Upbit vs Bitbns: Fees, Security, Features & Which to Choose (2025)

Trying to choose between Upbit and Bitbns 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

Upbit

Bitbns

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Available Countries

United States

Europe

yes

Latin America

yes

India

yes

China

Canada

United Kingdom

yes

United States

Yes

Europe

Yes

Latin America

Yes

India

China

Yes

Canada

Yes

United Kingdom

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Upbit is ideal if:

Great for beginner-friendly trading: Offers a clean, intuitive interface and strong security, making it ideal if you're new to crypto and value simplicity.
Strong Asian market presence: Deeply localized in South Korea and Southeast Asia, with excellent liquidity and fiat integration in those regions.
Not suited for advanced instruments: If you're looking for margin, derivatives, or broad global fiat support, Upbit’s limited financial features may not fit your needs.

Bitbns is ideal if:

Best for exploring diverse altcoins — If you're looking to access both mainstream and niche cryptocurrencies with ease, Bitbns offers a standout range that supports broad portfolio experimentation.
Great for building passive income — Offers features like staking, crypto-backed loans, and systematic purchasing plans for growing your holdings over time without day-to-day trading.
Ideal for beginners in accessible markets — Its intuitive interface, learning materials, and support across multiple fiat channels make Bitbns particularly beginner-friendly—especially in Asia.

Upbit isn’t ideal if:

Limited product variety: Lacks margin, futures, copy-trading, loans, or crypto cards, restricting users seeking more advanced financial tools.
Geographically constrained: Primarily serves South Korea and select Asian markets; support and fiat options are limited for most global users.
Basic customer support: Relies mainly on ticket-based assistance with minimal tutorials or live help, which may not satisfy those wanting more hands-on guidance.

Bitbns isn’t ideal if:

If you require fast, reliable withdrawals — Users have reported cases of prolonged pending withdrawals or frozen funds, raising concerns around liquidity and operational consistency.
If you prioritize strong international regulation — Regulatory clarity and oversight are limited outside of India, which could be a red flag for risk-conscious, globally-based users.
If you need responsive customer support — Multiple users, especially abroad, mention delays or difficulty in getting support, particularly for account issues or fund access.

Fees & Total Costs

Spot Maker/Take

Upbit applies a flat trading fee—typically around 0.20–0.25%—for both maker and taker spot orders across supported pairs, with no tiered discounts or native token rebates.

Makers and takers both start at around 0.25%, but you can unlock lower rates—down to approximately 0.03%—if you reach high monthly trading volumes and hold enough BNS tokens while using the “Pay with BNS” option.

Futures/Derivatives

Upbit does not offer futures or derivative instruments, so there are no maker, taker, or funding fees to consider.

Bitbns currently offers an introductory futures fee of 0.1% for both makers and takers, but there’s limited transparency on ongoing funding rates or dynamic adjustments for hedging, so derivatives cost structure may evolve.

Average Spreads on Liquid Pairs

On major spot pairs like BTC/USDT or ETH/USDT, spreads are generally tight and reflective of high liquidity, though your precise rate depends on market depth at the time of execution.

While Bitbns doesn’t publish exact spread percentages, markets like BTC/USDT and ETH/USDT—given sufficient liquidity—are expected to have spreads comparable to global averages, often hovering within a hundredth to a few tenths of a percent.

Fiat Deposits & Withdrawals

Upbit supports bank transfers for fiat, with deposit methods varying by region; fees and processing times vary according to local banking systems and verification levels.

You can deposit and withdraw INR via bank transfers (NEFT/IMPS), UPI, or P2P—with deposits typically free and withdrawals mostly quick—though some express options (like instant transfers) may carry small surcharges and slightly faster processing.

On-chain Withdrawals

Upbit charges fixed network fees per asset (e.g. a fixed amount in BTC or ETH), which do not adjust dynamically based on network congestion.

Withdrawal fees depend on the specific asset and blockchain; for example, BTC withdrawals cost around 0.0005 BTC, while others like ETH or TRX have their own fixed rates—generally lower than industry norms, with no dynamic gas-based markups.

Hidden Costs

You might encounter costs such as currency conversion spreads, speedier KYC processing, or cross-border banking charges; these are not labeled as explicit fees but can subtly add to your overall cost.

Bitbns avoids most sneaky charges—there’s no inactivity fee, minimal conversion impacts, and instant KYC services may be offered but don’t carry recurring fees—making the overall cost structure transparent.

Real-World Cost Example: “€500 BTC

If you purchase €500 in BTC, your total cost includes the platform’s flat trading fee plus the market spread; withdrawing that BTC would then incur the asset’s fixed network withdrawal fee.

If you spent €500 to buy BTC, your cost would include the spot fee (roughly 0.25%), a small bid-ask spread, and possibly a one-time withdrawal fee (for instance, 0.0005 BTC). The total cost remains modest while the fee structure stays predictable and evergreen.

