Comparison of Valr vs Altcoin Trader [ 2024 ]

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

ascendex

Altcoin Trader

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

4/5

Customer service


Recommended for

Beginners

Yes

Trading

Yes

Passive income

No

Buy and hold

Yes
Yes

Beginners

Yes

Trading

Yes

Passive income

Yes

Buy and hold


Comparison of fees

Rating

4.0 – Competitive fees with strong local support in South Africa.
3.5 – Competitive fees within South Africa but higher for international transactions.

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.
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.

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

Altcoin Trader

ascendex
Read VALR review
  • Security Methods: AscendEX employs a comprehensive array of security measures including SSL encryption, two-factor authentication, and cold storage of assets. These rigorous security protocols ensure that users’ data and funds are protected against unauthorized access and cyber threats, fostering a secure trading environment.
  • Reputation and Reviews: Since its inception in 2018, AscendEX has built a solid reputation within the cryptocurrency community. User reviews often highlight the platform's reliability, wide range of services, and user-friendly interface, underscoring its standing as a reputable exchange in the crypto market.
  • Trading Volume and Liquidity: AscendEX supports a high trading volume and liquidity, which is crucial for traders looking to execute large trades without significantly affecting the market price. This high liquidity not only facilitates better price discovery but also enables efficient entry and exit from positions.
  • Customer Service: AscendEX is known for its robust customer support, offering quick and helpful responses to user inquiries and issues. This commitment to excellent customer service enhances user experience and trust, particularly for new traders who may need assistance navigating the platform.
  • Withdrawal and Deposit Policies: The platform’s policies on withdrawals and deposits are clear, secure, and user-centric, ensuring a smooth process for moving funds into and out of the exchange. AscendEX’s efficient handling of these critical operations reinforces its reliability and the trust users place in it.
  • Pros
  • Broad selection of trading options.
  • Supports spot, margin, and futures trading.
  • Staking options available for earnings.
  • Cons
  • Interface may overwhelm new users.
  • No detailed insurance policy transparency.

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 $50.

And 1% fee on all cryptocurrency trades.

Read our eToro review here
etoro logotipo
Go to eToro

Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest. This is a high-risk investment and you should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong.

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.
Altcoin Trader (Pty) Ltd.

Regulation

Regulated in Sudáfrica
Not regulated

Year founded

2019
2014

Founder

Farzam Ehsani
Richard de Sousa

Payment methods

Transfers

Yes
Yes

Mastercard

Yes
No

Wire transfer

Yes
Yes

Card

Yes
No

Comparative table

Valr FEATURES Altcoin Trader
VALR allows relatively low minimum trades, making it accessible for beginners to start trading without requiring large initial investments.
Minimum Trade
AscendEX allows small minimum trades, making it accessible for users with smaller capital.
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
Competitive fees, especially favorable for high-volume traders with further discounts available.
The exchange offers a wide selection of cryptocurrencies, providing ample opportunities for diversification.
Number of Cryptocurrencies
Offers a broad range of over 100 cryptocurrencies, catering to diverse trader demands.
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
Features an extensive array of trading pairs, facilitating varied and flexible trading strategies.
While VALR generally provides clear information, some users might find details regarding certain policies and operational procedures could be better highlighted.
Website Transparency
Generally transparent about fees and terms, though some details on security could be clearer.
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
AscendEX lacks an exchange card feature, which could enhance the usability of cryptocurrencies for everyday transactions and offer additional benefits to its users.
VALR offers secure storage options including cold storage, ensuring high security for stored digital assets.
Storage Offering
Provides secure storage options with cold storage and multi-factor authentication.
The platform provides competitive staking options and rewards, making it attractive for users looking to earn passive income.
Staking and Rewards
Offers competitive staking rewards and various incentives for participation in trading activities.
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
Both mobile and desktop platforms are well-designed, offering full functionality and ease of use.
While available, customer service response times can be slow, which might frustrate users, especially those needing urgent support.
Customer Service
Robust customer support with responsive service via multiple channels.
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
Efficient deposit and withdrawal processes are in place, although adding more fiat options could improve accessibility and convenience.

Key features

Analysis tools

Basic charting tools
Basic charting tools

Mobile APP

No
No

Security

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

Additional features

Staking, fiat on/off ramps, VALR Earn, institutional services
Instant EFT payments, savings wallets, recurring buy orders, OTC trading

Anonymity

No
No

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.
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 strong local support in South Africa, making it a good choice for regional users.
Delivers decent value for money, especially for South African users, with competitive fees and easy access to local banking options.

Countries of operation

South Africa
South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Lesotho

Best for

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

ZAR, BTC
ZAR, 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.
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

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

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.
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

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.
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

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.
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?

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 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.

View all comparisons against Valr

View all comparisons against Altcoin Trader

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 Altcoin Trader