Bithumb vs P2B: Fees, Security, Features & Which to Choose (2025)

Trying to choose between Bithumb and P2B 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

Bithumb

P2B

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United States

Europe

Yes

Latin America

Yes

India

Yes

China

Yes

Canada

United Kingdom

Yes

United States

Yes

Europe

Yes

Latin America

India

China

Canada

United Kingdom

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Bithumb is ideal if:

Perfect for KRW-centric traders: If you prefer trading with South Korean Won as your base currency, Bithumb offers seamless fiat integration, high liquidity, and a smooth experience for KRW-based spot trading.
Great for beginners and hands-off traders: Its clear, user-friendly interface plus built-in features like staking and bot trading make it accessible and appealing to those starting out or seeking passive strategies.
Best for users prioritizing credibility and safety: With strong security certifications (like ISMS, ISO27001), full separation of client assets, and external audits, Bithumb focuses on institutional-level protection and transparency.

P2B is ideal if:

Offers a high-performance launchpad engine that’s launched over 2,000 crypto projects without token-holding requirements—perfect if you’re a founder or eager early-stage investor.
Built for both beginners and businesses, it blends approachable trading with go-to-market support—ideal if you want a trading platform with strategic listing expertise.
Packs robust multilingual support, fast interface, and loyalty tiers—suiting you if you appreciate accessible, efficient trading plus escalating benefits for active users.

Bithumb isn’t ideal if:

You need global fiat flexibility: If you want to deposit with non-KRW currencies, Bithumb’s fiat support is limited, which may not suit you.
You're an advanced trader seeking leverage: Those looking for margin or futures trading won’t find these tools available on Bithumb.
You prefer seamless international onboarding: Verification hurdles, language barriers, and slow KYC in non-Korean languages can slow down global users.

P2B isn’t ideal if:

Limited regulatory clarity, which may cause uncertainty and higher perceived legal risk if you prefer fully regulated platforms.
Basic trading tools only, lacking advanced features like margin trading or sophisticated order types—less suited for power users or active traders.
Occasional withdrawal delays or support gaps, meaning if fast access to funds and responsive customer service are vital to you, P2B may fall short.

Fees & Total Costs

Spot Maker/Take

In KRW markets, maker and taker fees typically range from roughly 0.04% to 0.25%, with better rates unlocked through tiered trading coupons based on volume (discounts apply via native coupons, not necessarily token-based discounts).

P2B uses a tiered structure based on 30-day trading volume, starting at 0.2 % for both maker and taker, decreasing gradually to as low as 0.01 % maker and 0.1 % taker at the highest volume tiers.

Futures/Derivatives

Bithumb does not currently offer any futures or derivatives markets, so there are no associated maker, taker, or funding fees to consider.

P2B does not currently offer futures or derivatives trading on its platform.

Average Spreads on Liquid Pairs

Precise spread data is not publicly provided, but given Bithumb’s strong liquidity in major markets, spreads on BTC/USDT and ETH/USDT pairs are generally tight—typically consistent with reputable high-volume exchanges.

Typical spread data isn’t publicly listed, but high liquidity in top pairs like BTC/USDT and ETH/USDT suggests spreads are likely competitive and in line with other major spot exchanges.

Fiat Deposits & Withdrawals

Fiat operations center on KRW only, with deposits via bank transfer or card usually fee-free (unless below minimum thresholds) and withdrawals processed via Korean banking channels with typical processing times, without showing fixed fees.

Users can deposit fiat via wire transfer or credit card; withdrawals are available for fiat but come with percentage-based fees (e.g., 1 % for USD, 5 % for EUR) and processing time varies by method and currency.

On-chain Withdrawals

Withdrawal costs depend on the blockchain

Crypto withdrawals such as BTC are charged a fixed network-based fee (for example, around 0.0005 BTC), with similar fixed fees applied across supported blockchains like Ethereum and Tron.

Hidden Costs

Some indirect costs may arise from currency conversion if funding in non-KRW, and there are no inactivity fees; extra-fast verification services may not be standard or may carry internal pricing, though not explicitly detailed.

Users may encounter extra charges—including currency conversion fees, inactivity penalties, or expedited KYC service fees—though specifics are not always disclosed, and should be factored into overall costs.

Real-World Cost Example: “€500 BTC

If you were to buy €500 worth of BTC, you’d first face a regular spot trading fee (within 0.04–0.25%) plus a small spread in execution, then a withdrawal fee in BTC (e.g., 0.0005 BTC)—that combined cost reflects the total out-of-pocket expense.

If you purchased €500 worth of BTC, you’d pay the trading fee (~0.2 %) plus any embedded spread, and then send funds on-chain—incurring the fixed BTC withdrawal fee—resulting in a slightly lower net amount of BTC received than the nominal purchase suggests.

Crypto Offering & Trading Features

Number of Coins & Pairs

Bithumb lists approximately 170–180 cryptocurrencies across roughly 400 trading pairs, with the top 20 by volume dominated by KRW-based pairs like BTC/KRW, ETH/KRW, XRP/KRW, USDT/KRW, and others in similar high-turnover positions.

