Top 9 exchanges to trade on in February 2026

Crypto trading hasn’t slowed down in February 2026; it’s simply matured. Daily volumes across spot and derivatives markets remain strong, and more traders are paying attention to where they execute their trades rather than just what they’re trading. Liquidity, fees, product variety, and ease of use all play a bigger role now, especially as the market continues to attract both retail participants and institutional capital.

At the epicentre of it all are crypto exchanges. The platforms that enable buying, selling, hedging, staking, and exploring new tokens. Some stand out for deep liquidity and advanced trading tools, others for simplicity and fiat access. With that in mind, here are the top 9 exchanges to trade on in February 2026. 

1. BYDFi

BYDFi has changed quite a bit over the past year. After rebranding from BitYard, it’s been leaning into a model that tries to combine the best parts of centralized and decentralized trading. In simple terms, you still get the liquidity and execution speed of a traditional exchange, but you also get access to on-chain tokens, especially trending and meme assets, without having to jump between multiple wallets and platforms. That hybrid approach has become a big part of how the exchange portrays itself.

Furthermore, BYDFi continues to focus on social and automated trading heavily. Features like copy trading and grid bots are available for traders who want support, automation, or a second layer of insight alongside their own strategy. At the same time, BYDFi has been expanding its global visibility, from major industry events to high-profile sports partnerships, highlighting the team’s vision of thinking beyond the product itself and focusing more on creating a brand with a strong foothold in the market. 

2. Swapuz

Launched in 2020, Swapuz has grown into a sizable non-custodial trading platform, now supporting more than 3,000 digital assets and millions of trading pairs. The exchange also features a multi-channel system, which routes trades through a mix of decentralized liquidity sources and exchange-style infrastructure to help users get competitive pricing with minimal slippage. The goal is simple: keep the efficiency people expect from major platforms, without taking custody of their funds.

Unlike basic swap services, Swapuz builds in features typically associated with centralized exchanges. Traders can place limit and stop-loss orders, choose between fixed or floating rates, and track their portfolios, all while maintaining control of their private keys. The platform also takes security very seriously with audited smart contracts, multi-signature setups, encryption layers, and continuous monitoring. There’s also a tiered affiliate program offering 0.3% to 0.7% BTC rewards based on referral activity.

3. Uphold

With over 10 million+ users in over 150 countries, with access to 300+ tokens and fiat pairs, Uphold is a multi-asset platform that does crypto very well. One practical detail traders tend to appreciate is that they can swap directly between assets, whether that is crypto to fiat, crypto to crypto, or even metals, all without having to convert everything into a base currency first.

Furthermore, the platform is built for different types of users, offering all the standard tools like limit orders, take-profit and stop-loss settings, as well as recurring transactions for those who prefer a more hands-off approach. What really sets it apart, though, is transparency. Uphold runs on a 100%+ reserve model and updates its proof of assets and liabilities every 30 seconds. In 2025, it introduced Uphold Vault, an assisted self-custody feature that gives users more control without cutting them off from the platform’s trading access. On top of that, a USD Interest Account is offering up to 4.9% APY on eligible balances.

4. BTCC 

BTCC has been around since 2011, which in crypto years feels like several lifetimes. However, rather than simply relying on its history, the brand has been actively building on it. In Q2 2025 alone, it reported $957 billion in trading volume, and by late 2025, it had crossed 10 million users globally. This type of growth clearly highlights how the platform is a major player in the market that isn’t just surviving on its legacy status. 

At the same time, the exchange has been expanding its markets, adding 80+ new spot pairs in one month, bringing the total to 300+ spot markets and 380+ futures pairs. A high-profile partnership with NBA All-Star Jaren Jackson Jr. and a $500,000 USDT trading competition added to its visibility push. Furthermore, transparency is a major part of the brand’s ethos. In its September 2025 Proof of Reserves update, BTCC disclosed a 143% total reserve ratio, meaning it holds more assets than it owes to users.

5. Bitget

Bitget’s growth through 2025 was difficult to ignore. In the first quarter, the exchange reported $2.08 trillion in total trading volume, alongside 159% quarter-over-quarter growth in spot trading, and a global user base that surpassed 120 million. In Q2, it completed a 30 million BGB token burn, valued at approximately $138 million, reinforcing the asset’s deflationary structure and long-term positioning within the platform’s ecosystem.

