Bithumb Review 2026
Registered exchange with real regulatory records.
Bithumb is a crypto exchange founded in 2014. It holds a FIU (South Korea VASP) registration on the public register.
The record
On file, Bithumb traces to 2014, with its operating base recorded in South Korea. Ownership is private, and no equity trades on a public exchange. The order book covers 483 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 Bithumb's own web, mobile and API stack. No copy-trading layer is offered on the platform.
Bithumb is one of South Korea's largest cryptocurrency exchanges, with a strong focus on security and compliance. With high daily trading volumes and a user-friendly interface, it caters primarily to the South Korean market while expanding its global reach.
| Founded | 2014 |
| Headquarters | South Korea |
| Listed coins | 483 |
| Trading pairs | 496 |
| Exchange type | Centralized (CEX) |
| CoinGecko trust score | 8/10 · global rank #43 |
| 24h volume | 6,903 BTC |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android, API |
| Copy trading | No |
| Official channels | Twitter/X · Telegram |
Custody & proof
Registration with the Financial Intelligence Unit places the exchange under national AML, reporting and know-your-customer rules. It is an AML registration rather than a prudential licence.
| Regulator | Licence | Entity |
|---|---|---|
| FIU (South Korea VASP) | Registered ✓ | Bithumb Korea Co., Ltd. |
Cross-check the FIU (South Korea VASP) entry yourself at fiuindia.gov.in. 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 Bithumb. 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 | 0.25% |
| Maker fee | 0.15% |
| BTC/USD trading fee | 0.25% |
| ETH/USD trading fee | 0.25% |
| Withdrawal cost | Network fee only (varies by coin) |
At 0.25%, the Bithumb taker fee reads in line with the regulated retail field.
Withdrawals, cost and timing
Fee: None. Bithumb 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 Bithumb 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bithumb Korea Co., Ltd. | FIU (South Korea VASP) · Registered | None | 1:1 |
Bithumb vs Bitfinex
| Bithumb | Bitfinex | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FIU (South Korea VASP) Registered | El Salvador DASP Registered |
| Min deposit | None | None |
| Taker fee | 0.25% | 0.1% |
| Listed coins & pairs | 483+ | 65+ |
| Copy trading | No | No |
| Withdrawal fee | None | Varies |
Both records check out as registered venues. The case for Bithumb rests on its platform and the breadth of its coin list; Bitfinex pulls ahead where a trader weighs a lighter fee schedule more heavily.
Registrations on file
| FIU (South Korea VASP) | Registered, Bithumb Korea Co., Ltd. |
For retail accounts across the EU and UK, leverage on crypto derivatives is held to 1:1 by local rule.
Strengths and weak points
What works
- FIU (South Korea VASP) regulated
- No minimum deposit
- No inactivity fee
- Low taker fee from 0.25%
- 483+ coins & trading pairs
What does not work
- No tier-1 registration on file (FCA, MAS, NYDFS or MiCA)
- No copy trading
The verdict
The records place Bithumb as a registered, operating crypto exchange, FIU (South Korea VASP) Registered confirms on the public file. The best fit is traders who want 483 coins and pairs reachable through a registered venue. Score: 4.0 out of 5.
Alternatives to Bithumb
Should Bithumb miss the mark, the registered venues below are worth setting side by side:
Frequently asked questions
Is Bithumb safe?
Registration with the Financial Intelligence Unit places the exchange under national AML, reporting and know-your-customer rules. The FIU (South Korea VASP) record sits on the official register in public view, open to anyone who wants to confirm it.
What is the Bithumb 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 Bithumb trading fee?
On the record, Bithumb charges about 0.25% to take and 0.15% to make. The schedule tapers as 30-day volume climbs, and native-token holders usually clear at a reduced rate.
How long does Bithumb take to process withdrawals?
Instant to 24 hours for e-wallets. Bank transfers take 1 to 3 business days.
Does Bithumb charge withdrawal fees?
None. Bithumb does not charge deposit or withdrawal fees. Your payment provider may apply their own transfer fees.
Does Bithumb have an API?
Yes. Beyond its web and mobile front ends, Bithumb exposes a public REST and WebSocket API, the hook for automated strategies, custom bots, and outside portfolio tools that read from an account.