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  • Top Best Cryptocurrency Exchanges in 2022

    Top Best Cryptocurrency Exchanges in 2022

    This is an update of our previous top crypto exchanges article for 2021. A lot has changed since then and here’s what to look for in 2022.

    The easiest way to start trading cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin is through a cryptocurrency exchange, and in this article, we list what we consider to be the top cryptocurrency exchanges in 2022 with the beginner user in mind. For this article, exchanges which we at Team Boxmining use frequently are listed in Tier 1, exchanges we occasionally use are listed in Tier 2, down to those which we seldom or do not use at all are listed in Tier 3. However, this is only based on our personal preference only. Potential users should also always check if the exchange is supported in their country as there are geographical restrictions. 

    Check out our latest video where we talk about our picks for the best cryptocurrency exchanges in 2022:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRocD5PqvZ8
    Best Cryptocurrency Exchange in 2022? (EXCLUSIVE trading fee discounts)

    Tier 1 Exchanges

    Binance

    Binance exchange
    Binance supports over 100 cryptocurrencies and is available in 180 countries

    Founded in 2017 and currently serving over 13.5 million active users worldwide, Binance allows you to buy, sell, and trade cryptocurrency with low fees. You also have the option to earn interest on your cryptocurrencies by staking them for a period of time to earn an interest rate of between 0.5%-10%.

    Binance supports trading of over 400 different types of cryptocurrencies and with more being added almost every week. In fact, Binance has become so popular as a cryptocurrency exchange that the mere news of new coins being listed can cause the tokens’ prices to skyrocket. 

    Cryptocurrencies can be purchased on the Exchange through a variety of ways: PayPal, bank transfer, credit card, and debit card (although they charge a hefty 4.5% fee). It is worth noting however, that users cannot simply exchange their US dollars for cryptocurrencies. Nevertheless, the aforementioned purchase methods should be sufficient for most, if not all cryptocurrency traders.

    As for security measures, Binance not only has an asset fund as insurance in case of misappropriated user funds but also provides two-factor authentication.

    Binance also has its own native token- BNB, which comes 4th in terms of trading volume. The token can be used for various features and discounts on the exchange.

    Binance does have a US version of its exchange for US users at Binance.US which was launched in September 2019. Although Binance.US will have fewer cryptocurrencies available for trading and features in order to be compliant with US regulations.

    Binance is Team Boxminingā€™s second most frequently used exchange. Binance is easy to use, their team is always quick to respond if there are any issues with the exchange, and pioneered many of the special features we come to expect today such as Initial Exchange Offerings (IEOs). Binance also caters to experienced traders with advanced trading options and plenty of analytics. Novice users will inevitably experience a learning curve, but once you find your way around, it becomes almost second nature.

    Check out Binance Exchange Review 2021: Best Crypto Exchange? For a detailed look at what Binance has to offer. 

    Sign up for Binance here!

    KuCoin

    kuCoin exchange
    Its focus on security and intuitive design has attracted fervent supporters for KuCoin

    KuCoin is a relatively new cryptocurrency exchange that has quickly developed a fervent fan base thanks to its intuitive design and high level of security. The Exchange is highly regarded for its large number of different cryptocurrency pairs, which means users can purchase a wide variety of cryptos. 

    The Exchange is also spreading into new regions at a rapid pace. In just 1 year their adoption rate for different countries has skyrocketed. For example, in Latin America, there was a 171% increase, in Africa a 130% increase, and in Asia a 67.5% increase.

    KuCoin supports over 500 cryptocurrencies which means you can trade lots of small-cap tokens with low trading fees. At team Boxmining, we find that if we want to trade small-cap coins, we would need to use our MetaMask and then trade on different platforms and different DEXs. And if itā€™s an ERC 20 token you would have to pay ridiculously high gas fees which are really not practical. So, if these small-cap tokens are already on KuCoin, then you can save yourself a lot of unnecessary costs.

    KuCoin also allows you to use trading bots through their mobile app. Trading bots can
    automatically buy and sell your cryptocurrencies so you don’t have to be online all the time to follow the market. However, it’s not always clear how they’re investing your money, and you need to understand the cryptocurrency trading strategies they use. Also, if you’re buying and holding cryptocurrencies for the long term, these bots may not be able to help you a lot.

    On the downside, Kucoin is a crypto-only exchange, which means you will need another exchange if youā€™re looking to purchase coins with fiat currency such as HKD, USD or CAD. That means that Kucoin is not a great option for anyone just getting started with cryptocurrency, but if you are an experienced trader then KuCoin is a great way to diversify your cryptocurrency portfolio.

    SwissBorg

    SwissBorg
    SwissBorg is a popular choice amongst European users and has a very intuitive and user-friendly app.

    SwissBorg was launched in December 2017, they are based in Switzerland and are fully compliant with Swiss Law, making them hugely popular amongst the European cryptocurrency trading community. The Exchange is available in over 100 countries (although currently not supported in the US). Please note however that for some countries, the full range of features offered by SwissBorg may not be available.

    SwissBorg supports over 30 cryptocurrencies and 16 fiat currencies. New cryptocurrencies are continuously being added and users can vote for the next cryptoasset to be listed on their app. Users can directly fund their SwissBorg accounts via bank transfer, and SwissBorg does not charge any fees for bank transfers.

    Another popular feature is SwissBorg’s multi-award-winning app which allows users to access their crypto wallets and trade on the go.

    To keep ahead of the yield farming and decentralized finance (DeFi) craze, SwissBorg offers their Smart Yield account for yield farming, which allows users to get exposure to farming without much prerequisite knowledge. The Smart Yield feature does this by scanning and finding a range of DeFi and CeFi (Centralized Finance).

    SwissBorg’s native token $CHSB is a multi-utility token that entitles holders to lower fees when buying/selling Bitcoin, CHSB and stablecoins on the Exchange. Other benefits include being able to have 2x yield on your USDC, BTC, ETH, XRP, and CHSB holdings.

    Learn more about SwissBorg with our in-depth guide- SwissBorg ($CHSB): What is it?

    Sign up for SwissBorg with our exclusive link to get FREE CHSB!

    Coinbase

    coinbase exchange
    Coinbase offers a more limited selection of cryptocurrencies but makes up for it with high security and ease of use

    Coinbase was launched in 2012 and currently has over 30 million users spanning 103 countries. While Coinbase may not offer a wide variety of cryptocurrencies, the San Francisco-based exchange platform is still a top favorite among many investors due to its highly secure and easy-to-use platforms. Also, Coinbase is the first stop for many beginner traders (especially those from the US) as they have a very easy-to-use mobile app, you can directly fund your Coinbase account from your bank account. Coinbase is also particularly popular in the US since it is the first publicly listed US crypto exchange and it is compliant with US regulations.

    Coinbaseā€™s popularity stems from the fact that their platform has one of the fastest and easiest cryptocurrency buying processes, which along with their claim to have never been hacked, makes them an ideal choice for beginners who are looking to get started with cryptocurrency investment. Advanced users can also opt for Coinbase Pro, which has more trading features.

    Coinbase supports hundreds of digital currencies, however, in terms of the number of cryptocurrencies supported, it definitely loses out to other major crypto exchanges in this respect. Coinbase also charges higher fees compared to most other exchanges, charging $0.99-$2.99 per purchase under a $200 transaction and an additional 0.5% fee depending on the amount traded. However many novice or infrequent traders consider this a fair price to pay for the convenience the platform offers and the fact that it is one of the few exchanges available to US users.

    As mentioned earlier, Coinbase does charge higher fees compared to other cryptocurrency exchanges on the market, hence we have prepared our popular guide- Coinbase Fees: How to Avoid Them.

    Tier 2 Exchanges

    eToro

    eToro exchange
    From social trading to crypto, eToro boasts a whopping 17 million users worldwide

    Established in 2007, eToro was originally a social trading exchange that launched its cryptocurrency platform in 2018. It has since grown to a user base of over 17 million users worldwide.

    The main factor to note about eToro is that it is extremely simple to use, which can be both positive and negative. eToro currently only offers the 6 major cryptocurrencies: Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Etherium, Litecoin, XRP, and XLM. This means that the platform is perfect for those looking to trade in only the biggest cryptos using a simple interface.

    In addition, the only fiat that this exchange deposits in is USD, which works out great if you are a US-based trader but not so much if youā€™re interested in dealing with other currencies.

    Whilst we at Team Boxmining do not use eToro, our friends who only occasionally trade cryptocurrencies are big fans due to its simplicity. However, the downside is the lack of supported cryptocurrencies, features and trading discounts. 

    Kraken

    Kraken exchange
    Founded in 2011, Kraken is considered to be one of the more established exchanges

    One of the more established cryptocurrency exchanges, Kraken was founded in 2011 then relaunched in 2013. Kraken has a wide variety of cryptocurrencies available for trade, and currently supports over 200 traders globally.

    Kraken also offers margin trading and futures trading. With its margin accounts, you can borrow up to five times your account balance to trade crypto assets. Futures trading ā€” contracts which allow you to buy or sell an asset at a set price on an upcoming date ā€” is available for Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash, and Ripple.

    The Exchange also offers its own futures trading platforms. But institutional clients can take advantage of expert insights, one-on-one consultations, account management support, and more.

    Kraken is hugely popular amongst European cryptocurrency enthusiasts due to its range of features. 

    Tier 3 Exchanges

    OceanEx

    oceanex exchange
    OceanEX is built using cutting edge AI tech, but is a bit lacking in liquidity

    OceanEX was launched in 2018 by BitOcean Global, a fully registered and licensed Japanese trading platform. BitOcean Global consists of core members with past experience from Morgan Stanley, BNP Paribas, and Deloitte. 

    With a variety of features to improve user and trading safety, OceanEX is the trading hub of the VeChainThor Ecosystem. The main advantages promoted by OceanEX are its AI security, tailor-made services, lightning fast trading, and global support. However, the platform lacks liquidity which makes buying and selling coins difficult.

    Coincheck

    coincheck exchange
    Coincheck is the go to if you’re living in Japan

    Coincheck is a Japanese-based cryptocurrency exchange founded in 2012 that also functions as a Bitcoin wallet. The platform is simple and user-friendly and boasts competitive fees, along with features such as cashback for paying utility bills. However, the coins available for trade are limited, and the majority of the additional features are available in Japan only. 

    Tier 4 Exchanges

    Bisq

    bisq exchange
    Bisq does not require user verification, which for some people is a security risk

    Launched in 2014, Bisq is a decentralised exchange with servers distributed worldwide and offers a large variety of cryptocurrencies and fiats for trading.

    However, unlike other exchanges Bisq does not require verification of user accounts, which raises the question of trader safety.

    HitBTC

    hitbtc exchange
    HitBTC also raises security concerns due to the nature of their KYC processes

    Designed for the more experienced trader interested in dealing with altcoins, HitBTC was founded in 2013 and based in Chile. 

    Main concerns surrounding HitBTC are the lack of transparency and clear KYC (Know Your Customer) processes, which raises red flags about the security of the platform. In addition, users have reported that support is slow, with resolutions of issues taking up to several weeks. 

    Conclusion

    Tier 1:

    • Binance
    • KuCoin
    • SwissBorg
    • Coinbase

    Tier 2:

    • eToro
    • KuCoin

    Tier 3:

    • OceanEx
    • Coincheck

    Tier 4:

    • Bisq
    • HitBTC

    Of course, this list is meant to be a guide when selecting the best cryptocurrency exchange for your individual needs, and conducting thorough research and background checks will go a long way in protecting your digital wealth. Be sure to spend some time when choosing your own exchange, and you can enjoy the peace of mind knowing that your coins are in the right hands. 

    In addition, exchange fees are usually a huge factor in choosing which exchange to use. Hence we have compiled our ESSENTIAL guide on How to Save Money on Crypto Exchange Fees.

    Disclaimer: Cryptocurrency trading involves significant risks and may result in the loss of your capital. You should carefully consider whether trading cryptocurrencies is right for you in light of your financial condition and ability to bear financial risks. Cryptocurrency prices are highly volatile and can fluctuate widely in a short period of time. As such, trading cryptocurrencies may not be suitable for everyone. Additionally, storing cryptocurrencies on a centralized exchange carries inherent risks, including the potential for loss due to hacking, exchange collapse, or other security breaches. We strongly advise that you seek independent professional advice before engaging in any cryptocurrency trading activities and carefully consider the security measures in place when choosing or storing your cryptocurrencies on a cryptocurrency exchange.

  • 2020 cryptocurrency exchange news recap

    2020 cryptocurrency exchange news recap

    After our 2020 Roundup article where we reviewed this year’s biggest trends, letā€™s now dive deeper into what happened in the world of crypto exchanges.

    The surge of Defi and its DEXs (decentralized exchanges) has collapsed CEXsā€™ (centralized exchanges) volumes drastically. If Uniswap is the clear King of DEXs, the same we can probably say for Binance among CEXs, where it leads on both rankings for spot and derivatives. But the fight against decentralized exchanges has just started and new ideas and concepts are needed to keep up with the competition.

    As we shall see, the CEXs that managed to better keep up against Defi are the ones that tried and innovated the most, sometimes directly inspired by DEXs.

    Uniswap

    Uniswap is the clear winner among all kinds of exchanges in 2020.

    Uniswap TVL in 2020
    Uniswap TVL in 2020

    Its TVL (total value locked) has literally skyrocketed in the second half of the year, reaching more than $3 billion in November before dropping when $UNI pools ended giving rewards to Liquidity Providers.

    Uniswap has constantly been the most used Dex in crypto and has terribly helped Defiā€™s growth. It is ā€œTheā€ place where to find new listings and the deepest liquidity on Ethereum. If you are looking for an existing ERC-20 token, you can be sure it is there. Anyone can open a new pool, it is as simple as providing some tokens plus some Ethereum on the platform, and itā€™s done. 

    Uniswap doesnā€™t have a order book: the platform relies on an AMM (Automatic Market Maker) system to provide for trading liquidity. Although purists may miss order books, AMM has proven to be a new and successful way to swap tokens.

