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

Trying to choose between Ascendex and Kuna 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

Kuna

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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

Latin America

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.

Kuna is ideal if:

Effortless Quick Buys – If you prefer rapid purchases without account creation, Kuna’s “5-click” system lets you buy Bitcoin, Ethereum, or Tether in around 30 seconds directly to your wallet.
Straightforward and Friendly UI – Kuna offers a clean, intuitive interface (web and mobile) that’s especially suitable for newcomers and those who value simplicity and smooth navigation.
Regional Fiat Flexibility – If you're in supported areas, Kuna enables seamless fiat-to-crypto trades using local methods in UAH, USD, or RUB, plus tools like cash codes—making funding your trades frictionless.

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.

Kuna isn’t ideal if:

Limited Asset Variety – If you're looking to trade a wide range of cryptocurrencies or exotic altcoins, Kuna offers only a modest selection that may feel restrictive.
Basic Trading Tools Only – For those seeking advanced charting, technical indicators, or professional-grade trading features, Kuna’s platform remains quite simplistic.
No PayPal or Wallet Options – If you prefer funding your account with PayPal, Skrill, or Neteller, or need live chat or phone support, you’ll find those options aren’t available here.

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.

Kuna applies a flat 0.25 % trading fee for both makers and takers, without tiered volumes—though holding at least 100 KUN tokens grants VIP status, which waives maker fees entirely.

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.

Kuna does not offer futures or other derivative trading instruments; therefore, there are no associated maker, taker, or funding fees.

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.

Kuna does not publicly disclose spread data, and their simplified fee model suggests minimal hidden spread, though precise average figures for these pairs are not available.

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.

Fiat deposits are accepted (e.g., via credit card for Ukrainian-issued Visa/Mastercard or via methods like Perfect Money, Payeer, Advanced Cash, or Kuna Code), with variable fees depending on the method—withdrawals mirror those deposit options, again with method-dependent fees and typical processing within short timeframes.

On-chain Withdrawals

BTC, ETH, TRX, etc.)

Crypto withdrawal fees are based on asset and network; for example, withdrawing BTC incurs a fixed fee of approximately 0.0005 BTC. Other assets like ETH or TRX may have different dynamic fees, though Kuna doesn’t specify those publicly across all networks.

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.

There’s no explicit information about inactivity fees or express KYC charges; however, currency conversion may incur a flat percent fee embedded in the exchange rate, depending on your selected method.

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.

Buying €500 worth of BTC would incur the standard 0.25 % trading fee and any minor spread embedded by the platform, plus the fixed withdrawal cost of ~0.0005 BTC when sending the funds on-chain—exact totals depend on BTC’s live price at the time.

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.

Kuna lists approximately 22 to 40 cryptocurrencies and supports around 40 trading pairs, with the most active ones being BTC/UAH, ETH/BTC, ZEC/UAH, DAI/UAH, ZEC/USDT, KUN/USDT, BTC/USDC, and ETH/UAH.

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.

Kuna’s product suite is straightforward—spot trading only (crypto–crypto and crypto–fiat), no margin, derivatives, ETFs, lending, copy trading, grid bots, automatic DCA, or options; however, it does offer staking rewards through holding certain assets.

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.

Kuna’s 24-hour volume is modest (several million USD equivalent), with BTC/USDT and ETH markets showing some activity; however, order-book depth is not publicly detailed, suggesting liquidity is appropriate for medium-sized trades but not high-frequency institutional-level operations.

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.

Kuna supports basic order types like limit, market, and stop orders, features standard trading charts (not TradingView-native), and provides API access; it doesn’t offer advanced charting tools, OCO orders, price alerts, or built-in TradingView integration.

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 trading is broadly available, Kuna does not provide derivatives or advanced products in any region, and its services are restricted for U.S. users; features like staking may also be limited depending on local regulations.

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.

Kuna’s innovation footprint includes unique tools like Kuna Code (transfer via code), Kuna Pay (payment processing), and browser extensions from the community, but it currently lacks features such as a launchpad, launchpool, or differentiated flexible vs locked earning programs.

