Gate.io or Bitfinex – which is better for UK traders 2024? Compare Gate.io and Bitfinex in this detailed breakdown of their platforms, features and fees.
Gate.io has closed or no longer accepts UK clients.
Gate.io is an established crypto exchange, founded in 2013. The firm offers its native token, GateToken, alongside a vast range of crypto derivatives, NFTs, investment products and more. Gate.io is unregulated but has earned a strong reputation, with over 10 million active users.
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
180+ crypto tokens available and 100+ crypto deposit methods
Lending and yield farming supported, plus an NFT marketplace
Unlike many exchanges, Gate.io offers a free demo account with virtual funds
Derivatives trading available with leveraged tokens up to x100 and spot contracts
A range of community and social features are available including a chat room, leaderboards and live streams
Wide range of educational resources aimed at various experience levels plus a Beginner's Zone with rewards
Gate.io wallet for crypto-asset storage
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
Cluttered platform which may deter beginners
Unregulated exchange raises security concerns
Limited customer support methods
Daily withdrawal limits and fees
Fiat deposits are not accepted
No customers from the USA
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
Yes
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
Yes
Yes
Auto Trading
Yes
Copy Trading
No
No
Social Trading
No
No
Trade Signals
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
GBP
JPY
TRY
Cryptocurrency
Gate.io supports 180+ altcoins, with an impressive 670 assets that can be traded against USD, 89 BTC markets and 520 ETH markets. Active traders are favored with the tiered fee structure, paying as little as 0.055% for maker fees.
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.