The Top 5 Longest-Running Crypto Exchanges Still Operating in 2025

The publication of the Bitcoin whitepaper in October 2008 is widely viewed as ground zero for the crypto industry, even if the concept of “digital cash” predates it. Fast-forward a few short years and the industry really started motoring, thanks in no small part to the launch of various digital currency trading platforms. Several of which are still going strong today.

Amid regulatory firestorms, insane price volatility, brutal hacks (self-sustained or perpetrated on peers), and a shifting technological landscape, these pioneering exchanges lived up to their lofty ambitions and proved their staying power. Here are five of the oldest still doing their thing in 2025.

BTCC (Founded June 2011)

Launched in June 2011 as BTC China, and later rebranded to BTCC, the platform was co-founded by entrepreneur Bobby Lee, whose brother Charlie created Litecoin the same year. Initially focused on the Asian market hence the name, it’s now registered in the UK and serves a user base of over 7 million in 190+ countries. Notably, BTCC has operated without incurring a single security breach since its beginning.

A derivatives-focused platform, BTCC’s features include copy trading, high leverage (500x) and a VIP program for high-volume traders. Last quarter, the exchange’s trade volume surged to $815 billion, with $720 billion of that coming from futures. Celebrating its 14th anniversary this month, BTCC recently appointed Dan Liu, its former Chief Research Officer, to the CEO role as it targets further growth.

Kraken (July 2011)

Founded just a month after BTCC by friends Jesse Powell, Thanh Luu and Michael Gronager, San Francisco-based Kraken later became one of the earliest bitcoin exchanges listed on the Bloomberg Terminal (in 2014). The commencement of a new decade also saw it become the first ever crypto company to acquire a bank charter (in Wyoming, 2020).

Given it has raised just $27 million of VC funding over the last 14 years, Kraken’s steady growth can be credited to strong management, mergers and acquisitions (derivatives trading firm Crypto Facilities and wallet service Glidera to name two), and a relentless focus on customer experience through features like advanced cold storage and real-time threat monitoring. Today it serves over 13 million users and supports 400+ cryptocurrencies as well as six fiat currencies. This year, it launched its own full-service prime brokerage for institutional clients, Kraken Prime.

Bitstamp (August 2011)

Hot on the heels of BTCC and Kraken was Bitstamp, a company created by students Nejc Kodrič and Damijan Merlak, a visionary pair with a modest 1,000 euros in starter capital to their name. Despite its humble origins, Bitstamp is now a bellwether of the space with offices in the UK, Slovenia, Singapore, and the US. Indeed, it was the first exchange to secure a payment institution license in Europe in 2016, paving the way for dozens of global accreditations.

While it offered just one trading pair – BTC/USD – in 2011, the exchange now supports hundreds, boasting a monthly trading volume of $7.6 billion and serving over 4 million customers. It was acquired by financial giant Robinhood earlier this year in a deal worth a reported $200 million.

Coinbase (June 2012)

Coinbase is 13 years deep in the game, having been set up by ex-Airbnb engineer Brian Armstrong in 2012. Based in the fintech hub of San Francisco, it is by some distance the biggest and most recognizable crypto exchange in the United States, with a market value exceeding $50 billion. Known for its regulator-friendly reputation and deep order books, the platform made history in 2021 by listing on Nasdaq and was even included in the S&P 500 this year. It’s also the world’s largest bitcoin custodian.

Serving over 108 million users, of which around 8 million transact monthly, Coinbase offers a professional retail trading environment, a dedicated crypto wallet, a Visa debit card, and staking services, making it a go-to for both newbies and OGs.

Bitfinex (November 2012)

Bitfinex – a portmanteau of Bitcoin, finance and exchange – is the brainchild of IT technician Raphael Nicolle, who set it up in 2012 as a peer-to-peer bitcoin lending platform. Its mission: to build a parallel P2P financial system where freedom and accessibility are guaranteed for users everywhere. In the 13 years since, it’s made good on its aims, and today it’s trusted by a user base of over 2 million dedicated traders.

While many crypto firms have struggled to overcome the reputational damage of falling victim to a hack, Bitfinex has actually prospered in the years since it was robbed of 120,000 BTC back in 2016. Today, it supports over 170 digital assets and 400+ trading pairs, offering spot and margin trading, P2P lending, over-the-counter markets and derivatives. It remains a firm favourite for seasoned users seeking flexible options, deep liquidity, and dependable customer service.

Far from being relics of crypto’s early days, these five trailblazing platforms continue to make their mark and build on previous successes, their longevity a testament to the value of smart management, continuous innovation, and a focus on user satisfaction.