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Bitrue Review

Based in Singapore, Bitrue is a popular no-KYC crypto exchange that offers a wide range of XRP-denominated trading pairs. However, its confusing fee structure can be challenging for less experienced traders to understand.

Hedge with Crypto aims to publish information that is factual and accurate as of the date of publication. For specific information about a cryptocurrency exchange or trading platform please visit that provider’s website. This information is general in nature and is for educational purposes only. Hedge with Crypto does not provide financial advice nor does it take into account your personal financial situation. We encourage you to seek financial advice from an independent financial advisor where appropriate and make your own enquiries.

Our Take

3.8 / 5
HedgewithCrypto Score We provide an overall weighted average rating out of 5 stars. Our ratings are based on objective criteria like the ease of use, fees, deposit methods, customer support and availability. Our reviews are not influenced by 3rd parties. Click here for further information about our rating methodology and a full list of categories we review against.

Bottom line:

Bitrue is a good no-KYC crypto trading platform for individuals who want to trade using XRP prices as the base pair. With over 50 XRP trading pairs and 114 supported crypto assets, Bitrue is geared toward customers who want to grow their XRP portfolio. However, there is a lack of broader features for savvy crypto investors, constant technical issues on the app according to existing users, and there is a history of security incidents.

  • Trading Fees:

    0.28%

  • Currency:

    USD, EUR, GBP, JPY, HKD, AUD, SGD & MXN

  • Country:

    Global (USA allowed)

  • Promotion:

    None available at this time

Pros and cons

  • XRP-focussed trading platform with over 50 XRP trading pairs
  • Advanced trading platform with Tradingview charts
  • Competitive trading fees between 0.098% and 0.28%
  • Supports crypto staking and loans to earn interest on funds
  • Previous security incidents that resulted in loss of customer funds
  • Limited information on its compliance to regulations and licensing information
  • Confusing trading fee structure

How We Rated Bitrue

Review CriteriaHedge With Crypto Rating
Features3.2 / 5
Supported Fiat and Deposit Methods2.4 / 5
Supported Crypto & Trading Pairs4 / 5
Fees3.4 / 5
Ease of Use3.5 / 5
Customer support3.5 / 5
Security Measures4 / 5
Mobile App4 / 5

Pros Explained

  • XRP Focused. Due to its recent issues with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), finding a platform that supports XRP is easier said than done. However, Bitrue uses the asset as a base pair, making the platform excellent for those intrigued by the XRP ecosystem.
  • TradingView Charts. TradingView is the leading provider of analytical tools. Bitrue being integrated with TradingView makes it possible to easily plot advanced strategies without ever leaving the exchange.
  • Fees. Bitrue's rate of 0.098% is comparable to platforms like Binance (0.1%).
  • Staking and Loans. Whether it's to earn a yield or avoid tax implications, crypto loans and staking have become incredibly popular. As Bitrue offers staking and crypto loans, those looking to build passive income should see what's available.

Cons Explained

  • Security Issues – Security is one of the most important aspects of a crypto exchange. Unfortunately, a 2018 hack resulted in lost funds for Bitrue customers. While the exchange has stated that it's taken steps to improve things, this breach is something to be aware of before registering.
  • Unregulated – While some users prefer unregulated exchanges as they typically do not require verification, they provide no recourse to users should something go awry. As such, keeping funds on unregulated exchanges only when necessary is advisable.
  • Confusing Fees – Between the separate XRP pair fees, OTC fees, loan fees, and Simplex fees, there's a lot to remember when using Bitrue. As such, users may get hit with unexpected fees unless they take the time to read through Bitrue's terms.