In September 2025, Bitget introduced its Universal Exchange (UEX) framework, bringing crypto, tokenized stocks, ETFs, forex, and real-world assets into a single account system. The idea was to reduce the friction that is typically associated with switching between asset classes. Around the same period, 440 million BGB tokens were transferred to the Morph Foundation, with half burned immediately, and the remainder locked to support ecosystem growth. Furthermore, BGB now also functions as the gas and governance token for the Morph chain, expanding its utility beyond exchange-based use cases.

6. Coinbase

As of February 2026, Coinbase looks very different from what it was just a couple of years ago. In August 2025, the platform completed its $2.9 billion acquisition of Deribit, giving it meaningful depth in derivatives alongside its established spot markets. Deribit was processing $185 billion in monthly volume last July with nearly $60 billion in open interest, and that liquidity now sits within Coinbase’s broader ecosystem. For U.S.-based traders in particular, it means access to spot, futures, perpetuals, and options under one regulated brand.

The platform continues to act as a bridge between traditional finance and crypto. Its Mag7 + Crypto Equity Index futures product remains part of that push, blending exposure to major tech names with crypto-linked assets. Institutional appetite hasn’t faded either, and a prior survey conducted with EY-Parthenon showed that 75% of global investors planned to increase crypto allocations, and that momentum is still visible in 2026. With expanded banking integrations, including connectivity with JPMorgan Chase, Coinbase continues to be one of the main entry points for U.S. users who want both regulatory clarity and broader market access.

7. WhiteBIT

WhiteBIT has been putting more emphasis on institutional services going into 2026. In September 2025, it introduced Portfolio Margin, aimed at professional traders such as market makers and hedge funds. The product allows crypto-backed borrowing with up to 10× leverage, without requiring users to sell their existing holdings. Around the same time, the exchange outlined additional institutional offerings, including OTC trading, custody solutions, and Crypto-as-a-Service integrations for larger partners.

The platform reports around $2.7 trillion in annual trading volume and carries an estimated $38.9 billion valuation in early 2025. Its native token, WBT, was one of the stronger performers last year, reaching a peak of $65.30 after posting triple-digit percentage gains. A sponsorship deal with Juventus, where WhiteBIT became the club’s official exchange partner, coincided with a 30%+ intraday rise in WBT at the time. As of February 2026, WhiteBIT is clearly positioning itself as a platform built not only for retail traders but also for institutions looking for deeper infrastructure.

8. Kraken

Kraken has long been known for its security, and that reputation still carries weight in 2026. The exchange reported $472 million in Q1 revenue, followed by $411.6 million in Q2, meaning that the platform has experienced a 19% year-over-year growth. Exchange volume in Q2 reached $186.8 billion, showing that activity has remained consistent even as the broader market matured.

What’s changed is how Kraken is positioning itself. In August 2025, it launched its Layer-2 network, Ink, built on Optimism’s OP Stack. Ink connects Kraken users more directly to DeFi applications, offering faster and lower-cost transactions while keeping the experience tied to the exchange. Since launch, Kraken has added features like direct withdrawals to Ethereum and dispute mechanisms through a security committee. The company also expanded beyond crypto with its $1.5 billion acquisition of NinjaTrader, extending into futures markets. With regulatory pressure easing after the U.S. SEC agreed to dismiss its civil case in early 2025, and a MiCA license secured for operations across 30 EU states, Kraken enters 2026 as a platform focused on stability. 

9. LBank 

LBank has been expanding its footprint, particularly among traders interested in newer altcoins and memecoins. s of September 2025, it accounted for roughly 3.1% of global 24-hour spot trading volume, and in Q2 its average daily volume reached around $4.98 billion, marking 24.5% quarter-over-quarter growth. That momentum has largely been tied to its strength in altcoin and memecoin listings.

The exchange now supports 930+ tokens, giving it one of the broadest selections among mid-sized centralized platforms. Its Launch IDO/EDGE section has become a frequent stop for early token releases, with several listings delivering triple- and even quadruple-digit moves shortly after launch. New pairs are added regularly, often centered around high-volatility themes, which reinforces its reputation as a discovery-focused venue. As of 2026, LBank is still viewed as a platform for traders who want early access and fast-moving markets.

Final thoughts 

Crypto markets in February 2026 continue to offer no shortage of choice. From exchanges expanding into multi-asset trading and institutional infrastructure to platforms focused on early token discovery and social trading tools, the landscape has become more layered and competitive. Additionally, it’s important that users conduct their own research and assess their risk tolerance before committing capital.

Disclaimer. Readers are encouraged to do their own research. Ambcrypto is not liable for any outcomes related to the use of information, products, or services mentioned. This content may include affiliate or partner links.