Updated September 28, 2026 · HodlCue Editorial Team
CoinJar vs Independent Reserve
CoinJar
Independent Reserve
Higher score in this comparison
Where CoinJar and Independent Reserve differ
| Compare | CoinJarReviewVisitVisit | Independent ReserveReviewVisitVisit |
|---|---|---|
| Taker fee | 0.1% | 0.02% to 0.5%Lower |
| Coins listed | 45Higher | 25 |
| Regulators | Central Bank of Ireland, Financial Conduct Authority (UK), FinCEN (US), AUSTRAC, Central Bank of Ireland (CBI)Covers more | AUSTRAC |
| Fiat deposit methods | Card, Bank, SEPA, Apple payCovers more | Card, Bank |
| Withdrawal fee | Dynamic fee for crypto withdrawals to external addresses; no fee for AUD bank transfer or PayPal withdrawals | AUD EFT free; AUD 1.50 PayID/NPP instant; USD 25 SWIFT; NZD 29; BTC 0.0001 |
| Maker fee | 0.1% | Not confirmed |
| Derivatives | Not confirmed | Yes |
Same on both: Proof of reserves (Yes), Exchange type (Cex).
We earn a commission when you sign up through links on this site. Partner status can affect where a brand appears in our rankings. Partners with a live offer in your country come first, then every other brand by score.
Key differences
- Independent Reserve scores higher overall: 9.3 vs 8.8.
- Regulators: only CoinJar offers Central Bank of Ireland, Financial Conduct Authority (UK), FinCEN (US).
- CoinJar is licensed in 2 more countries.
- CoinJar is available in 2 more countries.
- Taker fee is lower at Independent Reserve: 0.02% to 0.5% vs 0.1%.
- Coins listed is higher at CoinJar: 45 vs 25.
- Fiat deposit methods: only CoinJar offers SEPA, Apple pay.
- Support channels: only Independent Reserve offers Community.
- Features: only CoinJar offers Crypto.
Our verdict on each
CoinJar
CoinJar is a custodial crypto exchange with a prepaid card, so it suits people who spend crypto as they go rather than trade heavily or hold their own keys. The card costs AUD 0 a month, trading costs 0.1% a trade and 45 coins are listed.
Independent Reserve
Independent Reserve suits Australian and New Zealand buyers who want a regulated custodial exchange with plain card and bank deposits. Fees of 0.02% to 0.5% are competitive with the site median of 0.2%, though the coin list is modest for traders who want broader markets.
Score breakdown
| Area | CoinJar | Independent Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.8Conversion is the weak point: 2.99% on card spend against a site median of 1%, while trading costs 0.1%. | 9.7Higher |
| Offer | 8.8 | 9.1HigherFees of 0.02% to 0.5% sit around the site median of 0.2%, but the list of 25 coins is small. |
| Trust | 8.7 | 9.1Higher |
Choosing between them
Pick CoinJar if coins listed, regulators, and fiat deposit methods matter most.
Pick Independent Reserve if cost, offer, trust, and taker fee matter most.
Positions in our rankings
| Ranking | CoinJar | Independent Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Crypto exchanges | 23 of 297 | 12 of 297 |
| Where to buy crypto | 15 of 177 | 7 of 177 |
Side by side, item by item
| Fiat deposit methods | CoinJar | Independent Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Card | Yes | Yes |
| Bank | Yes | Yes |
| SEPA | Yes | No |
| Apple pay | Yes | No |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | CoinJar | Independent Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Crypto, CustodialCovers more | Custodial |
| Legal entity | CoinJar Europe Limited | Independent Reserve Pty. Ltd. (ABN 46 164 257 069) |
| Headquarters | Ireland | Australia |
| Founded | 2013 | 2013 |
| Support channels | Email, Help centre | Email, Help centre, CommunityCovers more |
Crypto wallets
| Fact | CoinJar | Independent Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Wallet type | Mobile | Not confirmed |
| Price | €0 | Not confirmed |
| Custody | Custodial | Not confirmed |
| Coins supported | 45 | Not confirmed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | CoinJar | Independent Reserve | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taker fee | 0.1%below the median | 0.02% to 0.5%lowest quarter | 0.15% |
| Coins listed | 45below the median | 25lowest quarter | 76 |
| Maker fee | 0.1%at the median | Not confirmed | 0.1% |
Median across 219 listed providers.
Pros and cons
CoinJar
Pros
- Cashback of 1% on every card purchase
- Trading costs 0.1% a trade, under the site median of 0.2%
- Top-ups are free and card spend draws on the CoinJar balance
Cons
- Conversion on card spend is 2.99%, above the site median of 1%
- Only 45 coins are listed, against a site median of 62
- Support runs on email and help centre only
Independent Reserve
Pros
- Registered with AUSTRAC in Australia, so the exchange answers to a recognised anti-money laundering regulator.
- Publishes proof of reserves, which 79.4% of compared exchanges do.
- Card and bank transfers are both accepted through card and bank.
Cons
- The list of 25 coins is small next to the site median of 62.
- Support runs on email, help centre and community only, with no phone or live chat listed.
- Balances are custodial, so coins sit with the exchange rather than in a wallet the holder controls.
Who each suits
CoinJar
Who it suits
- People who want a crypto card with no monthly charge and cashback on spend
- Businesses paying suppliers from a crypto balance, the audience CoinJar targets
- Custodial beginners who would rather not hold their own keys
Who should look elsewhere
- Wise, when a low conversion charge matters more than spending crypto
- Bitpanda, for a euro-based crypto card at a monthly fee of €0
- Monzo Flex, for everyday banking at a monthly fee of £0
Independent Reserve
Who it suits
- Australian and New Zealand residents paying in by card or bank transfer
- Buyers of mainstream coins who want proof of reserves and a named regulator
- Traders who also want access to derivatives
Who should look elsewhere
- Traders chasing a long tail of altcoins, where the exchange is a broker for Australia and New Zealand rather than a global venue
- bitpanda, which lists from 650 coins for a much wider choice
- bunq, whose taker fees of 0.25% to 1.99% suit European bank customers
Current offers
CoinJar
Current offer
Bonus
Free physical CoinJar Card: $0 card issuance (digital and physical)
Card issuance fee is $0 for digital and physical CoinJar Card; a 1% purchase fee applies and is returned as CoinJar Rewards points; card available in Australia only
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Country by country
| Country | CoinJar | Independent Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | Yes | No |
| Ireland | Yes | No |
| New Zealand | No | Yes |
| Singapore | No | Yes |
| United Kingdom | Yes | No |
| United States | Yes | No |
| Australia | Yes | Yes |
Questions about each
CoinJar
How much does the CoinJar card cost to hold and to use?+
The card has a monthly fee of AUD 0, so keeping it open costs nothing. Currency conversion on card spend is 2.99%, and card spend earns cashback of 1%. Top-ups are free, and spend comes straight from your CoinJar balance.
What do trades cost on CoinJar?+
Taker fees are 0.1% and maker fees are 0.1%, so the gap between the two sides is small. The site median taker fee is 0.2%, which places CoinJar below the middle of the exchanges compared here.
Independent Reserve
What does Independent Reserve charge in fees?+
Taker fees run 0.02% to 0.5%, which brackets the site median of 0.2% and sits inside the upper quartile of 0.55%. Withdrawals are also charged: AUD transfers are free, while instant AUD and crypto withdrawals carry a fee.
Is Independent Reserve regulated?+
It is registered with AUSTRAC in Australia under DCE-100461150-001, the country's anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing regulator. It also publishes proof of reserves, a step 79.4% of the compared exchanges report.