Htx vs Bitbuy: Fees, Security, Features & Which to Choose (2025)

Trying to choose between Htx and Bitbuy 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

Htx

Bitbuy

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Europe

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India

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China

Canada

United Kingdom

United States

Europe

Latin America

India

China

Yes

Canada

United Kingdom

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Htx is ideal if:

A wide trading toolkit for all levels – HTX serves both beginner and advanced users with spot, margin, futures, copy-trading, automated bots, and staking features, offering real flexibility for growth.
Consistently deep liquidity and broad token access – With over 700 cryptocurrencies and hundreds of trading pairs—including fiat support and various passive income options—it’s great if you want choice and market depth.
Security and transparency at its core – Offering live cold storage, proof-of-reserve commitments, 2FA, withdrawal controls, and regulatory alignment across key regions ensures a secure trading environment you can trust.

Bitbuy is ideal if:

Great for Canadian beginners — Bitbuy offers a secure, intuitive Express platform that makes getting started with crypto fast and simple.
Suitable for semi-experienced traders — The Pro Trade interface delivers advanced charting and order tools without overwhelming complexity.
Strong regulatory and security setup — Built for reliability, it operates under Canadian oversight with features like cold storage and third-party auditing, giving peace of mind.

Htx isn’t ideal if:

Limited regional access – HTX is unavailable in key markets like the United States, Canada, UK, China, and others, restricting access for traders in many major territories.
Not beginner-friendly – The platform’s advanced interface and rich feature set can overwhelm newcomers who prefer a more intuitive, streamlined onboarding experience.
Customer support delays – Some users report slow response times and limited fiat withdrawal options, which can impact trading during urgent situations.

Bitbuy isn’t ideal if:

Not for global users — Bitbuy serves only Canadian residents, so anyone outside Canada won’t be able to access the platform.
Limited coin selection — Only offers a curated set of well-known cryptos, making it unsuitable if you want exotic or niche altcoins.
No advanced or passive tools — Lacks features like derivatives, leverage, margin, staking, or investment programs for more dynamic strategies.

Fees & Total Costs

Spot Maker/Take

HTX uses a tiered “Prime” structure where both maker and taker fees start around 0.20 % at the entry tier and progressively fall to near zero (maker) and a few hundredths of a percent (taker) at the top tiers; holding the native HT token offers an extra discount on spot taker fees via applied HT deduction.

Bitbuy does not offer tiered pricing or native-token discounts; Express trades use a built-in spread instead of explicit fees, while Pro trades have a simple flat maker/taker rate around half a percent each.

Futures/Derivatives

Futures contracts (USDT- or coin-margined) begin with maker fees around 0.02 % and takers around 0.05–0.06 %, improving with higher-tier status—even offering negative maker fees at top levels—while funding isn’t a direct HTX charge but rather settled among traders according to position and the prevailing funding rate.

Bitbuy doesn’t support any futures or derivatives trading, so maker, taker, or funding costs for these aren’t applicable.

Average Spreads on Liquid Pairs

HTX reports tight spreads on major pairs like BTC/USDT and ETH/USDT; spreads tend to remain narrow thanks to deep liquidity, though exact percentages aren’t published—indicative of competitive conditions.

While Bitbuy doesn’t list spreads in conventional terms for those USD-pegged pairs, its Express trades embed a typical markup in the range of mid-single digits in basis points, reflecting the convenience rather than live order-book spreads.

Fiat Deposits & Withdrawals

Fiat can be deposited or withdrawn via common methods (like bank transfers or cards) with fees and processing times varying by method and region; details are available in the platform’s fiat interface, but HTX tends to streamline these operations for ease of use.

Fiat deposits are free via Interac e-Transfer or bank wire, and withdrawals via Interac normally cost a modest flat amount and arrive within 1–2 business days, with wires carrying a small percentage markup.

On-chain Withdrawals

Crypto withdrawals on HTX incur network (mining) fees specific to each blockchain (e.g. BTC, ETH, TRX), dynamically reflecting network conditions rather than fixed, flat charges.

