This post will discuss the Best Crypto Exchange in Hong Kong and present leading platforms appreciated by traders for the security and functionality for Hong Kong’s growing status as a cryptocurrency hub and for traders’ convenience.
From licensed exchanges such as HashKey to global leaders like OKX, Bybit, and KuCoin, there are a variety of options to fulfill crypto trading needs.
How To Choose the Best Crypto Exchange in Hong Kong
Regulation & Licensing – For regulatory protection, use SFC-licensed exchange platforms such as HashKey.
Trading Fees – Analyze trading discounts and collector/maker fees for calcification with native coins.
Liquidity & Volume – Sufficient volume and liquidity promote better prices and ease in order execution.
Crypto Support – Opt for platforms with a rich variety of cryptocurrencies and trading pairs.
Security Measures – Assess compliance, cold storage and insurance funds.
User Experience – Ease of use, app support, and an intuitive design interface are a plus.
Customer Support – Resolution of issues requires access to 24/7 multilingual support.
Additional Features – Staking, copy trading, lending, and crypto futures are crucial.
Key Points
| Crypto Exchange | Key Points |
|---|---|
| HashKey Exchange | Hong Kong’s first licensed crypto exchange for retail investors; regulated by SFC; supports BTC, ETH trading pairs. |
| Huobi HK | Launched Hong Kong entity to comply with local regulations; supports multiple crypto assets; focuses on retail and professional investors. |
| Gate.HK | Subsidiary of Gate.io; applying for Hong Kong license; aims to offer compliant trading for retail and institutional users. |
| OKX HK | Popular global exchange with Hong Kong operations; applying for VASP license; offers spot and derivatives trading. |
| Bybit HK | Plans to expand in Hong Kong under regulatory framework; offers futures, options, and spot crypto trading. |
| Crypto.com Exchange | Headquartered in Singapore but active in Hong Kong; user-friendly app; supports hundreds of crypto pairs and staking. |
| Bitget | Growing exchange with presence in Hong Kong; popular for copy trading and derivatives products. |
| KuCoin | Widely used exchange with Hong Kong traders; offers altcoin variety, staking, and futures trading. |
| CoinEx | Based in Hong Kong; supports 700+ cryptocurrencies; offers spot, margin, and perpetual futures trading. |
| MEXC Global | Strong liquidity and high-volume trading; popular among Hong Kong users for spot and futures markets. |
10 Best Crypto Exchanges in Hong Kong
1.HashKey Exchange
HashKey Exchange is a subsidiary of HashKey Group and was launched in 2018 by Dr. Xiao Feng in Honk Kong. He became one of the pioneering crypto exchanges in Hong Kong to receive the SFC Type 1 and 7 licenses, and in 2023, launched the retail platform of the Exchange.
The Exchange further strengthened its compliance credentials in May 2025 by obtaining an AMLO (Anti-Money Laundering Ordinance) license.
HashKey Exchange, along with its 32 country and region platforms, allows multi-currency deposits and withdrawals in CNH, HKD, USD, and EUR. The platform’s Market Maker program which started in December 2023, targets top liquidity providers by issuing negative maker fees and thus, fee tiers are variable.
HashKey Exchange’s mandatory KYC policy, the absence of any security breaches, and other compliance protocols have resulted in the Exchange receiving a 6.75/10 score for security and regulation. However, accessibility is quite limited due to compliance with international sanctions, while the US has region based regulations.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2018 (by HashKey Group) |
| Launch Date | Retail platform launched August 2023 |
| Fees | Spot maker/taker ~0.12%; VIP tiers down to 0%/0.03% |
| Crypto Support | ~19 coins, 28 pairs (BTC, ETH, etc.) |
| Trading Options | Spot trading only |
| Regulation | Licensed by Hong Kong SFC (Type 1 & 7) |
| Country Support | 30+ countries; restricted in sanctioned regions |
2. Huobi
Beginning in 2013 in China, Huobi was set up by Leon Li. Expanded offices were established in Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, and Singapore, and in August 2018, Huobi went public and listed in Hong Kong. As of September 2023, Huobi has rebranded to HTX.
Used in 130 to 160 countries, the exchange offers parallel cryptocurrency trading in the hundreds. Users can manage spots, margins, futures, options, staking, and P2P trading. Multi-currency partnerships are available via spot and trading pairs.
Spot trading fees are 0.20% and can go below the 0.07% threshold with loyalty discounts, while professional accounts may pay as little as 0.0097% in maker fees or 0.0193% in taker fees. Users are welcome to trade futures at a 0.02% maker and 0.05% taker fees.
Many countries are supported, though prominent ones include Hong Kong, Singapore, and the United States due to restrictions mandated by Huobi. Users are unable to use services in regions such as the United Kingdom due to restrictions on derivatives trading.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2013 by Leon Li |
| Rebrand | Became HTX in September 2023 |
| Fees | Spot 0.20%/0.20%; futures 0.02%/0.05%; discounts with HTX token |
| Crypto Support | 500+ cryptocurrencies |
| Trading Options | Spot, margin, futures, options, staking, P2P |
| Country Support | 130+ countries; restricted in U.S., China, HK, Singapore |
| Notable | Publicly listed in HK in 2018 |
3. Gate.io
Gate.io has been operational since April 2013 under the name Bter.com. It then transitioned to the Gate.io identity. It has 1,700-2,500+ and some sources claim 3,800 cryptocurrencies supported for spot, margin, futures, options, and NFT trading.
