CoinEx Review: Should New & Experienced Traders Use CoinEx Crypto Exchange?

Making Crypto Trading Easier

With a motto of ‘Making Crypto Trading Easier,’ CoinEx, with its utility-packed native token, CoinEx Token (CET), aims to provide a simple and secure experience for its millions of users. But should it be your exchange of choice in 2025?

CoinEx is a global and professional cryptocurrency exchange platform launched in 2017 by the ViaBTC Group. The platform serves users in more than 200 countries globally, providing a wide range of trading services, including spot trading, margin, futures trading, and other financial products. The platform is known for its user-friendly interface, transparent operations, and a broad selection of listed assets.

Beyond being just an exchange, CoinEx has built its own public blockchain, the CoinEx Smart Chain (CSC). CSC was officially launched on 30 June 2021, following its testnet. The design of CSC aims to provide an efficient, permissionless, and decentralized environment for developing decentralized applications (DApps) and DeFi protocols.

This review provides a comprehensive analysis of CoinEx, evaluating its platform for both new and experienced traders, its security measures, its unique ecosystem, and its overall suitability in a competitive market.

The CoinEx Ecosystem

According to CoinEx’s annual report, CoinEx has strategically supported over 800 cryptocurrencies and more than 1200 trading pairs, meeting the diverse investment needs of global users. The availability of a variety of digital assets makes CoinEx very attractive to global crypto traders who are in search of a wide range of crypto assets, not just the major ones.

By maintaining a good, fast, and comprehensive listing strategy, CoinEx aims to serve both sophisticated traders looking for niche projects and users who want a broad, fully featured marketplace.

CoinEx is not just an exchange; the platform operates on its own public blockchain, known as the CoinEx Smart Chain (CSC). The CSC blockchain is designed to be compatible with the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM). This means that decentralized applications (dApps) built for Ethereum or other EVM chains can easily migrate to CSC.

The CoinEx ecosystem also has its native token, the CoinEx Token (CET), a utility coin that plays multiple important roles in the ecosystem. On the centralized exchange, the CET tokens can be used to pay for trading and transaction fees at a low rate. Beyond its role as a trading fee discount, holding CET unlocks VIP status. Higher CET holdings grant benefits such as faster withdrawals, extra customer support, and special event access.

Digitap, a fast-growing protocol that builds on the features and functionality of CoinEx, offers its native token, $TAP, which mirrors CoinEx’s utility while adding new use cases such as staking. Like CET, $TAP holders can stake their tokens to earn crypto rewards, creating additional earning opportunities within the ecosystem.

On the CSC blockchain, CET functions as a gas token; it’s used to pay for gas, execute smart contract calls, and operate DApps. Other functions of the utility token include its dual role, bridging both the exchange and CSC. This helps unify the CoinEx ecosystem and provides users with a cohesive, value-driven token economy.

Additionally, CET holders are privileged to have governance-related rights, for instance, voting on proposals that drive the growth of the CoinEx ecosystem.

Is CoinEx a Safe Exchange?

Following the September 2023 exchange hack, a breach was identified that compromised users’ hot wallet keys, resulting in unauthorized outflows of between $50 million and $70 million. CoinEX swooped in, halting all transactions, isolating affected wallets, and launching a public investigation. The exchange issued a public pledge to refund 100% to all the users who were affected. CoinEX reiterated its User Asset Security Foundation, stating that no customer will bear the financial cost of the breach.

CoinEx has gone on to improve and tighten its security, designed to stop similar attempts. It rebuilt its hot and cold wallets architecture, tightening key management procedures, introducing multi-signature protections, and expanding internal risk-monitoring systems.

Alongside these upgrades, CoinEx decided to make its operations transparent by releasing its Merkle-tree Proof-of-Reserves system, an initiative that ensures each account receives cryptographic proof that its balance is included in the exchange’s published liabilities. While also including on-chain wallet disclosures, a model that reassures traders that CoinEx is not running a fractional reserve, an accusation that has plagued several collapsed exchanges in the past.

However, there’s still a lingering reality that no amount of transparency can eliminate, while the upgrades make the exchange stronger than it was post-hack. The greatest exchanges with clean audits and public reserve proofs can also fall victim to security breaches. Traders need to treat centralized exchanges as platforms where they can trade cryptocurrencies and keep long-term assets, where they have always been safest, in self-custody.

The Trading Experience

CoinEX is designed with a simple user interface and with accessibility in mind for both beginners and experienced traders. CoinEX applies a level of simplicity to everything it does, allowing users to easily purchase coins without feeling overwhelmed. The design implements a three-step guide that bridges the gap from setting up an account to making transactions.

The platform clearly labels all key functions, including deposits, withdrawals, spot trading, margin trading, and staking, making it easy for newbies to navigate. Its transaction page focuses on only necessary commands, and all less important sections are removed, ensuring users are not overburdened by lots of information.

Charts and order books are well-organized, with adjustable views for different analysis styles, while the trading dashboard provides a seamless flow from selecting a pair to placing an order. CoinEx’s mobile and web apps maintain this consistency, ensuring that users can trade efficiently on any device. The interface lives up to its former exchange’s motto, “ease of use,” before it changed its slogan to “CoinEx: Your Crypto Trading Expert” in early 2025.