    In September, the platform distributed 150 million $UNI (their new governance token) to anyone who came in touch with the website, whether just swapping or pooling liquidity. A minimum of 400 tokens were sent to each user, for a value of around $1500 in the first hours of its existence (for patient holders, the value tripled in during the day).

    This airdrop attracted so much attention to the platform that other protocols did or are planning to do the same thing in the next future. With Uniswap V3 and all of its innovations expected to be released pretty soon, some can only wonder where $UNI can go!

    If any of you has been sleeping throughout the last months and still hasnā€™t claimed his tokens, you can follow our video guide here!

    How to claim free $UNI on Uniswap

    Binance 

    Binance succeded at remaining the biggest Cex for volumes, with a daily ATH of $15 billion in spot trading and of $37 billion in futures (up by 34 billion compared to 2019!). It retains the first position on both rankings. (Ativan)

    Part of their success is due to numerous initiatives that they introduced throughout 2020.

    In April, Binance presented their Card (later on Binance also acquired Swipe, a multi-asset digital wallet and Visa debit card platform), which is now supported in more than 180 countries.

    One of the most important innovation on the year is “Launchpool”, which lets users farm new tokens like in Defi. Stakers can accumulate rewards prior to a listing that will happen directly on Binance after a few weeks (usually). Moreover, Launchpool offers single-token staking so users donā€™t even have to be wary of Impermanent Loss. Projects like Bella Protocol ($BEL), Flamingo ($FLN) and $WING have were presented via Launchpool.

    September has been a great month for Binance. They firstly launched Binance Smart Chain, a blockchain created to run parallel to Binance Chain where devs can create Smart Contracts and Defi solutions. The exchange then immediately introduced ā€œLiquid Swapā€, a new trading platform that allows users to reap the benefits of Defi, with the first AMM product in any CEX ever. Users can pool their funds on Liquid Swap earning trading fees like on a AMM DEX. 

    Simultaneously Binance Labs, the venture arm of the exchange, has continued investing in new projects to empower crypto. They helped, among others, 1inch, Dodo and Math.

    On a side note, after the launch of Binance U.S. in 2019, the “.com” platform has now slowly been giving a 14 days notice to U.S. customers (both those who went through KYC and those who simply access the website from within the country) advising to withdraw funds before the account is blocked. It appears that customers who use VPNs are ā€œsafeā€ for the moment.

    FTX

    Ftx, the known derivatives exchange led by the omnipresent Sam Bankman–Fried, has surely been on the cutting edge among CEXs this year. The team worked very hard trying to anticipate trends and they seem really good at giving their customers what they have been hoping for.

    “Why should we trade crypto and stocks on separate exchanges?” Thatā€™s probably what Sam asked himself at a certain point. So, no sooner said than done, the answer arised: tokenized stocks. Two partnerships with CM-Equity (Germany) and Digital Assets AG, DAAG (Switzerland), were decisive for the accomplishment. Although trading stocks on FTX looks similar to trading crypto, it is important to notice the difference.

    ā€œCM-Equity is fully regulated in Germany, and is a licensed financial institution permitted to offer these products. All FTX users who trade tokenized stocks may also have to become customers of CM-Equity, and pass through CM-Equity’s KYC and compliance. Furthermore, all trading activity may be monitored for compliance by CM-Equity. CM-Equity custodies the equities at a third party brokerage firm. CM-Equity (not FTX Trading LTD) provides the brokerage servicesā€.

    Unlike in traditional markets, FTXā€™s Tokenized stocks will be tradable 24/7, and as of now they are more than 50, among which Netflix, Facebook, Apple and Amazon.

    FTX.US (the american arm) also put themselves (and the legitimacy of cryptocurrency) in the public eye as one of the top donors of the Bidenā€™s Democratic Presidential Campaign. In particular, Sam donated $5,22M. While the real reasons remain probably unknown, we hope it will mark a step towards crypto recognition by authorities.

    Last but not least, we canā€™t forget to mention that the same team behind FTX is responsible for the creation of Project Serum, one of the most successful non-ETH order-book based Dex, running on the Solana chain (which handles around 50,000 tps).

    Get the latest insider dig on the happenings of the crypto world with Sam Bankman-Fried (FTX, Alameda, Serum)

    Sushiswap

    Sushiswap launched in August as a fork of Uniswap with added rewards by the anonymous founder Chef Nomi. We were then at the peak of the ā€œDefi bull summerā€ and the success was sudden. Its TVL gained great traction but some drama was due to happen. A week after, the anonymous dev removed its liquidity and sold $14 million worth of $ETH, starting a 50%+ drop in price. At that point, an offer was made by Sam Bankman-Fried to step in and remove Chef Nomi from the project.

    Highs and lows have followed since then, but Sushiswap is still the second DEX for TVL (around 33% less than Uniswap) and one of the most successful. Many are the partnerships and its advisors are among the best that crypto can offer. Even though some will neve forget that Sushiswap literally ā€œstoleā€ liquidity from Uniswap, migrating pools to their platform and thus reducing Uniswapā€™s TVL dramatically, many are ready to bet that this project is here to stay.

    Mt.Gox

    December the 15th was the due date for Mt.Gox exchange creditors to finally receive part of their loss funds after years. The exchange repeatedly lost cryptocurrencies between 2011 and 2014, when it filed for bankruptcy. 140,000 $BTC (almost $4 billion dollar worth as of now) have since then been found and should be sent to users as partial refunds.

    As suspected by many, it looks like the deadline has not been respected and creditors are still waiting for their money. A few days ago, someone noted a transaction from a Mt.Gox wallet, something which led many believe that the distribution had actually started.

    Unfortunately that was not the Mt.Gox rehabilitation plan wallet, but the F2Pool cold wallet. There has been no confirmation that the creditors had received any fund yet.

    BTC Markets accidentally exposed their usersā€™ names and email addresses 

    BTC Markets, an australian crypto exchange, has mistakenly send out a compromised marketing round of emails. During a routine operation, instead of individually sending out email to their customers, personal data was exposed in the ā€œtoā€ field. The emails were sent in batches so that each user data had been potentially seen by 999 other people.

    The mistake didnā€™t directly compromise sensible info such as passwords so funds remained safe, but this type of error is something that can definitely worry crypto adopters and possibly make them change platform. Users donā€™t want strangers to know they own crypto, and we hope that this kind of mistake won’t happen again.

    Kraken, the first to win Bank Charter Approval in the U.S.

    Kraken is the worldā€™s first Cryptocurrency Exchange to get approved as Special Purpose Depository Institution (SPDI) by the State of Wyoming. ā€œKraken Financialā€, this the name, is the ā€œfirst digital asset company in U.S. history to receive a bank charter recognized under federal and state law, and will be the first regulated, U.S. bank to provide comprehensive deposit-taking, custody and fiduciary services for digital assetsā€.

    The exchange will enable its clients to bank seamlessly between digital assets and national currencies and will be regulated in similar manners to other U.S. banks. The SPDI is a ā€œcustody bankā€ but for digital assets (such as cryptocurrencies) and itā€™s required by law to always maintain 100% reserves of its FIAT deposits.

    Huobi exchange

    It all started with big $USDT (and other currencies) transactions spotted moving in and out of the exchange, the largest in China, on November the 2nd. At the same time, rumors of one of the Chairman being arrested increased the FUD which led to a sharp dump in price of $HT, the Huobi token, and to a rush in withdrawing $USD out of the platform. The exchange then denied all the allegations and the situation returned back to normal in the next days.

    More info can be found in this article.

    Okex

    We have extensively covered the Okex story in our developing article.

    On October the 16th, all the withdrawals were suddenly halted on the platform and the suspension has lasted until November the 27th when all operations were reopened without restrictions. As confirmed later on, the original cause was one of the exchange’s private key holders cooperating with the authorities. He was therefore unable to complete the authorization processes needed to allow external transactions.

    Star Xu, the person held in custody by the police, has been investigated for matters that have nothing to do with the exchange. Xu was allegedly assisting the authorities (he is now back to normal business activity) about funds he borrowed from a Shanxi-based underground bank in 2019.

    Kucoin

    Kucoin, one of the leading crypto exchanges based in Hong Kong, suffered a security breach on September the 26th. The total amount stolen, a whopping $281 million in $BTC,$BSV $LTC and other coins, is one of the largest in crypto history. The hacker (or hackers) was somehow able to take possession of the centralized exchangeā€™s hot wallets private keys, achieving the ability to move funds around. He then withdrew and started dumping them on DEXs. Kucoin immediately transferred the rest of the funds to new wallets and suspended all deposits and withdrawals.

    It appears that Kucoin hot walletsā€™ private keys hadnā€™t been changed for over 3 years at the moment of the breach, which is another confirmation that the famous saying ā€œnot your keys, not your crypto!ā€ is an evergreen.

    We must hope that all these attacks will be helpful in the long run, enabling stricter security procedures by exchanges and platforms, necessary if crypto final goal is mainstream adoption!

    Disclaimer: Cryptocurrency trading involves significant risks and may result in the loss of your capital. You should carefully consider whether trading cryptocurrencies is right for you in light of your financial condition and ability to bear financial risks. Cryptocurrency prices are highly volatile and can fluctuate widely in a short period of time. As such, trading cryptocurrencies may not be suitable for everyone. Additionally, storing cryptocurrencies on a centralized exchange carries inherent risks, including the potential for loss due to hacking, exchange collapse, or other security breaches. We strongly advise that you seek independent professional advice before engaging in any cryptocurrency trading activities and carefully consider the security measures in place when choosing or storing your cryptocurrencies on a cryptocurrency exchange.

  • What will happen to major cryptocurrency exchanges and traders? Hong Kong proposes strictest regulations against them yet.

    What will happen to major cryptocurrency exchanges and traders? Hong Kong proposes strictest regulations against them yet.

    On 3rd November 2020, Hong Kong’s Financial Services and Treasury Bureau (“FSTB”) issued a Public Consultation on Legislative Proposals to Enhance Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Regulation in Hong Kong (“Legislative Proposals”). Specifically one of the proposals concerns cryptocurrency exchanges referred to in the Consultation Paper as virtual asset services providers (“VASPs”)

    These regulations are not yet enacted. The FSTB says it welcomes written comments from the public on the Legislative Proposals on or before 31st January 2021.

    Current state of regulation of VASPs and Virtual Assets (“VAs”) in Hong Kong

    Current regulatory requirements for VASPs and VAs in Hong Kong

    The FTSB notes that VAs are not considered as legal tender and are not generally accepted as a means of payment in Hong Kong. However, they are aware that there are some VA trading activities operating locally. In light of this, Hong Kong’s Securities and Futures Commission (“SFC”) issued a position paper in November 2019 (“SFC Position Paper”). The SFC Position Paper outlined some regulatory standards similar to those applicable to licensed securities brokers and automated trading venues, for licensing of VA trading platforms. Notably, this was only an opt-in and voluntary regime and ONLY applied to those platforms which enabled clients to trade VAs with securities feature. Those platforms which solely traded non-securities VAs are not covered.

    Hong Kong as a member jurisdiction of the Financial Action Task Force (ā€œFATFā€)

    The FATF comprises of 39 major worldwide economies and oversees the implementation of the FATF Standards, which are comprised of 40 Recommendations and 11 Immediate Outcomes (“Standards”). Member jurisdictions do mutual evaluations to see if they comply with these Standards which are updated from time to time. One of the more recent additions to the Standards was in February 2019, where jurisdictions were required to subject VASPs to the same range of anti-money laundering (“AML”)/counter-terrorist financing (“CTF”) obligations applicable to financial institutions and designated non-financial businesses and professions.

    Hong Kong was subject to a mutual evaluation and a Report on Hong Kong was published in September 2019, where the FATF will specify recommendations on areas for improvement. Hong Kong is scheduled to undergo a regular technical compliance assessment in February 2023 and an effectiveness assessment in June 2024. The Legislative Proposals are specific in that they “…will be expected to have introduced AML/CTF regulation for the VASP…sectors…” So it is quite apparent their intention that the Legislative Proposals will be passed into law in time for June 2024.

    The Legislative Proposals specifically notes that other FATF member economies have either set up or are setting up their own regulatory and supervisory regimes for VASPs.

    Proposals put forward in the Consultation Paper

    Specifically, the Legislative Proposals suggest amending the current Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Ordinance (Cap. 615 of the Laws of Hong Kong) (“AMLO”). Here’s A summary of the Legislative Proposals:

    Expanding the scope of the AMLO to cover VASPs (currently VASPs are not included).

    Implement a licensing regime for VASPs where any person intending to conduct the regulated business of a virtual asset trading platform in Hong Kong will be required to apply for a licence from the SFC and also need to meet a “fit and proper test” similar to that required of other financial sectors. Licensed VASPs will then be subject to the AML/CTF requirements under Schedule 2 of the AMLO and “…other regulatory requirements for investor protection purposes”. Schedule 2 of the AMLO basically sets out requirements relating to customer due diligence and record-keeping, and special circumstances. Examples of this include identification checks and to continuously monitor business relationships.

    Give the SFC powers to supervise a VASPs’ compliance of the AMLO requirements.

    Then the question is, what are VASPs or VAs?

    Scope of the Legislative Proposals

    The Legislative Proposals specifically covers VASPs and VAs, so it is important to know their definition. This is set out in the Legislative Proposals.

    Virtual Asset Services Providers

    The Legislative Proposals takes the definition of VASPs from that of the FATF and is defined as, ā€œ…a VASP is a person who, as a business, engages in specified activities involving VAs. The specified activities cover (i) exchange between VAs and fiat currencies; (ii) exchange between one or more forms of VAs; (iii) transfer of VAs; (iv) safekeeping and/or administration of VAs or instruments enabling control over VAs; and (v) participation in and provision of financial services related to an issuerā€™s offer and/or sale of a VA.”

    Virtual asset exchanges

    The Legislative Proposals proposes to designate the business of operating a VA exchange as a “regulated VA activity” under the AMLO and require a VASP licence from the SFC and subject to passing the “fit and proper” person test and other regulatory requirements.