The Base maker/taker fees for spot trading is approximately 0.20% / 0.20%, and for futures is 0.02% maker and 0.05% taker. Fees are lowered with the use of the VIP tiers or the GT token. There are 180-200+ countries Gate.io is operational in, but the U.S, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Canada, and countries in the EU are excluded.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2013 (as Bter, rebranded Gate.io) |
| Cryptos | 1,700+ assets, 3,000+ pairs |
| Fees | Spot 0.20%/0.20%; futures 0.02%/0.05%; GT token for discounts |
| Trading Options | Spot, margin, futures, options, NFT marketplace, copy trading |
| Country Support | 180+ countries; not available in U.S., China, HK, Singapore |
| Notable | Known for huge altcoin selection |
4. OKX
Mingxing “Star” Xu established OKX in 2017 under the name OKEx, later changing it to OKX in 2021. Initially, the exchange offered spot trading, lending, staking, margin trading, copy trading, and other services.
Alongside DeFi capabilities and OKX Wallet support, they expanded to both NFTs and advanced trading in more than 500 pairs. Currently, OKX supports over 300 currencies, with fees starting at 0.08% and 0.10% maker/taker fee for spots and reaching 0.02% and 0.05% for futures, during volume and OKB token discounts.
In addition to servicing 160–180 other countries, OKX does not offer their services to citizens of the U.S. Canada, the United Kingdom, sanctioned countries, and France, Hong Kong, Japan, and France.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2017 (as OKEx, rebranded OKX in 2021) |
| Fees | Spot 0.08%/0.10%; futures 0.02%/0.05%; lower with OKB token |
| Crypto Support | 300+ cryptos, 500+ pairs |
| Trading Options | Spot, margin, futures, options, staking, NFT, DeFi wallet |
| Country Support | 160+ countries; restricted in U.S., UK, HK, Canada, Japan |
| Notable | Large institutional user base |
5. Bybit
In 2018, Ben Zhou started Bybit, which is a cryptocurrency exchange that is headquartered in Dubai after its original location in Singapore.
Though headquartered in Dubai, Bybit is a cryptocurrency exchange that serves more than 160 countries, trading more than 650 cryptocurrencies. They offer trading in spot, futures, perpetuals, options, and P2P with fiat trades in more than 70 currencies.
As for the spot trading, the maker and the taker fees, in all cases, begin at 0.10%. The maker and taker fees for derivatives (futures and/or perpetuals) are 0.02% and 0.055% respectively.
Higher tiers of the VIP access (for example, tier 5) offer reduced fees that are 0.04% maker and 0.05% taker. Bybit trades with Brokermate in more than 160 countries, but trading is not allowed in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, China, Hong Kong, and Singapore.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2018 by Ben Zhou |
| Headquarters | Dubai (originally Singapore) |
| Fees | Spot 0.10%/0.10%; futures 0.02%/0.055%; discounts for VIP tiers |
| Crypto Support | 650+ coins |
| Trading Options | Spot, futures, perpetuals, options, copy trading, P2P |
| Country Support | 160+ countries; restricted in U.S., UK, Canada, HK, Singapore |
| Notable | Popular for derivatives and user-friendly interface |
6.Crypto.com Exchange
It was founded as Monaco in 2016 by Bobby Bao, Gary Or, Kris Marszalek with Rafael Melo. In 2018, they acquired the high-value domain and changed the name to Crypto.com.
The exchange was launched in 2019 ,and this expanded the ecosystem of Crypto.com beyond the app and payment services. It also trades in over 250 pairs and dominates 100+ leveraged and margin markets, as well as perpetual futures.
The 0.25% and 0.50% Maker and taker fees, respectively, drop significantly through VIP tiers or CRO token staking—potentially zero maker and 0.05% taker. Having access to the platform in over 120 countries, users from China
Hong Kong, Singapore, and some other regions under sanctions cannot access. This also indicates a strong regulatory reach as the entity holds several global licenses, including Singapore, Hong Kong (deemed licensed), Dubai, Bahrain, France, and Ireland.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2016 (as Monaco), rebranded in 2018 |
| Exchange Launch | 2019 |
| Fees | Spot 0.25%/0.50%; VIP & CRO staking lowers to 0%/0.05% |
| Crypto Support | 250+ coins, 100+ pairs |
| Trading Options | Spot, margin, futures, staking |
| Country Support | 120+ countries; restricted in China, HK, Singapore |
| Notable | Holds licenses in Singapore, Hong Kong, Dubai, France, Ireland |
7. Bitget
Bitget was established in Singapore in July 2018, with Sandra Lou as CEO, and changed its registration to Seychelles by the end of 2022. Starting with derivatives trading, the company expanded to spot trading and was the first to offer copy trading, which subsequently solidified the company’s reputation as a leader in social trading.
