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CEX.IO Review 2024

Written By

Tobias Robinson

Written By

Tobias Robinson

Tobias is a partner at DayTrading.com, director of a UK limited company and active trader. He has over 25 years of experience in the financial industry and contributed via CySec to the regulatory response to digital options and CFD trading in Europe. Toby’s expertise and dedication to financial education make him a trusted voice in the industry, including a BBC investigation into digital options.

» Tobias Robinson Profile Page

Fact Checked By

William Berg

Fact Checked By

William Berg

William contributes to several investment websites, leveraging his experience as a consultant for IPOs in the Nordic market and background providing localization for forex trading software. William has worked as a writer and fact-checker for a long row of financial publications.

» William Berg Profile Page

Updated

Feb 6, 2024

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Available in United States

Overall Rating

3.7 / 5

CEX.IO is #21 in our crypto broker rankings.

Customer Reviews (2)

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Customer Reviews

Minimum Deposit $20

Trading Platforms TradingView

Instruments Cryptos

Regulators GFSC

Account Currencies USD, EUR, GBP

Payment Options Debit Card, Credit Card, Wire Transfer, Swift, Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, Neteller, Apple Pay, Google Wallet, Bitcoin Payments

Awards

• Most Secure Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency Exchange Platform 2023, World Business Outlook
• Leading Cryptocurrency Exchange Platform 2023, World Business Outlook
• Best Cryptocurrency Exchange Platform 2023, Global Brands Magazine

Pros

• CEX.IO continues to offer competitive pricing with 0.01% taker and 0% maker fees for high-volume traders
• The range of 200+ cryptocurrencies is competitive and will serve more experienced traders
• The proprietary terminal features an advanced charting package from TradingView, including 50+ technical indicators

Cons

• It's a shame that there's no demo account for traders looking to practice strategies
• The Exchange Plus platform delivers a cluttered interface compared to competitor platforms
• Deposit and withdrawal fees are relatively high, including 0.3% + $25 for SWIFT withdrawals

CEX.IO is a cryptocurrency exchange that offers the full scope of crypto solutions with a transparent fee schedule. In this review, our experts share their key findings after testing CEX.IO. We compare the firm’s accounts, pricing, tools and safety track record to help you decide whether to sign up.

Crypto Assets

CEX.IO offers a competitive list of over 200 crypto assets on its proprietary platform. This includes some of the most popular tokens such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Dash.

While the number of tokens is lower than alternatives like Coinbase, there are enough opportunities for most aspiring crypto traders.

The top 10 tokens by market cap available at CEX are: Ripple, USD Coin, Solana, Tron, Bitcoin, Cardano, Polkadot, Ethereum, Tether, and Binance Coin.

Trading Fees

Our team rated the fee structure at CEX.IO, which will appeal to active users who can secure lower fees. The brand uses a dynamic pricing model based on customers’ 30-day trading volumes, similar to Crypto.com.

Admittedly, the $5,000,000 trading volume necessary to receive the lowest pricing – a market-beating 0.01% taker and 0% maker fee – is out of reach for most traders, but the pricing at lower tiers is still competitive.

Beginners or those trading less than $10,000 will incur 0.15% maker fees and 0.25% taker fees, with this amount reducing to 0.13% and 0.23% respectively for volumes of $10,000 – $100,000.

These fees further reduce over five tiers until traders with volumes from $10,000,000 to $20,000,000 pay 0.11% taker and 0.1% maker fees.

All nine tiers thereafter charge 0% maker fees and progressively lower taker fees.

Non-Trading Fees

While using CEX.IO, we were disappointed to find deposit and withdrawal commissions for fiat payment methods. There are some high costs associated with credit/debit cards, Skrill, and Neteller with deposit transaction fees in the region of 2.99 to 3.99% plus service charges.

An inactivity maintenance charge will also be applied to accounts with a balance of less than $5 and no activity in 12 months.

Account Types

Registering with CEX.IO will unlock all crypto opportunities from a single account. This includes access to a digital wallet, spot trading, and earning possibilities.

We like this straightforward account model. While having accounts with different trading terms can be beneficial, here we think the simplicity of the single account model is attractive, especially for beginners.

How To Open An Account

I found the signup process at CEX.IO fairly easy – it only took a few minutes to get started:

1. Add your email address and country of residence in the application form
2. Create a password and select ‘Create Account’
3. Follow the verification link sent to your registered email address and click ‘Verify Now’ to upload identification documents

Payment Methods

CEX.IO stands out from competitors thanks to its wide range of fiat and crypto funding methods. The broker accepts credit/debit cards, wire transfers, and e-wallets such as Skrill and Epay to name a few.

Minimum deposits also start from $20 for fiat funding which is low enough for new investors. Popular crypto tokens such as Bitcoin have an initial funding requirement of 0.0001 BTC, which again is competitive and will serve investors on a budget.

The broker also performed well in terms of deposit speeds, with card payments offering instant funding and up to one day for domestic wire transfers.

