CEX.IO Review 2025 – Pros, Cons and How It Compares

Spot Trading

CEX.IO is often the go-to choice for crypto enthusiasts who prefer spot trading, as it offers immediate settlements and real-time price information. The spot trading platform on CEX.IO offers an intuitive interface that enables users to use and find their way around seamlessly. On top of that, it is compatible with multiple different markets, so you can easily access whichever fits your best. It also offers narrow spreads, which can help you manage your trading costs and opt for the most optimal option. CEX.IO’s spot trading platform boasts a daily trading volume of over $2.9 million, and it offers a welcome bonus of up to 200 USDT for signing up.

Margin Trading

Despite being a riskier and more volatile trading method, margin trading is a popular choice for CEX.IO users who prefer leverage trading, as it offers them leverage of up to x10 and a highly secure environment. On top of the fact that the margin trading platform CEX.IO offers reliable 24-hour customer support and education content for the less experienced, there are also many other benefits to utilize. For starters, it combines liquidity from top exchanges to provide optimal prices while also offering various advanced tools, including detailed analytics, charts, and order types. As we mentioned, it offers top-notch security in compliance with regulations. As most crypto exchanges, including CEX.IO, do not offer margin trading to U.S.-based retail customers.

CEX.IO Broker

CEX.IO Broker is a platform for cryptocurrency trading via CFDs featuring a variety of order types, technical analysis instruments, and advanced trading tools. It allows users to leverage their position and increase their profit possibilities (while also increasing the risk they are exposed to).

Margin trading is only recommended to experienced traders; when trading CFDs, you aren’t buying actual coins; you’re just speculating on a coin’s price. This means you won’t be able to withdraw profits in the cryptocurrency you’re trading, only in fiat or Bitcoin.

Trading API

Users can also easily utilize and set up the CEX.IO API and streamline the trading process even more. It uses two of the best crypto trading APIs: REST and WebSocket. While REST is used for sending requests and executing actions, WebSocket has the role of providing ongoing connectivity and real-time data updates. By utilizing CEX.IO API, you will be able to set up crypto trades even if you are offline by using automated strategies. It also offers real-time data, continuous updates regarding account balance, integrated trading bots, and much more. Many platforms have already integrated the CEX.IO API, including HaasOnline, Shrimpy.IO, Cryptoview, and more. 

Instant Buy

CEX.IO also offers an Instant Buy option, which is typically the starting point for all new and inexperienced users who are just starting out their portfolios. The Instant Buy feature is available to all users, but you must ensure that your account is verified beforehand. You simply need to navigate to the Instant Buy section from the nav menu and choose the cryptocurrency you want to buy and the fiat currency you wish to purchase with. Make sure that your chosen payment method is topped up with the necessary funds, and once you are ready, confirm the purchase and get instant access to your assets. It is a simplified way for beginners to get started with buying Bitcoin or any other crypto without needing to go through a complete course on trading.

CEX.IO Wallet

The native CEX.IO crypto wallet is another feature the platform offers, enhanced with plenty of benefits and unique perks. For starters, you can use it on both desktop and mobile thanks to the mobile-friendly crypto app available on Android and iOS. It gives detailed insights into your transaction history with its intuitive dashboard, plus it streamlines the trading process, allowing you to buy, sell, and trade with only a few clicks. The CEX.IO wallet supports a long list of trending cryptos and offers some of the best rates and liquidity. You can also connect different payment options, including debit and credit cards, PayPal, Skrill, and SWIFT. Lastly, to maintain security, 98% of the total assets are kept in secure cold storage offline.

Earn

You can also generate passive income by utilizing the cryptocurrencies you already own with the CEX.IO Earn feature, which comes with two sides: staking and savings. When it comes to staking, CEX.IO offers the unique benefit of not locking up your digital assets, unlike many other staking platforms. This allows you to deposit, trade, and withdraw your staked coins without any waiting periods or fees. As for savings, you can put your coins into a savings account and generate rewards the more you keep them there. The savings feature includes flexible and fixed account options, where the flexible ones offer you the freedom to manage saved assets, while the fixed feature will lock them up for up to 90 days but will generate bigger rewards.

