Top 6 Crypto Leverage Trading Platforms for 2025

Last updated: Fact Checked Verified against reliable sources and editorial guidelines.

By Anton Palovaara About the author
Anton Palovaara is the founder and chief editor of Leverage.Trading. With 15+ years across equities, forex, and crypto derivatives, he specializes in leverage, margin, and futures markets. His work combines proprietary calculators, independent platform reviews, and the Global Leverage & Risk Report, which are used by thousands of traders worldwide and cited by media like Benzinga and Business Insider.

Founder & Chief Editor

Choosing a leverage-enabled crypto platform requires caution. Leverage can magnify both gains and losses, and most traders underestimate how quickly risk can escalate when markets move against a position.

In this guide, we take a risk-first approach to evaluating the leading crypto leverage platforms available in over 150 countries, including the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and Europe.
Our goal is not to encourage higher leverage, but to help you understand which platforms offer the safest infrastructure, transparent margin rules, stable execution, and reliable risk-management tools.

Every platform listed here has been independently tested, with a focus on:

• margin and liquidation clarity
• execution stability during volatility
• availability of risk controls (SL/TP, isolated margin, auto-deleveraging)
• regulatory presence where applicable
• security layers and platform transparency

This guide highlights the platforms we rated most favorably on overall safety, reliability, and user experience, so you can evaluate leverage-traded products with clearer expectations and protect your capital more effectively.

Many traders start by running example scenarios in our crypto leverage calculator and liquidation price calculator to see how position size, leverage, and entry price affect their liquidation level before choosing a platform.

Key Takeaways

• BYDFi is one of the platforms we found suitable for experienced traders, offering advanced trading tools, clear margin rules, competitive fees, and a FinCEN registration in the U.S. Higher leverage (up to 200x) is not appropriate for most traders and should only be used with a strict risk plan.
• BTCC provides flexible leverage on selected major pairs and includes demo trading plus automatic margin adjustment tools to help manage risk. High leverage (up to 500x) available on select pairs but is not suitable for most users.
• Phemex is a viable option for mobile-focused traders thanks to its user-friendly app, fast fiat deposit options, and flexible leverage settings for derivatives trading.
• The tests we conducted to find the top-performing platforms are our own and based on hands-on reviews of 50 crypto exchanges offering leveraged products.
• Leverage is always optional. Most traders are safer using low or moderate leverage, together with strict risk controls and clear liquidation limits.

List of top-rated crypto leverage trading platforms

1. BYDFi

Why we picked it +

BYDFi is one of the few crypto leverage trading platforms available to U.S. users that combines regulatory oversight with high leverage availability, no-KYC onboarding, and consistently stable execution in our tests. While it offers tools that can appeal to active traders, newer users should generally start with demo trading or low/no leverage.

I’ve traded on BYDFi since 2022 as part of our testing, and it has remained one of the platforms we monitor most closely for U.S. leverage access.

★★★★★ Our rating: 5.0/5

• Best for: Experienced traders in the U.S., altcoin scalping
• 200x leverage available on multiple crypto pairs(for experience traders only)
• No KYC required to open an account
• Regulated by FinCEN in the U.S.
• Supports 400+ altcoins with margin and futures options

Tested personally with $100k+ order sizes during live trading

Pros

• Low trading fees (0.05% market order)
• Quick account setup
• Highly liquid order book for large trades
• Cross and isolated margin options
• Modern UI with TradingView charts

Cons

• No live phone support
• No crypto news feed inside platform
• Interface not localized in all exotic languages

Go to BYDFi ↗

* High leverage increases both potential gains and risks. Use responsibly.

2. BTCC

Why we picked it: +

BTCC offers some of the highest leverage levels for crypto futures in the U.S., up to 500x, which is not suited for most traders. It maintains low fees and full access for U.S. and Canadian traders.

It’s licensed in the U.S., Canada, and Europe, supports both USDT and Coin-M perpetuals, and includes demo and copy trading tools. I was personally impressed by the fast order execution, liquidation price tracker, and the way the platform automatically switches to isolated margin at high leverage — a unique risk-management feature I haven’t seen elsewhere.

★★★★★ Our rating: 4.8/5

• Best for: Experienced traders who already understand liquidation mechanics
• Up to 500x leverage on BTC, ETH, DOGE, XRP(for advanced traders who use strict risk management)
• Licensed in US, Canada, Europe
• No KYC required for leverage trading
• Built-in demo trading & copy trading tools

Tested with real funds and verified during periods of high volatility

Pros

• Offers up to 500x leverage (extremely high risk; not suitable for most traders)
• Fast execution engine
• USDT and Coin-M contracts available
• Risk-adjusted margin auto-switching
• Copy trading + demo mode

Cons

• Very high-risk trading environment
• Fewer fiat payment methods than competitors
• No phone support
• Limited customized visual themes

Go to BTCC ↗

* Leverage over 100x is extremely risky and should only be used by experienced traders.

3. Phemex

Why we picked it: +

Phemex is a derivatives platform that offers up to 100x leverage for short-term trading, particularly for mobile users. In our tests, execution remained stable at moderate and higher volumes.

During testing, I found the liquidity stable and execution reliable even on $100K positions. The advanced trading engine performs in-trade risk analysis to protect user accounts — a smart move that enables faster trading during volatility. It also includes copy trading, flexible UI, and a demo account to practice.

