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

Trying to choose between Ascendex and Orbix 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

Orbix

⚠️ We look for what’s best for you.

₿ Getting into crypto? With eToro you can start in minutes: buy/sell top coins, set recurring buys, track markets, and use Social/CopyTrader features.

👉 Start here and explore the crypto offer.

Available Countries

United States

Europe

Yes

Latin America

Yes

India

Yes

China

Canada

Yes

United Kingdom

Yes

United States

Europe

Latin America

India

China

Canada

United Kingdom

Thinking about starting with crypto? This is for you.

In select regions, eToro offers a $10 welcome bonus when you open an account today.*

🎯 An account built to help you start with crypto—without the hassle.

➕ Buy and sell top cryptocurrencies in minutes

➕ Recurring buys, price alerts, and advanced charts

➕ Social/CopyTrader™ to follow experienced investors

➕ One of the largest and most trusted platforms worldwide

Limited-time promotion — still available.

*Offer subject to terms, eligibility and regional availability. Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest.

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.

Orbix is ideal if:

Streamlined and intuitive platform Orbix prioritizes simplicity and ease of use, with a clean interface, mobile app, and user-friendly tools like Wallet Lock and real-time price alerts.
Strong local credibility in Thailand Regulated by Thailand’s SEC and backed by a prudent coin-selection process, Orbix offers a sense of trust and compliance within its home market.
Layered security for peace of mind Implements advanced measures—such as ISO-certified infrastructure, encryption, and two-factor authentication—to secure user assets and data.

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.

Orbix isn’t ideal if:

Limited asset variety Orbix supports only around 33 cryptocurrencies, which may restrict trading choices compared to more expansive platforms.
No advanced or passive features It currently offers no margin, futures, staking, or copy-trading options, limiting portfolio-building flexibility.
Support delays under pressure While help is available 24/7, response times can lag during peak activity, which could be frustrating in time-sensitive situations.

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.

Spot fees are flat, around 0.25% for both maker and taker, with modest volume-based discounts for high-volume traders—no native-token fee reduction program is mentioned.

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.

Orbix does not offer futures or derivatives trading, so there are no associated maker, taker, or funding costs.

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.

Typical bid–ask spreads hover around 1%, reflecting moderate liquidity even in major pairs like BTC/USDT or ETH/USDT.

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 via bank transfer, credit/debit card, or crypto—with deposits generally free and fiat withdrawals incurring a small flat fee (e.g., ~20 THB), while processing times range from same day up to a few business days.

On-chain Withdrawals

BTC, ETH, TRX, etc.)

Crypto withdrawals are charged per network, such as a fixed ~0.0005 BTC for Bitcoin, with other chains like Ethereum or TRON likely following similarly static network-based fee structures.

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 are no overt hidden charges to be aware of—standard trading and network fees apply, and there’s no mention of inactivity, express-KYC, or conversion surcharges beyond typical exchange operations.

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 roughly 0.25% trading fee, a ~1% spread cost, and then a small fixed network withdrawal fee—meaning your €500 results in slightly less BTC plus a minor deduction when withdrawing, all based on standard rates, not promotional or variable offers.

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.

Orbix offers around 33 to 41 cryptocurrencies, with a similar number of trading pairs; the top 20 by volume include major tokens like BTC, ETH, USDT, ADA, DOGE, SOL, XRP, DOT, and others—as reflected in their most traded pairs list.

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.

Orbix currently supports only spot trading, with no margin, perpetuals, options, crypto ETFs, staking/earn, lending, copy-trading, grid bots, or automated DCA features available.

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.

Trading volume is modest—typically in the low six figures (e.g., ~$100K–$600K USD), with average bid-ask spreads around 1%, indicating moderate liquidity in BTC/ETH markets.

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.

The platform includes market and limit orders, plus stop-like features (e.g., OCO functionality), along with real-time charts, basic alerts, and public API support—but no native TradingView tool.

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.

Certain markets—such as the United States, China, Iran, Iraq, and similar regions—may face access restrictions, limiting availability of services in those jurisdictions.

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.

Orbix currently lacks common innovation modules like launchpad, launchpool, flexible vs locked “earn” options, or other high-growth DeFi-style offerings—its design remains focused on core, regulated spot trading.

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.

Orbix operates under Orbix Trade Co., Ltd., founded in March 2017, headquartered in Bangkok, and is a subsidiary of Unita Capital within the Kasikornbank group, giving it strong institutional backing.

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.

The exchange is licensed by Thailand’s Ministry of Finance and is regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of Thailand, with full compliance to local regulatory standards for digital asset trading.

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.

Orbix employs its own custodial infrastructure, including Orbix Custodian (launching in March 2025), offering cold storage using FIPS 140-2 Level 4 HSM encryption via IBM, underscoring their commitment to secure key management.

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.

The platform maintains insured custody under its regulated framework, but there’s no mention of third-party insurance or dedicated protection funds beyond insuring client assets under its regulated operations.

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.

There have been no major publicized security breaches, trading suspensions, asset freezes, or regulatory fines, suggesting a clean operational record to date under SEC supervision.

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.

Orbix deploys strong safeguards including two-factor authentication, SSL encryption, cold storage, regular penetration testing, and security auditing, offering robust protection for user accounts and assets.

Transparency

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

While detailed monthly reports or SLA commitments aren’t publicly emphasized, the platform underscores its adherence to ISO standards (ISO 27001, 27701, 22301) and regulated oversight, helping offer transparency through established operational benchmarks.

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.

Orbix supports Thai Baht deposits primarily via bank (wire) transfers; deposit times range from under 24 h for domestic transfers to up to 7 days for international ones, and credit/debit card or e-wallet options are not supported.

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.

Identity verification is required via mobile (facial recognition/K+ authentication), without publicly segmented tiers; full KYC unlocks standard fiat and crypto functionality, though precise tier levels and limits aren’t disclosed.

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.

Withdrawals can be made across supported blockchains with network-based fees and minimums per asset; processing typically follows established manual and blockchain confirmation workflows, with no explicit per-network limit or speed details published.

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.

Orbix provides 24/7 support via live chat, email, phone, and ticketing, with a help-center/FAQ section and responsive but occasionally delayed assistance during peak periods.

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 is fully localized in Thai and English, displays fees and balances in THB, and aligns its interface and compliance with local Thai regulatory expectations.

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.

The Orbix mobile app is designed to be intuitive and stable, featuring real-time price alerts, Wallet Lock with facial verification, and ongoing performance improvements—user feedback indicates it is generally smooth with minimal crashes.

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.

Orbix features an intuitive, beginner-friendly interface with a single, consistent mode rather than separate “Lite” or “Pro” versions—allowing most users to get started quickly without complexity.

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.

The platform is engineered for fast order execution with no notable downtimes during volatile periods; KYC processing remains generally steady even during strong market rallies, maintaining a smooth user flow.

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 Orbix offers timely crypto updates and tutorials through its blog, it does not provide a dedicated academy, demo accounts, or Spanish-language materials—leaning more on straightforward guides rather than structured educational programs.

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.

Orbix actively fosters a Thai-based community via social media and support channels, provides 24/7 chat support, and runs referral promotions, but it does not operate an official Discord or Telegram discussion group.

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 delivers essential tools like real-time charts and API access but lacks deeper integrations such as TradingView embedding, external trading bots, or dedicated tax/accounting support.

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.

Orbix is best suited for casual or entry-level crypto traders in Thailand—especially those seeking a regulated, secure platform with straightforward functionality and minimal complexity.