Bybit vs Bitso: Fees, Security, Features & Which to Choose (2025)

Trying to choose between Bybit and Bitso 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

Bybit

Bitso

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Available Countries

United States

Europe

Yes

Latin America

Yes

India

Yes

China

Canada

United Kingdom

United States

Europe

Yes

Latin America

India

China

Canada

United Kingdom

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Bybit is ideal if:

Advanced trading tools: Offers a sleek, user-friendly interface with features like conditional orders and charting tools that suit experienced traders looking for precision.
Wide asset selection: Supports a broad range of cryptocurrencies and derivatives, giving you flexibility whether you like spot trading or futures.
Strong security reputation: Prioritizes safety with industry-grade infrastructure and proactive risk management—great if security is a key concern for you.

Bitso is ideal if:

Latin America–centric users: Tailored for users in Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, and Colombia with local currencies, payments, and regulatory coverage, offering a seamless regional crypto experience.
Beginners who value simplicity: Its intuitive interface and easy onboarding make it a solid entry point for anyone new to crypto trading.
Crypto holders seeking flexible future options: Features like Bitso+ (earnings on your holdings with no lock-ups) and a growing suite of tools make long-term crypto use more rewarding.

Bybit isn’t ideal if:

New traders could feel overwhelmed: The platform’s advanced derivatives and leverage tools often present a steep learning curve for users just starting out.
Limited availability in some markets: If you're located in certain jurisdictions, you may not be able to access or fully use all features due to regulatory restrictions or regional bans.
Centralized security risks remain: Despite improvements, the record-breaking hack highlights inherent vulnerabilities in centralized exchanges—so those prioritizing decentralization or peace of mind may look elsewhere.

Bitso isn’t ideal if:

…you live outside Latin America: Access and services are focused mainly on countries like Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, and Colombia, limiting availability elsewhere.
…you need a wide range of cryptocurrencies: Bitso’s portfolio is effective for mainstream assets, but lacks the extensive variety offered by larger global exchanges.
…you value fast, hands-on support: Customer service primarily relies on tickets and digital channels, which can result in slower response times when urgent help is needed.

Fees & Total Costs

Spot Maker/Take

The spot market applies a tiered maker/taker structure where higher trading volumes unlock reduced fees—active traders benefit from sharper discounts as they climb VIP or Pro levels.

Bitso applies a tiered maker–taker structure where fees decrease as your 30-day trading volume increases; for instance, in the USD (USDC) market, maker rates range from ~0.25% at low volumes to ~0.04% at the highest tiers, with taker rates starting around 0.30% and dropping to about 0.05%—there’s no native token discount program.

Futures/Derivatives

Futures and perpetual contracts also use maker/taker pricing that improves with higher tiers, and include dynamic funding payments between long and short positions, which shift with market sentiment.

maker/taker and funding

Average Spreads on Liquid Pairs

For high-liquidity pairs like BTC/USDT and ETH/USDT, spreads remain tight and competitive, ideal for minimizing slippage on larger trades.

While Bitso doesn’t publish exact spread figures, available data and reviews suggest it maintains competitive spreads on major, liquid pairs, though not necessarily as tight as ultra-high-volume global platforms.

Fiat Deposits & Withdrawals

Users can deposit or withdraw fiat through numerous local payment methods and gateways; each method displays its associated fee and processing time during the transaction—these vary by region and require identity verification.

methods, fees, timings

On-chain Withdrawals

Cryptocurrency withdrawals have fixed network-based fees per coin and chain, meaning the fee doesn’t scale with amount but adjusts based on current blockchain demand and congestion.

fixed vs dynamic fees per network (BTC, ETH, TRX, etc.)

Hidden Costs

Occasional indirect costs may include currency conversion charges from funding accounts denominated differently, potential inactivity penalizations over long dormant periods, and expedited identity checks for faster access, depending on account status.

currency conversion, inactivity, expedited KYC, etc.

Real-World Cost Example: “€500 BTC

When buying BTC worth €500, expect a blended cost that includes a spot trading spread, a tier-adjusted fee, and any subsequent withdrawal fee—altogether forming a practical view of the real expense beyond just the purchase price.

“Buying €500 in BTC” (fee + spread + withdrawal)

Crypto Offering & Trading Features

Number of Coins & Pairs

Bybit supports over 650 cryptocurrencies, offering a deep and diverse asset base; among the top-20 pairs by volume, you’ll typically find heavy hitters like BTC/USDT, ETH/USDT, SOL/USDT, and a rotating mix of high-liquidity altcoins tailored to market demand.

Bitso offers around 100 trading pairs and supports roughly 55–100 cryptocurrencies, with top-volume instruments like BTC, ETH, XRP, SOL, and USDC featuring prominently among the top 20 by liquidity.