Withdrawals of crypto like BTC and ETH use dynamic fees tied to network demand, while certain assets—such as XRP, LTC, BCH, XLM—are free to withdraw on-chain.

Hidden Costs

Beyond trading and network fees, there may be supplemental costs such as currency conversion margins when using non-supported fiat, possible inactivity penalties, or optional express–KYC surcharges, depending on region or promotion—users should review account settings for those.

Bitbuy applies an FX spread when converting between CAD and USD-denominated coins, charges no inactivity fees, and doesn’t upsell expedited KYC—a fairly transparent cost model overall.

Real-World Cost Example: “€500 BTC

If you purchase €500 worth of BTC, your total outlay would include a spot taker fee (e.g. ~0.20 %), plus the implied buy-side spread, and on-chain withdrawal would add the relevant network fee—so the net BTC received would reflect those combined, though precise numbers depend on market and network conditions at execution.

If you purchased €500 worth of BTC via Express Trade, your cost would include the embedded spread (~0.5–1.5 %), then a dynamic on-chain network fee at withdrawal—so you’d pay the spread margin plus the miner fee at the time, with no extra platform markup.

Crypto Offering & Trading Features

Number of Coins & Pairs

HTX lists over 700 digital assets (some sources suggest over 1,000, though officially it’s 700+) and supports hundreds of trading pairs; the top 20 by volume typically include heavily traded pairs like BTC/USDT, ETH/USDT, XRP/USDT, and other high-liquidity altcoin-USDT combinations, reflecting mainstream market interest.

Bitbuy lists approximately 60 cryptocurrencies, offering a modest selection that includes major coins but lacks deep altcoin variety; around 28 trading pairs are active, dominated by top-volume assets like BTC, ETH, ADA, SOL, DOT, and MATIC.

Product Range

HTX delivers a robust suite

Bitbuy supports only spot trading and a staking product—no margin, perps, options, ETFs, lending, copy trading, grid bots, or automatic DCA features are available.

Liquidity

HTX maintains high liquidity with daily volumes in the multi-billion-dollar range (for example, around $5.4 billion in one snapshot), offering strong order-book depth in BTC and ETH pairs—meaning large trades face minimal slippage—though depth metrics fluctuate with market behavior.

While exact figures aren’t publicly available, the platform’s primarily Canadian user base suggests moderate liquidity with sufficient depth for typical retail trades in BTC and ETH, though volume trails large global exchanges.

Tools

Traders can access advanced tools such as limit orders, stop-limit, OCO orders, along with real-time alerts, sophisticated charting (including TradingView-style analysis), and full API/WebSocket support—ideal for both hands-on and automated strategies.

Bitbuy’s Pro Trade interface includes limit and market orders (plus OCO-style functionality via stop/limit combos), integrated TradingView charts, and API access—but it doesn’t offer price alerts or native WebSocket streaming.

Geographic Restrictions by Product

Derivatives, such as futures and options, are not available in certain jurisdictions—examples include the UK (retail users), Spain, Taiwan, China, and others—so availability varies significantly by country and regulation.

All Bitbuy services—including staking and spot trading—are exclusively available to Canadian residents; no products or features are offered to users living outside Canada.

Innovation

HTX embraces innovation with mechanisms like Launchpool (dual rewards for staking HTX tokens) and both flexible and fixed-term staking options, enabling creative earning paths for users engaging with new tokens or tapping liquidity.

Bitbuy doesn’t provide launchpad or launchpool services, and its staking setup follows a locked model tied to network bonding and unbonding periods, with no flexible-earn alternatives in place.

Security, Regulation & Custody

Operating Entity & Jurisdiction

HTX originated in China in 2013 but is now legally based in the Republic of Seychelles, with additional offices or operations in locations like Hong Kong, South Korea, Japan, and previously the U.S., reflecting its international setup reshaped by evolving regulatory environments.

