Independent Reserve vs Simpleswap: Fees, Security, Features & Which to Choose (2025)

Trying to choose between Independent Reserve and Simpleswap 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

Independent Reserve

Simpleswap

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Available Countries

United States

Europe

Yes

Latin America

India

China

Canada

Yes

United Kingdom

Yes

United States

Yes

Europe

Yes

Latin America

Yes

India

China

Yes

Canada

Yes

United Kingdom

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Independent Reserve is ideal if:

Security-first and regulation-driven – Ideal if you prioritize rigorous compliance, institutional-grade safeguards, and regulatory backing in Australia and Singapore.
Automated tools built-in – Perfect for users who value automated strategies like AutoTrader (dollar-cost averaging, baskets, scheduling) and integrated tax reporting.
Institution-ready and mobile-friendly – Suits high-volume or institutional traders needing OTC liquidity and workflow tools, yet still accessible via a polished mobile app.

Simpleswap is ideal if:

Great for quick, no-registration swaps: Ideal if you want to exchange coins swiftly and privately, without creating an account or going through KYC.
Perfect for privacy-focused users: Its non‑custodial design helps you maintain full control over your assets throughout the transaction.
Suited for users exploring a wide range of coins: Offers an expansive selection of crypto assets—from mainstream to lesser-known altcoins—making it handy for flexibility and experimentation.

Independent Reserve isn’t ideal if:

Limited asset variety – Not suited if you're seeking a wide selection of altcoins beyond major names.
Minimal advanced features – Falls short for traders wanting margin, derivatives, or deeply customizable tools.
Support and access constraints – Less ideal if you need in-person/mobile support or broader fiat currency acceptance.

Simpleswap isn’t ideal if:

Not for beginners needing fiat on-ramps: If you don’t already own crypto, SimpleSwap doesn’t support seamless fiat-to-crypto purchases without extra partner steps.
Limited for advanced traders: No margin, futures, charting tools, or sophisticated order types—only basic instant swaps.
Less suitable during network congestion: Transactions can slow when blockchains are busy, affecting speed and predictability.

Fees & Total Costs

Spot Maker/Take

Independent Reserve charges a flat spot trading fee that starts around 0.50 % and drops incrementally based on 30-day trading volume tiers, reaching as low as approximately 0.02 % for top-tier, high-volume traders—note, they don’t offer fee discounts via a native token.

SimpleSwap doesn’t distinguish between maker and taker fees—instead, all costs are embedded within the quoted exchange rate, so there are no separate fee tiers or native-token discounts to worry about.

Futures/Derivatives

Independent Reserve does not support futures or derivatives trading, so there are no associated maker/taker or funding charges to consider.

SimpleSwap does not offer futures or other derivatives at all, so there are no associated maker, taker, or funding fees to consider.

Average Spreads on Liquid Pairs

Independent Reserve uses a transparent order-book model with no hidden spreads, meaning you generally transact at prevailing market prices rather than paying inflated spread margins—though tighter liquidity may result in wider real-time spreads.

Spread details aren’t openly published, but market comparisons suggest a mark-up hovering around 1.2%, meaning the price you see already includes a slight premium over market rates.

Fiat Deposits & Withdrawals

methods, fees, timing

Fiat transactions are handled via a partner (like Mercuryo), typically using Visa or Mastercard, with fees built into the exchange rate and shown upfront—there’s no platform-stated flat rate or set timing for processing.

On-chain Withdrawals

fixed vs dynamic fees

There’s no separate withdrawal fee charged by SimpleSwap—only the blockchain’s own network (gas) fees apply, which vary by network and reflect real-time congestion levels.

Hidden Costs

Beyond obvious fees, there are minor indirect costs like slight FX mark-ups during multi-currency conversions, potential inactivity charges or expedited KYC processing fees, and banking or intermediary charges on certain cross-border transfers—not usually disclosed upfront but worth keeping in mind.

There are no inactive-account fees or express-KYC charges; any currency conversion or rate-related cost is already baked into the exchange price, so you face no surprises beyond the displayed rate.

Real-World Cost Example: “€500 BTC

If you purchased €500 worth of BTC, your spot trade fee might fall in the mid-tier (say around 0.3–0.4 %), the on-chain withdrawal would include a flat network fee (e.g., 0.0003 BTC), and you’d also experience FX conversion cost if converting from EUR—so total costs would be the sum of that trade fee, network fee, and FX spread.

If you exchange €500 to BTC, the platform displays the rate including a small mark-up (around 1–2%) at the time, and then the final BTC received reflects that pricing, minus network fees; there are no extra line-item charges added afterward.

Crypto Offering & Trading Features

Number of Coins & Pairs

Independent Reserve supports around 32 unique cryptocurrencies and over 100 trading pairs, combining major coins with regional fiat pairs—volume data suggests the top 20 pairs are heavily skewed toward premier markets like BTC/USD, ETH/AUD, and XBT/SGD.

SimpleSwap supports over 1,500 cryptocurrency assets for instant swaps; while there’s no public list of the top 20 by trading volume, it’s safe to infer that mainstream heavyweights like BTC, ETH, USDT-based pairs, and other popular altcoins lead the most frequently exchanged.