Product Range

Bybit houses a comprehensive suite of offerings including spot, margin, perpetual and futures derivatives, options (for BTC, ETH, SOL), crypto loans, staking/Earn, P2P, copy trading, along with automated tools—such as grid bots and DCA strategies—and a Launchpad for new token projects.

Bitso provides spot trading plus a flexible staking/earn product (Bitso Earn) and fiat-crypto remittances (via Bitso Shift), but it does not offer margin, derivatives (futures/options), ETFs, lending, copy trading, grid bots, or automated DCA strategies.

Liquidity

The platform consistently ranks among exchanges with high 24-hour volume, especially in BTC and ETH markets, ensuring strong book depth and tight pricing in core pairs—making it suitable for executing sizable trades with minimal slippage.

Daily volumes for major pairs like BTC/USDT and ETH/USDT run into the tens of millions USD, offering sound liquidity and stable order-book depth, though not as deep as global mega-exchanges.

Tools

Bybit equips users with an advanced framework: key order types (limit, stop, OCO), native alerts, robust charting w/ browser-based or TradingView-integrated tools, and a programmable interface via both REST API and WebSockets for full automation.

Bitso supports market, limit, stop-loss, and stop-limit orders, integrates with TradingView for advanced charting, offers price alerts, and provides robust API/WebSocket access through its Bitso Alpha platform.

Geographic Restrictions by Product

Some products—particularly derivatives—are blocked in jurisdictions such as the United States, United Kingdom, Mainland China, Singapore, and Quebec, meaning access to futures and options may vary depending on your location.

Certain advanced features like staking and fiat on-ramps are limited to Latin American residents; derivatives and margin aren’t offered at all, and access is restricted outside these primary markets.

Innovation

Bybit continues to innovate through its Launchpad/Launchpool ecosystem, and its Earn segment features flexible and locked staking options, giving you the choice between liquidity or higher yield opportunities depending on your strategy.

Bitso excels with its flexible-earn staking (withdraw anytime, weekly rewards) and has broadened coverage into emerging DeFi space by adding new tokens like HYPE, though it doesn’t currently run launchpads or locked-pool offerings.

Security, Regulation & Custody

Operating Entity & Jurisdiction

Bybit is run by Bybit Fintech Limited, established in 2018 and headquartered in Dubai, with a separate European arm (Bybit EU GmbH) based in Vienna to serve EEA users under EU regulation.

Bitso operates under the legal entity Badger Technology Company Ltd, incorporated in Gibraltar, with operations stretching across Latin America since its launch in 2014 out of Mexico City.

Licenses/Registration

It holds a MiCA crypto-asset service provider license issued by Austria’s FMA for EU operations, along with additional authorizations in Cyprus, Kazakhstan, Georgia, and a provisional license in Dubai, reflecting its regulatory reach across multiple regions.

The platform holds a pioneering DLT license from the Gibraltar Financial Services Commission and operates in Mexico under the local Fintech law as an authorized payment institution (IFPE).

Custody

Bybit manages custody itself via Bybit EU as the custodian, using a mix of hot, warm, and cold omnibus wallets, segregating client funds from its own, and providing quarterly asset statements—with regular Proof of Reserves audits to bolster visibility.

Bitso uses its own custody infrastructure, reinforced with multi-signature controls and disaster recovery via CoinCover, and offers transparency through real-time security metrics via its Trust Center.

Insurance & Protection Funds

There is no mention of a dedicated insurance fund, but the firm emphasizes tiered offline wallet security protocols and regularly published reserves for user asset protection.

Bitso has complemented its digital-asset protection by partnering with CoinCover to provide additional risk mitigation and recovery mechanisms for user funds.

Incident History

In February 2025, Bybit suffered a record $1.4 billion hack—but restored liquidity within 72 hours through support from major trading firms—additionally, it faced fines and service suspensions in regions like India, Canada, and the UK following regulatory scrutiny.

To date, Bitso has not experienced any known hacks or security breaches, and it has a track record of uninterrupted service without suspensions or major compliance penalties.

Risk Controls

Bybit protects accounts via mandatory 2FA, whitelist options, anti-phishing codes, support for sub-accounts, and and granular API permissions, alongside real-time behavioral monitoring and withdrawal safeguards.

The platform enforces robust risk safeguards including two-factor authentication (2FA), phishing prevention, transaction whitelists, and granular API permissions for institutional users.

Transparency

The platform offers users periodic balance statements (at least once every three months), conducts public PoR audits, and operates under obligaciones de reporte for its EU entity—though there’s no public wallet viewer or explicit service-level SLA shared.

