Binance.US Crypto Exchange Review: Fees, Staking, and What You Need to Know in 2025

What Is Binance.US?

Binance.US is a U.S.-based cryptocurrency exchange launched in September 2019 to serve American customers who can't use the global Binance platform. It was created as a separate legal company under U.S. law, partnering with BAM Trading Services to meet federal regulations like KYC and AML rules. Unlike Binance.com, which operates globally, Binance.US only serves users in 45 out of 50 states - New York, Texas, Hawaii, and Vermont are blocked due to local crypto laws. This platform is not a copy of the global site. It’s a stripped-down, compliance-focused version built specifically for the U.S. market.

Trading Options and Fees

Binance.US lets you trade over 180 cryptocurrencies and 240 trading pairs. You can swap crypto for USD, EUR, or other digital assets. The platform has three trading interfaces: Instant Buy for quick purchases, Advanced Trading for experienced users, and Staking for earning passive income. The Instant Buy feature is simple - pick a coin, enter the amount, and pay with a bank account or debit card. No charts, no indicators. Just buy.

For those who want more control, Advanced Trading gives you candlestick charts, limit orders, stop-losses, and trailing stops. It’s similar to what you’d find on Kraken or Coinbase Pro, but with lower fees. Trading fees start at 0.40% per trade, but you can get fee-free trades on BTC/USD and ETH/USD pairs if you use Binance.US’s native token, BNB, to pay. That’s a big deal if you trade often. Minimum trade size is just $1 on most pairs, and there’s no minimum account balance. You can start with $5 and still use all the tools.

Staking: One of the Best in the U.S.

Staking is where Binance.US really stands out. You can stake 26 different cryptocurrencies and earn up to 15% annual yield. That’s higher than most U.S. exchanges. For example, staking Ethereum earns around 4.5%, while lesser-known coins like ATOM or SOL can hit 10-15%. You don’t need to lock your coins for long periods - most staking is flexible, meaning you can unstake anytime. Rewards are paid daily and auto-reinvested unless you turn that off.

In March 2025, Binance.US claimed to be the largest staking platform in the U.S., with over $2.1 billion in assets staked by users. If you’re looking to earn crypto without trading, this is one of the few places in America where you can get real returns. Compare that to Coinbase, which offers staking on fewer coins and lower yields - often under 5% for major assets.

Security and How Your Funds Are Protected

Binance.US stores all customer funds in U.S.-based cold wallets. They claim a 1:1 reserve ratio - meaning every coin you hold is backed by an actual coin on their end. Two-factor authentication (2FA) is required, and you can use Google Authenticator or SMS. There’s no biometric login, but the app does support fingerprint and face unlock on mobile.

They don’t insure funds like Coinbase does with FDIC-backed insurance for USD balances. But they do have a $250 million insurance fund for crypto assets, as stated in their 2025 security report. It’s not government-backed, but it’s one of the largest private insurance pools in the industry. Still, the platform has a complicated legal past. In November 2023, they settled with the CFTC for $4.3 million over improper payment processing and lack of registration. That’s not a fine for theft or fraud - it’s for paperwork violations. But it’s a red flag if you’re risk-averse.

How Binance.US Compares to Coinbase and Kraken

Let’s break it down:

Bottom line: If you want the lowest fees and highest staking rewards, Binance.US wins. If you need PayPal deposits or phone support, Coinbase is better. Kraken has lower fees than both but fewer coins and no U.S.-based fiat on-ramp for some states.

What Users Say - Real Feedback

On Trustpilot, 32% of 1,247 reviews from Q3 2024 complained about slow KYC verification - some users waited over 72 hours to get approved. Reddit users in r/BinanceUS report similar delays, especially during market spikes. One user said, “I uploaded my ID on Monday. Got approved Friday. Felt like I was applying for a mortgage.”

But there’s also praise. Mike, a new trader on iOS, said: “So I am new in learning the crypto market and I feel, though this is a good place to start - huge variety of tokens to choose from.” Another user, Ardel, called customer service “Angels” for resolving an issue in under 20 minutes. The AI chatbot and live chat are responsive, but you can’t call them. No phone support. That’s a problem if you’re stuck during a market crash and need someone to talk to.

Another complaint: ACH withdrawals have a $50 minimum. Coinbase lets you withdraw as little as $2. If you’re doing small trades or testing the waters, that’s a hassle.

Who Is Binance.US Really For?

Binance.US isn’t for everyone. If you’re a beginner who wants to buy Bitcoin with PayPal and watch YouTube tutorials, Coinbase is easier. If you want to trade futures, leverage, or margin - skip Binance.US. Those features are banned in the U.S. for now.

But if you’re an active trader who wants:

• Lowest fees in the U.S.
• High-yield staking on dozens of coins
• Fast crypto-to-crypto trading
• A clean, no-fluff interface

Then Binance.US is one of the best options you’ve got. It’s not perfect. The verification is slow. The support is digital-only. And the legal shadow of Binance.com looms large. But for experienced traders who understand the risks, it delivers real value.

What’s Next for Binance.US?

In 2025, Binance.US added 37 new coins, bringing their total to over 180. They’re also pushing hard on staking, claiming to be the #1 platform in the U.S. for it. But their future depends on regulation. The SEC is still investigating major exchanges, and Texas has been hostile to crypto. Expansion into the four blocked states seems unlikely anytime soon.

Industry analysts at Delphi Digital say Binance.US’s survival hinges on staying compliant and keeping fees low. If they lose their license or get hit with another fine, users could flee. But for now, they’re holding strong. With 2.3 million active users and 12% of the U.S. market share, they’re not going away quietly.

Final Thoughts

Binance.US isn’t the easiest crypto exchange to use, but it’s one of the most powerful for active traders. It’s cheaper than Coinbase, offers better staking than Kraken, and has more coins than most U.S. platforms. The downsides - no phone support, slow verification, and regulatory baggage - are real. But if you’re comfortable with those trade-offs, this platform gives you more tools and better returns than almost any other U.S.-based option.

Don’t use it if you need PayPal, instant support, or a super simple app. Do use it if you want to trade, stake, and keep costs low. Just make sure you understand the risks - and keep your private keys safe.