Comparison of Independent Reserve vs Pdax [ 2024 ]

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

Your expert: Alejandro Borja

independent reserve

Independent Reserve

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

Investing risks losing your money

Your expert: Xavier Tarrasó

pdax

Pdax

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

Investing risks losing your money

Main points

Fees

≤0,50%

Earns

No

Customer service

4/5
0,40%/0,50%

Fees

No

Earns

3/5

Customer service


Recommended for

Beginners

Yes

Trading

Yes

Passive income

No

Buy and hold

Yes
Yes

Beginners

No

Trading

No

Passive income

Yes

Buy and hold


Comparison of fees

Rating

3.9 – Reasonable fees with strong local support in Australia and New Zealand.
3.9 – Competitive fees with strong local support in the Philippines.

Level

≤0,50%
0,40%/0,50%

Brief explanation

Independent Reserve operates with a tiered fee structure that incentivizes higher trading volumes with progressively lower fees. The standard trading fee starts at 0.50% and can decrease to as low as 0.02% depending on the user’s 30-day trading volume. For deposits, there are no fees for electronic fund transfers (EFT) over AUD 100, and SWIFT transfers are free for amounts over AUD 5,000. Withdrawals to Australian bank accounts are free, while international withdrawals incur a fee of AUD 20. Cryptocurrency withdrawal fees are competitive, with a fee of 0.0003 BTC for Bitcoin, which is significantly lower than the global industry average​​.
PDAX implements a straightforward fee structure which focuses primarily on trading fees and some transactional costs. Trading fees on PDAX range between 0.40% and 0.50%, depending on the specific market order type—whether it’s a maker or taker order. This fee is slightly above the global average for cryptocurrency exchanges but is justified within the context of a regulated exchange operating under the auspices of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). Additionally, while crypto deposits are free, PDAX charges variable fees for fiat deposits and withdrawals which are dependent on the chosen payment method, enhancing flexibility for users. This structure ensures that while users enjoy a secure trading environment, they are also aware of the costs associated upfront.

Independent Reserve

independent reserve
Read Independent Reserve review
  • Year Founded: Independent Reserve was established in 2013, making it one of the longest-running cryptocurrency exchanges in Australia. Its longevity in the market is a testament to its reliability and stability​​.
  • Reputation and Reviews: With over a decade of operation, Independent Reserve has built a strong reputation among users for its reliability and customer service. It has consistently received positive reviews and high ratings for its security, user experience, and customer support​​.
  • Regulation and Compliance: The exchange is registered with AUSTRAC (Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre) and complies with stringent anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CTF) regulations. This regulatory adherence ensures a high level of trust and security for users​​.
  • Customer Service: Independent Reserve offers comprehensive customer support through various channels including email, support tickets, and a well-resourced help center. This ensures that users can get timely assistance for any issues they encounter​​.
  • Security Methods: Independent Reserve employs robust security measures including two-factor authentication (2FA), encryption of sensitive data, and cold storage for the majority of its cryptocurrency holdings. The exchange also conducts regular security audits and penetration testing to identify and mitigate potential vulnerabilities​​.
  • Pros
  • Strong adherence to regulatory standards.
  • High level of platform security.
  • User-friendly interface for beginners.
  • Cons
  • Limited selection of cryptocurrencies.
  • No margin trading available.

Read Independent Reserve review

Pdax

pdax
Read Independent Reserve review
  • Regulatory Compliance: PDAX is licensed and supervised by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), ensuring that it adheres to strict financial regulations and provides a secure trading environment for its users.
  • Security Measures: PDAX prioritizes user security with robust protection mechanisms, including multi-factor authentication and cold storage for the majority of user funds, ensuring safety against potential cyber threats.
  • Customer Service: PDAX offers comprehensive customer support with multiple channels, including a detailed FAQ section, email support, and social media engagement, ensuring users receive timely assistance and guidance.
  • Trading Volume and Liquidity: As one of the leading exchanges in the Philippines, PDAX maintains a healthy trading volume and liquidity, which facilitates efficient trading and provides users with better price discovery and trade execution.
  • Transparency: PDAX operates with high transparency, regularly updating users about changes in service, fee structures, and other essential operational aspects, fostering trust through clear communication.
  • Pros
  • Regulated by Philippine central bank.
  • Supports direct PHP transactions.
  • Low entry cost for investors.
  • Cons
  • Limited international market access.
  • Fewer advanced trading features.

