Ascendex vs Exmo: Fees, Security, Features & Which to Choose (2025)

Trying to choose between Ascendex and Exmo 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

Ascendex

Exmo

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Available Countries

United States

Europe

Yes

Latin America

Yes

India

Yes

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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Ascendex is ideal if:

Versatile trader tools – Offers both beginner-friendly and pro-grade interfaces for spot, margin, futures, staking, copy trading, and yield farming.
Passive-earning focus – Multiple earning paths available (staking, DeFi yield, OTC, Invest programs), ideal if you want crypto to work for you passively.
Robust performance engine – High-throughput tech, advanced analytics, and mobile support make it ideal for active or institutional traders needing speed and reliability.

Exmo is ideal if:

Effortless for beginners — EXMO shines with a clean and intuitive interface that makes entering the crypto world straightforward, even for newcomers.
Strong foundational tools — It offers essential order types (market, limit, stop), solid security layers, and mobile access—delivering the essentials without overcomplicating things.
Reward-friendly experience — If you enjoy added incentives, EXMO’s ecosystem includes perks via its native token and Earn program, enriching your engagement beyond standard trading.

Ascendex isn’t ideal if:

Regulatory uncertainty – Lacks formal licensing in many regions, meaning oversight and user protections may be limited.
Customer service concerns – Some users report slow or unhelpful support, particularly for withdrawals or issue resolution.
Past security breach – A significant hack occurred, which may worry users who prioritize platforms with a flawless security record.

Exmo isn’t ideal if:

If you need advanced trading tools, EXMO may feel limiting due to the absence of high-end features favored by professional traders.
If rapid customer support matters, response times can lag behind competitors, which might frustrate users seeking instant help.
If you're after aggressive margin use, EXMO offers modest leverage, so it’s not the best choice for high-risk, high-reward strategies.

Fees & Total Costs

Spot Maker/Take

Spot trading fees follow a tiered VIP structure based on your 30-day trade volume and holdings of the native ASD token; larger volume or ASD holdings unlock lower maker and taker rates, especially for major market-cap pairs.

EXMO applies a tiered fee structure where both maker and taker fees decrease as your 30-day trading volume rises—from standard spot levels down to zero or even negative rates at very high volumes—while EXMO-Coin-backed Premium packages offer additional, fixed discounts ranging from modest savings to full fee waivers.

Futures/Derivatives

Futures (perpetual) trading uses its own VIP-based fee tiers—maker fees can be as low as around 0.02%, takers around 0.05%—and funding payments occur every eight hours to align perpetual contract prices with spot.

EXMO currently focuses exclusively on spot and margin trading and does not support futures or derivative products, so maker/taker and funding fees for such instruments are not applicable.

Average Spreads on Liquid Pairs

Liquid pairs like BTC/USDT and ETH/USDT exhibit tight spreads thanks to deep order books and efficient matching, making execution cost minimal beyond standard fees.

While precise spreads aren’t publicly listed, EXMO’s tight pairing on major BTC/USDT and ETH/USDT markets suggests they remain competitive in line with typical centralized exchange benchmarks.

Fiat Deposits & Withdrawals

You can fund via credit/debit card or bank transfers through third-party processors; while deposits are quick, they may include a dynamic processing fee; withdrawal options and speeds depend on your local banking rails and chosen method.

You can deposit and withdraw fiat by card, bank transfers (SEPA, wire), and e-channels; deposit fees and limits depend on your chosen method, with processing times ranging from under an hour to up to three business days for traditional transfers.

On-chain Withdrawals

BTC, ETH, TRX, etc.)

Crypto withdrawals follow dynamic, network-based fees—varying by coin and network congestion—rather than flat fees, and the specific fee for each asset is shown at the time of withdrawal.

Hidden Costs

Implicit costs may arise from conversion markups when buying crypto with fiat, inactivity penalties, or optional fast-track identity verification services, so even if explicit fees are low, these can add to your total cost.

Although EXMO avoids surprise charges, users should note possible currency conversion margins, low inactive-account charges, and potential priority processing fees for expedited verification or transfers, depending on circumstances.

Real-World Cost Example: “€500 BTC

When you convert €500 into BTC, costs include the processing spread from fiat to crypto, the trading fee on your spot purchase, and any withdrawal network fee—so the net BTC received will be noticeably less than the €500 equivalent due to layered transaction components.

Suppose you buy €500 worth of BTC via fiat—your cost includes a starting trading fee (based on spot or fiat tiers), the market spread embedded in the execution price, and a dynamic crypto withdrawal charge when you transfer BTC out—which together form the total effective cost of the transaction.

Crypto Offering & Trading Features

Number of Coins & Pairs

AscendEX supports over 200 to 300 cryptocurrencies across more than 200 trading pairs, with the most liquid top 20 pairs typically dominated by BTC, ETH, USDT, and popular large-cap and DeFi tokens if ranked by volume.

