Webull vs Bitmex: Fees, Security, Features & Which to Choose (2025)

Trying to choose between Webull and Bitmex 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 19, 2025

Webull

Bitmex

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Available Countries

United States

Yes

Europe

Latin America

India

Yes

China

Yes

Canada

Yes

United Kingdom

Yes

United States

yes

Europe

yes

Latin America

yes

India

China

Canada

yes

United Kingdom

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Webull is ideal if:

Best for hands-on, self-directed traders who want a sleek mobile-first experience with powerful charting tools, paper trading, and streamlined technical analysis.
Great for active or intermediate investors who appreciate commission-free access to stocks, ETFs, options, fractional shares, and even crypto on a responsive multi-platform setup.
Suitable for those seeking simple automation, thanks to Webull’s beginner-friendly tools like Smart Advisor (robo-advisory service), recurring investments, and digital portfolio guidance.

Bitmex is ideal if:

Best suited for seasoned traders who want advanced derivative tools, including futures, perpetual swaps, and customizable bot integrations.
Perfect for those who value high liquidity, low-latency execution, and a platform built for competitive, fast-paced trading environments.
Makes sense if you're looking for crypto-only margin trading with leverage and staking options, and you're comfortable with complex interfaces.

Webull isn’t ideal if:

Not great if you prefer mutual funds or bonds, since Webull doesn’t offer access to those traditional investment vehicles.
May overwhelm true beginners, as its platform leans heavily on technical tools and charting that can be complex for newcomers.
Limited customer support could frustrate you, especially if you expect fast, live assistance or chat options during crunch times.

Bitmex isn’t ideal if:

Not beginner-friendly—interface and features can overwhelm users without prior experience in derivatives or margin trading.
Limited ecosystem and fiat support—only crypto-to-crypto funding and a narrower product range than broader exchanges.
Regulatory and compliance concerns—it has faced serious legal scrutiny and governance issues that may raise trust or availability doubts.

Fees & Total Costs

Spot Maker/Take

Webull applies a built-in price markup (spread) for crypto trades rather than standard maker/taker fees, with no public volume-tier discounts or token-based rebates available on their platform.

Maker and taker fees on spot are tiered based on your 30-day trading volume or BMEX tokens staked; higher tiers mean lower percentages for both, and staking BMEX may further reduce taker fees and increase maker rebates.

Futures/Derivatives

For futures, Webull charges contract-based fees set by its exchange partners (like CME), and the platform does not publicly disclose maker/taker or funding-rate structures for these instruments.

Derivatives follow a volume-based tiered fee structure with negative maker fees (rebates) and modest taker fees; funding payments on perpetual contracts occur roughly every eight hours and fluctuate depending on market conditions and your position.

Average Spreads on Liquid Pairs

Webull embeds typical spreads of around one percent on both buying and selling of major crypto trades, implicitly reflecting the cost rather than stating exact bid–ask spreads per pair.

BitMEX typically offers tight spreads in its most liquid pairs, keeping them competitive and only slightly wider than those found on major centralized exchanges.

Fiat Deposits & Withdrawals

Users can deposit or withdraw via ACH, which is free but slower, or via domestic/international wire transfers, which are faster yet incur modest fixed fees set by the clearing firm; timing varies from same-day up to several business days.

Fiat can be funded via credit/debit cards, bank or instant transfers, and services like Apple Pay, with fees determined by the third-party provider; processing times and costs vary by method and region.

On-chain Withdrawals

Webull currently does not support external crypto wallet transfers for most assets, so network and dynamic on-chain withdrawal fees do not apply for crypto; fiat wires are processed off-chain.

Crypto withdrawals incur either a dynamic network fee for Bitcoin or fixed fees for other assets; BitMEX doesn’t charge the fee itself, although Bitcoin fees adjust with network congestion and some assets display fixed withdrawal charges.

