Comparison of Wirex vs Altcoin Trader [ 2024 ]

The crypto exchanges compared by their commissions, cryptos, security and much more. Here is the Wirex vs Altcoin Trader comparison!

Your expert: Alejandro Borja

Wirex

Wirex

  • Threenvest valuation: 3,8/5
  • US legal: Yes
  • Security: High 4,6/5
  • Mobile App: No
Go exchange

Investing risks losing your money

Your expert: Xavier Tarrasó

ascendex

Altcoin Trader

  • Threenvest valuation: 3,6/5
  • US legal: No
  • Security: High 4,5/5
  • Mobile App: Yes
Go exchange

Investing risks losing your money

Main points

Fees

1%

Earns

No

Customer service

3/5
0,10%

Fees

Yes

Earns

4/5

Customer service


Recommended for

Beginners

Yes

Trading

No

Passive income

No

Buy and hold

Yes
Yes

Beginners

Yes

Trading

Yes

Passive income

Yes

Buy and hold


Comparison of fees

Rating

3.8 – Reasonable fees with additional benefits for cardholders.
3.5 – Competitive fees within South Africa but higher for international transactions.

Level

1%
0,10%

Brief explanation

Wirex’s fee structure is designed to encourage both the use of its native token and engagement with its broad range of services. The platform charges a clear, competitive trading fee of 1% for buying or selling cryptocurrencies, which is straightforward and easy to understand for all users. For crypto-to-fiat transactions, Wirex imposes a fee that includes a small percentage of the transaction amount plus a fixed nominal fee, which varies depending on the currency involved. This system allows users to manage their costs effectively by understanding the exact fees in advance, making financial planning simpler and more predictable. Wirex also incentivizes the use of its native WXT tokens by offering reduced fees, enhancing savings for regular users.
AscendEX maintains a competitive and transparent fee structure, which is essential for both casual and serious traders. The platform typically charges a flat fee for both makers and takers, simplifying calculations for users. These fees are generally aligned with industry standards, ensuring that traders can engage in frequent trading activities without excessive costs. Additionally, AscendEX may offer tiered discounts based on the user’s monthly trading volume, which incentivizes higher trading activity with lower fees. For users looking to minimize costs while maximizing trading opportunities, AscendEX’s fee structure is designed to support a wide range of trading strategies and volumes, making it a compelling choice for those who value straightforward and equitable financial dealings in their trading platform.

Wirex

Wirex
Read Wirex review
  • Security Methods: Wirex employs robust security measures including cold storage for funds, 2FA, and the latest encryption technology to protect user data and transactions.
  • Reputation and Reviews: Wirex has established a strong reputation in the cryptocurrency space, backed by positive reviews from users appreciating its ease of use, innovative features, and reliable customer service.
  • Regulation: As a principal member of Mastercard, Wirex adheres to strict regulatory standards, ensuring a secure and compliant environment for handling your digital and traditional currencies.
  • Customer Service: Wirex supports its users with a dedicated customer service team, providing help and guidance to ensure a smooth user experience across its platform.
  • Volume Managed and Liquidity: Wirex handles a significant volume of daily transactions, offering high liquidity which ensures that users can perform transactions efficiently and at competitive rates.
  • Pros
  • User-friendly interface
  • Crypto-backed Visa card
  • Multi-currency support
  • Cons
  • High foreign exchange fees
  • Limited customer support

Read Wirex review

Altcoin Trader

ascendex
Read Wirex review
  • Security Methods: AscendEX employs a comprehensive array of security measures including SSL encryption, two-factor authentication, and cold storage of assets. These rigorous security protocols ensure that users’ data and funds are protected against unauthorized access and cyber threats, fostering a secure trading environment.
  • Reputation and Reviews: Since its inception in 2018, AscendEX has built a solid reputation within the cryptocurrency community. User reviews often highlight the platform's reliability, wide range of services, and user-friendly interface, underscoring its standing as a reputable exchange in the crypto market.
  • Trading Volume and Liquidity: AscendEX supports a high trading volume and liquidity, which is crucial for traders looking to execute large trades without significantly affecting the market price. This high liquidity not only facilitates better price discovery but also enables efficient entry and exit from positions.
  • Customer Service: AscendEX is known for its robust customer support, offering quick and helpful responses to user inquiries and issues. This commitment to excellent customer service enhances user experience and trust, particularly for new traders who may need assistance navigating the platform.
  • Withdrawal and Deposit Policies: The platform’s policies on withdrawals and deposits are clear, secure, and user-centric, ensuring a smooth process for moving funds into and out of the exchange. AscendEX’s efficient handling of these critical operations reinforces its reliability and the trust users place in it.
  • Pros
  • Broad selection of trading options.
  • Supports spot, margin, and futures trading.
  • Staking options available for earnings.
  • Cons
  • Interface may overwhelm new users.
  • No detailed insurance policy transparency.

