Altcoin Trader vs Giottus: Fees, Security, Features & Which to Choose (2025)

Trying to choose between Altcoin Trader and Giottus 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

Altcoin Trader

Giottus

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Available Countries

United States

Europe

Yes

Latin America

Yes

India

Yes

China

Canada

Yes

United Kingdom

Yes

United States

Europe

Latin America

Yes

India

China

Canada

United Kingdom

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Altcoin Trader is ideal if:

Ideal for newcomers seeking simplicity: Its intuitive interface and straightforward trading make onboarding smooth and stress‑free.
Perfect if you want seamless ZAR access: Supports direct South African Rand deposits and withdrawals tied to local banking systems.
Great for those who value passive earnings: Offers an interest‑bearing feature that lets you earn on crypto holdings without lock‑ins.

Giottus is ideal if:

Beginners or INR-first users: Perfectly suited—it offers ultra-fast INR deposits and a highly intuitive interface tailored for Indian users.
Security-focused traders: Excellent choice—bank-level encryption, massive redundancies, and a high-throughput matching engine ensure a stable and safe environment.
Looking for global or altcoin variety?: Likely not ideal—limited international reach and a narrower crypto selection compared to global exchanges.

Altcoin Trader isn’t ideal if:

Not for multi-fiats or passive earners: Only accepts South African Rand and lacks earning tools like staking or interest accounts.
Not for advanced traders: Platform design is basic—missing advanced order types, robust charting, or professional trading tools.
Not optimal for large-volume traders: Lower liquidity and trading volume compared to big exchanges may affect execution of bigger trades.

Giottus isn’t ideal if:

Need broad altcoin access? Not the best fit—Giottus’s crypto selection is more modest compared to global exchanges.
Globally located or outside India? Probably not an ideal match—its services and availability remain largely confined to India.
Seeking advanced trading tools? Might fall short—it lacks some sophisticated features demanded by experienced or professional traders.

Fees & Total Costs

Spot Maker/Take

AltCoinTrader applies a flat fee of 0.10% for both maker and taker spot trades, regardless of your trading volume; there are no volume-based tiers or discounts for using any native token.

Giottus offers zero maker fees and standard taker fees on crypto-INR trades, with no extra incentive tiers tied to volume or token discounts—so your trading costs stay predictably low regardless of how much you trade.

Futures/Derivatives

The platform does not offer any futures or derivatives trading—so there are no associated maker/taker fees or funding costs to consider.

At present, Giottus does not support futures or derivatives products, so there’s no maker/taker structure or funding rate to factor into your cost analysis.

Average Spreads on Liquid Pairs

AltCoinTrader does not publicly disclose average spreads for these pairs; given its focus on ZAR-based markets, spreads may vary, and the platform does not advertise this metric prominently.

While exact figures fluctuate, spreads on Giottus appear in line with industry norms for liquid crypto pairs like BTC/USDT and ETH/USDT, reflecting competitive pricing for actively traded markets.

Fiat Deposits & Withdrawals

You can deposit and withdraw South African Rand via EFT, bank transfer, Capitec Pay, and similar local methods—with deposit fees around 0.5% (capped at R95), and withdrawal fees set at 0.5% plus a fixed R16 (also capped at R95); deposits are typically credited within one to three days, depending on your bank.

You can deposit or withdraw INR instantly (24/7) via IMPS or UPI with zero fees for normal transactions—instant methods are processed in seconds or minutes through your bank, while traditional IMPS/NEFT may take a few hours depending on timing.

On-chain Withdrawals

Withdrawal fees for cryptocurrencies are network-based and vary by coin—e.g., a BTC withdrawal costs approximately 0.00057 BTC—indicating a fixed fee per network rather than dynamic gas-based pricing.

Crypto withdrawal fees are set per coin and network, typically fixed values rather than dynamic; for example, BTC withdrawals follow a set fee, and various networks like ETH or TRX similarly have fixed charges per transfer.

Hidden Costs

Although there are no explicit inactivity or express KYC fees mentioned, non-ZAR conversions may involve indirect conversion costs, and fee transparency for different services (like instant processing) isn’t fully clear—so always check within your account before proceeding.

Giottus does not layer hidden charges—there’s no currency conversion markup, no inactivity penalty, and no premium KYC option; all core costs align with publicly declared fee structures and are transparently applied.

Real-World Cost Example: “€500 BTC

Suppose you purchase the equivalent of €500 in BTC via the market; you’d pay roughly 0.10% in trading fee plus a spread embedded in the quote, and if withdrawing immediately you’d incur the fixed BTC withdrawal fee—altogether reflecting trading, conversion, and withdrawal without outlining exact amounts to keep it evergreen.

Imagine converting €500 to INR, then using that to buy BTC and withdrawing it

Crypto Offering & Trading Features

Number of Coins & Pairs

AltCoinTrader supports approximately 37 unique cryptocurrencies across around 48 trading pairs, with the top 20 pairs by volume dominated by ZAR-based markets—including notable pairs like XRP/ZAR, BTC/ZAR, USDT/ZAR, and ETH/ZAR.

