This comparison pits a regulated CFD broker against a native crypto exchange. The axis of tension centers on security, coin depth, and fee structure.
Find out which crypto exchange best suits your trading profile.
Choose if…
ATFX: Choose ATFX if you want strong regulatory oversight with FCA, CySEC, and FSCA protections and negative balance protection. You also get phone support. MEXC: Choose MEXC if you want a native exchange with 2,000+ coins and advanced charting tools. You can also access staking.
Choose if…
ATFX: Choose ATFX if you want strong regulatory oversight with FCA, CySEC, and FSCA protections and negative balance protection. You also get phone support. MEXC: Choose MEXC if you want a native exchange with 2,000+ coins and advanced charting tools. You can also access staking.
Which exchange wins for each type of crypto trader, based on security, fees, coin selection, and editorial scoring.
| Criteria | ||
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 3.6/ 5 | 3.6/ 5 |
| Min Deposit | No minimum | No minimum |
| Spreads From | 1.8 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 | ATFX | 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 |
ATFX and MEXC share the same editorial score of 3.6/5. One concrete differentiator: ATFX holds top-tier regulatory status.
ATFX lists a spread from 1.8. Current spread data is not available for MEXC. Check both exchanges' full fee schedules, including maker/taker rates, for up-to-date pricing.
Neither ATFX nor MEXC requires a minimum deposit, making both accessible regardless of starting capital.
ATFX holds top-tier regulation (CySEC, FCA, FSCA), 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, ATFX 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.
ATFX 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 ATFX 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.
ATFX supports MetaTrader 4, while MEXC supports MEXC. ATFX has exclusive access to MetaTrader 4. MEXC has exclusive access to MEXC.
MEXC offers staking while ATFX 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 ATFX 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.
ATFX wins for security, backed by FCA, CySEC, and FSCA regulation plus protection schemes.
ATFX is best for beginners due to $0 minimum deposit.
MEXC offers staking and yield-earning options while ATFX does not, making MEXC the better choice for holders who want to earn passive income on their crypto.
Equally matched for DeFi and Web3 since neither offers DeFi access or NFT trading.
| N/A |
| N/A |
| Inactivity Fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller | CryptoP2PCredit cardDebit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller | CryptoP2P |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Network fee only |
|---|
| Regulators | CySEC FCA FSCA | — |
|---|
| 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 |
|---|
ATFX and MEXC are closely matched overall. The clearest differentiator is MEXC operating a native exchange and listing far more coins than ATFX.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.6 / 5
Score 3.6 / 5
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