On the negative side, our team was not impressed with CEX.IO’s transaction fees, with charges applicable to all funding methods for both deposits and withdrawals. This includes a 0.3% fee + $25 charge for SWIFT withdrawals.

How To Make A Deposit

I found it straightforward to fund my trading account via wire transfer:

1. Login to your CEX.IO account
2. Select ‘Deposit’ from the top right of the page and then choose ‘International’ or ‘Domestic’ bank transfer
3. In the screen to the right, choose a currency to make the payment and input the amount to deposit into the box
4. Select the location of your banking institution from the dropdown menu and click ‘Proceed’
5. Payment details will be displayed on the following screen and sent to your registered email address

Trading Platforms

CEX.IO offers a cryptocurrency trading platform as well as ‘Instant Buy’ services that act as a fiat on-ramp to buy digital assets with fiat currencies.

Instant Buy

Perhaps the simplest way to get involved with crypto is using the ‘Instant Buy’ service. With just a few clicks we were able to purchase popular coins using a range of fiat payment methods, such as credit/debit cards, PayPal, and Apple/Google Pay.

Trading Platform

While the ‘Instant Buy’ service essentially places a market order for digital currencies using your chosen payment method, the trading platforms offer more advanced ways to access markets and trade digital currencies including placing limit orders.

We find the spot trading terminal easy to navigate, and suitable from beginner level. The integration of TradingView charting, in particular, makes the interface easy to customize and get the most out of.

For more experienced investors, the brand has introduced the Exchange Plus web trader, which offers more advanced trading tools than the spot trading interface.

One challenge we did find with this platform is the cluttered interface, as we often need to collapse several windows to make space for the ones we require. For us, the interface feels overly crowded which detracts from the user experience.

Nonetheless, TradingView charting is flexible, with a choice of nine chart types, 20+ drawing tools, and 50+ in-built technical indicators. Real-time notifications of orders being executed or canceled are also presented on the screen and you can set customized price alerts.

How To Make A Trade

I find it easy to trade crypto from the order screen at the bottom left of the platform following a few steps:

1. Select an asset to trade from the dropdown menu on the top left
2. Scroll to the bottom and highlight either ‘Buy’ or ‘Sell’ to confirm the direction of the order
3. Choose an order type; ‘Market’, ‘Limit’ or ‘Stop Limit’
4. Input the trade size by amount or volume
5. Choose a maximum slippage percentage from the dropdown menu
6. Select ‘Confirm Order’

Mobile App

CEXI.IO offers an iOS and Android-compatible mobile app that offers all the functionality of the desktop terminal. When I put it to the test, I found it powerful yet intuitive and simple enough to use and make instant crypto purchases on the go.

I was able to easily access analytical tools and advanced order-matching algorithms suitable for experienced traders, alongside the simple instant buy/sell interface for novice investors.

Some of my favorite features include the custom price alerts and the order notification system, which provide useful updates when my criteria are met meaning I don’t have to spend hours monitoring the market.

Regulation & Safety

Like most cryptocurrency exchanges, CEX.IO falls short when it comes to regulatory oversight. It doesn’t operate with the same level of scrutiny as traditional trading brokers.

With that said, we are somewhat reassured by the exchange’s efforts to gain accreditation from several financial organizations. In the United States, for instance, CEX.IO is registered with FinCEN as a Money Services Business (MSB) and has attained money transmitter licenses (MTLs) in 30+ US states. It is worth noting here that cryptocurrency activities are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) or the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC).

In the EU and EEA, the company is registered with the Gibraltar Financial Services Commission as a DLT Provider.

The brand also complies with AML and KYC protocol, holds PCI DSS certification, and offers 2FA, DDoS protection, and multi-signature Bitcoin addresses.

Importantly, our review found no reports of major scams or loss of customer funds through hacking, events that are unfortunately quite common in the crypto market.

Leverage

Margin trading opportunities are available on the CEX.IO exchange, and even though the leverage available is far below that offered by many offshore entities, in a volatile market like crypto we don’t see that as a major drawback.

The leverage available is restricted to either 1:2 or 1:3, with customers able to choose between the two.

The availability of negative balance protection and automatic position closure is also reassuring.

Demo Account

CEX.IO does not offer a standard demo account, which we see as a big drawback for traders who may wish to try out the exchange and its platform before committing real funds.

That being said, you can access the exchange interface and explore the features available without having to invest any money.

Bonuses & Promotions

While testing CEX.IO, there were no welcome bonuses available. Instead, the exchange offers several incentives related to the use of its debit card or decentralized finance (DeFi) functions of the platform:

• CEX.IO Debit Card – Receive cashback or 5% crypto for transactions made with the branded card
• CEX.IO Earn – Earn rewards through staking and lending cryptos via the ‘savings’ or ‘staking’ route. Hold crypto and earn up to 5% rewards or transfer your coins to a staking profile and be rewarded with up to 30% compensation

Overall, we find these to be decent value, though we feel staking can be a risky undertaking given that it can tie up highly volatile assets for lengthy periods.

