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 0-100 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 do not affect rankings.
- โIndependent and neutral. We are not owned by any exchange and have no conflicts of interest.
The 8 Scoring Criteria
Each exchange is scored across 8 weighted criteria. The total always sums to 100 points.
Security & Reserves
30%Proof of Reserves, audits, incident history, insurance funds, cold storage, and bug bounties.
Trading Fees
18%Spot maker/taker fees, withdrawal costs, spread impact, funding rates, and discount programs.
Liquidity
15%Real volume, order book depth, spreads, slippage, and market maker quality.
Regulation & KYC
12%Licenses, KYC/AML posture, regional restrictions, and regulatory history.
Accessibility
5%How many countries the exchange supports, fiat on-ramp options, and localization quality.
UX & Support
8%Mobile app quality, interface usability, feature parity, and support responsiveness.
Health Score
7%Trust signal quality from real-world complaints, incident response, and communication.
Editorial Assessment
5%Manual judgment on product quality, innovation, and the things algorithms miss.
Weight Distribution
Security & Reserves: Our Top Priority
After FTX, security and reserves transparency became the most critical factor in exchange evaluation:
- โขProof of Reserves ratio โ exchanges should have more than 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 or 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 security practices are weak or Proof of Reserves is missing, its CryptoScore will take a hit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can exchanges pay to improve their score?
No. CryptoScore is fully data-driven. Affiliate partnerships and advertising have zero impact on rankings.
How often do scores update?
Scores are recalculated weekly, or immediately when major events happen such as incidents, fee changes, or new Proof of Reserves data.
Why does Security weigh so much?
Because the best fees in the world mean nothing if the exchange loses user funds. Security and reserves matter most.
What about decentralized exchanges (DEXs)?
Currently, CryptoScorer focuses on centralized exchanges (CEXs). DEXs work differently and need a separate methodology.
How do you handle new exchanges?
New exchanges start with limited data and receive a provisional score until we have enough evidence to refine it.
See the scores in action โ compare all exchanges ranked by CryptoScore.
View All Exchange Rankings โ