Blockchain.Com vs Ascendex: Fees, Security, Features & Which to Choose (2025)

Trying to choose between Blockchain.Com and Ascendex 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

Blockchain.Com

Ascendex

⚠️ 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

Yes

Europe

Yes

Latin America

Yes

India

Yes

China

Yes

Canada

United Kingdom

Yes

United States

Yes

Europe

Yes

Latin America

Yes

India

China

Yes

Canada

Yes

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.

Blockchain.Com is ideal if:

Fast & liquid trading for individuals — Built for retail users seeking a slick, high-speed exchange with deep real-time order books and ultra-responsive execution.
Seamless wallet-to-exchange flow — Perfect if you want the flexibility of effortlessly shifting funds between a secure non-custodial wallet and your trading account.
Straightforward tools, not overload — Ideal if you prefer a clean trading experience: just enough assets and order types, enhanced with customizable charts without overwhelming complexity.

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.

Blockchain.Com isn’t ideal if:

If you need broad crypto access — Not suited for you if you’re after an extensive altcoin lineup, as its asset selection is relatively limited.
If you want round-the-clock live support — Might frustrate you if you rely on phone or email help, because support options are primarily online and can lack responsiveness.
If direct fiat withdrawals are essential — Not ideal if you're aiming to withdraw fiat to a card or e-wallet, as such options are restricted or unavailable.

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.

Fees & Total Costs

Spot Maker/Take

Blockchain.com applies a tiered maker-taker model for spot trading; maker fees decrease from around 0.40% down to 0% and taker fees from approximately 0.45% down to 0.06%, depending on your 30-day trading volume—there are no explicit discounts tied to holding a native token.

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.

Futures/Derivatives

Blockchain.com offers margin trading (not full perpetual futures) with a recurring margin fee of around 0.02% every 4 hours, applied alongside the usual maker/taker structure when applicable.

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.

Average Spreads on Liquid Pairs

While the platform doesn’t publish exact spread figures, liquid pairs like BTC/USDT and ETH/USDT generally trade at tightly competitive spreads comparable to other major retail exchanges, especially during normal market conditions.

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.

Fiat Deposits & Withdrawals

You can deposit fiat via methods like ACH, SEPA, wire transfers, or faster local systems—with deposits typically free or carrying a small fixed fee, and funds arriving in 1–5 business days depending on the method; withdrawals to bank via ACH/SEPA are usually free or low-fee, while wire transfers may carry a modest flat charge and take a few business days.

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.

On-chain Withdrawals

Deposit to the exchange is free aside from network fees, and withdrawals incur a processing fee plus the variable on-chain network fee, which is displayed before you confirm; the network component is dynamic per blockchain (e.g., BTC, ETH, TRX).

BTC, ETH, TRX, etc.)

Hidden Costs

Some indirect costs include holding-period delays for card or ACH purchases, currency conversion margins if your currency differs from supported ones, and fees or delays tied to express KYC or expedited verification.

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.

Real-World Cost Example: “€500 BTC

You’d pay a maker/taker trading fee on the €500 trade (depending on order type and volume tier), plus the spread embedded in the rate, and if you then withdraw on-chain, you’d also pay the dynamic network fee and the small processing charge before the BTC reaches your wallet.

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.

Crypto Offering & Trading Features

Number of Coins & Pairs

The platform offers 26–30 cryptocurrencies and 50–80+ trading pairs overall, with the top 20 pairs dominated by major markets like BTC/USDT, ETH/USDT, and top altcoin combinations.

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.

Product Range

Supports spot trading, selective margin (up to 5× on certain USD/USDT pairs), and lending/borrowing via institutional OTC, but does not offer perpetuals, options, crypto ETFs, staking/earn, or copy-trading and advanced automation natively.

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.

Liquidity

While exact figures aren’t published, BTC and ETH pairs enjoy robust liquidity, with substantial 24-hour trading volumes and deep order books in core markets.

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.

Tools

Offers standard limit and stop orders, but lacks OCO functionality; provides live price charts, basic alerts, and supports both REST API and WebSocket access, though it does not embed a native TradingView charting interface.

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.

Geographic Restrictions by Product

Margin trading is blocked in several jurisdictions, including the US, Canada, Japan, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, and sanctioned nations, while spot services remain available more broadly.