The platform operates under Coinsquare Capital Markets Ltd (CCML), a Canadian CIRO-regulated brokerage, and Bitbuy Technologies Inc. is also overseen by the Ontario Securities Commission—all anchored in Toronto since around 2016.

Licenses/Registration

HTX holds multiple regulatory approvals including a Virtual Asset Service Provider registration in Lithuania, a DLT license in Gibraltar, a VARA license in Dubai, a SIBA investment business license in the BVI, AUSTRAC registration in Australia, and permission for payment and remittance services in parts of South America—demonstrating ongoing efforts toward regional legal compliance.

Bitbuy holds a Money Services Business (MSB) registration with FINTRAC, CIRO dealer and marketplace member status via CCML, and limited dealer approval from the OSC—making it one of Canada’s most formally regulated crypto platforms.

Custody

HTX uses its own custody infrastructure and has implemented a Merkle-Tree–based Proof of Reserves system that publicly verifies 1

own vs third-party; Proof of Reserves; audits; cold storage

Insurance & Protection Funds

HTX maintains a Security Reserve Mechanism that sets aside a substantial BTC reserve—reportedly around 20,000 BTC—to help compensate users in the unlikely case of a breach, providing an added layer of protection against potential losses.

They leverage BitGo’s institutional insurance, hold a financial institution bond over fiat deposits, and carry additional crime-theft coverage atop the standard custody insurance.

Incident History

While HTX hasn’t had major publicized hacks recently, its history includes structural changes like being removed from the Seychelles crypto exchange register and a prior license revocation in Thailand—illustrating some regulatory and administrative challenges in its past.

Bitbuy has not suffered any known hacks or major security breaches, nor has it faced regulatory sanctions—indicating a clean operational track record to date.

Risk Controls

HTX emphasizes robust account security through features like two-factor authentication (2FA), address whitelisting, anti-phishing tools, structured sub-accounts, and granular API permissions—allowing fine-tuned control and protecting users from unauthorized access.

The platform enforces strong protections including two-factor authentication, ISO/SOC-compliant infrastructure, routine audits, and closed-source core systems; it also supports API access with granular controls.

Transparency

HTX publishes regular (monthly) Proof of Reserves reports and claims that users can verify their own assets via Merkle-root tools; however, it does not appear to offer public wallet addresses, comprehensive monthly financial statements, or formal service-level guarantees like an SLA.

Bitbuy publishes a Trust Centre showing daily asset balances and trading volumes, delivers annual Proof-of-Reserves audits, and offers access to financial summaries upon request—providing a high level of openness.

Deposits, Withdrawals, KYC & Support

Fiat Deposit Methods

HTX accepts fiat deposits via bank transfers (e.g., SEPA), cards (Visa/MasterCard), e-wallets (Advcash), PIX, UPI, etc., with minimum amounts generally starting around €10 or equivalent depending on currency, and processing times ranging from a few minutes to a business day, depending on method and region.

Bitbuy accepts CAD via Interac e-Transfer (minimum around $20, processed typically within 24 hours) and bank wire transfers (higher minimums around $10,000 with 2–3 business days for processing); deposits by e-wallets or cards aren’t supported.

Supported Fiat Currencies & Conversion

KYC (Verification Levels)

HTX offers account usage without KYC but limits certain actions like withdrawals; completing basic and advanced KYC quickly unlocks substantially higher daily limits (even up to multiple BTC), with level-up requiring ID documents and, for higher tiers, a live face check or investment capability assessment.

Bitbuy requires full KYC from all users—there’s no tier without verification; limits are applied based on investor classification (Basic, Retail, Eligible, Accredited), where only certain tokens or profiles are exempt from annual purchase caps.

Withdrawals

limits, timing & networks

Crypto withdrawals are allowed across various networks with dynamic network-based fees; fiat withdrawals via Interac and wires follow the relevant limits and timelines, with no support for TRC20/BEP20 network options.

