Firstrade vs Bingx: Fees, Security, Features & Which to Choose (2025)

Trying to choose between Firstrade and Bingx 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 September 1, 2025

Firstrade

Bingx

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Available Countries

United States

Yes

Europe

Latin America

India

China

Canada

United Kingdom

Yes

United States

Yes

Europe

Yes

Latin America

Yes

India

China

Yes

Canada

Yes

United Kingdom

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Firstrade is ideal if:

Perfect if you value simplicity and self-led growth — Firstrade shines for investors who want a straightforward platform enhanced by rich educational content and intuitive tools like Options Wizard and FirstradeGPT.
Great for cost-conscious traders focused on the US market — It delivers commission-free trading across stocks, ETFs, options, and mutual funds, ideal if you prioritize low ongoing costs and trade U.S. securities.
Not ideal if you need advanced or global asset access — The platform doesn’t offer futures, forex, crypto, IPOs, or international markets, so it's not suited for highly diversified or exotic investment strategies.

Bingx is ideal if:

Social or copy traders: You’ll benefit from one of the most robust copy-trading ecosystems in crypto, with transparent trader metrics and automated execution tools.
Beginners needing ease and tools: The platform combines a clean, intuitive interface with demo trading, grid bots, and straightforward guidance—designed to ease newcomers into crypto trading.
Leverage and derivatives users: Advanced traders get access to high leverage (up to 125×), diverse derivatives beyond crypto (like forex, indices, commodities), and TradingView-style analysis features.

Firstrade isn’t ideal if:

If you seek automated or advisor-led services — Firstrade doesn’t provide AI-driven trading automation, robo-advice, or personalized financial planning options.
If you need access to non-U.S. or exotic markets — It excludes futures, forex, international equities, and advanced asset classes, limiting your global exposure opportunities.
If you prioritize sleek navigation and advanced macroscopic insights — The platform’s layout can feel cluttered, with limited portfolio tracking and broader market analytics visible at a glance.

Bingx isn’t ideal if:

You want direct fiat trading or card support: If you prefer depositing and withdrawing fiat currencies directly, this may be a drawback—BingX relies heavily on third-party or stablecoin conversions rather than full fiat integration.
You need full support in heavily regulated markets: Residents of countries like the US, UK, or Canada may not be able to access the platform due to local restrictions or compliance policies.
You expect phone-based customer support: Support options are limited to email and live chat, so if you need voice assistance, this platform may fall short for your needs.

Fees & Total Costs

Spot Maker/Take

Firstrade does not operate on a crypto exchange-style maker/taker fee model since it primarily offers commission-free trading for stocks, ETFs, options, and mutual funds; there are no volume-based discounts tied to a native token.

Most major spot pairs carry a flat maker-and-taker rate of around 0.1 %, though less liquid or niche tokens may incur slightly higher rates up to 0.15 %, and VIP levels or usage of the native token can unlock discounts.

Futures/Derivatives

Firstrade does not support trading in futures, options on crypto, or any leveraged derivative contracts, so there are no maker/taker or funding fees in this category.

Perpetual futures typically cost about 0.02 % for makers and 0.05 % for takers, plus a funding rate that updates roughly every eight hours and can swing depending on market imbalances.

Average Spreads on Liquid Pairs

As Firstrade does not currently offer direct spot cryptocurrency trading, there are no applicable spreads for BTC/USDT or ETH/USDT pairs within its platform.

For top-tier pairs like BTC/USDT and ETH/USDT, the spreads are very tight, reflecting strong liquidity and efficient execution in the order book.

Fiat Deposits & Withdrawals

Deposits and withdrawals are processed via ACH, wire transfers, and check requests; ACH is typically free and fast (1–2 business days), while wires may have a fee and take 1–3 days depending on the bank.

Users must rely on third-party services (like MoonPay or Mercuryo) or P2P methods for fiat funding; BingX itself doesn’t charge fees, but providers may, and processing times vary by method and geography.

On-chain Withdrawals

Since Firstrade does not facilitate direct on-chain crypto transfers, there are no blockchain network withdrawal fees for BTC, ETH, TRX, or other tokens.

Crypto withdrawals are charged a flat network-based fee per token—e.g., approximately 0.0005 BTC, 0.005 ETH, or 1 USDT (TRC-20)—subject to variation based on congestion and blockchain conditions.

Hidden Costs

The main extra cost to be aware of is currency conversion for non-USD accounts; Firstrade does not charge inactivity or expedited account verification fees.

Additional costs may include a 0.2 % currency conversion fee when depositing in a different fiat than your account base, possible inactivity or express KYC fees in rare cases, and variable third-party fees on fiat rails.

Real-World Cost Example: “€500 BTC

This action cannot be performed directly on Firstrade, as it does not provide native crypto purchasing; acquiring BTC would require an external platform, where costs would depend on that provider’s commission, spread, and withdrawal fee structure.

