Gate.Io vs Bitso: Fees, Security, Features & Which to Choose (2025)

Trying to choose between Gate.Io and Bitso 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

Gate.Io

Bitso

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Available Countries

United States

Europe

Latin America

Yes

India

China

Canada

United Kingdom

United States

Europe

Yes

Latin America

India

China

Canada

United Kingdom

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Gate.Io is ideal if:

Perfect for advanced or algorithmic traders, offering powerful tools like trading bots, copy trading, extensive APIs, and access to derivatives across thousands of assets.
Great for altcoin hunters, thanks to one of the broadest selections in the market—over 3,800 cryptocurrencies and nearly 3,000 trading pairs.
Well-suited for passive earners, with diverse opportunities such as staking, crypto lending, auto-invest, and DeFi integration.

Bitso is ideal if:

Latin America–centric users: Tailored for users in Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, and Colombia with local currencies, payments, and regulatory coverage, offering a seamless regional crypto experience.
Beginners who value simplicity: Its intuitive interface and easy onboarding make it a solid entry point for anyone new to crypto trading.
Crypto holders seeking flexible future options: Features like Bitso+ (earnings on your holdings with no lock-ups) and a growing suite of tools make long-term crypto use more rewarding.

Gate.Io isn’t ideal if:

If you prioritize heavy regulatory oversight, Gate.io may fall short as it operates with lighter regulatory frameworks and lacks oversight by major global authorities.
If you're new to crypto and value simplicity, the platform’s advanced interface and multitude of tools can feel overwhelming rather than beginner-friendly.
If you need mobile-first usability, the mobile app may underperform compared to the desktop version, impacting ease of use on the go.

Bitso isn’t ideal if:

…you live outside Latin America: Access and services are focused mainly on countries like Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, and Colombia, limiting availability elsewhere.
…you need a wide range of cryptocurrencies: Bitso’s portfolio is effective for mainstream assets, but lacks the extensive variety offered by larger global exchanges.
…you value fast, hands-on support: Customer service primarily relies on tickets and digital channels, which can result in slower response times when urgent help is needed.

Fees & Total Costs

Spot Maker/Take

Gate.io employs a tiered VIP structure (from VIP0 to VIP16) that adjusts maker and taker spot fees based on your trading volume; you can also use the native GT token to reduce fees, and high-volume market makers may even enjoy negative maker fees via special rebate programs.

Bitso applies a tiered maker–taker structure where fees decrease as your 30-day trading volume increases; for instance, in the USD (USDC) market, maker rates range from ~0.25% at low volumes to ~0.04% at the highest tiers, with taker rates starting around 0.30% and dropping to about 0.05%—there’s no native token discount program.

Futures/Derivatives

Futures trading follows its own tiered fee system with options to reduce taker fees via points or VIP rates; funding rates (which fluctuate based on market conditions) apply to perpetuals and are recalculated periodically to balance long and short positions.

maker/taker and funding

Average Spreads on Liquid Pairs

While Gate.io doesn’t publish fixed spreads, its BTC/USDT and ETH/USDT markets benefit from deep liquidity and tight bid-ask spreads, ensuring competitive execution for high-volume traders.

While Bitso doesn’t publish exact spread figures, available data and reviews suggest it maintains competitive spreads on major, liquid pairs, though not necessarily as tight as ultra-high-volume global platforms.

Fiat Deposits & Withdrawals

Fiat transfers depend on location and may include bank wires, credit/debit cards via partners like Banxa or Simplex, and P2P, with varying processing times and gateway fees—not detailed here to maintain evergreen relevance.

methods, fees, timings

On-chain Withdrawals

Crypto withdrawal fees are dynamic and adjust to blockchain conditions such as congestion; for example, BTC withdrawal fee is dynamically priced and often lower than industry average, while certain networks like TRON adapt under energy-based models.

fixed vs dynamic fees per network (BTC, ETH, TRX, etc.)

Hidden Costs

Additional expenses may crop up via fiat-to-crypto conversion spreads, optional fees for expedited KYC, or premium services—these vary by region and user actions but are part of your effective cost.

currency conversion, inactivity, expedited KYC, etc.

Real-World Cost Example: “€500 BTC

You’d face a small spread on the spot pair, a spot taker fee (reducible via VIP or GT), possible conversion costs from EUR to USDT/BTC, and a dynamic blockchain fee when withdrawing—altogether, the total cost blends spread, trading fee, currency conversion, and network withdrawal cost.

“Buying €500 in BTC” (fee + spread + withdrawal)

Crypto Offering & Trading Features

Number of Coins & Pairs

Gate.io supports a vast array of more than 3,600 to near 3,900 cryptocurrencies and over 2,500 to 3,800 trading pairs, covering everything from major coins to niche altcoins—its top 20 pairs by volume regularly include staples like BTC/USDT and ETH/USDT.