For spot trading, fees for both maker and taker begin at 0.1%, with a 20% discount for payment in BGB token; futures fees are 0.02% maker / 0.06% taker, with tiered and BGB discounts available.
Bitget offers 600 to 800+ cryptocurrencies, along with 700+ pairs across spot, futures, margin, copy trading, and AI tools. The company serves 150 to 170+ countries, but users from the U.S., Hong Kong, Singapore, Canada, and Mainland China are blocked from access.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2018 in Singapore, later Seychelles |
| Fees | Spot 0.10%/0.10%; futures 0.02%/0.06%; discounts via BGB token |
| Crypto Support | 600+ cryptocurrencies |
| Trading Options | Spot, futures, copy trading, AI tools, staking |
| Country Support | 150+ countries; restricted in U.S., HK, China, Singapore |
| Notable | Pioneer of social & copy trading |
8.KuCoin
In 2017, Gan Chun, Tang Ke, Gan Michael, and Lyu Johnny set up KuCoin in China and then moved it to Seychelles and later to Singapore. KuCoin supports over 700 to 900 cryptocurrencies and more than 1000 different trading pairs and services in spots, futures, and margin trading, P2P trading, staking and lending, trading bots, and NFT markets.
KuCoin takes a base maker fee of 0.01 and a taker fee of 0.01 for class A assets, and for KuCoin futures trading, 0.02 for maker and 0.06 for taker. The company KuCoin operates in over 200 countries, but limits access to the US, China, Hong Kong, and Singapore.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2017 (Chun Gan & Ke Tang) |
| Fees | Spot 0.1%/0.1%; futures 0.02%/0.06%; discounts via KCS token |
| Crypto Support | 700+ coins, 1,000+ pairs |
| Trading Options | Spot, margin, futures, staking, lending, bots, NFT |
| Country Support | 200+ countries; restricted in U.S., China, HK, Singapore |
| Notable | Known as the “People’s Exchange” for altcoin access |
9.CoinEx
Estonian virtual currency exchange licensed CoinEx, an exchange, was established and officially opened in Hong Kong in December 2017, after its inception in late 2017. It offers over 1200 cryptocurrencies and nearly 2000 trading pairs, offering margin and spot trading, futures (up to 100× leverage), cloud mining, copy trading, staking, and a utility token (CET) for fee discounting.
CoinEx charges 0.1%-0.2% spot fees for trading and allows trading fee discounts to VIP users and CET holders (thus charging 0.1% maker fees and even negative maker fees for market makers). CoinEx is available in India, Europe, Singapore, and Australia, and over 100 other countries, but not in the U. S., Canada, China, or Hong Kong SAR.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | December 2017, Hong Kong |
| Fees | 0.1%–0.2%; lower with CET token or VIP tiers |
| Crypto Support | 1,200+ cryptos, 2,000+ pairs |
| Trading Options | Spot, margin, futures (up to 100×), staking, copy trading |
| Country Support | 100+ countries; restricted in U.S., Canada, China, HK |
| Notable | Transparent fee system with CET utility token |
10.MEXC Global
Starting as MXC in Singapore in April 2018—later on changed to MEXC Global— the platform launched and a few months later MXC Token was issued in Singapore. MXC Global offers a remarkable 2800 xcahr currencies and 3100 trading pairs to more than 10 million clients.
In addition, the platform operates in more than 170 countries, providing futures trading with leverage with 200x. The trading is also complemented by ETFs, as well as P2P and copy trading. The trading fees are also very low, like the maker on spots, which is 0% and the taker, which is 0.05%.
In addition, trading fees for futures are also very low, which is 0% and 0.02% for the taker position. Users from the us, and also from China and other countries, do not have access to the platform.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2018 in Singapore (as MXC, later rebranded) |
| Fees | Spot 0% maker / 0.05% taker; futures 0% maker / 0.02% taker |
| Crypto Support | 2,800+ cryptos, 3,100+ pairs |
| Trading Options | Spot, futures, ETFs, copy trading, P2P |
| Country Support | 170+ countries; restricted in U.S., China, HK, Canada, Singapore |
| Notable | Known for extremely low fees and broad crypto support |
Conclsuion
In conclusion, Hong Kong has further emerged as a crypto trading center with many regulated and global exchange platforms.
From retail trading services licensed to HashKey to international exchange leaders such as OKX, Bybit, and KuCoin, traders have a kaleidoscope of liquid, secure, and diverse trading options.
Selecting the optimal exchange boils down to regulations, coins offered, and trading fees, solidifying Hong Kong’s position as a crypto trading paradise.
FAQ
Yes, it is legal under the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) regulations.
HashKey Exchange is the first licensed retail crypto exchange in Hong Kong.
Yes, exchanges like Huobi, OKX, Bybit, and KuCoin serve users but with restrictions.