Crypto Offering & Trading Features

Number of Coins & Pairs

Upbit lists approximately 260-263 cryptocurrencies (depending on the data source) and over 540 trading pairs overall, with the top 20 by volume dominated by KRW pairs like ETH/KRW, XRP/KRW, and BTC/KRW, reflecting its regional liquidity strength.

Bitbns currently lists around 483 cryptocurrencies and approximately 191 trading pairs; its top 20 by volume also emphasize high-liquidity tokens like BTC, ETH, BNB, XRP, and SOL, reflecting mainstream interest and active trading depth.

Product Range

Upbit focuses exclusively on spot markets and does not offer margin, perpetual futures, options, crypto ETFs, lending, copy trading, grid bots, or automated DCA; however, it does include staking/earn services for select assets.

The platform supports spot and margin trading, offers systematic purchase tools like SIP and fixed deposits (Bitdroplet, Ascent), APIs for algorithmic strategies, and features like bracket orders, but doesn’t currently provide formal futures, options, ETFs, copy trading, DCA bots, or DeFi yield products.

Liquidity

Upbit’s 24-hour trading volume typically ranges in the multi-billion-dollar bracket, and its order books for BTC and ETH pairs exhibit strong depth, especially for KRW-denominated pairs, ensuring tight spreads and reliable execution.

Average 24-hour spot volume fluctuates around USD 1–2 million, with ETH/INR and BTC/INR among the most active pairs, while order book depth for these pairs remains modest compared to global giants—indicating sufficient retail liquidity but limited institutional-scale depth.

Tools

The platform supports limit, market, and stop-limit order types, plus charting tools and dashboards, API and WebSocket access, but lacks native TradingView integration and any alerting capabilities.

Bitbns supports limit, stop-limit, and advanced bracket (OCO-style) orders, offers real-time alerts and charting tools within its interface, and provides API access for external automation, though it does not include embedded TradingView or WebSocket charting out-of-the-box.

Geographic Restrictions by Product

Derivatives and advanced instruments are unavailable across the board, and even spot trading is restricted in regions like the United States, Japan, China, and Taiwan due to regulatory limitations.

While spot trading is broadly accessible, certain advanced features like margin or fixed-savings may be limited in specific regions due to regulatory constraints—especially for users outside India, though exact restrictions depend on local laws.

Innovation

While Upbit does not host launchpads, launchpools, or flexible-vs-locked earn programs, it does offer staking options for select chains—but no advanced yield farming or investment pools.

Bitbns brings innovation through features like fixed-deposit products (Bitdroplet, Ascent) and systematic investment plans, but it doesn’t currently host a launchpad or launchpool for new tokens, nor does it differentiate between flexible and locked earn tiers.

Security, Regulation & Custody

Operating Entity & Jurisdiction

Upbit is operated by Dunamu Inc., a South Korean company founded in 2017, with its headquarters located in Seoul and expanding operations through entities such as Upbit Singapore.

Bitbns operates under Buyhatke Internet Private Limited, legally incorporated around 2015 with its platform launched in December 2017, and it’s headquartered in Bengaluru, India—placing it firmly within Indian jurisdiction.

Licenses/Registration

Upbit Singapore holds a fully licensed status as a Major Payment Institution under Singapore’s Payment Services Act, enabling regulated digital token services, while its Korean operations continue under the Virtual Asset Service Provider framework.

As of now, Bitbns does not appear to hold explicitly designated crypto-licenses like VASP or MiCA registration, and it operates under the evolving regulatory framework in India without formal licensing akin to European or global standards.

Custody

Upbit maintains full custody of user assets, backed by recent audits confirming over-100 percent reserves for both digital assets and cash equivalents, alongside substantial cold-wallet holdings.

The exchange manages custody internally, employing a mix of hot and cold storage, but it does not publish any Proof-of-Reserves or independent audit data detailing cold-wallet holdings or reserve coverage, limiting external verification.

Insurance & Protection Funds

The exchange has set aside dedicated user protection reserves, in the order of tens of millions USD, specifically to shield user assets in case of unexpected events.

There’s no public record of insurance policies or user-protection funds backing customer assets on Bitbns, suggesting assets rely on operational safeguards rather than dedicated financial buffers.

Incident History

In late 2019, Upbit experienced a significant hack that resulted in the loss of roughly USD 48 million in Ethereum; since then, it’s reinforced internal controls and transparency protocols.

Bitbns has faced scrutiny for a cyber-incident in early 2022 that led to extended withdrawal freezes; this prompted a legal petition in India’s Delhi High Court seeking investigation into the handling of funds and transparency during that period.

Risk Controls

Upbit employs robust safety measures such as two-factor authentication, internal self-trading restrictions, a proprietary market-monitoring system, and auditing to prevent insider trading, plus granular permission controls for API access.

The platform supports standard security features such as two-factor authentication, likely uses encryption for account safety, and offers API access, though details on whitelists, anti-phishing tools, sub-accounts, or granular API permissions remain unclear or limited in scope.

