Interactive Brokersvs
PhemexCrypto Exchange Comparison
The comparison pits a regulated traditional broker against a native crypto exchange. The tension centers on security, asset depth, and fee structures.
Who should choose Interactive Brokers vs Phemex?
Find out which crypto exchange best suits your trading profile.
Choose if…
Choose Interactive Brokers if you value strong regulatory oversight and regulated access.
Choose if…
Choose Phemex if you prefer broad coin selection and low maker fees with a crypto-native platform.
Verdict by Trader Profile
Which exchange wins for each type of crypto trader, based on security, fees, coin selection, and editorial scoring.
Best for security
Recommended
Interactive Brokers vs Phemex: Side-by-Side Crypto Exchange Comparison
| Criteria |  Interactive Brokers |  Phemex |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 4.0/ 5 | 3.9/ 5 |
| Min Deposit | No minimum | No minimum |
| Spreads From | 0.2 pips | N/A |
| Taker Fee | 2.00% | 0.10%▼ lower |
Interactive Brokers vs Phemex Crypto Exchange Pros & Cons
Pros
- Real crypto ownership (not CFDs), Bitcoin, Ethereum, and major alts in your IBKR account
- SEC, FINRA, FCA, and ASIC regulated, strongest multi-jurisdictional framework available
- 0.12-0.18% transparent commission, no spread markup on underlying price
- Manage crypto alongside stocks, ETFs, bonds, and forex in a single platform
Cons
- Narrow selection (~9 coins), no access to altcoins, DeFi, or NFTs
Interactive Brokers vs Phemex: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each exchange meets or misses within each scoring category.
3
Interactive Brokers
criteria wins
4
Phemex
criteria wins
Highlighted rows show where the two exchanges differ
| Criteria | Interactive Brokers | 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 | Pass | 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 |
Interactive Brokers vs Phemex: Frequently Asked Questions
The scores are close: Interactive Brokers rates 4/5 and Phemex rates 3.9/5. Interactive Brokers 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.
Interactive Brokers lists a spread from 0.2. Current spread data is not available for Phemex. Check both exchanges' full fee schedules, including maker/taker rates, for up-to-date pricing.
Neither Interactive Brokers nor Phemex requires a minimum deposit, making both accessible regardless of starting capital.
Interactive Brokers holds top-tier regulation (ASIC, JFSA, CMVM), 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, Interactive Brokers 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.
Interactive Brokers offers up to 1:1 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 Interactive Brokers's $2 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.
Interactive Brokers supports Trader Workstation (TWS), Proprietary Web/Mobile, while Phemex supports Proprietary Web/Mobile. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile. Interactive Brokers has exclusive access to Trader Workstation (TWS).
Phemex offers staking while Interactive Brokers 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.