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.

Kuna was founded in 2014 in Ukraine and maintained operations through regional entities—including those in the UK and Lithuania—but as of March 2025, the platform has fully ceased operations and is no longer active.

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.

Kuna did not hold formal VASP licenses under European frameworks like MiCA, nor did it register under equivalent regimes; current regulatory programs such as those in the Cayman Islands or EU never applied to Kuna due to its closure prior to implementation of those licensing regimes.

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.

Kuna undertook what it called “the largest Proof of Reserves in history” to demonstrate backing of user funds, though there is no evidence of third-party audits, formal PoR implementation, or specified cold storage reserve ratios.

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.

No formal insurance products or customer protection funds were publicly offered or advertised by Kuna at any point during its operation.

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.

Kuna maintained a calm incident history, with no publicly documented hacks, platform outages, account freezes, or regulatory fines reported prior to its closure.

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.

Kuna offered basic security features such as two-factor authentication (2FA) and email confirmations, though advanced tools like withdrawal whitelists, anti-phishing measures, tiered sub-accounting, or granular API permission controls were not prominently supported.

Transparency

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

There were no monthly transparency reports, public audit statements, or disclosed service-level agreements. While the platform shared its initiative around reserves, ongoing financial transparency metrics or operational dashboards were not made available.

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.

Fiat deposit options on Kuna include credit cards (limited to Ukrainian-issued Visa/MasterCard) and payment services like Advanced Cash, Perfect Money, Payeer, or Kuna Code; there’s no publicly stated minimum or maximum, and processing times vary—card payments can be nearly instant, while some transfer methods may take several minutes to days depending on method and region.

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.

Kuna requires identity verification to unlock full functionality—basic account creation has limited access, and submitting documents (ID, proof of address) elevates you to a fully verified level, with no public breakdown of tiered access or trading limits, but verification is mandatory for fiat operations.

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.

Cryptocurrency withdrawals on Kuna support networks like ERC-20, TRC-20, BTC (native), and others; BTC withdrawals, for example, incur a 0.0005 BTC fee and typically process within 10 minutes after email and 2FA confirmation—limits are set internally and not publicly disclosed.

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.

Kuna offers multilingual support via the help center and ticketing system (English, Ukrainian, Russian), with an extensive FAQ and tutorial base—while there’s no 24/7 live chat, support is accessible through email or tickets, and response times are generally prompt but unspecified.

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 supports English (as well as Ukrainian and Russian), displays prices and fees in common fiat currencies like €/USD, and reflects some local regulatory positioning (e.g., awareness of Lithuanian VASP licensing), although it remains primarily headquartered in Ukraine.

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.

Kuna offers a mobile app for both iOS and Android that integrates core features like deposits and withdrawals; while there’s no public data on crash rates or update frequency, documentation includes instructions for confirming withdrawals via the app—suggesting a maintained and functional 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.

Kuna’s design is widely praised for being intuitive and accessible to beginners, with no separate “Lite” or “Pro” modes—just a unified interface that blends simplicity with functionality to help new traders start quickly while still serving seasoned users.

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 report that orders on Kuna process nearly instantly under normal conditions; while data on crashes during volatile markets or extended KYC backlogs is limited, the lightweight design and responsiveness suggest generally stable performance even under pressure.

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.

Kuna currently offers limited educational materials and lacks demo or simulator tools; content is primarily in English, Ukrainian, and Russian, with no dedicated academy or learning hub in Spanish available at this time.

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.

Kuna fosters an active user community via its official Telegram and social media channels, alongside a generous affiliate/referral program (up to ~75% commission), though it doesn’t operate its own dedicated forums or Discord server.

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.

The platform doesn’t natively integrate with TradingView or third-party trading bots; there are no built-in tax reporting or accounting tools, making it more suited to straightforward trading rather than advanced automation or reporting workflows.

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.

Kuna shines for casual traders, especially in Eastern Europe, who want a no-frills, easy-to-navigate platform for basic spot trading in fiat and crypto—making it a solid fit for those seeking simplicity and regional accessibility rather than advanced trading features.