★★★★★ Our rating: 4.7/5

• Best for: Day traders and mobile-first scalpers
• Up to 100x leverage with cross & isolated margin
• Fiat deposits via card, Apple Pay, bank transfer
• In-chart risk checks to protect trades
• Customizable UI with multi-chart layouts and fast toggles

Tested with real funds and verified for fast execution even during market spikes

Pros

• Extensive tools for day traders
• Demo account included
• Credit card & Apple Pay support
• Fast and customizable trading interface
• Strong order execution performance

Cons

• Non-regulated platform
• Advanced tools may take time to learn
• Not available in the US or Canada

Go to Phemex ↗

* Always use leverage with caution. Risk management is essential for long-term success.

4. Binance

Why we picked it: +

Binance is one of the largest altcoin derivatives exchanges, with high trading volumes and a wide range of trading pairs. It is widely used globally by traders who need low fees, deep liquidity, and a broad toolset, but it also operates under ongoing regulatory scrutiny in several regions.

We picked Binance because of its sheer dominance in crypto derivatives — especially for altcoins — and its high trading volume. During testing, we found Binance stable when opening and closing large positions. The platform also offers bracketed leverage tiers and advanced safety features to manage user risk more intelligently.

★★★★★ Our rating: 4.6/5

• Best for: Altcoin leverage trading
• Up to 125x leverage with auto-adjusting tiers
• High liquidity across 600+ trading pairs
• Advanced UI with beginner-friendly modes
• Multiple security features like withdrawal whitelist

Trusted by millions and used globally with consistently high trading volume

Pros

• High leverage available for Bitcoin derivatives (not suitable for most beginners)
• High volume and great liquidity
• Easy to use for beginners
• Advanced security settings
• Vast selection of altcoins

Cons

• Non-regulated
• Withdrawal fees are expensive
• U.S. restrictions apply
• Requires KYC for full access to high leverage

Visit Binance ↗

* Always use leverage with caution. Risk management is essential for long-term success.

5. PrimeXBT

Why we picked it: +

PrimeXBT is a high-leverage trading platform offering up to 200x on crypto and 1000x on other assets which is not suited for beginners due to the high risk. Known for its fast execution and a powerful 4-chart trading interface, it is frequently used by high-volume traders, according to public volume data and our own testing.

We picked PrimeXBT for its unique combo of multi-asset leverage, ASIC regulation, and an interface that supports serious active trading. U.S. traders are welcome, and the cold storage setup plus no-KYC access adds to its appeal for more advanced users.

★★★★★ Our rating: 4.5/5

• Best for: Advanced crypto traders
• Up to 200x leverage on BTC, 1000x on other markets (only suited for experienced traders due to the increased risk)
• Regulated by ASIC (Australian regulator)
• Powerful 4-chart interface for pro traders
• Fast execution with deep liquidity

Built for serious traders with strong security and fast order matching in our tests

Pros

• Supports high-volume trading on leveraged products, but this significantly increases risk and is only appropriate for experienced users.
• Regulated by the Australian government
• Flagship 4-chart interface with direct chart trading
• Offers access to high leverage on both crypto and traditional assets (which significantly increases risk)
• No KYC required under $20,000 withdrawal

Cons

• Interface may be difficult for complete beginners
• Limited altcoin selection
• Occasional lag in chart interface

Visit PrimeXBT ↗

* Always use leverage with caution. Risk management is essential for long-term success.

6. Bybit

Why we picked it: +

Bybit is a large crypto derivatives exchange offering a broad selection of contracts, tools, and liquidity for active traders.

We picked Bybit because of its top-tier liquidity, low fees, and powerful charting interface. It is commonly used by active traders who need precision tools, flexible leverage options, and a high-performance interface.

★★★★★ Our rating: 4.5/5

• Best for: Active crypto day traders
• Up to 125x leverage on select BTC/USDC pairs
• High liquidity across all perpetual markets
• Professional-grade interface with real stop-loss
• Advanced charting tools and margin customization

Bybit combines powerful tools with some of the strongest liquidity in the crypto industry

Pros

• Real stop-loss and take-profit support
• High liquidity for many perpetual contracts
• Advanced trading interface oriented toward day traders
• Up to 125x leverage available on BTC/USDC (high risk; inappropriate for most beginners)
• Advanced charting and margin control

Cons

• Non-regulated platform
• No demo account for new users

Visit Bybit ↗

* Always use leverage with caution. Risk management is essential for long-term success.

Note: Some of the platforms listed above are our partners. Our Affiliate Disclosure explains how we stay independent.

Platform comparison table

Below is how we have compared all the platforms:

1. BYDFi Review

Ranks number 1 of 5 with a rating of 5.0/5.

Overview

BYDFi, established in 2020, is a crypto leverage trading platform known for its FinCEN registration in the U.S. and user-friendly interface.

The platform features over 400 altcoins and many of them are available to trade with leverage.

As well, there is no requirement to go through the KYC process when you sign up which makes the registration quick and easy.

In addition to this, BYDFI offers several different products to trade cryptocurrencies, including COIN-M pairs, Perpetual futures contracts, USDT-M futures, and Inverse perpetual contracts.

If you want to compare platforms with different crypto contracts, see our crypto contract exchanges guide.

In August 2023, BYDFi integrated Alchemy Pay as an on and off-ramp for crypto investors who want to either deposit or withdraw with fiat money.

Keep in mind that BYDFi also offers leverage trading through their demo account, where you can test out your most effective strategy before going live with real money.

At a glance, BYDFi is a regulated crypto exchange that offers leverage in the US and globally, has a strong trading platform, and has a wide range of trading options for all types of traders.

Leverage on BYDFi

BYDFi supports adjustable leverage on selected pairs, with a maximum of 200x (which increases the risk and is not suited for beginners), and traders can change their leverage settings directly in the trading interface.

The screenshot below shows exactly where to change the colalteral inside the trading platform.

Simply click the button and then choose your preferred ratio.