Bitrue Compared and Alternatives

EXCHANGE CRYPTO ASSETS TRADING FEES RATING PROMOTION WEBSITE REVIEW
BinanceBinance

385

0.1% (spot) and 0.02% / 0.04% (Futures)

Rating
We provide an overall weighted average rating out of 5 stars. Our ratings are based on objective criteria like the ease of use, fees, deposit methods, customer support and availability. Our reviews are not influenced by 3rd parties. Click here for further information about our rating methodology and a full list of categories we review against.
4.8 / 5

Up to $100 welcome bonus

Visit Binance Binance Review
Bybit LogoByBit

331 (608 trading pairs)

0% (spot), 0.06% / 0.01% (futures)

Rating
We provide an overall weighted average rating out of 5 stars. Our ratings are based on objective criteria like the ease of use, fees, deposit methods, customer support and availability. Our reviews are not influenced by 3rd parties. Click here for further information about our rating methodology and a full list of categories we review against.
4.8 / 5

0% trading fees for 30 days (spot only)

Visit ByBit ByBit Review
MEXC Global ExchangeMEXC Global Exchange

1521

Spot: 0% (maker) / 0.2% (taker), Futures: 0.02% (maker) / 0.06% (taker)

Rating
We provide an overall weighted average rating out of 5 stars. Our ratings are based on objective criteria like the ease of use, fees, deposit methods, customer support and availability. Our reviews are not influenced by 3rd parties. Click here for further information about our rating methodology and a full list of categories we review against.
4.3 / 5

10% discount on trading fees

Visit MEXC Globa… MEXC Global Exch…

Bitrue At A Glance

Bitrue Exchange is an unregulated cryptocurrency trading platform allowing customers to buy and sell Bitcoin and other crypto assets safely and securely. While headquartered in Singapore, Bitrue is available globally, with offices in the United States, Europe, and Asia Pacific. Bitrue has a long-standing relationship with Ripple and is well-known for offering a wide range of XRP-based trading pairs.

Exchange NameBitrue
FeaturesXRP-Based Trading Pairs, Staking, Crypto Loans
Accepted Fiat Currencies USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CAD, JPY, NOK, DKK, ZAR, CHF
Deposit MethodsCryptocurrency, Credit/Debit Card, Wire Transfer, ACH
Supported Cryptocurrencies760 (1,256 trading pairs)
Trading Fee0.098% to 0.28% per trade
Deposit Fee3.5% per transaction for credit card
Customer SupportTicket System
Security Measures2FA, Cold Storage
Mobile AppYes (IOS and Android)

Bitrue Features and Services Reviewed

XRP Focussed Trading

Bitrue is one of the best places to buy XRP and is also suited for investors and traders who are looking to trade XRP pairs to accumulate tokens. The exchange added XRP as a base pair in July 2018 and now has over 50 trading pairs to buy and sell XRP for other cryptos. According to the Bitrue website, more than 10% of the world's trading volume for XRP occurs on their platform.

Bitrue Piggy Bank

Bitrue has a feature called the ‘Piggy Bank' which allows verified users on the platform to deposit funds and participate in a staking pool. The feature is on a first-come-first-serve basis, therefore the funds must first be deposited to the wallet to be eligible. Bitrue has added support for popular tokens such as DOGE, SAFEMOON, SHIB, SOL, HBAR and others with an Annual Percentage Rate (APR) of up to 15%.

Bitrue Power Piggy products

The minimum amount to get started is relatively low, making it suitable for beginners with smaller accounts. For example, the minimum deposit amount for Bitcoin is 0.01 BTC which can earn 1.9% annually. Holding 2% of funds in BTR tokens can raise the interest rate to 2.28% with no lock-up periods. This means the users can withdraw the asset at any time. However, the pools sell out quickly.

Bitrue Loans

Similar to crypto interest platforms such as NEXO and Crypto.com which allow its customers to deposit crypto and take out loans, Bitrue has its lending service called Bitrue Loans. In addition to mainstream coins like BTC and XRP, users can also pledge stablecoins and popular altcoins like LINK, XLM, SHIB, and BNB.