EXMO supports around 90–100 different cryptocurrency assets and approximately 150–235 trading pairs, while its top 20 by volume include major names like BTC, ETH, ADA, DOT, LINK, XRP, SOL, LTC, AAVE, UNI, XLM, BCH, EOS, ATOM, FIL, VET, ZEC, XMR, TRX, and more.

Product Range

The platform offers spot, margin, and perpetual futures, flexible staking and yield programs, copy-trading for futures, and supports automated strategies such as grid bots and DCA through its API and third-party tools—though options and crypto ETFs are not part of the current offering.

The platform offers spot trading (including margin with up to ~30× leverage), staking via the Earn program, OTC services, and automated features like copy-trading and third-party grid or trading bots—however, it does not support derivatives such as perpetuals, options, ETFs, or crypto loans.

Liquidity

With a reported 24-hour trading volume ranging from hundreds of millions to a couple of billion dollars, BTC/USDT and ETH/USDT markets offer strong depth and tight order books, enabling efficient execution even for substantial orders.

EXMO’s daily trading volume generally ranges from tens to a few tens of millions of dollars, with BTC/USDT and ETH/USDT among its most liquid pairs—indicative of a mid-tier liquidity exchange offering reasonable depth for retail and many pro traders.

Tools

AscendEX features a full suite of order types (limit, market, stop, OCO), advanced charting with customizable indicators, real-time alerts, and robust API/WebSocket access—although it relies on its proprietary charting tools rather than native TradingView integration.

Traders can place market, limit, and stop orders; enjoy basic charting and alerts; and leverage web and mobile APIs—and while advanced tools like native TradingView charts aren’t built in, external integrations via API are possible.

Geographic Restrictions by Product

Certain regions face limitations such as no access to futures or derivatives features—specifically, users in jurisdictions like the United States and China are restricted from using these products due to compliance considerations.

While spot and staking are widely available, margin trading may be restricted or unavailable in certain jurisdictions—particularly the US and other regions where regulations limit leverage products.

Innovation

AscendEX delivers early access to new token projects via its launchpool platform, and its Earn suite includes both flexible staking options—as well as programs with lock-up periods—giving users choice in how they deploy assets to generate yield.

EXMO’s Earn offering includes flexible staking that allows daily rewards and instant withdrawals, enabling compounding without locking funds; though it doesn’t currently offer launchpad or launchpool-style token launch features, its flexible earn model is a standout.

Security, Regulation & Custody

Operating Entity & Jurisdiction

AscendEX operates under AscendEX Technology S.R.L., legally established in Romania, while the broader group includes BMXDM Technology Pte. Ltd. founded in 2018, with headquarters primarily in Singapore.

EXMO operates under its legal entity EXMO EXCHANGE LTD., established around 2013–2014 and headquartered in the UK, functioning within British jurisdictional frameworks including AML/KYC mandates and the EU’s Fifth Anti-Money Laundering Directive (5AMLD).

Licenses/Registration

The platform adheres to AML/CTF regulations where required, but does not currently hold formal regulatory licenses such as VASP in most jurisdictions nor EU MiCA authorization.

While EXMO is registered in the UK and complies with AML and KYC obligations, it does not hold formal licenses such as VASP or MiCA—operating without formal regulatory approvals from major bodies like the FCA or SEC, though it aligns with regional compliance best practices.

Custody

Users’ crypto assets are stored primarily in cold, offline wallets managed directly by AscendEX, supported by a defense-in-depth security model; there’s no publicly disclosed proof-of-reserves audit or specific percentage of assets held in cold storage.

The platform uses a hybrid custody model—hot wallets for daily transactions and cold storage for the bulk of assets—with routine security audits to bolster safety; however, there’s no public proof of reserves or explicit percentage breakdown of cold vs. hot holdings.

Insurance & Protection Funds

AscendEX maintains an internal insurance fund drawn from its own balance sheet to cover potential losses in the event of security incidents.

EXMO maintains an internal insurance fund to provide some level of user asset protection against unforeseen events, though this is not comparable to coverage offered by major traditional financial insurers.

Incident History

In December 2021, AscendEX suffered a hot-wallet exploit across several blockchains, but fully reimbursed all impacted users and rebuilt its infrastructure with stronger safeguards.

EXMO has experienced operational challenges—such as platform downtimes and withdrawal delays—and notable events like the 2017 kidnapping of its Managing Director, leading to heightened scrutiny; no major security breaches have been publicly confirmed since.

Risk Controls

The platform supports two-factor authentication, device monitoring, anti-phishing alerts, and offers API access with control options and sub-account structuring to help manage risk.

The platform offers strong security tools like 2FA (now moving toward Google Authenticator and passkeys), trusted IP whitelisting, anti-phishing email measures, and granular notification settings, enhancing account protection and risk mitigation.

