Comparison of Valr vs Safetrade [ 2024 ]

The crypto exchanges compared by their commissions, cryptos, security and much more. Here is the Valr vs Safetrade comparison!

Your expert: Alejandro Borja

VALR

Valr

  • Threenvest valuation: 3,8/5
  • US legal: No
  • Security: High 4,6/5
  • Mobile App: No
Go exchange

Investing risks losing your money

Your expert: Xavier Tarrasó

safetrade

Safetrade

  • Threenvest valuation: 2/5
  • US legal: No
  • Security: Low 2/5
  • Mobile App: No
Go exchange

Investing risks losing your money

Main points

Fees

-0,01%/0,10%

Earns

No

Customer service

4/5
≈ 0,10%

Fees

Yes

Earns

3/5

Customer service


Recommended for

Beginners

Yes

Trading

Yes

Passive income

No

Buy and hold

Yes
No

Beginners

No

Trading

Yes

Passive income

No

Buy and hold


Comparison of fees

Rating

4.0 – Competitive fees with strong local support in South Africa.
3.9 – Competitive fees with additional benefits for high-volume trading.

Level

-0,01%/0,10%
≈ 0,10%

Brief explanation

VALR’s commission structure is designed to be competitive and attractive to both novice and experienced traders. The exchange employs a tiered fee system where the trading fees decrease as the user’s monthly trading volume increases. This incentivizes higher trading volumes while maintaining affordability for smaller traders. Fees for typical trades start relatively low, with further reductions possible depending on the trade volume and currency pairs being traded. Additionally, VALR occasionally runs promotions that temporarily reduce fees or offer rebates, enhancing the trading experience.
SafeTrade implements a flat fee model for its trading activities, charging a uniform 0.1% fee for both makers and takers on all trades. This rate is appealingly lower than the industry average, which often hovers around 0.25%. This straightforward, low-cost fee structure makes SafeTrade an attractive option for traders looking to maximize their returns without the burden of high transaction costs. Additionally, it’s worth noting that there are no deposit fees on SafeTrade, which further reduces the cost for users to start trading. However, traders should be aware that while the trading fees are low, the lack of regulatory oversight might introduce risks that are typically mitigated on more stringently regulated platforms. Thus, while the fee structure is economically advantageous, it comes with considerations that should be carefully weighed.

Valr

VALR
Read VALR review
  • Strong Security Measures: VALR employs robust security protocols including cold storage of assets, two-factor authentication, and secure encryption technologies to ensure user funds are protected against unauthorized access.
  • Compliance with Local Regulations: As a South African exchange, VALR adheres to local financial regulations and guidelines, which bolsters its credibility and reliability as a trustworthy platform in the eyes of both users and regulators.
  • High Trading Volume and Liquidity: VALR supports a high trading volume and offers substantial liquidity, making it easier for users to enter and exit positions, which is especially beneficial for traders looking to execute large volume trades.
  • Reputation and Reviews: Since its launch, VALR has built a solid reputation within the cryptocurrency community. Positive user reviews often highlight its user-friendly interface, range of supported cryptocurrencies, and responsive customer support.
  • Year Founded: Established in 2018, VALR has rapidly grown to become one of the leading exchanges in South Africa, demonstrating strong market resilience and continuous adaptation to user needs and technological advancements.
  • Pros
  • Wide range of cryptocurrencies
  • Competitive trading fees
  • Strong security measures
  • Cons
  • Limited global fiat options
  • Slow customer support response

Read VALR review

Safetrade

safetrade
Read VALR review
  • Security Methods: SafeTrade emphasizes security with comprehensive measures to protect user data and funds. This focus on security helps in building trust with its users.
  • Transparency: The platform's operations are characterized by a high degree of transparency, especially concerning its integration with the SafeCoin projects and community feedback mechanisms. This openness is a critical trust factor.
  • Trading Volume and Liquidity: SafeTrade handles a significant amount of trading volume, ensuring liquidity for its users, which is essential for executing trades efficiently without substantial price slippage.
  • Customer Service: The exchange offers 24/7 customer support, which is a substantial trust factor for users, especially in a market that operates round the clock. Reliable support is crucial for resolving issues swiftly.
  • Reputation and Reviews: Since its launch, SafeTrade has maintained a positive reputation within the community, supported by favorable reviews from its users. This reputation is a testament to the platform's reliability and service quality.
  • Pros
  • Low trading fees.
  • Supports 48 cryptocurrencies.
  • Community-driven platform.
  • Cons
  • Not regulated.
  • No fiat trading options.

