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

Trying to choose between Cex.Io and Unocoin 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

Unocoin

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Available Countries

United States

Yes

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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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.

Unocoin is ideal if:

Great for ease of entry – Offers a clean and intuitive interface with mobile apps, making it especially friendly for newcomers stepping into crypto trading.
Secure and self-custody options – Emphasizes safety with features like cold storage, paper wallets, AES-256 encryption, and mandatory KYC/2FA.
Built for Indian users – Seamlessly supports INR deposits and local payment methods, tailored to the Indian market and regulatory environment.

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.

Unocoin isn’t ideal if:

International traders excluded – Only accessible to Indian residents and supports just the Indian rupee as fiat, making it a non-starter for global users.
Limited advanced features – Lacks sophisticated trading tools and broader crypto asset coverage favored by experienced traders.
Support may lag – Users report limited documentation and slow response times from customer service, potentially frustrating for those needing prompt assistance.

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.

Unocoin applies a tiered maker/taker fee structure for spot trading, with lower rates (including zero maker fees) available to users with high 30-day trading volumes; there are no discounts tied to a native 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).

Unocoin does not offer futures or derivative trading, so there are no maker/taker or funding fees applicable.

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.

Specific or average spread data for BTC/USDT or ETH/USDT is not published prominently on Unocoin’s platform or support materials.

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.

You can deposit and withdraw INR using methods like NEFT, RTGS, IMPS, UPI, and instant options, with nominal or no fees for bank transfers and quick settlement—though third-party instant deposits (e.g., via Mobikwik) may incur a small percentage charge plus taxes.

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.

Crypto withdrawals are subject to network (miner) fees that vary dynamically per blockchain congestion rather than fixed amounts, and these are displayed at the time of withdrawal.

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.

There are no hidden conversion or KYC-express fees, but an inactivity-based custodial fee applies if your account remains idle—typically a small monthly Bitcoin-based charge.

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.

A real cost example isn’t feasible as Unocoin doesn’t support euro deposits, and detailed spread or consolidated cost data for such a scenario isn’t publicly available.

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.

Unocoin supports over 90 to 120 cryptocurrencies overall and includes most of the top 25 market-cap coins—though the exact number varies by source, the platform mainly offers pairs with INR and a few crypto-crypto options.

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.

Unocoin offers spot trading, an OTC desk, and a Systematic Buying Plan (SBP), alongside staking-like passive-income options and affiliate/referral programs, but lacks margin, perpetuals, options, ETFs, grid bots, copy trading, or lending services.

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.

Trading volume is relatively modest compared to global platforms—typical 24-hour volume sits in the tens of thousands USD range—and order book depth for BTC/ETH remains limited due to its domestic focus.

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.

Traders can use market, limit, and advanced order types like Split, Ladder, and Stack; the platform offers web-based TradingView charts, mobile apps, and API/WS access, though alerting tools are not clearly highlighted.

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.

All features on Unocoin are only available to Indian residents; derivatives and higher-risk instruments are broadly unavailable both by design and 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.

Unocoin includes periodic investment (SBP), affiliate programs, Elite and Crypto Wealth Clubs for VIP support, and offers staking-like earn options, but lacks innovative features like launchpad/launchpool or flexible vs locked earn tiers.

Security, Regulation & Custody

Operating Entity & Jurisdiction

CEX.IO operates through several entities

Unocoin is operated by Unocoin Technologies Pvt Ltd, incorporated in 2015 and based in Bengaluru (formerly Tumkur), India, while functioning as a wholly owned subsidiary of a Singapore-based parent company.

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.

As a domestic crypto exchange in India, Unocoin is registered with the Indian Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU-IND) under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act rather than holding a formal license like VASP in more regulated jurisdictions.

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.

Most user funds are held in cold storage (offline wallets secured with strong encryption), while live balances are held by Unocoin internally; there’s no publicly disclosed Proof of Reserves or formal audit percentage published.

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.

Unocoin does not publicly offer exchange-backed insurance or compensation funds to cover losses from hacks or operational failures.

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.

There are no known major hacks or public penalties involving Unocoin; their operations have continued uninterrupted, and regulatory authorities have not issued enforcement actions.

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.

User accounts benefit from security measures like AES-256 encryption, mandatory two-factor authentication, and cold storage, though advanced features like whitelisted addresses, sub-accounts, or granular API permissions are not emphasized.

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.

Unocoin does not publish regular reserve audits or monthly transparency reports, nor does it provide public wallet addresses or a formal uptime/service-level agreement (SLA).

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.

Unocoin supports INR deposits via NEFT/RTGS/IMPS and unique virtual bank accounts, with daily minimums of around ₹100 (instant) or ₹1,000 (bank transfers) and maxima in the lakhs to crores range; funds typically hit your account within the hour when using virtual deposit, while traditional transfers may take longer.

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.

Unocoin requires full identity verification—including PAN card, address proof, and selfie—before enabling deposits, withdrawals, and trading; there are no multi-level tiers like basic or advanced, just one verified status that unlocks all functions.

Withdrawals

Limits, Timing & Networks

Crypto withdrawals incur dynamic network fees and are processed on standard blockchain networks (e.g., ERC-20 or TRC-20 where supported), while INR withdrawals to your linked bank account are fee-free and usually settled via NEFT/RTGS/IMPS according to banking times; specific per-coin limits are not prominently published.

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.

Support is available through email, a help-center ticket system, and social channels; there’s no 24/7 live chat, and while Unocoin offers a knowledge base with FAQs, user feedback suggests response times are moderate rather than instant.

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 is localized for Indian users with English as the primary interface language and prices displayed in INR—not in euros or dollars—and it operates under India’s local crypto regulatory environment.

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.

Unocoin’s mobile app (3.5/5 on Android) offers essential trading and wallet features, and while it is generally functional with regular updates, user reviews note occasional stability issues and room for performance improvements.

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.

Unocoin boasts a clean, beginner-focused interface that makes getting started in crypto straightforward, though it doesn’t offer differentiated “Lite” or “Pro” modes; the unified experience emphasizes simplicity across both web and mobile platforms.

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 generally handles everyday trading efficiently with responsive order execution, but users have reported occasional delays during peak volatility and in processing KYC verifications when market activity 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.

Unocoin provides a comprehensive beginner-focused trading course—covering theory, strategy, and technical analysis—but it doesn’t include demo accounts, simulators, or educational content in Spanish.

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.

There’s an active affiliate/referral program and initiatives like community seminars and events, though the platform does not appear to run official forums or Discord/Telegram channels.

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.

Unocoin supports TradingView-style charts on its platform and exposes an API via third-party integrations like SnapTrade, but it lacks built-in support for external bots or purpose-built tax/accounting tools.

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.

This platform is ideal for Indian beginners looking for a simple, mobile-friendly entry into crypto, whereas advanced or international traders may find its feature set and localization too basic for their needs.