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Product selection

Native token

No
No

Earns

No
No

NFT marketplace

No
No

Cripto/debit card

No
No

Company information

Full name

Independent Reserve Pty. Ltd.
Philippine Digital Asset Exchange

Regulation

Regulated in Australia
Regulated in Filipinas

Year founded

2013
2018

Founder

Adam Tepper
Nichel Gaba

Payment methods

Transfers

Yes
Yes

Mastercard

No
Yes

Wire transfer

Yes
Yes

Card

No
Yes

Comparative table

Independent Reserve FEATURES Pdax
Minimum trade amounts at Independent Reserve are relatively low, making it accessible for new investors.
Minimum Trade
PDAX allows users to start trading with as little as PHP 50 per single trade, making it accessible for beginners and those with limited capital.
Fees are moderate compared to other exchanges, but some users might find them slightly higher for smaller trades.
Trading and Transaction Fees
The trading fees range between 0.40% to 0.50%, which is moderately competitive within the region but higher compared to global averages.
Independent Reserve supports a decent range of popular cryptocurrencies, providing enough options for most investors.
Number of Cryptocurrencies
Supports over 37 cryptocurrencies, which is decent for a regional exchange but less compared to larger international platforms.
The exchange offers a fair selection of crypto-to-crypto pairs, though not as extensive as some larger platforms.
Crypto-to-Crypto Trading Pairs
PDAX primarily focuses on PHP-to-crypto pairs, limiting options for those looking to trade directly between cryptocurrencies.
The website is user-friendly and transparent about fees, regulations, and available services.
Website Transparency
The website provides clear information about trading fees, minimum trade amounts, and other essential policies, although some users may find certain operational details lacking.
Independent Reserve does not offer a card for in-store purchases.
Credit/Debit Card
This lack of a dedicated card offering means that PDAX users cannot directly utilize their crypto holdings for everyday transactions outside the platform.
Offers secure storage options, including insurance for stored assets, enhancing user confidence in the platform’s safety.
Storage Offering
Provides secure wallet services regulated under Philippine law, ensuring safety for digital assets, though it lacks some of the advanced features found in dedicated crypto wallets.
Independent Reserve does not have extensive staking or rewards programs compared to some other exchanges.
Staking and Rewards
Currently, PDAX does not offer staking services or rewards, which is a significant drawback for users looking to earn through these mechanisms.
Both mobile and desktop platforms are well-designed, ensuring a seamless trading experience across devices.
Mobile App and Desktop
The mobile app is user-friendly and provides a robust trading experience on the go, although the desktop version could be enhanced with additional trading tools.
Customer service is responsive, though there is room for improvement in speed and availability during peak times.
Customer Service
Offers multiple channels for support including email and social media, but there are reports of delays and the lack of immediate response options like phone support or live chat.
Deposits and withdrawals are processed efficiently, with multiple options available, although some methods might incur fees.
Deposit and Withdraw
PDAX supports various local payment methods, which is convenient for Filipino users. International users, however, might find options limited.

Key features

Analysis tools

Basic charting tools
Basic charting tools

Mobile APP

No
No

Security

High 4,6/5
High 4,6/5

Additional features

OTC trading, SMSF services, staking, insurance options
Staking, fiat on/off ramps, PDAX Prime, institutional services

Anonymity

No
No

Key points

Available cryptocurrencies

20+
20+

User-friendliness

Independent Reserve 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.
PDAX features an intuitive and user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate, making it suitable for beginners. The platform focuses on providing a seamless trading experience.

Value for money

Delivers good value for money with competitive fees and strong security features, suitable for Australian and New Zealand users.
Delivers good value for money with competitive fees and strong local support in the Philippines, making it a good choice for regional users.

Countries of operation

Australia, New Zealand, Singapore
Philippines

Best for

Best for Australian and New Zealand investors looking for a reliable platform with competitive fees and strong security.
Best for Filipino investors seeking a reliable platform with competitive fees and strong local support.

Base currencies available

AUD, NZD, USD, BTC
PHP, BTC

Account

Trading

Independent Reserve is a popular exchange in Australia and New Zealand, offering a user-friendly platform and easy fiat integration. It supports a decent range of cryptocurrencies but has higher fees.
PDAX is a popular exchange in the Philippines, offering easy fiat integration and a user-friendly platform. It supports a decent range of cryptocurrencies but has higher fees.

Deposit and withdrawal

Independent Reserve is popular in Australia and New Zealand, offering easy fiat and cryptocurrency deposit methods. Withdrawals are processed efficiently, with competitive fees.
PDAX is popular in the Philippines, offering easy fiat and cryptocurrency deposit methods. Withdrawals are processed efficiently, with competitive fees.

Account opening process

Independent Reserve provides an easy and user-friendly account opening process. Users need to provide personal information and verify their identity. The process is efficient and usually takes less than a day to complete.
PDAX provides an easy and quick account registration process. Users need to provide personal details and verify their identity. The process is fully digital and typically takes less than a day to complete.

KYC required?

Yes
Yes

Customer Service

Independent Reserve provides extensive customer support via email, live chat, and phone. The support team is responsive and available 24/7, making it reliable for users globally.
PDAX 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

Independent Reserve employs comprehensive security measures, including 2FA, encryption, and cold storage. It is regulated by Australian authorities, ensuring high security for investors.
PDAX offers strong security with 2FA and encryption. Despite its robust security measures, the platform is not regulated by top-tier financial authorities, which could be a concern for some investors.

Which of these exchanges is for you?

alejandro-borja-analista-de-brokers.webp

Alejandro Borja

As an expert in cryptocurrency exchanges, I can confidently recommend Independent Reserve for several reasons. This platform excels in security and regulatory compliance, ensuring that your investments are protected. It supports multiple fiat currencies, making it accessible for users in Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore. While its selection of cryptocurrencies is somewhat limited, it offers a user-friendly interface and excellent customer support, making it ideal for beginners. For those prioritizing safety and reliability in their crypto trading experience, Independent Reserve is a solid choice.
Xavier-tarraso-mascarell.jpg

Xavier Tarrasó

As one of the experts reviewing cryptocurrency exchanges on our website, I’ve taken a close look at PDAX. It stands out as a commendable choice for Filipino investors looking to enter the crypto space. The exchange offers a secure, regulated platform where you can trade directly with the Philippine Peso, making it exceptionally convenient. With a user-friendly interface and the support of local bank transfers, PDAX simplifies the process of buying and selling digital assets. Whether you’re new to cryptocurrencies or seeking a reliable home-market platform, PDAX provides a solid foundation to manage your digital investments.

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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 Independent Reserve and Pdax