In this scenario, you’d face the spot trading fee (~0.1 %), a small spread on BTC/USDT, any conversion fee if deposited in euros (~0.2 %), and the fixed network withdrawal fee to take BTC off the platform.

Crypto Offering & Trading Features

Number of Coins & Pairs

Firstrade offers trading in approximately 38–41 cryptocurrencies, focusing on spot pairs only—there’s no full order book with crypto-to-crypto pairings, just single-asset buys priced in USD on their platform.

BingX supports over 1,000 cryptocurrencies across more than 1,000 trading pairs, with the top-20 pairs by volume heavily featuring mainstream assets like BTC/USDT, ETH/USDT, SOL, XRP, DOGE, ADA, LINK, and TRX.

Product Range

Firstrade supports only spot cryptocurrency trading; it does not support margin, perpetuals, futures, options, ETFs on crypto, staking, lending, copy trading, grid bot tools, or automated DCA programs.

The platform covers a full spectrum of instruments—spot trading, margin, perpetual futures (perps), copy trading, grid bots, staking, wealth products, lending/loans, and promotional staking, though it doesn’t currently offer options or crypto ETFs.

Liquidity

Firstrade does not disclose actual 24-hour volume or order book depth data for crypto; trading occurs via their internal system with instant settlement but without traditional exchange-level liquidity metrics.

BingX regularly sees multi-billion-dollar 24 h trading volume, with a deep order book on major pairs like BTC and ETH ensuring tight spreads and swift execution even amid market swings.

Tools

Their crypto offering includes basic order types, real-time quotes, charts, and research features, but lacks advanced tools such as stop/OCO orders, advanced charting, native TradingView integration, alerts, or API/WS access for crypto.

Traders can access a comprehensive toolkit

Geographic Restrictions by Product

Crypto trading is available only to users in the United States; there are no crypto markets or services offered outside U.S. jurisdictions.

Certain advanced products—especially derivatives and copy trading—may be unavailable or restricted in jurisdictions like the US, UK, and Canada due to regulatory constraints.

Innovation

Firstrade has not rolled out innovation tools like launchpad/launchpool, nor any flexible vs blocked crypto-earned programs—its crypto offerings remain simple and limited to direct spot purchases.

BingX stands out with its Launchpad and Launchpool programs for new token access, plus flexible vs. locked staking options, making it attractive for users aiming to participate in early-stage token launches.

Security, Regulation & Custody

Operating Entity & Jurisdiction

The crypto service is delivered through Firstrade Crypto LLC, a U.S.-based subsidiary operating under parent company Firstrade Securities Inc., founded in 1985 and headquartered in Flushing, New York.

BingX is operated by BingX Group, established in 2018, with headquarters in Singapore and branch offices across the EU, Australia, and Hong Kong, serving a global user base.

Licenses/Registration

Firstrade Securities operates as a registered broker-dealer under FINRA and the SEC; crypto trading itself is facilitated by Apex Crypto LLC, acting under regulatory standards but without explicit VASP or MiCA licensing.

The platform holds Money Services Business (MSB) registrations in the United States and Canada, demonstrating regulatory compliance for digital asset and FX services in those regions.

Custody

Cryptocurrency custody is handled by Apex Crypto LLC as a third-party provider—not held on Firstrade’s own infrastructure. There’s no publicly shared proof of reserves, audit reports, or stated cold-storage percentages.

BingX entrusts custody to a combination of its own infrastructure and bank-grade systems, stores around 90 % of assets in cold wallets, publishes Proof of Reserves reports (typically bi-monthly), and undergoes independent audits by third parties.

Insurance & Protection Funds

While traditional account assets benefit from SIPC and possibly FDIC protections, crypto holdings are not covered under these programs and have no dedicated insurance or extra custodian protection.

A dedicated Shield Fund exists to safeguard users from extreme volatility and leveraged position failures, complementing the security infrastructure.

Incident History

Firstrade hasn’t suffered publicized hacks or major suspensions tied to its crypto platform; however, it recently received FINRA censure and a fine for misleading communications about crypto offerings via an affiliate.

In September 2024, BingX experienced a hot-wallet breach resulting in significant asset loss, after which it restored operations fully and launched the “ShieldX” security enhancement program.

Risk Controls

Firstrade enforces strong security measures including multi-factor authentication, SSL encryption, firewalls, fraud detection systems, phishing education, and a secure security center, but doesn’t highlight features like API permissions or sub-accounts for crypto.

Users benefit from robust controls including mandatory two-factor authentication (2FA) via email, phone, or authenticator apps, optional fund-password separation, anti-phishing codes, withdrawal whitelists, account locking, AI-augmented withdrawal reviews, and granular API and sub-account permissions.

Transparency

There’s no public monthly reporting or wallet audit data available for crypto holdings. Users rely on Firstrade’s Online Protection Guarantee for unauthorized trades, yet there’s no SLA or public wallet addresses disclosed.