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Product selection

Native token

No
No

Earns

No
Yes

NFT marketplace

No
No

Cripto/debit card

No
No

Company information

Full name

VALR Pty Ltd.
Unknown

Regulation

Regulated in Sudáfrica
Not regulated

Year founded

2019
2018

Founder

Farzam Ehsani
Unknown

Payment methods

Transfers

Yes
No

Mastercard

Yes
No

Wire transfer

Yes
No

Card

Yes
No

Comparative table

Valr FEATURES Safetrade
VALR allows relatively low minimum trades, making it accessible for beginners to start trading without requiring large initial investments.
Minimum Trade
SafeTrade allows trading in small quantities, but specifics about minimum trade sizes vary by cryptocurrency, which can be confusing for new users.
One of VALR’s strongest features is its competitive fee structure, which ranks among the lowest in the industry, benefiting all types of traders.
Trading and Transaction Fees
SafeTrade charges a flat fee of 0.1% for all trades, significantly lower than the industry average, making it very cost-effective.
The exchange offers a wide selection of cryptocurrencies, providing ample opportunities for diversification.
Number of Cryptocurrencies
Supports 48 cryptocurrencies, which is robust but still fewer than some of the larger exchanges that offer hundreds.
VALR supports a broad range of trading pairs, allowing users to trade directly between various cryptocurrencies without needing to convert to fiat.
Crypto-to-Crypto Trading Pairs
Offers a variety of trading pairs, predominantly crypto-to-crypto, which caters well to a diverse trading base but lacks fiat options.
While VALR generally provides clear information, some users might find details regarding certain policies and operational procedures could be better highlighted.
Website Transparency
The website provides essential information, yet could improve by offering more detailed insights about liquidity and security measures.
The VALR card integrates seamlessly with the exchange, providing convenient access to funds and attractive rewards, enhancing the overall utility of the platform for everyday transactions.
Credit/Debit Card
Lack of a dedicated exchange card limits the practical usability of SafeTrade’s services for everyday transactions and rewards.
VALR offers secure storage options including cold storage, ensuring high security for stored digital assets.
Storage Offering
Offers secure storage solutions, but lacks some advanced features like insurance or diverse wallet options.
The platform provides competitive staking options and rewards, making it attractive for users looking to earn passive income.
Staking and Rewards
Limited information and options for staking and rewards compared to competitors who offer varied staking benefits and rewards.
VALR offers both mobile and desktop platforms that are user-friendly and feature-rich, facilitating trading on-the-go as well as from a desktop setup.
Mobile App and Desktop
Provides functional and user-friendly mobile and desktop interfaces, though there’s room for further enhancements in usability and features.
While available, customer service response times can be slow, which might frustrate users, especially those needing urgent support.
Customer Service
Offers 24/7 customer support with good service levels, but feedback suggests there could be improvements in response times and resolution efficiency.
Deposits and withdrawals are facilitated smoothly, but improvements can be made in terms of speed and the variety of supported currencies and methods.
Deposit and Withdraw
Deposits and withdrawals are facilitated smoothly for cryptocurrencies, yet the absence of direct fiat transactions and limited information on fees for these processes affect the rating.

Key features

Analysis tools

Basic charting tools
Basic charting tools

Mobile APP

No
No

Security

High 4,6/5
Low 2/5

Additional features

Staking, fiat on/off ramps, VALR Earn, institutional services
Margin trading, staking, SafeTrade Earn, fiat on/off ramps

Anonymity

No
Yes

Key points

Available cryptocurrencies

50+
20+

User-friendliness

VALR offers a user-friendly platform that is easy to navigate, making it suitable for beginners. The interface is designed to facilitate a smooth trading experience with all necessary features easily accessible.
SafeTrade offers a user-friendly platform that is easy to navigate, making it suitable for beginners. The interface is designed to facilitate a smooth trading experience with all necessary features easily accessible.

