Updated September 29, 2026 · HodlCue Editorial Team
Bitfinex vs Changelly
Bitfinex
Higher score in this comparison
Changelly
Bitfinex vs Changelly: the differences
| Compare | BitfinexReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives | ChangellyReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Taker fee | 0%Lower | 0.25% |
| Coins listed | 63Higher | 32 |
| Fiat deposit methods | Card, Bank | Card, Bank, SEPA, Apple payCovers more |
| Proof of reserves | YesHas it | No |
| Withdrawal fee | Bank wire 0.1% (min 100 USD/Euro) | Variable network fee set by the partner exchanges and shown to the user when the transaction is created |
| Regulators | Digital Assets Service Provider El Salvador | Not confirmed |
| Maker fee | 0% | Not confirmed |
| Derivatives | Yes | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Exchange type (Cex).
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Key differences
- Bitfinex scores higher overall: 9.4 vs 8.7.
- Proof of reserves: only Bitfinex.
- Founded is lower at Bitfinex: 2012 vs 2020.
- Taker fee is lower at Bitfinex: 0% vs 0.25%.
- Coins listed is higher at Bitfinex: 63 vs 32.
- Fiat deposit methods: only Changelly offers SEPA, Apple pay.
- Support channels: only Changelly offers Email.
- Features: only Bitfinex offers Custodial, Staking.
- Features: only Changelly offers Self custody.
Our verdict on each
Bitfinex
Bitfinex is a custodial exchange built for active traders and long-term holders who want a low cost on every fill rather than a very long coin list. It scores 7.3 overall on HodlCue, trading 63 coins, publishing proof of reserves and adding staking on the same account.
Changelly
Changelly suits buyers who want to swap coins quickly and keep self-custody, with a taker fee of 0.25% and a coin list of 32. The narrow coin list and the missing proof of reserves make it a weaker fit for long term holders.
Score breakdown
| Area | Bitfinex | Changelly |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.8HigherSpot taker fee of 0% and maker fee of 0%, so trading costs sit at the floor. | 8.7A taker fee of 0.25% sits at the category level of 0.25%, with a network charge on withdrawal on top. |
| Offer | 9.2Derivatives and staking with a yield of 3% to 6%, but a coin list of only 63. | 9.4HigherCoins listed reach 32 against a category level of 60, self-custody is on, and proof of reserves is not. |
| Trust | 9.2Higher | 8.3 |
Cost in a real example
Buy 1,000 of crypto and sell it again
Bitfinex
0
0% of 2,000
Changelly
5
0.25% of 2,000
Bitfinex comes out 5 lower in this example.
Worked out from the stated prices and rates; your own total depends on how you use it. Facts checked September 26, 2026.
Availability and regulation
| Country | Bitfinex | Changelly |
|---|---|---|
| El Salvador | Not confirmed |
Where these facts come from
Bitfinex
- bitfinex.com: 6 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- coingecko.com: 6 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- defillama.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
- support.bitfinex.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
Changelly
- changelly.com: 8 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- coingecko.com: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
How they place
| Ranking | Bitfinex | Changelly |
|---|---|---|
| Crypto exchanges | 37 of 297 | 160 of 297 |
| Where to buy crypto | 26 of 177 | 129 of 177 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Bitfinex | Changelly |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Custodial, Staking | Self custody |
| Legal entity | iFinex Inc. | Marella |
| Headquarters | Virgin Islands, British | Not confirmed |
| Founded | 2012Lower | 2020 |
| Support channels | Chat, Help centre, Community | Email, Chat, Help centre, CommunityCovers more |
Crypto earn
| Fact | Bitfinex | Changelly |
|---|---|---|
| Yield | 3% to 6% | Not confirmed |
| Supported assets | TRX, SOL, ADA, DOT, ETH | Not confirmed |
| Lock-up terms | Soft staking, no lock except ETH2 which needs unstaking (weeks to months) | Not confirmed |
| Custody | Custodial | Not confirmed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Bitfinex | Changelly | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taker fee | 0%lowest quarter | 0.25%above the median | 0.15% |
| Coins listed | 63below the median | 32below the median | 76 |
| Maker fee | 0%below the median | Not confirmed | 0.1% |
Median across 219 listed providers.
Pros and cons
Bitfinex
Pros
- Proof of reserves is published, which gives you something concrete to check before you deposit.
- Card and bank fiat deposits are both supported, and help runs on chat, help centre and community when something goes wrong.
- Staking is soft, so coins are not locked, except the ether position, which has to be unstaked first over weeks to months.
Cons
- A list of 63 coins puts it at 89 of the 172 brands we track, below the 344.5 the widest lists reach.
- Custody is custodial, so the exchange holds your coins rather than a wallet you control.
- Support runs on chat, help centre and community only, with no email or phone line for urgent cases.
Changelly
Pros
- A taker fee of 0.25% sits at the category level of 0.25%
- Self-custody is offered, a feature carried by 13.8% of services in the same category
- Fiat deposits run through card, bank and sepa, covering card and bank transfer alongside a mobile wallet route
Cons
- Proof of reserves is not offered, so there is no published attestation of balances to check
- The coin list of 32 sits under the category level of 60
- Withdrawal costs follow a network charge that moves with the partner exchange, so each send can differ
Who each suits
Bitfinex
Who it suits
- Traders who trade often enough for the taker fee to matter more than the coin list.
- Holders who want a staking yield without locking up access to most of their coins.
- Traders who want spot and derivatives handled from a single account and one fee schedule.
Who should look elsewhere
- Bitpanda, if the coin list matters most to you: it lists from 650 coins against 63 on Bitfinex.
- bunq, if you would rather see a stated taker fee of 0.25% to 1.99% than trade at 0%.
- ActivTrades, if a short list of 9 coins covers everything you want to trade.
Changelly
Who it suits
- Occasional buyers who want to pay by card or bank transfer and then move on
- Coin movers who prefer to hold coins in self-custody rather than on a platform balance
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone who wants published proof of reserves: Changelly does not offer it, so Bitpanda or bunq are the ones to weigh
- Active traders who need a deeper coin list than 32, where Bitpanda lists from from 650
Current offers
Changelly
Current offer
Bonus
Welcome bonus in the Changelly mobile app
Offered in the Changelly app; no amount published on the page
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Questions about each
Bitfinex
What are the trading fees on Bitfinex?+
Spot trading is charged at 0% for takers and 0% for makers, so both sides of the book sit at the same figure. That places Bitfinex at 1 on taker fee among the 118 brands we compare, while the site median sits at 0.2%.
How much does it cost to withdraw?+
A bank wire withdrawal costs Bank wire 0.1% (min 100 USD/Euro), and that is the figure published in the exchange's fee table. Because the charge includes a stated minimum, a small transfer can cost more to move than the rate alone suggests, so fewer larger withdrawals usually make more sense than a run of small ones.
Changelly
What does Changelly charge to swap coins?+
The taker fee is 0.25%, close to the category level of 0.25%. Above that, withdrawals add a network charge that moves with the partner exchange, so the full cost of a round trip runs past the headline fee. Fees run 0.25% to 1.99% at bunq for comparison.
Does Changelly publish proof of reserves?+
Proof of reserves is not offered, so there is no published attestation of customer balances to check against. That matters more for anyone holding a balance on the platform for a long stretch, and it is a reason to look at services that do publish the figure. Buying and sending out promptly keeps the exposure short.
Other options to compare
Other matchups
Bitfinex
Changelly