This comparison pits a regulated CFD broker against a native crypto exchange. They diverge on security protections, fund handling, and coin breadth.
Find out which crypto exchange best suits your trading profile.
Choose if…
Choose ActivTrades if you prioritize FCA oversight and FSCS coverage for UK clients. You also benefit from segregated funds and negative balance protection.
Choose if…
Choose MEXC if you want the widest coin selection and low trading costs. You gain 0.00% maker fees and 0.10% taker fees.
Which exchange wins for each type of crypto trader, based on security, fees, coin selection, and editorial scoring.
| Criteria | ||
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 3.7/ 5 | 3.6/ 5 |
| Min Deposit | No minimum | No minimum |
| Spreads From | 0.5 pips | N/A |
| Taker Fee | N/A | 0.10% |
A closer look at the specific criteria each exchange meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | ActivTrades | MEXC |
|---|---|---|
| Security | ||
| Cold storage for assets | Fail | Pass |
| Proof of reserves published | Fail | Fail |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Fail |
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, etc.) | Pass | Fail |
| Fees | ||
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Pass | Pass |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Pass |
| Features | ||
| Staking available | Fail | Pass |
| DeFi integration | Fail | Fail |
| NFT trading | Fail | Fail |
| 500+ coins listed | Fail | Pass |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Fail |
The scores are close: ActivTrades rates 3.7/5 and MEXC rates 3.6/5. ActivTrades has a marginal edge in our scoring, but the difference is small enough that your specific priorities — fees, platforms, or regulatory jurisdiction — should guide the final choice.
ActivTrades lists a spread from 0.5. Current spread data is not available for MEXC. Check both exchanges' full fee schedules, including maker/taker rates, for up-to-date pricing.
Neither ActivTrades nor MEXC requires a minimum deposit, making both accessible regardless of starting capital.
ActivTrades holds top-tier regulation (FCA, SCB, CMVM), providing stronger investor protections. MEXC may be regulated but does not hold top-tier status in our data. Verify regulatory status on each regulator's public register before depositing funds.
For beginners, ActivTrades provides negative balance protection, capping losses at your deposit amount. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources on each exchange's site before deciding.
ActivTrades offers up to 2:1 on perpetual or margin products, versus MEXC's 200:1 cap. Margin and futures trading carry higher risk than spot crypto; confirm product availability and jurisdiction-specific limits on each exchange's website.
MEXC charges $0.1 per trade on commission-based accounts. Commission details for ActivTrades are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing. Crypto fees are typically quoted as maker/taker rates rather than fixed per-trade commissions; check each exchange's fee schedule for volume-based discounts.
ActivTrades supports MetaTrader 4, ActivTrader, while MEXC supports MEXC. ActivTrades has exclusive access to MetaTrader 4 and ActivTrader. MEXC has exclusive access to MEXC.
MEXC offers staking while ActivTrades does not according to our data. Staking lets you earn passive yield on your crypto holdings directly through the exchange. Check MEXC's supported coins, lock-up terms, and estimated yields before committing.
MEXC lists 500+ coins while ActivTrades does not meet this threshold in our data. For traders who want access to many altcoins, MEXC has the broader selection. Confirm specific coin availability for your region on each exchange's website.
ActivTrades wins for security due to FCA regulation and FSCS coverage.
Equally matched for beginners since both offer $0 minimum deposits and accessible platforms.
MEXC offers staking and yield-earning options while ActivTrades does not, making MEXC the better choice for holders who want to earn passive income on their crypto.
Equally matched for DeFi & Web3 since neither offers DeFi access.
| N/A |
| N/A |
| Inactivity Fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardPayPal | CryptoP2PCredit cardDebit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit card | CryptoP2P |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Network fee only |
|---|
| Regulators | FCA SCB CMVM | — |
|---|
| Cold Storage | No | Yes |
|---|
| Proof of Reserves | No | No |
|---|
| Staking | No | Yes |
|---|
| DeFi Integration | No | No |
|---|
| NFT Trading | No | No |
|---|
| 500+ Coins | No | Yes |
|---|
| P2P Trading | No | Yes |
|---|
| Crypto Earn / Savings | No | Yes |
|---|
| Token Launchpad | No | Yes |
|---|
| Active bonuses | None | 2 offers |
|---|
ActivTrades offers FCA oversight and FSCS protection, with segregated funds and negative balance protection. MEXC lacks these protections.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.6 / 5
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