Cex.Io vs Coinex: Fees, Security, Features & Which to Choose (2025)

Trying to choose between Cex.Io and Coinex 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

Cex.Io

Coinex

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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

Canada

yes

United Kingdom

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Cex.Io is ideal if:

Great for beginners seeking simplicity: Offers intuitive fiat-to-crypto access and easy navigation, making first-time buying or selling smooth and straightforward.
Useful for users valuing regulatory compliance: Holds multiple licenses and registrations, which adds credibility and reassurance for those prioritizing security.
Suited to flexible and evolving needs: Includes features like staking, margin options, and mobile trading—helpful as your crypto journey grows.

Coinex is ideal if:

Privacy-minded traders: you can trade without mandatory KYC up to high limits, offering anonymity while retaining full platform access.
Global assets explorer: the platform supports a wide variety of crypto tokens alongside features like strategic trading (Auto-Invest, Spot Grid), making it great for exploring diverse markets.
Security-focused users: with multi-signature wallets, rigorous cold-storage, and committed proof-of-reserves, your funds benefit from robust protection.

Cex.Io isn’t ideal if:

Not suited for fee-sensitive traders: Deposit and withdrawal costs—especially from credit cards or SWIFT transfers—can be on the higher side.
Less ideal for altcoin hunters: Coin selection is solid for mainstream assets but may feel restrictive for those seeking niche or emerging tokens.
Not optimized for advanced traders: Lacks advanced order types and demo environments, and interface may feel cluttered during complex trading sessions.

Coinex isn’t ideal if:

Strictly fiat-only traders: CoinEx doesn’t support direct fiat deposits or withdrawals; you must use third-party gateways if you want to convert between crypto and traditional currencies.
Regulation-focused investors: It lacks licensing from top-tier regulatory bodies, which may concern users seeking exchanges with clear, formal oversight.
Complete beginners seeking hand-holding: Educational resources and customer service can be less responsive or comprehensive, which may not suit those needing more guidance.

Fees & Total Costs

Spot Maker/Take

CEX.IO’s spot trading fees begin at 0.25% for taker orders and 0.15% for maker orders, and progressively decrease as your 30-day trading volume rises—reaching lower bands (like around 0.10%) at higher volumes, with no discounts tied to a native token.

Spot trading fees decrease as your 30-day trading volume, CET balance, or VIP level increases—higher tiers enjoy lower maker and taker rates, with an extra discount if you opt to pay using the native CET token.

Futures/Derivatives

CEX.IO separates its derivatives platform from spot trading and applies different fee structures, but publicly available information on specific maker, taker, or funding rates is limited (often requiring account access or direct inquiry for clarity).

Futures trading applies different maker and taker fees based on VIP status, and while CoinEx doesn’t charge funding directly, perpetual contracts settle funding between long and short positions every 8 hours (or more frequently under extreme conditions).

Average Spreads on Liquid Pairs

Spreads for major pairs like BTC/USDT and ETH/USDT on CEX.IO are generally tight and in line with competitive market norms, helping ensure that trading costs remain low for highly liquid assets.

Although CoinEx doesn’t publish spread figures directly, mainstream spot pairs like BTC/USDT and ETH/USDT generally exhibit tight spreads typical of mid-to-high liquidity venues, making execution costs reasonably competitive for active traders.

Fiat Deposits & Withdrawals

You can fund your account using various options—credit/debit cards, bank transfers (SEPA, SWIFT, ACH), digital wallets, and alternative services—with timing and fees varying by method and region, and listed transparently during transaction setup.

Methods, Fees, Times

On-chain Withdrawals

On-chain withdrawal fees differ depending on the blockchain (BTC, ETH, TRX, etc.) and are dynamically adjusted based on network conditions, rather than using a one-size-fits-all flat fee.

Fixed vs Dynamic Fees (BTC, ETH, TRX, etc.)

Hidden Costs

Beyond trading and transfer fees, there may be extra charges lurking in currency conversion margins, inactivity fees, or expedited KYC processing—but these are typically disclosed at the relevant step, not built into everyday trading.

Currency Conversion, Inactivity, Express KYC, etc.

Real-World Cost Example: “€500 BTC

If you were to convert €500 into BTC, your total cost would combine the spot maker/taker fee, the market spread, and any withdrawal or conversion fee—resulting in a composite cost slightly above the raw crypto amount, depending on your payment method and network chosen.

If you buy €500 worth of BTC on CoinEx, your total cost comprises the third-party gateway’s currency conversion rate plus its service fee, the spread between buy and sell prices, and the dynamic on-chain withdrawal charge—so the final amount received in your wallet will be less than the gross purchase value due to these combined factors.

Crypto Offering & Trading Features

Number of Coins & Pairs

CEX.IO currently lists around 280 cryptocurrencies across approximately 829 trading pairs, with its highest-volume pairs including BTC/USD, ETH/USDT, ETH/USD, XRP/USD, LINK/USD—forming the bulk of daily activity.

