Comparison of Independent Reserve vs Stormgain [ 2024 ]

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

Your expert: Alejandro Borja

independent reserve

Independent Reserve

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

Your expert: Xavier Tarrasó

stormgain

Stormgain

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

Main points

Fees

≤0,50%

Earns

No

Customer service

4/5
≤0,25%

Fees

No

Earns

3/5

Customer service


Recommended for

Beginners

Yes

Trading

Yes

Passive income

No

Buy and hold

Yes
No

Beginners

Yes

Trading

No

Passive income

Yes

Buy and hold


Comparison of fees

Rating

3.9 – Reasonable fees with strong local support in Australia and New Zealand.
4.1 – Competitive fees with a focus on leveraged trading.

Level

≤0,50%
≤0,25%

Brief explanation

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​​.
StormGain charges a unique fee structure that differentiates it from many other cryptocurrency exchanges. The platform adopts a flat fee model for trading, charging a standard rate of 0.25% on all trades. This rate is slightly above the new industry average, which tends to range around 0.10% to 0.15%, but StormGain offers a compelling twist: it only imposes these fees on profitable trades. This means if your trade does not make a profit, you are not charged a trading fee. In addition to trading fees, StormGain also applies withdrawal fees, which vary by cryptocurrency. For instance, withdrawing Bitcoin incurs a fixed fee of 0.0006 BTC, combined with a percentage fee of 0.10% of the withdrawn amount. This hybrid fee model can be particularly advantageous or costly depending on the amount being withdrawn and the current value of the cryptocurrency. Overall, StormGain’s fee model is designed to benefit profitable traders by allowing them to incur costs only when they earn, which can be particularly attractive to high-volume traders who are confident in their trading strategies and market timing.

Independent Reserve

independent reserve
Go exchange
  • 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​​.
  • Pros
  • Strong adherence to regulatory standards.
  • High level of platform security.
  • User-friendly interface for beginners.
  • Cons
  • Limited selection of cryptocurrencies.
  • No margin trading available.

Stormgain

stormgain
Go exchange
  • Security Measures: StormGain takes the security of its users seriously, implementing advanced measures like cold storage for the majority of funds, two-factor authentication (2FA), and encryption technologies to safeguard personal and transaction data.
  • High Leverage Options: Offering leverage up to 1:300, StormGain provides one of the highest leverage options available in the market. This allows experienced traders to maximize their trading strategies effectively.
  • Innovative Trading Features: StormGain features a range of innovative trading tools including leveraged crypto futures, options, and tokenized assets. This variety not only caters to different trading preferences but also enhances trading potential through diversification.
  • Reputation and Reviews: Since its inception in 2019, StormGain has built a solid reputation, ranked highly on several review platforms. Most reviews highlight customer satisfaction with the platform’s user-friendly interface and comprehensive trading tools.
  • Customer Service: StormGain offers robust customer support with a 24/7 service team accessible via email, chat, and phone. This level of support ensures that users' queries and issues are resolved promptly, enhancing user trust and satisfaction.
  • Pros
  • High leverage options up to 1:300
  • No fees on unprofitable trades
  • Supports crypto futures, indices, and tokenized assets
  • Cons
  • Limited cryptocurrency selection
  • No fiat currency support available.

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Product selection

Native token

No
No

Earns

No
No

NFT marketplace

No
No

Cripto/debit card

No
No

Company information

Full name

Independent Reserve Pty. Ltd.
Stormgain LLC

Regulation

Regulated in Australia
Not regulated

Year founded

2013
2019

Founder

Adam Tepper
Unknown

Payment methods

Transfers

Yes
No

Mastercard

No
Yes

Wire transfer

Yes
No

Card

No
Yes

Comparative table

Independent Reserve FEATURES Stormgain
Minimum trade amounts at Independent Reserve are relatively low, making it accessible for new investors.
Minimum Trade
StormGain allows for relatively low minimum trade amounts, making it accessible for beginners or those looking to trade small amounts.
Fees are moderate compared to other exchanges, but some users might find them slightly higher for smaller trades.
Trading and Transaction Fees
StormGain charges a 0.25% flat fee on all trades and additional fees on profitable trades, which can be somewhat higher than some competitors.
Independent Reserve supports a decent range of popular cryptocurrencies, providing enough options for most investors.
Number of Cryptocurrencies
Offers a limited selection of cryptocurrencies compared to larger exchanges, which might be a downside for users looking for diverse trading options.
The exchange offers a fair selection of crypto-to-crypto pairs, though not as extensive as some larger platforms.
Crypto-to-Crypto Trading Pairs
Although limited in overall cryptocurrency numbers, it provides essential trading pairs, suitable for most conventional traders but not ideal for those seeking depth.
The website is user-friendly and transparent about fees, regulations, and available services.
Website Transparency
The website is quite transparent about fees and trading options, though it could improve by providing more information about the team and their operational ethos.
Independent Reserve does not offer a card for in-store purchases.
Credit/Debit Card
StormGain currently lacks an exchange card, missing an opportunity to extend additional payment convenience and benefits to its users.
Offers secure storage options, including insurance for stored assets, enhancing user confidence in the platform’s safety.
Storage Offering
Provides a secure wallet for cryptocurrency storage, incorporating essential security features such as 2FA.
Independent Reserve does not have extensive staking or rewards programs compared to some other exchanges.
Staking and Rewards
Offers competitive staking options and rewards, adding value for users who hold their cryptocurrencies in the exchange’s wallet.
Both mobile and desktop platforms are well-designed, ensuring a seamless trading experience across devices.
Mobile App and Desktop
The mobile and desktop platforms are well-designed, intuitive, and user-friendly, suitable for both beginners and experienced traders.
Customer service is responsive, though there is room for improvement in speed and availability during peak times.
Customer Service
Provides 24/7 customer support, but feedback on the responsiveness and quality of support varies among users.
Deposits and withdrawals are processed efficiently, with multiple options available, although some methods might incur fees.
Deposit and Withdraw
Offers instant deposit and withdrawal options, but the fees, especially for withdrawals, can be high depending on the method and currency.

Key features

Analysis tools

Basic charting tools
Advanced charting tools, technical analysis

Mobile APP

No
No

Security

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

Additional features

OTC trading, SMSF services, staking, insurance options
Margin trading, futures trading, staking, StormGain Earn

Anonymity

No
Yes

Key points

Available cryptocurrencies

20+
50+

User-friendliness

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.
StormGain 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

Delivers good value for money with competitive fees and strong security features, suitable for Australian and New Zealand users.
Offers good value for money with competitive fees and advanced trading features, suitable for both retail and institutional traders.

Countries of operation

Australia, New Zealand, Singapore
Global, including United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, Germany

Best for

Best for Australian and New Zealand investors looking for a reliable platform with competitive fees and strong security.
Suitable for both retail and institutional traders interested in derivatives trading with competitive fees and advanced features.

Base currencies available

AUD, NZD, USD, BTC
USDT, BTC

Account

Trading

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.
StormGain offers extensive trading options including leveraged trading. It provides advanced tools suitable for experienced traders but might be overwhelming for beginners.

Deposit and withdrawal

Independent Reserve is popular in Australia and New Zealand, offering easy fiat and cryptocurrency deposit methods. Withdrawals are processed efficiently, with competitive fees.
StormGain offers multiple deposit and withdrawal methods, including bank transfers and cryptocurrencies. Withdrawals are processed quickly, with competitive fees.

Account opening process

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.
StormGain provides a seamless account opening process. Users need to provide personal information and verify their identity. The process is quick and usually completed within a day.

KYC required?

Yes
Yes

Customer Service

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.
StormGain provides extensive 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.

Security

Independent Reserve employs comprehensive security measures, including 2FA, encryption, and cold storage. It is regulated by Australian authorities, ensuring high security for investors.
StormGain provides comprehensive security measures, including 2FA, encryption, and cold storage. It is not regulated by major financial authorities, which might be a concern for some investors.

Which of these exchanges is for you?

alejandro-borja-analista-de-brokers.webp

Alejandro Borja

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.
Xavier-tarraso-mascarell.jpg

Xavier Tarrasó

As one of the experts reviewing cryptocurrency platforms for our website, I find StormGain to be an intriguing option for traders who are particularly interested in leveraging high-risk, high-reward strategies. Its ability to offer up to 1:300 leverage is a standout feature that attracts experienced traders looking for significant market exposure. Additionally, the platform’s user-friendly interface and educational resources make it accessible, even for newcomers to the crypto trading scene. However, it’s important to approach trading on StormGain with a clear strategy and an understanding of the risks associated with high leverage trading.

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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.

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