CoinEx Trading Fees Structure

Spot and Margin Trading Fees

Category	VIP0 (Base Fee)	With CET fees Deduction	Remark
Spot maker fee	0.20%	0.16%	CET fee deduction only applies to spot/margin, not futures
Spot taker fee	0.20%	0.16%	Same CET discount rules as above

Futures Trading Fees

Category	VIP0 (Base Fee)	Remarks
Futures maker fee	0.03%	CET cannot be used for futures fees
Futures taker fee	0.05%	Fees vary with higher VIP levels and MM status

AMM (Automated Market Making) Fees

Market Type	Maker Fee	Taker Fee	CET/VIP Discount	Remarks
Standard AMM Markets	0%	0.30%	Not applicable	AMM uses a separate fee system from Spot.
Stablecoin AMM Markets	0%	0.10%	Not applicable	Discounted due to low-volatility pairs.

Regarding the exchange withdrawal fee, the standard withdrawal fee on CoinEx varies (network-dependent) based on blockchain gas fee and congestion. Meanwhile, internal transfers (CoinEx to CoinEx) are free because no blockchain interaction is needed.

Digitap’s crypto exchange with the lowest fees mirrors CoinEx’s overall low fee structure while adding extra functionality for a seamless user experience. Users can interact, stake, and make transactions across different assets using the digital wallet, giving them a fast and cost-efficient solution for day-to-day crypto activity.

Spot and Futures Markets

CoinEx has gradually positioned itself as a major cryptocurrency exchange supporting both spot and perpetual futures markets. The exchanges have over 1900 trading pairs on their spot markets; this gives users access to a variety of crypto assets such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc.

The platform has deep liquidity, ensuring trading is smooth with tighter spreads that can aid both large and small traders. Trading spots on CoinEX is very easy; users can purchase and hold cryptocurrencies, which makes the platform unique for investors looking for real exposure rather than derivative contracts. Also, the exchange has features like AMM pools and staking options; the spot market provides both Utility and flexibility for long-term investors and active traders.

CoinEX Spot Market. Source: CoinEX

Meanwhile, CoinEx’s derivatives market provides perpetual contracts, which have no fixed settlement date, allowing traders to maintain positions while taking advantage of leverage up to 100x. It also offers stablecoin-margined contracts, which are good for traders who want predictable accounting in USDT, and coin-margined contracts, which appeal to users looking for direct exposure to the underlying asset.

The exchange’s funding rate mechanism ensures that perpetual contract prices stay close to spot prices, creating opportunities for arbitrage while maintaining market stability. Additional features such as cross and isolated margin modes, mark-price liquidation, and Take Profit and Stop loss (TP/SL) orders give traders tools to manage risk effectively, though high leverage still carries substantial risk for the inexperienced.

CoinEX Future’s Market. Source: CoinEX

Conclusion: A Resilient Altcoin Hub

CoinEx stands out in 2025 as an altcoin-rich cryptocurrency exchange with 1,900 trading pairs. The platform’s low fees, especially with CET discounts, and tools like AMM pools, staking, and margin trading, make it appealing to both beginners and professional traders. Its CoinEx Smart Chain (CSC) further enhances its ecosystem, allowing users to interact with dApps and execute smart contracts using CET.

CoinEx has proven its resilience and adaptability in the face of significant challenges. For altcoin traders prioritizing a broad asset selection, low fees, and a simple, intuitive trading experience, CoinEx remains a strong choice. Its ecosystem, including CET utility, staking options, and CSC integration, provides added value for long-term users. Traders should, however, remain mindful of past security incidents and consider safe custody practices for larger holdings.

Explore the universe of altcoins on CoinEx’s user-friendly platform and enhance your portfolio management with Digitap’s digital wallet and no-fee crypto exchange. Track live crypto prices, stake assets like $TAP for crypto rewards, and ensure your portfolio stays diversified and secure with a single, integrated crypto banking application.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Is CoinEx safe to use after the 2023 hack?

Yes, CoinEx is generally safe with caution, like all centralized exchanges. After the 2023 hot wallet breach, the platform fully compensated affected users and overhauled its security system. CoinEx also implemented updates, including stricter key-management rules, multi-signature protections, and improved real-time risk monitoring.

Does CoinEx have a Proof of Reserves?

Yes, CoinEx has proof of reserves. The platform provides a Merkle-tree Proof of Reserves (PoR), which enables users to cryptographically verify that their balances are included in the exchange’s total liabilities. CoinEx also publishes its on-chain wallet addresses to provide transparency into asset holdings. This ensures users can confirm that CoinEx is not operating on a fractional-reserve model.

What is the CoinEx Token (CET)?

The CoinEx Token (CET) is the native token of the CoinEx ecosystem, offering multiple utilities across both the exchange and blockchain. Users can enjoy fee discounts on Spot and Margin trading, while holding CET unlocks VIP tiers, faster withdrawals, and other platform perks. On the CoinEx Smart Chain (CSC), CET acts as a gas token for smart contract execution and dApp usage. Additionally, CET holders can participate in ecosystem governance, influencing the platform’s development and growth.

Is CoinEx good for beginners?

Yes, CoinEx is beginner-friendly, designed with simplicity and ease of use in mind. The platform offers a clean interface, easy access to deposits, withdrawals, Spot, Margin, and Futures trading. A straightforward three-step onboarding process and consistent desktop and mobile design make navigation intuitive, while essential tools are clearly labeled. The interface focuses on essential actions while hiding non-critical elements to avoid overwhelming first-time traders, while still offering advanced tools for experienced users.

Can I use CoinEx in the US?

No, due to regulatory restrictions, CoinEx does not allow U.S. residents to access its platform. Traders in restricted regions cannot complete identity verification or legally trade on CoinEx. As an alternative, U.S. users can consider platforms like Digitap, which offers a compliant way to trade cryptocurrencies with full KYC verification.