The platform provides periodic Proof of Reserves disclosures, engages in regular security audits and penetration testing, and offers enhanced monitoring via ShieldX infrastructure, though public wallet addresses or formal SLA documents are not prominently featured.

Deposits, Withdrawals, KYC & Support

Fiat Deposit Methods

Firstrade supports fiat deposits via ACH, wire transfer, check, and transfers from other brokerages; ACH from U.S. bank accounts is fee-free and takes a couple of business days, wires are faster but involve sending-bank fees, and check deposits vary by type and processing, with some available immediately.

BingX accepts fiat deposits via bank transfers (such as SEPA or local rails), credit/debit cards, and e-wallets; daily and monthly limits vary by KYC level—unverified users face tighter limits, while advanced-verified accounts enjoy unlimited access—and deposit times range from instant to a few business days depending on the method and region.

Supported Fiat Currencies & Conversion

KYC (Verification Levels)

There’s no formal tiered KYC structure; account opening requires ID verification, and once verified, users can access full services—there are no intermediate “basic” or “advanced” levels with differing limits.

BingX offers tiered KYC—Unverified, Basic, and Advanced—with gradually increasing deposit and withdrawal limits; for example, unverified users have modest caps, Basic KYC allows mid-tier limits, while Advanced KYC unlocks unlimited usage and fiat features like launchpad access.

Withdrawals

Withdrawals are available via ACH, check, or wire—ACH (up to $50,000 per day) is free and takes 1–2 business days, checks may take up to two weeks depending on delivery, and wires cost a fee and take several days; crypto token withdrawals (e.g. ERC20/TRC20) are not supported.

limits, times, and networks

Customer Support

Support is offered via email and U.S. phone during business hours, complemented by a Help Center with FAQs—there’s no 24/7 live chat, and response times and knowledge base depth are moderate and office-hour dependent.

BingX provides 24/7 support via live chat (web/app) and email, backed by a comprehensive Help Center; response times are generally prompt, and they regularly upgrade their support system to enhance reliability.

Languages & Localization

The platform and mobile app support English, Simplified Chinese, and Traditional Chinese; the interface displays USD values only, with no localized support for Spanish or Euro-based users—reflecting its U.S.-centric design.

The platform supports multiple languages (English, Spanish, French, etc.) and displays fees in fiat like EUR or USD depending on user region; Turkish support was removed recently due to regulatory changes, but localization remains robust overall.

App Quality & Stability

The Firstrade app (iOS/Android) is well-rated, noted for intuitive navigation and sync across devices, though some users report occasional crashes; regular updates enhance features and UX, but no official crash-rate metrics are disclosed.

Experience, Performance & Ecosystem

UX/UI

Firstrade delivers a clean, beginner-friendly interface that helps new users get started quickly, though it doesn’t offer distinct “Lite” or “Pro” modes; advanced traders may find the layout functional but not deeply customizable.

While there’s no official crash-rate metric, users frequently report occasional app crashes or performance hiccups on both Android and iOS; BingX recommends keeping the app updated, clearing cache, and restarting it to mitigate such issues.

Performance

Firstrade offers solid performance under normal conditions, but during high-volatility events, users sometimes note slight delays in order execution; account verification remains swift even during surges, with KYC queues rarely causing major hold-ups.

Order latency is generally low, ensuring quick fills even under normal market conditions, though performance can slow slightly during volatile spikes; KYC queues may grow during bull runs, causing temporary delays before trading access is granted.

Education

The platform provides a rich library of written and video educational resources for investing concepts, though it lacks a dedicated simulator or demo trading environment and does not yet offer educational content in Spanish.

Users enjoy access to a built-in academy with tutorials, demo trading and simulator features to practice risk-free, as well as educational materials increasingly available in Spanish, though the depth varies by content.

Community

Firstrade does not operate official community channels like Discord or Telegram. It did run a referral program in the past, but that has been discontinued, and users must rely on formal help centers rather than peer-driven forums.

There’s an active official presence across forums, Telegram, and occasionally Discord, supported by a referral program that rewards users for bringing in new traders—this community dynamic enhances learning and engagement.

Integrations

Firstrade recently integrated advanced research tools from Trading Central, but doesn’t support direct TradingView charting, bot trading, or built-in tax/accounting integrations—users rely on manual methods or third-party tools.

The platform integrates with TradingView for advanced charting, supports external trading bots, and works with third-party tax and accounting tools—simplifying strategy execution and post-trading record-keeping.

Who Each One Is Best For

Firstrade shines with investors who value a reliable, easy-to-use platform with educational support and occasional advanced tools—ideal for self-directed U.S. investors prioritizing simplicity over complex trading setups.

The interface’s dual mode suits both beginners (Lite) and seasoned traders (Pro); the robust ecosystem and tools make it especially attractive for users focused on social trading, automated strategies, and efficient workflow integration.