Hidden Costs

Webull does not charge inactivity or maintenance fees. Currency conversion may occur at your bank when funding with a different base currency, and there are no added charges for expedited identity verification services.

There are minimal extra costs—currency conversion fees may apply via your payment provider, there’s no inactivity fee, and expedited KYC may have unspecified third-party costs but none imposed by BitMEX.

Real-World Cost Example: “€500 BTC

If you purchase €500 worth of Bitcoin, you’ll effectively pay a small percentage markup embedded in the trade price, then any fiat withdrawal back to your bank may incur a wire-transfer charge, while ACH withdrawal of fiat remains free.

If you convert fiat to crypto equivalent of 500 €, the total cost would encompass your third-party payment-processing fee, the slightly wider spread, and the on-chain withdrawal fee — all varying by method and network conditions, with no extra platform charges added by BitMEX.

Crypto Offering & Trading Features

Number of Coins & Pairs

Webull supports trading in approximately 36 cryptocurrencies directly through its platform, offering a well-rounded selection of both major and niche tokens, though the top 20 by trading volume typically include dominant pairs like BTC, ETH, Litecoin, and Dogecoin.

BitMEX lists over 100 cryptocurrencies across roughly 180 trading pairs; the most traded tops (such as BTC/USDT, BMEX/USDT, ETH/USDT) dominate volume share, reflecting its focus on highly liquid assets.

Product Range

Webull provides spot trading for cryptocurrencies, recently expanded into futures contracts (e.g. Bitcoin and Ethereum) via its partnership with Coinbase Derivatives, and offers staking and stablecoin rewards through Webull Pay powered by Coinbase’s infrastructure; crypto options, crypto ETFs, margin, copy trading, bots, and auto-DCA are not part of its current crypto menu.

BitMEX offers spot trading, margin, perpetual swaps, futures, and options, plus copy-trading and automated grid-bot support—but lacks crypto ETFs, staking/earn products, loans, or built-in DCA automation.

Liquidity

While Webull itself doesn’t publish specific 24-hour volumes or order book depth for its crypto pairs, the Coinbase infrastructure backing Webull Pay provides access to institutional-grade liquidity and tight spreads, implying solid depth for major pairs like BTC and ETH.

The exchange exhibits strong liquidity in perpetual futures like BTC and ETH, with billions in daily volume and substantial book depth within tight ±1% spreads, ideal for high-speed, high-volume execution.

Tools

Webull offers advanced trading tools including limit and market orders, and robust charting features across mobile and desktop (akin to TradingView-level interactivity), plus customizable alerts; however, advanced order types like OCO (one-cancels-other), public API/WS for crypto, and native TradingView integrations are not currently available.

Traders benefit from a full suite of pro-grade tools

Geographic Restrictions by Product

Crypto trading on Webull is seamless in most U.S. states, but there are regional exceptions—for instance, New York residents are limited to trading a narrower set of tokens; futures and expanded crypto offerings are currently available only to U.S. users, with global rollout in progress.

Derivative products—including futures and options—are blocked for users in restricted jurisdictions such as the US, Canada (Quebec), Hong Kong, Seychelles, and parts of Russia or sanctioned regions; other areas only see limited offerings.

Innovation

While Webull doesn’t currently offer launchpad or launchpool events, it’s innovating in crypto yield products—through Webull Pay, users will soon access staking and USDC-based reward programs (with flexible terms) thanks to its Coinbase partnership, though locked-term options have not been specified.

While BitMEX lacks launchpad/launchpool initiatives and structured earn offerings, it stands out with novel features like staking incentives via its BMEX token and flexible fee rebate structures for active users.

Security, Regulation & Custody

Operating Entity & Jurisdiction

Webull was founded in 2016 under a Chinese holding, with Webull Financial LLC established in Delaware in 2017, turning into a U.S.-based broker-dealer licensed by the SEC and FINRA by 2018, while Webull Corporation now sits as the Cayman-Islands-registered parent headquartered in Florida.

