Htx vs Giottus: Fees, Security, Features & Which to Choose (2025)

Trying to choose between Htx and Giottus 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

Htx

Giottus

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Available Countries

United States

Europe

Yes

Latin America

Yes

India

Yes

China

Canada

United Kingdom

United States

Europe

Latin America

Yes

India

China

Canada

United Kingdom

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Htx is ideal if:

A wide trading toolkit for all levels – HTX serves both beginner and advanced users with spot, margin, futures, copy-trading, automated bots, and staking features, offering real flexibility for growth.
Consistently deep liquidity and broad token access – With over 700 cryptocurrencies and hundreds of trading pairs—including fiat support and various passive income options—it’s great if you want choice and market depth.
Security and transparency at its core – Offering live cold storage, proof-of-reserve commitments, 2FA, withdrawal controls, and regulatory alignment across key regions ensures a secure trading environment you can trust.

Giottus is ideal if:

Beginners or INR-first users: Perfectly suited—it offers ultra-fast INR deposits and a highly intuitive interface tailored for Indian users.
Security-focused traders: Excellent choice—bank-level encryption, massive redundancies, and a high-throughput matching engine ensure a stable and safe environment.
Looking for global or altcoin variety?: Likely not ideal—limited international reach and a narrower crypto selection compared to global exchanges.

Htx isn’t ideal if:

Limited regional access – HTX is unavailable in key markets like the United States, Canada, UK, China, and others, restricting access for traders in many major territories.
Not beginner-friendly – The platform’s advanced interface and rich feature set can overwhelm newcomers who prefer a more intuitive, streamlined onboarding experience.
Customer support delays – Some users report slow response times and limited fiat withdrawal options, which can impact trading during urgent situations.

Giottus isn’t ideal if:

Need broad altcoin access? Not the best fit—Giottus’s crypto selection is more modest compared to global exchanges.
Globally located or outside India? Probably not an ideal match—its services and availability remain largely confined to India.
Seeking advanced trading tools? Might fall short—it lacks some sophisticated features demanded by experienced or professional traders.

Fees & Total Costs

Spot Maker/Take

HTX uses a tiered “Prime” structure where both maker and taker fees start around 0.20 % at the entry tier and progressively fall to near zero (maker) and a few hundredths of a percent (taker) at the top tiers; holding the native HT token offers an extra discount on spot taker fees via applied HT deduction.

Giottus offers zero maker fees and standard taker fees on crypto-INR trades, with no extra incentive tiers tied to volume or token discounts—so your trading costs stay predictably low regardless of how much you trade.

Futures/Derivatives

Futures contracts (USDT- or coin-margined) begin with maker fees around 0.02 % and takers around 0.05–0.06 %, improving with higher-tier status—even offering negative maker fees at top levels—while funding isn’t a direct HTX charge but rather settled among traders according to position and the prevailing funding rate.

At present, Giottus does not support futures or derivatives products, so there’s no maker/taker structure or funding rate to factor into your cost analysis.

Average Spreads on Liquid Pairs

HTX reports tight spreads on major pairs like BTC/USDT and ETH/USDT; spreads tend to remain narrow thanks to deep liquidity, though exact percentages aren’t published—indicative of competitive conditions.

While exact figures fluctuate, spreads on Giottus appear in line with industry norms for liquid crypto pairs like BTC/USDT and ETH/USDT, reflecting competitive pricing for actively traded markets.

Fiat Deposits & Withdrawals

Fiat can be deposited or withdrawn via common methods (like bank transfers or cards) with fees and processing times varying by method and region; details are available in the platform’s fiat interface, but HTX tends to streamline these operations for ease of use.

You can deposit or withdraw INR instantly (24/7) via IMPS or UPI with zero fees for normal transactions—instant methods are processed in seconds or minutes through your bank, while traditional IMPS/NEFT may take a few hours depending on timing.

