TradeStation vs Bit: Fees, Security, Features & Which to Choose (2025)

Trying to choose between TradeStation and Bit 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 23, 2025

TradeStation

Bit

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Available Countries

United States

Yes

Europe

Latin America

India

China

Canada

United Kingdom

United States

Yes

Europe

Yes

Latin America

Yes

India

China

Yes

Canada

Yes

United Kingdom

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TradeStation is ideal if:

Bit is ideal if:

You want access to a professional-grade platform with advanced derivatives and options for major cryptocurrencies.
You prefer a unified margin account that simplifies collateral management across spot, futures, and options.
You value institutional-level liquidity and infrastructure backed by a reputable global crypto finance group.

TradeStation isn’t ideal if:

Bit isn’t ideal if:

Fees & Total Costs

Spot Maker/Take

TradeStation’s crypto spot offering has been discontinued, so volume-based maker/taker pricing and any native token discounts are no longer applicable.

BIT uses a tiered fee structure where maker and taker rates decrease as your 30-day trading volume increases, and some users benefit from additional discounts by using the platform’s native token to pay fees.

Futures/Derivatives

Futures on TradeStation feature flat, per-contract maker/taker charges (e.g. Bitcoin futures around $7.50 per side) plus additional pass-through exchange and regulatory fees, with no separate funding rate structure since perpetual contracts aren’t available.

Futures trades follow a similar tiered model with both maker and taker fees declining as your volume grows; funding rates are dynamic and reflect real-time market demand but are transparently displayed on the trading interface.

Average Spreads on Liquid Pairs

TradeStation’s model did not include embedded spreads on spot crypto—prices were transparent and routed through liquidity sources—but with its exit from spot services, spread data is no longer relevant.

On highly liquid pairs like BTC/USDT and ETH/USDT, typical spreads are very tight, thanks to strong liquidity and professional market infrastructure—even though exact values aren’t publicly listed, they remain consistently narrow.

Fiat Deposits & Withdrawals

You cannot deposit or withdraw fiat directly into a crypto account; instead, you need an equities account to convert fiat into crypto, and TradeStation does not charge specific crypto deposit or withdrawal fees.

BIT’s fiat support is limited, and where offered (e.g. via partners), deposit and withdrawal options—such as bank transfers—exist but with general processing times of hours to days and no fixed fee details publicly disclosed.

On-chain Withdrawals

TradeStation historically offered crypto withdrawals without explicit fees set by them—but since spot services are no longer supported, on-chain withdrawal fee structures are not currently relevant.

Crypto withdrawals incur network-based fees that adjust dynamically per blockchain (e.g., BTC, ETH), instead of a flat rate—this means actual costs vary in real time according to network congestion.

Hidden Costs

TradeStation was transparent with zero hidden fees for custody, deposits, or withdrawals on crypto; however, general account charges—like currency conversion fees if funding in non-USD, or inactivity fees—may apply through corresponding services.

There may be subtle costs like currency conversion when trading non-supported stablecoins, inactive account fees, or expedited KYC processing—but BIT emphasizes transparency, and these are minimal or avoidable through regular activity.

Real-World Cost Example: “€500 BTC

Since TradeStation no longer provides spot crypto trading, this kind of transaction flow—comprising commission, spread, and withdrawal—is not feasible to illustrate in today’s context.

A €500 BTC purchase would include the spot fee (based on your VIP tier), a tight spread typical for Bitcoin, and an on-chain withdrawal fee that fluctuates with network conditions—all combined to present a total cost that remains competitive and transparent.

Crypto Offering & Trading Features

Number of Coins & Pairs

TradeStation Crypto supports around 11 digital assets, covering core coins like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, USD Coin, and a few others; full pair listings are limited and none extend beyond the most liquid top-20 names.

BIT lists over 130 cryptocurrencies and around 160+ trading pairs overall, with the top 20 by volume including BTC/USDT, ETH/USDT, SOL/USDT, PEPE/USDT, XRP/USDT and others leading daily activity.

Product Range

TradeStation offers spot crypto trading and regulated crypto futures (e.g. XRP futures via CME) but does not provide margin, perpetual contracts, options on crypto, crypto ETFs, staking or earn programs, loans, copy trading, grid bots, or automatic DCA features.