CEX.IO Crypto Debit Card

Having a verified account with CEX.IO and being an EEA resident makes you eligible for a free crypto debit card issued by Quicko Sp. z o.o.. Like all the major crypto debit cards, it allows you to combine your digital crypto assets with the real world by using them for everyday payments. The CEX.IO debit card imposes no annual spending or exchange fees, and there are no transfer commissions. You can use it in more than 150 countries worldwide, and you can even connect it to your Apple or Google Pay for easier use. However, the CEX.IO debit card does impose maximum payment limits of €3,000 daily and €10,000 monthly.

CeDeFi Swap

CEX.IO also offers a CeDeFi Swap platform. It stands for Centralized Decentralized Finance, and it combines the advantages of both centralized finance and decentralized exchanges. With CeDeFi Swap, you can enjoy CEX transparency while also taking advantage of the enhanced security and safety offered by the centralized nature of CEX.IO. However, there may be some aspects that limit the complete freedom of DeFi platforms since CEX.IO also conduits KYC procedures that will impose on user privacy.

CEX.IO Prime

Lastly, in this section of our CEX.IO review, we will review the unique CEX.IO Prime feature, which is designed for institutions and enterprises. This platform is capable of providing the best liquidity for big orders while also determining the best possible price on the market for the most optimal outcome. CEX.IO Prime is also incredibly easy to use, providing a single-point access API integration, and all clients are assigned an account manager to help them navigate the platform. So far, CEX.IO Prime has over 50 active clients, more than 1 million transactions, and a trading volume of over $4 billion.

CEX.IO Fee Structure

However, trading fees are one aspect of the exchange that doesn’t earn the most points in our CEX.IO review, and it seems that many users agree. Despite offering competitive fees, the platform is known for having some of the highest trading fees among competitors, which is a considerable drawback when users are looking for the opposite. We will explore the different fees in the following section of our CEX.IO review. A complete table of CEX.IO’s trading fees can be found on their website.

Supported Currencies and Payment Methods

CEX.IO supports well over 200 different spot cryptocurrencies and allows users to pay in many different payment methods, including debit cards. Some of the supported cryptocurrencies for buying via the brokerage service:

• Bitcoin (BTC)
• Ethereum (ETH)
• Ripple (XRP)
• Bitcoin Cash (BCH)
• Stellar (XLM)
• Litecoin (LTC)
• Tron (TRX)
• Cardano (ADA)
• Cosmos (ATOM)
• Dogecoin (DOGE)
• Polkadot (DOT)
• Polygon (MATIC)

The supported currencies by CEX.IO include USD, EUR, GBP, and RUB.

Payment Methods:

• Credit/debit card
• Wire transfers (including SEPA)
• Domestic bank transfer (ACH)
• Skrill (for EUR and GBP)

CEX.IO Security

As a leading crypto exchange platform, CEX.IO, one of the main questions for new users is “Is CEX.IO safe”? The short answer is yes since the exchange prioritizes security and focuses on the safety of its users. This is primarily evident because the company ensures that it is certified and licensed in all jurisdictions it operates. It is registered as a Money Services Business in Canada and 34 US states, among other global certifications.

On top of that, CEX.IO also includes two-factor authentication for additional layers of safety. It encrypts all of its data, and holds a PCI DSS certification. It also employs strict AML and KYC policies while keeping its users’ assets in cold storage.

One of the best things about the CEX.IO security is the fact that despite experiencing several hacking attempts, it has never actually been hacked. Ever since it launched back in 2013, there hasn’t been any kind of a CEX.IO scam or loss in user assets, which solidifies the platform’s top-notch security. However, in the case of that happening, or even if you think someone has accessed your account, CEX.IO provides a step-by-step guide on how to proceed.

You can get all the information about CEX.IO’s anti-fraud policy.