Crypto Exchange comparison
Bybit vs KuCoin
The biggest practical difference between Bybit and KuCoin for Australian users is regulatory: KuCoin is registered with AUSTRAC, while Bybit is not. That makes KuCoin the safer choice if you want a crypto exchange that's formally compliant with Australian anti-money laundering laws. Both are offshore, derivatives-heavy platforms, but KuCoin also offers direct AUD deposits via PayID and Osko — something Bybit can't match.
Choose
Bybit
if…
- ›You prioritise a slightly larger derivatives ecosystem with perpetual futures and up to 125x leverage on a broader range of pairs
- ›You want a demo account to paper-trade before committing real funds (both offer this, but Bybit's is more prominent in its UX)
- ›You're comfortable using third-party fiat gateways (Banxa, MoonPay) and don't need direct AUD bank transfers
- ›You prefer a platform with a longer track record of institutional-grade security and no recent founder-related legal settlements
Choose
KuCoin
if…
- ›You want to deposit AUD directly via PayID or Osko — near-instant and fee-free — rather than using a third-party card gateway
- ›You value AUSTRAC registration for peace of mind that the exchange is formally compliant with Australian financial crime laws
- ›You want access to a wider variety of crypto products including margin trading, leveraged tokens, and options alongside spot and futures
- ›You're active in the KuCoin ecosystem and want the broader token selection and trading bot marketplace that KuCoin is known for
Where they differ
| Fact | Bybit | KuCoin |
|---|---|---|
| AUSTRAC registration | No | Yes |
| AUD deposit methods | Third-party fiat gateway only (Banxa, MerMoonPay, P2P) | PayID, Osko bank transfer, credit/debit card, P2P |
| Withdrawal time (AUD) | AUD bank withdrawals not supported | Near-instant via PayID/Osko (NPP-dependent) |
| Legal / ownership history | Bybit Fintech Limited; founded by Ben Zhou, no major legal settlements | Peken Global Limited; founders forced to exit per Jan 2025 DOJ settlement |
| Product range | Spot, futures (up to 125x leverage), DCA | Spot, futures (up to 125x), margin trading, leveraged tokens, options, DCA |
Verdict
Choose KuCoin if AUSTRAC compliance and direct AUD deposits matter; choose Bybit if you prefer a cleaner regulatory record and don't need fiat on-ramps.
All data points side-by-side
Every verified fact for both platforms. Differences are highlighted.
| Field | Bybit | KuCoin |
|---|---|---|
| account structure | ||
| Individual account | Yes | Yes |
| Joint account | No | No |
| Company account | Yes | Yes |
| Trust account | No | No |
| SMSF account | No | No |
| Kids / minor account | No | No |
| asset coverage | ||
| ASX shares supported | — | No |
| ASX ETFs supported | — | No |
| US shares supported | — | No |
| US ETFs supported | — | No |
| Other markets supported | — | spot crypto, crypto futures (perpetuals up to 125x leverage), margin trading, leveraged tokens, options |
| Fractional shares (ASX) | — | No |
| Fractional shares (US) | — | No |
| Options trading | — | Yes |
| CFDs supported | — | No |
| Crypto trading | Yes | Yes |
| Managed funds | — | No |
| Bonds supported | — | No |
| IPO access | No | No |
| costs hidden | ||
| Market data fees | $0/month | $0/month |
| Conditional order fees | $0 | $0 |
| costs visible | ||
| Monthly platform fee | $0/month | $0/month |
| Annual platform fee | $0/year | $0/year |
| Inactivity fee | $0 | $0 |
| Withdrawal fee (AUD) | — | $0 |
| identity and trust | ||
| Legal entity name | Bybit Fintech Limited | Peken Global Limited (operating as KuCoin) |
| AUSTRAC registration | No | Yes |
| Year founded | 2,018 | 2,017 |
| Parent / ownership | Bybit Fintech Limited (privately held; founded and led by Ben Zhou) | Peken Global Limited (Seychelles); founded by Chun Gan, Ke Tang, Johnny Lyu (founders forced to exit operational roles per Jan 2025 DOJ settlement). Current CEO BC Wong. |
| Country of incorporation | SC | SC |
| Public company status | private | private |
| money movement | ||
| Deposit methods | Crypto deposit, Third-party fiat gateway (debit/credit card via Banxa, Mercuryo, MoonPay), P2P trading (peer-to-peer fiat), Bybit Card top-up (where available) | PayID, Osko bank transfer, crypto deposit, credit/debit card (third-party providers), P2P trading |
| Withdrawal time | AUD bank withdrawals not supported; crypto withdrawals processed typically within minutes once approved (subject to network confirmation) | AUD withdrawals via PayID/Osko typically near-instant (NPP-dependent); crypto withdrawals processed within minutes after security review |
| platform ux | ||
| iOS app | Yes | Yes |
| Android app | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop platform | Yes | Yes |
| Demo account | Yes | Yes |
| Free real-time market data | Yes | Yes |
| Free research reports | No | No |
| 2FA support | authenticator | authenticator |
| Customer support channels | 24/7 live chat, email/ticket, help center, in-app support | 24/7 live chat, email, support ticket portal, Twitter/X support |
| Support hours (AU time) | 24/7 (live chat); email tickets responded in 1-3 business days | 24/7 (live chat and ticket) |
| Education content | video + courses | video + courses |
| tax and reporting | ||
| Australian tax statement | No | No |
| CGT calculator / report | No | No |
| Sharesight / Navexa integration | Yes | Yes |
| trading mechanics | ||
| Market orders | Yes | Yes |
| Limit orders | Yes | Yes |
| Stop loss orders | Yes | Yes |
| Conditional orders | Yes | Yes |
| Auto-invest / DCA | Yes | Yes |
| Auto-invest sophistication | single asset | single asset |
| After-hours / overnight trading | Yes | Yes |