Additional Features

Wallet

CEX.IO offers a crypto wallet with 98% of digital funds held in offline cold storage. We rated that the CEX.IO wallet offers both web and mobile app solutions, as these allow you to access and manage cryptocurrency while on the go.

You can also receive, hold, or send digital tokens to external addresses via the CEX.IO wallet, whilst having access to real-time portfolio oversight and performance.

Loan

We were offered a crypto-backed loan in fiat currency, which enabled us to retain our crypto assets. It was straightforward to apply, with no credit check. A minimum loan amount of $500 applies, with a minimum term of seven days which we think is reasonable.

We also like the useful loan calculator available on the CEX.IO site, which can be used to find the best interest rates. However, as with all forms of borrowing, we recommend reviewing the terms and conditions before signing up.

Education

The brand’s ‘University’ education section on their website is top-tier, covering major topics from blockchain fundamentals and basic keywords to advanced order types.

I particularly rate the filtering function, since it allows you to easily create shortlists by topic or by experience level to find relevant information. I also enjoy the illustrations used in most articles, though I feel integrated videos would be a good addition.

Customer Support

Our team is pleased that CEX.IO’s customer support is available 24/7, with a dedicated online help center for all customers.

Though there is no telephone help, and email is limited, as part of our review we tested the live chat with several messages sent at different times of the day, including during the weekend. We found the exchange to be very responsive during each test, with a representative available quickly after initial contact with the chatbot.

Company Background

CEX is an established crypto exchange, founded in 2013 by Oleksandr Lutskevych.

The firm has experienced some notable success already, with the brand’s mining pool, GHash.IO, controlling 51% of total Bitcoin mining power in 2014.

Today, the brand offers services to customers in 30+ US states and the EU, with an impressive 5 million+ registered traders.

The company has also processed $7.5 billion in customer deposits since 2019 and has processed almost 590,000 BTC mined through its mining pool.

Trading Hours

Trading on the spot market is available 24/7 due to the nature of the crypto market.

Our team is pleased to see the integration of CEX.IO API, which allows experienced traders to set up automated solutions, integrate bots, and trade 24/7 even when away from a computer.

Should You Trade Crypto With CEX.IO?

CEX.IO is a decent crypto exchange for both new and experienced investors. The variety of products means there is something for everyone, from the Instant Buy function to the Exchange Plus trading platform.

Importantly, we consider CEX.IO a relatively trustworthy actor in the crypto world, which is a considerable advantage given the number of scams and failed businesses in this area. We also like the broker’s pricing model, which provides excellent value, especially to active traders.

Our only major criticism is the deposit and withdrawal charges when adding/removing funds from your wallet. The inactivity charge also means it isn’t the best crypto exchange for casual investors.

FAQ

Is The CEX.IO Exchange Safe?

While no crypto exchange is 100% safe, CEX.IO is relatively secure and has a good reputation. Our experts did not uncover any reports of hacking, and the brand adopts security features including PCI DSS compliance, and cold wallet crypto storage solutions. Additionally, CEX.IO is registered with a number of financial bodies.

Is CEX.IO Good For Beginners?

The services offered by CEX.IO are suitable for beginners. The ‘Instant Buy’ function makes it straightforward to buy popular cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin while the $20 minimum deposit is low. New traders can also explore the exchange’s interface and features without making a deposit and access the University section for educational materials.

Does CEX.IO Offer Low Fees?

CEX.IO pricing varies by monthly trade volumes, with the most competitive fees available to those trading the highest volumes. The lowest tier price model (trading volumes less than $10,000 per month) will incur 0.15% maker fees and 0.25% taker fees, which is about average for the industry.

Does CEX.IO Offer A Mobile App?

Yes, CEX.IO offers an iOS and Android-compatible mobile app that allows users to buy, sell, earn, and exchange crypto anywhere and anytime.

Top 3 Alternatives to CEX.IO

Compare CEX.IO with the top 3 similar brokers that accept traders from your location.

1. IG – Founded in 1974, IG is part of IG Group Holdings Plc, a publicly traded (LSE: IGG) brokerage. The brand-US offers spread betting, CFD and forex trading across an almost unrivalled selection of 17,000+ markets, with a range of user-friendly platforms and investing apps. For 50 years, IG has maintained its position as an industry leader, excelling in all key areas for traders.
   Go to IG
2. Interactive Brokers – Interactive Brokers (IBKR) is a premier brokerage, providing access to 150 markets in 33 countries, along with a suite of comprehensive investment services. With over 40 years of experience, this Nasdaq-listed firm adheres to stringent regulations by the SEC, FCA, CIRO, and SFC, amongst others, and is one of the most trusted brokers for trading around the globe.
   Go to Interactive Brokers
3. Gemini – Gemini is a cryptocurrency exchange set up in 2014 by the Winklevoss brothers, known for their early involvement in Facebook. The exchange is among the world’s 20 largest and most popular. Gemini clients can trade and stake 110+ cryptocurrencies, with derivatives trading available in some jurisdictions, an advanced proprietary platform and additional features including an NFT marketplace.
   Go to Gemini

CEX.IO Comparison Table

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