Bitso offers around 100 trading pairs and supports roughly 55–100 cryptocurrencies, with top-volume instruments like BTC, ETH, XRP, SOL, and USDC featuring prominently among the top 20 by liquidity.

Product Range

The platform offers nearly every major trading and investment option, including spot, margin, perpetual futures, options, copy trading, grid bots, auto DCA, staking/earn programs, loan services, and even ETF-like passive products.

Bitso provides spot trading plus a flexible staking/earn product (Bitso Earn) and fiat-crypto remittances (via Bitso Shift), but it does not offer margin, derivatives (futures/options), ETFs, lending, copy trading, grid bots, or automated DCA strategies.

Liquidity

Gate.io consistently ranks among the global top three for 24-hour spot trading volume, demonstrating deep market depth—liquidity in BTC/USDT and ETH/USDT is robust, ensuring tight order book spreads and ample execution for sizeable trades.

Daily volumes for major pairs like BTC/USDT and ETH/USDT run into the tens of millions USD, offering sound liquidity and stable order-book depth, though not as deep as global mega-exchanges.

Tools

Traders on Gate.io benefit from advanced tools including limit, stop, and OCO orders, trading alerts, rich native charting, comprehensive APIs with WebSocket support, and integrated TradingView charts for sophisticated analysis.

Bitso supports market, limit, stop-loss, and stop-limit orders, integrates with TradingView for advanced charting, offers price alerts, and provides robust API/WebSocket access through its Bitso Alpha platform.

Geographic Restrictions by Product

Certain sophisticated products like derivatives, futures, or margin trading may be restricted in specific regions due to regulatory constraints, meaning availability will vary depending on your jurisdiction.

Certain advanced features like staking and fiat on-ramps are limited to Latin American residents; derivatives and margin aren’t offered at all, and access is restricted outside these primary markets.

Innovation

Gate.io stays ahead in innovation with features like launchpad/token sales (IEOs), launchpool events, and flexible vs locked “earn” staking products—all part of its ecosystem-driven approach to expanding passive and active income streams.

Bitso excels with its flexible-earn staking (withdraw anytime, weekly rewards) and has broadened coverage into emerging DeFi space by adding new tokens like HYPE, though it doesn’t currently run launchpads or locked-pool offerings.

Security, Regulation & Custody

Operating Entity & Jurisdiction

Gate.io was founded in April 2013 by Dr. Lin Han and operates under the Gate Group umbrella from multiple jurisdictions, with its main legal base often linked to entities such as Gate Technology Ltd and other affiliates spread across regions.

Bitso operates under the legal entity Badger Technology Company Ltd, incorporated in Gibraltar, with operations stretching across Latin America since its launch in 2014 out of Mexico City.

Licenses/Registration

Gate Group holds a Class 4 VFA license in Malta, registrations as a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) in Lithuania and Italy, plus operational approvals in Hong Kong, the UAE (DMCC and VARA), the Bahamas, and others—ensuring compliance across key markets.

The platform holds a pioneering DLT license from the Gibraltar Financial Services Commission and operates in Mexico under the local Fintech law as an authorized payment institution (IFPE).

Custody

Gate.io uses its own custody infrastructure paired with third-party oversight, employs an open-source Merkle-Tree based Proof-of-Reserves system (upgraded with zk-SNARKs), audited by Hacken and standalone firms, offering transparency over asset backing far above 100 %.

Bitso uses its own custody infrastructure, reinforced with multi-signature controls and disaster recovery via CoinCover, and offers transparency through real-time security metrics via its Trust Center.

Insurance & Protection Funds

Gate.io maintains the Gate SAFU fund—a reserve pool designed to serve as an emergency protection mechanism for user assets—offering a supplementary safety layer in case of extreme incidents.

Bitso has complemented its digital-asset protection by partnering with CoinCover to provide additional risk mitigation and recovery mechanisms for user funds.

Incident History

While Gate.io has avoided major publicized hacks, it made headlines in 2022 for helping return a mis-sent $416 million in ETH from another exchange—demonstrating a transparent response capability and operational integrity.

To date, Bitso has not experienced any known hacks or security breaches, and it has a track record of uninterrupted service without suspensions or major compliance penalties.

Risk Controls

The platform includes robust security features such as mandatory two-factor authentication (2FA), anti-phishing safeguards, whitelisting of withdrawal addresses, tiered sub-accounts, and finely-granular API permissions for tailored access control.

The platform enforces robust risk safeguards including two-factor authentication (2FA), phishing prevention, transaction whitelists, and granular API permissions for institutional users.

