CME Group Leads Forbes 2025’s Top Crypto Exchanges

Forbes has unveiled its third annual ranking of the “Best Crypto Exchanges” for 2025, evaluating over 200 platforms on factors such as security, trading volume, fees, and regulatory compliance, with CME Group taking the top spot.

CME Group, a Chicago-based futures exchange, tops the list for the second consecutive year. Known for offering institutional-grade Bitcoin and ether futures, CME Group’s commitment to high regulatory standards and a staggering $1.4 trillion in crypto trading volume in 2024 earned it the top spot. While access is primarily for institutional investors, the platform’s reliability and security are key to its position.

Second place went to Coinbase, the largest global custodian of Bitcoin, with a massive 2.4 million BTC worth $245 billion under management. Despite its premium fees, Coinbase is praised for its secure reputation and recent expansion efforts, including a Bermuda registration aimed at offshore derivatives trading.

Bitstamp secured third place, with its stability bolstered by an upcoming acquisition by Robinhood, pending board approval. Binance, the world’s largest exchange by trading volume, ranked fourth. Dominating in Europe and BRICS nations, Binance serves 245 million users and handles a daily spot trading volume of $14 billion.

The global cryptocurrency user base reached over 500 million by the end of 2024, with the Asia-Pacific region accounting for the largest share of traders at 160 million, followed by Europe at 134 million and the U.S. and Canada at 56 million. Africa remains the region with the fewest traders, at just 18 million.