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abarai review

Updated September 28, 2026 · HodlCue Editorial Team · Facts checked September 26, 2026

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Our verdict

Abarai is a small, self-custody crypto exchange from Romania that suits buyers who want coins in their own wallet and easy card or bank funding. Its list of 21 coins is narrow next to the 60 median, so it is a second pick rather than a full exchange.

Key facts

Best for
Self-custody buying with card or bank funding from Romania
Coins listed
21↗
Regulators
SIA Paybis Europe (Latvian crypto-asset service provider, named on the brand's terms as the external partner executing the exchange)↗
Fiat deposit methods
Card, Bank, SEPA, ACH, Apple-pay↗
Withdrawal fee
No separate withdrawal fee; only the blockchain network fee, which varies by network and congestion↗
Exchange type
Cex↗
Legal entity
CHIDORI TECHNOLOGIES S.R.L.↗
Headquarters
Romania↗
Founded
2023↗
Support channels
Email, Phone, Chat, Community↗
Features
Self-custody
Official website
abarai.ro

Facts checked September 26, 2026, 5 sources

Apps and profiles

Elsewhere
TrustpilotLinkedIntiktok.comyoutube.comfacebook.comt.me

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Self-custody is the stated model, so keys sit with the holder: self custody
  • Funding covers cards, bank transfer, SEPA, ACH and mobile wallet payments: card, bank and sepa
  • No separate withdrawal charge, only the blockchain network fee
  • Support spans email, phone, chat and community: email, phone and chat

Cons

  • Only 21 coins listed, below the 60 median
  • Regulatory standing rests on SIA Paybis Europe (Latvian crypto asset service provider, named on the brand's terms as the external partner executing the exchange) as the external partner executing the exchange
  • Support reaches email, phone and chat and no dedicated help centre is listed
abarai

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Scored 8.7 / 10 by HodlCue.

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Who it suits

  • Buyers who want self-custody rather than a hosted balance: self custody
  • Romanian users funding by card, bank transfer, SEPA, ACH or mobile wallet: card, bank and sepa
  • People comfortable picking from a short, focused coin list: 21

Who should look elsewhere

  • Traders wanting long coin lists, where Bit2Me lists 244
  • Buyers who need a help centre beyond email, phone and chat
  • Those who want a named exchange operator of their own rather than a partner arrangement under SIA Paybis Europe (Latvian crypto asset service provider, named on the brand's terms as the external partner executing the exchange)

How your money is protected

Abarai does not describe itself as a standalone licensed exchange. Its terms name SIA Paybis Europe (Latvian crypto asset service provider, named on the brand's terms as the external partner executing the exchange) as the external partner executing the exchange, so the regulated entity behind the order flow sits elsewhere. That arrangement is worth reading closely before funding an account, especially if you are based outside Romania. Coin control is handled a different way: self custody is the stated model, so holdings move to a wallet the holder controls rather than sitting in an exchange balance.

How abarai compares

Where abarai is available

Available
Romania
Licence in Latvia
SIA Paybis Europe (Latvian crypto-asset service provider, named on the brand's terms as the external partner executing the exchange) (40203730951), checked September 26, 2026

Countries from the brand (Source, checked September 29, 2026)

Frequently asked questions

What is Abarai and where is it based?+

Abarai is a crypto exchange registered in Romania as CHIDORI TECHNOLOGIES S.R.L., founded in 2023. It runs as a cex rather than a decentralised venue, with self-custody as the stated setup for holdings.

How many coins can I trade on Abarai?+

The exchange lists 21 coins, which sits below the 60 median for this category. A narrower list can suit someone buying a handful of major assets, but it limits altcoin access and pair choice for active traders.

Which regulator stands behind Abarai?+

Abarai's terms name SIA Paybis Europe (Latvian crypto asset service provider, named on the brand's terms as the external partner executing the exchange) as the external partner that executes the exchange, so the licensed counterparty sits outside the brand itself. The registration number given for that provider is 40203730951. Read the terms before funding.

Do I keep my own keys on Abarai?+

Self-custody is the stated model, listed under self custody. That means the exchange routes purchases to a wallet the holder controls instead of holding a pooled balance, though the platform itself runs as a cex with a named partner behind execution.

How can I fund my Abarai account?+

Deposits run through cards, bank transfer, SEPA, ACH and mobile wallet payments, all listed under card, bank and sepa. Card and bank transfer are the routes most of this category shares, while ACH appears on only a small share of rival venues.

Are there withdrawal fees at Abarai?+

The cex charges no separate withdrawal fee, so the only cost on the way out is the blockchain network fee. That cost moves with the network you choose and how congested it is at the time, so a busy chain can cost more to withdraw on than a quiet one.

How do I get help from Abarai?+

Support runs through the channels listed under email, phone and chat: email, phone, chat and a community space. A dedicated help centre is not part of that list, which most rivals in this category do offer, so expect to start with direct contact.

Is Abarai a good fit for a beginner?+

It suits buyers who already understand wallets, since self custody means running the keys themselves. A larger venue with a longer coin list, such as Bit2Me at 244 coins, is calmer for a first account held by someone new to self-custody.

Sources

Compiled from 5 source pages, checked September 26, 2026. We did not open an account.

Not confirmed yet: Taker fee.

abarai

abarai

Self-custody buying with card or bank funding from Romania

8.7/10See alternatives