Product Range

The platform offers spot trading, basic leveraged/margin trading (up to 5× on select AUD pairs), DCA via AutoTrader, staking/earning opportunities, OTC execution for large-volume traders, and automated strategies—but no perpetuals, options, ETFs, copy trading, grid bots, or lending markets.

SimpleSwap is designed solely for instant, spot crypto-to-crypto swaps and staking through integrated programs; it does not offer margin, futures/perps, options, crypto ETFs, lending, copy trading, grid bots, or automated DCA features.

Liquidity

The platform sees daily trading volumes in the low hundreds of millions USD range, and order-book depth is strongest for BTC and ETH pairs against AUD, USD, SGD andNZD—sufficient for mid-sized trades but not matching institutional venues.

Exact liquidity metrics like 24-hour trading volume or order-book depth aren’t published, but SimpleSwap sources liquidity from multiple partner exchanges, enabling smooth execution for BTC and ETH swaps via aggregation rather than a unified internal book.

Tools

Independent Reserve supports market, limit, stop-buy, stop-sell orders (including OCO style flows), in-app price alerts, a polished web/mobile interface with basic charting tools, robust JSON/WebSocket (Airbridge™) API access, and even native TradingView integration for more advanced chart-based analysis.

The platform is minimalist—neither limit nor OCO orders are available beyond fixed-and-floating rate swaps; it lacks advanced charting or alerts, though it does offer integration tools like APIs and widgets rather than a native TradingView interface.

Geographic Restrictions by Product

While spot trading and OTC are broadly available, leveraged/margin access, certain fiat currency features, or institutional services may be restricted in regions such as the US and China, depending on licensing and local policy.

Since SimpleSwap doesn’t offer derivatives, there are no region-based limitations on those products specifically, but its fiat-to-crypto service is restricted in a set of countries flagged by regulatory or partner limitations.

Innovation

Independent Reserve powers automated investing with AutoTrader (DCA and strategy templates) and provides flexible staking and institutional-grade OTC offerings, although it doesn’t operate token launchpads or “locked vs flexible earn” products.

While SimpleSwap doesn’t run launchpads or launchpools, it does innovate in passive earning via its loyalty and affiliate programs, offering flexible cashback and staking-like benefits rather than locking funds into fixed-term products.

Security, Regulation & Custody

Operating Entity & Jurisdiction

Independent Reserve is operated by Independent Reserve Pty Ltd, founded in 2013, headquartered in Sydney, Australia, with a significant operational presence in Singapore as well.

SimpleSwap is operated by SimpleSwap Limited, established in 2018 and based in George Town, Cayman Islands, functioning under that jurisdiction while also listing a U.S. office in San Francisco for support operations.

Licenses/Registration

The exchange holds a Digital Payment Token Services license from the MAS in Singapore and is registered with ASIC in Australia as a compliant crypto operator.

The platform operates under money transmitter licenses where applicable, respecting relevant regulatory frameworks without explicitly holding licensing such as VASP registration or MiCA compliance, though its services may vary regionally to meet local requirements.

Custody

Crypto assets are held entirely in-house, segregated by customer, with the vast majority stored in geo-distributed, multi-signature cold vaults; the company maintains full reserves and undergoes regular external audits and penetration testing.

As a non-custodial exchange, SimpleSwap never holds user assets, reducing exposure to custodial risks; the platform does not currently offer public Proof of Reserves, cold reserve percentages, or external audit disclosures.

Insurance & Protection Funds

Since 2019, Independent Reserve maintains insurer-backed protection for digital assets, providing an additional safety layer beyond technical security.

There is no public program offering insured coverage or asset protection funds—security relies on infrastructure practices like SSL encryption and secure transaction channels rather than third-party insurance.

Incident History

Independent Reserve boasts a clean security record—no hacks, breaches, or custodial compromises reported since inception—strengthening its reputation for reliability.

SimpleSwap has maintained a clean record—no documented security breaches, funds seizures, or regulatory enforcement actions appear in public sources, reflecting a history free from major incidents.

Risk Controls

Account security is robust, featuring ISO 27001-level controls, enforced 2FA, withdrawal address whitelists, multi-layer admin approvals, anti-phishing measures, tiered admin access, and granular API permissions.

The platform enforces strong security protocols including SSL encryption, optional two-factor authentication for added account safety, and compliance-driven KYC escalation in higher-risk cases; however, features like address whitelists, sub-accounts, granular API controls, or anti-phishing mechanisms are not prominently offered.

Transparency

The exchange publicly affirms its adherence to best practices via routine audits and security testing, though it does not offer public cold wallet addresses or an SLA; it also generates audit-friendly reporting for institutional and tax purposes.

SimpleSwap does not provide regular reporting like monthly reports or SLAs, nor does it maintain public wallet addresses; its transparency relies on its non-custodial structure and clear service terms rather than open reserve disclosures or performance metrics.