P2B currently supports around 118 to 120 cryptocurrencies and approximately 185 trading pairs, with its top 20 pairs including highly liquid ones such as ETH/USDT, BTC/USDT, BTC/USD, LTC/USDT, BNB/USDT, SOL/USDT, ADA/USDT, AVAX/USDT, and XRP/USDT.

Product Range

The exchange supports spot trading, margin trading, staking, crypto lending, and bot/automated trading, but does not offer perpetual futures, options, ETFs, copy trading, or built-in DCA features.

The platform offers spot trading, access to launchpad/IEO/IDO participation, staking/earning opportunities, API-based trading, but does not offer margin, futures or derivatives like perpetuals, options, ETFs, lending, copy trading, grid bots, or automated DCA.

Liquidity

Bithumb handles daily spot volumes in the high hundreds of millions to over a billion USD, ensuring deep order books—particularly for BTC/KRW and ETH/KRW—offering robust liquidity and execution.

P2B delivers notable liquidity, with 24-hour volumes exceeding one billion USD; ETH/USDT alone often sees hundreds of millions in daily volume, while BTC/USDT also ranks among the most traded, indicating solid order book depth.

Tools

Traders have access to basic orders (limit and market), stop orders, and coupon-driven fee tools; there are also alerts and API access (including WebSocket), though there’s no native TradingView integration.

P2B’s trading interface includes limit and market orders (stop, OCO not clearly offered), customizable charts with drawing tools, real-time API access, but lacks native TradingView integration and order alerts as detailed features.

Geographic Restrictions by Product

Derivatives and margin features are not globally available, with access mainly focused on South Korean users; many international regions, notably US and EU, face limitations or lack derivative access.

Some advanced offerings like derivatives are simply not available globally—P2B lacks complex products, and certain country-specific access (e.g., full product access in the U.S.) may be limited by regulation and platform policy.

Innovation

Bithumb offers staking services and crypto lending along with occasional airdrop or DeFi/NFT promotions, but lacks formal launchpad or launchpool platforms and doesn’t separate between flexible vs locked earn products.

P2B distinguishes itself with a launchpad (IEO/IDO) that has grown over 2,000 projects and raised significant funds, supports multiple blockchains (24 integrated) and offers both flexible and structured earn/staking opportunities for users and projects.

Security, Regulation & Custody

Operating Entity & Jurisdiction

Bithumb is operated by BTC Korea.com Co., Ltd, founded in 2014 and based in Seoul, South Korea. It is one of the country’s major crypto exchanges firmly entrenched in Korean financial infrastructure.

P2B is operated by a Lithuania-based company (often referenced as Partida Services), established around 2018, with links also to Ukraine and Spain, while ambiguously listing the UK as a “competent jurisdiction” despite lacking clear legal basis there.

Licenses/Registration

As a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) in South Korea, Bithumb is subject to oversight under local regulations, and as of mid-2025 it was designated a “conglomerate,” meaning it must adhere to heightened compliance and public disclosure rules.

P2B is not officially licensed under top-tier global regulators or registered as a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) under EU MiCA or equivalent frameworks, making its regulatory standing opaque and reinforcing its classification among less-regulated platforms.

Custody

A significant portion of user assets is held in cold storage, meeting at least 80% reserve requirements; the exchange has also set aside a substantial protection reserve fund (worth over KRW 100 billion) as a buffer in case of operational risk.

There is no public evidence that P2B uses third-party custody services, publishes standard Proof of Reserves (PoR), or discloses the percentage of assets in cold storage—indicating limited transparency in how user assets are safeguarded.

Insurance & Protection Funds

It maintains robust cyber insurance coverage, with multi-billion won policies through top Korean insurers, designed to help cover losses from cyber incidents and personal data breaches.

P2B does not advertise any insurance coverage or protective funds for user assets, such as those that might cover losses from hacks or insolvency, which implies users bear most of the custodial risk themselves.

Incident History

Bithumb has endured several hacks and investigations, including major cryptocurrency thefts in 2017 and 2018, a large insider-related loss in 2019, and multiple regulatory probes since then, though it has taken steps to strengthen its security posture.

There are no recorded instances of major hacks or service suspensions publicly documented, but the platform’s downgraded compliance rating and warnings from regulators like the Canadian BCSC raise concerns about its operational risk profile.

Risk Controls

The platform employs industry-standard security measures—such as two-factor authentication, withdrawal whitelists, IP restrictions, anti-phishing controls, and regular external audits—to offer layered protection for user accounts and funds.

P2B generally supports basic safety features including two-factor authentication (2FA) and KYC processes, though more advanced security tools like API key whitelisting, sub-account structure, anti-phishing protection, or fine-grained API permissions are either limited or not clearly detailed.

Transparency

It has enhanced disclosure practices, driven by its conglomerate status, though real-time proof-of-reserve reporting is not publicly available; ongoing regulatory scrutiny is pushing it toward greater transparency in operations.

