Phemex vs Bitrue: Fees, Security, Features & Which to Choose (2025)

Trying to choose between Phemex and Bitrue This side-by-side comparison reveals total cost (fees + spreads), security & licenses, coins/derivatives, deposits/withdrawals, and app quality. In 2 minutes you’ll see who wins for beginners, active traders, and long-term holders. Clear pros/cons, a quick verdict, and safe links to get started.

Last updated on August 16, 2025

Phemex

Bitrue

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Available Countries

United States

Europe

Yes

Latin America

Yes

India

Yes

China

Canada

United Kingdom

United States

Yes

Europe

Yes

Latin America

Yes

India

China

Canada

Yes

United Kingdom

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Phemex is ideal if:

Fast-paced traders value it: With ultra-low latency and deep liquidity, Phemex's high-performance trading engine offers smooth execution and stability.
Tech-savvy users benefit: Advanced tools—like copy trading, bots, and DeFi-style earning products—empower both automation and strategy innovation.
Privacy-conscious users find appeal: Flexible KYC policies and a streamlined onboarding style suit those preferring minimal verification barriers.

Bitrue is ideal if:

Great if you want versatile passive income, thanks to tools like Power Piggy, staking, lending, and leveraged ETFs that let you earn and trade in one place.
Ideal for XRP-focused traders, as Bitrue stands out for its deep integration of XRP—including lots of XRP trading pairs and long-term support even amid market turmoil.
A solid pick if you prefer a trade environment that’s simple yet sophisticated, offering intuitive web and mobile interfaces, live TradingView charts, and advanced tools without overwhelming complexity.

Phemex isn’t ideal if:

Fiat-focused users may face limits: Fiat deposit and withdrawal services are unavailable or heavily restricted in numerous countries, reducing accessibility for those relying on bank transfers.
Newcomers could feel overwhelmed: The platform’s advanced features and high-leverage tools offer power—but may feel complex if you’re new to trading.
Risk-averse investors might be uneasy: Derivatives and high-leverage products carry greater risk, making Phemex less suited to those seeking lower-volatility exposure.

Bitrue isn’t ideal if:

If you rely heavily on fiat currency support, Bitrue’s services are largely crypto-to-crypto only, with limited fiat options.
If regulatory oversight matters to you, Bitrue operates without licensing from top-tier financial regulators, meaning you lack the protection that regulated platforms offer.
If you expect responsive customer service, Bitrue’s support system is known to be basic and slower than what more mature exchanges typically provide.

Fees & Total Costs

Spot Maker/Take

Spot trading fees start at 0.1% for both maker and taker on the base VIP tier and can decrease via VIP-level benefits tied to trading volume or asset holdings; using the Phemex Token (PT) grants additional discounts—around 20% off spot fees—and those can stack with VIP reductions.

Bitrue uses flat spot fees—typically around 0.098% for BTC/ETH/USDT pairs, higher for XRP-related pairs (about 0.196%), with a 20–30% discount available if you pay with the native BTR token.

Futures/Derivatives

Futures (perpetual contracts) begin with a maker fee as low as 0.01% and a taker fee of 0.06%, with lower rates available through VIP status; funding rates vary according to market dynamics and are applied periodically, affecting long or short positions depending on current rates.

For USDT-margined perpetual futures, maker fees are about 0.02%, taker around 0.06%; some older references mention maker at 0.038% and taker at 0.07%, with funding rates varying based on market conditions.

Average Spreads on Liquid Pairs

Phemex delivers tight spreads on major spot pairs like BTC/USDT and ETH/USDT, thanks to deep order-book liquidity and efficient execution, although the exact average spread fluctuates with market conditions and isn’t publicly standardized.

Bitrue offers relatively tight spreads on major pairs like BTC/USDT and ETH/USDT, consistent with competitive retail exchanges—typically just a few basis points, although exact numbers shift with market depth and volatility.

Fiat Deposits & Withdrawals

Fiat deposits are facilitated via third-party gateways such as MoonPay or Banxa, often with fees imposed by those services; withdrawal in fiat is limited or restricted depending on jurisdiction and may incur fixed charges or banking delays driven by external banking partners.

Fiat purchases are offered via third-party providers (e.g., Simplex, credit cards) and come with their own fees and instant/fast processing; direct bank transfers are not broadly supported for deposits or withdrawals.

On-chain Withdrawals

Crypto withdrawals carry network-dependent fees, which vary by chain and congestion

Withdrawal fees vary per coin and network; for example, BTC is around 0.0005 BTC, ETH around 0.01 ETH, TRX about 1 TRX—these are dynamic and adjust based on blockchain congestion and conditions.

Hidden Costs

Hidden costs may include markups from third-party fiat gateways, potential inactivity penalties (if any), and premium-tier services like expedited KYC—but generally, Phemex avoids additional charges beyond trading, withdrawal, and external service fees.