Comparison sponsored by the best exchange

eToro

eToro Special Offer*

Earn up to 4.90% APY on uninvested cash with eToro USA.

Account Minimum

Get started with just $50.

And 1% fee on all cryptocurrency trades.

Read our eToro review here
etoro logotipo
Go to eToro

Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest. This is a high-risk investment and you should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong.

Product selection

Native token

No
No

Earns

No
Yes

NFT marketplace

No
No

Cripto/debit card

No
No

Company information

Full name

Wirex Limited
Altcoin Trader (Pty) Ltd.

Regulation

Regulated in the Reino Unido
Not regulated

Year founded

2014
2014

Founder

Pavel Matveev and Dmitry Lazarichev
Richard de Sousa

Payment methods

Transfers

Yes
Yes

Mastercard

Yes
No

Wire transfer

Yes
Yes

Card

Yes
No

Comparative table

Wirex FEATURES Altcoin Trader
Wirex allows flexible trading amounts, making it accessible for users of all investment levels, though specific minimums depend on currency pairs.
Minimum Trade
AscendEX allows small minimum trades, making it accessible for users with smaller capital.
Wirex offers competitive trading fees, but its foreign exchange fees can be higher than average, which might affect those trading or using multiple currencies frequently.
Trading and Transaction Fees
Competitive fees, especially favorable for high-volume traders with further discounts available.
Wirex supports a solid range of cryptocurrencies including major ones like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin, making it suitable for most traders’ needs.
Number of Cryptocurrencies
Offers a broad range of over 100 cryptocurrencies, catering to diverse trader demands.
There is a good selection of trading pairs available, providing users with various trading strategy options.
Crypto-to-Crypto Trading Pairs
Features an extensive array of trading pairs, facilitating varied and flexible trading strategies.
The Wirex website provides clear information about fees, services, and user guidelines, making it easy for users to find the information they need.
Website Transparency
Generally transparent about fees and terms, though some details on security could be clearer.
Wirex offers a Visa card that integrates with cryptocurrency accounts, allowing users to spend their cryptocurrency at any Visa-compatible point of sale. The card functionality scores highly for its convenience and integration.
Credit/Debit Card
AscendEX lacks an exchange card feature, which could enhance the usability of cryptocurrencies for everyday transactions and offer additional benefits to its users.
Wirex provides secure cryptocurrency wallets with cold storage options, ensuring safety for user funds, though it’s less customizable than dedicated crypto wallet services.
Storage Offering
Provides secure storage options with cold storage and multi-factor authentication.
Offers rewards such as Cryptoback™ rewards on card purchases, but the staking options are somewhat limited compared to dedicated staking platforms.
Staking and Rewards
Offers competitive staking rewards and various incentives for participation in trading activities.
The Wirex app and desktop platform are user-friendly and provide a seamless experience for managing cryptocurrencies and fiat currencies.
Mobile App and Desktop
Both mobile and desktop platforms are well-designed, offering full functionality and ease of use.
Customer service is a known issue with reports of slow response times and unresolved issues, impacting the overall user experience.
Customer Service
Robust customer support with responsive service via multiple channels.
Deposits and withdrawals are generally smooth with support for multiple fiat currencies, but sometimes can experience delays which should be noted.
Deposit and Withdraw
Efficient deposit and withdrawal processes are in place, although adding more fiat options could improve accessibility and convenience.

Key features

Analysis tools

Basic price tracking
Basic charting tools

Mobile APP

No
No

Security

High 4,6/5
High 4,5/5

Additional features

Crypto debit card, staking, Wirex rewards, fiat on/off ramps
Instant EFT payments, savings wallets, recurring buy orders, OTC trading

Anonymity

No
No

Key points

Available cryptocurrencies

10+
20+

User-friendliness

Wirex features an intuitive and user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate, making it suitable for beginners. The platform focuses on providing a seamless trading experience.
Altcoin Trader is known for its simple and user-friendly interface, which makes it accessible for new traders. The platform focuses on ease of use, ensuring that buying and selling cryptocurrencies is straightforward.