On-chain Withdrawals

Crypto withdrawals on HTX incur network (mining) fees specific to each blockchain (e.g. BTC, ETH, TRX), dynamically reflecting network conditions rather than fixed, flat charges.

Crypto withdrawal fees are set per coin and network, typically fixed values rather than dynamic; for example, BTC withdrawals follow a set fee, and various networks like ETH or TRX similarly have fixed charges per transfer.

Hidden Costs

Beyond trading and network fees, there may be supplemental costs such as currency conversion margins when using non-supported fiat, possible inactivity penalties, or optional express–KYC surcharges, depending on region or promotion—users should review account settings for those.

Giottus does not layer hidden charges—there’s no currency conversion markup, no inactivity penalty, and no premium KYC option; all core costs align with publicly declared fee structures and are transparently applied.

Real-World Cost Example: “€500 BTC

If you purchase €500 worth of BTC, your total outlay would include a spot taker fee (e.g. ~0.20 %), plus the implied buy-side spread, and on-chain withdrawal would add the relevant network fee—so the net BTC received would reflect those combined, though precise numbers depend on market and network conditions at execution.

Imagine converting €500 to INR, then using that to buy BTC and withdrawing it

Crypto Offering & Trading Features

Number of Coins & Pairs

HTX lists over 700 digital assets (some sources suggest over 1,000, though officially it’s 700+) and supports hundreds of trading pairs; the top 20 by volume typically include heavily traded pairs like BTC/USDT, ETH/USDT, XRP/USDT, and other high-liquidity altcoin-USDT combinations, reflecting mainstream market interest.

Giottus supports roughly 300+ cryptocurrencies across 300+ trading pairs, with the top 20 by volume dominated by INR pairs like USDT/INR, ETH/INR, BTC/INR, SOL/USDT, and XRP/INR—these reflect the most active and liquid markets.

Product Range

HTX delivers a robust suite

The platform offers a comprehensive spot exchange plus fiat-crypto and crypto-crypto trades, along with earning tools like staking, lending, curated baskets, and automated SIP (Systematic Investment Plan), but it does not offer margin, derivatives, ETFs, options, copy trading, grid bots, or DCA tools.

Liquidity

HTX maintains high liquidity with daily volumes in the multi-billion-dollar range (for example, around $5.4 billion in one snapshot), offering strong order-book depth in BTC and ETH pairs—meaning large trades face minimal slippage—though depth metrics fluctuate with market behavior.

While specific volume metrics change daily, Giottus ranks as one of India’s most liquid exchanges, aggregating liquidity from sources like Bitfinex to ensure shallow slippage and solid order-book depth on pairs like BTC/INR and ETH/INR.

Tools

Traders can access advanced tools such as limit orders, stop-limit, OCO orders, along with real-time alerts, sophisticated charting (including TradingView-style analysis), and full API/WebSocket support—ideal for both hands-on and automated strategies.

The platform supports basic order types (like limit and market) on a real-time order book with charting tools; it integrates advanced visuals and historical data into its UI, though full native TradingView charts or API/WS support aren’t prominently featured.

Geographic Restrictions by Product

Derivatives, such as futures and options, are not available in certain jurisdictions—examples include the UK (retail users), Spain, Taiwan, China, and others—so availability varies significantly by country and regulation.

Giottus’s products are fully accessible only within India, and features like its earning tools and spot functionality are not available to users outside Indian jurisdiction.

Innovation

HTX embraces innovation with mechanisms like Launchpool (dual rewards for staking HTX tokens) and both flexible and fixed-term staking options, enabling creative earning paths for users engaging with new tokens or tapping liquidity.

The platform introduces innovation through curated crypto baskets and SIP investment mechanisms, and while it offers staking and lending, it does not currently support launchpad/launchpool offerings or differentiate between flexible and locked yield products.

Security, Regulation & Custody

Operating Entity & Jurisdiction

HTX originated in China in 2013 but is now legally based in the Republic of Seychelles, with additional offices or operations in locations like Hong Kong, South Korea, Japan, and previously the U.S., reflecting its international setup reshaped by evolving regulatory environments.

