2017 Global Top 10 Cryptocurrency Exchange Platforms Ranking

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The world of cryptocurrency has experienced explosive growth since the early 2010s, with digital asset trading becoming a mainstream financial activity. As Bitcoin and alternative cryptocurrencies (altcoins) gain wider adoption, the importance of reliable, secure, and high-volume exchanges becomes ever more critical. Based on historical data from CoinMarketCap’s 24-hour trading volume rankings and other relevant platform metrics—keeping in mind that daily trading volumes fluctuate significantly—here is an overview of the top 10 global cryptocurrency exchanges as of 2017.

This ranking offers insight into the dominant players during a pivotal year in crypto history, highlighting platforms that led in innovation, volume, and market reach.

1. Bittrex (B Network)

Headquarters: United States
Established: 2015

Bittrex, often referred to as the "B Network," quickly rose to prominence due to its robust security infrastructure and extensive selection of tradable assets. By 2017, it supported over 200 trading pairs and consistently ranked among the top exchanges by daily trading volume—reaching billions of yuan in turnover.

Known for its strict listing policies, Bittrex prioritized regulatory compliance and platform integrity, which attracted both retail traders and institutional investors. The platform was particularly popular among Chinese-speaking traders, despite requiring users to navigate a fully English interface.

👉 Discover how leading exchanges ensure secure and efficient trading experiences.

2. Poloniex (P Network)

Headquarters: United States
Established: 2014

Poloniex, or the "P Network," stood out as one of the earliest and most respected cryptocurrency exchanges. It offered a wide range of altcoins and maintained high liquidity, making it a favorite among advanced traders.

Despite being entirely in English and requiring users to bypass internet restrictions in certain regions, Poloniex provided intuitive tools for margin trading and lending. Its strong reputation for reliability and depth of market data solidified its position as a world-leading crypto trading platform during this era.

3. Bitfinex

Headquarters: Hong Kong
Established: 2012

Bitfinex was widely recognized as one of the most sophisticated cryptocurrency exchanges globally. Supporting major digital assets like Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Litecoin (LTC), and Ethereum Classic (ETC), it processed over 3 billion RMB in daily trading volume by 2017.

The platform catered to professional traders with advanced order types, margin trading up to 3.3x leverage, and real-time API access. Despite facing a major security breach in 2016, Bitfinex rebounded quickly, demonstrating resilience and strong user trust.

4. Bithumb

Headquarters: South Korea
Established: 2013

Bithumb emerged as a powerhouse in Asian markets, particularly dominating the Ethereum (ETH) trading scene. At its peak, it accounted for 75.7% of South Korea’s Bitcoin market and 50% of its Ethereum market, making it the largest ETH exchange globally at the time.

While South Korea ranked fourth in Bitcoin trading volume behind the U.S., China, and Japan, it led the world in ETH-KRW (Korean Won) trading pairs. Bithumb also boasted one of the lowest fee structures globally, enhancing its appeal to active traders.

By 2017, Bithumb held approximately 10% of the global Bitcoin market share, cementing its status as a top-tier exchange.

5. Coinone

Headquarters: Seoul, South Korea
Established: 2014

As South Korea’s third-largest exchange, Coinone distinguished itself through innovation and physical integration. It was the first exchange to support ETH-KRW trading and introduced multi-signature wallet technology for enhanced security.

Coinone launched a physical cryptocurrency exchange space featuring:

Beyond trading, Coinone operated Cross, a blockchain-based remittance service aimed at simplifying international money transfers—a forward-thinking move aligning with broader fintech trends.

Supported cryptocurrencies included BTC, BCH, ETH, ETC, XRP, and QTUM.

6. bitFlyer

Headquarters: Japan
Established: 2014

bitFlyer dominated Japan’s domestic cryptocurrency market, capturing the largest share of Bitcoin trading volume in the country. Its success stemmed from early regulatory engagement—becoming one of Japan’s first licensed exchanges under the Payment Services Act.

With a user-friendly interface and strong institutional backing, bitFlyer expanded rapidly across Asia and into European markets. Its commitment to compliance positioned it as a trusted gateway for Japanese investors entering the crypto space.

7. GDAX (Now Coinbase Advanced Trade)

Headquarters: United States
Established: 2012

Originally known as GDAX (Global Digital Asset Exchange), this platform was operated by Coinbase and designed for experienced traders seeking lower fees and direct market access.

GDAX made headlines by launching America’s first regulated Bitcoin exchange and securing licenses across multiple U.S. states. Notably:

In August 2017, GDAX was awarded a patent focused on Bitcoin private key security, reinforcing its commitment to technological innovation and user protection.

8. Korbit

Headquarters: South Korea
Established: 2014

Korbit secured $3 million in Series A funding from prominent investors including SoftBank Korea Venture Partners, Pantera Capital, Tim Draper, and Bitcoin Opportunity Corp.—a testament to its early promise.

As one of South Korea’s pioneering exchanges, Korbit played a key role in driving local adoption of Bitcoin through simplified onboarding processes and KRW fiat integration.

9. Kraken (K Network)

Headquarters: San Francisco, USA
Established: 2011

Kraken was one of the oldest U.S.-based cryptocurrency exchanges still operating in 2017. It gained recognition for its transparency, regular proof-of-reserves audits, and strong presence in Europe.

Strategic acquisitions—including New York-based Coinsette and Dutch exchange CleverCoin—expanded Kraken’s footprint across continents. Backed by major investors, Kraken continued to scale operations while maintaining a reputation for security and reliability.

10. Coincheck

Headquarters: Japan
Established: 2012

Coincheck made history on September 13, 2017, when it became Japan’s first officially licensed cryptocurrency exchange under the revised Funds Settlement Law (Article 63-3). This approval by the Financial Services Agency (FSA) marked a turning point for regulatory legitimacy in the industry.

As both a trading platform and payment hub, Coincheck enabled users to buy goods and services with digital currencies—a key step toward real-world utility.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Why was Bithumb so dominant in Ethereum trading?
A: Bithumb led in ETH-KRW trading volume due to high demand from South Korean retail investors who favored Ethereum for speculative trading and initial coin offerings (ICOs).

Q: Is GDAX still operational today?
A: Yes, GDAX evolved into what is now called Coinbase Advanced Trade, offering enhanced features for active traders on the Coinbase platform.

Q: What happened to Poloniex after 2017?
A: In 2019, Poloniex was spun off from Circle and transitioned into an independent entity focused on building decentralized finance (DeFi) solutions.

Q: Were these exchanges safe from hacks?
A: While many had strong security measures, several—including Bitfinex and Coincheck—experienced major breaches post-2017, underscoring the ongoing risks in digital asset custody.

Q: Why did Japanese exchanges emphasize regulation?
A: After early regulatory challenges, Japan established clear licensing frameworks to protect consumers and promote innovation—making it one of the most crypto-friendly regulated markets.

👉 Learn how modern platforms combine security with compliance for safer digital asset trading.

Core Keywords

The landscape of cryptocurrency exchanges has evolved dramatically since 2017, but these platforms laid the foundation for today’s global digital economy. Their innovations in security, regulation, and user experience continue to influence new generations of trading platforms.

👉 See how next-generation exchanges are redefining speed, safety, and accessibility in crypto trading.