Two established players clash over liquidity, asset breadth, and regulatory safeguards in crypto trading. Bitfinex and Swissquote showcase contrasting approaches to coin depth and custody.
Find out which crypto exchange best suits your trading profile.
Choose if…
Choose Bitfinex if you want deep liquidity and a native exchange. You also benefit from no inactivity fee and a broad margin funding market.
Choose if…
Choose Swissquote if you prioritize strong regulatory oversight and client asset protection. You also get phone support and the ability to buy real crypto within a Swiss bank account.
Which exchange wins for each type of crypto trader, based on security, fees, coin selection, and editorial scoring.
| Criteria | ||
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 3.9/ 5 | 4.1/ 5 |
| Min Deposit | No minimum▼ lower | $1,000 |
| Spreads From | N/A | 1.7 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 | Swissquote |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Pass |
| 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 | Fail |
| Phone support | Fail | Pass |
The scores are close: Bitfinex rates 3.9/5 and Swissquote rates 4.1/5. Swissquote 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.
Swissquote lists a spread from 1.7. 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 Swissquote requires at least $1000. This makes Bitfinex more accessible for traders looking to start with a smaller crypto investment.
Swissquote holds top-tier regulation (FCA, DFSA, FINMA), 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 Swissquote 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 Swissquote'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 Swissquote 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 Swissquote supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile. Swissquote has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4.
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.
Swissquote wins for security with FINMA licensing and client asset protection.
Bitfinex has the higher fees score, signaling relatively lower costs.
Equally matched on DeFi and Web3 access.
| N/A |
| N/A |
| Inactivity Fee | None | CHF 10/month (after 6 months) |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | CryptoBank transfer | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | CryptoBank transfer | Bank transfer |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Network fee for crypto; $20 minimum for wire | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | — | FCA DFSA FINMA |
|---|
| 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 Swissquote are closely matched overall. Bitfinex lists about 200 coins versus Swissquote's 20, the clearest differentiator in this comparison.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.9 / 5
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