For beginners, lower leverage (for example 2x–5x) is usually safer, and many new traders are better off starting with no leverage at all. Higher leverage magnifies both gains and losses and is generally more appropriate only for experienced traders with a strict risk plan.

Security

BYDFi is regulated in the US as a Money Service Business which gives me a feeling of security knowing that one of the biggest watchdogs is looking over their shoulder.

Few established platforms in the United States offer leverage-traded products and BYDFi is trying to break the barrier safely.

Other important security features include 2-FA, email verification, fund password, and other advanced safety measures such as withdrawal address whitelisting and phone number verification.

All of these security features are not enabled when you first sign up.

You have to go to the security page as you can see on the screenshot below to enable these features.

Once you enter the security page you can toggle on each feature.

In my experience trading on BYDFi, I’ve always used the Google authenticator to protect the account against immediate threats.

Enabling the withdrawal address whitelist is also a great way to make sure that your funds can only be withdrawn to your wallet addresses.

Trading fees

One of BYDFi’s standout features is its low trading fees, making it a competitive choice for leveraged trading.

The leverage trading fee on BYDFi is 0.050% when using market orders.

This goes for both opening and closing trades.

Check the explanation that BYDFi gives on its trading fee page:

Now, the transaction fee for leveraged tokens on BYDFi is slightly higher at 0.20%.

This has to do with the lowered ratios offered through these contracts.

BYDFi also charges a management fee of 0.03% every day at midnight.

This means that a total value of 0.03% of all leveraged positions will be charged from your trading account every day you keep positions open overnight.

Liquidity and order execution

BYDFi has an order book that has high liquidity which is a huge plus and it lets you trade very large positions even if you are a scalp trader.

During our testing, we managed to easily enter and exit with position sizes worth over $100,000.

Here is a screenshot from the live order book at BYDFi in the COIN-M futures contracts.

The first buy order is worth $118,480 and the first sell order is worth $59,892.

The spread in this trading pair was $0.20 which stayed the same and even lower during our assessment of BYDFi.

This is a very favorable spread.

User interface and available trading tools

BYDFi strikes me as one of the most modern exchanges and my experience is that the designers of the platform are traders themselves.

The charting interface is distributed with the indicator tab to the left and the order execution and order book to the right.

The charting interface is powered by TradingView charts which ensures charts are 100% free from lag.

Here is a screenshot of the whole trading interface.

The feature that stood out to me while analyzing the BYDFi platform was the option to convert, transfer, or buy crypto directly from the charting interface.

In the bottom right corner of the trading platform, you can swap, buy crypto with fiat money, or convert your cryptocurrency for any other asset on the platform without leaving your trading setup.

The option to go long and short can be done with just one click once you have entered the charting interface.

Another thing I found very useful is the option to choose between cross and isolated margin.

The difference between leveraging your trades with cross and isolated margin is how the crypto leverage trading platform can access your collateralcolla capital.

Isolated margin is the safer option and keeps the collateral capital limited to one position only to prevent a full account liquidation by leverage.

Pros and cons

2. BTCC Review

Ranks number 2 out of 6 with a rating of 4.8/5.

Overview

BTCC, a leader crypto leverage exchange established in 2011, is one of the longest-serving platforms in the industry.

This is all for good reasons because BTCC is licensed in the US, Canada, and Europe, allowing traders from nearly any country to sign up and trade.

With flexible leverage settings for major pairs, competitive fees, and a well-structured trading interface, BTCC scored highly in our testing.

Some of the most popular contracts traded on BTCC are crypto perpetual contracts denominated in USDT and Coin-M perpetual crypto pairs denominated in other cryptocurrencies, all available for traders in the US and Canada.

On top of this range of products, BTCC also offers copy trading and a risk-free demo platform for beginner traders where strategy testing and platform testing are highly popular.

Leverage on BTCC

BTCC is known for offering a wide range of leverage options on major contracts, with higher settings (up to 500x) reserved for experienced traders and available only on selected pairs.

To be able to trade with this type of collateral on the platform you should visit the perpetual market and look for either BTC, ETH, DOGE, or XRP which are the offered cryptocurrencies for this type of leverage.

Keep in mind that the platform is restricting these ratios to certain days and it is not available on the platform at all times.

In the screenshot below which I took while trading on the platform, you can see how to change your margin in the trading interface:

Click the highlighted bar and choose the leverage ratio you want.

BTCC has an inbuilt risk management tool that automatically switches from crossed margin to isolated margin when you increase the ratio. If you are interested in comparing exchanges that offer different margin settings we have a full guide on crypto exchanges for margin trading.

This is to protect your account from using up all the funds you have deposited in case one of your trades goes wrong.

This is a premium feature that I like and I haven’t seen it on other similar platforms.

Security

BTCC is very focused on security and through the account security page, you can choose to activate several different features to improve the safety of your trading.

First of all, the exchange will ask you to identify yourself by going through the KYC process.

However, this is not a requirement, you can trade crypto with leverage without KYC on BTCC if you wish to be anonymous.

Here are some of the important security tools I found on the exchange while doing the review:

Listed above are:

• Your password
• Mobile phone binding
• Email address
• Google Authenticator
• Fund password
• Withdrawal address whitelist

These protocols will help you protect your account against most threats and I highly suggest that you activate all of them, especially the Google Authenticator.

This makes BTCC a highly secure crypto leverage trading platform for US and Canadian traders.

Trading fees

Let’s go through all there is to know about trading fees on BTCC.

The platform does not differentiate on spot trading and crypto contract trading and has therefore chosen to use the same fee structure for all trading, which I think is a good idea.

Below is a screenshot of the fee table I found while reviewing the exchange:

Trading fees on BTCC start at 0.045% for takers (market orders) and 0.025% for markers (limit orders) and scale down from here depending on your trading volume.