Operated by HDR Global Trading Limited, incorporated in 2014 under the Seychelles’ International Business Companies Act, with its registered office in Mahé, Seychelles.

Licenses/Registration

Webull operates under top-tier U.S. oversight (SEC, FINRA) with requirements for client fund segregation, though it does not publicly present itself as a VASP under MiCA or equivalent global crypto licensing frameworks at this time.

The platform does not appear to hold formal VASP or EU MiCA licenses and operates primarily under Seychelles jurisdiction, without registration under major global financial frameworks.

Custody

Custody for crypto on Webull is handled through Coinbase’s Crypto-as-a-Service, leveraging institutional-grade security with encrypted systems and offline cold storage; there’s no public disclosure of proof of reserves, audit reports, or a cold-storage percentage.

Customer assets are ring-fenced and held in segregated hot and cold wallets; BitMEX publishes a Proof of Reserves and Liabilities snapshot twice weekly for full auditability, though no third-party audits or reserve ratios are published.

Insurance & Protection Funds

Securities and cash in Webull Financial LLC accounts are SIPC-protected up to standard limits, with excess SIPC insurance via Lloyd’s of London or clearing firm Apex, but no specialized insurance for digital asset holdings.

A sizable internal insurance fund is maintained to safeguard traders against deleveraging impacts, helping ensure solvency even during market stress.

Incident History

Webull has not been involved in major crypto-exchange hacks; however, it has faced regulatory scrutiny such as a $3 million FINRA fine in 2023 over customer complaint handling and due diligence lapses, along with multi-state probes and a state-device ban in Tennessee due to concerns over ties to China.

Though there have been no major public hacks or system outages recently, BitMEX faced extensive legal scrutiny and a $100 million fine in 2025 for AML/KYC violations; its founders also faced regulatory penalties.

Risk Controls

Webull enforces industry standard safeguards like 2FA, encryption, and internal controls, with account security layers in place; however, advanced crypto-specific features like whitelists, sub-accounts, anti-phishing tools, or granular API permissions are not prominently available.

The platform enforces strong security practices including 2FA, customizable API permissions, anti-phishing safeguards, and support for whitelists and sub-accounts to enhance user protection and operational control.

Transparency

Webull does not currently publish monthly custody or audit reports, nor a publicly visible wallet or balance sheet for crypto assets, and service-level agreements (SLAs) for uptime or asset availability aren’t publicly disclosed.

BitMEX offers high transparency via its twice-weekly proof of reserves reports; however, there are no public wallet addresses or official monthly reports, and no published service-level guarantees.

Deposits, Withdrawals, KYC & Support

Fiat Deposit Methods

Webull supports funding via ACH transfers—free, with up to $50,000 per deposit and settlement in 3–5 business days, allowing around $1,000 of immediate purchasing power; wire transfers (domestic/international) are available with faster settlement (1–2 days for domestic, up to 5 for foreign), no formal deposit limits, and costs handled by the sending bank.

Fiat purchases are available only through integrated third-party providers using credit/debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Revolut, and similar e-wallets; there’s generally no minimum set by BitMEX, processing is near-instant for cards, while transfer speeds depend on the provider.

Supported Fiat Currencies & Conversion

KYC (Verification Levels)

Webull requires standard identity verification upon account opening (name, bank linkage) and performs additional steps like micro-deposits through Plaid when needed; it does not advertise multiple KYC tiers or specific deposit/withdrawal limits tied to verification levels.

BitMEX requires full identity verification for all users before allowing deposits, trades, or withdrawals, with no tiered or anonymous access—this KYC obligation applies across the board with no optional levels.

Withdrawals

Fiat withdrawals are possible via ACH (free, 1–3 business days, daily limit around $50,000) or wire transfers (domestic and international options, time ranging from next-day to several days); there’s no support for crypto-network withdrawals (e.g., ERC-20, TRC-20) from crypto holdings as Webull currently handles those internally.