Bitrue Loans products

The benefit of taking out a loan against an asset is to leverage capital to use elsewhere without selling your coins and triggering a taxable event. The interest rates are calculated daily with flexible repayment schemes available. For example, to borrow USDT, the daily interest rate is between 0.024% and 0.055%.

Additionally, this feature offers existing users an opportunity to earn a yield on idle assets.

Creating and Verifying a Bitrue Account

To start with Bitrue, new customers must create an account and login into the platform. The registration process is simple and requires that the user inputs an email address and password. As the exchange is predominately a crypto-to-crypto trading platform, there is no requirement to immediately complete the Know-Your-Customer (KYC) process. However, for features such as Bitrue Loans and the OTC Desk, the account must be verified by providing a photo ID (passport, driving license) and proof of address (bank statement, utility bill).

Creating an account with Bitrue

Supported Fiat Currencies and Deposit Methods

The easiest and quickest way to deposit funds to Bitrue without verification is to transfer cryptocurrency. The exchange supports 789 coins that users can deposit. Adding funds to an account is similar to other trading platforms, which involve selecting the asset and copying the unique wallet address or QR code.

There is also the option to buy crypto with fiat currency to fund a new account or top up the trading balance of an existing account. Bitrue's Over The Counter (OTC) desk is a third-party platform integrated with the exchange to send a wire transfer using ACH for USA investors or an international wire transfer.

Bitrue Deposit methods

Unfortunately, there is a 0.08% Wire transfer fee which is high compared to other crypto exchanges we've reviewed, such as Kraken and Gemini, which offer free deposit fees for wire transfers using USD.

There is also the option to buy crypto using a credit card through the payment provider Simplex. This external service provider charges fees of 3.5% per transaction or 10 USD, whichever is higher. Mastercard and VISA payments are fast and secure, with the coins arriving at the Bitrue wallet between 10 and 30 minutes. However, it is not recommended to buy crypto with a credit card due to the high fees.

Bitrue Supported Cryptos and Trading Pairs

Bitrue offers an impressive range of cryptocurrencies and trading pairs. While there are 970 cryptos available, the number of trading pairs shoots up drastically to 1,256, including all 3x tokens. This impressive quantity of trading pairs will likely appeal to experienced traders who are always searching for opportunities. Although the leveraged tokens could be complex for beginners to understand, they're still a nice addition to the platform.

Bitrue Trading Fees

Exchange Fees

The fees on Bitrue depend on the trading pair selected and vary between 0.098% to 0.28%. The more liquid trading pairs against BTC, ETH, and USDT have a trading fee of 0.098% per transaction for buy and sell orders. XRP trading pairs have a 0.2% to 0.28% trading fee applied. Paying for transaction fees using the native Bitrue coin (BTR) applies a 30% discount.

The overall trading fees are relatively comparable in the market, particularly for BTC, ETH, and USDT pairs. For example, the costs are slightly cheaper than Binance and KuCoin, which use tiered fees starting from 0.1% per buy/sell position. However, the pair-based fee structure present on Bitrue is likely confusing for new users.

OTC Trading Fees

All Bitrue users with a KYC-verified account can use the OTC desk to buy crypto with fiat currencies. The fees for buying crypto with traditional money depend on the trade size but range between 0.08% and 2% per transaction. The fees reduce for larger transaction sizes which is beneficial for high-net-worth individuals. However, Bitrue will charge a 1.5% premium for purchases between $2,000 and $10,000.

VolumeTrading Fees
$5002%
$2,0001.5%
$5,0001.5%
$10,0001.5%
$50,0001%
$100,0000.5%
$500,0000.1%
$1,000,0000.08%

Deposit & Withdrawal Fees

Bitrue is a cryptocurrency trading exchange that does not charge a fee to deposit funds using digital currencies. The fees for withdrawals are dependent on the coin and the blockchain network congestion at the time. While Bitrue claims not to charge an additional withdrawal fee for crypto, Bitcoin is listed with a 0.0005 BTC withdrawal cost with Ethereum at 0.01 ETH, both considerably higher than the standard network fee.