The trading fee is greatly reduced with volume which is something that favors traders who trade large position sizes which is easy to do on BTCC thanks to the high leverage ratios.

This fee structure is designed for active traders with higher monthly volume. However, using high leverage carries substantial risk, and many traders are better off using moderate leverage and focusing on position sizing.

This will reduce your trading fee by 0.010% for market orders and 0.015% for limit orders which is a big deal in terms of how much money you stand to save.

You can also decrease your trading fees by keeping a high value in your trading account. For example, if you deposit $50,000, you’ll be rewarded the first VIP level without trading.

Trading interface and tools

The most interesting part of the BTCC exchange is the trading interface and the tools it offers.

The exchange is made for both beginners and advanced traders and offers a full suite of trading tools such as:

• TradingView charts
• Stop loss/Take profit orders
• Demo trading
• Copy trading
• Live order book
• Live order history
• Tightest Bid Price

Below is a screenshot of the trading interface on BTCC that I took while reviewing the platform:

The features that stood out to me were the estimated liquidation price tracker which tracks your liquidation price live.

This is a great risk management tool that most other competitors don’t offer.

Your risk ratio is also indicated on a per-position basis which means that the platform will calculate your total risk ratio for all the open positions, which greatly reduces the risk.

BTCC does of course all the technical tools you might need including all technical indicators which can be located at the top of the TradingView chart.

While I was doing my test-trading on BTCC, I found that the order-matching engine was faster than platforms like Bybit and Binance, this impressed me.

It seems like the team behind the exchange has focused on making execution efficient during volatile periods, which helps active traders reduce slippage when opening and closing positions.

The latency was also phenomenal, I didn’t experience any type of lag while trading, even during periods of high volatility, so creds to the BTCC team for optimizing the interface for high-speed trading.

Pros and Cons

3. Phemex Review

Ranks number 3 out of 6 with a rating of 4.7/5.

Overview

Phemex is a reliable crypto leverage platform for traders who want access to derivatives with adjustable leverage and a strong mobile trading experience. Its straightforward interface and versatile trading tools make it a strong contender for leverage trading.

On Phemex you can make your deposits with fiat money in an instant using credit cards, debit cards, Apple Pay, Bank Transfer, and several other minor payment methods.

The exchange stands out as a modern platform with plenty of trading tools for traders who want more control over how they structure their positions and manage risk.

Phemex is headquartered in Singapore making it a global exchange and is registered as a Money Service Business in the United States which adds to its legitimacy.

The platform offers a large variety of tools for short-term scalpers or day traders through advanced charting interfaces, stop losses, take profit orders, and a lightning-fast order matching engine.

The order book is always full of liquidity which is good for users since there will always be someone on the buy and the sell side to meet your trade.

Leverage on Phemex

Phemex offers perpetual crypto contracts with up to 100x leverage.

You can access these contracts by first allocating a small percentage of your capital as a fiat or cryptocurrency deposit.

On the Phemex leverage page, they explain how they adjust their liquidation price based on the level of leverage, and the more buying power you use the smaller the distance between your entry price and the liquidation price

The leverage is available through both cross and isolated collateral which gives traders different options on how they want to allocate their account balance.

Security

See the image below for a detailed description of the Phemex security page.

In addition to this, Phemex operates with a trading engine safety protocol to match clients’ orders based on price and time.

This engine is responsible for doing a quick risk analysis of the trading account of each trader.

These checks include:

• Costs
• Fees
• PNL
• Computing in real-time

This is to make sure that no trader is taking on too much risk without being fully aware of the situation.

I found it very useful when I tested the Phemex exchange as it enables for up to 10x faster trading even in volatile market conditions.

Trading fees on Phemex

Phemex offers fees of 0.06% for takers without VIP status.

The market fee is slightly cheaper at 0.01%.

As your trading volume increases the trading fee gets reduced according to this table taken from the Phemex fee page.

Below is a screenshot of the Phemex fee page to illustrate the costs.

The lowest possible fee you can acquire through the VIP system is 0.0325%.

In comparison to other competitors, it’s rather cheap.

Liquidity and order execution

The liquidity on Phemex is slightly lower than other competitors.

However, when conducting live testing on the platform, I found now problem entering and exiting the market with $100,000 lots.

Below is a screenshot from the Phemex order book from when I analyzed the liquidity.

During my testing period, there was a bullish pressure in the market which can be seen in the buy side of the order book.

The first buy block was worth roughly 12 Bitcoins which is not a low number by any means.

Throughout the trading session, it stayed stable at around 12 to 15 Bitcoins on both sides of the order book meaning.

In our testing, we could enter and exit positions of up to around $400,000 without noticeable slippage, although conditions can change during extreme volatility.

User interface and available trading tools

The charting interface is very manageable and there are different options when it comes to the layout of the chart.

You can choose between having the chart on the right or the left side with the order selection and order book on the opposite side.

It’s also possible to deactivate parts of the trading interface.

For example, if you would like to disable the recent trades box to open up more space, that’s an option.

In the image below, I’ve highlighted the stop loss, take profit, and the drawing tool area that I used when assessing the platform.

A tip that will help you along the way that I used frequently was the advanced option below the Open Long and Open Short buttons.

This will open up a new tab where you can choose between more order types such as GTC, IOC, and FOK.

Pros and cons

4. Binance Review

Ranks number 4 out of 6 with a rating of 4.6/5.

Overview

Binance is known as the most popular platform to trade derivatives, especially for altcoins, thanks to over 600 coins listed on the platform, where many of them are available to trade with leverage.