CoinEx lists over 800 cryptocurrencies and supports more than 1,200 trading pairs, including its most actively traded tokens ranked among the top 20 by volume, which typically consist of mainstream assets such as BTC, ETH, TRX, and a range of emerging altcoins.

Product Range

CEX.IO supports spot trading, margin trading with up to 10x leverage, crypto staking and savings, and lending services; however, it does not currently offer perpetuals, options, ETFs, automated DCA, grid bots, or copy trading tools.

The platform offers a comprehensive set of services—including spot, margin, and perpetual futures (linear and inverse contracts), copy trading, crypto loans, one-click swap exchanges, staking, Auto-Invest plans, and Spot Grid bots—offering flexible strategies across investing and automated trading.

Liquidity

Reported 24-hour trading volume on CEX.IO ranges in the tens to hundreds of millions of USD, with robust liquidity in major pairs like BTC and ETH—offering sufficient depth for swift execution without significant price impact.

CoinEx maintains solid liquidity, especially on BTC and ETH markets, reflected by consistently vigorous 24-hour trading volume and deep order-book depth that supports efficient execution even during volatile periods.

Tools

The platform provides basic order types such as limit and stop (plus OCO where available), access to advanced charting via its trading terminal, real-time price tracking, alerts, and full-featured APIs (REST, WebSocket, FIX on Prime) ideal for automated strategies.

You’ll find a robust toolkit featuring common order types like limit, market, stop-limit, plus advanced modes such as OCO and maker-only, along with real-time alerts, charting, API/WebSocket access, and built-in TradingView integration for sophisticated analysis.

Geographic Restrictions by Product

Certain features—including margin trading, staking, savings, and advanced product access—are restricted or unavailable in specific countries due to jurisdictional licensing and compliance requirements.

While CoinEx is globally available in over 200 countries, certain products like derivatives and copy trading may be restricted in jurisdictions such as the U.S., Canada, Hong Kong, and China due to regional regulatory limitations.

Innovation

CEX.IO offers flexible staking and savings options under its “Earn” program that allow on-demand access to funds; however, it does not currently support token launchpad or launchpool initiatives.

The exchange actively innovates with features such as launchpads/pools, flexible versus locked staking options, and strategic products like Auto-Invest and Spot Grid—providing both passive yield and automated market participation tools.

Security, Regulation & Custody

Operating Entity & Jurisdiction

CEX.IO operates through several entities

The exchange began in 2017 and is operated under the ViaBTC ecosystem, with its legal base and main offices located in Hong Kong.

Licenses/Registration

The exchange holds a U.S. Money Services Business registration with FinCEN and multiple state-level money transmitter licenses, a Gibraltar DLT provider license, Spanish VASP registration, and Lithuanian VASP status, reflecting a broad regulatory coverage across major markets.

CoinEx holds registration as a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) in certain jurisdictions such as Estonia and complies with applicable regulations, but it does not currently fall under the EU’s MiCA framework.

Custody

CEX.IO maintains a layered custody model—hot wallets with PCI DSS-compliant security and cold wallets secured via multi-signature and manual controls; fiat is held in segregated bank accounts—though no formal public proof-of-reserves disclosures or third-party audits are noted.

CoinEx uses its own custody infrastructure with both hot and cold wallets, enhanced by multi-signature security. It publishes frequent Merkle-tree-based Proof of Reserves—maintaining a 1

Insurance & Protection Funds

While CEX.IO provides FDIC insurance for USD balances held within participating U.S. banks up to typical limits, there is no general insurance for crypto assets beyond its rigorous internal security protocols.

The platform supports its risk management with a “Shield Fund,” which redirects around 10% of fees into a reserve designed to buffer against extreme or unexpected market shocks

Incident History

The platform maintains a clean operational record with no major security breaches, public incidents, service suspensions, or regulatory penalties reported to date, underlining its reputation for reliability.

Since its 2017 launch, CoinEx has maintained a clean security record with no known hacks, outages, freezing of accounts, regulatory fines, or major incidents to date

Risk Controls

User protection is reinforced with mandatory KYC/AML procedures, two-factor authentication, address whitelisting, a proprietary transaction-monitoring system, and granular APIs aimed at enhancing security and user control.

CoinEx implements strong safety protocols, including two-factor authentication (2FA), address whitelisting, anti-phishing measures, support for sub-accounts, and granular API permission controls, designed to minimize unauthorized access and bolster overall platform security.

Transparency

CEX.IO does not publish monthly financial or operational reports, nor provide public wallet addresses or formal service-level agreements (SLAs), although its regulatory compliance and security stance contribute to overall trust.

The platform demonstrates transparent practices through monthly reserve updates, publicly verifiable wallets using Merkle trees, and clear communication via announcements—though formal SLA commitments are not prominently outlined.

