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

Trying to choose between Bithumb 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

Bithumb

Giottus

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Available Countries

United States

Europe

Yes

Latin America

Yes

India

Yes

China

Yes

Canada

United Kingdom

Yes

United States

Europe

Latin America

Yes

India

China

Canada

United Kingdom

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Bithumb is ideal if:

Perfect for KRW-centric traders: If you prefer trading with South Korean Won as your base currency, Bithumb offers seamless fiat integration, high liquidity, and a smooth experience for KRW-based spot trading.
Great for beginners and hands-off traders: Its clear, user-friendly interface plus built-in features like staking and bot trading make it accessible and appealing to those starting out or seeking passive strategies.
Best for users prioritizing credibility and safety: With strong security certifications (like ISMS, ISO27001), full separation of client assets, and external audits, Bithumb focuses on institutional-level protection and transparency.

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.

Bithumb isn’t ideal if:

You need global fiat flexibility: If you want to deposit with non-KRW currencies, Bithumb’s fiat support is limited, which may not suit you.
You're an advanced trader seeking leverage: Those looking for margin or futures trading won’t find these tools available on Bithumb.
You prefer seamless international onboarding: Verification hurdles, language barriers, and slow KYC in non-Korean languages can slow down global users.

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

In KRW markets, maker and taker fees typically range from roughly 0.04% to 0.25%, with better rates unlocked through tiered trading coupons based on volume (discounts apply via native coupons, not necessarily token-based discounts).

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

Bithumb does not currently offer any futures or derivatives markets, so there are no associated maker, taker, or funding fees 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

Precise spread data is not publicly provided, but given Bithumb’s strong liquidity in major markets, spreads on BTC/USDT and ETH/USDT pairs are generally tight—typically consistent with reputable high-volume exchanges.

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

Fiat operations center on KRW only, with deposits via bank transfer or card usually fee-free (unless below minimum thresholds) and withdrawals processed via Korean banking channels with typical processing times, without showing fixed fees.

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 costs depend on the blockchain

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

Some indirect costs may arise from currency conversion if funding in non-KRW, and there are no inactivity fees; extra-fast verification services may not be standard or may carry internal pricing, though not explicitly detailed.

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

If you were to buy €500 worth of BTC, you’d first face a regular spot trading fee (within 0.04–0.25%) plus a small spread in execution, then a withdrawal fee in BTC (e.g., 0.0005 BTC)—that combined cost reflects the total out-of-pocket expense.

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

Crypto Offering & Trading Features

Number of Coins & Pairs

Bithumb lists approximately 170–180 cryptocurrencies across roughly 400 trading pairs, with the top 20 by volume dominated by KRW-based pairs like BTC/KRW, ETH/KRW, XRP/KRW, USDT/KRW, and others in similar high-turnover positions.

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

The exchange supports spot trading, margin trading, staking, crypto lending, and bot/automated trading, but does not offer perpetual futures, options, ETFs, copy trading, or built-in DCA features.

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

Bithumb handles daily spot volumes in the high hundreds of millions to over a billion USD, ensuring deep order books—particularly for BTC/KRW and ETH/KRW—offering robust liquidity and execution.

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

Traders have access to basic orders (limit and market), stop orders, and coupon-driven fee tools; there are also alerts and API access (including WebSocket), though there’s no native TradingView integration.

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

Derivatives and margin features are not globally available, with access mainly focused on South Korean users; many international regions, notably US and EU, face limitations or lack derivative access.

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

Bithumb offers staking services and crypto lending along with occasional airdrop or DeFi/NFT promotions, but lacks formal launchpad or launchpool platforms and doesn’t separate between flexible vs locked earn products.

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

Bithumb is operated by BTC Korea.com Co., Ltd, founded in 2014 and based in Seoul, South Korea. It is one of the country’s major crypto exchanges firmly entrenched in Korean financial infrastructure.

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

Licenses/Registration

As a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) in South Korea, Bithumb is subject to oversight under local regulations, and as of mid-2025 it was designated a “conglomerate,” meaning it must adhere to heightened compliance and public disclosure rules.

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

A significant portion of user assets is held in cold storage, meeting at least 80% reserve requirements; the exchange has also set aside a substantial protection reserve fund (worth over KRW 100 billion) as a buffer in case of operational risk.

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

Insurance & Protection Funds

It maintains robust cyber insurance coverage, with multi-billion won policies through top Korean insurers, designed to help cover losses from cyber incidents and personal data breaches.

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

Incident History

Bithumb has endured several hacks and investigations, including major cryptocurrency thefts in 2017 and 2018, a large insider-related loss in 2019, and multiple regulatory probes since then, though it has taken steps to strengthen its security posture.

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 employs industry-standard security measures—such as two-factor authentication, withdrawal whitelists, IP restrictions, anti-phishing controls, and regular external audits—to offer layered protection for user accounts and funds.

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

It has enhanced disclosure practices, driven by its conglomerate status, though real-time proof-of-reserve reporting is not publicly available; ongoing regulatory scrutiny is pushing it toward greater transparency in operations.

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

Fiat deposits are exclusively in Korean Won (KRW) and handled via local bank transfers—debit/credit options or e-wallets aren’t supported—amount thresholds vary and processing is typically completed within the same day for local transfers.

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)

Bithumb enforces tiered identity verification—basic phone/email for browsing, but Level 2 KYC is required to activate withdrawals, with higher limits tied to full 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 require KYC Level 2, lower minimums for verified accounts, and are processed within hours (first withdrawal may take longer for security); supported networks include standard chains like ERC-20 and TRC-20, with fees varying by asset.

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 reachable via live chat (available 24/7), email, and a regional phone line; response quality varies, backed by an FAQ and help center to assist common issues.

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 interface supports multiple languages including English, with prices shown in KRW—there’s no automatic display in USD or EUR, and localization is limited for non-Korean regulatory zones.

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

The mobile app delivers a smooth trading interface with real-time data and strong security features (biometric login, 2FA), though user reports cite occasional crashes or slow performance during high-traffic periods.

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

The platform strikes a balance between newcomer friendliness and advanced functionality, offering a clean interface with clear labels and comprehensive charting tools, though it doesn’t explicitly offer separate “Lite” or “Pro” modes.

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

Order execution is generally fast thanks to high liquidity, though peak volatility can bring some delays or gateway slowdowns, and KYC may slow onboarding during intense market rallies.

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

Bithumb provides a dedicated academy and tutorial content via its official channels to help users learn, but it does not currently offer demo accounts or Spanish-language learning resources.

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

The platform encourages engagement through referral incentives and publishes on Medium, but it lacks officially managed forums, Discord, or Telegram communities for user interaction.

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

Bithumb supports external tools like TradingView for charting and provides API/WebSocket access for automation, but lacks built-in tax tools or direct accounting 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

It’s ideal for traders seeking a high-liquidity, reliability-focused exchange that caters to a mix of moderate experience levels, whereas those needing demo tools, Spanish-language education, or a vibrant community may look elsewhere.

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.