CEX.IO Review 2026
Registered exchange with real regulatory records.
CEX.IO is a crypto exchange founded in 2013. It holds a FCA cryptoasset register registration on the public register.
The record
On file, CEX.IO traces to 2013, with its operating base recorded in United Kingdom. Ownership is private, and no equity trades on a public exchange. The order book covers 281 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 CEX.IO's own web, mobile and API stack. No copy-trading layer is offered on the platform.
CEX.IO is a global cryptocurrency platform serving more than 15 million users. Its services include spot trading, anything-to-anything swaps, staking, savings, and crypto card payments. The platform operates within multiple regulatory frameworks and positions itself with an emphasis on compliance, security practices, a
| Founded | 2013 |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom |
| Listed coins | 281 |
| Trading pairs | 699 |
| Exchange type | Centralized (CEX) |
| CoinGecko trust score | 7/10 · global rank #74 |
| 24h volume | 88 BTC |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android, API |
| Copy trading | No |
| Official channels | Twitter/X · Telegram |
Custody & proof
Cryptoasset firms on the FCA register must meet UK anti-money-laundering and financial-promotion standards. Most crypto assets remain unregulated in the UK and are not covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS).
| Regulator | Licence | Entity |
|---|---|---|
| FCA cryptoasset register | Registered ✓ | CEX.IO |
Cross-check the FCA cryptoasset register entry yourself at register.fca.org.uk. 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 CEX.IO. 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 | 0.2% |
| Maker fee | 0.10% |
| BTC/USD trading fee | 0.2% |
| ETH/USD trading fee | 0.2% |
| Withdrawal cost | Network fee only (varies by coin) |
At 0.2%, the CEX.IO taker fee reads in line with the regulated retail field.
Withdrawals, cost and timing
Fee: None. CEX.IO does not charge deposit or withdrawal fees. Your payment provider may apply their own transfer fees.
Processing time: 1 to 3 business days. E-wallet and card withdrawals are typically faster than bank wire transfers.
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 CEX.IO 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| CEX.IO | FCA cryptoasset register · Registered | None | 1:1 |
CEX.IO vs Coinbase
| CEX.IO | Coinbase | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA cryptoasset register Registered | FinCEN MSB Registered |
| Min deposit | None | None |
| Taker fee | 0.2% | 0.6% |
| Listed coins & pairs | 281+ | 250+ |
| Copy trading | No | No |
| Withdrawal fee | None | Varies |
Both records check out as registered venues. The case for CEX.IO rests on its platform and the breadth of its coin list; Coinbase pulls ahead where a trader weighs the reach of its specific licensed entities more heavily.
Registrations on file
| FCA cryptoasset register | Registered, CEX.IO |
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
- FCA cryptoasset register regulated, CEX.IO
- No minimum deposit
- No inactivity fee
- Low taker fee from 0.2%
- 281+ coins & trading pairs
What does not work
- No copy trading
The verdict
The records place CEX.IO as a registered, operating crypto exchange, FCA cryptoasset register Registered confirms on the public file. The best fit is traders who want 281 coins and pairs reachable through a registered venue. Score: 4.0 out of 5.
Alternatives to CEX.IO
Should CEX.IO miss the mark, the registered venues below are worth setting side by side:
Frequently asked questions
Is CEX.IO safe?
Cryptoasset firms on the FCA register must meet UK anti-money-laundering and financial-promotion standards. The FCA cryptoasset register record sits on the official register in public view, open to anyone who wants to confirm it.
What is the CEX.IO 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 CEX.IO trading fee?
On the record, CEX.IO charges about 0.2% to take and 0.10% to make. The schedule tapers as 30-day volume climbs, and native-token holders usually clear at a reduced rate.
How long does CEX.IO take to process withdrawals?
1 to 3 business days. E-wallet and card withdrawals are typically faster than bank wire transfers.
Does CEX.IO charge withdrawal fees?
None. CEX.IO does not charge deposit or withdrawal fees. Your payment provider may apply their own transfer fees.
Does CEX.IO have an API?
Yes. Beyond its web and mobile front ends, CEX.IO exposes a public REST and WebSocket API, the hook for automated strategies, custom bots, and outside portfolio tools that read from an account.