Deposits, Withdrawals, KYC & Support

Fiat Deposit Methods

CEX.IO allows fiat deposits via bank cards (Visa/Mastercard), bank transfers (SWIFT, SEPA, ACH, Faster Payments), and e-wallets like Skrill and PayPal; limits depend on verification level—new users may be capped at around $1,000 daily and $3,000 monthly, with standard limits applied after three months—and deposits typically arrive instantly (for cards/e-wallets) or within 1–3 business days (for bank transfers) depending on the method and region.

CoinEx offers fiat deposits through partnerships with eight external providers like MoonPay, Banxa, Simplex, Mercuryo, Paxful, Guardarian, XanPool, and Advcash, enabling methods such as Visa/MasterCard, Apple Pay, UPI, SEPA, bank transfers, Revolut, and PIX. Minimum and maximum order limits vary by provider, and most transactions are completed within around 30 minutes once initiated.

Supported Fiat Currencies & Conversion

KYC (Verification Levels)

CEX.IO enforces at least identity verification for full access to fiat features like card and transfer services; preliminary verification allows limited use, while higher account tiers—such as Enhanced or Corporate—lift deposit/withdrawal limits and enable large-scale operations.

CoinEx features progressive verification tiers—from no-KYC to Basic and Advanced levels—with the scope of trading and withdrawal increasing by tier; higher KYC levels unlock significantly elevated withdrawal capacities.

Withdrawals

Limits, Timing & Networks

Limits, Times & Networks

Customer Support

Users have access to help via live chat (mobile and web), email support, and an extensive knowledge base containing guides and FAQs—but response times vary and are influenced by location and request complexity.

Users can reach support via a 24/7 live chat, email ticket system, and Help Center with detailed FAQs; tickets are submitted from the website footer and responses prioritize accuracy and clarity. Language support and average response times may vary.

Languages & Localization

The platform is fully available in English (as its primary language), and shows amounts in USD or EUR depending on region; local regulatory compliance is reflected in the user’s jurisdiction which affects available payment methods and features.

The platform operates with native English and supports multiple other languages; fiat values can be displayed in common currencies like EUR and USD, while localized regulatory info may be limited depending on your country.

App Quality & Stability

The CEX.IO app boasts a solid level of stability with regular updates; while precise crash rates aren’t publicly disclosed, the platform emphasizes performance enhancements and bug fixes in app release notes to deliver a smooth user experience.

CoinEx provides both iOS and Android apps, featuring a clean, intuitive design and access to core functionality. While official crash-rate metrics are not published, user feedback indicates stability with regular updates to enhance performance and usability.

Experience, Performance & Ecosystem

UX/UI

CEX.IO offers a single unified interface rather than separate “Lite” or “Pro” views, relying on straightforward layout and intuitive navigation to help both new and experienced users pick up functionality quickly and seamlessly.

CoinEx offers a clean and intuitive interface with a clear “Beginner” section and more advanced options for experienced traders; while explicit “Lite” or “Pro” modes aren’t labeled, the layout provides a natural progression from simple guides to feature-rich dashboards, making the platform approachable for all skill levels.

Performance

The platform benefits from institutional-grade infrastructure designed to minimize order latency, but like many exchanges, occasional slowdowns can surface during extreme market volatility; onboarding generally remains efficient even during high-demand periods.

The platform boasts a high-speed matching engine built to handle order execution with minimal delay, and though official latency metrics aren’t public, user feedback suggests trading remains responsive even during volatility spikes; KYC processing tends to scale adequately, though verification backlogs can surface during market surges.

Education

CEX.IO University delivers free, beginner-friendly crypto education with a comprehensive glossary and lessons ranging from basic to advanced levels—though it currently lacks a live demo or simulator, and content in Spanish is available through its educational portal.

CoinEx provides robust learning tools including the CoinEx Academy with security guides, glossaries, and crypto fundamentals, plus a full-featured demo trading mode for risk-free practice; Spanish-speaking users are also supported via official Telegram and localized content.

Community

The ecosystem includes an affiliate and referral program to reward users for spreading the word, but it does not prominently feature official forums or active Discord/Telegram communities as part of its outreach.

A strong community is available through official Telegram channels—both English and Spanish—as well as podcast-style livestreams and social media engagement; affiliate and referral programs are integrated too, rewarding users for growing the network.

Integrations

The platform integrates TradingView for charting, offers fully featured APIs for external bot support, and allows data export for tax and accounting purposes, making it viable for integration into broader trading and reporting workflows.

CoinEx features native integrations like TradingView for advanced charting, supports Telegram-based trading bots, and its affiliate/referral dashboards assist tracking performance; however, specialized tax or accounting tool integrations are not prominently highlighted at this time.

Who Each One Is Best For

CEX.IO is particularly well-suited for users seeking a balanced and compliant entry into crypto—from beginners who want ease of use and educational resources to semi-advanced traders needing reliable tools and external integration capabilities.

The platform suits growth-minded individuals who value a balance of clarity and strategy—newcomers benefit from educational tools and a clean interface, while seasoned traders can leverage demo trading, strategic tools like grid bots, and active community programs to refine their approach.