Transparency

The exchange publishes periodic transparency reports including audit results and trading-behavior monitoring; while it doesn’t offer public wallet addresses or formal SLAs, it follows regulatory guidelines and discloses operational compliance measures.

Bitbns does not publish regular proof-of-reserves reports, wallet addresses, or SLA metrics publicly, and while it provides some training and documentation, its external transparency regarding audits, operational standards, or public asset reporting is minimal.

Deposits, Withdrawals, KYC & Support

Fiat Deposit Methods

Upbit allows fiat deposits primarily via local bank transfers (e.g. KRW in Korea, SGD in Singapore) once you reach full verification; minimums vary, processing typically takes 1–3 business days.

Users can deposit Indian Rupees via UPI, NEFT, IMPS, or RTGS bank transfers, with a minimum deposit of around ₹100 and a high daily limit; processing times align with standard banking protocols (usually minutes to a few hours depending on the method and bank).

Supported Fiat Currencies & Conversion

Upbit allows fiat deposits primarily via local bank transfers (e.g. KRW in Korea, SGD in Singapore) once you reach full verification; minimums vary, processing typically takes 1–3 business days.

KYC (Verification Levels)

Upbit uses a four-level KYC system—ranging from basic identity checks to full verification with bank linkage—and higher levels unlock larger deposit and withdrawal capacities.

A valid national ID (like PAN, Aadhaar, passport) and bank account linkage are required to complete full KYC; trading and fiat withdrawals aren’t possible without verification.

Withdrawals

Crypto withdrawals are permitted across major networks like ERC-20 and TRC-20, with daily limits scaling by KYC level and typical processing within hours.

Crypto withdrawals are generally unlimited per policy for cryptocurrencies, but INR withdrawals are capped (e.g., ₹25 lakh per day), and completion time varies by network congestion; supported fiat networks include Indian domestic banking rails only.

Customer Support

Support is available through email and a robust FAQ/help center; users in Korea generally experience faster responses, while international users may wait longer and have less localized documentation.

Support is available 24/7 via a ticketing system (email-based), and users also benefit from FAQs and knowledge base; however, response speeds vary, with some user feedback highlighting slower resolution in complex cases.

Languages & Localization

The platform is available in native English and Korean, displays balances in local currencies (KRW or SGD), and adheres to the relevant local regulatory framework for each region.

The platform is fully localized for Indian users (INR-denominated, English- and Hindi-friendly), showing fiat amounts in INR by default; international regulations or multi-currency displays are not implemented.

App Quality & Stability

The Upbit mobile app is known for its stability and smooth performance, with regular updates, low crash rates, and quick feature rollouts aimed at both beginners and experienced users.

Bitbns offers native Android and iOS apps alongside a web platform; user feedback notes a user-friendly experience but also occasional glitches, login issues, and withdrawal delays on the mobile app.

Experience, Performance & Ecosystem

UX/UI

The Upbit interface strikes a smart balance between clarity and functionality—offering a simplified view for beginners while still providing comprehensive charts and real-time data for more experienced users, although it doesn’t explicitly label modes as “Lite” or “Pro.”

Bitbns delivers a clean, intuitive interface that’s gentle enough for newcomers but lacks a structured “Lite vs Pro” mode tier, instead favoring a unified experience where users gradually adapt to its functionality without mode switching.

Performance

Order latency remains low even during high volatility, and there are no widespread reports of system crashes; however, during market peaks, KYC verification queues may grow noticeably longer, affecting access for new users.

Order execution feels responsive under normal market conditions, though some users note slower responsiveness or minor lag during high volatility or trading surges—especially when KYC backlogs spike during bull markets.

Education

While Upbit doesn’t offer demo accounts or a Spanish-language academy, it provides a detailed help center and tutorials that guide beginners through trading, deposits, and security.

While Bitbns provides platform guidance, FAQs, and basic blog content, it doesn’t offer a dedicated crypto academy, trading simulator, demo account, or Spanish-language education materials—making self-directed learning a must.

Community

Official community channels such as forums or Telegram groups are limited; referral programs exist but are less central to the user experience compared to peer-driven groups and third-party platforms.

The platform supports a growing user base through referral programs and occasional contests, but lacks an official Discord or actively maintained community forum—even though there are unofficial Telegram groups and social media presence.

Integrations

Upbit supports Open API and WebSocket for developer access and trading automation, but lacks native TradingView integration, external bot marketplaces, or built-in tax/accounting tool integrations.

Bitbns doesn’t embed TradingView charting or allow external bot connections; nor does it offer built-in tax tools or accounting integrations—leaving such needs to third-party solutions that users must integrate manually.

Who Each One Is Best For

Upbit is best suited for traders who prioritize a clean, stable interface with transparent spot trading, high liquidity, and a regional focus—especially those located in supported Asian markets looking for reliable, everyday trading rather than highly automated or global multi-tool ecosystems.

Bitbns suits Indian-based traders who value a straightforward interface, INR accessibility, and moderate-feature richness—but may feel restrictive for users seeking advanced UI flexibility, simulation, or integrated ecosystem tools.