Comparison of Valr vs Bitso [ 2024 ]

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

bitso

Bitso

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

Investing risks losing your money

Main points

Fees

-0,01%/0,10%

Earns

No

Customer service

4/5
0,075%/0,098%

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.
3.9 – Competitive fees within Latin America.

Level

-0,01%/0,10%
0,075%/0,098%

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.
Bitso maintains a competitive edge in the crypto exchange landscape through its straightforward and relatively low fee structure. The platform employs a maker-taker fee model, which incentivizes market liquidity. Makers, who add liquidity by placing limit orders, enjoy lower fees compared to takers, who remove liquidity by executing against existing orders. Fees can vary depending on the user’s 30-day trading volume, promoting more frequent trading by offering decreasing fees for higher volumes. This tiered approach not only supports active traders but also ensures the platform remains accessible to newcomers, keeping initial costs lower than many other exchanges.

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

Bitso

bitso
Read VALR review
  • Year Founded: Established in 2014, Bitso has a long-standing presence in the cryptocurrency market. This longevity is a testament to its resilience and adaptability in the rapidly evolving crypto environment.
  • Security Methods: Bitso employs robust security measures including two-factor authentication, cold storage of digital assets, and multi-signature wallets. These practices ensure a high level of security for user funds and transactions.
  • Possible Regulation: Bitso is regulated by the Gibraltar Financial Services Commission (GFSC), one of the few cryptocurrency exchanges in Latin America to be overseen by such a respected regulatory body. This regulation reinforces Bitso's commitment to compliance and security standards.
  • Trading Volume and Liquidity: Bitso provides substantial trading volume and liquidity, making it easier for users to execute trades efficiently and at desired prices. This is particularly beneficial in a market known for its volatility, where trading depth can significantly impact transaction costs and speed.
  • Customer Service: Bitso offers exceptional customer service with support available 24/7 through multiple channels, including live chat and a comprehensive help center. This dedication to customer support ensures that users' queries and issues are addressed promptly and effectively, enhancing the overall user experience.
  • Pros
  • Supports Mexican Peso for trading.
  • User-friendly mobile application available.
  • Low trading and withdrawal fees.
  • Cons
  • Limited cryptocurrency selection.
  • Geographically restricted availability.

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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.
Bitso SAPI de CV

Regulation

Regulated in Sudáfrica
Regulated in México

Year founded

2019
2014

Founder

Farzam Ehsani
Pablo González, Ben Peters, Daniel Vogel

Payment methods

Transfers

Yes
Yes

Mastercard

Yes
Yes

Wire transfer

Yes
No

Card

Yes
Yes

Comparative table

Valr FEATURES Bitso
VALR allows relatively low minimum trades, making it accessible for beginners to start trading without requiring large initial investments.
Minimum Trade
The minimum trade amount is low, enabling accessibility for traders of all sizes.
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
Bitso offers competitive fees, with a sliding scale that benefits high-volume traders.
The exchange offers a wide selection of cryptocurrencies, providing ample opportunities for diversification.
Number of Cryptocurrencies
Bitso supports major cryptocurrencies but has a more limited selection compared to larger exchanges.
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
Offers a moderate range of crypto-to-crypto trading pairs, adequate for most traders.
While VALR generally provides clear information, some users might find details regarding certain policies and operational procedures could be better highlighted.
Website Transparency
Bitso provides clear and detailed information on its operations and security measures.
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
Bitso lacks a dedicated exchange card, limiting its utility for in-store cryptocurrency transactions and associated benefits.
VALR offers secure storage options including cold storage, ensuring high security for stored digital assets.
Storage Offering
Secure storage with cold wallets and multi-signature technology to ensure safety.
The platform provides competitive staking options and rewards, making it attractive for users looking to earn passive income.
Staking and Rewards
Provides some options for staking and rewards but not as extensive as some competitors.
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
Highly functional and user-friendly mobile and desktop platforms that enhance trading experience.
While available, customer service response times can be slow, which might frustrate users, especially those needing urgent support.
Customer Service
Excellent customer support with 24/7 access via multiple channels, including live chat.
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, though mainly tailored to Mexican users.

Key features

Analysis tools

Basic charting tools
Basic charting tools

Mobile APP

No
No

Security

High 4,6/5
High 4/5

Additional features

Staking, fiat on/off ramps, VALR Earn, institutional services
Crypto-to-crypto trading, Bitso Transfer (payment service), staking, educational resources

Anonymity

No
No

Key points

Available cryptocurrencies

50+
30+

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.
Bitso provides a straightforward and user-friendly interface, ideal for beginners. The platform focuses on making cryptocurrency trading accessible and easy to understand for new users.

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 with competitive fees and a strong presence in Latin America, making it a good choice for regional users.

Countries of operation

South Africa
Mexico, Argentina, Brazil

Best for

Suitable for South African investors looking for a reliable platform with competitive fees and strong local support.
Suitable for Latin American investors, particularly those in Mexico, Argentina, and Brazil, looking for a reliable platform with competitive fees.

Base currencies available

ZAR, BTC
MXN, ARS, BRL, 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.
Bitso is the leading exchange in Latin America, offering a variety of cryptocurrencies and easy fiat integration. It is user-friendly but might not have the advanced tools needed by professional traders.

Deposit and withdrawal

VALR is popular in South Africa, offering easy fiat and cryptocurrency deposit methods. Withdrawals are processed efficiently, with competitive fees.
Bitso provides easy fiat and cryptocurrency deposit methods. Withdrawals are processed efficiently, typically within a day. Fees are competitive, making it a good choice for Latin American users.

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.
Bitso’s account opening process is simple and fully digital. Users need to provide personal information and verify their identity. The process is quick, typically taking less than a day to complete.

KYC required?

Yes
Yes

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.
Bitso provides support through email and live chat. The support team is knowledgeable and responsive, but the lack of 24/7 support may be a drawback for some users.

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.
Bitso ensures security through 2FA, encryption, and cold storage. It is regulated by Mexican authorities, providing a secure environment for investors.

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 find Bitso to be a solid choice for traders, especially those based in Latin America. Its strong regulatory compliance, combined with a user-friendly interface and dedicated customer service, makes it a reliable platform. However, if you’re looking for a wider variety of cryptocurrencies or need more global payment options, you might want to explore other exchanges. Nonetheless, for those new to cryptocurrency or primarily trading in Mexican Pesos, Bitso offers an excellent starting point.

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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 Valr and Bitso