Comparison of Bitfinex vs Valr [ 2024 ]

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

Your expert: Alejandro Borja

Bitfinex

Your expert: Xavier Tarrasó

Valr

Main points

Fees

0,10% /0,20%

Earns

Customer service

3/5

-0,01%/0,10%

Fees

Earns

4/5

Customer service

Recommended for

Beginners

Trading

Yes

Passive income

Buy and hold

Yes

Beginners

Yes

Trading

Passive income

Yes

Buy and hold

Comparison of fees

Rating

4.2 – Low fees for high-volume traders but higher for smaller trades.

4.0 – Competitive fees with strong local support in South Africa.

Level

0,10% /0,20%

-0,01%/0,10%

Brief explanation

Bitfinex’s fee structure is designed to cater to both high-volume and occasional traders. The exchange employs a maker-taker fee model, where makers, who add liquidity to the market by placing limit orders, typically pay lower fees than takers, who remove liquidity by matching orders already on the book. Fees for takers start at 0.20%, and for makers, they begin at 0.10%. These fees decrease significantly with increased trading volume, making Bitfinex an attractive option for active traders. Additionally, there are no fees for depositing cryptocurrencies, though withdrawal fees do apply and vary depending on the currency. Overall, Bitfinex’s fees are competitive within the industry, providing a fair balance between cost and the comprehensive features offered.

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.

Bitfinex

Year Founded: Bitfinex has been operational since 2012, establishing itself as one of the oldest and most stable players in the volatile cryptocurrency market. Its longevity speaks to its ability to adapt and improve in a rapidly evolving industry
Security Methods: Post-2016 hack, Bitfinex significantly ramped up its security measures, implementing state-of-the-art security protocols including cold storage of funds, two-factor authentication, and advanced encryption technology to protect user data and assets.
Trading Volume and Liquidity: Bitfinex consistently ranks among the top exchanges in terms of trading volume. High liquidity not only makes it easier for users to execute trades at desired prices but also reflects the trust and scale of operation that Bitfinex maintains.
Reputation and Reviews: Despite past challenges, Bitfinex has maintained a strong reputation within the crypto community. It is frequently praised for its advanced trading features and deep liquidity, with many users advocating for its platform in various reviews and crypto forums.
Transparency: Bitfinex has taken steps to enhance its transparency, particularly in how it manages user funds and its operational status. The exchange regularly updates users about new features, security enhancements, and operational changes, helping build trust through openness.

Read bitfinex review

Valr

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.

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Product selection

Native token

Token LEO

Earns

NFT marketplace

Cripto/debit card

Full name

iFinex Inc.

VALR Pty Ltd.

Regulation

Not regulated

Regulated in Sudáfrica

Year founded

2012

2019

Founder

Jean

Farzam Ehsani

Payment methods

Transfers

Yes

Mastercard

Yes

Wire transfer

Yes

Card

Yes

Comparative table

Bitfinex	FEATURES	Valr
Bitfinex allows trading with a relatively low minimum, catering to both small and large investors.	Minimum Trade	VALR allows relatively low minimum trades, making it accessible for beginners to start trading without requiring large initial investments.
Fees are competitive, but high withdrawal fees may deter frequent traders.	Trading and Transaction Fees	One of VALR’s strongest features is its competitive fee structure, which ranks among the lowest in the industry, benefiting all types of traders.
Offers a wide range of cryptocurrencies, providing extensive trading options.	Number of Cryptocurrencies	The exchange offers a wide selection of cryptocurrencies, providing ample opportunities for diversification.
Extensive crypto-to-crypto pairings offer flexible trading strategies.	Crypto-to-Crypto Trading Pairs	VALR supports a broad range of trading pairs, allowing users to trade directly between various cryptocurrencies without needing to convert to fiat.
Generally transparent with operational and security practices but could improve in fee structures.	Website Transparency	While VALR generally provides clear information, some users might find details regarding certain policies and operational procedures could be better highlighted.
Bitfinex does not provide an exchange card for customers to use for in-store purchases.	Credit/Debit Card	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.
Provides secure storage options including cold storage, though it’s complex for beginners.	Storage Offering	VALR offers secure storage options including cold storage, ensuring high security for stored digital assets.
Offers competitive staking options and rewards, enhancing user investment potential.	Staking and Rewards	The platform provides competitive staking options and rewards, making it attractive for users looking to earn passive income.
Both platforms are robust and user-friendly, but the mobile app lacks some advanced features.	Mobile App and Desktop	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.
Customer service is available but response times can be slow during peak times.	Customer Service	While available, customer service response times can be slow, which might frustrate users, especially those needing urgent support.
Efficient deposit methods; however, withdrawal policies can be restrictive and costly.	Deposit and Withdraw	Deposits and withdrawals are facilitated smoothly, but improvements can be made in terms of speed and the variety of supported currencies and methods.

Key features

Analysis tools

Advanced charting tools, multiple technical indicators, and APIs

Basic charting tools

Mobile APP

Security

High 4,9/5

High 4,6/5

Additional features

Margin trading, lending services, staking, Bitfinex Pulse (social network)

Staking, fiat on/off ramps, VALR Earn, institutional services

Anonymity

Key points

Available cryptocurrencies

150+

50+

User-friendliness

Bitfinex provides a powerful platform with a user-friendly interface that caters to both beginners and advanced traders. While it offers advanced trading features, the platform is designed to be accessible and easy to use.

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.

Value for money

Offers good value for money with competitive fees and advanced trading features, suitable for both retail and institutional traders.

Offers good value for money with competitive fees and strong local support in South Africa, making it a good choice for regional users.

Countries of operation

Global, including United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, Germany

South Africa

Best for

Suitable for experienced traders and institutions looking for advanced trading features and a wide range of cryptocurrencies.

Suitable for South African investors looking for a reliable platform with competitive fees and strong local support.

Base currencies available

USD, EUR, GBP, JPY, BTC, ETH, USDT

ZAR, BTC

Account

Trading

Bitfinex is tailored for professional traders with its advanced trading features and high liquidity. It offers a wide range of cryptocurrencies but has had security breaches in the past, making some users cautious.

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.

Deposit and withdrawal

Bitfinex supports a wide range of deposit options, including bank transfers and crypto. Withdrawals are processed quickly, usually within a few hours. Fees are competitive, though high-volume users may benefit more.

VALR is popular in South Africa, offering easy fiat and cryptocurrency deposit methods. Withdrawals are processed efficiently, with competitive fees.

Account opening process

Bitfinex provides a straightforward and fully digital account registration process. Users need to submit personal details, verify their identity, and address. The process is quick, usually taking less than a day to complete.

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.

KYC required?

Yes

Customer Service

Bitfinex provides extensive support through email, live chat, and a help center. The response time is quick, and support is available 24/7, ensuring users get timely assistance.

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.

Security

Bitfinex provides extensive security features, including 2FA, cold storage, and encryption. It is regulated by several financial authorities, making it a secure platform for investors .

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.

Which of these exchanges is for you?

Alejandro Borja

As an expert on our website, I recommend Bitfinex for traders seeking a diverse and dynamic trading environment. The platform’s extensive range of cryptocurrencies and crypto-to-crypto trading pairs is impressive, making it a great choice for those looking to explore different trading strategies. While the trading fees and customer service response times could see improvement, Bitfinex’s advanced trading features and robust security measures make it a reliable option for serious traders.

Xavier Tarrasó

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.

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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.