Giottus is operated by Giottus Technologies Pvt Ltd, established in 2017, with its headquarters located in Chennai, India.

Licenses/Registration

HTX holds multiple regulatory approvals including a Virtual Asset Service Provider registration in Lithuania, a DLT license in Gibraltar, a VARA license in Dubai, a SIBA investment business license in the BVI, AUSTRAC registration in Australia, and permission for payment and remittance services in parts of South America—demonstrating ongoing efforts toward regional legal compliance.

As an Indian crypto service provider, Giottus is registered with the Financial Intelligence Unit–India as a Virtual Asset Service Provider, fully complying with local regulatory obligations under the AML/PMLA framework.

Custody

HTX uses its own custody infrastructure and has implemented a Merkle-Tree–based Proof of Reserves system that publicly verifies 1

own vs third-party; Proof of Reserves, audits, % cold reserves

Insurance & Protection Funds

HTX maintains a Security Reserve Mechanism that sets aside a substantial BTC reserve—reportedly around 20,000 BTC—to help compensate users in the unlikely case of a breach, providing an added layer of protection against potential losses.

There is no indication that Giottus currently maintains an insurance policy or dedicated insurance fund to cover unexpected losses or custodial risks.

Incident History

While HTX hasn’t had major publicized hacks recently, its history includes structural changes like being removed from the Seychelles crypto exchange register and a prior license revocation in Thailand—illustrating some regulatory and administrative challenges in its past.

To date, Giottus has not reported any major security breaches, exchange suspensions, or regulatory penalties, reflecting a clean track record in operational integrity and compliance.

Risk Controls

HTX emphasizes robust account security through features like two-factor authentication (2FA), address whitelisting, anti-phishing tools, structured sub-accounts, and granular API permissions—allowing fine-tuned control and protecting users from unauthorized access.

The exchange enforces industry-standard security measures including mandatory two-factor authentication, KYC-linked withdrawal tiers, and integration with compliance tools that bolster governance and anti-phishing defenses—though features like sub-accounts or granular API permissioning aren’t prominently highlighted.

Transparency

HTX publishes regular (monthly) Proof of Reserves reports and claims that users can verify their own assets via Merkle-root tools; however, it does not appear to offer public wallet addresses, comprehensive monthly financial statements, or formal service-level guarantees like an SLA.

Giottus enhances transparency through its pending Proof of Reserves initiative and public communication via blog updates, but it does not currently publish routine monthly audit reports, public wallet addresses, or formalized service-level agreements.

Deposits, Withdrawals, KYC & Support

Fiat Deposit Methods

HTX accepts fiat deposits via bank transfers (e.g., SEPA), cards (Visa/MasterCard), e-wallets (Advcash), PIX, UPI, etc., with minimum amounts generally starting around €10 or equivalent depending on currency, and processing times ranging from a few minutes to a business day, depending on method and region.

You can deposit INR into your Giottus account via UPI or IMPS instantly 24/7, and via NEFT/IMPS during the day with zero fees—both processing are fast, with instant routes completing in seconds and normal deposits credited within a couple of hours.

Supported Fiat Currencies & Conversion

KYC (Verification Levels)

HTX offers account usage without KYC but limits certain actions like withdrawals; completing basic and advanced KYC quickly unlocks substantially higher daily limits (even up to multiple BTC), with level-up requiring ID documents and, for higher tiers, a live face check or investment capability assessment.

Giottus enforces a tiered KYC system, where completing full identity verification (PAN, Aadhaar or equivalent) unlocks access to higher withdrawal limits that are evaluated individually by compliance—there’s no zero-KYC tier for active trading.

Withdrawals

limits, timing & networks

Crypto withdrawals are subject to fixed network fees and follow network-specific protocols, while INR withdrawals up to ₹200,000 via IMPS are instant and free, and larger amounts are processed using NEFT according to banking timings, with limits adjusted to your KYC tier.