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.

Innovation

The platform lacks features like launchpads or pools. It also does not offer flexible vs. locked earn options, limiting its appeal for users looking for innovative passive-income tools.

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.

Security, Regulation & Custody

Operating Entity & Jurisdiction

Blockchain.com originated in 2011 in the UK and is now structured under entities including Blockchain (LT), UAB (Lithuania) and other legal arms in Ireland and the BVI, with its main headquarters in Luxembourg.

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.

Licenses/Registration

It operates under Lithuanian corporate registration, and in the UK it acts through a regulated partner for financial promotions—no publicly highlighted MiCA or EU-wide license is cited.

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.

Custody

Custody is centralized (Blockchain holds assets); there’s no visible Proof-of-Reserves report or cold storage ratio publicly declared via their site.

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.

Insurance & Protection Funds

There’s no explicit mention of insurance policies or protected fund schemes designed for user asset safety listed on the platform.

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

Incident History

The platform has not publicized hacks, service suspensions, or regulatory fines, suggesting a relatively clean public incident record to date.

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.

Risk Controls

Security features include user-enabled 2FA, support for whitelisting withdrawal addresses, anti-phishing alerts, plus REST and WebSocket API access, though fine-grained sub-account roles aren’t promoted.

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.

Transparency

There are no publicly available regular solvency reports, on-chain wallet data, or service-level commitments for transparency, at least not in an openly accessible format.

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

Deposits, Withdrawals, KYC & Support

Fiat Deposit Methods

You can deposit fiat via bank wire, ACH, SEPA, or card payments, with typical minimums and maximums set per method (e.g. cards around €5, wires higher), and processing times ranging from instant up to several business days, depending on the method and region.

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.

Supported Fiat Currencies & Conversion

KYC (Verification Levels)

Verification follows tiered access—unverified users have limited functionality, while Full Access requires identity verification, unlocking higher transaction limits and broader features; exact thresholds depend on your country and payment methods.

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.

Withdrawals

Withdrawal limits are roughly $100,000 daily, with individual transaction caps by method (e.g. cards ~$1,200, ACH/wire $25,000), and withdrawals process in hours to a few days; crypto withdrawals are supported over common networks like ERC-20, TRC-20, and options depend on token.

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.

Customer Support

Support is available 24/7 via ticket and email, there’s no phone line; response times vary (sometimes slow), and there’s an extensive knowledge base and FAQ for self-help.

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.

Languages & Localization

Blockchain.com supports multiple interface languages, including Spanish, and automatically displays balances and fees in your local fiat currency when possible; regulatory coverage adapts per country, using local entity registrations or partner arrangements where applicable.

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.

App Quality & Stability

The mobile app is noted for being fast and stable with low crash rates, regularly updated; it supports multiple languages including Spanish, displays fees in relevant local currencies, and adapts some features based on your location.

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.

Experience, Performance & Ecosystem

UX/UI

The interface is clean and intuitive, with a consistent layout that’s easy to navigate for new users—but there’s no explicit “Lite” or “Pro” toggle; advanced settings emerge as you explore deeper into the trading view, offering a seamless learning curve rather than separate modes.

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.

Performance

Order execution is generally swift and reliable, though during high-volatility spikes the platform can experience minor latency; KYC verification speeds have notably improved with recent integrations, limiting wait times even when demand surges.

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.

Education

Blockchain.com offers a robust free Learning Portal filled with beginner-friendly guides, explainer videos, podcasts, and deep dives—you can absorb knowledge at your own pace directly from the platform, although dedicated simulators or demo accounts aren’t currently part of the suite.

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.

Community

The exchange supports an official referral program—recently rewarding users with token-based bonuses under defined conditions—and encourages participation through social channels, but there’s no dedicated Blockchain.com Discord or forum hosted by the platform.

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.

Integrations

The platform includes integrated TradingView charts for in-platform technical analysis and provides API and WebSocket access for connecting external tools, although automated bots, tax-tracking suites, or accounting integrations are not formally embedded.

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.

Who Each One Is Best For

Blockchain.com works best for users who value a streamlined, educational experience, combined with solid trading tools and direct learning resources—but it may be less suitable for traders seeking ultra-custom interfaces or multi-tool automation.

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.