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Crypto · head to head

Binance vs FTX

Binance logo

Binance

Crypto

The world's leading cryptocurrency exchange

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
FTX logo

FTX

Crypto

Cryptocurrency derivatives exchange

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Binance unavailable to EU users after failing MiCA fit-and-proper test on July 1, 2026; FTX the exchange collapsed and FTX Trading Ltd filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on 11 November 2022
  • They diverge on capability: Binance covers Margin Trading, FTX covers Options.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Binance and FTX actually diverge.

Attributes where Binance and FTX differ
AttributeBinanceFTX
Founded20172019

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (freemium), free tier (Yes), platforms (Web, iOS, Android), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Crypto).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Binance

  • Margin Trading
  • Staking
  • Launchpad
  • Binance Chain
  • Trust Wallet
  • Binance Pay
  • Desktop support

Only in FTX

  • Options
  • Leveraged Tokens
  • FTT Token
  • Serum DEX

Both cover

  • Spot Trading
  • Futures Trading
  • Web support
  • Ios support
  • Android support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Binance

  • Exchanges
  • Trading
  • Definot FTX

FTX

  • Exchanges
  • Derivativesnot Binance
  • Trading

Both are used for exchanges, trading, on those jobs the choice comes down to price and fit rather than capability.

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Binance

  • Unavailable to EU users after failing MiCA fit-and-proper test on July 1, 2026
  • Restricted access in roughly two dozen jurisdictions globally with ongoing regulatory pressures
  • Derivatives restrictions in Europe, UK, and Australia due to regulatory requirements
  • US residents face significant restrictions and must use limited Binance.US platform
  • Withdrawal times in allowed US states extend to 72 hours versus minutes elsewhere
  • Past violations including failure to file suspicious activity reports and processing transactions for sanctioned jurisdictions

FTX

  • The exchange collapsed and FTX Trading Ltd filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on 11 November 2022
  • Around 130 affiliated companies including Alameda Research entered the same proceedings, with more than 100,000 creditors and assets and liabilities each between $10 billion and $50 billion
  • Founder Sam Bankman-Fried resigned as CEO on the filing and was replaced by John J. Ray III
  • It is not a service anyone can sign up for; the estate exists to repay creditors

Pricing, plan by plan

Binance

Free
  • StandardFree
    • Spot trading
    • Staking
    • Savings
  • VIPFree
    • Reduced fees
    • Priority support
    • API limits increase

FTX

Free
  • StandardFree
    • Spot trading
    • Futures
    • Options

Which should you pick?

Choose Binance if

  • You need margin trading.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want staking.
Binance review

Choose FTX if

  • You need options.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want leveraged tokens.
FTX review

Questions people ask

Is Binance or FTX better?
Neither clearly leads. Binance starts at Free and FTX at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Binance or FTX?
Binance starts at Free and FTX at Free.
Does Binance or FTX run on more platforms?
Binance runs on Web, iOS, Android. FTX runs on Web, Ios, Android.
Can I use Binance for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Binance best used for?
Binance is most often used for exchanges, trading, defi. Of those, defi is not what FTX is typically brought in for.
What can Binance do that FTX cannot?
Binance covers Margin Trading, Staking, Launchpad, Binance Chain. FTX covers Options, Leveraged Tokens, FTT Token, Serum DEX. Both handle Spot Trading, Futures Trading, Web support, Ios support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Binance: Is Binance available in the EU as of 2026?

No, Binance withdrew its MiCA license application in Greece on June 24, 2026, days before the July 1 deadline, and can no longer legally offer services to EU users. New registrations are halted and existing customer services have been suspended.

Source
FTX: What happened to FTX?

FTX filed for bankruptcy on November 11, 2022, after revelations about Alameda Research's massive holdings of FTX's token (FTT) triggered a liquidity crisis. The platform collapsed within days as a competing rescue deal fell through.

Source
Binance: What are the restrictions on US residents using Binance?

US residents must use the limited Binance.US platform. Residents of New York, Hawaii, Idaho, and Vermont cannot use the platform at all. In allowed states, withdrawal times extend to 72 hours with significantly smaller cryptocurrency selection.

Source
FTX: Can I recover funds from FTX bankruptcy?

FTX has been in Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings since November 11, 2022. Customer funds have been subject to claims through the bankruptcy process, with asset recovery efforts ongoing.

Source
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