    Specifically a VA exchange is proposed to be defined as “…any trading platform which is operated for the purpose of allowing an offer or invitation to be made to buy or sell any VA in exchange for any money or any VA…”

    The Legislative Proposals, however mention that “peer-to-peer trading platformsā€ will not be considered as a VA exchange and thus not subject to the licensing requirements. According to the Legislative Proposals, peer-to-peer trading platforms are platforms that only provide a forum where buyers and sellers post their bids and offers, with or without automatic matching mechanisms, for the parties themselves to trade at an outside venue. However, the actual transaction must be conducted outside the platform, and the platform is not involved in the underlying transaction. If for example the platform comes into possession of any money or any VA at any point in time, they would still be considered a “VA exchange”.

    VA activities outside of exchanges (OTC desks etc): Are they covered?

    However there are other businesses dealing with VAs that aren’t exchanges. For example VA payment systems, VA custodian services and over the counter trading and crypto ATMs (Genesis Block Hong Kong comes to mind).

    According to the Legislative Proposals, they already have interface with financial institutions (e.g. when converting into fiat). This means that their money flow is already traceable for AML/CTF purposes and are already subject to the statutory obligations of reporting suspicious transactions etc. Hence the FSTB says they will nevertheless keep in mind the evolving landscape in relation to these activities and the licensing regime will be kept flexible so it may be expanded to cover other VA activities if the need arises in the future.

    Virtual Assets

    The FSTB also intends to adopt the definition of a VA as provided by the FATF but in more specific terms. The proposed definition is that a VA is, “…a digital representation of value that is expressed as a unit of account or a store of economic value; functions (or is intended to function) as a medium of exchange accepted by the public as payment for goods or services or for the discharge of a debt, or for investment purposes; and can be transferred, stored or traded electronically.”

    What is not covered under the scope of a VA would be central bank digital currencies (China’s DCEP comes to mind), financial assets (e.g. securities) which are already regulated by the SFO, and closed-loop limited purpose items that are non-transferable, non-exchangeable and non-fungible (e.g. gaming coins).

    However stablecoins (i.e. VAs purportedly backed by some form of asset to stabilise their value) are covered by the definition of VAs.

    Regulatory requirements: are retail investors banned from trading cryptocurrencies?

    If the VA business falls under the definition of a VASP and are not other VA activities which are excluded, they will be subject to the licensing regime. With reference to the existing opt-in regime, the Legislative Proposals proposes to empower the SFC to impose licensing conditions on licensed VASPs and regulatory requirements. One such requirement that is particularly concerning to cryptocurrency enthusiasts is the requirement that VASPs should only offer services to “professional investors”. However the Legislative Proposals suggest that this restriction should only be required at the “initial stage” and note that the SFC will continue to monitor the market and reconsider this position as the market matures in the future.

    Hong Kong’s crypto community reacts to the Legislative Proposals

    Sam Bankman-Fried, CEO of FTX Exchange gave his thoughts on the Legislative Proposals. He noted that it is still in the consultation stages and that whether or not an exchange “is” in Hong Kong so as to be covered by the Legislative Proposals are subtle and non-obvious.

    OSL, which is the only known recipient of “approval in principleā€ from the SFC under the current opt-in licensing regime appears more positive. On Twitter, OSL mentions that the Legislative Proposals significantly supports OSL’s strategic objective to be the first choice for regulated digital asset ventures and that it can balance market supervision and development, and provide investors with better protection.

    OKEx has not made any comments on this. We don’t see this as surprising considering they have more pressing issues to deal with, such as the fact that OKEx withdrawals are still suspended due to the arrest of Star Xu.

    Same can be said for Huobi, which is also dealing with rumours concerning the arrest of a Senior Executive by Chinese local officials.

    Bitmex of course is also in a bit of hot water, as civil and criminal proceedings have been respectively issued by the US DOJ and CFTC against BitMEX, its CEO Arthur Hayes, together with other key personnel and affiliates. Their CTO was also arrested in the US.

    Meanwhile, Leo Weese, Co-founder at The Bitcoin Association of Hong Kong gives his take in a blog post. He notes that whilst he is not opposed to regulation per se, the Legislative Proposals “…a massive overreach of the SFCā€™s mandate and a de facto ban of Bitcoin in Hong Kong”. In particular, Weese criticises the Legislative Proposals as confusing and unclear, noting also that it is the most restrictive proposal compared to any other FATF member economies. However, it can also be considered that it is merely the SFC’s initiative to implement FATF decisions rather a conspiracy to ban Bitcoin. Finally, Weese expects significant push back against the Legislative Proposals given previous resistance against previous initiatives aimed at money laundering.

    Disclaimer: Cryptocurrency trading involves significant risks and may result in the loss of your capital. You should carefully consider whether trading cryptocurrencies is right for you in light of your financial condition and ability to bear financial risks. Cryptocurrency prices are highly volatile and can fluctuate widely in a short period of time. As such, trading cryptocurrencies may not be suitable for everyone. Additionally, storing cryptocurrencies on a centralized exchange carries inherent risks, including the potential for loss due to hacking, exchange collapse, or other security breaches. We strongly advise that you seek independent professional advice before engaging in any cryptocurrency trading activities and carefully consider the security measures in place when choosing or storing your cryptocurrencies on a cryptocurrency exchange.

  • Alfacash Exchange Review (2023): A Legitimate, Yet Less-Known Cryptocurrency Exchange

    Alfacash Exchange Review (2023): A Legitimate, Yet Less-Known Cryptocurrency Exchange

    Alfacash is a simple and easy-to-use platform for buying and selling cryptocurrencies, perfect for those who don’t need advanced order books or charting tools. In this Alfacash review, we will look at the platform’s pros and cons, as well as the exchange’s usability.

    Sign up here to get started

    What is Alfacash?

    Alfacash is a crypto platform registered in Estonia, formerly known as AlfaCashier. Established in 2012, the platform offers a straightforward and easy-to-use experience for buying and selling crypto. It is a reliable and secure platform, with a wide range of payment options, including bank transfers, credit cards, and other payment methods. The platform also offers a variety of features, such as instant exchange, low fees, and 24/7 customer support. With its simple and intuitive interface, Alfacash makes it easy for users to buy and sell crypto quickly and securely.

    Key Features of Alfacash

    • Noncustodial services. Alfacash serves as an intermediary and never keeps any of your money.
    • You can buy crypto with a Bank Card (VISA, MasterCard, and Qiwi virtual wallet) but more fiat on and off ramps are coming soon), that it is “fully automatic” (meaning that it is an instant “one-click exchange”), that it is an instant non-custodial crypto exchange (meaning that the exchange itself never holds user assets) and that they offer APIs for crypto exchange integration.
    • This particular platform offers you the opportunity to swiftly and securely buy or sell crypto. This means that there are no charting tools, no order books, or anything like that. The trading view is the purchase interface included above in this review. 
    • Alfacash doesnā€™t charge any additional fees to withdraw coins. However, there are always network fees involved with transferring crypto, which is why we have listed the network fees under the withdrawal fee section of this exchange.
    • Some users’ Alfacash reviews will tell you that the platform allows you to trade 28 different cryptocurrency assets on their site.

    Key Advantages of Alfacash

    So, let’s start with some of the more positive aspects of the discussion.

    A Trustworthy But Little-Known Cryptocurrency Exchange

    Alfacash is a legitimate cryptocurrency exchange that has been around since 2012. With over half-a-million orders processed, it is a reliable platform for buying, selling, and exchanging cryptocurrencies. Despite its long history, many people still have questions about the platformā€™s legitimacy. To help answer these questions, there are numerous Alfacash reviews online that can provide insight into the platformā€™s security and reliability. With its long history and high number of orders processed, Alfacash is a safe and secure platform for trading cryptocurrencies.

    A Non-Custodial Crypto Exchange

    Decentralization is a key concept in the cryptocurrency world, and it is a point of controversy. Cryptocurrencies were designed to be decentralized, meaning no central authority would have control over them. However, there are custodial exchanges that hold cryptocurrency during the exchange process or in the form of a wallet. This goes against the purpose of decentralization and makes it difficult for people to trade with each other in a peer-to-peer manner. Custodial exchanges also raise security concerns, as they are vulnerable to hacks and other malicious activities. Ultimately, it is important to understand the risks associated with custodial exchanges and to be aware of the potential drawbacks of using them.

    Alfacash is a non-custodial crypto exchange that allows users to trade a wide range of digital assets. The platform is easy to use and provides a secure environment for users to trade their cryptos. It also offers a variety of features such as margin trading, advanced order types, and a mobile app. However, the biggest potential issue is that, in the event of a hack or breach of security, all of your cryptos could be stolen since theyā€™re located on the exchange platform. Fortunately, Alfacash is a non-custodial platform, meaning that users retain sole responsibility for their security.

    28 Cryptocurrencies Available

    Alfacash is a cryptocurrency exchange platform that allows users to trade 28 different cryptocurrency assets. This is great news for crypto enthusiasts, as it means they can purchase, hold, and trade a bigger variety of cryptocurrencies than ever before. The platform is easy to use and provides a secure environment for users to make trades. It also offers competitive fees and a wide range of payment methods. With its wide selection of coins and features, Alfacash is a great choice for anyone looking to trade cryptocurrencies.

    Purchasing Cryptocurrency with a Credit Card is Now Possible!

    Alfacash is a legitimate cryptocurrency exchange that allows users to purchase crypto assets with a credit or debit card, or via a bank transfer. It is one of the top-tier crypto exchanges, and it is known for its ease of use and straightforward purchasing process. Users can also benefit from the exchangeā€™s low fees and fast transaction times. Reviews of Alfacash are generally positive, with many users praising its user-friendly interface and secure platform. All in all, Alfacash is a great choice for those looking to invest in crypto.

    A Completely Automated Exchange with No Significant Waiting Times

    Alfacash is a cryptocurrency exchange that offers users the ability to trade cryptocurrencies automatically. This means that the platform is fully-automatic and there is no manual involvement in the exchange process. This feature is beneficial to users as it allows for instantaneous trades, meaning they can take advantage of potential profits without having to wait for a human to intervene and confirm or reject their transaction request. This is an important feature to consider when choosing a cryptocurrency exchange, as it can be the deciding factor between making a profit or losing out.

    Key Disadvantages of Alfacash

    There are a few notable issues and cons that are needed to be addressed, before you can truly make up your mind.

    Investors from the United States are Not Welcome

    Alfacash is a crypto exchange platform based in Estonia. Unfortunately, US crypto traders and investors are not able to use the platform due to the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC). The SEC regulates crypto trading platforms located within the US and reacts to anything that may solicit US investors to utilize off-shore crypto exchanges that are not affiliated with the SEC. As Alfacash is an Estonia-based brand, it falls under the SEC’s jurisdiction and US customers are not able to use the platform. However, there are many other crypto exchanges on the market that US customers can use instead.

    Lackluster Fees

    Alfacash is a non-custodial crypto exchange that offers a range of cryptocurrencies for trading. However, the fees for both makers and takers are quite high, ranging from 1% to 5%. This is much higher than the fees charged by most top-rated crypto exchanges, which usually range from 0.1% to 0.5%. Some user Alfacash reviews point out that the non-custodial nature of Alfacash might have something to do with this, but even if thatā€™s the case, it still is of small condolence.

    Lack of Clear Information About Security Features

    Alfacash is a legitimate cryptocurrency trading platform that complies with GDPR security regulations. They are in partnership with Sumsub and Chainalysis to ensure that no money laundering activities take place and that personal data is processed fairly. Although there is not much information available regarding their security features, user reviews suggest that they are a secure platform. However, some additional transparency would be appreciated. With time, Alfacash will likely offer a clear and concise list of the security features they employ.

    How to Use Alfacash?

    Alfacash is a great choice for those looking for a reliable and secure cryptocurrency exchange platform. It offers a wide range of services, low fees, and a user-friendly interface, making it an ideal choice for both beginners and experienced traders.

    The Registration Process

    • Step 1: Go to the Alfacash official website.
    • Step 2: Press the Sign-Up button at the top-right corner of the screen.
    • Step 3: Now enter some of your personal information (name, email address, etc.) as well as the type of account you want to create.
    • Step 4: You will then be prompted to confirm your email address.
    • Step 5: After verifying your email, the next step is to create a new password.
    • Step 6: After you create your password, thatā€™s it – youā€™re now set, and should be able to start using your account!

    How to Purchase Cryptocurrency on Alfacash?

    • Step 1: From your homepage, go to the Buy option at the top of the page and choose the cryptocurrency you want to buy.
    • Step 2: Now, pick the Buy With Credit Card option on the top of the screen.
    • Step 3: You will then be redirected to a separate Simplex-powered page. Simplex is a well-known and widely used crypto exchange payment solution that is trusted by many exchanges worldwide.
    • Step 4: Here, you will have to put in your credit card details. Once you do that, you will also need to verify your identity

    Conclusion

    Alfacash is a cryptocurrency exchange platform that offers a wide variety of digital currencies for purchase. It allows users to buy crypto with a credit or debit card, or via wire transfer. While the platform has higher fees and doesnā€™t serve US-based investors, it is simple to use and can be a viable option for those outside the US. If Alfacash isnā€™t the right fit, there are other crypto exchanges available that may be a better fit. Be sure to read reviews and compare fees and features to find the best option for you.

    Disclaimer: Cryptocurrency trading involves significant risks and may result in the loss of your capital. You should carefully consider whether trading cryptocurrencies is right for you in light of your financial condition and ability to bear financial risks. Cryptocurrency prices are highly volatile and can fluctuate widely in a short period of time. As such, trading cryptocurrencies may not be suitable for everyone. Additionally, storing cryptocurrencies on a centralized exchange carries inherent risks, including the potential for loss due to hacking, exchange collapse, or other security breaches. We strongly advise that you seek independent professional advice before engaging in any cryptocurrency trading activities and carefully consider the security measures in place when choosing or storing your cryptocurrencies on a cryptocurrency exchange.

