Crypto.com vs Bithumb: Fees, Security, Features & Which to Choose (2025)

Trying to choose between Crypto.com and Bithumb 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

Crypto.com

Bithumb

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Available Countries

United States

Yes

Europe

Yes

Latin America

Yes

India

Yes

China

Canada

Yes

United Kingdom

Yes

United States

Yes

Europe

Yes

Latin America

Yes

India

Yes

China

Canada

Yes

United Kingdom

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Crypto.com is ideal if:

Mobile-first crypto explorers: Ideal for users who want a sleek, all-in-one app experience—from buying and managing assets to using a crypto debit card for everyday spending.
Feature-curious investors: Great if you're looking for a platform that layers advanced options—staking, NFTs, lending, and even a customizable trading exchange—on top of a beginner-friendly interface.
Security-conscious users: Well-suited for those who value robust safeguards, including enterprise-grade certifications and a strong regulatory footprint across major markets.

Bithumb is ideal if:

Perfect for KRW-centric traders: If you prefer trading with South Korean Won as your base currency, Bithumb offers seamless fiat integration, high liquidity, and a smooth experience for KRW-based spot trading.
Great for beginners and hands-off traders: Its clear, user-friendly interface plus built-in features like staking and bot trading make it accessible and appealing to those starting out or seeking passive strategies.
Best for users prioritizing credibility and safety: With strong security certifications (like ISMS, ISO27001), full separation of client assets, and external audits, Bithumb focuses on institutional-level protection and transparency.

Crypto.com isn’t ideal if:

Pure “buy & hold” investors: If your goal is simply to purchase and store crypto long-term, you might find other platforms more straightforward and less overloaded with extra features.
Desktop-first users: Some key functions—like card purchases—are only accessible via the mobile app, potentially limiting functionality for desktop-heavy users.
Entry-level traders with low volume: If you place small or occasional market orders, you may find the effective trading costs less competitive compared to more entry-volume friendly platforms.

Bithumb isn’t ideal if:

You need global fiat flexibility: If you want to deposit with non-KRW currencies, Bithumb’s fiat support is limited, which may not suit you.
You're an advanced trader seeking leverage: Those looking for margin or futures trading won’t find these tools available on Bithumb.
You prefer seamless international onboarding: Verification hurdles, language barriers, and slow KYC in non-Korean languages can slow down global users.

Fees & Total Costs

Spot Maker/Take

Spot trading fees follow a tiered structure where higher 30-day trading volumes and staking of the native CRO token unlock progressively lower maker and taker rates, rewarding both liquidity providers and token holders.

In KRW markets, maker and taker fees typically range from roughly 0.04% to 0.25%, with better rates unlocked through tiered trading coupons based on volume (discounts apply via native coupons, not necessarily token-based discounts).

Futures/Derivatives

Derivatives fees—including for perpetuals and futures—use maker/taker pricing and also incorporate funding rate costs, with potential zero maker fees or rebates available depending on CRO stake levels.

Bithumb does not currently offer any futures or derivatives markets, so there are no associated maker, taker, or funding fees to consider.

Average Spreads on Liquid Pairs

On deep liquidity pairs like BTC/USDT or ETH/USDT, spreads are kept narrow to reflect an efficient order book, though the exact difference between bid and ask may vary with market conditions.

Precise spread data is not publicly provided, but given Bithumb’s strong liquidity in major markets, spreads on BTC/USDT and ETH/USDT pairs are generally tight—typically consistent with reputable high-volume exchanges.

Fiat Deposits & Withdrawals

Fiat can be moved via bank transfers or cards, with most basic deposit methods being essentially fee-free on the platform side and withdrawals varying by method; processing times range from near-instant to a few business days depending on the option.

Fiat operations center on KRW only, with deposits via bank transfer or card usually fee-free (unless below minimum thresholds) and withdrawals processed via Korean banking channels with typical processing times, without showing fixed fees.

On-chain Withdrawals

When sending crypto externally, fees are determined per chain and typically set at a fixed amount rather than variable, with different values depending on the network—for example Bitcoin, Ethereum, or other supported assets.

Withdrawal costs depend on the blockchain

Hidden Costs

Unadvertised charges may arise from non-native currency conversions, inactivity penalties if accounts are unused over long periods, or paying for expedited identity verification services when needed.

Some indirect costs may arise from currency conversion if funding in non-KRW, and there are no inactivity fees; extra-fast verification services may not be standard or may carry internal pricing, though not explicitly detailed.

Real-World Cost Example: “€500 BTC

If you buy crypto worth roughly €500, you’d incur a small combined cost from order execution (dependent on order type and liquidity), a modest spread for execution price, and then any withdrawal fee when sending the asset off-platform—pulling these factors together gives a realistic cost overview for a typical user.

If you were to buy €500 worth of BTC, you’d first face a regular spot trading fee (within 0.04–0.25%) plus a small spread in execution, then a withdrawal fee in BTC (e.g., 0.0005 BTC)—that combined cost reflects the total out-of-pocket expense.

