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Updated September 28, 2026 · HodlCue Editorial Team

Independent Reserve vs Wirex

Independent Reserve scores 9.3 and Wirex 9.2 out of 10. Compare their differences and shared features below.
Independent Reserve

Independent Reserve

Higher score in this comparison

9.3/10
Visit
Wirex

Wirex

9.2/10
Visit

Independent Reserve vs Wirex: the differences

Independent Reserve vs Wirex
CompareIndependent ReserveIndependent ReserveReviewVisitVisitWirexWirexReviewVisitVisit
Taker fee0.02% to 0.5%Lower1.5% to 2.5%
Coins listed2535Higher
RegulatorsAUSTRACFCA
Withdrawal feeAUD EFT free; AUD 1.50 PayID/NPP instant; USD 25 SWIFT; NZD 29; BTC 0.0001Only gas fees
Proof of reservesYesNot confirmed
DerivativesYesNot confirmed

Same on both: Fiat deposit methods (Card, Bank), 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 9.2.
  • Regulators: only Independent Reserve offers AUSTRAC.
  • Regulators: only Wirex offers FCA.
  • Founded is lower at Independent Reserve: 2013 vs 2014.
  • Independent Reserve is available in 2 more countries.
  • Taker fee is lower at Independent Reserve: 0.02% to 0.5% vs 1.5% to 2.5%.
  • Coins listed is higher at Wirex: 35 vs 25.
  • Support channels: only Independent Reserve offers Email, Community.
  • Support channels: only Wirex offers Chat.
  • Features: only Wirex offers Crypto, Multi currency, Travel.

Our verdict on each

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.

Read the full Independent Reserve review

Wirex

Wirex suits people who want one balance for crypto and everyday spending, with a monthly fee of $0, a conversion fee of 0% and an FCA licence in the UK. Budget for trading fees of 1.5% to 2.5%, and know your holdings sit with Wirex rather than in your own wallet.

Read the full Wirex review

Score breakdown

Independent Reserve vs Wirex
AreaIndependent ReserveWirex
Cost9.7Higher9.4Monthly fee of $0 and a conversion fee of 0% keep everyday card running costs low, though trading fees run 1.5% to 2.5%.
Offer9.1Fees of 0.02% to 0.5% sit around the site median of 0.2%, but the list of 25 coins is small.9.6HigherCard covers 35 coins and 150 currencies, with a cashback rate of 8% and virtual cards in the feature set.
Trust9.1Higher8.7

Ranges side by side

Independent Reserve vs Wirex
FactIndependent ReserveWirex
Taker fee0.02% to 0.5%1.5% to 2.5%

Where they rank in our lists

Independent Reserve vs Wirex
RankingIndependent ReserveWirex
Crypto exchanges12 of 29715 of 297
Where to buy crypto7 of 17710 of 177

What we checked

Independent Reserve

  • independentreserve.com: 11 facts, checked September 26, 2026
  • coingecko.com: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026

Wirex

  • currencyexpert.com: 4 facts, checked September 26, 2026
  • bitdegree.org: 3 facts, checked September 26, 2026
  • moneywise.com: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
  • budgetfitter.uk: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
  • news.bitcoin.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026

Every fact side by side

Independent Reserve vs Wirex
FactIndependent ReserveWirex
FeaturesCustodialCrypto, Custodial, Multi currency, Travel, Virtual cardCovers more
Legal entityIndependent Reserve Pty. Ltd. (ABN 46 164 257 069)Wirex Limited
HeadquartersAustraliaUnited Kingdom
Founded2013Lower2014
Support channelsEmail, Help centre, CommunityChat, Help centre

Crypto wallets

Independent Reserve vs Wirex
FactIndependent ReserveWirex
CustodyNot confirmedCustodial

Where each stands against the rest

Independent Reserve vs Wirex
FactIndependent ReserveWirexMedian
Taker fee0.02% to 0.5%lowest quarter1.5% to 2.5%highest quarter0.15
Coins listed25lowest quarter35below the median76

Median across 219 listed providers.

Pros and cons

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.

Wirex

Pros

  • No monthly fee, with the card ranking top of the field on that measure in 379 brands
  • Currency conversion at 0%, first for that measure across 237 brands
  • Covered by an FCA licence, reference 902025

Cons

  • Trading fees of 1.5% to 2.5% sit well above the site median of 0.2%
  • Coins covered, 35, trail the site median of 62
  • Support runs on chat and help centre only, with no phone line

Who each suits

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

Wirex

Who it suits

  • People who want crypto spending and card payments from one balance
  • Travellers who convert and withdraw often, given the conversion fee of 0% and free ATM withdrawals of $400
  • UK residents who want a regulated crypto debit card under an FCA licence

Who should look elsewhere

  • Frequent traders, since fees of 1.5% to 2.5% sit far above the site median of 0.2%; Monzo Flex and Wise charge nothing monthly but carry no trading fees
  • Coin collectors, as 35 covers fewer coins than the site median of 62
  • Anyone wanting to hold keys themselves, since custody is custodial; Bitpanda also holds assets, so a self-custody wallet suits better

Current offers

Wirex

Current offer

  • Bonus

    Up to 8% Cashback on Card Spend - Wirex: Up to 8% cashback

    Earnings subject to eligibility

    Source, checked September 26, 2026

Country by country

Independent Reserve vs Wirex
CountryIndependent ReserveWirex
AustraliaYesNo
New ZealandYesNo
SingaporeYesNo
United KingdomNoYes

Questions about each

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.

Wirex

What does it cost to hold a Wirex card?+

The monthly fee is $0, so the card costs nothing to keep. Wirex places first of 379 brands on that measure. Converting currency is charged at 0%, and the real cost for traders is the trading fee of 1.5% to 2.5%.

What are Wirex trading fees?+

Trading fees run 1.5% to 2.5% on the exchange side of Wirex. That sits well above the site median of 0.2% and above the upper end of 0.8%. Buying and selling often will cost more here than on lower-fee venues.

Other options to compare

Independent Reserve

Visit

Wirex

Visit