Customer Support

HTX provides customer assistance via 24/7 live chat, email support, and an extensive FAQ/knowledge base; response times vary but live chat ensures faster handling while the help center offers self-serve guidance across common topics. (No specific data found; this is based on typical platform structure.)

Bitbuy offers support via email and ticket system accessible through their Help Center, generally responding within a day—but there’s no live chat or phone support channel.

Languages & Localization

The platform is primarily in English but also supports local language interfaces depending on region; fiat amounts and fees display in currency local to the user (e.g., €/USD), with regulatory prompts and guidance tailored to supported jurisdictions. (Platform behavior inferred from multilingual support practices.)

The interface is natively English; fees are displayed solely in CAD—there’s no EUR or USD display option, and all operations comply strictly with Canadian regulatory standards.

App Quality & Stability

HTX’s mobile app is regularly updated and generally delivers stable performance. Although specific crash-rate metrics aren’t disclosed publicly, user reviews suggest it remains reliable, with frequent updates ensuring bug fixes and feature enhancements.

The Bitbuy mobile app for iOS and Android is well-regarded for its ease of use and timely updates, though some users report occasional performance or stability concerns on Android.

Experience, Performance & Ecosystem

UX/UI

HTX offers a dual-mode interface—“Lite” for faster, simplified navigation ideal for newcomers, and “Pro” for advanced users who need comprehensive trading dashboards and customization; this tiered approach smooths the learning curve by letting traders start simply and progressively explore deeper functionality.

Bitbuy offers a streamlined “Express” mode that’s ideal for novices thanks to its simplicity, while the “Pro Trade” interface unlocks advanced tools and charting—making it easy for users to transition from basic to more sophisticated trading as they grow in confidence.

Performance

Recent platform updates report a 20% boost in transaction efficiency thanks to UI refinement, reducing delays during order execution; while there’s no widespread evidence of system outages during volatility spikes, we should note that KYC verification can experience delays during market surges, as increased registrations lengthen processing queues.

The platform is known for a stable experience with minimal delays on routine trades; though during peak volatility or bull-market surges, users have occasionally observed minor order latency and extended verification waits, especially during high signup spikes.

Education

HTX maintains a Learn & Earn educational track with interactive lessons and quizzes (previously tied to CrossFi projects), though there’s no dedicated demo trading simulator; while core materials are in English, there’s growing on-platform educational content, but supports for Spanish learners appear limited at this time.

Bitbuy furnishes a rich educational hub featuring guides, tax breakdowns, and security tutorials, yet lacks a hands-on demo or simulator environment, and all materials are presented primarily in English without Spanish-language support.

Community

HTX fosters an active presence across official Telegram channels (English, Portuguese, Chinese), and maintains a Discord server for futures traders, encouraging peer support and platform discussions; referral incentives further engage users, though traditional web‐forum communities seem less prominent.

Bitbuy maintains a referral program to reward users for bringing in new traders, but it doesn’t foster a public community hub, nor does it host official Discord or Telegram groups—relying instead on its blog and support channels for outreach.

Integrations

The platform supports native TradingView-style charts and full API/WebSocket connectivity, enabling integration with external trading bots and strategies; although there’s no direct accounting or tax tool within HTX, the open integration ecosystem lets users adapt third-party portfolio trackers for their record-keeping.

The Pro interface is baked with native TradingView charting for technical analysis, plus API access for external bots and automations, though there’s no direct integration with tax preparation or accounting platforms.

Who Each One Is Best For

HTX is highly suitable for intermediate to advanced crypto enthusiasts—those who appreciate interface flexibility, deep liquidity, and integration options—while casual or non-English speakers may find it less approachable, and Spanish-speaking beginners may need external educational support.

Bitbuy is a standout choice for Canadian investors who value regulatory clarity, security, and intuitive progression from beginner to advanced trading, but it may fall short for power users seeking demo tools, multilingual instruction, deeper integrations, or broader community engagement.