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

Trying to choose between Independent Reserve and Biking 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

Biking

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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.

Biking is ideal if:

For traders seeking smart contract flexibility, BiKing offers multiple contract types—perpetuals, quick contracts, and cross-margin/isolated modes—so you can align with diverse market strategies.
If asset security matters to you, the platform emphasizes bank-level protection, with deep cold storage, multi-signature withdrawals, and a tiered risk-control system.
When you value responsive support, BiKing provides 24/7 customer assistance and maintains a user-centric approach to keep trading smooth and reliable.

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.

Biking isn’t ideal if:

If you prioritize top-tier regulatory protection, BiKing falls short—it’s not overseen by major regulators, thus offering less legal safety and transparency.
For users seeking high liquidity or advanced tools, the platform may feel basic and limited, especially compared to larger exchanges.
Concerned about reputation and transparency? BiKing has multiple user complaints about withdrawal issues, expired licenses, and opaque operations—raising red flags for reliability.

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.

BiKing applies a flat trading fee for both makers and takers on spot trades, regardless of your volume level; there’s no discount tied to using a native token, so the cost per trade remains consistent across users.

Futures/Derivatives

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

On perpetual futures, BiKing charges a uniform fee whether you’re adding or taking liquidity, and funding payments happen directly between traders on fixed intervals—BiKing itself doesn’t impose any additional charge for that.

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.

The exchange maintains tight spreads on its most traded pairs to support efficient execution, reflecting its focus on seamless trading in deep markets.

Fiat Deposits & Withdrawals

methods, fees, timing

BiKing currently does not facilitate traditional fiat deposits or withdrawals via bank wires or cards, operating chiefly within the crypto-to-crypto sphere to keep things straightforward and platform-native.

On-chain Withdrawals

fixed vs dynamic fees

Withdrawal costs are dynamically calculated based on network conditions—BiKing passes along the prevailing network fee for each blockchain rather than using a fixed fiat-denominated rate.

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’s no evidence BiKing applies fees for things like currency conversions, account inactivity, or expedited verification processes, making its structure transparent and predictable beyond standard trading and withdrawal costs.

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.

In a scenario where you convert fiat into crypto—though fiat options are not currently available—BiKing’s structure means you’d face only the usual spot trading fee and the network-based withdrawal cost, without added platform margin or hidden charges, ensuring clarity in your total cost.

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.

BiKing lists around 260 cryptocurrencies and their associated trading pairs; the top 20 pairs—dominated by major market leaders—are generally those with the deepest liquidity and highest activity.

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.

The platform focuses on perpetual and quick contracts, spot trading, and “bonus” or gamified contract modes—without options, ETFs, staking pools, lending, copy trading, grid bots, or auto-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.

BiKing reports healthy daily volumes in both spot and derivatives markets, supporting smooth execution; specific order-book depth metrics for BTC/ETH suggest reliable liquidity for active traders.

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.

BiKing supports standard order types like limit, stop, and OCO, and includes charting and API access, though it lacks built-in TradingView integration or advanced alert systems.

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.

Certain advanced products such as derivatives may be restricted in regulated regions—even with global availability, some users may find limited access to full product suites depending on local laws.

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 lacking a traditional launchpad, BiKing does offer bonus-mode trading (a task-based rewards system) and appears exploring features like GameFi zones to engage users in flexible, incentive-driven trading experiences.

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.

BiKing is operated by BiKing Financial Ltd., founded in 2017 and headquartered offshore, with its main operations based outside major financial jurisdictions to provide global access and flexibility.

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.

BiKing holds MSB-style licenses in places like the United States and Canada, but is not regulated by top-tier financial authorities, which limits its legal transparency and oversight.

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.

BiKing uses in-house custody with deep cold storage, multi-signature withdrawals, and an anti-risk architecture to protect user funds, although it does not publicly publish proof-of-reserves or detailed audit reports.

Insurance & Protection Funds

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

There’s no publicly disclosed insurance or user compensation fund, meaning users rely primarily on BiKing’s internal security framework rather than external protection schemes.

Incident History

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

BiKing has no prominent history of major hacks or regulatory penalties, although there are occasional reports of withdrawal delays and limited transparency in incident reporting, which suggests a mixed track record on operations.

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 supports robust safety features such as two-factor authentication, encryption, intrusion prevention systems, and expressive API controls, all reinforced by firewall protections and multi-layer risk policies.

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.

BiKing lacks publicly visible wallet addresses, formal service-level agreements, or monthly transparency reports, making it less open about operational metrics and fund holdings than more transparent platforms.

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.

BiKing does not support traditional fiat deposit methods—like bank transfers, cards, or e-wallets—so there’s no associated limits or processing times to consider.

Supported Fiat Currencies & Conversion

BiKing does not support traditional fiat deposit methods—like bank transfers, cards, or e-wallets—so there’s no associated limits or processing times to consider.

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.

BiKing mandates a primary KYC step that ties your identity to your account, required to begin trading; there is no tiered verification system publicly described, and higher account access is granted once the basic identity check is cleared.

Withdrawals

limits, timing, networks

On-chain withdrawals are available via multiple blockchain networks (e.g., ERC-20, BEP-20, TRC-20), with dynamic delays depending on network conditions; specific daily or per-transaction caps are not openly defined.

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.

BiKing advertises round-the-clock customer support, accessible via in-app or web chat and email, along with an evolving help center, though exact average response times aren’t specified.

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 interface is fully available in English among other languages; while fees or quotes aren’t localized to € or $ specifically, the platform remains region-agnostic without deep alignment to particular local regulatory setups.

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.

The BiKing app is promoted as continuously refined by its tech team for a smooth trading experience, though there’s no publicly available data on crash rates or the recency of updates.

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.

BiKing offers a polished, intuitive interface with a fast-matching engine and a slight learning curve—ideal for both new and experienced users—though it doesn’t explicitly separate “Lite” and “Pro” editions, delivering advanced functionality within one cohesive layout.

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 emphasizes microsecond-level order matching and anti-risk mechanisms to keep operations stable during spikes in market volatility, maintaining responsiveness when others might lag.

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.

While there’s no dedicated academy or simulator, BiKing supports its users through informative FAQs, community insights, and integration with evolving GameFi incentives to help users learn indirectly.

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.

BiKing boasts an energetic affiliate scheme (with unique perks such as high-value rewards), along with active official Telegram and social media channels that foster collaboration and user growth.

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.

The platform backs core trading tools and API access for external developments, though it stops short of native TradingView embedding or tax/accounting tool integrations—focusing instead on simplicity and performance.

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.

BiKing suits traders seeking a high-performance, security-focused crypto platform with GameFi gamified experiences and solid community backing—less so for those needing extensive educational modules, sophisticated bot ecosystems, or financial reporting tools.