The platform supports spot, perps (futures), US dollar–settled options, convert/swap, savings/earn, copy trading, block trades, and automated rebalance strategies— all unified under their single account model.

Liquidity

TradeStation aggregates liquidity from multiple sources via its intelligent routing system, delivering solid execution quality, though specific 24-hour volumes or precise order-book depth data (for BTC/ETH) are not publicly disclosed.

BIT provides high liquidity and deep order books in major pairs like BTC/USDT and ETH/USDT, backed by institutional infrastructure, yielding tight spreads and strong execution even under heavy volume.

Tools

The platform features advanced tools such as limit, stop, bracket/OCO orders, customizable alerts, richly featured charts with extensive technical indicators, plus REST and FIX APIs for automation—but does not embed native TradingView.

Traders can use limit, market, and OCO orders, set alerts, access advanced charting, leverage TradingView integrations, and connect via robust API/WebSocket endpoints.

Geographic Restrictions by Product

Crypto offerings—including spot and futures—are limited to users in the United States; many advanced products like regulated crypto derivatives are not accessible to users in other regions such as Europe, Latin America, or Asia.

Certain products such as derivatives (futures and options) are restricted in several jurisdictions—including the United States and parts of Asia—depending on local law and platform policy.

Innovation

TradeStation does not currently offer launchpad or launchpool-style offerings, nor any flexible or locked earning programs like staking or yield products.

BIT continuously launches new offerings like launchpad-style products, evolving earn features with flexible and locked staking options, and expanding USD-settled options across various assets.

Security, Regulation & Custody

Operating Entity & Jurisdiction

TradeStation Crypto, Inc.—a subsidiary of TradeStation Group, Inc., itself owned by Monex Group—was established around 2018 and is headquartered in Plantation, Florida, operating under U.S. jurisdiction.

BIT is operated by a Seychelles-registered entity established around 2020, headquartered in that jurisdiction, leveraging offshore incorporation to serve a broad global clientele.

Licenses/Registration

The crypto division operated under money transmitter licenses in multiple U.S. states, but lacked specific VASP or MiCA/European registrations, as it was not structured under those frameworks.

It’s registered under the Seychelles Financial Services Authority (FSA) as a crypto-service provider, though it does not hold equivalent licenses under EU MiCA or major markets like the U.S.

Custody

Crypto assets were held via a third-party custodian (BitGo), with no public proof of reserves, audit disclosures, or specified allocation percentages in cold storage.

Client funds are predominantly held in multi-signature cold storage across multiple continents with institutional-grade encryption; BIT is working toward combining both proof of reserves and proof of liabilities using Merkle-tree verification to enhance transparency.

Insurance & Protection Funds

There was no dedicated crypto insurance or indemnity fund; protections were limited to those applicable to the U.S. financial system (e.g. SIPC doesn’t cover crypto).

The platform maintains an internal insurance fund—designed to absorb losses in extreme market conditions and support its liquidation system as a layer of fund protection.

Incident History

TradeStation faced regulatory sanctions for its crypto yield program—including a consolidated $3m settlement with the SEC and NASAA—and a separate FINRA fine of $85k for misleading communications; no major security breaches were reported.

BIT has maintained a clean track record with no publicly reported hacks, service suspensions, asset freezes, or regulatory penalties to date.

Risk Controls

The platform included layered security like encrypted access, automatic logout, account change alerts, and anti-fraud monitoring systems; however, specific features like withdrawal whitelists, sub-accounts, or segmented API permission sets were not disclosed.

Security measures include mandatory two-factor authentication (2FA), IP and withdrawal whitelists, anti-phishing safeguards, and support for sub-accounts and granular API permissioning to manage operational risk.

Transparency

There were no publicly available monthly cryptocurrency reports, wallet visibility, or formal SLAs related to crypto; financial safety was presented via reserve disclosures for futures accounts under CFTC rules.

While BIT does not publish monthly audit reports or public wallet lists, it provides insurance fund status updates and aims to establish tools for verifying reserves and liabilities, offering growing transparency to users.

Deposits, Withdrawals, KYC & Support

Fiat Deposit Methods

TradeStation’s crypto arm doesn’t accept fiat deposits—these must go through a TradeStation Securities equities account via ACH, wire transfer, check, or transfer service, with typical same-day to few-business-day processing depending on method and no specified minimums.

