Two seasoned players clash on asset depth, platform capabilities, and regulatory posture. The tension centers on coin coverage and native vs. CFD trading models.
Find out which crypto exchange best suits your trading profile.
Choose if…
Choose Bitfinex if you want broad asset coverage and an in house exchange with deep liquidity.
Choose if…
Choose Plus500 if you want a regulated CFD path to crypto exposure with clear pricing, strong protections, and a beginner friendly, no minimum deposit setup.
Which exchange wins for each type of crypto trader, based on security, fees, coin selection, and editorial scoring.
| Criteria | ||
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 3.9/ 5 | 3.7/ 5 |
| Min Deposit | No minimum▼ lower | $100 |
| Spreads From | N/A | 0.6 pips |
| Taker Fee | 0.20% | N/A |
A closer look at the specific criteria each exchange meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Bitfinex | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Security | ||
| Cold storage for assets | Pass | Fail |
| Proof of reserves published | Fail | Fail |
| Segregated client funds | Fail | Pass |
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, etc.) | Fail | Pass |
| Fees | ||
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Pass | Fail |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Fail |
| Features | ||
| Staking available | Fail | Fail |
| 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 | Fail | Fail |
The scores are close: Bitfinex rates 3.9/5 and Plus500 rates 3.7/5. Bitfinex 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.
Plus500 lists a spread from 0.6. Current spread data is not available for Bitfinex. Check both exchanges' full fee schedules, including maker/taker rates, for up-to-date pricing.
Bitfinex has no minimum deposit, while Plus500 requires at least $100. This makes Bitfinex more accessible for traders looking to start with a smaller crypto investment.
Plus500 holds top-tier regulation (ASIC, CySEC, CMA), providing stronger investor protections. Bitfinex 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: Bitfinex has no minimum deposit, removing the capital barrier entirely, and Plus500 provides negative balance protection, capping losses at your deposit amount. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
Bitfinex offers up to 10:1 on perpetual or margin products, versus Plus500's 2:1 cap. Margin and futures trading carry higher risk than spot crypto; confirm product availability and jurisdiction-specific limits on each exchange's website.
Bitfinex charges $0.2 per trade on commission-based accounts. Commission details for Plus500 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.
Bitfinex supports Proprietary Web/Mobile, while Plus500 supports Proprietary Web/Mobile. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile.
Bitfinex 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.
Plus500 wins for security, offering segregated client funds and negative balance protection under multiple regulators.
Bitfinex wins for low costs due to no inactivity fee and transparent pricing.
Bitfinex wins for coin selection with 200 listed assets compared with 15.
Plus500 wins for beginners due to a beginner-friendly platform and no minimum deposit requirement.
Equally matched; neither offers explicit DeFi access or Web3 staking in the provided data.
| N/A |
| N/A |
| Inactivity Fee | None | $10/month (after 3 months) |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | CryptoBank transfer | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardPayPalSkrillApple Pay |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | CryptoBank transfer | Bank transferCredit cardPayPalSkrill |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Network fee for crypto; $20 minimum for wire | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | — | ASIC CySEC CMA FCA MAS |
|---|
| Cold Storage | Yes | No |
|---|
| Proof of Reserves | No | No |
|---|
| Staking | No | No |
|---|
| 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 | 2 offers | None |
|---|
Bitfinex and Plus500 are closely matched, with Bitfinex's own exchange and broader coin coverage serving as the clearest differentiator.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.7 / 5
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