With high daily trading volume and hundreds of listed cryptocurrencies, Binance is a popular platform for traders who want access to a wide range of altcoins and derivatives. Leverage is available but should be used with caution, especially on volatile assets.

It is seen as one of the most trusted non-regulated exchanges on the market and it has won several awards.

A small setback for the giant was that in 2020, FCA from the UK banned crypto platforms from offering crypto-derivatives to UK investors which shrunk the overall client base by a couple of millions.

However, the platform often gets recognized by its users on community forums such as Reddit where a user explains why he likes Binance, particularly due to the ease of use.

Binance supports several different fiat payment methods and pretty much all major currencies which makes depositing super easy.

The exchange is only about 5 years old and was first launched back in 2017 during the big bull run when Bitcoin hit $20k for the first time.

Binance is used by both beginners and experienced traders thanks to its range of assets, relatively low fees, and advanced charting interface. Beginners should focus on understanding spot trading and risk management before using any leverage features.

Leverage on Binance

Third on our list is Binance which offers a maximum ratio of 1:125.

Binance has a positioning bracket that prevents traders from overleveraging.

It works by lowering the ratio when traders take larger and larger sizes.

This makes sense since the risks of leverage increase the risk of loss.

Below is an image of the positioning bracket and how much buying power you are allowed to use for each position size.

I have highlighted the leverage bracket to showcase how the ratio changes as you increase your position.

The rule is different for every asset which has to do with the individual volatility of each coin.

As I was assessing the platform, I found this very useful, especially when trading larger trades.

Security

The security is very strong on Binance and is considered one of the safest non-regulated platforms which is why I’ve been using their services for the past 5 years, it makes me feel safe knowing that my coins are stored offline and my account is protected.

Through their security page, you can enable several different security features that will instantly protect your account against outside threats.

Except for all the standard security features such as 2FA verification codes and phone number verification, Binance also offers advanced safety features as seen in the screenshot below.

I have circled the withdrawal whitelist option because I think it’s a very useful tool to prevent hackers from ever leaving the platform with your funds.

The third-party account connection is also a very useful feature that I used when I analyzed the platform.

It lets you connect Binance to either your Apple ID or your Google account for an extra security layer.

Binance also adheres to strict KYC and AML rules and all traders are obligated to identify themselves before starting.

Trading fees

Binance has a complex trading fee structure, but competitive, that traders should be aware of as you can see below.

I’ve highlighted the trading fee I used when I was testing the platform which was in the USDS-M trading.

Depending on your chosen market you will be given a certain transaction fee.

For example, USDS-M pairs on Binance have a basic trading fee of 0.04% for taker trades.

However, if you choose to trade with the native coin BNB there is a 10% cut to the rate.

Additionally, if you trade with the native stablecoin on Binance called BUSD, your fee for opening trades as a market taker is 0.03%.

Liquidity and order execution

Liquidity on Binance is as good as it gets and it is currently ranked as the crypto exchange with good volume.

In our testing, liquidity on Binance made it straightforward to open and close larger positions, although traders still need to be cautious with position sizing and leverage during volatile markets.

When testing the platform I could easily scalp trade the BTCUSDT perpetual contract with $100.000.

Here is a screenshot from the order book liquidity.

As seen above, the first buy order is worth $21,766 and the first sell order is worth $185,380.

User interface and available trading tools

Binance is very easy to navigate and a great choice for beginners thanks to the several different interfaces they offer.

The trading interface looks different the most other platforms.

Binance has chosen to include a smaller chart from TradingView while focusing on the order book and the market trades.

All necessary trading tools are available such as:

• All timeframes
• Trading indicators
• Open orders in the chart
• Depth chart
• Limit, market, and stop-limit orders
• Access to all trading pairs

Something that Binance also has incorporated into its trading interface is a beginner tutorial video that I watched before I started testing the exchange features.

It’s professionally made and will teach you the basics of the platform.

Where to trade altcoins with leverage?

Several exchanges, including Binance, offer derivatives on altcoins with adjustable leverage. Because altcoins are highly volatile, using leverage on them is especially risky and should generally be reserved for experienced traders.

Altcoin trading works the same way as any other cryptocurrency that you can find on the platform.

In general, trading altcoins with leverage goes like this:

1. Open an account with a reputable exchange that offers derivatives on the altcoins you want to trade.
2. Make an initial deposit that you can afford to lose.
3. Navigate to the derivatives or futures section and select your chosen altcoin pair.
4. Choose a conservative leverage level and define your position size.
5. Set clear stop-loss and take-profit levels and check your liquidation price.
6. Monitor your trade closely and be prepared to reduce or close exposure if volatility spikes.

Monitor your trade and make sure you keep an eye on the liquidation price of the open position.

Pros and cons

5. PrimeXBT Review

Ranks number 4 out of 6 with a rating of 4.5/5.

Overview

PrimeXBT is a crypto leverage platform that offers adjustable leverage for both crypto and traditional markets, together with a fast trading interface aimed at active, experienced traders.

Regulated by the Australian government agency ASIC, PrimeXBT is considered to be a highly secure platform in Australia.

The platform is built for fast-paced traders that move large volumes several times per day and order execution is the top-performing process on the platform.

The most popular coins to trade on PrimeXBT are Bitcoin and Ethereum making it a great platform to trade Ethereum with leverage.

I consider the platform to be an advanced choice for more experienced traders as the charging interface can be a little bit intimidating.

Leverage ratios

Each crypto asset has its ratio which can be seen on this page.

The max ratio for each asset can be seen on the right-hand side after you click Crypto in the top tab as seen on this screenshot.

PrimeXBT offers a maximum buying power of 1:200 in Bitcoin trading and a minimum of 1:10 in smaller crypto assets that are more volatile.