BIT supports fiat deposits via bank transfer, credit/debit cards, and e-wallets depending on your region, with minimums and maximums and processing times clearly shown on the deposit screen once you initiate the flow.

Supported Fiat Currencies & Conversion

KYC (Verification Levels)

TradeStation requires a standard identity verification (including SSN/ITIN for U.S. users or passport/address proof for international users) during account opening; there are no tier levels publicly described, and trading access is granted post-full KYC, with no stated limitations tied to KYC levels.

The KYC framework includes levels like “Basic” and “Advanced” (or equivalent), where unverified users face strict limits or no fiat access, and completing higher KYC tiers unlocks full deposit, withdrawal, and product access.

Withdrawals

Crypto withdrawals specify minimum amounts per asset (e.g., BTC 0.0012, ETH 0.018, USDC 50) and are processed only during U.S. business hours, with times varying by blockchain; network fees apply, but there’s no mention of support for multiple networks like TRC20 or BEP20.

Limits, Timing & Networks

Customer Support

TradeStation offers a chatbot (TSbot) and FAQ support to assist with common issues, but real-life reviews cite slow response times and occasional difficulty reaching live support; an online knowledge base is available, though 24/7 live chat support isn’t clearly offered.

BIT offers 24/7 live chat and email support, with a comprehensive help center filled with FAQs and guides; response times vary but generally are prompt—especially for basic queries.

Languages & Localization

The platform supports multiple languages on its global site, but Spanish-language support and pricing in EUR for crypto context are not explicitly available—its main interface and fee structure are U.S.-centric, so local regulatory or tax settings may vary.

The platform is native in English (and often other major languages), shows pricing and fees in local currencies like USD/EUR, and tailors certain services according to regional regulatory compliance.

App Quality & Stability

TradeStation’s mobile app supports crypto trading for iOS and Android and receives regular updates, but user feedback indicates that while generally stable for advanced users, the platform can feel overly technical and occasionally glitchy, especially for newcomers.

The BIT mobile app is regularly updated on both iOS and Android, designed for smooth performance with minimal crashes, and offers a clean interface that mirrors the web experience.

Experience, Performance & Ecosystem

UX/UI

The TradeStation interface is highly customizable and powerful, offering a learning curve that leans toward advanced users; however, it does not offer separate “Lite” or “Pro” modes—everything is accessible within the same professional-level platform.

The interface is clean and beginner-friendly, offering an intuitive experience without overwhelming the user—advanced options are accessible but smoothly integrated, helping you transition as you grow.

Performance

TradeStation is known for its strong order execution speed, even during high volatility, thanks to multi-core optimization features—and though KYC delays can occur during major bull runs, the platform itself remains stable and responsive.

BIT’s matching engine delivers ultra-low latency (under 50 ms), ensuring fast order execution; systems remain stable even during volatility spikes, with KYC processes generally unaffected by market surges.

Education

TradeStation offers a rich educational ecosystem—including webinars, video tutorials, and a dedicated learning center—but it lacks a built-in crypto simulator or demo for practice, and its educational content is primarily in English rather than Spanish.

While BIT doesn’t have a dedicated academy or simulator, it offers in-platform guides and multilingual content (including Spanish), helping users understand features without external research.

Community

While TradeStation provides a solid online help center and support forums, it does not run official Discord or Telegram groups for community interaction, nor does it feature any active referral or ambassador programs.

Users can connect via BIT’s official Telegram and referral programs, enabling peer interactions and rewards, though there’s currently no full-fledged forum or Discord hub.

Integrations

TradeStation supports powerful APIs for custom trading strategies and compatibility with trading journals and portfolio tools—but does not offer built-in integration with TradingView, external bot marketplaces, tax tools, or structured accounting features.

Charts on BIT include TradingView integrations, and the platform supports external tools like copy trading strategies and some basic tax/accounting exports, though comprehensive third-party bot support is limited.

Who Each One Is Best For

This platform is ideal for experienced, tech-savvy traders who want a high-performance, highly customizable trading environment—but less suitable for beginners seeking simplified interfaces, simulator tools, or Spanish-language support.

BIT is ideal for those seeking a straightforward yet powerful trading platform—great for beginners who appreciate clarity and for intermediate users who want solid tools without a steep learning curve.