Crypto Offering & Trading Features

Number of Coins & Pairs

Crypto.com lists over 400 cryptocurrencies and supports more than 600 trading pairs overall, with the most active among them—including major tokens like BTC, ETH, USDT, USDC, BNB, ADA, XRP, SOL, DOGE, and MATIC—regularly comprising its top 20 by volume.

Bithumb lists approximately 170–180 cryptocurrencies across roughly 400 trading pairs, with the top 20 by volume dominated by KRW-based pairs like BTC/KRW, ETH/KRW, XRP/KRW, USDT/KRW, and others in similar high-turnover positions.

Product Range

The platform supports a wide array of services

The exchange supports spot trading, margin trading, staking, crypto lending, and bot/automated trading, but does not offer perpetual futures, options, ETFs, copy trading, or built-in DCA features.

Liquidity

Crypto.com maintains deep liquidity across its markets, with spot order books for BTC and ETH particularly robust—though precise 24-hour volumes and depth figures fluctuate, the Exchange manages high throughput and tight market depth for its most liquid pairs.

Bithumb handles daily spot volumes in the high hundreds of millions to over a billion USD, ensuring deep order books—particularly for BTC/KRW and ETH/KRW—offering robust liquidity and execution.

Tools

A full suite of order types is available—including limit, stop-loss, take-profit, and OCO orders—alongside native TradingView integration for enhanced charting, advanced bot tools (DCA, TWAP, grid, arbitrage), and a high-performance API/WSS infrastructure covering spot, margin, and derivatives trading.

Traders have access to basic orders (limit and market), stop orders, and coupon-driven fee tools; there are also alerts and API access (including WebSocket), though there’s no native TradingView integration.

Geographic Restrictions by Product

Certain regions face product limitations—derivatives and margin trading may be restricted or unavailable depending on jurisdiction, whereas spot trading and earning services are broadly accessible but vary by local regulation.

Derivatives and margin features are not globally available, with access mainly focused on South Korean users; many international regions, notably US and EU, face limitations or lack derivative access.

Innovation

Crypto.com continues to expand with creative offerings like crypto launchpad or launchpool-style events for new token releases, and flexible vs locked earn options that let users choose between liquidity or higher yields—reflecting a commitment to innovation in user engagement and passive strategies.

Bithumb offers staking services and crypto lending along with occasional airdrop or DeFi/NFT promotions, but lacks formal launchpad or launchpool platforms and doesn’t separate between flexible vs locked earn products.

Security, Regulation & Custody

Operating Entity & Jurisdiction

Crypto.com is managed by Foris DAX Asia (a Singapore-based company), with its global operations dating back to 2016 and headquarters located in Singapore.

Bithumb is operated by BTC Korea.com Co., Ltd, founded in 2014 and based in Seoul, South Korea. It is one of the country’s major crypto exchanges firmly entrenched in Korean financial infrastructure.

Licenses/Registration

The platform is compliant across major regions—registered as a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) in Spain, holding MiCA authorization through its Maltese entity, and operating under regulatory approvals in the UK, Cyprus, France, Singapore, Australia, Canada, and the US, among others.

As a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) in South Korea, Bithumb is subject to oversight under local regulations, and as of mid-2025 it was designated a “conglomerate,” meaning it must adhere to heightened compliance and public disclosure rules.

Custody

Crypto.com employs client-segregated custody with advanced MPC-based secure holdings, offers bankruptcy-remote vaults, and undergoes regular audits with transparent architecture—while explicit proof-of-reserves remains internal.

A significant portion of user assets is held in cold storage, meeting at least 80% reserve requirements; the exchange has also set aside a substantial protection reserve fund (worth over KRW 100 billion) as a buffer in case of operational risk.

Insurance & Protection Funds

Its U.S.–based Custody Trust benefits from a robust insurance policy of around USD 120 million covering cold-storage assets and potential theft, supported by Lloyd’s underwriters and arranged by Aon.

It maintains robust cyber insurance coverage, with multi-billion won policies through top Korean insurers, designed to help cover losses from cyber incidents and personal data breaches.

Incident History

In early 2022, Crypto.com experienced a hack resulting in about $15 million in Ether taken; withdrawals were briefly paused and later restored, with no client funds lost, and there have been no major subsequent breaches publicly reported.

Bithumb has endured several hacks and investigations, including major cryptocurrency thefts in 2017 and 2018, a large insider-related loss in 2019, and multiple regulatory probes since then, though it has taken steps to strengthen its security posture.

Risk Controls

The platform enforces strong protections like mandatory 2FA, withdrawal whitelists, anti-phishing mechanisms, API permissions, role-based access, and optional sub-accounts to maintain granular control and mitigate unauthorized access.

The platform employs industry-standard security measures—such as two-factor authentication, withdrawal whitelists, IP restrictions, anti-phishing controls, and regular external audits—to offer layered protection for user accounts and funds.

