Bitfinex Review 2026
Registered exchange with real regulatory records.
Bitfinex is a crypto exchange founded in 2012. It holds a El Salvador DASP registration on the public register.
The record
On file, Bitfinex traces to 2012, with its operating base recorded in British Virgin Islands. Ownership is private, and no equity trades on a public exchange. The order book covers 65 coins and trading pairs, spanning spot and, where a jurisdiction permits, derivatives. The mandate stays inside crypto, spot and derivatives, nothing more.
Execution runs through Bitfinex's own web, mobile and API stack. No copy-trading layer is offered on the platform.
Bitfinex, operated by iFinex Inc., is a prominent cryptocurrency exchange known for its advanced trading features, including spot and derivatives markets, margin trading, and support.
| Founded | 2012 |
| Headquarters | British Virgin Islands |
| Listed coins | 65 |
| Trading pairs | 140 |
| Exchange type | Centralized (CEX) |
| CoinGecko trust score | 8/10 · global rank #35 |
| 24h volume | 3,567 BTC |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android, Desktop, API |
| Copy trading | No |
| Official channels | Twitter/X |
Custody & proof
Registration with El Salvador DASP places the exchange on an official public register, subject to that authority's AML and conduct rules. Confirm the current status directly on the regulator's own register.
| Regulator | Licence | Entity |
|---|---|---|
| El Salvador DASP | Registered ✓ | Bitfinex Securities El Salvador |
Cross-check the El Salvador DASP entry yourself at oracl8.com. Each record returns the licensed entity, its current authorisation state, and the exact activities it is cleared to run, a lookup that costs about a minute.
Fee schedule
The rates below are the standing fees on Bitfinex. Both sides of the book move with your rolling 30-day volume, and holders of the venue's native token typically settle at a discount.
| Taker fee | 0.1% |
| Maker fee | 0.00% |
| BTC/USD trading fee | 0.1% |
| ETH/USD trading fee | 0.1% |
| Withdrawal cost | Network fee only (varies by coin) |
At 0.1%, the Bitfinex taker fee reads as one of the sharpest posted by any registered venue of this size.
Withdrawals, cost and timing
Fee: None. Bitfinex does not charge deposit or withdrawal fees. Your payment provider may apply their own transfer fees.
Processing time: Instant to 24 hours for e-wallets. Bank transfers take 1 to 3 business days.
No payout clears until identity checks are settled. An account still short of full verification, identity and address on file, will see the timeline stretch. Once a record is complete, payouts track the figures above.
Minimum deposit, entity by entity
What you must fund to open depends on which Bitfinex entity your country routes to. Offshore books tend to set the bar lower, in exchange for thinner regulatory cover.
| Entity | Regulator | Min deposit | Max leverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bitfinex Securities El Salvador | El Salvador DASP · Registered | None | 1:10 |
Bitfinex vs Gate.io
| Bitfinex | Gate.io | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | El Salvador DASP Registered | VASP (multiple jurisdictions) Registered |
| Min deposit | None | None |
| Taker fee | 0.1% | 0.1% |
| Listed coins & pairs | 65+ | 1,400+ |
| Copy trading | No | Yes |
| Withdrawal fee | None | Varies |
Both records check out as registered venues. The case for Bitfinex rests on its platform and the breadth of its coin list; Gate.io pulls ahead where a trader weighs the reach of its specific licensed entities more heavily.
Registrations on file
| El Salvador DASP | Registered, Bitfinex Securities El Salvador |
For retail accounts across the EU and UK, leverage on crypto derivatives is held to 1:10 by local rule.
Strengths and weak points
What works
- El Salvador DASP regulated
- No minimum deposit
- No inactivity fee
- Low taker fee from 0.1%
What does not work
- No tier-1 registration on file (FCA, MAS, NYDFS or MiCA)
- No copy trading
The verdict
The records place Bitfinex as a registered, operating crypto exchange, El Salvador DASP Registered confirms on the public file. The best fit is traders who want 65 coins and pairs reachable through a registered venue. Score: 4.0 out of 5.
Alternatives to Bitfinex
Should Bitfinex miss the mark, the registered venues below are worth setting side by side:
Frequently asked questions
Is Bitfinex safe?
Registration with El Salvador DASP places the exchange on an official public register, subject to that authority's AML and conduct rules. The El Salvador DASP record sits on the official register in public view, open to anyone who wants to confirm it.
What is the Bitfinex minimum deposit?
None covers the primary regulated entity. Offshore books can set a different bar, so the entity table above is the place to read the figure that applies to your country.
What is the Bitfinex trading fee?
On the record, Bitfinex charges about 0.1% to take and 0.00% to make. The schedule tapers as 30-day volume climbs, and native-token holders usually clear at a reduced rate.
How long does Bitfinex take to process withdrawals?
Instant to 24 hours for e-wallets. Bank transfers take 1 to 3 business days.
Does Bitfinex charge withdrawal fees?
None. Bitfinex does not charge deposit or withdrawal fees. Your payment provider may apply their own transfer fees.
Does Bitfinex have an API?
Yes. Beyond its web and mobile front ends, Bitfinex exposes a public REST and WebSocket API, the hook for automated strategies, custom bots, and outside portfolio tools that read from an account.