There are many cryptocurrency exchanges to choose from today, but it is difficult to know which ones are the most trustworthy. Security is the number one concern that people have when they sign up for a new account on a crypto exchange platform. They want to ensure their private security keys and crypto investments stay protected from potential hackers, cyberattacks, and other unauthorized access.
Based on our research, here are the top crypto exchanges with the highest security standards in 2026.
1) ChangeNOW
ChangeNOW is the most recommended crypto exchange with the highest security standards. It is a non-custodial crypto exchange and management platform with a simplified onboarding process. Customers don’t need to create a new account and share personal identifying information with the exchange. A small percentage of transactions (approximately 0.5%) may require identity verification in accordance with applicable compliance and risk-monitoring procedures. In most standard transactions, users are not required to submit a government-issued photo ID. However, verification may be requested in cases involving elevated risk signals or other compliance-related factors.
As a non-custodial platform, ChangeNOW does not store customer funds, giving customers total control over their digital assets. It also means that hackers cannot break into the platform and access the assets because they are not stored there. That is why a non-custodial crypto exchange like this one is the most secure and trustworthy compared to a custodial platform that manages your private security keys for you.
ChangeNOW secures swaps and exchanges across more than 110 blockchains, including popular networks like Solana and Ethereum. There are never any hidden fees, as all costs are factored into the current crypto rate shown upfront. And if you ever need help dealing with complex issues, you can access ChangeNOW’s customer support team 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to assist you.
2) Kraken
Kraken is a crypto exchange platform developed with security as a priority. Having been around for more than a decade, Kraken has set out to surpass industry standards when it comes to security and integrity for crypto exchanges. It was one of the pioneers of the Proof of Reserves concept, where customers can independently conduct cryptographic audits to verify the balances of their crypto assets stored on the exchange.
Kraken also operates cold storage facilities to bring even more security to its customers. Cold storage means the crypto exchange holds over 95% of customer assets in physically isolated facilities offline. That way, hackers and other unauthorized third parties have no way of accessing them online. These cold storage facilities are under constant video surveillance and even physically protected by armed guards 24/7.
Each customer’s personal account information and asset data remain encrypted in storage and during transfers. SSL encryption technology ensures that all transactions and website activities are completely confidential without unauthorized monitoring or access to information. The Kraken team monitors for suspicious online activity 24/7.
3) Coinbase
Most people have heard of Coinbase by this point. It is one of the most popular and widely used crypto exchange platforms in the world. Even though it is a centralized exchange, it has several of the top security measures implemented into its platform. Like Kraken, Coinbase provides regular third-party audits, Proof of Reserves audits, two-factor login authentication, and guarded cold storage facilities.
Many new customers may feel like Coinbase is the most trustworthy since it is a recognizable brand with advanced security and surveillance technology. One unique security-related feature of Coinbase is its crime insurance policy, which protects and insures a portion of its stored digital assets throughout its storage systems from cybersecurity breaches and cybertheft.
Coinbase also offers FDIC-backed pass-through insurance to all U.S.-based customers who have USD cash balances held in their accounts on the platform. Even though Coinbase itself is neither a bank nor FDIC insured, it pools each customer’s money into one partner bank account that does have FDIC protection. Of course, this only applies to unused money in your account. Your crypto investments are never insured. Your Coinbase account balances are insured up to $250,000 because they are pooled in custodial accounts at U.S. banks.
4) Gemini
Gemini is another high-end crypto exchange platform that cares a lot about maintaining regulatory compliance and a high level of security. It is headquartered in New York, which many consider the financial capital of the world. This location puts Gemini under heavy regulation to ensure the highest levels of financial and security standards for its customers.
The platform operates in compliance with reputable international regulators, including the Central Bank of Ireland, the New York Department of Financial Services, and the UK Financial Conduct Authority. It was the first crypto exchange to complete SOC 2 Type 1 and SOC 2 Type 2 examinations. These third-party certifications signify that third-party independent auditors have verified the effectiveness and compliance of Gemini’s security controls.
All digital assets stored in Gemini hot wallets have insurance protection of up to $200 million, depending on the asset class and coverage. Since hot wallets are accessible online, they are more vulnerable to cybersecurity threats. That explains why the insurance coverage is as high as it is.
5) Crypto.com
Crypto.com is a crypto exchange that implements a unique “defense-in-depth” security strategy to protect customer accounts and assets. The strategy refers to a multi-layered cybersecurity approach that brings a diverse set of security controls and protections to protect customer assets, such as administrative, physical, and technical security controls.
For instance, Crypto.com stores most customers’ digital assets in cold storage facilities to keep them offline and away from the internet. That is the physical nature of the security strategy. The technical security measures include hardware security modules to protect private keys and mandatory multi-factor authentication for customers, such as biometrics, authenticator codes, and passwords.
As for the administrative security, the platform holds high-level international standard certifications, including ISO/IEC 27001:2022, ISO 22301:2019, and ISO/IEC 27701:2019. These standards refer to information security, privacy protection, and business continuity (the ability to overcome unexpected disasters and emergencies).
Conclusion
Cryptocurrency exchanges must uphold the highest security standards possible if they want to compete in 2026. Beginner and experienced customers both care about the security of their crypto exchanges because of the high value of their crypto investments. They want to have peace of mind in knowing their crypto assets and exchange accounts are always safe and protected.
ChangeNOW stands out as the top crypto exchange with the highest security standards. While most other big-name crypto exchanges use custodial accounts, ChangeNOW uses non-custodial accounts to maximize customer protection, security, and privacy. That way, there is no risk of a hacker accessing a customer’s assets on the platform because their digital assets are not stored there. Customers always have full control over their assets; nobody else does.
