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

Trying to choose between Coinmama and Cex.Io 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

Coinmama

Cex.Io

⚠️ 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

Yes

United Kingdom

Yes

United States

Yes

Europe

Yes

Latin America

Yes

India

Yes

China

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.

Coinmama is ideal if:

Effortless for beginners — Streamlined, no-frills interface lets you buy crypto and send it straight to your own wallet in just a few taps.
Global and flexible — Available in nearly 190 countries with a wide range of local payment methods to suit diverse needs.
Built for safety and autonomy — Non-custodial model means you always control your funds, supported by robust regulatory compliance and encryption.

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.

Coinmama isn’t ideal if:

Not for advanced traders — Lacks tools like charts, limit orders, and margin trading, making it unsuitable if you need sophisticated trading features.
Limited crypto variety — Offers a relatively small selection of coins, which may frustrate users looking for broader portfolio options or niche tokens.
No built-in wallet or phone support — You must use your own external wallet for storage, and customer support lacks direct phone access for urgent communication.

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.

Fees & Total Costs

Spot Maker/Take

Coinmama doesn’t operate with traditional maker/taker tiers based on order book liquidity—instead, it charges a flat commission plus a built-in spread, with loyalty-based fee reductions (up to around 25% off) for users who reach certain cumulative spending thresholds over time.

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.

Futures/Derivatives

Coinmama currently does not offer futures, margin, or derivative trading, so there are no related maker, taker, or funding costs involved.

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).

Average Spreads on Liquid Pairs

While specific spread numbers aren’t publicly listed, Coinmama embeds a markup—commonly known as a spread—within the quoted rate on top of its commission, meaning any trade price you see already includes a buffer above market mid-price.

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.

Fiat Deposits & Withdrawals

You can fund your account via bank transfers (SEPA, SWIFT, Open Banking) or card/e-wallets (Visa/Mastercard, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Skrill), with free options for some bank channels and a percentage-based “express fee” for cards and wallets; Fiat withdrawals are sent back to your original payment method, typically taking one to several business days to process.

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.

On-chain Withdrawals

Crypto withdrawals to your own wallet are facilitated without extra platform fees, but actual network fees apply and depend on the blockchain (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum, Tron), varying dynamically with network congestion and gas rates.

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.

Hidden Costs

Additional implicit costs may come from currency conversion if using non-fiat-native methods or local currency—plus small surcharges for instant payments through certain methods—while there are no inactivity fees and identity verification is required but generally included as part of the signup process, not as a premium service.

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.

Real-World Cost Example: “€500 BTC

If you buy €500 worth of Bitcoin, the price you pay includes Coinmama’s commission and built-in spread, and sending that BTC to your wallet means you’ll also incur the standard blockchain network fee—but there are no surprises beyond the displayed total at checkout.

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.

Crypto Offering & Trading Features

Number of Coins & Pairs

Coinmama offers over 40 cryptocurrencies in total, including around 19 of the top 30 by market cap. Its top-20 by volume mainly include familiar names like Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Tether (USDT), BNB, Solana (SOL), XRP, and others, ensuring exposure to the most traded assets.

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.

Product Range

Coinmama focuses exclusively on spot purchases and simple swaps—offering no margin, perpetuals, options, ETFs, staking programs, loans, copy trading, grid bots, or automatic DCA functionality.

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.

Liquidity

Being a broker rather than an exchange, Coinmama doesn’t display order books or real-time volume data for pairs like BTC or ETH; liquidity is assured through its own inventory, making market depth and 24-hour volumes internal and not publicly shown.

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.

Tools

Coinmama offers none of the typical advanced trading tools—there are no limit, stop, or OCO orders, no alerts, no charting interface, no public API or WebSockets, and no native integration with TradingView for analysis.

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.

Geographic Restrictions by Product

All of Coinmama’s services are globally accessible where regulations permit; no additional products like derivatives or margin are available anywhere, so there are no region-specific product restrictions beyond general country bans.

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.

Innovation

Coinmama doesn’t support features like launchpad or launchpool initiatives, nor does it offer flexible or locked earning programs—its current setup remains strictly focused on one-time fiat-to-crypto purchases without ongoing yield products.

