CryptoScore Methodology
How we rank 19 crypto exchanges โ transparent, data-driven, updated weekly.
What is CryptoScore?
CryptoScore is our proprietary algorithm that rates crypto exchanges on a 0โ100 scale. It measures trustworthiness and value for traders โ how secure the exchange is, how competitive the fees are, and how good the overall trading experience is.
Every score is calculated from our database and updated weekly. When an exchange publishes new Proof of Reserves data, changes fees, or has a security incident, the CryptoScore is recalculated.
Our Philosophy
- โSecurity first. Proof of Reserves and security metrics carry the highest weight at 30%.
- โData over opinions. Every criterion is quantifiable and sourced from verifiable data.
- โNo pay-to-play. Exchanges cannot pay to improve their CryptoScore. Affiliate partnerships don't affect rankings.
- โIndependent & neutral. We're not owned by any exchange and have no conflicts of interest.
The 8 Scoring Criteria
Each exchange is scored on 8 weighted criteria. The total always adds up to 100 points maximum.
Security & Reserves
30%Proof of Reserves ratio, audit frequency, security incident history, SAFU/insurance funds, cold storage ratio, and bug bounty programs. The single largest factor because security is paramount.
Trading Fees
18%Spot maker/taker fees across volume tiers, withdrawal fees for major assets (BTC, ETH, USDT), hidden costs like spreads and funding rates, and available fee discounts.
Liquidity
15%Real volume (filtered for wash trading), order book depth, bid-ask spreads, slippage on large orders, and quality of market maker programs.
Regulation & KYC
12%Active licenses (US, EU, UK, etc.), AML/KYC compliance, geographic restrictions transparency, and regulatory history (fines, violations).
Accessibility
5%Number of supported countries, fiat onramp methods (bank transfer, card, P2P), and language/localization quality.
UX & Support
8%Mobile app quality (App Store ratings, feature parity), interface design and usability, customer support response time and resolution quality.
Health Score (Trust Radar)
7%Real-time sentiment analysis from Trustpilot, Reddit, and X/Twitter. Platform uptime and stability. Incident response and communication quality.
Editorial Assessment
5%Our team's manual assessment covering innovation, technology adoption, and factors that algorithms miss.
Weight Distribution
Security & Reserves: Our Top Priority
After FTX, security and reserves transparency became the most critical factor for exchange evaluation:
- โขProof of Reserves ratio โ exchanges should have >100% reserves backing user funds
- โขAudit frequency โ monthly or quarterly third-party audits score higher
- โขSecurity incidents โ hack history and how the exchange responded
- โขInsurance/SAFU funds โ dedicated funds to cover potential losses
- โขCold storage โ percentage of funds kept offline
An exchange can have the lowest fees in the industry, but if their security practices are poor or they don't publish Proof of Reserves, their CryptoScore will be significantly impacted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can exchanges pay to improve their score?
No. CryptoScore is entirely data-driven. Affiliate partnerships and advertising have zero impact on rankings.
How often do scores update?
Scores are recalculated weekly, or immediately when significant events occur (security incidents, major fee changes, new PoR publications).
Why does Security weigh so much?
Because the best fees and features are worthless if the exchange loses your funds. After FTX and other collapses, security and reserves transparency are non-negotiable.
What about decentralized exchanges (DEXs)?
Currently, CryptoScorer focuses on centralized exchanges (CEXs). DEXs operate differently and would require a separate scoring methodology.
How do you handle new exchanges?
New exchanges start with limited data, so they receive a provisional score. As we gather more data over time, the score becomes more accurate.
See the scores in action โ compare all exchanges ranked by CryptoScore.
View All Exchange Rankings โ