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

Trying to choose between Ascendex and Pointpay 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

Pointpay

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United States

Europe

Yes

Latin America

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India

Yes

China

Canada

Yes

United Kingdom

Yes

United States

Yes

Europe

Yes

Latin America

Yes

India

China

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.

Pointpay is ideal if:

All-in-one crypto platform Seamlessly combines exchange, wallet, payment, and banking tools in one accessible ecosystem—not just trading.
Tailored for all experience levels Offers Classic and Advanced interfaces for seasoned users, plus Quick Exchange for newcomers for fast, intuitive trades.
Engaging community ecosystem Includes staking, Vault savings, educational Learn & Earn, a Launchpad, and competitions—great for active and curious users.

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.

Pointpay isn’t ideal if:

Limited advanced trading Some users find it lacks powerful tools like leveraged futures or deep charting options for professional-grade strategies.
Occasional tech hiccups Reports of login issues, app performance quirks, and delayed customer responses suggest potential reliability concerns in mobile use.
Uncertain regulatory clarity Conflicting information surrounds its licensing and regulatory compliance, leading to varied user trust and coverage depending on region.

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.

PointPay charges a flat maker-taker rate around 0.05%, offering up to 35% fee discounts for users holding increasing amounts of PXP tokens, with no tiered volume brackets beyond the PXP-based loyalty levels.

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.

PointPay currently does not offer any futures or derivative trading, so there are no maker/taker or funding fees 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 spread data isn’t published, the exchange is noted for offering competitive pricing that closely aligns with market prices on popular pairs like BTC/USDT and 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.

Fiat deposits are facilitated via Mercuryo or MoonPay, and withdrawals are supported as well; deposits may include a small markup or cashback promotions but are generally straightforward, with processing times depending on the provider—often several hours to a couple of days.

On-chain Withdrawals

BTC, ETH, TRX, etc.)

Withdrawals incur network (miner) fees, varying by cryptocurrency and network conditions (e.g., BTC, ETH, TRX), rather than fixed platform fees, although PXP holders may enjoy reduced rates.

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.

currency conversion, inactivity, expedited KYC, etc.

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.

If you buy €500 worth of BTC, your total cost would derive from the spread between buy/sell prices, a trading fee (e.g., ~0.05% discounted if holding PXP), and a subsequent withdrawal fee based on chain congestion and asset network—without quoting specific numbers to keep it evergreen.

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.

PointPay supports well over 140–200 cryptocurrencies with around 179–224 trading pairs available; top-20 volume pairs include BTC/USDT, ETH/USDT, XRP/USDC, SOL/USDT, USDC/USDT and others such as DOGE, ADA, LINK, AVAX, BNB.

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.

At present, PointPay offers spot trading, staking (Vaults and flexible/locked terms), NFT and Launchpad features, savings/earn programs, and a multi-currency wallet; however, there’s no margin, perpetuals, options, ETFs, loans, copy-trading, grid bots, or automated DCA at this stage.

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.

Estimated 24-hour trading volume ranges from around $138 million to over $206 million; order-book depth appears substantial for primary pairs like BTC/USDT and ETH/USDT, supporting solid liquidity for mainstream trading.

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.

PointPay supports limit, market, stop-limit, and OCO orders; it includes advanced TradingView charts with multiple indicators and timeframes, has alert features, and provides API and WebSocket support for algorithmic access.

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.

Derivatives and leverage aren’t available yet, and certain products are restricted in regions like the U.S. and other sanctioned countries, meaning advanced trading tools may not be accessible depending on your location.

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.

The platform provides Launchpad projects, a multi-asset Vault with flexible and locked staking (3, 6, and 12 month terms), and regular staking promotions, all aimed at enhancing user participation and passive income opportunities.

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.

PointPay is operated by a Lithuania-based company founded in 2018, with its headquarters in Tallinn, Estonia, situating it within the European regulatory environment and offering it EU operational grounding.

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 platform currently holds a Lithuanian VASP license and is registered in the U.S. as a Money Services Business (Wyoming MSB), while actively pursuing additional licensing in the U.S. and enhanced compliance under recent European crypto frameworks.

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.

PointPay uses both hot and cold wallets, including air-gapped cold storage, with user-controlled wallet options, although there is no publicized Proof of Reserves or explicit cold-storage percentage disclosure.

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.

There is no publicly available information suggesting that PointPay offers dedicated insurance coverage or protection funds for users’ assets.

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 reported hacks, systemic suspensions, or regulatory penalties associated with the platform to date, suggesting a clean operational track record.

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 enforces standard security layers including multi-factor authentication, encrypted transaction passwords, and tiered KYC levels; however, features like API-specific permissions, sub-accounts, whitelists, or anti-phishing tools are not prominently highlighted.

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 PointPay commits to regulatory alignment and security, it does not currently publish regular audit reports, Proof of Reserves documents, public wallet addresses, or formalized SLAs for uptime or response times.

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.

PointPay allows fiat deposits via intermediary services like Mercuryo and MoonPay, and possibly bank transfers, with straightforward minimums (e.g., around €25), though maximums vary by provider; processing times range from instant to a few hours or up to a couple of days 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.

PointPay’s KYC process is accessible through both app and website in five simple steps, typically completed within 24 hours; higher levels unlock full functionality such as trading, deposits, and withdrawals, while no-KYC users face limited access.

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 support common crypto networks (e.g., ERC20, TRC20), with limits like up to 10 BTC per withdrawal, and dynamic network fees; processing times have improved and can average 0.5 to 5 minutes for verified transactions.

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.

PointPay offers live chat (often backed by bots and staff available 24/7) plus email support, although response times may vary; a knowledge base or FAQ section is available to help users find answers independently.

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 multiple languages (over 18), displays fees in major currencies like EUR and USD, and has localized options for users—including regulatory adjustments based on region—for smoother experience.

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.

PointPay’s mobile apps (iOS and Android) receive frequent updates with UI improvements and security enhancements (e.g., biometric login, 2FA fixes), though there are occasional user reports of withdrawal processing issues affecting app stability for some.

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.

PointPay offers distinct trading interfaces—“Quick Exchange” for fast, hassle-free trading, plus Classic and Advanced modes—which helps users smoothly transition from simple to more feature-rich views as they grow comfortable.

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.

A recent technological upgrade dramatically sped up load times and responsiveness, handling up to a million concurrent users, and significantly improving order execution even during high-volatility periods.

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.

PointPay includes a “Learn & Earn” program with interactive lessons and rewards; however, it currently lacks a full demo simulator or dedicated educational content in Spanish.

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.

The platform maintains an active presence via Telegram (English channel), regular AMAs, and a referral program that rewards users for inviting newcomers.

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.

PointPay integrates TradingView directly for in-platform charting, and provides API access, though there’s no evidence of official tax tools, accounting software partnerships, or third-party trading bot integrations at this time.

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.

PointPay serves beginner-to-intermediate traders best—offering intuitive onboarding, guided trading modes, and educational incentives—while more advanced traders relying on professional-grade tooling or automation may find the platform’s current scope limited.