  • Cryptocurrency Exchange News (November 2020)

    Cryptocurrency Exchange News (November 2020)

    Cryptocurrency Exchanges are facing additional regulation and scrutiny around the world. Two key exchanges – OKEX and Huobi are under regulatory scrutiny in China. One of the reasons for the scrutiny is that both these exchanges had a huge footprint in China prior to the 2017 Exchange ban. To find out about top cryptocurrency exchanges, check out our Exchange Tier List. Here are the major changes to the exchange scene in November 2020.

    OKEx Exchange withdraws suspended

    It has been almost a month since Okex Exchange suspended all withdrawals from the platform. This was due to one of their private key holders (Star Xu) being detained for investigation by a ā€œpublic security bureauā€. OKEx has always claimed that Xu is not detained but only actively cooperating with the relevant authorities for something unrelated to the Exchange back in 2019.

    No withdrawal has happened since 16 October 2020; in OKExā€™s last Twitter post, dated 9 November 2020, they claim that the function is not yet active but funds are safe and unaffected.

    Withdrawals reopened!

    After more than a month since their suspension announcement, Okex exchange has finally reopened unrestricted withdrawals on November 27. In addition, there will be rewards for active users. Read all the details in our developing article.

    KuCoin recovers around 84% of funds in hack

    As covered in our previous Newsletter, KuCoin had confirmed on 26th September 2020 that they had been hacked, resulting in around USD $236m worth of funds being lost.

    On 11th November 2020, CEO and Co-founder Johnny Lyu confirmed that around 84% of affected assets have been recovered. Several means were utilised to do this, for example on-chain tracking, contract upgrade and through the judicial system.

    Currently, 176 of their listed tokens have resumed full services, and it is expected that the remaining listed tokens will all be re-opened before 22nd November 2020.

    Update from CEO and Co-founder Johnny Lyu on the KuCoin hack situation

    Huobi Rumors go wild

    On 2 November 2020 a few big transactions worth hundreds of millions into Huobi Exchange have been spotted; although this could be routine for a big Exchange like this, users were worried since the issues with OKEx exchange were still ongoing.

    There were also rumours that, similar to OKEx, key executives of Huobi were detained for investigations.

    This created an escalated FUD that ended up with a massive drop in value for $HT (Huobi Token), as well as worried users quickly withdrawing their cryptocurrencies from the Exchange.

    Huobi official account subsequently tweeted denying all rumours and classifying them as false.

    For now, everything seems to be back to normal and no more news have emerged since.

    See our ongoing coverage of the Huobi rumours.

    Binance Exchanges news

    Binance Uganda merges with Binance.com

    A few weeks after Binance Jersey announced that the Exchange, launched in January 2019, will be fully closed by 30th November 2020 (no explanation was given but itā€™s presumed that it wasnā€™t necessary anymore, after deposits in EUR and GBP have been enabled directly on Binance.com), Binance Uganda will cease to exist as well.

    Binance Uganda was launched in June 2018 and has been the first fiat-to-crypto Binance platform, even though it had been stated more than once that it was a separate entity capable of independent decisions.

    An explanation was provided by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Changpeng Zhao:

    ā€œAll the features that Binance Uganda provides [are] now covered by Binance.com together with our fiat channel partners. Thereā€™s a very minimal number of users on there, so it doesnā€™t make sense for us to maintain two platformsā€.

    The process will consist of three different phases: Closure of Deposits and New Registrations; Closure of all Trading Services, and final Hard Shutdown on the 28 November 2020.

    Users are strongly recommended to transfer their funds out of the Exchange before 00:00 UTC on 28/11/2020.

    Is Binance blocking US-based users?

    Reports are emerging that Binance has started to block users based in the US from accessing the Exchange. According to The Block, emails were circulated to US-based users who were told to withdraw their funds within 90 days.

    This is in any event in line with their announcement back in September 2019 that they will no longer serve customers from the US. They are also likely doing this now considering the ongoing legal actions against BitMEX and its key personnel.

    Binance.com is now giving a 14 days notice to US customers

    As a consequence to what we reported a few weeks ago, it appears that some US customers who are still using the “.com” version of the exchange are receiving a 14 days notice letter. In the email, as they reported, Binance is informing that due to their “periodic sweeps”, US residents are being asked to withdraw all their funds within 14 days or their funds will be blocked.

    It is not clear whether the identification process is only based on KYCs or on IP addresses as well; in the first case, it could be possible that US customers who skip the KYC process accepting lower deposits/withdrawals limits could still use the platform.

    Binance.com has been trying to remove its US customers for a while as the exchange doesn’t have any regulatory standing in America. US customers can use Binance.US, an exchange with far less pairs that is therefore not as attractive to traders as the classic “.com” version.

    Coinbase Pro is disabling Margin Trading

    In a blog post on Nov 24, the Chief Legal Officer Paul Grewal announced that customers wouldn’t have been able to place margin trades after November 25, 2PM PT time. The existing positions will remain effective until the last one will have expired; at that moment the product will go offline.

    The decision comes as a consequence to the finalized “Interpretive guidance on actual delivery of Digital Assets” by the CFTC (Commodity Futures Trading Commission) in March. You can read more here. In the letter we can read:

    “We believe clear, common sense regulations for margin lending products are needed to protect and provide peace of mind to U.S customers. We look forward to working closely with regulators to achieve this goal”.

    Australian Exchange BTC Markets exposed users’ data

    On December 1st during a routine marketing round of emails to their users, Australian exchange BTC Markets, one of the most famous in the continent, accidentally exposed their users’ data. Names and emails where all together displayed in the “to” field and sent in batches of 1000 at a time, exposing each personal user’s data to 99 other email addresses.

    Caroline Bowler, the CEO, immediately confirmed the data exposure adding that nothing more than names and emails were exposed, while funds and passwords remained safe. Nonetheless, we know this type of exposure can (and probably will) lead to unwanted campaigns or phishing emails, therefore users should always doublecheck the sender of the emails before clicking anything suspicious.

    The exchange is now working on additional measures and has advised their clients to change email passwords and set up 2 factor authentication on their accounts.

    Final reminder

    Centralised cryptocurrency exchanges do have custody of the cryptocurrencies in your account trading wallets. Therefore if anything happens to the exchanges, your funds can be affected!

    So don’t keep more funds in exchanges than you need for day to day use or trading! Keep your cryptocurrencies safe and under your OWN custody, ideally in a hardware wallet.

    We recommend the Ledger Nano X. Check out our review and set up and installation guide.

    Disclaimer: Cryptocurrency trading involves significant risks and may result in the loss of your capital. You should carefully consider whether trading cryptocurrencies is right for you in light of your financial condition and ability to bear financial risks. Cryptocurrency prices are highly volatile and can fluctuate widely in a short period of time. As such, trading cryptocurrencies may not be suitable for everyone. Additionally, storing cryptocurrencies on a centralized exchange carries inherent risks, including the potential for loss due to hacking, exchange collapse, or other security breaches. We strongly advise that you seek independent professional advice before engaging in any cryptocurrency trading activities and carefully consider the security measures in place when choosing or storing your cryptocurrencies on a cryptocurrency exchange.

  • Top Best Cryptocurrency Exchanges

    Top Best Cryptocurrency Exchanges

    UPDATE: Which are the best exchanges THIS YEAR? Top Best Cryptocurrency Exchanges (2023)

    For this article, exchanges that we at Team Boxmining use frequently are listed in Tier 1, exchanges we occasionally use are listed in Tier 2, down to those which we seldom or do not use at all are listed in Tier 3. However, this is only based on our personal preference. Potential users should also always check if the exchange is supported in their country and if there are any geographical restrictions. 

    Check out our latest video where we talk about our picks for the best cryptocurrency exchanges in 2022:

    Name:
    Binance
    Ease of use:
    4.9 Star Rating
    Fees:
    4.5 Star Rating
    Rating:
    4.5 Star Rating
    Full Review:
    HERE
    Sign Up:
    HERE
    Name:
    Coinbase
    Ease of use:
    4.6 Star Rating
    Fees:
    3 Star Rating
    Rating:
    3.5 Star Rating
    Full Review:
    HERE
    Sign Up:
    HERE
    Name:
    Bybit
    Ease of use:
    4.8 Star Rating
    Fees:
    4.4 Star Rating
    Rating:
    4.5 Star Rating
    Full Review:
    HERE
    Sign Up:
    HERE
    Name:
    Phemex
    Ease of use:
    4 Star Rating
    Fees:
    4 Star Rating
    Rating:
    4.3 Star Rating
    Full Review:
    HERE
    Sign Up:
    HERE
    Name:
    OKX
    Ease of use:
    4.2 Star Rating
    Fees:
    4.1 Star Rating
    Rating:
    4.4 Star Rating
    Full Review:

    HERE

    Sign Up:
    HERE

    Tier 1 Exchanges (Active Trading)

    Binance

    Binance
    Binance Exchange Website

    Binance was founded in 2017 and currently serves over 13.5 million active users across the globe. Unlike Coinbase and Kraken, Binance supports a wide range of altcoins (i.e. cryptocurrencies other than Bitcoin). This attracts more people to transfer their Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, and Litecoin from other exchanges to Binance to explore the altcoin world.

    It is suited for entry-level crypto traders due to its huge array of tradable cryptocurrencies. Binance supports trading of over 400 different types of cryptocurrencies with more being added almost every week. In fact, Binance has become so popular as a cryptocurrency exchange that the mere news of new coins being listed can cause the tokensā€™ prices to skyrocket. 

    The popularity of Binance has made its CEO Zhao Changpeng (CZ) a personality in the cryptocurrency community. His words/actions now have a significant influence on the cryptocurrency markets.

    Cryptocurrencies can be purchased on the Exchange through a variety of ways: PayPal, bank transfer, credit card, and debit card (although they charge a substantial 4.5% fee). It is worth noting, however, that users cannot simply exchange their US dollars for cryptocurrencies. Nevertheless, the aforementioned purchase methods should be sufficient for most cryptocurrency traders.

    As for security measures, Binance has an asset fund as insurance in case of misappropriated user funds and also provides two-factor authentication.

    Binance also has its own native token- BNB, which ranks 4th in terms of trading volume. The token can be used for various features and discounts on the exchange.

    Binance does have a US version of its exchange at Binance.US. Although Binance.US will have fewer cryptocurrencies available for trading and features in order to be compliant with US regulations.

    Binance is Team Boxminingā€™s second most frequently used exchange. It is easy to use, their customer service team is very responsive, and Binance is credited with pioneering many of the special features we come to expect today such as Initial Exchange Offerings (IEOs).

    Binance also caters to experienced traders with advanced trading options and plenty of analytics. Novice users will inevitably experience a learning curve, but once you find your way around, it becomes almost second nature. (softlay.com)

    Check out Binance Exchange Review: Best Crypto Exchange? For a detailed look at what Binance has to offer. 

    Sign up for Binance here!

    KuCoin

    KuCoin
    KuCoin

    KuCoin has unique assets and an extensive list of tradable coins. The Exchange is highly regarded for its large number of different cryptocurrency pairs, which means users can purchase a wide variety of cryptos. 

    KuCoin supports over 500 cryptocurrencies which means you can trade lots of small-cap tokens with low trading fees. At team Boxmining, we find that if we want to trade small-cap coins, we need to use MetaMask and then trade on different platforms and DEXs. And if itā€™s an ERC 20 token you would have to pay ridiculously high gas fees which is not economical. So, if these small-cap tokens are already on KuCoin, then you can save a lot of unnecessary costs.

    KuCoin also allows you to use trading bots through their mobile app which automatically buy and sell your cryptocurrencies so you don’t have to follow the market 24/7. However, it’s not always clear how they’re investing your money, so you still need to understand the cryptocurrency trading strategies they use.

    On the downside, KuCoin has in the past been plagued by poor Know-Your-Customer (KYC) procedures. At first, it allowed traders to deposit and withdraw large amounts of Bitcoin i.e. 50 Bitcoin per day without providing personal details. They have since changed their KYC policies and now you can only withdraw up to 2 Bitcoin per day without a “Verified” account i.e. an account that has completed the KYC procedures.

    In addition, Kucoin is a crypto-only exchange, which means you will need another exchange for buying cryptocurrencies with fiat currency such as HKD, USD or CAD. That means Kucoin is not the most ideal option for newcomers to cryptocurrency, but if you are an experienced trader then KuCoin is a great way to diversify your cryptocurrency portfolio.

    SwissBorg

    SwissBorg
    SwissBorg is a popular choice amongst European users and has a very intuitive and user-friendly app.

    SwissBorg was launched in December 2017, as per their name they are based in Switzerland and are fully compliant with Swiss Law, making them hugely popular amongst Europeans. The Exchange is available in over 100 countries (although currently not supported in the US), and it is noted the full range of features offered by SwissBorg may not be available in every country.

    SwissBorg supports over 35 cryptocurrencies and 16 fiat currencies. New cryptocurrencies are continuously being added and users can vote for the next one to be listed. Users can directly fund their SwissBorg accounts via bank transfer with 0 charges.

    Another popular feature is SwissBorg’s app which allows users to access their crypto wallets and trade on the go.

    To keep ahead of the yield farming and decentralized finance (DeFi) craze, SwissBorg offers their Smart Yield account for yield farming, which allows users to get exposure to farming without much prerequisite knowledge. The Smart Yield feature does this by scanning and finding a range of DeFi and CeFi (Centralized Finance).

    SwissBorg also has a native token $CHSB- a multi-utility token that entitles holders to lower fees when buying/selling Bitcoin, CHSB and stablecoins on the Exchange. Other benefits include being able to have a 2x yield on your USDC, BTC, ETH, XRP, and CHSB holdings.

    Learn more about SwissBorg with our in-depth guide- SwissBorg ($CHSB): What is it?

    Sign up for SwissBorg with our exclusive link to get FREE CHSB!

