Comparison of Phemex vs Altcoin Trader [ 2024 ]

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

Your expert: Alejandro Borja

phemex

Phemex

Your expert: Xavier Tarrasó

ascendex

Altcoin Trader

Main points

Fees

0,10%

Earns

No

Customer service

3/5
0,10%

Fees

Yes

Earns

4/5

Customer service


Recommended for

Beginners

No

Trading

Yes

Passive income

No

Buy and hold

Yes
Yes

Beginners

Yes

Trading

Yes

Passive income

Yes

Buy and hold


Comparison of fees

Rating

4.1 – Low fees with a focus on derivatives trading.
3.5 – Competitive fees within South Africa but higher for international transactions.

Level

0,10%
0,10%

Brief explanation

Phemex implements a transparent and competitive commission structure, which is one of its standout features. The platform offers zero-fee spot trading for premium members, a unique model that encourages active trading and enhances affordability. For non-premium users, the fees remain competitive with the industry average. The fees for futures trading are also attractively low, with maker and taker fees structured to incentivize liquidity provision on the platform. This setup allows traders to manage their costs effectively, which is especially beneficial in a market where margins can be tight.
AscendEX maintains a competitive and transparent fee structure, which is essential for both casual and serious traders. The platform typically charges a flat fee for both makers and takers, simplifying calculations for users. These fees are generally aligned with industry standards, ensuring that traders can engage in frequent trading activities without excessive costs. Additionally, AscendEX may offer tiered discounts based on the user’s monthly trading volume, which incentivizes higher trading activity with lower fees. For users looking to minimize costs while maximizing trading opportunities, AscendEX’s fee structure is designed to support a wide range of trading strategies and volumes, making it a compelling choice for those who value straightforward and equitable financial dealings in their trading platform.

Phemex

Altcoin Trader

Comparison sponsored by the best exchange

eToro

eToro Special Offer*

Earn up to 4.90% APY on uninvested cash with eToro USA.

Account Minimum

Get started with just $100.

And 1% fee on all cryptocurrency trades.

etoro logotipo

Direct link to the website

Product selection

Native token

No
No

Earns

No
Yes

NFT marketplace

No
No

Cripto/debit card

No
No

Company information

Full name

Phemex Financial Pte. Ltd.
Altcoin Trader (Pty) Ltd.

Regulation

Not regulated
Not regulated

Year founded

2019
2014

Founder

Jack Tao
Richard de Sousa

Payment methods

Transfers

No
Yes

Mastercard

Yes
No

Wire transfer

No
Yes

Card

Yes
No

Comparative table

Phemex FEATURES Altcoin Trader
Phemex allows trading with relatively low minimums, making it accessible for beginners who wish to start small.
Minimum Trade
AscendEX allows small minimum trades, making it accessible for users with smaller capital.
Offers competitive fees with several fee-free options for premium members, though slightly higher for regular users.
Trading and Transaction Fees
Competitive fees, especially favorable for high-volume traders with further discounts available.
Supports a wide range of cryptocurrencies, providing ample trading opportunities for users.
Number of Cryptocurrencies
Offers a broad range of over 100 cryptocurrencies, catering to diverse trader demands.
Extensive selection of trading pairs, allowing users to diversify their trading strategies.
Crypto-to-Crypto Trading Pairs
Features an extensive array of trading pairs, facilitating varied and flexible trading strategies.
The website provides essential information, although some users may find details on fees and terms could be clearer.
Website Transparency
Generally transparent about fees and terms, though some details on security could be clearer.
Phemex does not provide an exchange card for in-store purchases. It focuses on trading features and derivatives.
Credit/Debit Card
AscendEX lacks an exchange card feature, which could enhance the usability of cryptocurrencies for everyday transactions and offer additional benefits to its users.
Offers secure cold storage options, enhancing safety for user funds against potential cyber threats.
Storage Offering
Provides secure storage options with cold storage and multi-factor authentication.
Provides staking options with competitive rewards, though options are more limited compared to specialized staking platforms.
Staking and Rewards
Offers competitive staking rewards and various incentives for participation in trading activities.
Both the mobile app and desktop platform are highly user-friendly and robust, suitable for trading on the go.
Mobile App and Desktop
Both mobile and desktop platforms are well-designed, offering full functionality and ease of use.
Generally responsive customer service with multiple channels available, but some reports of delayed responses during peak times.
Customer Service
Robust customer support with responsive service via multiple channels.
Offers multiple deposit and withdrawal methods, but some users have experienced delays and higher fees for certain methods.
Deposit and Withdraw
Efficient deposit and withdrawal processes are in place, although adding more fiat options could improve accessibility and convenience.