Value for money

Delivers reasonable value for money with competitive fees and a user-friendly platform, though it may lack some advanced features.
Delivers decent value for money, especially for South African users, with competitive fees and easy access to local banking options.

Countries of operation

Global, including United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, Germany
South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Lesotho

Best for

Best for global traders looking for a reliable platform with competitive fees and a wide range of supported cryptocurrencies.
Best for South African investors looking for easy access to local banking options and competitive fees, making it ideal for regional users.

Base currencies available

USD, EUR, GBP, BTC
ZAR, BTC

Account

Trading

Wirex provides a secure platform with easy fiat integration and a good range of cryptocurrencies. It offers additional services like a debit card but has higher fees compared to some exchanges.
Altcoin Trader is ideal for users looking to trade a variety of altcoins. The platform is easy to navigate, but its fee structure is slightly higher than average. Additionally, the platform’s customer support could use improvement.

Deposit and withdrawal

Wirex supports multiple deposit options, including bank transfers, credit/debit cards, and cryptocurrencies. Withdrawals are processed quickly, with competitive fees.
Altcoin Trader provides bank transfer and cryptocurrency deposit options. Withdrawals are usually processed within 24 hours. Fees are relatively low, making it accessible for beginners.

Account opening process

Wirex provides an easy and fast account registration process. Users need to fill out personal details and verify their identity. The process is fully digital and usually completed within a day.
Altcoin Trader has a simple account registration process. It requires basic personal information, proof of identity, and address verification. The process is quick, usually taking less than a day, making it accessible for new users.

KYC required?

Yes
No

Customer Service

Wirex provides comprehensive customer support through email, live chat, and a help center. Support is available 24/7, and the response times are quick, ensuring users get timely assistance.
Altcoin Trader provides support through email and live chat. The support team is responsive and helpful, but the lack of 24/7 availability can be a downside for users needing immediate assistance.

Security

Wirex ensures security through 2FA, encryption, and cold storage. It is regulated by several financial authorities, making it a highly secure platform for investors.
Altcoin Trader employs standard security measures like 2FA and encryption. It lacks regulation from major financial bodies, which could be a concern for some investors regarding the safety of their funds.

Which of these exchanges is for you?

alejandro-borja-analista-de-brokers.webp

Alejandro Borja

As a Wirex exchange expert, I’d like to share a little advice on why you might consider using Wirex for your crypto transactions. Wirex offers a uniquely integrated platform where you can manage both fiat and cryptocurrencies seamlessly. The ability to use a Visa card linked directly to your Wirex account allows you to spend your crypto holdings just as easily as fiat, virtually anywhere Visa is accepted. This feature alone makes Wirex an excellent choice for those who want to make cryptocurrencies a regular part of their financial toolkit. Plus, their user-friendly interface makes navigating through crypto transactions straightforward, even for beginners.
Xavier-tarraso-mascarell.jpg

Xavier Tarrasó

As an expert reviewer on our website, I highly recommend AscendEX for both new and experienced traders looking for a comprehensive crypto trading platform. Its robust security measures, extensive range of cryptocurrencies, and competitive trading fees make it a reliable choice. The platform’s user-friendly interface, coupled with excellent customer support, ensures a smooth trading experience, making it well-suited for anyone looking to delve into the crypto market.

View all comparisons against Wirex

View all comparisons against Altcoin Trader

How do we review crypto exchanges?

At Threenvest, we conduct a thorough review process to evaluate and rank the world’s leading crypto exchanges. Our goal is to offer an unbiased assessment, providing you with the information you need to make informed decisions on which ones best suit your needs. We strictly adhere to the guidelines of our editorial policy.

 

We collect data directly from exchanges through detailed questionnaires and conduct first-hand testing and observations during crypto exchange demonstrations. Questionnaire responses, combined with demonstrations and hands-on research from our experts, feed into our proprietary evaluation process that scores each provider’s performance on more than 15 factors. The end result produces star ratings ranging from poor (one star) to excellent (five stars).


For more details on the categories considered when rating brokers and our process, read our full methodology.

Risk Disclaimer

Investing in cryptocurrencies is very risky, you should only invest the money you are willing to lose. Also you should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong.

Neither Threenvest, nor the author, are recommending you to invest with this article.

More comparatives Wirex and Altcoin Trader