    Coinbase

    coinbase exchange
    Coinbase offers a more limited selection of cryptocurrencies but makes up for it with high security and ease of use

    Coinbase was launched in 2012 and currently has over 30 million users spanning 103 countries. While Coinbase may not offer a wide variety of cryptocurrencies, it is still a top favorite among many investors due to its highly secure and easy-to-use platforms. Also, Coinbase is the first stop for many beginner traders (especially those from the US) as they have a very easy-to-use mobile app, and you can directly fund your Coinbase account from your bank account. Coinbase is also particularly popular in the US since it is the first publicly listed US crypto exchange and it is fully compliant with US regulations.

    Coinbaseā€™s popularity stems from the fact that its platform has one of the fastest and easiest cryptocurrency buying processes, which along with their claim to have never been hacked, makes them an ideal choice for beginners. Advanced users can also opt for Coinbase Pro, which has more trading features.

    Coinbase supports hundreds of digital currencies, but nevertheless still loses out to other major crypto exchanges in this respect. For US customers, there are no restrictions on transacting the following cryptocurrencies:

    • Bitcoin (BTC);
    • Ethereum (ETH);
    • Litecoin (LTC);
    • Bitcoin Cash (BCH);
    • Ethereum Classic (ETC); and
    • Ripple (XRP).

    Here’s a chart of the cryptocurrencies supported by Coinbase depending on your location.

    Most common forms of payment are accepted by Coinbase, for example credit and debit cards.

    Whilst it is generally secure, Coinbase has been under fire recently for suffering outages when there were huge fluctuations in the prices of Bitcoin in March, April AND May 2020. These outages left many users powerless to do any trades when they needed to the most. Potential users should bear this issue in mind when considering whether or not to use Coinbase.

    Coinbase also charges higher fees compared to most other exchanges, charging $0.99-$2.99 per purchase under a $200 transaction and an additional 0.5% fee depending on the amount traded. However many novice or infrequent traders consider this a fair price to pay for the convenience of the platform and as it is one of the few exchanges available to US users.

    Check out our Coinbase review for an in-depth look at this exchange. And as mentioned, Coinbase does charge higher fees compared to other exchanges on the market, hence we have our popular guide- Coinbase Fees: How to Avoid Them.

    Tier 2 Exchanges (Seasonal Trading / specific coins)

    PrimeXBT

    PrimeXBT
    PrimeXBT

    PrimeXBT is also one of the newer players in the cryptocurrency exchange space, having been launched in 2018. Credit is given to this Exchange for being one of the most transparent we have come across. Their website is a one-stop resource for anything you wanted to know about the Exchange and they also have in-depth tutorials on how to use its various features.

    The Exchange is lacking a bit in supported cryptocurrencies, currently, they only support 7 cryptocurrencies: BTC, ETH, USDC, USDT, LTC, XRP and EOS. In addition, only withdrawals and deposits in BTC are supported. However, what they lack in cryptocurrency support they make up in ability to trade other asset types such as commodities, stock indices and Forex.

    The ability to customise your trading screen and annotate charts is probably something long-awaited by technical analysts and serious traders and will keep them coming back to the Exchange.

    Check out our PrimeXBT review and guide.

    Kraken

    Kraken
    Kraken

    Kraken has a substantial presence in Europe, and listed cryptos have fiat pairs. It was founded in 2011 then relaunched in 2013. Kraken offers trading in over 50 cryptocurrencies- full list here. However, some cryptocurrencies are not available in specific countries.

    Kraken also offers margin trading and futures trading. With its margin accounts, you can borrow up to five times your account balance to trade crypto assets. Futures trading ā€” contracts which allow you to buy or sell an asset at a set price on an upcoming date ā€” is available for Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash, and Ripple.

    Learn more about futures trading with our Futures Trading Guide.

    The Exchange also offers its own futures trading platforms. But institutional clients can take advantage of expert insights, one-on-one consultations, account management support, and more.

    Kraken is hugely popular amongst European cryptocurrency enthusiasts due to its range of features. 

    Bittrex

    Bittrex
    Bittrex

    Bittrex is reliable and offers reputable services. Bittrex I used extensively in the past because they listed lots of coins. However, I eventually moved away from Bittrex because Binance overtook them in terms of coin selection.

    Bittrex will be removing the following markets after 31 May 2019: BTC-COVAL, BTC-SALT AND BTC-XCP. And the following markets after 6 July 2019: BTC-LUN, BTC-NEOS, BTC-THC and BTC-TKS

    Poloniex

    Poloniex
    Poloniex

    I also used Poloniex extensively in the past. However in my experience, their Know Your Customer (KYC) process took a long time. In my case it took 3 months to complete. This was unacceptable especially when it was during the bull market.

    Customer support on Poloniex isn’t terrible, so they still seem to be a good exchange.

    Poloniex’s geofencing announcement

    However if you are a U.S. citizen, you may need to be aware of Poloniex geofencing assets for U.S. customers. On 29 May 2019, the markets for ARDR, BCN, DCR, GAME, GAS, LSK, NXT, OMNI and REP will be disabled for US customers.

    Once the market has been geofenced, customers can still withdraw those tokens from their wallet so long as Poloniex supports it globally. However, customers will not longer be able to see their deposit address or generate a new deposit address.

    Huobi, OKEx

    Huobi
    Huobi

    Huobi and OKEx were the main titans of China. They had lots of Chinese users before the Chinese government cracked down on cryptocurrency trading in the country.

    OKEx
    OKEx

    This was known as the “Golden Vacuum” since it obliterated a lot of Huobi and OKEx’s dominance. This destabilized the two exchanges giving way to others like KuCoin and Binance to take charge.

    We still consider them as Tier 2 exchanges because they still hold onto some of their past customers and because they have the technology for the future.

    There are rumours that the Chinese government allows these exchanges to operate but keeps tabs on their transactions.

    BitMEX

    BitMEX
    BitMEX

    BitMEX is mostly a margin trading exchange allowing enormous leverage (i.e. up to 50 times). Leverage trading is when you do not own the physical bitcoin but you own trading contracts.

    Unfortunately, BitMEX does not operate in the United States and be careful not to login to your BitMEX account there, your account will get banned.

    Although we have heard of some Americans that use VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) to mask the country of origin so as to bypass this restriction.

    This is NOT recommended.

    BitMEX has poor customer support. It took us 3 months of emails to unban our account when we accidentally logged into BitMEX in the United States.

    Tier 3 Exchanges (Possible risks / issues)

    Bitfinex

    Bitfinex
    Bitfinex

    Although Bitfinex is a reputable exchange, its recent struggle with the New York Attorney General for US$850 million loss of customer funds lowers its credibility. We will have to see how Bitfinex will overcome this struggle.

    Apart from the case, it has a strong BTC/USD trading pair.

    To stay up to date with what is happening at Bitfinex, click here.

    OceanEx

    OceanEx
    OceanEx

    OceanEX is launched by BitOcean Global, a fully registered and licensed trading paltform in Japan. It’s created by a core team of members with past experience from Morgan Stanley, BNP Paribas, and Deloitte. OceanEX boasts a host of AI security features to improve user and trading safety. OceanEX is the trading hub of the VeChainThor Ecosystem, with all VeChain assets listed and VeChain trading pairs. Whilst it has many attractive features, we found liquidity lacking on many assets and difficulties both buying and selling various coins.

    To learn more about VeChain and its ecosystem, check our Vechain guide.

    AscendEX (formerly known as BitMax)

    AscendEX
    AscendEX

    I tried this exchange since I received a lot of requests from viewers.

    However I am skeptical of exchanges that use the “Transaction Mining” model. Transaction Mining is where you gain credits or exchange tokens in return for trading.

    This directly incentivises wash trading on the platform, which is where a trader simultaneously sells and buys the same assets.

    This in turn creates misleading reports on the trading volumes on the exchange.

    Tier 4 Exchanges (avoid these exchanges)

    HitBTC

    HitBTC
    HitBTC

    These three exchanges have very questionable practices.

    For example, HitBTC does not have a real KYC policy. They do not seem to have much issue with you depositing large amounts of funds. However if you trade or want to withdraw a lot they will just ban or suspend your account until you communicate with them. This has happened to me personally and when we researched this and found that many others had the same experience.

    Lately there has been a new wave of users complaining about having to provide excessive detail about the source of their funds.

    There are also some users who have done their own investigations and concluded that the Exchange is insolvent.

    YoBit

    YoBit
    YoBit

    The exchange has a troublesome withdrawal process.

    Conclusion

    Tier 1: Binance, KuCoin, SwissBorg, Coinbase

    Tier 2: PrimeXBT, Kraken, Bittrex, Poloniex, Huobi and OKEx, BitMEX

    Tier 3: Bitfinex, OceanEx, AscenDEX (formerly BitMax),

    Tier 4 (avoid): HitBTC, YoBit

    In conclusion, conducting a background check on a cryptocurrency platform before signing up is the best way to avoid losing your digital wealth. Following the above list is one huge step towards this goal.

    Disclaimer: Cryptocurrency trading involves significant risks and may result in the loss of your capital. You should carefully consider whether trading cryptocurrencies is right for you in light of your financial condition and ability to bear financial risks. Cryptocurrency prices are highly volatile and can fluctuate widely in a short period of time. As such, trading cryptocurrencies may not be suitable for everyone. Additionally, storing cryptocurrencies on a centralized exchange carries inherent risks, including the potential for loss due to hacking, exchange collapse, or other security breaches. We strongly advise that you seek independent professional advice before engaging in any cryptocurrency trading activities and carefully consider the security measures in place when choosing or storing your cryptocurrencies on a cryptocurrency exchange.

  • bitFlyerĀ Exchange Review (2023): A Trusted Japanese Cryptocurrency Exchange with Reasonably Low Fees

    bitFlyerĀ Exchange Review (2023): A Trusted Japanese Cryptocurrency Exchange with Reasonably Low Fees

    bitFlyer is an often overlooked cryptocurrency exchange, but don’t be fooled – it could be the perfect platform for you – just read some user reviews to find out! Many digital currency holders who are not Japanese still find a lot of value in this crypto exchange platform. Let us now go into the details.

    Sign up here to get started

    What is bitFlyer?

    bitFlyer is a regulated Japanese cryptocurrency exchange that offers virtual currency exchange and trading services in Japan, the United States, and Europe. With bitFlyer, users can buy and sell Bitcoin, as well as other cryptocurrencies using their preferred fiat currency, such as USD, EUR, or JPY. Additionally, users can make quick crypto purchases using a bank card and other payment methods. bitFlyer is a secure and reliable platform that provides users with a safe and convenient way to trade cryptocurrencies.

    bitFlyer is a popular and secure cryptocurrency exchange that offers low fees, responsive customer support, and an easy-to-use platform. Despite differences in regulation, the exchange remains user-friendly and provides an excellent fiat gateway for all jurisdictions. With its excellent security, low fees, and responsive customer support, bitFlyer is the best-kept secret amongst European and US traders.

    Key Features of bitFlyer

    bitFlyerā€™s key features include:

    • Purchase and trade Bitcoin and major altcoins. Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Litecoin (LTC), and other prominent cryptocurrencies are supported via the bitFlyer exchange.
    • The fees are really modest. bitFlyer has some of the lowest costs among authorized exchanges, making it an excellent fiat gateway for both beginner and experienced crypto traders.
    • An exchange that is extremely secure. bitFlyer has never been hacked and is the best exchange in terms of regulatory compliance in the crypto-verse.
    • Simple to use. bitFlyer provides two trading options: a simple interface for basic trades and a complex Lightning exchange for experienced investors.
    • Futures trading and margin. Japanese consumers can trade on bitFlyer’s Lightning FX platform, which allows for up to 4x leverage.
    • Account for a corporation. Institutional investors can apply for a corporate account, which has additional benefits and services.

    Key Advantages of bitFlyer

    We’ll begin our bitFlyer review by talking about the best parts of the exchange in question.

    A Safe Cryptocurrency Exchange

    When it comes to finding the best exchange for yourself, security should be your top priority. Exchanges that are regulated and follow all of the necessary rules and laws of their location, as well as comply with KYC norms, are the most secure. While some may consider this an invasion of privacy, it is the norm and necessary to ensure the safety of your crypto assets. Make sure to do your research and find an exchange that is secure and meets all of your needs.

    BitFlyer is a secure and reliable cryptocurrency exchange that complies with all rules and regulations. It has never been hacked and keeps 80% of its users’ crypto assets in cold storage devices. Cold storage refers to hardware crypto wallets that are always offline, meaning no hacker can access them or the assets they contain. BitFlyer is a safe and secure exchange that provides users with peace of mind when trading cryptocurrencies.

    Generally Simple to Use

    Crypto exchanges have become increasingly popular, but many newcomers can be overwhelmed by difficult and confusing interfaces. bitFlyer reviews show that this is not an issue with the exchange, as its interface is not complex and even complete newcomers can use it without any issues. bitFlyer is a great choice for those who are new to crypto trading, as it is easy to use and understand. It also offers a variety of features, such as a secure wallet, low fees, and a wide range of trading options. With its user-friendly interface and features, bitFlyer is an ideal choice for those who are just starting out in the world of crypto trading.

    Supports The Majority of the Cryptocurrencies

    The bitFlyer exchange supports the majority of the ā€œmainā€ cryptocurrencies on the market, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ethereum Classic, Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash, Monacoin, Lisk, Ripple, Basic Attention Token, Stellar Lumens, and NEM. However, the availability of these coins and tokens varies depending on the region. For example, if you reside in Japan, youā€™ll be able to trade all of the assets, while European traders wonā€™t be able to trade Ripple and BAT, and US-based traders wonā€™t be able to exchange and trade Monacoin, Lisk, Ripple, and BAT. Despite these restrictions, you can be sure that youā€™ll be able to trade and exchange Bitcoin, Ethereum, and some other more well-known crypto coins.

    Fees are Really Low

    This platform is one of the leading cryptocurrency exchanges on the market, offering some of the best fees that you can find. Depending on your region of residence, you can expect fees up to 0,15% for Japanese traders, 0,2% for European traders, and 0,12% for US clients. Futures trading is completely free of charge for Japanese traders. bitFlyer is one of the lowest fee-providing cryptocurrency exchanges, making it a great choice for anyone looking to trade crypto.