While there’s no explicit inactivity fee, currency conversions through fiat purchase providers can carry vague added costs, and expedited KYC or higher-tier verification may involve indirect delays or requirements, but no formal extra charge is advertised.

Real-World Cost Example: “€500 BTC

Example

If you use a card to buy €500 of BTC, expect a third-party purchase fee (e.g., ~3.5%) plus a spread on the BTC rate, then to withdraw on-chain, a network fee such as 0.0005 BTC applies—so total cost includes purchase markup and withdrawal fee.

Crypto Offering & Trading Features

Number of Coins & Pairs

Phemex offers several hundred tradable assets across hundreds of spot and futures pairs; among the top by volume you’ll typically see major pairs like BTC/USDT, ETH/USDT, XRP/USDT, SOL/USDT, DOGE/USDT, ADA/USDT dominating the leaderboards.

Bitrue supports over 700 cryptocurrencies and more than a thousand trading pairs; among the top 20 by volume you’ll typically find major markets like BTC/USDT, ETH/USDT, XRP/USDT, SOL/USDT, ADA/USDT, and others based on current trading interest.

Product Range

Phemex delivers a wide product mix including spot and margin trading, perpetual futures, automated copy-trading, grid-trading bots (spot and futures), DCA and Martingale bots, essential lending/borrow via margin, plus crypto earn products and launchpad functionality.

Bitrue offers spot trading, futures/perpetuals with leverage, staking via Power Piggy, lending products, ETFs-like crypto bundles, copy trading options, and basic bot strategies including grid and DCA through third-party integration, though options trading isn’t available.

Liquidity

Phemex sees substantial daily volume usually in the hundreds of millions USD, with order-book depth in BTC and ETH strong enough to support sizable trades without excessive slippage, reflecting healthy active liquidity.

The exchange handles hundreds of millions in combined daily volume across spot and derivatives, with deep order books in BTC and ETH markets—enough to support sizable trades with moderate slippage.

Tools

The platform includes full order-type support such as limit, market, stop and OCO orders, real-time alerts, advanced interactive charts powered by TradingView, and robust API with WebSocket for seamless automation and live data.

Users get standard order types like limit, stop, and OCO, plus market alerts, advanced charting, and a fully featured API/WS connection; TradingView tools are embedded directly within the platform.

Geographic Restrictions by Product

Certain services—especially derivatives—are restricted in countries like the United States, United Kingdom, parts of Canada, China, and other regions, while spot and earn products may remain accessible depending on local laws.

Certain products, such as futures and leveraged trading, may be restricted or unavailable to users in jurisdictions with tighter regulations, though general availability varies by country.

Innovation

Phemex continually expands its ecosystem with launchpad or launchpool-style token sales, and layered earn programs offering both flexible (withdraw anytime) and locked (higher yield) options to fit different investor preferences.

Bitrue introduces innovations like flexible, no-lock staking through Power Piggy and periodic promotional farming pools—though full “launchpad” ecosystems are limited, the platform frequently refreshes its earn mechanics for users.

Security, Regulation & Custody

Operating Entity & Jurisdiction

Phemex began in 2019 and is operated under entities such as Phemex Technology Pte. Ltd. in Singapore and Phemex Limited in the British Virgin Islands, placing it under those legal jurisdictions.

Bitrue is operated by RealB Singapore Pte. Ltd, founded in 2018 and headquartered in Singapore, with its regulated entity Bitrue Lithuania UAB extending services in parts of the EU.

Licenses/Registration

While Phemex holds an MSB registration with FinCEN in the U.S., it currently lacks MiCA or equivalent EU licensing and is not authorized to operate in several regulated regions.

Bitrue holds Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) licenses in Lithuania and Poland, positioning itself for EU expansion and alignment with forthcoming MiCA regulations across the bloc.

Custody

The exchange maintains full custody of user assets and provides a self-verifiable Merkle-tree proof-of-reserves (PoR) tool that shows assets are backed 1

Customer funds are secure with multi-signature cold storage for major assets like XRP, and Bitrue commits to annual, third-party audited proof-of-reserves to confirm asset backing.

Insurance & Protection Funds

There is no publicly disclosed insurance or user protection fund; security relies on reserve mechanisms and risk controls but does not include third-party insurance coverage.

The platform maintains an internal insurance fund stocked with XRP and BTR tokens to compensate users in the event of a security breach caused by platform vulnerabilities.

Incident History

Phemex has not reported any major hacks, though it temporarily suspended a hot-wallet after an internal security review; it also faced regulatory scrutiny in Canada and the UK for compliance issues.

Bitrue has no major public history of hacks or service suspensions, with no recorded regulatory penalties or asset freeze incidents reported.

Risk Controls

Users benefit from standard safeguards including mandatory two-factor authentication, IP or address whitelists, anti-phishing protection, segregated sub-accounts, and granular API permission controls.

The exchange enforces strong security protocols including two-factor authentication, email safety codes, device and IP whitelisting for withdrawals, account lockdown options, and presumably robust API permissions.

