Centralized exchanges saw a strong rebound in trading activity in October 2025, with both spot and derivatives volumes rising sharply. Kucoin emerged as the standout performer, leading growth across both markets as crypto momentum picked up.
Exchange Volumes Surge by 36% in October Amid Market Recovery
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CEX Activity Rises Sharply in October Amid Market Recovery
Crypto trading activity accelerated in October, with centralized exchanges ( CEXs) posting notable month-over-month gains across both spot and derivatives markets. This is according to data compiled by Wu Blockchain, and sourced from Coingecko/Similarweb.
Spot trading volume jumped 36% from September, signaling renewed retail and institutional participation. Kucoin led the pack with a 240% surge, followed by Bitfinex (+67%) and Gate (+45%). On the other end, Upbit (-1%), Bitget (+16%), and Bybit (+22%) lagged behind the broader recovery trend.
Derivatives trading volume climbed 27%, reflecting stronger speculative demand and a rebound in market leverage. Again, Kucoin outperformed with +185% growth, while Deribit (+66%) and Crypto.com (+41%) rounded out the top three. The weakest performers were Bitget (-2%), Gate (+21%), and Binance (+26%), though all maintained solid overall activity levels.
Meanwhile, website traffic across major exchanges rose 5% in October, a modest uptick that hints at growing retail engagement. Gate (+22%), Bitfinex (+18%), and Upbit (+17%) saw the strongest increases in visits, while HTX (-32%), Bitmart (-16%), and MEXC (-9%) recorded notable declines.
Analysts cautioned that some of the reported data may include wash trading or bot-driven volume, but the overall trend points to a market regaining momentum after a muted September. With both spot and derivatives activity rebounding, October marked a clear step toward a more active and liquid crypto trading environment heading into year-end.
FAQ🏆
- What drove the rise in CEX trading activity in October?
Centralized exchanges saw trading volumes surge as market sentiment improved and liquidity returned. - Which exchange led the growth?
Kucoin dominated with a 240% jump in spot and a 185% surge in derivatives trading. - How did other major exchanges perform?
Bitfinex and Gate showed strong rebounds, while Binance and Bitget posted slower gains. - What does this signal for the crypto market?
The sharp recovery in CEX volumes suggests growing confidence and momentum heading into year-end.
