justTrade vs KuCoin Comparison

In the DACH region, justTrade was long perceived as a fee-free trading model. That is no longer the case: under the price and services list dated 1 September 2026, the bank charges an order commission of 0.125 % of the order volume for executing orders in crypto assets, plus the trading venue’s spread. It remains inexpensive by comparison, but it is not free.

73 crypto assets and 94 crypto ETPs are tradable, 43 of them eligible for savings plans. The minimum order volume is €25, and fractional purchases are possible. The service is processed via the BaFin-licensed Sutor Bank, and the crypto assets are held by Tangany GmbH in Munich. In ESMA’s MiCA register (file dated 30 October 2026), Sutor Bank has been notified for crypto services under Article 60 MiCAR since 18 December 2025 and JT Technologies GmbH, under the justTRADE brand, since 14 July 2026; Tangany has held a MiCA authorisation from BaFin since 8 August 2025. For cost-conscious investors who also want to trade stocks and ETFs alongside crypto, justTrade is considered one of the cheaper options.

Also appreciated is the ability to set up crypto savings plans, as well as the 20 % discount at Blockpit for crypto tax reports. The platform can be used via both app and web and is aimed at investors who prefer an uncomplicated trading environment. Staking via crypto ETPs is seen as a useful addition. It is now also possible to stake crypto assets directly: flexible staking for Ethereum, Solana and Cardano is activated in the settings via the custodian Tangany and can be ended at any time.

However, wallet transfers to personal wallets are not possible, which is occasionally criticized by users. Multi-factor authentication is active from account opening: on the web via push through the app or by email, in the app by email code, with SMS as a fallback. justTrade is therefore particularly suitable for price-conscious beginners and occasional investors looking for inexpensive access to crypto and securities in a regulated German environment.

In short: KuCoin is popular with altcoin traders: more than 800 coins worldwide, spot trading from 0.1%, plus futures, trading bots and earn products. For investors in the EU, KuCoin EU is responsible, the European company with a MiCA licence from Austria. Trading and deposits there have been paused since 4 February 2026. If you are looking for an account to trade today, choose an exchange that is fully operating.

Is KuCoin safe and licensed in the EU?

The licence is in place, trading at KuCoin EU is paused. KuCoin EU Exchange GmbH, based in Vienna, has been authorised as a crypto-asset service provider under Article 63 of MiCA since 27 November 2025, granted by Austria's Financial Market Authority (FMA). Through the EU passport the licence covers 29 EEA countries, including Germany, France and Spain (ESMA register, file of 30 October 2026). It covers custody, exchanging crypto-assets for funds and for other crypto-assets, placing and transfers.

Why trading is paused: On its website, KuCoin EU states that trading and deposits have been suspended since 4 February 2026 (as of 1 November 2026). The FMA ordered a ban on new business on 19 February 2026 because the money laundering and sanctions officer posts were no longer filled, and lifted it on 18 May 2026. Under a decision of 18 February 2026, however, KuCoin EU may only start operating once all supervisory requirements are met, in particular on governance and on filling further key positions in management (FMA notice). The FMA had not published any newer decision by 1 November 2026.

Track record: In January 2025, KuCoin's parent company Peken Global pleaded guilty in the US to operating an unlicensed money transmitting business, paid $297 million and withdrew from the US for at least two years (our report). In October 2026 South Korea blocked access to KuCoin because the exchange is not registered there (South Korea blocks 27 exchanges).

What you can do yourself: if you still hold funds at KuCoin, read the notices in your account, turn on two-factor authentication and a withdrawal address whitelist, and keep larger amounts in your own wallet, for example a hardware wallet.

Who is KuCoin for?

KuCoin suits experienced altcoin traders who want a very large choice of small coins and who live in a country where KuCoin accepts customers. For trading from the EU, exchanges with a MiCA licence and full operations are the better fit, such as Bybit EU, OKX, Kraken or Bitvavo. All licensed providers are listed in our comparison of regulated crypto exchanges.