Crypto withdrawals are enabled across multiple networks (e.g. ERC-20, TRC-20), with dynamic fees based on network and no firm minimums declared by the exchange, though low-value blockchain limits may apply; withdrawal times vary with network congestion.

Customer Support

Webull offers support primarily via email and an extensive online Help Center with FAQs and guides; there’s no indication of a 24/7 live chat, and response times vary; documentation is comprehensive, though interactive support may be limited.

BitMEX offers support via email and live chat (availability not explicitly stated as 24/7), supported by a robust help center and guides, though no official average response times are published.

Languages & Localization

The platform tailors its services based on region—US users operate in USD, while European users access deposits and pricing in euros (via Webull Europe), with localized interfaces and regulatory compliance. However, Spanish-language localization isn’t broadly featured unless offered locally by a regional branch.

The platform and app are primarily in English; displayed pricing can adapt to user’s local fiat (€, USD); however, localized regulatory compliance and currency support depend on the user’s jurisdiction and corresponding payment provider.

App Quality & Stability

Webull is generally considered stable and has effectively weathered market surges and volatility since its 2016 launch, but users occasionally report UI crashes or performance hiccups, especially on mobile; regular updates and troubleshooting tips are available in its help guides.

The BitMEX app is professionally developed, offering mobile trading and wallet features, generally reported as stable—while detailed crash rate metrics aren’t published, it receives regular updates and maintenance to ensure smooth performance.

Experience, Performance & Ecosystem

UX/UI

Webull strikes a solid balance between sophistication and ease of use, featuring a streamlined interface for the everyday user while offering a “Pro-like” feel through customizable dashboards, advanced charting, and intuitive navigation—though there’s no true “Lite” vs “Pro” mode toggle.

BitMEX delivers a powerful, feature-rich interface that caters more to seasoned traders than newcomers—there’s no “Lite” mode, but its streamlined dashboard and customizable chart workspaces help reduce complexity once you’re familiar.

Performance

The platform generally delivers low-latency trade execution and holds up firmly during high-volatility periods; while user surges can cause interface lag, widespread “crashes” are rare and downtime is minimal even in bull markets.

Thanks to recent engine upgrades, order responses now often register under 200 ms, latency reduced dramatically, and the platform has handled major volatility surges without overload or slowdowns; KYC queues are generally fast, even during bull runs, though exact wait times vary.

Education

Webull provides a rich educational ecosystem, including a structured learning section with tutorials, community-led lessons, in-app webinars, and a robust paper-trading simulator—though Spanish-language modules are limited outside select regions.

BitMEX doesn’t offer a built-in academy or demo mode, and provides limited educational material in Spanish—but its blog, support center, and integration with tools like TradingView help bridge the learning gap for proactive traders.

Community

Webull fosters a lively investing community through in-app discussion boards where users share strategies, ask questions, and learn from each other; there’s engagement via feeds and idea-sharing, but no formal presence on Discord or Telegram for official support.

BitMEX supports community engagement through official Discord, Telegram, and referral programs, though it lacks a native forum; most user discussions and shared knowledge happen across these social channels.

Integrations

The platform now offers deep integration with TradingView—allowing you to trade directly from its rich charting interface—although integrations with external tax tools, accounting software, or third-party bots remain limited.

BitMEX integrates directly with TradingView for native charting and execution; it supports external bot automation via webhooks and APIs, but offers no built-in tax reporting or accounting tools out of the box.

Who Each One Is Best For

Webull is ideal for self-directed and intermediate investors who value powerful visuals, flexible tools, and a vibrant peer community—less suited for those wanting lightweight simplicity, multi-platform integrations, or extensive multilingual support.

BitMEX excels for advanced traders who value blazing-fast execution, deep liquidity, and a pro-grade ecosystem—but it’s less suitable for beginners or those seeking structured learning, passive investing tools, or easy-to-navigate platforms.