Key features

Analysis tools

Advanced charting tools, technical analysis
Basic charting tools

Mobile APP

No
No

Security

High 4,9/5
High 4,5/5

Additional features

Margin trading, futures trading, staking, Phemex Earn
Instant EFT payments, savings wallets, recurring buy orders, OTC trading

Anonymity

Yes
No

Key points

Available cryptocurrencies

Primarily derivatives, few direct cryptocurrencies
20+

User-friendliness

Phemex provides 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.
Altcoin Trader is known for its simple and user-friendly interface, which makes it accessible for new traders. The platform focuses on ease of use, ensuring that buying and selling cryptocurrencies is straightforward.

Value for money

Offers good value for money with competitive fees and advanced trading features, suitable for both retail and institutional traders.
Delivers decent value for money, especially for South African users, with competitive fees and easy access to local banking options.

Countries of operation

Global, including United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, Germany
South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Lesotho

Best for

Suitable for both retail and institutional traders interested in derivatives trading with competitive fees and advanced features.
Best for South African investors looking for easy access to local banking options and competitive fees, making it ideal for regional users.

Base currencies available

USD, BTC, USDT
ZAR, BTC

Account

Trading

Phemex offers extensive trading options including spot, margin, and futures trading. It provides advanced tools suitable for experienced traders but might be overwhelming for beginners.
Altcoin Trader is ideal for users looking to trade a variety of altcoins. The platform is easy to navigate, but its fee structure is slightly higher than average. Additionally, the platform’s customer support could use improvement.

Deposit and withdrawal

Phemex supports multiple deposit and withdrawal methods, including bank transfers and crypto. Withdrawals are processed efficiently, with low fees.
Altcoin Trader provides bank transfer and cryptocurrency deposit options. Withdrawals are usually processed within 24 hours. Fees are relatively low, making it accessible for beginners.

Account opening process

Phemex offers a seamless and fully digital account opening process. Users need to submit personal information and verify their identity. The process is quick and usually completed within a day.
Altcoin Trader has a simple account registration process. It requires basic personal information, proof of identity, and address verification. The process is quick, usually taking less than a day, making it accessible for new users.

KYC required?

Yes
No

Customer Service

Phemex offers extensive customer support through email, live chat, and a help center. Support is available 24/7, and the response times are quick, ensuring users get timely assistance.
Altcoin Trader provides support through email and live chat. The support team is responsive and helpful, but the lack of 24/7 availability can be a downside for users needing immediate assistance.

Security

Phemex provides extensive security measures, including 2FA and cold storage. However, it is not regulated by major financial authorities, which might be a concern for some users.
Altcoin Trader employs standard security measures like 2FA and encryption. It lacks regulation from major financial bodies, which could be a concern for some investors regarding the safety of their funds.

Which of these exchanges is for you?

As one of the experts reviewing cryptocurrency exchanges on our website, I find Phemex to be a highly compelling choice for traders. The platform impresses with its robust security features and a wide array of trading options, catering to both newcomers and seasoned traders. Personally, I appreciate the platform’s user-friendly interface and the fact that it offers high liquidity, which is crucial for executing trades swiftly and efficiently. I would recommend Phemex to anyone looking to dive into the world of cryptocurrency trading, especially those who value security and a diverse range of trading instruments.
As an expert reviewer on our website, I highly recommend AscendEX for both new and experienced traders looking for a comprehensive crypto trading platform. Its robust security measures, extensive range of cryptocurrencies, and competitive trading fees make it a reliable choice. The platform’s user-friendly interface, coupled with excellent customer support, ensures a smooth trading experience, making it well-suited for anyone looking to delve into the crypto market.

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 Phemex and Altcoin Trader