Security

On this platform, you can trade derivatives without mandatory KYC up to certain limits, which may appeal to privacy-focused traders but also requires extra care around account security.

PrimeXBT has a withdrawal limit of $20.000 per day.

Other safety features on the platform include:

• Email notifications of sign-in, trade liquidations, trade margin calls
• Google Authenticator
• Government regulation by ASIC

It is considered a safe and trustworthy platform according to many reviews I read online.

Additional security features that are worth mentioning are SSL protection to protect your data and a cold storage Bitcoin wallet.

Trading fees

PrimeXBT is one of the top choices due to its low fee structure.

Leveraged trading fees are favorable on PrimeXBT and start at 0.05%.

There is a financing fee of 0.0167% that is charged for every trader who holds their positions overnight.

This goes for both long and short positions.

Below is a summary of the trading fees on PrimeXBT.

It’s worth mentioning that PrimeXBT notifies that their trading hours are always 24/7 for cryptocurrencies.

Liquidity and order execution

PrimeXBT operates with a market-making system that allows for uninterrupted trading no matter how large your trades are.

This is one of the big perks of leverage trading cryptocurrencies on this platform.

Traders who want to size up and trade larger positions will have no problem getting in and out of the market, even during high-volatility periods.

The order matching engine on PrimeXBT is of the latest technology and has so far proven to be error-free during our assessment of the platform.

User interface and available trading tools

PrimeXBT offers a great trading interface and their flagship 4-chart trading platform is what attracts most users.

The multi-chart offers an overview of four different assets at different timeframes.

You can also buy and sell directly inside the chart giving you control over several different assets at the same time as seen in the image below.

This is a great trading tool for traders who are managing several positions at the same time and I don’t know any other platform that offers this feature.

You can also change the market and trading pair directly from the top of the chart.

All charts come built-in with market volume.

Should you want to focus on one chart at a time you can do that by clicking the Trade button in the top left corner.

From here you have more trading tools at your disposal such as all trade indicators, different chart styles, and drawing tools that are not offered in the multi-chart.

Pros and cons

6. Bybit Review

Ranks number 6 out of 6 with a rating of 4.6/5.

Overview

Bybit is a well-known crypto derivatives exchange, launched in 2018, that offers options and perpetual contracts with adjustable leverage for a wide range of traders.

Recent data from Kaiko said that Bybit grew from 1% to 9% market share in 2023, making it one of the largest crypto exchanges to offer high leverage.

With over 10 million users, Bybit has become a household name on the cryptocurrency scene due to the vast variety of trading assets and products.

These assets range from options trading products to spot and investment-like vehicles.

Many reviews about Bybit in community forums often praise the platform for evolving with the crypto market and shaping the crypto landscape.

What caught my attention when testing the Bybit platform was the professional-grade trading and matching engine, which makes day trading favorable.

Also, the competitive fees for both maker and taker transactions are among the lowest in the industry.

Leverage on Bybit

The Bybit crypto exchange offers 100x leverage which can be accessed through the derivatives contract BTC USDC Perpetual.

This contract is only trading Bitcoin against USDC and is the only way to access 125x on Bybit.

The rest of the contracts offer up to 100x leverage and can be found in the USDT perpetual, USDC contracts, and Inverse perpetual contracts.

As you can see on the screenshot below taken during the testing of Bybit, the exchange also offers both cross and isolated margin.

The arrow points to the bar where you can change the leverage ratio directly from the charting interface.

And in the top right corner is where you access the panel to swap between cross or isolated margin.

When choosing your position size and how much money to borrow on Bybit, using their liquidation price calculator to see where your liquidation price is before entering the position is a way of controlling your risk.

This feature can be found just to the right of the panel in the top right corner of the charting interface.

Security

Bybit is a very secure crypto options exchange even though the platform lacks government regulation.

Through their account security page, you have the option to enable several features to strengthen the overall safety of your account.

The fund password requires a password to move and transfer funds on the platform which prevents hackers from ever withdrawing your funds.

The SMS authentication feature is also very strong since you need to have access to your own mobile phone to make changes or send funds off the exchange.

The third security feature that I found very useful when analyzing the security of Bybit was the withdrawal address manager setting. Here you can save withdrawal addresses which will be treated as special addresses. Only these saved addresses can be used for a withdrawal, protecting you from potential attackers who would make withdrawals to their own wallet addresses.

I highly recommend enabling as many of these safety features to ensure that your account is 100% secure.

Trading fees

Bybit employs a trading fee system that rewards higher trading volume.

When you first join the platform you will start as a non-VIP member and your taker fee rate is 0.06% for leverage trading.

As you gradually increase your trading volume the trading fee starts falling.

The image below explains the full transaction table on Bybit taken from their website.

I have highlighted the leveraged contract fees in blue.

Liquidity and order execution

As a major leverage exchange competing with other large platforms on liquidity, Bybit generally maintains a high level of depth across many markets, which helps with order execution.

Even trades who trade large volumes will not have any problems with getting in or out of their traders at any time of the day.

Take a look at this image of the order book from Bybit.

The first sell order in the BTCUSDT trading pair in the Perpetual contract pit is worth 42 Bitcoins.

The first buy order is worth over 17 Bitcoins.

These numbers get even higher during high-volume periods during the day.

I found that between 08.00 and 10.00 European time was the period with the highest volume.

The period with the second-highest volume came in at around 15.30 in the afternoon when the American trading session started.

User interface and available tools

Bybit has an advanced toolbox when it comes to trading tools through its trading interface.

Here are some of the tools for active traders that I used when I tested the platform.

• Trendlines
• Pitchforks
• Brush
• Indicators (50+)
• Fib retracement lines
• Gann fan
• Parallel channels

This and plenty more are available through all charting interfaces on the Bybit exchange.

