Comparison of Pdax vs Valr [ 2024 ]

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

Your expert: Alejandro Borja

pdax

Pdax

  • 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

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

Main points

Fees

0,40%/0,50%

Earns

No

Customer service

3/5
-0,01%/0,10%

Fees

No

Earns

4/5

Customer service


Recommended for

Beginners

Yes

Trading

No

Passive income

No

Buy and hold

Yes
Yes

Beginners

Yes

Trading

No

Passive income

Yes

Buy and hold


Comparison of fees

Rating

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

Level

0,40%/0,50%
-0,01%/0,10%

Brief explanation

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.
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.

Pdax

pdax
Read PDAX 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.

Read PDAX review

Valr

VALR
Read PDAX 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

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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

Philippine Digital Asset Exchange
VALR Pty Ltd.

Regulation

Regulated in Filipinas
Regulated in Sudáfrica

Year founded

2018
2019

Founder

Nichel Gaba
Farzam Ehsani

Payment methods

Transfers

Yes
Yes

Mastercard

Yes
Yes

Wire transfer

Yes
Yes

Card

Yes
Yes

Comparative table

Pdax FEATURES Valr
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.
Minimum Trade
VALR allows relatively low minimum trades, making it accessible for beginners to start trading without requiring large initial investments.
The trading fees range between 0.40% to 0.50%, which is moderately competitive within the region but higher compared to global averages.
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.
Supports over 37 cryptocurrencies, which is decent for a regional exchange but less compared to larger international platforms.
Number of Cryptocurrencies
The exchange offers a wide selection of cryptocurrencies, providing ample opportunities for diversification.
PDAX primarily focuses on PHP-to-crypto pairs, limiting options for those looking to trade directly between cryptocurrencies.
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.
The website provides clear information about trading fees, minimum trade amounts, and other essential policies, although some users may find certain operational details lacking.
Website Transparency
While VALR generally provides clear information, some users might find details regarding certain policies and operational procedures could be better highlighted.
This lack of a dedicated card offering means that PDAX users cannot directly utilize their crypto holdings for everyday transactions outside the platform.
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 wallet services regulated under Philippine law, ensuring safety for digital assets, though it lacks some of the advanced features found in dedicated crypto wallets.
Storage Offering
VALR offers secure storage options including cold storage, ensuring high security for stored digital assets.
Currently, PDAX does not offer staking services or rewards, which is a significant drawback for users looking to earn through these mechanisms.
Staking and Rewards
The platform provides competitive staking options and rewards, making it attractive for users looking to earn passive income.
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.
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.
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.
Customer Service
While available, customer service response times can be slow, which might frustrate users, especially those needing urgent support.
PDAX supports various local payment methods, which is convenient for Filipino users. International users, however, might find options limited.
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

Basic charting tools
Basic charting tools

Mobile APP

No
No

Security

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

Additional features

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

Anonymity

No
No

Key points

Available cryptocurrencies

20+
50+

User-friendliness

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.
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

Delivers good value for money with competitive fees and strong local support in the Philippines, making it a good choice for regional users.
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

Philippines
South Africa

Best for

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

Base currencies available

PHP, BTC
ZAR, BTC

Account

Trading

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.
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

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

Account opening process

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.
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
Yes

Customer Service

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.
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

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.
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-analista-de-brokers.webp

Alejandro Borja

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.
Xavier-tarraso-mascarell.jpg

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.

More comparatives Pdax and Valr