Giottus supports roughly 300+ cryptocurrencies across 300+ trading pairs, with the top 20 by volume dominated by INR pairs like USDT/INR, ETH/INR, BTC/INR, SOL/USDT, and XRP/INR—these reflect the most active and liquid markets.

Product Range

AltCoinTrader focuses on basic spot trading and includes a passive income product called “Easy Save,” but it does not offer margin or derivatives, crypto ETFs, lending, copy trading, grid bots, or automated DCA tools.

The platform offers a comprehensive spot exchange plus fiat-crypto and crypto-crypto trades, along with earning tools like staking, lending, curated baskets, and automated SIP (Systematic Investment Plan), but it does not offer margin, derivatives, ETFs, options, copy trading, grid bots, or DCA tools.

Liquidity

Liquidity is modest, with 24-hour trading volumes in the low-to-mid million-dollar range; although exact order book depth isn’t publicly shown, it’s likely thinner than on major global exchanges, especially for BTC and ETH markets.

While specific volume metrics change daily, Giottus ranks as one of India’s most liquid exchanges, aggregating liquidity from sources like Bitfinex to ensure shallow slippage and solid order-book depth on pairs like BTC/INR and ETH/INR.

Tools

The platform provides market and limit orders, slightly more advanced charting via TradingView Basic, and API access; however, features such as stop or OCO orders, price alerts, WebSocket data, or advanced charting tools are notably limited or absent.

The platform supports basic order types (like limit and market) on a real-time order book with charting tools; it integrates advanced visuals and historical data into its UI, though full native TradingView charts or API/WS support aren’t prominently featured.

Geographic Restrictions by Product

Being South African-based, AltCoinTrader’s features are tailored mainly to ZAR-speaking regions, with no support for derivatives or advanced instruments—there are no explicit regional blackouts, but advanced products simply aren’t offered anywhere.

Giottus’s products are fully accessible only within India, and features like its earning tools and spot functionality are not available to users outside Indian jurisdiction.

Innovation

AltCoinTrader doesn’t support token launch mechanisms or pools, but it does offer an innovative passive yield feature via Easy Save, which allows flexible, interest-like returns on idle crypto without lock-ins—offering a rare, flexible-earn option among regional exchanges.

The platform introduces innovation through curated crypto baskets and SIP investment mechanisms, and while it offers staking and lending, it does not currently support launchpad/launchpool offerings or differentiate between flexible and locked yield products.

Security, Regulation & Custody

Operating Entity & Jurisdiction

AltCoinTrader (Pty) Ltd, founded around 2015 and headquartered in South Africa, operates under South African law with a visible company registration—making it a locally regulated and established crypto service provider.

Giottus is operated by Giottus Technologies Pvt Ltd, established in 2017, with its headquarters located in Chennai, India.

Licenses/Registration

AltCoinTrader is officially licensed by the South African Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) as a Category I/II Crypto Asset Service Provider (CASP), and also registered as a Financial Service Provider (FSP), reflecting compliance with local and FATF-aligned regulatory standards.

As an Indian crypto service provider, Giottus is registered with the Financial Intelligence Unit–India as a Virtual Asset Service Provider, fully complying with local regulatory obligations under the AML/PMLA framework.

Custody

AltCoinTrader manages its own custody of user assets, employs a statutory audit confirming that client reserves exceed liabilities, and holds a major portion of assets in cold storage—though it doesn’t publicly provide a full-proof of reserves report.

own vs third-party; Proof of Reserves, audits, % cold reserves

Insurance & Protection Funds

There is no publicly detailed insurance policy or external protection fund advertised—such coverage is either not offered or not transparently disclosed on the platform.

There is no indication that Giottus currently maintains an insurance policy or dedicated insurance fund to cover unexpected losses or custodial risks.

Incident History

There are no known reports of major hacks or regulatory fines, although a small number of users have complained about account issues or fund access delays on review platforms—no confirmed systemic security breaches.

To date, Giottus has not reported any major security breaches, exchange suspensions, or regulatory penalties, reflecting a clean track record in operational integrity and compliance.

Risk Controls

The platform enforces standard risk controls like two-factor authentication (2FA) and OTP-based withdrawal verification; more advanced tools such as whitelisting addresses, sub-account management, anti-phishing measures, or granular API permissions are not prominently featured.

The exchange enforces industry-standard security measures including mandatory two-factor authentication, KYC-linked withdrawal tiers, and integration with compliance tools that bolster governance and anti-phishing defenses—though features like sub-accounts or granular API permissioning aren’t prominently highlighted.

Transparency

AltCoinTrader does not appear to publish monthly financial or transparency reports, does not offer publicly auditable wallet addresses, nor sets formal SLAs—though it does voluntarily participate in regulatory audits and maintains compliance processes under financial law.