As I was analyzing the charting interface I took a screenshot to highlight some of the more important tools, take a look below.

Highlighted in the image are the toolset to the far left, the order selections in the top right corner, and the take profit and stop loss setting above the buy and sell buttons.

These tools are what make Bybit one of the optimal choices for traders with different trading styles.

Pros and cons

The benefits and drawbacks of this platform are based on our own testing of the Bybit exchange.

What is crypto leverage trading?

Crypto leverage trading is a method where traders borrow funds to increase their position size in the market.

This strategy can lead to higher returns due to the amplified position size. However, the potential risks grow proportionally, as losses are also multiplied.

Leverage trading can be highly profitable when executed at the right time, but it remains a risky approach since the capital used is always at stake.

When using a high ratio in crypto trading it means that you are borrowing money on your margin collateral up to 100x of your initial deposit and sometimes more.

As with any leverage product, you have two parts to your trades:

• Margin capital = Your own money
• Leverage = The money borrowed from your broker

In a nutshell, when trading crypto with a multiplier you are essentially multiplying your account size with the chosen credit, for example, 1:100.

At 100x leverage, your potential profits and losses are greatly increased which calls for razor-sharp risk management to avoid large losses.

Both your wins and losses are amplified 100 times.

For example, if you were to trade Bitcoin with $500 without leverage and you scored an 11% profit, this would result in a $55 profit.

If you instead traded the same Bitcoin contract with a multiplier, let’s say 100x, your profit would be 100 times larger, $5500.

How does crypto leverage trading work?

Crypto leverage works the same way as it does in other financial markets where you need a broker that offers derivatives trading such as CFD, ETF, Swaps, or Futures. These contracts carry margin that will increase your position size.

The only thing you need to access leveraged products is the initial deposit which can either be deposited as cryptocurrencies or fiat currency.

Once your initial deposit is in your account you are free to choose from all the different products that are offered by the operator and open positions your chosen coin.

The added buying power you get when trading comes from backup funds that the owner provides. These funds are not yours to keep and you will only have access to them while you have an active position open in the market.

Once the position is closed, the borrowed funds are returned to the broker and the difference in profits and losses are split among you.

What the broker earns is the trading fee which is also increased due to the increased position size, you can read more about fees and commissions further down on this page.

When you make a profit with a leveraged position in crypto you either earn profits directly in the coin you are trading, for example, XRP, or you will get rewarded USDT which is a common stable coin that many traders use.

Pros and cons

Choosing a crypto leverage trading platform can significantly impact your trading experience, but like any tool, it comes with its advantages and drawbacks. Below, I’ll cover most important points to help you understand what works and what doesn’t when trading with leverage.

Pros

1. Maximize your wins: This is something many traders overlook as they chase profits without focusing on efficiency. In trading, perfect setups are rare. When they appear, leveraging your position allows you to extract the maximum potential from those opportunities, ensuring you make the most of ideal market conditions.
2. Accelerate account growth: For new or intermediate traders, growing an account can feel like an uphill battle. While leverage won’t magically turn a $500 account into $250,000 overnight, it amplifies the returns on profitable trades, providing the momentum needed to scale your capital faster.
3. Expand your portfolio: One of the underrated benefits of leverage is the ability to trade more assets without requiring additional capital. Even at a 1:10 ratio, you can diversify your investments across multiple cryptocurrencies, reducing risk while maintaining exposure to a broader market range.
4. Lower your risk per trade: Most traders fixate on the profit potential of leverage and forget its risk-reducing aspect. With leverage, you can allocate less leverage per trade, effectively minimizing the capital at risk. A balanced ratio, such as 1:2 or 1:5, keeps your liquidation levels manageable (between 50% and 20%) while still enabling significant trading power.
5. Low capital requirement: Instead of needing a significant upfront investment, traders can start with smaller amounts and still open large leveraged positions. This accessibility makes leverage particularly appealing for beginners or those testing new strategies, as it allows them to explore the market’s potential without overcommitting funds.

Cons

1. High risk of liquidation: While leverage can amplify gains, it also magnifies losses. A small market movement against your position can result in a complete liquidation of your funds. Use our liquidation calculator to figure your your liquidation levels to manage risk.
2. Risk of unlimited losses: While not all brokers operate this way, some lack safeguards to protect against losses exceeding your account balance. This means you could potentially lose more than you have. Always ensure your broker offers negative balance protection to avoid this serious issue. With crypto leverage trading, the risks differ from forex or stocks, as many platforms include built-in protection—make sure yours does.
3. Underestimating leverage: Leverage often gives new traders a false sense of security, especially if their early trades are successful. Adding more credit to your positions after a few wins might seem like a natural progression, but it dramatically increases risk. For example, jumping from a 1:5 leverage ratio to 1:20 significantly lowers your liquidation threshold, leaving you vulnerable to rapid losses. Without careful planning, your account could be wiped out in seconds.
4. Greed can take over: It’s easy to fall into the trap of greed when you see big wins with leveraged positions. The thrill of consistent, sizable gains can create the illusion that trading is effortless, leading to overconfidence. This mindset often results in poor decision-making and an inability to stick to a disciplined strategy.
5. Overtrading: The promise of quick profits can push traders into a cycle of overtrading. The temptation to chase one big win after another is strong, but this approach often backfires. Increased position sizes come with higher fees, which quickly erode your trading capital. Without restraint, overtrading can leave your account drained faster than you expect.

Some other platforms that are worth mentioning for beginners looking for leveraged trading include Coinbase, Kraken, Bitstamp, KuCoin, and HTX. While they each cater to different types of traders, they all offer leveraged trading features in some capacity.