The exchange lacks routine public reporting such as monthly transparency reports, does not offer a publicly verifiable wallet address list, and does not present any formal service-level agreements (SLA), making its transparency practices minimal.

Deposits, Withdrawals, KYC & Support

Fiat Deposit Methods

Fiat deposits are exclusively in Korean Won (KRW) and handled via local bank transfers—debit/credit options or e-wallets aren’t supported—amount thresholds vary and processing is typically completed within the same day for local transfers.

Users can fund their account via credit/debit cards (e.g., Visa/Mastercard via Simplex), third-party e-wallets like ADVcash or Perfect Money, and bank wire transfers; deposit minimums vary by provider while processing ranges from near-instant (cards) to a few days (wires).

Supported Fiat Currencies & Conversion

KYC (Verification Levels)

Bithumb enforces tiered identity verification—basic phone/email for browsing, but Level 2 KYC is required to activate withdrawals, with higher limits tied to full verification.

KYC is optional; unverified users face a daily withdrawal cap (~$1,000–$2,000), while completing full identity verification—providing documents, selfie, address—removes these limits and unlocks full account functionality.

Withdrawals

Crypto withdrawals require KYC Level 2, lower minimums for verified accounts, and are processed within hours (first withdrawal may take longer for security); supported networks include standard chains like ERC-20 and TRC-20, with fees varying by asset.

Withdrawal time depends on the asset and wallet (up to 24 hours or 36 hours for cold storage); users choose networks (e.g., ERC20, TRC20, BEP20) when available, with limits and speeds tied to asset and verification level.

Customer Support

Support is reachable via live chat (available 24/7), email, and a regional phone line; response quality varies, backed by an FAQ and help center to assist common issues.

Support is offered 24/7 via live chat, email, Telegram, and a comprehensive knowledge base, with response times generally fast; resource materials and FAQs help resolve most routine inquiries quickly.

Languages & Localization

The interface supports multiple languages including English, with prices shown in KRW—there’s no automatic display in USD or EUR, and localization is limited for non-Korean regulatory zones.

The platform interface is available in several languages (including English, Spanish, Korean, Russian, Turkish, Thai), displays fees and balances in EUR or USD, but doesn’t tailor regulatory details per region beyond the general operating framework.

App Quality & Stability

The mobile app delivers a smooth trading interface with real-time data and strong security features (biometric login, 2FA), though user reports cite occasional crashes or slow performance during high-traffic periods.

The web interface is modern and robust with advanced charting and API stability, but mobile apps are inconsistently available—Android is claimed but hard to find, and iOS may be missing—possibly affecting mobile reliability.

Experience, Performance & Ecosystem

UX/UI

The platform strikes a balance between newcomer friendliness and advanced functionality, offering a clean interface with clear labels and comprehensive charting tools, though it doesn’t explicitly offer separate “Lite” or “Pro” modes.

The interface is crafted to balance simplicity with functionality—while there’s no explicit “Lite/Pro” toggle, the trading dashboard presents a clean design with candlestick charts, multiple technical indicators, and customizable layout elements, allowing both newcomers and more experienced users to tailor their view.

Performance

Order execution is generally fast thanks to high liquidity, though peak volatility can bring some delays or gateway slowdowns, and KYC may slow onboarding during intense market rallies.

Thanks to its high-speed matching engine capable of handling up to 10,000 transactions per second, P2B maintains notably fast order executions even during high-volatility periods; user reports indicate the platform remains stable with minimal latency spikes, though KYC delays can occur during sharp bull runs.

Education

Bithumb provides a dedicated academy and tutorial content via its official channels to help users learn, but it does not currently offer demo accounts or Spanish-language learning resources.

The platform lacks a formal academy or demo simulator, but it does offer educational value through blog content, project launch tutorials, and insights in Spanish and other languages—though no structured demo or Spanish-language academy currently exists.

Community

The platform encourages engagement through referral incentives and publishes on Medium, but it lacks officially managed forums, Discord, or Telegram communities for user interaction.

P2B supports community engagement via official Telegram and live support messaging, has a referral program and periodic airdrop or trading competition incentives, but lacks a formal forum or Discord-based discussion hub for broader peer interaction.

Integrations

Bithumb supports external tools like TradingView for charting and provides API/WebSocket access for automation, but lacks built-in tax tools or direct accounting integrations.

The exchange offers its own graphical trading tools and APIs, yet it doesn’t provide direct integration with TradingView or external trading bots, nor specialized tax or accounting tool integrations at this time.

Who Each One Is Best For

It’s ideal for traders seeking a high-liquidity, reliability-focused exchange that caters to a mix of moderate experience levels, whereas those needing demo tools, Spanish-language education, or a vibrant community may look elsewhere.

P2B suits traders who value a fast, intuitive trading experience with easy token launch participation—especially project creators or early investors—while those seeking advanced educational tools, trading automation, or social trading features may find it less fitting.