Transparency

Client assets are maintained in separate, auditable wallets with structural segregation; while public monthly audits or visible SLAs are not routinely published, the architecture reflects operational transparency and institutional-grade security standards.

It has enhanced disclosure practices, driven by its conglomerate status, though real-time proof-of-reserve reporting is not publicly available; ongoing regulatory scrutiny is pushing it toward greater transparency in operations.

Deposits, Withdrawals, KYC & Support

Fiat Deposit Methods

You can fund your account via bank transfer, credit/debit cards, Apple Pay, or Google Pay; minimum and maximum thresholds vary by method and region, ranging from low single-digit amounts up to substantial daily and monthly caps; fund arrivals can be instant (cards/e-wallets) or take several hours to a few business days (bank transfers).

Fiat deposits are exclusively in Korean Won (KRW) and handled via local bank transfers—debit/credit options or e-wallets aren’t supported—amount thresholds vary and processing is typically completed within the same day for local transfers.

Supported Fiat Currencies & Conversion

KYC (Verification Levels)

Users can engage with limited features before KYC; completing full KYC (identity and selfie upload) unlocks higher transaction thresholds and full access to platform services—lower tiers impose strict withdrawal and product restrictions.

Bithumb enforces tiered identity verification—basic phone/email for browsing, but Level 2 KYC is required to activate withdrawals, with higher limits tied to full verification.

Withdrawals

Withdrawals are subject to minimum amounts per coin and daily caps (e.g., around 10 BTC per 24 h); supported networks include ERC-20, TRC-20, BEP-20, etc., and processing times depend on both network congestion and method—crypto withdrawals may take minutes to over an hour.

Crypto withdrawals require KYC Level 2, lower minimums for verified accounts, and are processed within hours (first withdrawal may take longer for security); supported networks include standard chains like ERC-20 and TRC-20, with fees varying by asset.

Customer Support

Help is available via 24/7 in-app chat and email, with typical resolution times varying by query complexity; a detailed knowledge base supports self-help for tutorials and FAQs.

Support is reachable via live chat (available 24/7), email, and a regional phone line; response quality varies, backed by an FAQ and help center to assist common issues.

Languages & Localization

The platform supports native Spanish alongside other languages, displays fees and balances in local currencies such as €, and adapts features based on regional regulatory frameworks for better local relevance.

The interface supports multiple languages including English, with prices shown in KRW—there’s no automatic display in USD or EUR, and localization is limited for non-Korean regulatory zones.

App Quality & Stability

The mobile app is routinely updated and regarded as stable and performant; although official crash-rate metrics aren’t public, regular releases and smooth UX improvements indicate robust maintenance and reliability.

The mobile app delivers a smooth trading interface with real-time data and strong security features (biometric login, 2FA), though user reports cite occasional crashes or slow performance during high-traffic periods.

Experience, Performance & Ecosystem

UX/UI

The platform shines with clear organization and user-friendly navigation, designed to welcome newcomers while offering deeper controls—premium users benefit from a more advanced interface, akin to a “Pro” mode, though there’s no explicitly separate branded version.

The platform strikes a balance between newcomer friendliness and advanced functionality, offering a clean interface with clear labels and comprehensive charting tools, though it doesn’t explicitly offer separate “Lite” or “Pro” modes.

Performance

Crypto.com generally offers swift order execution under normal market conditions, with strong platform resilience, though unsurprisingly, major volatility spikes can slightly increase latency and lead to temporary delays in KYC verification high-traffic periods.

Order execution is generally fast thanks to high liquidity, though peak volatility can bring some delays or gateway slowdowns, and KYC may slow onboarding during intense market rallies.

Education

While Crypto.com offers a variety of educational materials, including guides and announcements, native Spanish content is mostly limited to community posts and localized support updates rather than a dedicated academy or trading simulator in Spanish.

Bithumb provides a dedicated academy and tutorial content via its official channels to help users learn, but it does not currently offer demo accounts or Spanish-language learning resources.

Community

The ecosystem includes vibrant official communities on Discord and Telegram—supportive spaces for updates and peer help—as well as referral incentives, but there’s no central copy-trading or reward-sharing program.

The platform encourages engagement through referral incentives and publishes on Medium, but it lacks officially managed forums, Discord, or Telegram communities for user interaction.

Integrations

Crypto.com integrates with TradingView on its interface, supports native automated tools like DCA and grid bots, and links to external accounting or tax tools; full support for third-party bot platforms is expanding

Bithumb supports external tools like TradingView for charting and provides API/WebSocket access for automation, but lacks built-in tax tools or direct accounting integrations.

Who Each One Is Best For

Beginners appreciate the intuitive onboarding design and helpful community, while intermediate users benefit from advanced charting, automation tools, and the hybrid feel of a “Lite-to-Pro” progression—pro traders may find other services with more dedicated Pro-tier offerings fit their needs better.

It’s ideal for traders seeking a high-liquidity, reliability-focused exchange that caters to a mix of moderate experience levels, whereas those needing demo tools, Spanish-language education, or a vibrant community may look elsewhere.