Deriv and Phemex face off on crypto access, costs, and platform depth. The comparison pits a CFD broker against a native crypto exchange with distinct risk profiles.
Find out which crypto exchange best suits your trading profile.
Choose if…
You choose Deriv if you want a very low entry cost and access to synthetic indices 24/7. You choose Phemex if you want a native crypto exchange with 300+ coins and proof of reserves.
Choose if…
You choose Deriv if you want a very low entry cost and access to synthetic indices 24/7. You choose Phemex if you want a native crypto exchange with 300+ coins and proof of reserves.
Which exchange wins for each type of crypto trader, based on security, fees, coin selection, and editorial scoring.
| Criteria | ||
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 3.4/ 5 | 3.9/ 5 |
| Min Deposit | $5 | No minimum▼ lower |
| 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 | Deriv | 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.) | Fail | Fail |
| Fees | ||
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Fail | Pass |
| Transparent pricing page | Fail | 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 | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Fail | Fail |
Phemex rates 3.9/5 versus 3.4/5 for Deriv. Phemex edges ahead on our composite score, though both exchanges meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
Deriv lists a spread from 0.5. 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 Deriv requires at least $5. This makes Phemex more accessible for traders looking to start with a smaller crypto investment.
Deriv is regulated by FSC BVI, LFSA. Phemex is regulated by authorities listed on their website. Confirm a exchange's current regulatory status on the relevant regulator's public register before opening an account.
For beginners, Phemex has no minimum deposit, removing the capital barrier entirely. Both exchanges otherwise share similar beginner-facing criteria in our data. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources on each exchanges's site.
Deriv 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 on commission-based accounts. Commission details for Deriv 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.
Deriv supports Proprietary Web/Mobile, DXtrade, MetaTrader 5, while Phemex supports Proprietary Web/Mobile. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile. Deriv has exclusive access to DXtrade and MetaTrader 5.
Phemex scores higher on security criteria, with cold storage and proof of reserves. For crypto, cold storage and proof of reserves are key indicators that client assets are protected against exchange failure or hacks.
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 Deriv 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.
Deriv is favored for security due to MFSA/VFSC regulation and segregated funds.
Phemex lists 300+ coins, giving broader altcoin exposure than Deriv's 5 coins.
Phemex offers staking and yield-earning options while Deriv does not, making Phemex the better choice for holders who want to earn passive income on their crypto.
| N/A |
| N/A |
| Inactivity Fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerFasaPayCrypto | CryptoCredit cardDebit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerFasaPayCrypto | Crypto |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Network fee only |
|---|
| Regulators | FSC BVI LFSA MFSA VFSC | — |
|---|
| 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 |
|---|
Phemex edges Deriv on the overall editorial score, driven by higher category scores in trust/regulation, fees, and platforms. Deriv offers a very low minimum deposit and crypto CFDs but operates under offshore regulation.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.4 / 5
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