Transparency

Phemex offers monthly-updated PoR data, public disclosure of partial cold wallet addresses, and reserve ratios, demonstrating a commitment to transparency though without formal SLAs or comprehensive monthly financial reports.

Bitrue publishes audited proof-of-reserves annually and provides public addresses for its insurance fund, reflecting a commitment to operational transparency, though no formal SLA is advertised.

Deposits, Withdrawals, KYC & Support

Fiat Deposit Methods

Phemex supports fiat deposits via bank transfers (SWIFT, SEPA, ACH, FPS) and third-party services like MoonPay or Banxa; minimums generally start around $50, maximums reach very high limits, and processing typically takes from instant (via e-wallet) to 1–3 business days for transfers.

Bitrue accepts fiat deposits through third-party gateways such as credit/debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, local e-wallets, ACH, and wire transfers; minimum per transaction starts around $50, capped near $10,000, with card payments usually processed instantly and wire transfers taking same-day or slightly longer depending on the channel.

Supported Fiat Currencies & Conversion

KYC (Verification Levels)

There are three user tiers

Bitrue allows trading without mandatory KYC; users can opt for Level 1 (basic) verification for moderate limits or Level 2 (advanced) to unlock much higher withdrawal caps (e.g., up to hundreds of BTC).

Withdrawals

limits, times, networks (TRC20/ERC20/BEP20, etc.)

Withdrawal limits scale by KYC tier, with faster processing across supported networks like TRC20, ERC20, and BEP20; exact limits vary by asset and verification level but are clearly structured per your account status.

Customer Support

chat 24/7, email, response times, knowledge base

Support is accessible via email or support ticket channels—live chat isn’t offered—with typical response times up to 24 hours; a helpful FAQ and knowledge base are available online.

Languages & Localization

The platform’s interface and support are primarily in English, with fees typically shown in USD or equivalent fiat; some content and interfaces are localized for major regions, though comprehensive local regulation compliance varies by jurisdiction.

The platform operates primarily in English, displaying fees in USD/EUR equivalents; regional regulatory adjustments are applied automatically based on user location, though localization beyond that is modest.

App Quality & Stability

The Phemex mobile app is generally regarded as stable and regularly updated, offering seamless feature parity with desktop—though exact crash rates aren’t disclosed, user feedback reflects a smooth, reliable experience.

Bitrue’s mobile app has over half a million downloads and maintains a high user rating—its interface is smooth and regularly updated, though some occasional slow-loading screens have been noted.

Experience, Performance & Ecosystem

UX/UI

The platform offers a clean, intuitive interface with a low entry barrier for newcomers, while also featuring an advanced “Pro” layout tailored to seasoned users that surfaces more chart tools and analytics—all accessible without overwhelming either group.

Bitrue’s interface strikes a balance between simplicity and depth—offering a clean design with intuitive menus that ease new users in, while also delivering sophisticated tools and chart layouts reminiscent of pro-mode platforms, albeit without a formal “Lite/Pro” toggle.

Performance

Known for its fast order execution and robust infrastructure, Phemex handles volatility with minimal downtime, though during peak surges KYC and account approval may experience slight delays—performance remains solid overall.

The platform generally maintains smooth order execution, though some traders report occasional delays during high-volatility periods; KYC processing can slow during bullish surges, but the system typically catches up within a reasonable timeframe.

Education

Phemex Academy offers a rich library of beginner-to-advanced tutorials, while a fully functional Testnet simulator lets users practice trading risk-free; however, Spanish-language educational materials are limited or not as comprehensive.

Bitrue currently lacks a built-in demo account or simulator, and while it offers blog posts and guides, its educational content in Spanish remains limited—making it more suited for beginners with access to external tutorials or Spanish-speaking resources.

Community

Users can join lively communities via Telegram or Discord, participate in referral programs offering significant bonus pools and commissions, and access forums where updates and peer tips circulate regularly.

Bitrue fosters community engagement through its active official Telegram groups and announcement channels, and runs frequent referral campaigns that incentivize inviting others via rewards and commission-sharing—building a social ecosystem around the exchange.

Integrations

Phemex’s interface embeds native TradingView charts, supports integration with external bot frameworks, and appeals to algorithmic traders via API access, though dedicated tax or accounting tool integrations are limited.

Traders benefit from native TradingView chart integration for advanced analysis, plus API access that supports external bots and third-party tools like CoinLedger, Blockpit, Koinly, and Coinpanda for streamlined tax reporting and portfolio tracking.

Who Each One Is Best For

Phemex stands out for active, tech-savvy or algorithmic traders seeking powerful tools, automation access, and derivatives options; it’s less ideal for ultra-beginners or those requiring local-language education or deep tax integrations.

Bitrue is especially attractive to mid-to-advanced users who value embedded charting, API-friendly tax automation, and strong community engagement, whereas total beginners seeking built-in learning tools or Spanish-language support may find it less ideal.