Customer Support

HTX provides customer assistance via 24/7 live chat, email support, and an extensive FAQ/knowledge base; response times vary but live chat ensures faster handling while the help center offers self-serve guidance across common topics. (No specific data found; this is based on typical platform structure.)

Support is available through live chat, email, and phone, with a helpful knowledge base to guide users—response tends to be prompt, although peak hours may cause slight delays.

Languages & Localization

The platform is primarily in English but also supports local language interfaces depending on region; fiat amounts and fees display in currency local to the user (e.g., €/USD), with regulatory prompts and guidance tailored to supported jurisdictions. (Platform behavior inferred from multilingual support practices.)

The platform is localized mainly for Indian users, with interface and support in English and amounts shown in INR; the legal and compliance framework is aligned with Indian regulatory standards.

App Quality & Stability

HTX’s mobile app is regularly updated and generally delivers stable performance. Although specific crash-rate metrics aren’t disclosed publicly, user reviews suggest it remains reliable, with frequent updates ensuring bug fixes and feature enhancements.

The mobile app is generally stable and regularly maintained, with no widespread reports of frequent crashes; regular updates keep the platform current and responsive to user needs.

Experience, Performance & Ecosystem

UX/UI

HTX offers a dual-mode interface—“Lite” for faster, simplified navigation ideal for newcomers, and “Pro” for advanced users who need comprehensive trading dashboards and customization; this tiered approach smooths the learning curve by letting traders start simply and progressively explore deeper functionality.

Giottus features a clean, intuitive interface with minimal learning curve that suits both novices and more advanced users; there is no explicit “Lite” or “Pro” toggle, but the platform naturally accommodates different experience levels through its organized layout and simplified navigation.

Performance

Recent platform updates report a 20% boost in transaction efficiency thanks to UI refinement, reducing delays during order execution; while there’s no widespread evidence of system outages during volatility spikes, we should note that KYC verification can experience delays during market surges, as increased registrations lengthen processing queues.

Built on a high-capacity trading engine capable of processing tens of thousands of transactions per second, Giottus maintains fast order execution even during volatile periods and has engineered resilience to handle surges, while KYC queues remain manageable thanks to its streamlined verification process.

Education

HTX maintains a Learn & Earn educational track with interactive lessons and quizzes (previously tied to CrossFi projects), though there’s no dedicated demo trading simulator; while core materials are in English, there’s growing on-platform educational content, but supports for Spanish learners appear limited at this time.

While Giottus invests in user education through blog posts and public awareness initiatives, it does not currently offer an in-app academy, simulator, demo mode, or content in Spanish—its educational assets are more operational and aimed at raising general crypto awareness.

Community

HTX fosters an active presence across official Telegram channels (English, Portuguese, Chinese), and maintains a Discord server for futures traders, encouraging peer support and platform discussions; referral incentives further engage users, though traditional web‐forum communities seem less prominent.

Giottus builds community engagement via its official Telegram channel and referral program that rewards users for inviting friends, but it does not appear to operate public forums or an official Discord server at this time.

Integrations

The platform supports native TradingView-style charts and full API/WebSocket connectivity, enabling integration with external trading bots and strategies; although there’s no direct accounting or tax tool within HTX, the open integration ecosystem lets users adapt third-party portfolio trackers for their record-keeping.

Although Giottus doesn’t integrate natively with TradingView or tax/accounting software, it does support connectivity with third-party trading bot platforms—enabling advanced automated strategies via services like Bitsgap.

Who Each One Is Best For

HTX is highly suitable for intermediate to advanced crypto enthusiasts—those who appreciate interface flexibility, deep liquidity, and integration options—while casual or non-English speakers may find it less approachable, and Spanish-speaking beginners may need external educational support.

Giottus is especially well-suited for Indian users seeking a seamless fiat-to-crypto experience, regional language support, and straightforward tools for regular investing (like SIPs and baskets); it’s less tailored to power users requiring advanced charting, global fiat options, or institutional-level integrations.