CEX.IO Review: A Comprehensive Look at Features, Fees, and User Experience

Looking at the cryptocurrency exchange landscape today, CEX.IO stands out as a platform that's been around since the early days of crypto. With over 2.9 million registered users, this exchange has evolved significantly since its London launch in 2013.

From Mining to Trading: The CEX.IO Journey

CEX.IO started life as something quite different from what it is today. Back in 2013, it kicked off as the world's first cloud mining provider, operating one of the largest mining pools at the time called GHash.IO.

But the team behind CEX.IO saw bigger opportunities. They added the ability to exchange cryptocurrency for fiat money, and gradually transformed the service into a full-fledged trading platform. By January 2015, cloud mining was suspended, and CEX.IO repositioned itself as a cryptocurrency exchange.

The rollout happened methodically: USD support came in July 2014, EUR in September that same year, and RUB arrived in August 2015. Fast forward to 2025, and CEX.IO operates as a global service available in 99% of countries worldwide, including 24 US states.

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Getting Started: Registration and Account Setup

The registration process is straightforward. You'll need an email address and a strong password to create your account. While there's an option to sign up through social media, that's not recommended for security reasons. Your trading account will hold real funds, so keeping it separate from easily compromised social profiles makes sense.

After registration, you'll receive a confirmation code via email. Once verified, the platform prompts you to set up two-factor authentication. This extra security layer is crucial for protecting your account.

Understanding Verification Requirements

Here's where things get interesting. Verification isn't mandatory on CEX.IO, but there's a catch. Unverified users face lower limits on deposits and withdrawals, and miss out on certain payment methods like commission-free bank transfers.

The verification process is standard: you'll provide an ID document (passport, national ID, or driver's license), a photo holding that document, and proof of address like a utility bill or bank statement dated within the last three months. Document review typically takes less than 24 hours.

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Funding Your Account

CEX.IO works with both fiat currencies and cryptocurrency. You can deposit funds through:

• Visa or MasterCard payment cards

• SEPA or SWIFT bank transfers

• Any supported cryptocurrency

The platform doesn't charge fees for cryptocurrency deposits. Minimum deposit requirements vary by currency (for example, 0.0001 BTC for Bitcoin). The most popular deposit method is via bank card, which requires card verification before the first use.

One notable feature: CEX.IO holds a PCI DSS certificate, ensuring that payment card information is securely stored.

Trading Features and Fee Structure

The exchange currently lists 710 cryptocurrencies, all trading against major fiat currencies (USD, EUR, GBP) and Bitcoin. The platform uses a dynamic maker-taker fee system where makers (those placing orders) pay lower fees than takers (those filling orders).

Standard trading fees are 0.16% for makers and 0.25% for takers. These rates decrease based on your 30-day trading volume, incentivizing active traders with better pricing.

Withdrawal fees vary by cryptocurrency:

• Bitcoin: 0.001 BTC

• Ethereum: 0.01 ETH

• Litecoin: 0.01 LTC

The platform uses TradingView as its trading terminal, offering instant or limit orders, order books, trade history, and various timeframes.

Margin Trading Capabilities

CEX.IO offers margin trading with 2x or 3x leverage on four trading pairs: BTC/USD, BTC/EUR, ETH/BTC, and ETH/USD. While this might seem modest compared to some competitors offering 100x leverage, the conservative approach actually protects less experienced traders from catastrophic losses.

Margin trading fees include a 0.2% position opening fee and a 0.01% rollover fee charged every 4 hours.

Security Measures

The platform takes security seriously. CEX.IO has maintained a perfect record—zero successful hacking attempts since 2013. The multi-layered security includes DDoS protection, data encryption, and PCI DSS certification.

Users can enable 2FA through phone calls, SMS, or Google Authenticator. The platform also provides activity logs so you can monitor account access.

Mobile Trading

The CEX.IO mobile app, available for iOS and Android since December 2015, lets you trade from anywhere. You can analyze markets, monitor prices, place and cancel orders, and deposit BTC and LTC—all from your phone.

The Bottom Line

CEX.IO positions itself as a user-friendly platform suitable for traders worldwide. The exchange supports multiple languages, offers intuitive navigation, and maintains strict compliance with UK financial regulations.

The platform shines in security, regulatory compliance, and ease of use. However, the verification requirements can be stringent, and support response times sometimes stretch to 3-4 days.

For Russian-speaking traders specifically, the native language support and RUB integration make CEX.IO particularly convenient, though traders from any region can benefit from the platform's robust infrastructure and straightforward approach to crypto trading.

Whether CEX.IO fits your needs depends on your priorities. If you value regulatory compliance, strong security, and don't mind verification procedures, it's worth considering as your trading partner.