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With so many crypto exchanges operating today, which ones are actually worth using and investing on? Pixabay (CC0)

Cryptocurrencies are the latest craze to sweep the world of finance and it looks like it’s not going anytime soon. So if you want to get a piece of the pie, here are the best cryptocurrency apps to use.

Online wallets and digital currencies

Evolution is a natural thing and occurs in many industries. For finance, there's the rise of cryptocurrency in the last few years. Spearheaded by Bitcoin, crypto quickly found a strong footing and audience not only as an alternative form of payment but also an asset to invest in, leading to fully regulated cryptocurrency exchanges. This is a good thing for people who want to get into crypto.

But with so many crypto apps available, it can get intimidating and confusing. There’s also the issue of security. With horror stories of online hackers and scammers, it’s become increasingly important to choose a secure crypto platform. We listed down some of the best and most trusted platforms today based on safety and security, features and overall reliability.

1. Coinbase

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As one of leading crypto exchanges operating today, Coinbase welcomes any beginner looking to start buying and trading crypto. coinbase.com

One of the most famous crypto exchanges today, Coinbase is the first-ever platform that offered security and professionalism in the world of decentralized digital currencies. Beginning operations back in 2012, the exchange operates as one of the biggest today and has built a name as the standard on-ramp for new crypto investors, making it perfect for beginners.

Fully regulated and licensed, Coinbase offers crypto buying, trading and selling all across the country. It supports over 25 cryptocurrencies such as ETC and BTC. Since it’s geared towards beginners, signing up is easy and fast. The interface is incredibly clean, clutter-free and a breeze to navigate. All of the information you need regarding trends, price charts, portfolio holdings, your online wallet and recent activity are all laid out properly. It also offers easy access to trading features, tools and account settings.

While Coinbase doesn't have an app, accessing it via your Android and iOS device is still easy as the browser-based platform is also mobile-friendly. More adept users who want a deeper crypto-trading experience can use Coinbase Pro, which is more for professionals.

One of the biggest draws to Coinbase is its security. It is perfect for trading something as volatile as digital coins. Coinbase has never been hacked and uses strict safety measures to ensure every user is safe. The platform does this by putting crypto in cold storage as well as insuring every user. Because of this, Coinbase stands out as the ideal platform to start buying and selling crypto at a professional level.

Learn more about Coinbase and its features by clicking here.

2. CoinSmart

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CoinSmart is Canada's answer to the boom of digital assets, and caters to Canadians that want to look into crypto. coinsmart.com

CoinSmart is Canada’s answer to the boom of cryptocurrency. It is a Toronto-based crypto exchange founded in 2018. While CoinSmart is still new, what it lacks in years, it makes up in features and reliability. The platform boasts fast verification, a user-friendly interface, bank-grade security and many funding options in Canadian dollars. Additionally, CoinSmart has also built a reputable reputation with its strong 24/7 customer support and an array of custom tools that make “cryptocurrencies less cryptic."

As it serves as an entry point for Canadians looking into buying and trading crypto, CoinSmart caters to beginners and experienced traders alike. Beginners can take advantage of the easy verification to begin one-click trading while advanced users can get a deeper experience with charts, real-time price updates and other insights. The exchange also has an app so you can easily trade and sell on the go.

In addition to the low fees for deposits, withdrawals and trading, the platform also offers credit and debit card funding. Linking your Canadian account is also incredibly seamless. CoinSmart offers Smart Guarantee, which makes transactions faster and more secure, which isn’t offered by other exchanges.

As for security, CoinSmart keeps 95% of its coins in cold storage with 2-factor authentication and provides insurance for its users. The exchange is also KYC compliant and registered with the Canadian credit institution FINTRAC for extra peace of mind.

Learn more about CoinSmart by clicking here.

3. BlockFi

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BlockFi essentially works by letting you leverage your cryptocurrency and put it to fair use. blockfi.com

If you’ve already heard of “BlockFi” before then now is the best time to take a deeper look and understand what it offers. Operating as a crypto management platform, BlockFi essentially works by letting you leverage your cryptocurrency and put it to fair use.

It’s biggest draw is the fact that the platform strives to give its clients low-cost, simple applications that maximize the potential of crypto assets. As such, BlockFi is mostly fee-free, has market-best interest rates and is very simple to use. Simply deposit crypto and start earning as much as 8.6% interest per year on your crypto holdings.

Since BlockFi functions as sort of an all-in-one crypto bank, it also lets you borrow cash, buy and sell up to 17 types of crypto and access other bank-like services. You can even borrow against your portfolio and take out a loan to avoid selling into a down market. BlockFi is also the first company to launch a Bitcoin rewards credit card, which lets you earn 1.5% back in Bitcoin with every purchase. These rewards are added to your BlockFi interest account so it earns interest right away. Withdrawals are allowed anytime and the platform itself is available worldwide.

As for security, BlockFi is U.S. based, fully regulated and employs cold storage technique to keep your assets safe from fraud. Sign-up is also quick and easy making it an attractive option for individuals that have beginner- to moderate-level proficiency with digital assets.

Learn more about BlockFi by clicking here.