Transparency

While offering real-time monitoring and reporting tools, AscendEX does not publish monthly reserve statements, public wallet addresses, or formal service-level agreements.

EXMO emphasizes user data security and transaction integrity but does not offer frequent public reports like monthly transparency statements or live wallet addresses, and it lacks a formally published SLA for uptime or service levels.

Deposits, Withdrawals, KYC & Support

Fiat Deposit Methods

AscendEX supports depositing fiat through third-party providers such as Simplex, MoonPay, Mercuryo, and Banxa via card or bank transfer, offering fast funding for multiple regions, with specific minimums and maximums varying per provider and region.

You can deposit fiat via bank transfers (SEPA, wire), Visa/Mastercard cards, and various e-wallets; minimum and maximum limits vary by method and currency, can be found in your account, and deposits typically arrive within 1 minute to around an hour depending on the channel.

Supported Fiat Currencies & Conversion

KYC (Verification Levels)

AscendEX requires identity verification for full platform access; unverified accounts face strict withdrawal caps (such as 0.75 BTC daily), while verified users enjoy much higher limits, with further tiered levels unlocking even greater flexibility.

New users must complete identity verification to access core features; additional levels like address or card verification unlock higher deposit/withdrawal methods and limits, with processing typically done within a few hours.

Withdrawals

Withdrawal limits depend on KYC status—unverified accounts are capped at around 0.75 BTC per day, verified users far higher—and users can withdraw via multiple networks (ERC-20, TRC-20, BEP-20, etc.), with processing speed tied to blockchain congestion.

Crypto withdrawals depend on the network chosen (e.g. TRC20, ERC20) and are subject to dynamic network fees; there are high upper limits (e.g. up to $500k or £10k) and actual processing times vary with method and network congestion.

Customer Support

AscendEX offers round-the-clock support via live chat and email, with a comprehensive help center available for self-service; response times generally fall within reasonable hours though may vary based on query complexity.

EXMO offers 24/7 support via chat, email, and ticketing, though response times may vary; there’s also a comprehensive knowledge base to help with common questions.

Languages & Localization

The interface supports multiple languages including English, and displays prices in common currencies like EUR and USD; it also tailors functionality—and availability—to comply with regional regulations.

The platform fully supports English and displays fees in major currencies like EUR and USD; localization extends to fiat support and regulatory considerations in regions where it operates.

App Quality & Stability

The AscendEX mobile and desktop apps deliver a polished and responsive experience, receiving regular updates to bolster stability and features, with no widespread reports of performance or crash issues among users.

EXMO provides both mobile and web apps for trading, with a long-standing reputation, though users sometimes report downtimes and slower support responses—indicating a solid but not flawless user experience.

Experience, Performance & Ecosystem

UX/UI

The platform provides both a streamlined “Lite” interface optimized for newcomers and a feature-rich “Pro” mode tailored for experienced traders, offering intuitive navigation while allowing users to progress as their skills evolve.

EXMO delivers an intuitive and beginner-friendly interface with a “Simple” or “Advanced” trading view that lets users choose between a clean, streamlined flow or a more detailed layout—facilitating a smooth learning curve from novice to experienced levels.

Performance

Order execution is generally fast and stable, though sharp market spikes can occasionally lead to slight delays; during bull runs, KYC processing times may lengthen, though the platform scales verification capacity to mitigate backlogs.

Users note that EXMO handles typical order latency well under normal conditions, although heavy volatility can slow response times, and during crypto bull runs, KYC queues can lead to delays in verification that hold up trading access.

Education

AscendEX hosts an educational hub with articles, investment lessons, and futures tutorials, but it does not currently offer demo trading accounts or Spanish-specific learning modules.

While EXMO doesn’t offer a full-fledged demo account, it does provide educational material—including guides and blog posts—and supports Spanish-language resources to help users learn trading basics and platform features.

Community

Users can connect via numerous official Telegram channels across multiple languages and leverage an active referral program that rewards users for inviting others to the platform.

EXMO maintains an active presence on channels like Telegram and focuses on referral incentives to build community engagement, though it lacks a dedicated forum or Discord server for deeper user interaction.

Integrations

The exchange offers native TradingView charts and robust API access, enabling integration with third-party bots and tax/accounting tools like CryptoTaxCalculator for portfolio tracking and reporting.

EXMO has embedded native TradingView charting directly into its platform for technical analysis, and supports external bot integrations via API—but does not yet offer formal integration with tax reporting or accounting tools.

Who Each One Is Best For

Beginners benefit from the Lite mode and educational resources, active/pro traders gain from the advanced order tools and integrations, and those focused on passive strategies can leverage the automated tools and referral rewards.

EXMO is ideal for traders seeking a user-friendly, approachable platform with flexible UX modes and integrated charting—especially beginners and casual users—while power-user traders may find it less adequate due to limited simulator tools and backend integrations.