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

Trying to choose between Htx and Pointpay 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

Htx

pointpay

Pointpay

⚠️ 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.

Table of Contents

Available Countries

United States

No

Europe

Yes

Latin America

Yes

India

Yes

China

No

Canada

No

United Kingdom

No
No

United States

Yes

Europe

Yes

Latin America

Yes

India

No

China

No

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

etoro logo.webp

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.

Htx is ideal if:

Pointpay is ideal if:

Htx isn’t ideal if:

Pointpay isn’t ideal if:

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.
PointPay charges a flat maker-taker rate around 0.05%, offering up to 35% fee discounts for users holding increasing amounts of PXP tokens, with no tiered volume brackets beyond the PXP-based loyalty levels.

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.
PointPay currently does not offer any futures or derivative trading, so there are no maker/taker or funding fees applicable.

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 precise spread data isn’t published, the exchange is noted for offering competitive pricing that closely aligns with market prices on popular pairs like BTC/USDT and ETH/USDT.

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.
Fiat deposits are facilitated via Mercuryo or MoonPay, and withdrawals are supported as well; deposits may include a small markup or cashback promotions but are generally straightforward, with processing times depending on the provider—often several hours to a couple of days.

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.
Withdrawals incur network (miner) fees, varying by cryptocurrency and network conditions (e.g., BTC, ETH, TRX), rather than fixed platform fees, although PXP holders may enjoy reduced rates.

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.
currency conversion, inactivity, expedited KYC, etc.

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.
If you buy €500 worth of BTC, your total cost would derive from the spread between buy/sell prices, a trading fee (e.g., ~0.05% discounted if holding PXP), and a subsequent withdrawal fee based on chain congestion and asset network—without quoting specific numbers to keep it evergreen.

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.
PointPay supports well over 140–200 cryptocurrencies with around 179–224 trading pairs available; top-20 volume pairs include BTC/USDT, ETH/USDT, XRP/USDC, SOL/USDT, USDC/USDT and others such as DOGE, ADA, LINK, AVAX, BNB.

Product Range

HTX delivers a robust suite
At present, PointPay offers spot trading, staking (Vaults and flexible/locked terms), NFT and Launchpad features, savings/earn programs, and a multi-currency wallet; however, there’s no margin, perpetuals, options, ETFs, loans, copy-trading, grid bots, or automated DCA at this stage.

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.
Estimated 24-hour trading volume ranges from around $138 million to over $206 million; order-book depth appears substantial for primary pairs like BTC/USDT and ETH/USDT, supporting solid liquidity for mainstream trading.

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.
PointPay supports limit, market, stop-limit, and OCO orders; it includes advanced TradingView charts with multiple indicators and timeframes, has alert features, and provides API and WebSocket support for algorithmic access.

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.
Derivatives and leverage aren’t available yet, and certain products are restricted in regions like the U.S. and other sanctioned countries, meaning advanced trading tools may not be accessible depending on your location.

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 provides Launchpad projects, a multi-asset Vault with flexible and locked staking (3, 6, and 12 month terms), and regular staking promotions, all aimed at enhancing user participation and passive income opportunities.

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.
PointPay is operated by a Lithuania-based company founded in 2018, with its headquarters in Tallinn, Estonia, situating it within the European regulatory environment and offering it EU operational grounding.

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.
The platform currently holds a Lithuanian VASP license and is registered in the U.S. as a Money Services Business (Wyoming MSB), while actively pursuing additional licensing in the U.S. and enhanced compliance under recent European crypto frameworks.

Custody

HTX uses its own custody infrastructure and has implemented a Merkle-Tree–based Proof of Reserves system that publicly verifies 1
PointPay uses both hot and cold wallets, including air-gapped cold storage, with user-controlled wallet options, although there is no publicized Proof of Reserves or explicit cold-storage percentage disclosure.

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 publicly available information suggesting that PointPay offers dedicated insurance coverage or protection funds for users’ assets.

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.
There have been no major reported hacks, systemic suspensions, or regulatory penalties associated with the platform to date, suggesting a clean operational track record.

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 platform enforces standard security layers including multi-factor authentication, encrypted transaction passwords, and tiered KYC levels; however, features like API-specific permissions, sub-accounts, whitelists, or anti-phishing tools are not 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.
While PointPay commits to regulatory alignment and security, it does not currently publish regular audit reports, Proof of Reserves documents, public wallet addresses, or formalized SLAs for uptime or response times.

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.
PointPay allows fiat deposits via intermediary services like Mercuryo and MoonPay, and possibly bank transfers, with straightforward minimums (e.g., around €25), though maximums vary by provider; processing times range from instant to a few hours or up to a couple of days depending on the channel.

Supported Fiat Currencies & Conversion

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.
PointPay allows fiat deposits via intermediary services like Mercuryo and MoonPay, and possibly bank transfers, with straightforward minimums (e.g., around €25), though maximums vary by provider; processing times range from instant to a few hours or up to a couple of days depending on the channel.

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.
PointPay’s KYC process is accessible through both app and website in five simple steps, typically completed within 24 hours; higher levels unlock full functionality such as trading, deposits, and withdrawals, while no-KYC users face limited access.

Withdrawals

limits, timing & networks
Withdrawals support common crypto networks (e.g., ERC20, TRC20), with limits like up to 10 BTC per withdrawal, and dynamic network fees; processing times have improved and can average 0.5 to 5 minutes for verified transactions.

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.)
PointPay offers live chat (often backed by bots and staff available 24/7) plus email support, although response times may vary; a knowledge base or FAQ section is available to help users find answers independently.

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 supports multiple languages (over 18), displays fees in major currencies like EUR and USD, and has localized options for users—including regulatory adjustments based on region—for smoother experience.

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.
PointPay’s mobile apps (iOS and Android) receive frequent updates with UI improvements and security enhancements (e.g., biometric login, 2FA fixes), though there are occasional user reports of withdrawal processing issues affecting app stability for some.

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.
PointPay offers distinct trading interfaces—“Quick Exchange” for fast, hassle-free trading, plus Classic and Advanced modes—which helps users smoothly transition from simple to more feature-rich views as they grow comfortable.

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.
A recent technological upgrade dramatically sped up load times and responsiveness, handling up to a million concurrent users, and significantly improving order execution even during high-volatility periods.

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.
PointPay includes a “Learn & Earn” program with interactive lessons and rewards; however, it currently lacks a full demo simulator or dedicated educational content in Spanish.

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.
The platform maintains an active presence via Telegram (English channel), regular AMAs, and a referral program that rewards users for inviting newcomers.

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.
PointPay integrates TradingView directly for in-platform charting, and provides API access, though there’s no evidence of official tax tools, accounting software partnerships, or third-party trading bot integrations at this time.

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.
PointPay serves beginner-to-intermediate traders best—offering intuitive onboarding, guided trading modes, and educational incentives—while more advanced traders relying on professional-grade tooling or automation may find the platform’s current scope limited.
Best platforms to invest in cryptocurrencies

📈 Millions already choose eToro for crypto investing online

Buy and sell top coins in minutes — recurring buys, price alerts, advanced charts

See why it ranks #1 in our head-to-head comparisons

Cryptoassets are highly volatile and unregulated in some regions. No consumer protection. Tax may apply. Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest.