Comparison of Blockchain.Com vs Independent Reserve [ 2024 ]

The crypto exchanges compared by their commissions, cryptos, security and much more. Here is the Blockchain.Com vs Independent Reserve comparison!

Your expert: Alejandro Borja

Blockchain.Com

Your expert: Xavier Tarrasó

Independent Reserve

Main points

Fees

0,40%/0,45%

Earns

Yes

Customer service

3/5

≤0,50%

Fees

Earns

4/5

Customer service

Recommended for

Beginners

Yes

Trading

Passive income

Yes

Buy and hold

Yes

Beginners

Yes

Trading

Passive income

Yes

Buy and hold

Comparison of fees

Rating

3.8 – Reasonable fees with a focus on security and ease of use.

3.9 – Reasonable fees with strong local support in Australia and New Zealand.

Level

0,40%/0,45%

≤0,50%

Brief explanation

Blockchain.com maintains a competitive fee structure for its trading services. The platform charges a dynamic fee for transactions, which typically aligns with industry standards to ensure affordability while maintaining high-quality service. For cryptocurrency trading, the fees vary depending on the market conditions and the type of transaction, such as buying, selling, or exchanging cryptocurrencies. It’s important for users to review the specific fees associated directly on the Blockchain.com platform before executing any trades to understand the potential costs involved fully. This fee structure is designed to be transparent, allowing users to make informed decisions without hidden charges.

Independent Reserve operates with a tiered fee structure that incentivizes higher trading volumes with progressively lower fees. The standard trading fee starts at 0.50% and can decrease to as low as 0.02% depending on the user’s 30-day trading volume. For deposits, there are no fees for electronic fund transfers (EFT) over AUD 100, and SWIFT transfers are free for amounts over AUD 5,000. Withdrawals to Australian bank accounts are free, while international withdrawals incur a fee of AUD 20. Cryptocurrency withdrawal fees are competitive, with a fee of 0.0003 BTC for Bitcoin, which is significantly lower than the global industry average.

Blockchain.Com

Year Founded: Blockchain.com has been a trusted name in the cryptocurrency market since 2011. Its longstanding presence serves as a testament to its reliability and enduring commitment to serving the crypto community.
Security Methods: The exchange employs advanced security measures including the use of cold storage for the majority of assets, two-factor authentication, and cutting-edge encryption technology. These protocols ensure a high level of security, safeguarding user funds against potential threats.
Reputation and Reviews: Over the years, Blockchain.com has built a solid reputation within the cryptocurrency community. Positive user reviews frequently highlight the platform's reliability, security, and ease of use, which reinforces its status as a trusted exchange.
Trading Volume and Liquidity: Blockchain.com supports a significant trading volume and liquidity, making it a preferred platform for traders looking for a seamless trading experience without the risk of market manipulation. High liquidity ensures that trades can be executed quickly and at desired prices.
Transparency: Blockchain.com is known for its transparent operations, providing users with detailed information on transactions, fees, and the security measures in place. This level of openness is crucial in building trust and credibility among users.

Read blockchain.com review

Independent Reserve

Year Founded: Independent Reserve was established in 2013, making it one of the longest-running cryptocurrency exchanges in Australia. Its longevity in the market is a testament to its reliability and stability.
Reputation and Reviews: With over a decade of operation, Independent Reserve has built a strong reputation among users for its reliability and customer service. It has consistently received positive reviews and high ratings for its security, user experience, and customer support.
Regulation and Compliance: The exchange is registered with AUSTRAC (Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre) and complies with stringent anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CTF) regulations. This regulatory adherence ensures a high level of trust and security for users.
Customer Service: Independent Reserve offers comprehensive customer support through various channels including email, support tickets, and a well-resourced help center. This ensures that users can get timely assistance for any issues they encounter.
Security Methods: Independent Reserve employs robust security measures including two-factor authentication (2FA), encryption of sensitive data, and cold storage for the majority of its cryptocurrency holdings. The exchange also conducts regular security audits and penetration testing to identify and mitigate potential vulnerabilities.

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Product selection

Native token

Earns

Yes

NFT marketplace

Cripto/debit card

Full name

Blockchain Access UK Ltd.

Independent Reserve Pty. Ltd.

Regulation

Not regulated

Regulated in Australia

Year founded

2011

2013

Founder

Ben Reeves (parte del equipo original de Coinbase también)

Adam Tepper

Payment methods

Transfers

Yes

Mastercard

Yes

Wire transfer

Yes

Card

Yes

Comparative table

Blockchain.Com	FEATURES	Independent Reserve
Blockchain.com allows users to start trading with a relatively low minimum, accommodating smaller budgets.	Minimum Trade	Minimum trade amounts at Independent Reserve are relatively low, making it accessible for new investors.
Fees are somewhat higher than competitors, which could be a deterrent for high-frequency traders.	Trading and Transaction Fees	Fees are moderate compared to other exchanges, but some users might find them slightly higher for smaller trades.
Supports a wide range of popular cryptocurrencies, providing good options for diversification.	Number of Cryptocurrencies	Independent Reserve supports a decent range of popular cryptocurrencies, providing enough options for most investors.
Offers a solid variety of trading pairs, allowing users to trade popular crypto combinations easily.	Crypto-to-Crypto Trading Pairs	The exchange offers a fair selection of crypto-to-crypto pairs, though not as extensive as some larger platforms.
The platform is highly transparent about its operations, fees, and security measures.	Website Transparency	The website is user-friendly and transparent about fees, regulations, and available services.
While Blockchain.com provides a robust platform for trading and wallet services, the lack of a branded exchange card limits the flexibility for users to spend and earn rewards directly from their cryptocurrency holdings in everyday transactions.	Credit/Debit Card	Independent Reserve does not offer a card for in-store purchases.
Provides secure storage options including cold storage, ensuring high safety for user assets.	Storage Offering	Offers secure storage options, including insurance for stored assets, enhancing user confidence in the platform’s safety.
Limited options for staking and rewards, which could be improved to enhance user investment benefits.	Staking and Rewards	Independent Reserve does not have extensive staking or rewards programs compared to some other exchanges.
Both mobile and desktop platforms are user-friendly and well-designed, offering seamless trading experiences.	Mobile App and Desktop	Both mobile and desktop platforms are well-designed, ensuring a seamless trading experience across devices.
Customer support is available but response times and effectiveness can vary, indicating room for improvement.	Customer Service	Customer service is responsive, though there is room for improvement in speed and availability during peak times.
Efficient deposit and withdrawal processes, though some users may find the options somewhat limited.	Deposit and Withdraw	Deposits and withdrawals are processed efficiently, with multiple options available, although some methods might incur fees.

Key features

Analysis tools

Price tracking, but limited technical analysis tools

Basic charting tools

Mobile APP

Security

High 4,9/5

High 4,6/5

Additional features

Blockchain wallet, lending services, staking, institutional services

OTC trading, SMSF services, staking, insurance options

Anonymity

Yes

Key points

Available cryptocurrencies

40+

20+

User-friendliness

Offers a user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate, making it suitable for beginners. The platform provides essential features without overwhelming new users.

Independent Reserve offers a user-friendly platform that is easy to navigate, making it suitable for beginners. The interface is designed to facilitate a smooth trading experience with all necessary features easily accessible.

Value for money

Offers reasonable value for money with competitive fees and a strong focus on security, though it may lack some advanced trading features.

Delivers good value for money with competitive fees and strong security features, suitable for Australian and New Zealand users.

Countries of operation

Global, including United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, Germany

Australia, New Zealand, Singapore

Best for

Best for traders who prioritize security and want a straightforward platform with competitive fees.

Best for Australian and New Zealand investors looking for a reliable platform with competitive fees and strong security.

Base currencies available

USD, GBP, EUR, BTC

AUD, NZD, USD, BTC

Account

Trading

Blockchain.com provides a secure trading platform with a good selection of cryptocurrencies. It is easy to use but has higher fees compared to some competitors.

Independent Reserve is a popular exchange in Australia and New Zealand, offering a user-friendly platform and easy fiat integration. It supports a decent range of cryptocurrencies but has higher fees.

Deposit and withdrawal

Blockchain.com offers multiple deposit options like bank transfers and cryptocurrencies. Withdrawals are processed efficiently, usually within a day, with low fees.

Independent Reserve is popular in Australia and New Zealand, offering easy fiat and cryptocurrency deposit methods. Withdrawals are processed efficiently, with competitive fees.

Account opening process

Blockchain.com offers a straightforward and user-friendly account registration process. Users need to provide personal information, verify their identity, and the account is usually approved within a day.

Independent Reserve provides an easy and user-friendly account opening process. Users need to provide personal information and verify their identity. The process is efficient and usually takes less than a day to complete.

KYC required?

Yes

Customer Service

Blockchain.com offers customer support through email and live chat. The support team is responsive, but the absence of phone support and limited availability can be a disadvantage.

Independent Reserve provides extensive customer support via email, live chat, and phone. The support team is responsive and available 24/7, making it reliable for users globally.

Security

Blockchain.com offers strong security features like 2FA, encryption, and cold storage. However, it is not regulated by major financial authorities, which might be a concern for some investors.

Independent Reserve employs comprehensive security measures, including 2FA, encryption, and cold storage. It is regulated by Australian authorities, ensuring high security for investors.

Which of these exchanges is for you?

Alejandro Borja

As an expert on our website, I recommend Blockchain.com for those who prioritize security and a user-friendly trading environment. It’s particularly suitable for new entrants to the cryptocurrency market, thanks to its intuitive interface and robust security measures. However, potential users should be aware of its higher transaction fees and mixed customer service reviews, which are areas the platform could improve to enhance the overall user experience.

Xavier Tarrasó

As an expert in cryptocurrency exchanges, I can confidently recommend Independent Reserve for several reasons. This platform excels in security and regulatory compliance, ensuring that your investments are protected. It supports multiple fiat currencies, making it accessible for users in Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore. While its selection of cryptocurrencies is somewhat limited, it offers a user-friendly interface and excellent customer support, making it ideal for beginners. For those prioritizing safety and reliability in their crypto trading experience, Independent Reserve is a solid choice.

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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.