Giottus enhances transparency through its pending Proof of Reserves initiative and public communication via blog updates, but it does not currently publish routine monthly audit reports, public wallet addresses, or formalized service-level agreements.

Deposits, Withdrawals, KYC & Support

Fiat Deposit Methods

AltCoinTrader accepts fiat deposits via local bank transfers and Ozow instant EFT, requiring a minimum of around R100 (approx. $6), with no stated maximum; processing usually happens within a few hours to one business day, depending on method and bank operations.

You can deposit INR into your Giottus account via UPI or IMPS instantly 24/7, and via NEFT/IMPS during the day with zero fees—both processing are fast, with instant routes completing in seconds and normal deposits credited within a couple of hours.

Supported Fiat Currencies & Conversion

KYC (Verification Levels)

AltCoinTrader uses multi-tiered verification

Giottus enforces a tiered KYC system, where completing full identity verification (PAN, Aadhaar or equivalent) unlocks access to higher withdrawal limits that are evaluated individually by compliance—there’s no zero-KYC tier for active trading.

Withdrawals

Crypto withdrawals depend on the chosen network (ERC-20, TRC-20, etc.) and follow standard network protocols; fiat ZAR withdrawals offer a “near-instant” service (R250K max outside banking hours; R5M during) taking 5–15 minutes to process but up to 24 hours to reflect, and must be sent to a personal bank account in your name.

Crypto withdrawals are subject to fixed network fees and follow network-specific protocols, while INR withdrawals up to ₹200,000 via IMPS are instant and free, and larger amounts are processed using NEFT according to banking timings, with limits adjusted to your KYC tier.

Customer Support

Support is available via email, tickets, and phone during South African business hours (typically weekdays, 9

Support is available through live chat, email, and phone, with a helpful knowledge base to guide users—response tends to be prompt, although peak hours may cause slight delays.

Languages & Localization

The platform is presented in English, displays fees and balances in ZAR, and is fully oriented toward South African regulatory standards, offering smooth localization for users in that region while showing limited adaptability for others.

The platform is localized mainly for Indian users, with interface and support in English and amounts shown in INR; the legal and compliance framework is aligned with Indian regulatory standards.

App Quality & Stability

AltCoinTrader’s mobile app is generally stable and feature-rich in terms of basic trading, earning a middling performance score; while it supports TradingView charts, APIs, and indicators, there’s no public data on crash rates—user feedback indicates reliable stability but limited advanced features.

The mobile app is generally stable and regularly maintained, with no widespread reports of frequent crashes; regular updates keep the platform current and responsive to user needs.

Experience, Performance & Ecosystem

UX/UI

AltCoinTrader features a clean, beginner-friendly interface with a shallow learning curve and no separate Lite or Pro modes—making it simple and consistent for users of all levels.

Giottus features a clean, intuitive interface with minimal learning curve that suits both novices and more advanced users; there is no explicit “Lite” or “Pro” toggle, but the platform naturally accommodates different experience levels through its organized layout and simplified navigation.

Performance

The exchange typically handles order submissions quickly and remains solid even during market swings, though occasional slowdowns or verification delays may occur during surges of activity or peak trading periods.

Built on a high-capacity trading engine capable of processing tens of thousands of transactions per second, Giottus maintains fast order execution even during volatile periods and has engineered resilience to handle surges, while KYC queues remain manageable thanks to its streamlined verification process.

Education

While the platform offers helpful webinars, detailed FAQs, and guided support, it lacks a built-in demo or simulator and currently doesn’t provide structured educational content in Spanish.

While Giottus invests in user education through blog posts and public awareness initiatives, it does not currently offer an in-app academy, simulator, demo mode, or content in Spanish—its educational assets are more operational and aimed at raising general crypto awareness.

Community

AltCoinTrader does not host public forums or Discord/Telegram channels, but it does run a referral program alongside its support-driven community engagement through its helpdesk and email support.

Giottus builds community engagement via its official Telegram channel and referral program that rewards users for inviting friends, but it does not appear to operate public forums or an official Discord server at this time.

Integrations

The platform includes basic charting with TradingView Lite integration, but it doesn’t yet support external trading bots, tax tools, or accounting package integrations.

Although Giottus doesn’t integrate natively with TradingView or tax/accounting software, it does support connectivity with third-party trading bot platforms—enabling advanced automated strategies via services like Bitsgap.

Who Each One Is Best For

AltCoinTrader is ideal for South African beginners or casual traders seeking secure, straightforward ZAR-based buying and basic earning, but less suitable for advanced traders craving sophisticated tools or broader language and automation support.

Giottus is especially well-suited for Indian users seeking a seamless fiat-to-crypto experience, regional language support, and straightforward tools for regular investing (like SIPs and baskets); it’s less tailored to power users requiring advanced charting, global fiat options, or institutional-level integrations.