    Reasonable Account Verification Limit

    bitFlyer is a regulated cryptocurrency exchange that allows users to buy and sell Bitcoin without having to verify their identity. This is rare, as most exchanges require full verification before trading. Users can deposit and withdraw up to ā‚¬249,99 per transaction and ā‚¬2499,99 per cumulative year without having to provide ID and residential proof. bitFlyer also offers a range of other services, such as margin trading, futures trading, and more. The platform is secure and reliable and provides a great way to get started with cryptocurrency trading.

    Key Disadvantages of bitFlyer

    Let’s take a look at some of the less-than-positive bitFlyer customer evaluations.

    Cryptocurrencies Are Limited

    BitFlyer is a popular crypto exchange, but it has a major drawback – it only offers 11 coins for trading and exchange. This might be fine for beginners, but more experienced traders may find this too limiting. Other mainstream exchanges offer a much wider selection of coins, so if you’re looking for more variety, you may want to consider Binance or Coinbase.

    A Centralized Exchange

    bitFlyer is a regulated, centralized crypto exchange that follows all of the rules and regulations in place. This means that users must identify themselves in full before they can start trading and exchanging. While this is not an issue for most users, it does not suit crypto enthusiasts who believe strongly in the concept of decentralization. This is because bitFlyer, like many other crypto exchange sites, holds users’ private keys, meaning they do not have full control over their cryptocurrency. Despite this, bitFlyer has a professional nature and a spotless track record, so users should not have to worry about any issues.

    How to Register on bitFlyer?

    To begin, there is the registration process:

    • Step 1: Navigate to the bitFLyer website. The site may differ depending on your location; 
    • Step 2: Click the Sign Up for Free button! – Your email address will be requested.
    • Step 3: You must now confirm your email address, create a password, and enable two-factor authentication. Given that an SSL certificate is also involved, the platform’s security is quite solid!
    • Step 4: Once you have completed the 2FA and agreed to all of the documentation, your account has been activated! You can now opt to verify your identity right now or at a later time.

    The signup process is quite straightforward and quick!

    How to Add Funds to bitFlyer?

    After you’ve registered your account, you’ll most likely want to fund it and begin trading. The procedure is straightforward.
    You’ll want to go to the left side of your screen and select Account Funding. You will then be routed to a new page on the site.

    Now that you’ve validated your account, you’ll be able to contribute funds with ease. However, if you haven’t yet completed verification, you must do so by providing the site with your name, surname, and all other essential information.

    The funding process takes very little time and is quite simple – once you have your funds set up, you can start purchasing and trading the crypto-coins of your choice right away!

    Conclusion

    bitFlyer is a reliable and secure cryptocurrency exchange that allows users to purchase and trade a variety of main crypto assets. The exchange is praised for its simplicity and user-friendliness and is considered safe and secure. However, the available cryptocurrencies may vary depending on the region. If bitFlyer doesn’t meet your needs, there are other alternatives, such as Binance and Coinbase, that may be worth considering.

    Disclaimer: Cryptocurrency trading involves significant risks and may result in the loss of your capital. You should carefully consider whether trading cryptocurrencies is right for you in light of your financial condition and ability to bear financial risks. Cryptocurrency prices are highly volatile and can fluctuate widely in a short period of time. As such, trading cryptocurrencies may not be suitable for everyone. Additionally, storing cryptocurrencies on a centralized exchange carries inherent risks, including the potential for loss due to hacking, exchange collapse, or other security breaches. We strongly advise that you seek independent professional advice before engaging in any cryptocurrency trading activities and carefully consider the security measures in place when choosing or storing your cryptocurrencies on a cryptocurrency exchange.

  • Top Cryptocurrency Exchanges 2023

    Top Cryptocurrency Exchanges 2023

    Cryptocurrency exchanges allow people to buy/sell/trade cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin or Ethereum. Here are our picks for the top cryptocurrency exchanges of 2023:

    • Tier 1: Binance, KuCoin, SwissBorg, Coinbase, ByBit
    • Tier 2: Kraken, Huobi and OKX, Gate.io

    For this article, we also split our picks for top cryptocurrency exchanges of 2023 into 2 tiers. Exchanges that we at Team Boxmining use frequently are in Tier 1, and those we occasionally use are in Tier 2. However, this is only based on our personal preference. You should also always check if the exchange is available in your country and if there are any restrictions.

    To see how our list compares to 2022, check out: Top Best Cryptocurrency Exchanges 2022

    What makes a good or bad cryptocurrency exchange?

    In our view, a good cryptocurrency exchange would have the following features:

    • A good security track record: A good cryptocurrency exchange should not have suffered any significant hacks. And even if there have been hacks, a good exchange reacts quickly and ensures customers’ funds are fully recovered.
    • Transparency: A good crypto exchange will be open about where users’ deposits are held. They should also promptly update customers when any issues arise, such as when there are hacks or negative press.
    • Responsive customer service: Good cryptocurrency exchanges should have 24-hour customer support and multiple points of contact e.g. email, live chat, etc.

    On the other hand, here are some features we’ve noticed with bad cryptocurrency exchanges:

    • No KYC (know-your-customer) policy: KYC is admittedly troublesome. But, it is a necessary safeguard for all crypto traders: This is because if the exchange collapses or there is a hack, KYC proves you are their client and that any funds deposited belong to you.
    • Issues with withdrawals: Some exchanges have been known to ban or suspend your account for large withdrawals or trades without notifying you first. The exchange will then make you communicate with them to “resolve” the issue.
    • No proof of reserves: The collapse of FTX exchange brought to the forefront the question of how crypto exchanges really handle customers’ funds. Since the incident, many major crypto exchanges have taken the initiative to provide evidence showing that they have funds to cover all users’ assets 1:1.

    Top Cryptocurrency Exchanges 2023: Tier 1 (Active Trading)

    Binance

    BinanceĀ was founded in 2017 and has over 120 million registered users. Since the collapse of FTX, Binance has (by far) the highest 24-hour trading volume and monthly site visits. Binance also supports over 1,300 cryptocurrencies, making it a good choice for any level of crypto trader. In fact, Binance is so popular that the mere news of new coins being listed on the exchange can cause its prices to skyrocket.Ā 

    The popularity of Binance has made its CEO Zhao Changpeng (CZ) a celebrity in the cryptocurrency community. His Tweets now have a significant influence on the cryptocurrency markets.

    As for security measures, Binance has an asset fund as insurance in case of misappropriated user funds. Binance has also provided proof-of-reserves showing they have sufficient funds to cover users’ assets 1:1 plus additional reserves.

    Binance offers services to US customers via Binance.US. But Binance.us has fewer supported cryptocurrencies and features.

    Binance is Team Boxminingā€™s most frequently used exchange. It is easy to use and has a responsive customer service team. Credit is also due to Binance being able to overcome every wave of FUD (fear, uncertainty and doubt) that has come their way so far. In fact, in December 2022, there were rumours that Binance did not have sufficient reserves to meet clients’ deposits. During that time, many crypto traders withdrew funds from exchanges, which Binance nevertheless handled very efficiently.

    Binance also caters to experienced traders with advanced trading options and plenty of analytics. Novice users will inevitably experience a learning curve, but once you find your way around, it becomes almost second nature.

    For a detailed look at what Binance offers, check out Binance Exchange Review: Best Crypto Exchange? 

    KuCoin

    KuCoin refers to itself as “The People’s Exchange”, serving over 20 million customers in over 200 countries. They have over 700 supported cryptocurrencies meaning you can trade lots of small-cap tokens with low trading fees. $KCS token holders are also entitled to 20% off trading fees.

    At Team Boxmining, we find that when trading small-cap coins, we need to use MetaMask and then trade on platforms such as Uniswap or PancakeSwap. And if itā€™s an ERC 20 token you would have to pay ridiculously high gas fees. Not to mention you cannot do this on the go via mobile phone. Therefore, if these small-cap tokens are listed on KuCoin, you can save a lot of unnecessary costs and missed opportunities.

    We at Team Boxmining love using the KuCoin app as it allows us to trade everywhere. The app is also very responsive and not buggy. We are also very happy to see that KuCoin’s updated app allows you to filter your trading history to only see your current trading pair. So now you can quickly see the price at which you previously traded the same coins. The KuCoin app is not buggy, unlike Gate.io as will be seen later.

    It is also worth mentioning that KuCoin have suffered hacks in 2020 and 2021. Although they were unable to completely recover the stolen cryptocurrencies, they were still able to make users whole through their insurance fund.

    SwissBorg

    SwissBorg is an extremely popular exchange amongst European crypto traders. Based in Switzerland, they are fully compliant with Swiss Law. However, compared to other exchanges, SwissBorg has very few supported cryptocurrencies (around 30 cryptocurrencies and 16 fiat currencies). But, they will consistently add new ones.

    SwissBorg’s Smart Yield is a popular feature that allows users to earn passive income. Users deposit cryptocurrencies into their Smart Yield Wallet and they can redeem yield every 24 hours without any minimum investment period. The amount of yield varies according to market conditions and on which cryptocurrency. So for example, currently USDT yields 5.30% p.a., whilst Swissborg’s native token $CHSB yields 15.82%!

    One major downside however is that SwissBorg is not available in the US. Also, not all its features are available in every country. See here for which Swissborg features are available in your country.

    Learn more about SwissBorg’s native token- SwissBorg ($CHSB): What is it?

    EXCLUSIVE: sign up for SwissBorg for FREE CHSB!

    Coinbase

    Coinbase
    Coinbase

    Coinbase is arguably the most popular exchange in the US. They are the first publicly listed US crypto exchange and they are fully compliant with US laws. Their mobile app is also very beginner friendly and allows users to directly fund their account from their US bank account.

    Learn more with our Coinbase Review.

    ByBit

    ByBit is mostly known for derivatives trading. This is because ByBit allows trading at up to 100x leverage. This means traders can trade a position worth $10,000 using only $100. However, this means whilst your gains can be amplified, so can your losses.

    ByBit has not been hacked. They, along with most major exchanges, have also provided proof-of-reserves showing that they have sufficient cryptocurrencies in their wallets to meet users’ assets.

    However, ByBit is not available in the US. Also, there are no KYC procedures, which means that if there are issues with the exchange, there may be difficulty in proving to the exchange that you have deposits with them.

    ByBit has its own coin, known as BitDAO ($BIT) which entitles holders to trading fee discounts. But compared to other exchange tokens (e.g. Binance’s BNB), BitDAO is not widely traded.

    Whilst ByBit also offers a wide range of products, we only use ByBit for its derivatives trading features. This is because ByBit has comparatively fewer supported cryptocurrencies. However, for derivatives trading, we appreciate its industry-leading transaction speeds (135,000 transactions per second!). It also has a high trading volume meaning that there will consistently be others you can be trading against at any given time.

    Start trading on ByBit

    Top Cryptocurrency Exchanges 2023: Tier 2 (Occasional Trading)

    Kraken

    Kraken was relaunched in 2013 and are popular amongst the European cryptocurrency community. The exchange supports over 185 cryptocurrencies (see here for a full list) and offers limited services to US customers.

    Kraken offers spot, margin and futures trading. But one standout One welcome feature is its OTC (over-the-counter) desk services. This allows traders to execute peer-to-peer orders off the Kraken exchange. It is a personalised and private service popular amongst institutional or high-net-worth traders. This is because OTC desks allow for better deals on larger orders.

    Learn more- Top Bitcoin OTC Brokers: Efficiently trade large volumes of Bitcoin

    Huobi, OKX

    Huobi and OKX were the most popular cryptocurrency exchanges in China. Despite a crackdown on cryptocurrency trading in China, they have still managed to hold on to some of their customers. They are also both still within the top 10 exchanges with the highest 24-hour trading volume according to CoinGecko.

    Both exchanges still keep updated on what customers expect from a reputable cryptocurrency exchange. For example, both exchanges have data showing their proof of reserves. They have both also taken an extra step to hire third parties to audit their assets so as to reassure users the exchange has sufficient funds to back customers’ assets on the exchange.

    Gate.io

    Gate.io is based in Hong Kong. They have over 1,500 coins and 2,700 trading pairs. One major benefit of Gate.io is that it offers trading of low-cap and lesser-known coins.

    They have previously been revealed to have covered up the fact that it was hacked for US$230 million in 2018. Gate.io has not directly addressed this allegation and whether affected users were made whole. Nevertheless, the exchange has provided proof-of-reserves.

    Whilst we do use Gate.io almost daily, we struggle to recommend it as a tier 1 exchange. The main reason is its buggy mobile application. Favorited trading pairs or displayed holdings would sometimes disappear. Also, the displayed withdrawal fees would show different amounts depending on the page.

    We have had bad experiences with the exchange. For example, we were not told that a particular coin stopped trading. Worse, we could not withdraw our coins. However, given that they offer trading in some unpopular coins, many customers will have no choice but to use this exchange.

    Conclusion

    Tier 1: Binance, KuCoin, SwissBorg, Coinbase, ByBit

    Tier 2: Kraken, Huobi and OKX, Gate.io

    In conclusion, users research an exchange’s track record, security measures, and whether they offer proof-of-reserves. In our opinion, these are good indicators of whether an exchange is reputable. Users, however, should always avoid keeping more cryptocurrencies than necessary for trading. Because you may lose your cryptocurrencies if an exchange collapses. Therefore we recommend any crypto trader get a hardware wallet for storing their coins (such as the Ledger Nano X).

    You can buy the Ledger Nano X here.

    Disclaimer: Cryptocurrency trading involves significant risks and may result in the loss of your capital. You should carefully consider whether trading cryptocurrencies is right for you in light of your financial condition and ability to bear financial risks. Cryptocurrency prices are highly volatile and can fluctuate widely in a short period of time. As such, trading cryptocurrencies may not be suitable for everyone. Additionally, storing cryptocurrencies on a centralized exchange carries inherent risks, including the potential for loss due to hacking, exchange collapse, or other security breaches. We strongly advise that you seek independent professional advice before engaging in any cryptocurrency trading activities and carefully consider the security measures in place when choosing or storing your cryptocurrencies on a cryptocurrency exchange.

