklevoss twins, was built from the start with security as its core value. It’s a New York-based exchange regulated by the NYDFS. Its custody solution, Gemini Custody, is used by hedge funds and corporations to store billions in crypto.

Fees range from 0.03% to 3.49%, depending on your payment method and whether you use Gemini Exchange or Gemini Advanced. New users get $20 in Bitcoin if they trade at least $100 within 30 days. No minimum deposit. No hidden fees.

Gemini’s interface is clean and simple, but it lacks the advanced tools of Kraken or Binance. It doesn’t offer futures or margin trading. It’s not for active traders. It’s for people who want to store crypto safely, buy it easily, and know their assets are protected by a regulated entity.

Best for Multi-Asset Trading: Uphold

Uphold isn’t just a crypto exchange. It’s a digital wallet that lets you trade between crypto, stocks, precious metals, and even fiat currencies like USD and EUR-all in one place. It’s like a Swiss bank account for the digital age.

It earned the highest NerdWallet rating in 2025: 4.8/5. Fees are low, between 0.2% and 2.95%. You can start with just $1. There’s no promotional bonus, but you don’t need one. The platform is straightforward, fast, and works globally.

If you want to swap Bitcoin for gold or euros for Ethereum in a single click, Uphold is the only exchange that makes it seamless. It’s not the best for deep trading, but it’s unmatched for flexibility.

What About Robinhood and Interactive Brokers?

Robinhood and Interactive Brokers aren’t crypto-only exchanges-they’re traditional brokers that added crypto trading. Robinhood offers commission-free crypto trades with no account minimum. It’s great if you already use it for stocks. But you can’t withdraw your crypto to an external wallet. You’re locked into their platform.

Interactive Brokers charges up to 1% per trade, but it’s ideal for existing clients who want to add crypto to their portfolio without switching platforms. Both have 4.3/5 ratings, but they’re not full-featured crypto exchanges. They’re add-ons.

How to Choose in 2025

Here’s how to pick:

• If you’re new: Start with Coinbase. It’s simple, safe, and educational.
• If you want to copy pros: Use eToro. CopyTrader is unmatched.
• If you trade often: Go with Binance for low fees and deep markets.
• If you care about security and transparency: Choose Kraken.
• If you want to hold crypto long-term and avoid risk: Gemini is your best bet.
• If you trade crypto, stocks, and metals: Uphold is your all-in-one tool.

Regulation matters more than ever in 2025. Exchanges without U.S. licenses are risky. Even if they offer higher yields, they can vanish overnight. Stick to platforms with clear compliance. They may charge a little more-but you’re paying for peace of mind.

What’s Changing in 2025

The crypto exchange game has evolved. It’s no longer just about buying Bitcoin. Platforms now offer:

• Staking with real APYs (up to 10% on some coins)
• DeFi integration (lending, borrowing, yield farming)
• NFT marketplaces built into the app
• AI-powered trading signals
• Mobile apps that work like stock trading apps

eToro’s Nasdaq listing in May 2025 was a turning point. It proved crypto exchanges can become mainstream financial institutions. More are likely to follow.

The future belongs to exchanges that combine security, regulation, and ease of use-not just low fees. The best platform isn’t the cheapest. It’s the one you can trust for years to come.