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.

Security, Regulation & Custody

Operating Entity & Jurisdiction

Coinmama is operated by a regulated company incorporated in Ireland (originally founded in Israel in 2013) and is part of Wellfield Technologies, with its current main base in Vancouver, Canada.

CEX.IO operates through several entities

Licenses/Registration

Coinmama is registered as a Money Services Business (MSB) with the U.S. Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) and also compliant with Canadian regulation under FINTRAC, ensuring proper oversight in these key jurisdictions.

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.

Custody

Coinmama operates on a non-custodial model—meaning you always control your crypto, as they don’t hold tokens on your behalf—and there is no public proof of reserves, auditing statements, or disclosed cold-storage ratios.

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.

Insurance & Protection Funds

The platform does not advertise any insurance or user fund protection schemes, so users rely primarily on Coinmama’s non-custodial approach for the safety of their crypto holdings.

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.

Incident History

Coinmama experienced a data breach in 2019, involving compromised emails and hashed passwords of older accounts; since then, no major hacks or regulatory penalties have been reported publicly.

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.

Risk Controls

Security measures include two-factor authentication (strongly recommended for users), but Coinmama does not currently offer advanced features like address whitelisting, anti-phishing layers, sub-accounts, or granular API permissions.

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.

Transparency

The exchange does not provide transparent, publicly available reports like monthly proof-of-reserves, accessible wallet addresses, or service-level agreements for uptime—but emphasizes clarity about its regulatory standing and verification processes.

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.

Deposits, Withdrawals, KYC & Support

Fiat Deposit Methods

You can fund your Coinmama account using bank transfers, credit/debit cards, and e-wallets (like Skrill or Neteller), as well as regional systems such as Giropay, PIX, and PSE, with minimum amounts usually starting around $5–$20 and daily or monthly maximums tied to your verification level; processing times vary by method, with cards and e-wallets instantly crediting your account and banks typically taking longer.

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.

Supported Fiat Currencies & Conversion

KYC (Verification Levels)

Verification is tiered

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.

Withdrawals

Crypto withdrawals are sent directly to your own wallet and incur only the standard blockchain fee; fiat withdrawals return funds through the original payment method, with a minimum typically around $30 and timing dependent on the payout channel.

Limits, Timing & Networks

Customer Support

Support is available 24/7 via live chat and email, backed by a rich knowledge base and academy content for self-help—though phone support isn’t offered, allowing generally quick replies and practical guidance.

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.

Languages & Localization

The platform’s interface is primarily in English, but supports multiple fiat currencies (like €/USD/GBP) for display, and adapts payment options and compliance to match local regulatory requirements across different countries.

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.

App Quality & Stability

Coinmama operates via a web-based service and does not offer a mobile app; while the website is reliable and regularly updated, there’s no downloadable application to discuss in terms of stability or crash performance.

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.

Experience, Performance & Ecosystem

UX/UI

Coinmama uses a clean, modern web interface that’s highly intuitive—there’s no Lite or Pro toggle, keeping it straightforward and instantly approachable for newcomers who just want to buy crypto quickly.

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.

Performance

Purchases are generally processed swiftly after payment confirmation, with minimal order latency even during busy periods; KYC processes remain efficient, and there’s little evidence of significant delays during bull runs.

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.

Education

Coinmama offers a helpful Academy hub with beginner-friendly articles in English, though it lacks demo trading tools or simulators, and currently doesn’t provide education content in Spanish.

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.

Community

While Coinmama doesn’t host an official forum or Discord, it does run a robust affiliate/referral program with tools and dashboards, fostering a grassroots community of promoters rather than active chat groups.

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.

Integrations

The platform remains minimalist with no external integrations—there’s no TradingView, bot support, tax accounting tools, or bookkeeping connectors, keeping the focus purely on one-click fiat-to-crypto purchases.

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.

Who Each One Is Best For

This platform excels for buyers who value simplicity and speed, especially beginners; advanced traders seeking analytics, automation, or educational languages beyond English may prefer more feature-rich alternatives.

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.