Bitfinex is built for experienced and institutional-style traders who need advanced order types and deeper professional tooling, not for beginners looking for a simple first exchange.
| Fee Type | Rate |
|---|---|
| Spot Trading (Maker) | 0.10% |
| Spot Trading (Taker) | 0.10% |
| Futures (Maker) | 0.02% |
| Futures (Taker) | 0.02% |
| Withdrawal Fee | Varies by asset |
| Deposit Fee | Free (crypto) |
Trustpilot 2026-01-27
Order control is excellent once you know what you are doing.
App Store 2025-12-06
Powerful, but I would never recommend it to a beginner.
Google Play 2025-10-29
Good for advanced strategies. UI is not modern retail.
Trustpilot 2025-09-12
Professional tooling is the reason to stay, not ease of use.
Bitfinex is a veteran cryptocurrency exchange founded in 2012, designed primarily for institutional and professional traders. Ranked 14th on ExchangeRank with an overall score of 3.41, the platform delivers deep liquidity, advanced order types, and a peer-to-peer lending market — but its complexity makes it a poor fit for beginners. Below we break down what matters most when evaluating this exchange.
Bitfinex scores an impressive 9.12 out of 10 for fees, making it one of the more cost-effective platforms for active traders.
The futures fee of 0.02% is notably low and makes Bitfinex an attractive venue for derivatives traders executing large positions. Spot fees start at a flat 0.10% for both makers and takers, which is competitive among established exchanges though not the cheapest available when promotional rates from newer platforms are considered.
Bitfinex earns a security score of 8.6 out of 10. The exchange has operated continuously since 2012, giving it over a decade of track record in the crypto industry. However, that history includes a significant security incident in 2016 which resulted in the loss of user funds.
Since that breach, Bitfinex has strengthened its security infrastructure and has not experienced another major incident. The platform employs standard know-your-customer (KYC) verification procedures and requires identity confirmation before full functionality is available.
It is worth noting that while long-term operation and improved security practices inspire a degree of confidence, the 2016 event remains a legitimate concern for risk-conscious users evaluating the platform's trustworthiness.
Bitfinex supports over 170 cryptocurrencies and digital tokens, with a variety score of 6.03 out of 10. The catalog focuses on major assets like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and established altcoins rather than chasing every new speculative listing.
The platform offers six core trading products:
The futures platform scores 5 out of 10 overall but is well-regarded for its infrastructure and deep liquidity, which helps minimize slippage on larger positions. Funding rates for perpetual contracts update every eight hours.
Bitfinex earns its "Pro traders" badge for good reason. The platform is best suited for:
With an ease-of-use score of just 4 out of 10, this is not a platform for someone placing their first crypto trade. The interface is feature-rich but dated, and there is a meaningful learning curve involved in navigating its full capabilities.
The low support score is a notable weakness. Traders who rely on responsive customer service during urgent situations should weigh this carefully before committing significant capital to the platform.
Spot trading fees start at 0.10% for both makers and takers, with volume-based discounts available for high-frequency participants. Futures fees begin at just 0.02%, which is among the lowest in the industry for derivatives trading.
Bitfinex scores 8.6 out of 10 for security and has operated without a major breach since 2016. The platform has strengthened its security practices significantly over the past several years. That said, no exchange is risk-free, and the historical incident is worth considering alongside the improved track record.
Bitfinex supports over 170 cryptocurrencies and tokens. The selection focuses primarily on established assets rather than speculative micro-cap listings, which keeps the catalog narrower than some competitors but ensures deeper liquidity on the pairs it does offer.
Sources: ExchangeRank source data, official exchange website, app store and Trustpilot references when available.
Use Bitfinex if professional and highly experienced traders who need advanced order control. Avoid it if pure beginners and anyone who needs a simple guided interface. Confirm real-time trading fees and local access on the official website before depositing.