Bitrue Fees Compared

The fees offered by Bitrue are slightly better than the industry average. Below, we’ve compared the fees between Bitrue and a few leading exchanges.

Crypto trading platformTrading fees (spot)
Bitrue0.098%
Binance 0% to 0.1%
ByBit0% to 0.1%
Coinbase0.5%

Bitrue Ease of Use

The trading and charting user interface on Bitrue closely resembles the advanced mode on Binance, which is the largest and most widely used trading platform for buying and selling digital currencies. The charts and trading tools are powered by TradingView, which offers hundreds of technical indicators and drawing overlays. In addition, there is a Day and night mode to change the background color of the user interface, improving accessibility.

Bitrue Trading interface screenshot

The order types on Bitrue do not match the variety offered on Binance. However, it does include a couple of widely used orders, such as Market, Limit, and Stop-Limit. Furthermore, the Bitrue trading platform offers Trigger Orders that enable users to place a limit order once a specific price gets hit – very useful for short-term traders that want to sell XRP and also beginners to manage trade risk.

Placing a trade is straightforward and intuitive, thanks to the familiar green and red color scheme. A user needs only decide on an order type, enter a price and quantity, and then place the order. Furthermore, Bitrue offers a range of 3x leverage tokens enabling users to multiply their profits and losses without venturing into the derivatives market.

Want to trade crypto derivatives? Here's our list of the best leverage platforms for crypto traders.

Overall, charting and trading on Bitrue lets altcoin traders use a wide range of technical indicators to analyze the charts and place orders in the market. With that said, Bitrue's lack of advanced order types, position size calculators, and automated price alerts is likely to alienate traders searching for the most advanced platform.

Bitrue Mobile App

A mobile app is available on Android and iOS devices that allows users to replicate the trading features available on the desktop version of Bitrue. The app has an overall 4/5 star rating on the IOS app store. Upon being opened, the Bitrue app will prompt the user to register or log in. After doing so, the user will be met with a screen providing quick links to core aspects of the platform (deposit, loans, Bitrue partners, etc.) and highlighting trending digital assets available to trade on the exchange.

Bitrue mobile app screenshots

Although the majority of features on the desktop platform also exist on the mobile application, traders will struggle to utilize complex strategies as the mobile charting tools are limited to simple crypto indicators like RSI, SMA, and MACD. However, the app still features an order book-style trading screen, meaning some asset-related information is available to users.

While the Bitrue app is reminiscent of most other exchanges (Binance feeling especially similar), its lack of indicators and charting tools somewhat limits its usability. As such, while likely suitable for people attempting to place basic trades, anyone wanting to perform in-app analysis will probably prefer mobile apps with full TradingView integration.

Bitrue Customer Support

The customer support offered by Bitrue is lackluster at best. While the exchange does offer users a help center that contains various articles and tutorials on topics ranging from the basics of futures to placing a trade, the quantity of articles is limited, meaning it's unlikely for a user to find an answer to a specific question.

Like most crypto exchanges, Bitrue offers a ticket-based support system that enables crypto enthusiasts to ask questions via a form to receive email support (although users report the team is often unresponsive). Unfortunately, Bitrue lacks any other form of support, meaning that users who prefer to communicate via live chat or phone will be left disappointed.

Bitrue Security Measures

Bitrue provides industry-leading security features to assist funds and personal information are kept safe and secure, such as 2FA and cold storage wallets holding 99% of users' assets. Since the Bitrue hack in 2019, the exchange has been incident-free and is now considered a safe platform to trade crypto. In addition, the website has been individually assessed by third-party security companies such as Mozilla Observatory to check for vulnerabilities and security weaknesses.

While the Bitrue team has worked hard to improve security since the now-infamous 2019 hack, it remains vital for a user to secure their account using a unique password and an authenticator app to provide an additional layer of security should the company suffer another security breach in the future.

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