Value for money

Offers good value for money with competitive fees and strong local support in South Africa, making it a good choice for regional users.
Provides decent value for money with competitive fees and a user-friendly interface, though it may lack some advanced features.

Countries of operation

South Africa
United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, Germany

Best for

Suitable for South African investors looking for a reliable platform with competitive fees and strong local support.
Ideal for traders seeking a user-friendly platform with competitive fees and a wide range of supported cryptocurrencies.

Base currencies available

ZAR, BTC
BTC

Account

Trading

VALR is a popular exchange in South Africa, offering a user-friendly platform and easy fiat integration. It supports a good range of cryptocurrencies and competitive fees but lacks some advanced trading tools.
SafeTrade offers a secure platform with a decent range of cryptocurrencies. It has competitive fees but lower liquidity compared to larger exchanges.

Deposit and withdrawal

VALR is popular in South Africa, offering easy fiat and cryptocurrency deposit methods. Withdrawals are processed efficiently, with competitive fees.
SafeTrade supports various deposit and withdrawal methods, including bank transfers and crypto. Withdrawals are processed efficiently, with low fees.

Account opening process

VALR provides a seamless and fully digital account registration process. Users need to submit personal details and verify their identity. The process is quick and usually takes less than a day to complete.
SafeTrade provides a straightforward account opening process. Users need to provide personal information and verify their identity. The process is efficient and typically takes less than a day to complete.

KYC required?

Yes
No

Customer Service

VALR provides customer support via email and live chat. The support team is responsive and helpful, but the lack of 24/7 support may be a limitation for some users.
SafeTrade provides support through email and live chat. The support team is responsive and helpful, but the lack of 24/7 support may be a limitation for some users.

Security

VALR employs robust security features, including 2FA and cold storage. However, it is not regulated by major financial authorities, which might be a concern for some investors.
SafeTrade employs robust security features, including 2FA and cold storage. However, it is not regulated by major financial authorities, which might be a concern for some investors.

Which of these exchanges is for you?

alejandro-borja-analista-de-brokers.webp

Alejandro Borja

As an expert reviewer on our website, I highly recommend VALR for anyone entering the cryptocurrency market in South Africa. The platform’s wide array of cryptocurrencies paired with some of the most competitive fees in the market makes it a top choice. However, if you’re trading from outside of South Africa or require swift customer support, you might want to consider these aspects before deciding.
Xavier-tarraso-mascarell.jpg

Xavier Tarrasó

As one of the experts reviewing exchanges on our website, I find SafeTrade to be a particularly interesting choice for those venturing into the cryptocurrency market. It stands out with its low trading fees of only 0.1% across all trades, which is significantly lower than many other platforms. This feature alone makes it an attractive option for both seasoned traders and newcomers who are sensitive to cost. Furthermore, SafeTrade’s community-driven approach adds a layer of transparency and support that is not often seen in the exchange space. This feature should particularly appeal to users who value a collaborative and open environment. However, it’s crucial to note that SafeTrade is not regulated by any top-tier financial authority, which might be a concern for those prioritizing security and compliance. Overall, if you’re looking for a cost-effective platform and are comfortable with the level of regulatory oversight, SafeTrade could be a solid choice.

View all comparisons against Valr

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How do we review crypto exchanges?

At Threenvest, we conduct a thorough review process to evaluate and rank the world’s leading crypto exchanges. Our goal is to offer an unbiased assessment, providing you with the information you need to make informed decisions on which ones best suit your needs. We strictly adhere to the guidelines of our editorial policy.

 

We collect data directly from exchanges through detailed questionnaires and conduct first-hand testing and observations during crypto exchange demonstrations. Questionnaire responses, combined with demonstrations and hands-on research from our experts, feed into our proprietary evaluation process that scores each provider’s performance on more than 15 factors. The end result produces star ratings ranging from poor (one star) to excellent (five stars).


For more details on the categories considered when rating brokers and our process, read our full methodology.

Risk Disclaimer

Investing in cryptocurrencies is very risky, you should only invest the money you are willing to lose. Also you should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong.

Neither Threenvest, nor the author, are recommending you to invest with this article.

More comparatives Valr and Safetrade