Coinbase

Coinbase is one of the most beginner-friendly platforms in the crypto space. While its standard platform doesn’t offer leverage, Coinbase Advanced Trade provides limited leverage trading options for eligible users. It’s a solid choice if you’re just starting out and want a secure, regulated platform. However, if high leverage is a priority, you’ll need to look elsewhere.

Kraken

Kraken is a well-established exchange that supports up to 5x leverage on spot trading and more on leverage trading. It’s a good middle ground between ease of use and advanced features, making it ideal for traders who want to explore leveraged trading without diving into overly complex derivatives markets.

Is crypto leverage trading allowed in the USA?

Yes, crypto leverage trading is allowed in the USA, as long as you trade on platforms that comply with US regulations. The key is to use an exchange that is properly registered and follows the legal framework set by regulatory bodies like the CFTC and SEC.

However, not all exchanges can offer leverage trading to US traders. Many international platforms, such as Binance, Bybit, and OKX, restrict US users due to regulatory compliance requirements. That said, there are still regulated platforms that legally offer this type of trading in the US, provided they meet the necessary licensing and compliance standards.

How crypto leverage trading is regulated in the US

Crypto derivatives, including margin and leverage trading, fall under CFTC oversight. This means any platform offering leveraged crypto trading to US customers must register as a Designated Contract Market (DCM) or a Swap Execution Facility (SEF). If a platform doesn’t meet these requirements, it can’t legally offer leverage trading in the US.

Additionally, SEC regulations limit access to high-risk leveraged products for retail investors. Many exchanges that operate freely in other countries do not offer leverage trading to US customers due to these restrictions.

Where can US traders legally trade?

Despite restrictions, some platforms operate legally in the US while still offering leveraged trading:

• BYDFi – BYDFiis registered with FinCEN as a Money Service Business (MSB).
• BTCC – BTCC is licensed to operate in the US.
• Phemex – Phemex is registered as an MSB in the US.

These platforms comply with US regulations, making them some of the few legal options available to American traders.

Why do most platforms restrict US users

A key reason why many offshore exchanges block US traders is the heavy compliance burden. To operate legally, platforms must:

• Register with the CFTC for offering leverage trading.
• Implement KYC (Know Your Customer) and AML (Anti-Money Laundering) requirements.
• Follow strict reporting guidelines on leveraged trading activity.

Most offshore platforms simply choose to avoid the US market instead of meeting these costly and complex regulatory demands.

How to choose crypto leverage trading platform

The exchange of your choice should be selected carefully as it can greatly impact your trading experience.

Below are some key factors that will help you when choosing a platform.

1. Reputation and security: Prioritize an exchange with a solid track record of keeping customer funds safe. Look for a platform that has previously not suffered from hacks or other breaches.
2. Regulatory compliance: A regulated exchange will always be a better option because you know that it has gone through harder scrutiny and implementation of KYC processes to protect users. Regulators also require Anti-Money Laundering procedures to be in place to operate under such licenses.
3. Leverage options: Ask yourself how much you are going to need from your crypto exchange. Not all traders should opt in for high leverage immediately as it increases risk exponentially. Instead, focus on the appropriate ratio for your needs.
4. Trading fees: Leverage is surely going to increase your fees and I would say that choosing an exchange with the lowest fees possible is a great start. If you are an active scalper this will be another way to save cash.
5. Available assets and trading pairs: If you are looking for more trading pairs than just BTCUSDT it’s wise to take a look at the coin page and see just how many assets are listed on the exchange. Not all exchanges have the same assets and some prioritize newly listed coins.
6. Liquidity: Liquidity and margin go hand-in-hand and your exchange must have deep order books. Higher liquidity reduces slippage, especially during turbulent market situations.
7. User interface and trading tools: Asses the user interface and the available trading tools such as drawing tools, charts, indicators, order types, and risk management tools. Most technical traders need a steady chart and a fast matching engine to operate.
8. Customer support: Carefully consider the quality of customer support. If you ever get in trouble with lost funds or for some reason lose your account login, a fast customer support agent will be your dearest friend.
9. Educational resources: Choose an exchange that can help you along the way with guides, videos, and tutorials. These resources are valuable for both beginners and seasoned traders.
10. User reviews: Take into consideration what feedback the crypto community is giving to each exchange. While your experience might be completely different from other traders it’s still worth taking a look online to see what they are saying.

How we tested and reviewed the platforms

Our list of top platforms for leveraged crypto trading was created by thoroughly testing reputable brands. To provide an objective review, we followed a comprehensive live testing process.

Here is an overview of the steps involved:

1. Research and selection
2. Account creation and KYC-verification
3. Platform feature testing
4. Trading experience overall
5. Leverage test
6. Security and Compliance
7. Customer support
8. Fees and costs
9. User feedback and reputation

By following this rigorous testing process, we aimed to deliver an unbiased view of the platforms in our top lists. All platforms have been thoroughly tested by Anton, our leverage expert with over 10 years of experience in the trading field.

FAQ

Conclusion

BYDFi stands out for its flawless interface, low fees, and great tools for active traders.

Some other platforms to consider are Bybit, Phemex, and Binance which all have great reputations both in reviews online and also from community forums.

Trading in the cryptocurrency market offers the potential for increased profits but it also comes with higher risk.

When choosing a crypto exchange, consider the factors outlined in this article.

By conducting thorough due diligence, you will be able to select the platform that matches your preferences.

This guide provides a strong foundation to help you choose a platform that aligns with your trading goals.

Please note that the information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial or investment advice.

Crypto markets are highly volatile which increases the risk of loss.

Always do your research and consult with a professional financial advisor before making any investment decisions.