Best Exchanges for Tether (USDT)

To find the best exchanges for Tether (USDT) trading worldwide, we thoroughly reviewed more than 30 options, ensuring they meet global regulatory standards. Our evaluation focused on key factors like licenses, availability of USDT trading pairs, ease of use, available countries and fees. We've selected the top five global digital asset platforms offering Tether (USDT).

1. Bybit

Bybit is the top choice as it offers traders access to Tether and over 1,400 cryptocurrencies to trade on spot, futures, and options markets. Users can take advantage of up to 100x leverage, making it ideal for more experienced traders looking to maximise gains with USDT. As a global exchange, it is accessible from 160 countries, and the interface can be used in 22 languages. 

Attracting over 40 million users globally, Bybit has a reputation for reliability and transparency. The platform complies with international regulatory standards and regularly updates its proof-of-reserves, showing all assets are backed 1:1. Its key features include staking, lending, and borrowing services, an NFT marketplace, copy trading, an OTC desk and a crypto card. 

• Fees: Maker fee of 0.02% and a taker fee of 0.055% for futures. The spot trading fee is 0.1% for USDT.
• Supported Assets: Supports USDT, USDC, and over 1,400 other digital assets.
• Regulation & Licensing: Regulated by the CySEC across Europe and holds a VARA license in Dubai. ‍
• Available Countries: Accessible from 160 countries and supports 65+ fiat currencies for deposits.

2. Kraken

Kraken is based in San Francisco and is known for its strong regulatory compliance in the U.S. and worldwide. It supports Tether (USDT) and over 280 other cryptocurrencies for spot and futures trading with 5x leverage. The platform serves over 10 million registered users across 190 countries and provides a multilingual interface that can be used in 10 languages.

Its global presence, high liquidity and industry-leading OTC desk make it ideal for executing large-volume trades. Users can access Kraken Pro, which is a professional trading platform with advanced features and liquid markets. Additional features include staking options, NFT trading, an in-built crypto wallet and regularly audited reserve holdings.

• Fees: 0.26% taker fees and 0.1% maker fees. 
• Supported Assets: Over 280+ cryptocurrencies, including Tether (USDT) and other stablecoins like DAI and USDC.
• Regulation & Licensing: Compliant with FinCEN, FCA, ASIC, CySEC and a wide range of other top financial regulators.‍
• Available Countries: Accessible from 190 countries and supports 10 fiat currencies for deposits.

3. Uphold

Uphold is a user-friendly platform for those new to crypto, offering simple access to Tether (USDT) and over 250 other assets. Its simple interface, educational tools and live customer support make it a top choice for beginners. It supports digital currencies plus traditional assets like fiat currencies and precious metals, allowing users to diversify their investments.

Based in London and licensed by the FCA, it is globally regulated across 150 countries worldwide. Uphold's dedication to transparency and security significantly contributes to its high ranking among USDT exchanges. It is one of the few exchanges that provide audited proof-of-reserves, offering users real-time assurance that their funds are fully backed.

• Fees: Uphold maintains a zero-commission structure, with trade spreads averaging around 1%.
• Supported Assets: Supports USDT and 250 cryptocurrencies plus 27 fiat currencies and 4 precious metals.
• Regulation & Licensing: Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and FinCEN, ensuring compliance with international standards.‍
• Available Countries: Available in 150 countries and accepts deposits in 12 fiat currencies.

4. Binance

Binance is the largest exchange in the world, with over 210 million registered users. It supports Tether (USDT) and over 350 cryptocurrencies, offering extensive trading options such as spot, futures, margin, and options trading with 100x leverage. The platform is popular for its deep liquidity and high trading volumes, making it ideal for institutions and professional traders. 

The platform also provides advanced tools like trading bots, charting features, and an API for algorithmic trading, ensuring users have the flexibility to optimise their strategies. Apart from trading, it supports staking, yield farming, and crypto lending. It also features a Binance Earn program where users can grow their assets through flexible savings and fixed-term products. 

• Fees: Charges a 0.1% fee for spot trading.
• Supported Assets: Supports USDT and 350+ cryptocurrencies.
• Regulation & Licensing: Regulated by FinCEN, CySEC, FCA and other global regulators.‍
• Available Countries: Available in 100 countries and supports 80 fiat currencies for deposits.

5. Gate.io

Gate.io is an exchange known for offering high staking rewards, particularly for Tether (USDT) holders, with up to 120% APY offered. The platform supports over 2,100 cryptocurrencies and provides a range of trading options, including spot, margin, futures, and perpetual contracts. For derivatives trading, users can open positions with up to 100x leverage.

With a daily trading volume that frequently surpasses $5 billion and a global user base of over 16 million, Gate.io distinguishes itself through features like trading bots and copy trading. Other services include crypto lending, liquidity mining, and a launchpad for new token offerings, which adds to the opportunities for users to grow their portfolios.

• Fees: 0.1% for maker orders and 0.2% for taker orders.
• Supported Assets: Access USDT and more than 2,100 other cryptocurrencies.
• Regulation & Licensing: Licensed in Estonia.‍
• Available Countries: Accessible from 190 countries and supports 50 fiat currencies for deposits.

Can I Legally Buy Tether?

The legality of buying Tether (USDT) depends on the country you're in. Crypto regulations vary significantly, and Tether operates within these varying frameworks. In places like the United States, purchasing and trading USDT on exchanges is generally legal as long as those platforms comply with regulations enforced by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN).

In the European Union, exchanges that provide Tether trading must follow the Fifth Anti-Money Laundering Directive (5AMLD), which imposes strong KYC and AML procedures. However, regulations differ widely in other regions. Some countries have more lenient rules, while others impose stricter guidelines or even outright bans on crypto trading. 

Is USDT Safe?‍

Tether (USDT) is generally considered safe for its intended purpose as a stablecoin, but important factors must be considered. Tether is designed to maintain a 1:1 peg with the US dollar, backed by reserves, which include cash, bonds, and other assets. However, questions have arisen about the transparency of these reserves, as Tether's audits and reports have not always been clear or frequent. 

However, its credibility was enhanced by a legal win in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. Chief Judge Laura Taylor Swain dismissed a lawsuit against Tether and Bitfinex, finding no merit in the claim that USDT's value was compromised. This judgment affirmed Tether's legality and reinforced its image as a trustworthy stablecoin.

What is Tether (USDT)?

Tether (USDT) is a stablecoin designed to bridge the gap between fiat currencies and digital assets, providing stability in the often volatile crypto market. Launched in 2014, Tether pioneered the concept of stablecoins by offering tokens that are pegged 1:1 to traditional currencies like the U.S. dollar. 

Built on multiple blockchains, Tether allows users to transfer and store real-world currency in digital form while maintaining price stability. Each Tether token is fully backed by reserves and is frequently audited for transparency. Its widespread adoption has made it one of the most traded digital assets globally.

Bottom Line

In conclusion, USDT offers stability in the volatile crypto market, making it a preferred choice for traders and businesses. With widespread adoption, it can be traded on various regulated exchanges, including Bybit, Kraken, Uphold, Binance, and Gate.io. Tether’s liquidity and functionality keep it at the forefront of the stablecoin market, serving as a reliable option for investors.