  • Liquid Exchange Review (2023): A Cryptocurrency Exchange with a Diverse Range of Supporter Coins

    Liquid Exchange Review (2023): A Cryptocurrency Exchange with a Diverse Range of Supporter Coins

    For those looking for a reliable and legitimate cryptocurrency exchange, Liquid is a great place to start, as the platform has seen a surge in popularity in recent years. This Liquid review will provide you with all the information you need about the features and benefits of the Liquid exchange, so you can decide if it’s the right choice.

    Sign up here to get started

    What is Liquid?

    Liquid is a Tokyo-based cryptocurrency-fiat exchange platform that was established in 2014 and granted an official license from the Japan Financial Services Agency in 2017. It offers a comprehensive solution to modern financial trading problems, providing traders with a secure and reliable platform to buy and sell digital assets. Liquid’s services are designed to be user-friendly and secure, allowing traders to access a wide range of features such as advanced order types, margin trading, and more. With its cutting-edge technology and customer-centric approach, Liquid is the perfect choice for traders looking for a reliable and secure platform to trade digital assets.

    Liquid is dedicated to establishing a safe crypto space that enables every trader and customer to benefit from secure financial transactions and exceptional blockchain technology. Its position in the top ten regulated crypto platforms not only benefits the organization but also serves as a robust platform for customers to enjoy excellent services with optimal security. With its creative interface, Liquid has successfully incorporated effective features and measures that provide users with a great experience. Liquid places a high emphasis on ensuring user satisfaction.

    Key Features of Liquid

    Some of the core features of Liquid are as follows:

    • The trading environment is excellent, facilitating the exchange of various cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin and Ethereum.
    • Innovative security measures are in place.
    • There is a strong focus on fintech innovation.
    • Advanced trading capabilities are available.
    • The interactive interface includes live price charts and analytical tools for professional traders.
    • Greater liquidity and fund control are provided.
    • The website is easy to navigate, allowing for effective information mining.
    • The search and browsing experience is smooth.
    • Despite dropping to the 67th spot during the Covid-19 crisis in March 2020, the Liquid exchange still boasts strong liquidity, ranking among the top 20 for 30-day trading volume at 5.7 billion.

    Key Advantages of Liquid

    As usual, we will begin our review of Liquid by examining the features and advantages that this Singapore-Japan exchange provides to its users. Subsequently, we will delve into some of the more noteworthy grievances. Finally, I will demonstrate how to register on the platform and make your first cryptocurrency purchase.

    Supports a Wide Range of Cryptocurrencies

    At present, there are over 7000 cryptocurrencies available for discovery, trading, and utilization, each with its unique approach. Although an average crypto enthusiast won’t require even 1/100th of them, the point is that the popularity of cryptocurrencies is on a steady rise. With this increased popularity comes an increase in the public interest. Through user Liquid reviews found online, it’s apparent that even cryptocurrency newbies do their research before entering the industry. The result is asset diversification and a move beyond Bitcoin.

    As a result, people seek cryptocurrency exchanges that allow them to trade more than just Bitcoin or Ethereum. That’s where Liquid exchange comes in. In Liquid crypto, users can access over 100 different cryptocurrencies for trading, which is quite a high number. While no single trader may require such a vast portfolio of crypto assets, having a wide range of choices is always appreciated. This aspect is frequently mentioned in user Liquid reviews, and understandably so – it is one of the exchange’s most significant features.

    Bank Transfers and Credit/Debit Card Purchases are Accepted

    The Liquid exchange is a popular platform for buying and trading cryptocurrencies. It supports multiple payment options, including bank transfers and credit/debit cards, making it easy to purchase Bitcoin and Ethereum. The exchange also offers a wide range of other coins, with some exceptions. Reviews of the exchange are generally positive, with users praising its user-friendly interface and secure transactions. With its wide range of payment options and secure transactions, Liquid is a great choice for those looking to buy and trade cryptocurrencies.

    Account and Asset Security is Taken Seriously

    This platform offers users a secure trading platform. With its advanced security measures, users can rest assured that their accounts and assets are safe from potential hacks. Liquid reviews have praised the exchange for its security features, which include two-factor authentication, cold storage, and advanced encryption. With these measures in place, users can be sure that their cryptocurrencies are safe and secure.

    It utilizes mandatory 2FA, withdrawal protection, IP address whistling, cool-down periods of certain setting changes, and 98% of user crypto assets stored in cold storage devices. Furthermore, it also implements KYC and AML checks and verifications to ensure the security of its users. All these measures make Liquid one of the most secure cryptocurrency exchanges on the market.

    Some Extra Features

    Liquid is a cryptocurrency exchange that offers users a wide range of features, including traditional cryptocurrency trading, Infinity trading (CFD trading), futures trading, margin trading, and more. With up to 100x leverage available, users can take advantage of the platformā€™s features to maximize their profits. Additionally, Liquid has a mobile app that allows users to trade and exchange on the go. With its extensive list of features, Liquid is a great choice for those looking to get involved in cryptocurrency trading.

    Key Disadvantages of Liquid

    Now, let’s determine whether they are significant problems or minor inconveniences.

    Issues for Users in the United States

    US-based customers can only trade on the exchange using crypto-crypto pairs as fiat-crypto pairs are reportedly inaccessible for residents of the States. This limitation is not surprising as many cryptocurrency exchanges have issues with the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC), and do not allow US investors to trade on them.

    However, trading with crypto-crypto pairs can cause inconvenience for newbie crypto traders as they have to acquire cryptocurrency, transfer it to Liquid, and trade it for another crypto coin of their choice. This process is long and tedious, and not beginner-friendly. As a result, Liquid may not be the ideal choice for US-based customers who are new to crypto trading and would prefer to buy cryptocurrency with fiat money.

    Mediocre Fees

    Liquid exchange reviews note that the platform offers a 0.3% trading fee for both market makers and market takers. This is considered to be rather high when compared to other exchanges. However, market makers have many more benefits, such as no fees when trading under $10,000 per month. Additionally, both categories of traders can reduce their fees by performing more trades, with makers having a faster reduction. Finally, users can also use the Liquid exchange native token, QASH, to reduce their fees even further. All of these factors combined can help traders get some good deals, fee-wise.

    How to Register on Liquid?

    We’ll start with the registration.

    • Step 1: Visit the Liquid official website and click the “Get started” button.
    • Step 2: Enter your legal name, email address, referral code (if applicable), and country of residence.
    • Step 3: Confirm your email address by clicking the verification link in your inbox.
    • Step 4: Sign in to your account and start trading!

    The registration process on Liquid is straightforward and quick, taking less than a minute to complete. Unlike other exchanges, KYC verifications are not required during registration, making it beginner-friendly.

    How to Start Trading on Liquid?

    Liquid Exchange makes it easy to fund your account and start trading quickly, with its optimized process.

    • Step 1: Log in to your Liquid account.
    • Step 2: You’ll be sent to your dashboard. Here are some useful hints on how to correctly set up your account – two-factor authentication, KYC, account funding, and so on. You’ll also notice a Buy | Swap button and a small VISA sign in the upper right corner of the screen. Click the button.
    • Step 3: Following the completion of some legalities and confirmations, you will be presented with a trading screen. You can use a credit or debit card to purchase cryptocurrencies or exchange one asset for another.
    • Step 4: The final step may be a little confusing, as you will be routed to your profile page and requested to complete KYC verification as well as secure your account with 2FA, if you haven’t already.

    The “complicated” element here just refers to the fact that you will need to take the time to authenticate your identity and set everything up in order for your order to be processed. Keep in mind, however, that this is a typical procedure – while you were able to avoid the tedious formalities during registration, they are still required.

    Conclusion

    In conclusion, the Liquid exchange is definitely worth checking out, especially if you’re located outside of the US and looking for a secure and reliable alternative crypto trading platform. With a wide variety of cryptocurrencies to choose from and an assortment of different features, Liquid offers a smooth and streamlined trading experience. While the platform’s default fees are slightly high and US investors can only trade crypto-crypto, these are minor drawbacks in the grand scheme of things. Overall, Liquid is one of the better exchanges in the industry, suitable for both beginners and experts. However, if Liquid doesn’t quite fit your needs, there are plenty of other cryptocurrency exchanges available, such as Coinbase or Binance, to explore.

    Disclaimer: Cryptocurrency trading involves significant risks and may result in the loss of your capital. You should carefully consider whether trading cryptocurrencies is right for you in light of your financial condition and ability to bear financial risks. Cryptocurrency prices are highly volatile and can fluctuate widely in a short period of time. As such, trading cryptocurrencies may not be suitable for everyone. Additionally, storing cryptocurrencies on a centralized exchange carries inherent risks, including the potential for loss due to hacking, exchange collapse, or other security breaches. We strongly advise that you seek independent professional advice before engaging in any cryptocurrency trading activities and carefully consider the security measures in place when choosing or storing your cryptocurrencies on a cryptocurrency exchange.

  • 0x ($ZRX) guide: The future of cryptocurrency exchanges?

    0x ($ZRX) guide: The future of cryptocurrency exchanges?

    0x ($ZRX) is an open protocol for developers to build their own decentralised cryptocurrency exchanges on the Ethereum blockchain. 0x came about as an answer to the problems inherent in centralised exchanges (CEX) and decentralised exchanges (DEX). For CEXs, approximately USD $1.1 billion has already been lost through security breaches on these platforms. Thus cryptocurrency enthusiasts have become wary for fear of losing their funds. Decentralised exchanges were meant to be an answer to this, but they have also issues of increased friction and increasing transaction costs. In this guide, we will explore what 0x is already offering in todayā€™s market, and take a look at their recently released version 3 of the protocol.

    Background

    0x is a brainchild of its CTO, Amir Bandeali, and its CEO, Will Warren. Other key individuals behind the project include their blockchain engineers, product designers, researchers, and business strategists. They also have a strong list of advisors including Fred Ehrsam, Co-founder of Coinbase and David Sacks, former COO of PayPal.

    What is 0x?

    0x is a protocol built on the Ethereum blockchain to create and power decentralized exchanges. Its aim is to be interfaced with other systems to power high-end decentralized applications (dapps).

    The protocol seeks to inspire the movement of assets across the financial sector by eliminating third parties that have been making the process complicated and costly. The presence of smart contracts has also helped push third parties further to oblivion.

    The advent of DEXs comes to safeguard usersā€™ funds and prevent government censorship. These exchanges place the security of usersā€™ funds onto the users themselves instead of trusting centralized platforms, which are prone to hacks.

    Due to the Bitcoin blockchain scalability issues and lack of smart contract flexibility, dapp developers have flocked to Ethereum to build decentralized solutions such as exchanges. Unfortunately, with everyone looking to build a specialized dapp, Ethereum has been flooded with applications that cannot communicate well with each other.

    Furthermore, these applications have varying degrees of security and quality. 0x came to solve this user fragmentation issue, as well as reduce the cost of using dapps.

    How does 0x work?

    Although it is built on top of Ethereum, its orders are dealt with off-chain as relayers are used to match the orders. The orders are only uploaded on the Ethereum blockchain after the process is complete. Off-chain signing reduces the amount of gas used in a particular transaction while also reducing the load on the main chain.

    A relayer on the platform can be thought of as a decentralized exchange that has both public and private order books. Orders are broadcasted through these order books to make a suitable match.

    Apart from reducing the gas fees involved, this approach also allows users to have control over their funds. An important feature of a relayer is that it only facilitates but does not conduct trades.

    To allow this, the relayer needs to be supplied with the order makerā€™s signature, which is then delivered to the DEXā€™s smart contract. Relayers are rewarded using the protocolā€™s native token, ZRX, though this has been changed along with several other features in version 3 of 0x.

    0x version 3: A new protocol with enhanced features

    In August 2020, the decentralized protocol released a new version 3 that enables users to develop a more interconnected DeFi ecosystem. There are 3 major upgrades in this new version: staking ZRX tokens, liquidity bridges and flexible fees.

    0x staking features

    Version 3 of 0x introduced a staking mechanism which allows trading fees to be accepted in any token. Market makers that provide liquidity are seen as crucial for 0x’s long-term growth since they bring in liquidity. Hence a new staking feature was introduced whereby market makers on 0x are given monetary rewards. This means that any ZRX holder can join a market maker’s staking pool and be entitled to a share of the liquidity rewards. Meanwhile, it is in the best interests of the market maker to entice stakers to join their pool because it increases their potential liquidity rewards payouts and their voting power on governance issues since stakers are required to delegate half their voting power to the market maker.

    Liquidity bridges

    Liquidity bridges is an exciting upgrade for decentralised finance (DeFi) developers who are building dapps that will benefit from accessing more liquidity. This is because the feature will enable them to source liquidity not only from the 0x network itself, but other DEXs such as UniSwap or Kyber from a single point of integration, known as 0x API (more on that below). In short, allowing users access to liquidity in other DEXs, thereby ensuring that orders are being filled to reach higher volumes, and thus attracting even more users onto the platform.

    Flexible fees for Relayers

    Previously, 0x only allowed Relayers to receive fees in ZRX only. This was problematic because sometimes Relayers may not want to receive fees in ZRX. It also led to a poor experience for Relayers since it created more additional steps in DEX trading, for example one of the largest 0x DEXs by volume didn’t have fees. And there is speculation that this is because of the limited ways in which fees could be paid out. This has been fixed in version 3, where Relayers can choose to have their fees paid in any Ethereum-based token or even in the token currently being traded.

    ZRX Token: What is it?

    The ZRX token is built based on Ethereumā€™s ERC-20 standard. Apart from being used to pay relayers for facilitating trades, it is also utilized for governance on the 0x protocol. In line with this, the amount of ZRX held determines the power a governor has when contributing to governance issues such as protocol upgrades.

    The ZRX token supply is hard-capped at one billion. During its launch in 2017, half of the tokens were released and distributed to developers (15%), 0x (15%), founding team (10%), and advisors (10%).

