This comparison pits ACY Securities, a regulated CFD broker, against Phemex, a native crypto exchange. The tension centers on regulation, security practices, and access to a broad coin range.
Find out which crypto exchange best suits your trading profile.
Choose if…
Choose ACY Securities if you need ASIC regulation and segregated client funds.
Choose if…
Choose Phemex if you want a native crypto exchange with 24/5 live chat and a broad 300+ coin range.
Which exchange wins for each type of crypto trader, based on security, fees, coin selection, and editorial scoring.
| Criteria | ||
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 3.7/ 5 | 3.9/ 5 |
| Min Deposit | $50 | No minimum▼ lower |
| Spreads From | 0 pips | N/A |
| Taker Fee | 7.00% | 0.10%▼ lower |
A closer look at the specific criteria each exchange meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | ACY Securities | Phemex |
|---|---|---|
| Security | ||
| Cold storage for assets | Fail | Pass |
| Proof of reserves published | Fail | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Fail |
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, etc.) | Pass | Fail |
| Fees | ||
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Fail | Pass |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Pass |
| Features | ||
| Staking available | Fail | Pass |
| DeFi integration | Fail | Fail |
| NFT trading | Fail | Fail |
| 500+ coins listed | Fail | Fail |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Fail | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Fail |
The scores are close: ACY Securities rates 3.7/5 and Phemex rates 3.9/5. Phemex 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.
ACY Securities lists a spread from 0. Current spread data is not available for Phemex. Check both exchanges' full fee schedules, including maker/taker rates, for up-to-date pricing.
Phemex has no minimum deposit, while ACY Securities requires at least $50. This makes Phemex more accessible for traders looking to start with a smaller crypto investment.
ACY Securities holds top-tier regulation (ASIC, FSA Seychelles), providing stronger investor protections. Phemex 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, two factors stand out: Phemex has no minimum deposit, removing the capital barrier entirely, and ACY Securities provides negative balance protection, capping losses at your deposit amount. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
ACY Securities offers up to 2:1 on perpetual or margin products, versus Phemex's 100:1 cap. Margin and futures trading carry higher risk than spot crypto; confirm product availability and jurisdiction-specific limits on each exchange's website.
Phemex charges $0.1 per trade, lower than ACY Securities's $7 per trade. Lower commissions benefit active traders who execute many trades per day. 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.
ACY Securities supports MetaTrader 5, TradingView, MetaTrader 4, while Phemex supports Proprietary Web/Mobile. ACY Securities has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5 and TradingView and MetaTrader 4. Phemex has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile.
Phemex scores better on fee criteria (no deposit fee, no inactivity fee). Always check both exchanges' current fee schedules, as maker/taker rates and withdrawal fees vary and are subject to change.
Phemex offers staking while ACY Securities does not according to our data. Staking lets you earn passive yield on your crypto holdings directly through the exchange. Check Phemex's supported coins, lock-up terms, and estimated yields before committing.
ACY Securities wins for formal regulation and segregated client funds.
Phemex wins with zero maker fee on spot via premium membership and no deposit fees.
Phemex wins for coin selection with 300+ coins compared to 8.
ACY Securities wins for regulation and fund safety, supporting newbie traders.
Phemex offers staking and yield-earning options while ACY Securities does not, making Phemex the better choice for holders who want to earn passive income on their crypto.
| 0.7 pips |
| N/A |
| Inactivity Fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardCrypto | CryptoCredit cardDebit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardCrypto | Crypto |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Network fee only |
|---|
| Regulators | ASIC FSA Seychelles | — |
|---|
| Cold Storage | No | Yes |
|---|
| Proof of Reserves | No | Yes |
|---|
| Staking | No | Yes |
|---|
| DeFi Integration | No | No |
|---|
| NFT Trading | No | No |
|---|
| 500+ Coins | No | No |
|---|
| P2P Trading | No | No |
|---|
| Crypto Earn / Savings | No | No |
|---|
| Token Launchpad | No | No |
|---|
| Active bonuses | None | 2 offers |
|---|
ACY Securities and Phemex are closely matched overall, but ACY's ASIC regulation with segregated funds stands out as the clearest differentiator. The gap centers on governance versus access to a broad coin catalog and associated platform features.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.7 / 5
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