In the interest of openness, Bitso shares live security and compliance metrics in its Trust Center, though it does not produce regular reserve or transparency reports or public wallets.

Deposits, Withdrawals, KYC & Support

Fiat Deposit Methods

Bybit supports various fiat deposit methods—including bank transfers (like SEPA), cards, and e-wallets—with available options, limits, and processing times depending on your region and selected channel, all displayed during the deposit process.

Bitso accepts fiat deposits via local bank transfers (e.g., SPEI in Mexico, Pix in Brazil), digital dollars through Payoneer, and in some markets, card deposits; minimum and maximum deposit amounts vary based on local regulations and bank systems, and transfer times generally align with domestic banking hours.

Supported Fiat Currencies & Conversion

KYC (Verification Levels)

Bybit enforces tiered identity verification: unverified users face very tight limits (e.g., only €1 deposits on EU platform), while completing basic or advanced KYC dramatically expands deposit/withdrawal caps and feature access.

There are typically three KYC tiers

Withdrawals

Fiat withdrawals require first depositing via the intended method; supported networks and limits vary by currency and method—USD via SWIFT has VIP and tenure prerequisites, while other currencies use local routes like PIX, SEPA, or bank transfers with processing dependent on region and method.

Limits, Timing & Networks

Customer Support

Bybit offers 24/7 live chat and email support across multiple languages, backed by a detailed Help Center; response times depend on issue complexity, but immediate help is usually available via real-time chat, and additional queries can be submitted through support tickets.

Bitso provides support through live chat and an extensive Help Center ticket system, with response times typically within 24–48 hours and a rich knowledge base to guide users.

Languages & Localization

The platform supports multiple languages, including native Spanish, shows fees in local currencies like €, and adjusts deposit/withdrawal availability to comply with regional regulations and payment infrastructure.

The platform operates natively in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, displays fees in relevant local currencies, and tailors its services to comply with regional legal and regulatory frameworks.

App Quality & Stability

The Bybit mobile app provides full trading functionality on the go; while generally stable, users occasionally report crashes or performance hiccups—most issues resolve via updates or cache refreshes, and the team actively maintains and improves app reliability.

Bitso’s mobile app (available for iOS and Android) mirrors the web platform in functionality and offers a smooth trading experience with strong user reviews, suggesting stability and regular updates.

Experience, Performance & Ecosystem

UX/UI

Bybit offers both Lite and Pro modes, allowing beginners to start with a simplified interface while giving experienced traders access to customizable layouts, advanced charting, and modular widgets in the Pro mode to tailor their trading environment.

Bitso caters to different skill levels by offering a stripped-down classic mode for newcomers and the more advanced Alpha Pro interface for serious traders—both seamlessly blend intuitive design with enhanced charting and order tools, making the learning curve manageable yet scalable.

Performance

The platform is engineered for speed, with a high-capacity matching engine and low-latency execution, although users occasionally report slowness or brief app lag during extreme volatility—maintained performance relies on stable internet and recent app/browser versions.

Bitso’s Alpha Pro is optimized for fast trade execution and generally maintains uptime even during busy periods; however, during bull markets, KYC queues can lengthen, occasionally delaying full access for new users.

Education

Bybit offers a robust learning ecosystem through its “Bybit Learn” hub featuring guides, tutorials, and AI-powered strategy tools; while demo or simulator modes aren’t formally branded, the content—some available in Spanish—supports new traders across skill levels.

Although Bitso doesn’t offer a trading simulator or demo, it does provide educational content—including guides and insights—in Spanish across its blog and Help Center, making it accessible for Spanish-speaking users seeking self-guided learning.

Community

The exchange supports active engagement through its Help Center, plus official Telegram and Discord communities; it also features referral programs and periodic trading competitions to energize and expand its user base.

Bitso fosters community engagement through active channels like official Telegram groups and a referral program, though it doesn’t operate a public forum or Discord server specifically for user discussions.

Integrations

Bybit integrates natively with TradingView charts and provides comprehensive REST and WebSocket APIs for external bots, tax tools, and reporting systems—making it highly compatible with automated trading and portfolio management tools.

Bitso integrates directly with TradingView, enabling charting and analysis of its full spot-pair range; it also supports external integration via its robust API, though it lacks built-in tax tools or direct accounting integrations.

Who Each One Is Best For

Bybit shines for active and professional traders who value fast execution, depth of tools, and advanced automation; more casual users or those seeking simple buy-and-hold functionality may find the feature-rich environment a bit overpowered for their needs.

Bitso offers an ideal blend of simplicity and capability for Latin American users—from beginners enjoying the clean interface to intermediate traders accessing Alpha Pro—making it less suited for algorithmic traders, simulator users, or those needing integrated financial tooling.