Deposits, Withdrawals, KYC & Support

Fiat Deposit Methods

Users can fund accounts via bank transfers (EFT in Australia, SWIFT internationally), instant deposits like PayID/Osko (AUD) or PayNow/FAST (SGD), credit/debit cards, and PayPal; minimums and limits vary by region (e.g. deposits under AUD 100 incur a small fee, over AUD 100 are free, while SGD deposits over S$1,000 via FAST are free) and processing times range from instant (for PayID/FAST) to 1–3 business days for EFT/SWIFT.

SimpleSwap supports fiat deposits exclusively through its partner Mercuryo, typically via Visa or Mastercard, including virtual, debit, and credit cards, zero stated minimums or maximums, and instant payment processing, though processing limits are influenced by third-party policies.

Supported Fiat Currencies & Conversion

KYC (Verification Levels)

The exchange enforces tiered KYC with increasing verification—basic identity, then proof of source of funds/wealth—to lift deposit and withdrawal caps; exact thresholds depend on jurisdiction, and higher tiers allow larger transactions and feature access.

SimpleSwap enables anonymous crypto-to-crypto swaps without KYC, but using fiat services or large transactions may trigger partner-enforced identity verification (e.g., basic KYC via Mercuryo) depending on risk assessments, without predefined tiers disclosed.

Withdrawals

limits, timing, networks

Since SimpleSwap is non-custodial, withdrawals simply reflect on-chain transfers to your wallet, with no platform-imposed limits; completion typically takes between several minutes up to an hour depending on network load and chosen blockchain.

Customer Support

Independent Reserve offers a robust knowledge base and FAQ section, support tickets via secure portal, plus 24/7 email support; premium or OTC clients may access phone support. Live chat is not available, but response times are generally prompt, and the site includes rich how-to content.

SimpleSwap offers 24/7 live chat and email support with generally fast response times, backed by a detailed FAQ and blog guides that serve as a robust self-help resource.

Languages & Localization

The platform is primarily available in English, with pricing shown in USD, AUD, SGD, or NZD depending on your region. Local regulatory details are clearly presented for supported jurisdictions, though some regions may lack localized language support beyond English.

The platform is available in around 10 languages on the website (with app support in 6), displays pricing and rates in common fiat like EUR or USD based on your region, while service availability is tailored to local regulatory environments.

App Quality & Stability

The mobile app (iOS & Android) is stable and receives regular updates, supports instant deposits/withdrawals, 2FA, alerts, and DCA features; while formal crash-rate stats aren’t published, user feedback indicates a polished and reliable experience.

SimpleSwap’s mobile app is designed for smooth, user-friendly crypto swaps and applies the same core functionalities as the web platform; while precise crash rates aren’t published, user feedback reports high stability and ongoing updates to expand asset availability and app performance.

Experience, Performance & Ecosystem

UX/UI

Independent Reserve offers a clean, intuitive interface with light and dark app themes; there’s no separate Lite or Pro mode, but its streamlined dashboard strikes a balance between ease for newcomers and functional clarity for more experienced users.

SimpleSwap’s interface shines with its minimalist design—there’s no “Lite” or “Pro” toggle, but the intuitive layout makes the learning curve nearly nonexistent, allowing users of all levels to initiate swaps quickly and effortlessly on both desktop and mobile.

Performance

The platform is generally stable with fast execution even during busy periods, and while occasional slowing may occur during extreme volatility, its infrastructure and streamlined interface help minimize delays—KYC processing can slow down temporarily during bull-market surges.

The platform generally executes instant swaps with low latency by sourcing multiple liquidity providers; while it doesn’t face order system overloads, swaps may take slightly longer during high blockchain congestion—there’s no bulk KYC process since accounts aren’t required.

Education

Independent Reserve maintains a well-organized knowledge base and blog filled with how-tos and educational guides, though there’s no interactive demo or simulator, and content in Spanish is limited or unavailable.

SimpleSwap offers robust educational support via its blog, guides, and FAQs—but lacks demo or simulator tools; however, it caters to Spanish speakers with translated articles and interface options for enhanced accessibility.

Community

The exchange has an active presence across social platforms like Reddit and X, hosts an adviser-focused program, and offers a referral panel in its dashboard—but it does not operate official Discord or Telegram groups or copy-trading programs.

Community engagement thrives through its ambassador and affiliate programs, offering users access to private Telegram groups, content support, and cashback incentives—though public forums or Discord channels aren’t prominently advertised.

Integrations

Independent Reserve integrates native TradingView charts, offers APIs for external bots, and provides built-in tax tools (such as CSV exports and a KPMG-based tax calculator), supporting seamless accounting and trading automation.

SimpleSwap doesn’t embed TradingView charts or offer native bot support, but it does provide a transparent API and widget for smooth integration with external tools and developer workflows; no built-in tax or accounting tools are included.

Who Each One Is Best For

The platform suits beginners who value clarity and security, and mid-level users looking for solid infrastructure and automated tools like AutoTrader; it’s less ideal for those seeking vast altcoin catalogs or full pro-level trading modes.

SimpleSwap is ideal for both newcomers and seasoned crypto users who value instant, no-account swaps with strong privacy and multi-language support—especially useful when speed, simplicity, and broad coin access matter more than advanced trading tools.