Changex or Bitfinex – which is better for UK traders 2024? Compare Changex and Bitfinex in this detailed breakdown of their platforms, features and fees.
ChangeX, previously Bitvalex, is a one-stop crypto solution. Users can buy, sell, swap and send popular digital currencies from a slick mobile platform. The firm also has a learning academy, alongside staking and lending opportunities.
Established in 2012, Hong Kong-based Bitfinex is a formidable player in the crypto industry. It boasts a powerful proprietary platform, 180 cryptocurrencies and more than 430 market pairs available for spot or perpetual swaps derivatives trading. With new payment methods, lower entry barriers and fresh products like crypto futures, Bitfinex is attracting a wider range of active crypto traders.
Pros
Passive income opportunities via leveraged staking and lending with rewards boosted by up to 2x for proof-of-stake assets
Access to the native CHANGE token with increased APR and exclusive app features
Centrally-issued Mastercard debit card due to launch, compatible with decentralized tokens
Educational articles and online courses for beginners available in the 'Academy'
Store crypto securely with the brand's 100% non-custodial wallet
Despite a steep learning curve, the Bitfinex trading platform delivers for experienced traders, featuring a comprehensive charting package with 12 timeframes, plus margin trading and various order types.
Bitfinex boasts excellent liquidity across its crypto trading pairs, reducing the likelihood of slippage and ensuring efficient order execution, particularly for large volume trades, making it reliable for frequent traders.
After bolstering its roster, Bitfinex now offers access to over 180 cryptocurrencies, from Bitcoin and Ethereum to emerging altcoins with high levels of volatility that may appeal to traders.
Bitfinex is well-suited to algo traders, facilitating automated trading through its Honey terminal and API integration, enabling traders to program trading strategies efficiently.
Cons
No telephone contact or live chat support for registered customers
ChangeX is not regulated by a trusted financial body, raising safety concerns
Unverified account holders are not permitted to deposit or withdraw fiat currency
Despite enhancing its security measures with two-factor authentication, Bitfinex still hasn’t escaped its dogged history of major security breaches and regulatory fines.
Like many crypto exchanges, Bitfinex operates in a regulatory grey area, which may pose risks for traders, especially compared to trusted crypto trading platforms like eToro.
Although Bitfinex has removed its $10,000 minimum deposit, making it more accessible to newer traders, the fee system remains complicated, with various factors such as trading volume and token holdings influencing fees, potentially leading to confusion.
Testing reveals inadequate support, especially for active traders, with response times of 12 hours via email and a frustrating user experience with no live chat integrated into the trading platform.
For occasional crypto traders and investors prioritizing simplicity, platforms like eToro, Gemini, or Kraken are superior options.
Bitfinex provides a mobile application that mirrors the full functionality of its web platform, facilitating seamless crypto trading on the move. The app also includes a Lite Mode for a simplified trading experience, presenting a more user-friendly interface for trading, staking, and lending cryptos, requiring just a few taps. The app is downloadable from both Apple’s App Store and Google’s Play Store, though app store ratings demonstrate a superior user experience on iOS devices.
iOS App Rating
4
Android App Rating
3.5
Margin Trading
No
Yes
MetaTrader 4
No
No
MetaTrader 5
No
No
cTrader
No
No
AlgoTrader
No
No
OmniTrader
No
No
TradingView
No
No
Autochartist
No
No
eSignal
No
No
Trading Central
No
No
STP Account
No
No
ECN Account
No
No
DMA Account
No
No
MAM Account
No
No
PAMM Account
No
No
LAMM Account
No
No
Demat Account
No
No
AI / Machine Learning
No
No
Robo Advisor
No
No
Negative Balance Protection
No
No
Market Maker
No
No
P2P Trading
No
Yes
Spot Trading
No
Yes
Auto Trading
Yes
Copy Trading
No
No
Social Trading
No
No
VPS Hosting
No
No
Tournaments
No
No
Demo Competitions
No
No
Ethical Investing
No
No
Custodial Account
No
No
Guaranteed Stop Loss
No
No
Inactivity Fee
$5
Islamic Account
No
No
Account Currencies
USD
EUR
USD
EUR
GBP
JPY
TRY
Cryptocurrency
ChangeX customers can purchase seven cryptos with fiat currency including BTC, ETH and LTC on multi-chain networks such as Hydra and Polygon. Users can store cryptos in a non-custodial digital wallet and swap tokens cross-chain quickly.
Bitfinex provides access to an exceptional variety of crypto assets, encompassing over 180 tokens. In addition to spot trading, the platform supports perpetual swaps trading, enabling traders to engage in margin trading on crypto assets with leverage up to 1:10. With digital tokens frequently listed and delisted, Bitfinex provides diverse opportunities to participate in the dynamic cryptocurrency market.
