TradeStation vs Coins.Ph: Fees, Security, Features & Which to Choose (2025)

Trying to choose between TradeStation and Coins.Ph 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

Coins.Ph

⚠️ We look for what’s best for you.

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Available Countries

United States

Yes

Europe

Latin America

India

China

Canada

United Kingdom

United States

Yes

Europe

Yes

Latin America

India

China

Canada

United Kingdom

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TradeStation is ideal if:

Coins.Ph is ideal if:

Beginners & Everyday Users: Ideal for users seeking a safe, intuitive mobile wallet that integrates crypto trading with daily tasks like bill payments and mobile top-ups.
Philippines-Based Users: Perfect if you're operating primarily in the Philippines and want a regulated, locally compliant hub for both crypto and fiat transactions.
Casual to Moderate Traders: Great for casual or moderate trading needs with straightforward tools—Coins Pro adds more control, but advanced features remain limited.

TradeStation isn’t ideal if:

Coins.Ph isn’t ideal if:

Global Traders & Non-Regional Users: Limited availability—primarily restricted to the Philippines and Thailand—so it's not a fit if you're outside those markets.
Advanced Traders: Lacks advanced tools like margin trading, passive income options, or demo features, which may limit strategic trading capabilities.
Users Needing High Trust: Some users report frequent negative feedback and unresolved support issues, potentially affecting reliability.

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crypto spot offering has been discontinued, so volume-based maker/taker pricing and any native token discounts are no longer applicable.

Coins.ph uses a tiered maker-taker model where fees decrease as your 30-day trading volume grows, and there is no native token to grant additional fee discounts—just volume-based VIP tier reductions.

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.

At present, Coins.ph does not offer any futures or derivatives trading, so there are no maker/taker or funding fees associated with these instruments.

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.

While you can use the “Convert” feature for zero headline fees, spreads still apply and reflect global market conditions, and such spreads may be wider on liquid pairs like BTC/USDT or ETH/USDT.

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.

You can deposit and withdraw Philippine Pesos using methods like InstaPay, PESONet, or over-the-counter remittance centers, each with its own handling fee structure and typical processing times ranging from near-instant for e-wallets to same-day or next-day for cash pickups.

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.

Cryptocurrency withdrawals are subject to network fees that are dynamic per blockchain—displayed clearly before you confirm a withdrawal—and these vary by coin (e.g., BTC, ETH, TRX) and network congestion, rather than being fixed by the platform.

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 are minimal hidden costs—currency conversions happen at market-informed rates, there’s no explicit inactivity fee or premium for faster KYC, but conversion spreads may still subtly affect your effective rate.

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.

If you were to buy around €500 worth of BTC using the Convert tool, you’d see no trading fee but an implicit spread in the exchange rate, and when withdrawing on-chain you’d pay the network fee displayed—so your total cost would be the combined effect of that spread plus the network fee on top of your purchase.

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.

Coins.ph offers support for over 50 cryptocurrencies in its basic offering, alongside more than 90 spot trading pairs on Coins Pro, including the top 20 by liquidity in leading crypto-to-PHP and USDT combinations.

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 provides straightforward spot trading and “Convert” functionality, and includes features like crypto-leveraged lending; however, it does not support margin, perpetuals, options, crypto ETFs, copy-trading, grid bots, automatic DCA, or staking/earn products.

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.

While exact 24-hour volume and order book depth figures are not publicly shared, the platform handles robust local trading activity in key pairs like BTC and ETH, supported by competitive pricing, though it is not designed as a deep-liquidity venue like major global exchanges.

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.

Coins Pro offers essential tools including limit, market, stop-limit, and stop-market order types, and integrates TradingView charts; it also provides REST/FIX APIs, although alerting, OCO orders, or more advanced charting remain limited.

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.

Several advanced trading features such as derivatives or earning products are unavailable outside the Philippines and Thailand, as the platform’s expanded offerings are geo-restricted based on regulatory boundaries.

Innovation

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

Coins.ph includes features like Launchpool for new token projects and supports flexible or locked crypto-leveraged lending, but currently does not offer formal staking launchpads or earn-program variations commonly found on global platforms.

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.

The platform is operated by Betur Inc., also associated with DCPay Philippines Inc., legally registered and headquartered in the Philippines, with operations dating back to its virtual asset and e-money licensing between 2016 and 2017 under BSP oversight.

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.

Coins.ph holds multiple licenses under Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas—including remittance agent, electronic money issuer (EMI), and virtual asset service provider (VASP)—and complies with the Anti-Money Laundering Act, ensuring full regulatory alignment.

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.

Custody of fiat-backing assets, particularly for its PHPC stablecoin, is handled via segregated local bank accounts, supported by internal audit-based proof of reserves attestations showing assets meet or exceed liabilities.

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).

There is no formal insurance protection or deposit insurance for cryptocurrency holdings—virtual assets are not covered by the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation, underscoring the importance of regulatory compliance but no insured guarantee.

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.

The exchange faced a notable incident in late 2023 when a hack led to an XRP shortfall, which was flagged in their audited financial statements as a “going concern,” though recovery efforts are underway and capital solutions are being pursued by management.

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.

The platform implements standard security measures such as SSL encryption and AES-256 data protection, along with user-controlled risk mechanisms including two-factor authentication and biometric logins, though advanced features like API permissions or sub-account segregation are limited.

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.

Coins.ph is subject to regular BSP audits, especially for proof of reserves and operational security, but does not publish public monthly financial reports or provide transparent SLA details—suggesting strong regulatory visibility but modest public reporting.

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.

Coins.ph lets users cash in via bank transfers (InstaPay, PESONet) or over-the-counter outlets; minimums and maximums vary by method and verification level, with near-instant timing for e-wallets and same- or next-day processing for banks or OTC.

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.

There are tiered verification levels—Basic (limited access, small buy/sell only), Identity Verified (ID + selfie), and Enhanced (adds income proof)—each unlocking progressively higher deposit and withdrawal limits based entirely on your verification status.

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.

Withdrawals are available once Identity Verified, subject to daily/monthly caps; timing and network options vary by method (e.g. blockchain networks for crypto or bank/OTC for fiat), and network choice must match to avoid loss.

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.

Support is offered via in-app chat (around 7 AM–9 PM daily), email/contact forms, and phone lines, alongside a robust help center—response times are typically same-day, supported by a detailed knowledge base for self-service.

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 interface is primarily in English, with fees and balances displayed in Philippine Peso (₱)—users won’t see €/USD unless using external conversion tools; the platform is tailored for local regulatory and user context.

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 mobile app receives regular updates and improvements, with stable performance and few reported crashes, ensuring users enjoy a smooth experience on both iOS and Android.

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 app offers a clean, intuitive interface that’s ideal for beginners, with a seamless transition into a more advanced Coins Pro mode offering richer trading tools once you’re ready to level up.

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.

Order execution is smooth in most conditions, though during high-volatility or promotional periods slight delays or temporary spikes in KYC processing may occur, though system stability remains largely consistent.

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.

Coins.ph features an in-house “Academy” with clear educational materials and crypto basics, but it lacks live demo trading or simulators and does not currently provide Spanish-language content.

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.

The platform supports an active community via its official Telegram channels and social media, and it also runs a referral program that rewards users for inviting friends, though it does not host independent public forums.

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.

Coins.ph integrates TradingView-style charts, but lacks support for external trading bots, tax reporting tools, or formal accounting integrations—making it lightweight but less extensible for advanced workflows.dates

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.

Coins.ph is best suited for newcomers, casual users, and Filipino-based everyday users who want a user-friendly ecosystem combining crypto, payments, and digital finance in one app.