Zaif Review 2026
Registered exchange with real regulatory records.
Zaif is a crypto exchange founded in 2015. It holds a FSA (Japan) registration under number Registered.
The record
On file, Zaif traces to 2015, with its operating base recorded in Japan. Ownership is private, and no equity trades on a public exchange. The order book covers 120 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 Zaif's own web, mobile and API stack. No copy-trading layer is offered on the platform.
| Founded | 2015 |
| Headquarters | Japan |
| Listed coins | 120 |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android, API |
| Copy trading | No |
Custody & proof
The Seychelles FSA is an offshore regulator. It requires exchange registration and basic conduct rules, but does not offer the same client protections as the FCA, MAS, or NYDFS. There is no compensation scheme and leverage limits are not imposed.
| Regulator | Licence | Entity |
|---|---|---|
| FSA (Japan) | Registered ✓ | Zaif |
Cross-check the FSA (Japan) 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 Zaif. 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 | 0.4% |
| Maker fee | 0.30% |
| BTC/USD trading fee | 0.4% |
| ETH/USD trading fee | 0.4% |
| Withdrawal cost | Network fee only (varies by coin) |
At 0.4%, the Zaif taker fee reads in line with the regulated retail field.
Withdrawals, cost and timing
Fee: None. Zaif 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 Zaif 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zaif | FSA (Japan) Registered | None | 1:1 |
Zaif vs Kraken
| Zaif | Kraken | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FSA (Japan) Registered | FinCEN MSB Registered |
| Min deposit | None | None |
| Taker fee | 0.4% | 0.26% |
| Listed coins & pairs | 120+ | 712+ |
| Copy trading | No | No |
| Withdrawal fee | None | Varies |
Both records check out as registered venues. The case for Zaif rests on its platform and the breadth of its coin list; Kraken pulls ahead where a trader weighs a lighter fee schedule more heavily.
Registrations on file
| FSA (Japan) | Registered, Zaif |
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
- FSA (Japan) regulated
- No minimum deposit
- No inactivity fee
- Low taker fee from 0.4%
- 120+ coins & trading pairs
What does not work
- No tier-1 registration (FCA/MAS/NYDFS), offshore entity only
- No copy trading
The verdict
The records place Zaif as a registered, operating crypto exchange, FSA (Japan) number Registered confirms on the public file. The best fit is traders who want 120 coins and pairs reachable through a registered venue. Score: 4.0 out of 5.
Alternatives to Zaif
Should Zaif miss the mark, the registered venues below are worth setting side by side:
Frequently asked questions
Is Zaif safe?
The Seychelles FSA is an offshore regulator. The FSA (Japan) record, licence Registered, sits on the official register in public view, open to anyone who wants to confirm it.
What is the Zaif 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 Zaif trading fee?
On the record, Zaif charges about 0.4% to take and 0.30% to make. The schedule tapers as 30-day volume climbs, and native-token holders usually clear at a reduced rate.
How long does Zaif take to process withdrawals?
Instant to 24 hours for e-wallets. Bank transfers take 1 to 3 business days.
Does Zaif charge withdrawal fees?
None. Zaif does not charge deposit or withdrawal fees. Your payment provider may apply their own transfer fees.
Does Zaif have an API?
Yes. Beyond its web and mobile front ends, Zaif exposes a public REST and WebSocket API, the hook for automated strategies, custom bots, and outside portfolio tools that read from an account.