CEX.IO

CEX.IO began in 2013 as the GHash.IO mining pool and pivoted into an exchange that same year. It has grown into a global platform with 15M+ users, lists 250+ coins / 800+ pairs, and holds 40+ licenses and registrations worldwide, including U.S. money-transmitter approvals and EU registrations.

Key Features

• Versatile trading stack: Spot markets for 250+ assets, an “anything-to-anything” Convert feature, and margin up to 20×.
• Instant Buy/Sell: Purchase 250+ coins with credit/debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, or PayPal in minutes; sell instantly back to fiat.
• Zero-fee stablecoin conversion: Exchange USDT ↔️ USDC ↔️ USD, as well as EUR ↔️ EURC, with no fees.
• Deep liquidity on majors: Routinely ranks near the top for 2% order-book depth on BTC/USD and ETH/USD, reducing slippage for large orders.
• Earn products: Flexible staking and savings with advertised rewards up to 12% APY.
• Crypto Card: Spend balances online/offline in 150+ countries (currently EEA only) with no annual fee.
• Multi-platform access: Web terminal, iOS/Android apps, and REST/WebSocket APIs for algo traders.
• Strong security track record: No known hacks to date; near-100% cold storage, mandatory 2FA, and address whitelisting.

Points to Consider

• Higher fees than peers: Base maker/taker 0.1%–0.25% (volume discounts); Instant Buy card deposits add 0.5%–4.99%.
• No derivatives: No options or derivatives trading—spot and margin spot only.
• Dynamic withdrawal fees: Network fees can spike; bank withdrawals incur 0.3% + US $25.
• Region blocks and limits: Not all products are available in every U.S. state or country; KYC tiers gate fiat limits.

Bottom Line

CEX.IO blends a decade-long security track record with strong liquidity on major markets and extensive fiat on/off-ramps. It’s a solid choice for beginners who value simplicity and card support, and for professionals seeking a regulated, U.S./EU-friendly venue.