Transparency

Gate.io stands out for its high transparency—publishing monthly PoR reserve ratios (e.g., total reserves > $10 billion with ~128 % backing), providing public wallet addresses, and committing to service-level expectations through audit-backed disclosures.

In the interest of openness, Bitso shares live security and compliance metrics in its Trust Center, though it does not produce regular reserve or transparency reports or public wallets.

Deposits, Withdrawals, KYC & Support

Fiat Deposit Methods

Gate.io supports fiat deposits via bank transfers, credit/debit cards, and third-party providers like Simplex, Banxa, and Mercuryo, though availability, limits, and processing times depend on your region.

Bitso accepts fiat deposits via local bank transfers (e.g., SPEI in Mexico, Pix in Brazil), digital dollars through Payoneer, and in some markets, card deposits; minimum and maximum deposit amounts vary based on local regulations and bank systems, and transfer times generally align with domestic banking hours.

Supported Fiat Currencies & Conversion

KYC (Verification Levels)

Gate.io requires KYC, using a tiered risk-based approach (from basic identity to advanced address verification) that determines your access and daily withdrawal limits—higher levels offer greater flexibility and limits.

There are typically three KYC tiers

Withdrawals

Withdrawal limits rise substantially with verification level (e.g., from USD 100k equivalent up to millions per day), and available networks such as TRC20, ERC20, BEP20 depend on the asset—processing times and fees vary.

Limits, Timing & Networks

Customer Support

Gate.io provides 24/7 support through live chat and email, boasting fast response times, along with a comprehensive help center full of guides and FAQs.

Bitso provides support through live chat and an extensive Help Center ticket system, with response times typically within 24–48 hours and a rich knowledge base to guide users.

Languages & Localization

The platform is highly globalized, offering full support in over a dozen languages, and displays pricing and interface elements in common currencies like USD and EUR, accommodating diverse user bases.

The platform operates natively in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, displays fees in relevant local currencies, and tailors its services to comply with regional legal and regulatory frameworks.

App Quality & Stability

The Gate.io mobile app offers full trading functionality and real-time data, though user feedback notes occasional sluggishness or UI lag—especially under heavy load or rapid market moves.

Bitso’s mobile app (available for iOS and Android) mirrors the web platform in functionality and offers a smooth trading experience with strong user reviews, suggesting stability and regular updates.

Experience, Performance & Ecosystem

UX/UI

Gate.io offers both “Lite” and “Pro” trading modes—Lite is streamlined and user-friendly for beginners, while Pro packs charts, order types, and data panels for experienced traders, giving users an adjustable interface that aligns with their skill level.

Bitso caters to different skill levels by offering a stripped-down classic mode for newcomers and the more advanced Alpha Pro interface for serious traders—both seamlessly blend intuitive design with enhanced charting and order tools, making the learning curve manageable yet scalable.

Performance

Order execution is generally swift, though during extreme market swings there can be minor delays or slowed UI responsiveness; KYC review waits can also stretch in bull phases when new registrations surge, causing temporary bottlenecks.

Bitso’s Alpha Pro is optimized for fast trade execution and generally maintains uptime even during busy periods; however, during bull markets, KYC queues can lengthen, occasionally delaying full access for new users.

Education

Gate’s learning platform features interactive tutorials, live articles, and a practicing simulator for options—though most materials are in English, they’ve recently added some Spanish-language content and step-by-step guides to ease onboarding.

Although Bitso doesn’t offer a trading simulator or demo, it does provide educational content—including guides and insights—in Spanish across its blog and Help Center, making it accessible for Spanish-speaking users seeking self-guided learning.

Community

Gate.io supports an active user ecosystem with a Community Center, official blog updates, and social channels (including Discord/Telegram), plus a rewarding referral program that encourages peer sharing and learning.

Bitso fosters community engagement through active channels like official Telegram groups and a referral program, though it doesn’t operate a public forum or Discord server specifically for user discussions.

Integrations

Gate integrates natively with TradingView for advanced charting, supports external trading bots, and connects to tax/reporting tools like Blockpit—helping users with strategy automation and financial recordkeeping.

Bitso integrates directly with TradingView, enabling charting and analysis of its full spot-pair range; it also supports external integration via its robust API, though it lacks built-in tax tools or direct accounting integrations.

Who Each One Is Best For

Gate.io is a strong fit for tech-savvy traders who value depth, flexibility, and ecosystem integration; it’s well-suited to those looking to level up from simple platforms but may feel dense for casual or beginner users who prefer straightforward, minimal interfaces.

Bitso offers an ideal blend of simplicity and capability for Latin American users—from beginners enjoying the clean interface to intermediate traders accessing Alpha Pro—making it less suited for algorithmic traders, simulator users, or those needing integrated financial tooling.