    ZRX is listed on Binance, Coinbase, Huobi, HitBTC, and other leading exchanges. For storage, the token is supported by Ledger (both the Nano X and Nano S), Enjin, Exodus, and any other cryptocurrency wallets primed for ERC-20 tokens.

    As mentioned above, the 0x team has recently introduced staking features for ZRX which gives more incentives for both liquidity providing market makers and ZRX holders.

    Other products powered by 0x

    0x has a whole suite of products aside from its open protocol. These are:

    Ā·         0x Instant– This offers a way to buy cryptocurrency on any app or website.

    Ā·         0x mesh ā€“ Allows access to a global P2P order book for tokens.

    Ā·         0x API ā€“ Can be used to accumulate liquidity from platforms built on the protocol such as UniSwap, and Mesh. It can also be used to swap tokens based on price.

    Ā·         Matcha ā€“ A platform to find the best prices across exchange networks.

    Ā·         0x Extensions ā€“ For use with relayers to incorporate new trading types.

    Ā·         0x OTC ā€“ This is a consumer-based exchange that allows for a P2P exchange of ETH tokens without a relayer. Unlike the other P2P exchanges, 0x OTC enables the seller to send a link to the buyer on any platform, including social media, and its results are recorded on the Ethereum blockchain.

    Even with numerous advantages, the protocol uses multi-signature smart contracts that could be exploited since they are still based on code. Also, since the DEXes are still a work in progress, they may not have the liquidity needed to fill orders for lesser-known tokens.

    Conclusion

    As blockchain technology matures, so should the applications run on top of it. However, as more dapps flood the scene, we need a standard quality and security setting to ensure that these systems operate as they are intended. Thankfully, with 0x, the standard is already set.

    Furthermore, dapp developers also need to embrace the system for users to benefit from low transaction fees.

    The 0x protocol can be used in prediction markets such as sports betting, which require untampered results of outcomes of physical events.

    The platformā€™s vast use cases are also capable of bringing real change in the decentralized world while leveraging off-chain mechanisms to drastically enhance scalability.

    Decentralised Finance (DeFi) series: tutorials, guides and more

    With content for both beginners and more advanced users, check out our YouTube DeFi series containing tutorials on the ESSENTIAL TOOLS you need for trading in the DeFi space e.g. MetaMask and Uniswap. As well as a deep dive into popular DeFi topics such as decentralized exchanges, borrowing-lending platforms and NFT marketplaces

    The DeFi series on this website also covers topics not explored on YouTube. For an introduction on what is DeFi, check out Decentralized Finance (DeFi) Overview: A guide to the HOTTEST trend in cryptocurrency

    Tutorials and guides for the ESSENTIAL DEFI TOOLS:

    More videos and articles are coming soon as part of our DeFi series, so be sure to SUBSCRIBE to our Youtube channel so you can be notified as soon as they come out!

    Disclaimer: Cryptocurrency trading involves significant risks and may result in the loss of your capital. You should carefully consider whether trading cryptocurrencies is right for you in light of your financial condition and ability to bear financial risks. Cryptocurrency prices are highly volatile and can fluctuate widely in a short period of time. As such, trading cryptocurrencies may not be suitable for everyone. Additionally, storing cryptocurrencies on a centralized exchange carries inherent risks, including the potential for loss due to hacking, exchange collapse, or other security breaches. We strongly advise that you seek independent professional advice before engaging in any cryptocurrency trading activities and carefully consider the security measures in place when choosing or storing your cryptocurrencies on a cryptocurrency exchange.

  • CEX.IO Exchange Review (2023): One of the Leading Cryptocurrency Platforms

    CEX.IO Exchange Review (2023): One of the Leading Cryptocurrency Platforms

    CEX.IO is a secure and user-friendly cryptocurrency exchange platform that enables users to easily buy, sell, and trade digital assets. In this review, we will share all about CEX.IO, itā€™s brief history, digital currencies you can buy, sell and trade, then the advantages and disadvantages of the platform.

    Sign up here to get started.

    What is CEX.IO?

    CEX.IO is a legitimate and safe cryptocurrency exchange platform that supports multiple deposit types and different digital assets. It is suitable for both advanced and beginner users who are looking to buy and sell cryptocurrencies. CEX.IO LTD, the company behind the exchange, is registered in the United States as a Money Services Business and is licensed by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). The exchange has also expanded its services within the US, with MTL licenses that can serve 48 different states.

    CEX.IO is a cryptocurrency exchange that provides users with a level two DSS certificate for added security. However, it is still vulnerable to hackers due to the vast amounts of different currencies stored on the platform. To ensure your cryptocurrency is safe, it is recommended to store it in a secure wallet. Sample secure wallets are MyEtherWallet or Exodus. CEX.IO is a reliable exchange, but users should take extra precautions to protect their digital assets.

    Key Features of CEX.IO

    CEX.IO key features include:

    Margin and Spot Trading. CEX.IO offers trading digital assets with leverage on with their own Broker. Spot trading with place limits and market orders.

    Mobile Application. Download CEX.IO to buy, sell, earn and exchange crypto anywhere and on the go. Their app is available both on Google Play and iOS App Store.

    Trading API. Traders can automate their cryptocurrency trading with CEX.IO’s reliable and stable API.

    Instant Buy using Bank Cards. Credit or Debit Cards are a available option to buy cryptocurrencies on CEX.IO with only just a few clicks.

    Multiple Fiat Currencies Available. There are a lot of available fiat currencies to choose from, so traders will do fewer trades and less fees.

    Key Advantages of CEX.IO

    Customer Support

    CEX.IO provides an extensive support section to help users understand the platform. If you can’t find the answer to your question, the platform offers an easy-to-use email support form to get the help you need.

    Multiple Fiat Currency Choices

    At this exchange, you can trade multiple cryptocurrencies with your preferred fiat currency. With no need to convert to Bitcoin first, you can save on fees by making fewer trades.

    Suitable for Beginners

    CEX.IO offers a user-friendly platform with a clean and clutter-free interface, making it easy to navigate and ideal for beginners. Advanced trading windows are also available, providing a pleasurable experience for all users.

    Margin Trade Options

    Margin trading options can be a risky form of trading, and is not recommended for beginners. If you’re looking to try it out, CEX.IO Broker offers commission-free margin trading options.

    Registered and Secured

    The USA’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) has registered the company as a Money Services Business. It has also been awarded a Level Two Data Security Standard (DSS) certificate. CEX.IO security is tested as it has never been hacked before.

    Key Disadvantages of CEX.IO

    Trust in Security

    Even if they have never been hacked before, it is essential to exercise caution when using any exchange. No platform is completely secure. To ensure the safety of your funds, it is recommended to not leave any money on the exchange. This is for both fiat currency or cryptocurrency.

    Which Coins Can You Buy on CEX.IO?

    CEX.IO offers users a wide range of digital assets to buy with either Bitcoin or fiat currency, including 108 cryptocurrencies and 228 trading pairs.

    It is a popular platform for buying and trading cryptocurrencies, offering a wide selection of the most well-known coins and tokens. Users can easily exchange their cryptocurrencies or use fiat money to purchase their desired digital assets.

    Payment Methods, Fiat Currencies, and Fees

    CEX.IO is a great choice for users from many countries, as it accepts a wide range of fiat currencies. Here is the list for their supported fiat currencies:

    • United States dollar (USD)
    • Euro (EUR)
    • Pound Sterling (GBP)
    • Ruble (RUB)

    There are also various payment methods accepted on CEX.IO:

    • VISA
    • MASTERCARD
    • S.W.I.F.T.
    • ACH
    • Faster Payments
    • Sepa
    • QIWI
    • Skrill

    CEX IO EU Limited offers a wide range of payment methods to make it easy for new users, including card processing services for clients from the European Economic Area (EEA).

    They offer competitive trading fees, ranging from 0.25% for market takers and 0.15% for market makers, down to as low as 0.01% and 0% respectively. The fees depend on the amount of crypto assets traded, making it an attractive option for those looking to trade crypto in smaller sums.

    CEX.IO Review: Account Verification

    Here are the various levels of accounts on CEX.IO:

    With each account tier, customers can enjoy additional payment options, higher transaction and withdrawal limits, and other benefits.

    For more advanced users, corporate accounts offer additional features. However, we won’t be delving too deeply into these features here.

    Verified accounts offer many advantages, so even new users may want to reach this tier.

    Basic Accounts

    Create an account with CEX.IO and start trading with Visa or MasterCard. With a basic account, you can deposit fiat currency and start trading right away.

    The recommended maximum and minimum deposit amounts for individual payment methods vary.

    Verified Accounts

    Verifying your identity with CEX.IO is easy and comes with several advantages. To increase your daily deposit and withdrawal limits or withdraw fiat funds, users must complete the verification process. In this CEX.IO review, we’ll explain exactly how to do it and the benefits of having a verified user account.

    How to Get a CEX.IO Verified Account: Stage 1

    Verifying your account with CEX.IO is a straightforward process that requires you to submit some personal information and documents to reach the verified account tier. This is to ensure the company complies with anti-money laundering (AML) and know your customer (KYC) regulations. Read on for our CEX.IO review of the account verification process.

    To ensure a successful upgrade of your CEX.IO account, please follow the steps below carefully. Make sure to submit all the required documents in the correct format, as CEX.IO will reject any requests that do not meet their standards. Failing to do so could mean missing out on a great opportunity to buy or sell a cryptocurrency at a favorable price.

    1. To complete the process, you must provide information from a valid government-issued identification document, such as a passport, ID card, or driver’s license.

    2. Complete the form with your gender, first name, middle name (if applicable), last name, date of birth, place of birth, contact number, and a link to social media profile (optional).

    3. After that, users must enter their residential and permanent addresses. If the two are the same, they can check the box labeled ā€œsame as residentialā€ which is located next to the ā€œpermanent addressā€ fields.

    4. To verify your identity, submit a scan or photograph of a few identity documents that meet the necessary requirements:

    • The issue date must be in the future (document must be valid on the day it is submitted).
    • Copies of both sides of the document must be submitted.
    • Scanned images must be in full color and in a high resolution.
    • Documents must be in either jpg, gif, png, tiff, or pdf format.
    • The file must be no larger than 15MB.
    • The photograph or scan must be no older than three months.
    • Documents must be completed using the Latin alphabet (a, b, c, dā€¦)

    How to Get a CEX.IO Verified Account: Stage 2

    CEX.IO requires users to submit their identity document, a selfie of themselves holding the document, and a proof of address for verification.

    Accepted government-issued identity documents for the above form include national IDs, passports, and driver’s licenses.

    To ensure a clear and compliant selfie with your identity document, it is recommended to enlist the help of a friend or family member to take the photo. The photograph must meet the following criteria:

    • You must look directly at the camera
    • Use a light or neutral background color 
    • The image must be in full color 
    • No red-eye
    • No hats, sunglasses, headbands, or bandanas should obstruct the view of your face
    • The information on the document must be clearly visible.

    Acceptable proof of residency documents include photographs or scans that include your address (as stated in the verification form). The following will be accepted as a proof of residency document:

    • Utility bill (not a mobile phone, TV contract, or printed internet bills).
    • Electricity bill.
    • Bank statement.
    • Tax return, or council tax bill.

    CEX.IO allows customers to provide other forms of proof of residency, such as utility bills, bank statements, and government-issued documents, as long as they are not electronic bills, online screenshots, mobile phone bills, or credit card statements.

    CEX.IO Review: Advantages of Having a Verified Account

    Verified accounts on CEX.IO offer users access to more payment methods, higher deposit and withdrawal limits, and the ability to withdraw in fiat currencies. This makes verifying an account on CEX.IO an essential step for users who want to make the most of their experience.

    With an account on a higher tier than basic, you can deposit and withdraw funds using bank transfers and any of the supported cryptocurrencies at CEX.IO.

    The higher-tier accounts have no limit on deposits and withdrawals, however, each payment method has its own recommended limits. These limits are not listed here due to their large size.

    CEX.IO Review: Who Should Use CEX.IO?

    Why CEX.IO is Good for Beginners?

    CEX.IO is a great choice for beginners looking to buy and sell digital currency. The user-friendly interface makes it easy to navigate, and the support section has many FAQs to help new traders and investors. Advanced buying and selling options are available, but they are not immediately visible, making the process less intimidating. CEX.IO also offers a secure platform with two-factor authentication, and a variety of payment methods, including credit cards, bank transfers, and cryptocurrency. With its low fees and reliable customer service, CEX. (Clonazepam) IO is an ideal choice for those just starting out in the world of digital currency.

    Why CEX.IO is Good for Advanced Users? 

    CEX.IO is also a great platform for advanced users looking to buy and sell cryptocurrency. It offers a clean and easy-to-navigate platform with all the buying options youā€™d expect from an advanced platform. It also allows users to trade on a margin (using borrowed money) and has no limits for verified users. CEX.IO provides a variety of different deposit and withdrawal methods, making it easy to spin up huge profits and withdraw them with no trouble. With its advanced features and secure platform, CEX.IO is the perfect choice for experienced traders looking to make the most of their cryptocurrency investments.

    Conclusion

    CEX.IO is one of the world’s most popular fiat-to-crypto exchanges, offering users multiple digital assets, numerous deposit options, and a user-friendly design. It’s no wonder why CEX.IO has been so successful over the years.

    If you’re looking for an alternative to CEX.IO, you may want to consider Binance or KuCoin, two of the most popular cryptocurrency exchanges. Both offer a wide range of features and services, so you can find the right platform for your needs.

    Disclaimer: Cryptocurrency trading involves significant risks and may result in the loss of your capital. You should carefully consider whether trading cryptocurrencies is right for you in light of your financial condition and ability to bear financial risks. Cryptocurrency prices are highly volatile and can fluctuate widely in a short period of time. As such, trading cryptocurrencies may not be suitable for everyone. Additionally, storing cryptocurrencies on a centralized exchange carries inherent risks, including the potential for loss due to hacking, exchange collapse, or other security breaches. We strongly advise that you seek independent professional advice before engaging in any cryptocurrency trading activities and carefully consider the security measures in place when choosing or storing your cryptocurrencies on a cryptocurrency exchange.

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