Comparison of Independent Reserve vs Yellow Card [ 2024 ]

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

Investing risks losing your money

Your expert: Xavier Tarrasó

Yellow Card

Yellow Card

  • 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

≤0,50%

Earns

No

Customer service

4/5
hidden

Fees

No

Earns

4/5

Customer service


Recommended for

Beginners

Yes

Trading

Yes

Passive income

No

Buy and hold

Yes
Yes

Beginners

No

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.
3.8 – Reasonable fees with strong local support in Africa.

Level

≤0,50%
hidden

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​​.
Yellow Card’s fee structure is designed to be straightforward and competitive, particularly catering to its primary audience in Africa. The platform charges a nominal fee on transactions, which varies slightly depending on the payment method used and the specific fiat or cryptocurrency involved. These fees are generally on par with regional standards and are structured to encourage frequent small transactions, which is typical among its user base. This makes Yellow Card an appealing option for users who value transparency and affordability in their trading activities.

Independent Reserve

independent reserve
Read Independent Reserve review
  • 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.

Read Independent Reserve review

Yellow Card

Yellow Card
Read Independent Reserve review
  • Focus on African Markets: Yellow Card specifically targets African users, understanding and addressing the unique financial challenges and needs in the region, which highlights their commitment to their user base.
  • Reputation and Reviews: Despite being relatively new, Yellow Card has garnered positive reviews for its user-friendly interface and the ease with which users can trade cryptocurrencies, which is crucial for building trust among new entrants to the crypto space.
  • Customer Service: Yellow Card places a strong emphasis on customer support, ensuring that users have access to help whenever they need it. This is especially important for users new to cryptocurrency, making the platform more approachable.
  • Security Methods: The exchange employs robust security measures to protect user accounts and transactions, which is fundamental for user confidence in handling digital assets.
  • Year Founded: Having been established in 2016, Yellow Card has had time to develop and refine its services, gaining valuable experience and insights into the market, which help in providing reliable and effective services.
  • Pros
  • User-friendly interface
  • Focus on African markets
  • Supports local payment methods
  • Cons
  • Limited cryptocurrency variety
  • Smaller user base

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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.
Yellow Card Financial

Regulation

Regulated in Australia
Not regulated

Year founded

2013
2016

Founder

Adam Tepper
Chris Maurice

Payment methods

Transfers

Yes
Yes

Mastercard

No
No

Wire transfer

Yes
No

Card

No
No

Comparative table

Independent Reserve FEATURES Yellow Card
Minimum trade amounts at Independent Reserve are relatively low, making it accessible for new investors.
Minimum Trade
Yellow Card supports relatively low minimum trades, making it accessible for beginners who might want to start small.
Fees are moderate compared to other exchanges, but some users might find them slightly higher for smaller trades.
Trading and Transaction Fees
The platform offers competitive fees, though not the lowest in the market. This could be more attractive with clearer fee structures.
Independent Reserve supports a decent range of popular cryptocurrencies, providing enough options for most investors.
Number of Cryptocurrencies
Offers only a limited selection of cryptocurrencies, which could be a limitation for those looking to trade beyond the most popular coins.
The exchange offers a fair selection of crypto-to-crypto pairs, though not as extensive as some larger platforms.
Crypto-to-Crypto Trading Pairs
Limited trading pairs are available, focusing primarily on major cryptocurrencies, which restricts trading strategies.
The website is user-friendly and transparent about fees, regulations, and available services.
Website Transparency
Yellow Card’s website provides clear information about their services and fees, enhancing user trust.
Independent Reserve does not offer a card for in-store purchases.
Credit/Debit Card
Yellow Card lacks an exchange card, missing an opportunity to extend additional benefits and conveniences to its users.
Offers secure storage options, including insurance for stored assets, enhancing user confidence in the platform’s safety.
Storage Offering
Provides secure storage options, though details on cold storage or insurance would enhance user confidence further.
Independent Reserve does not have extensive staking or rewards programs compared to some other exchanges.
Staking and Rewards
Offers basic staking services but lacks the variety and competitive rates found on more established platforms.
Both mobile and desktop platforms are well-designed, ensuring a seamless trading experience across devices.
Mobile App and Desktop
Both mobile and desktop platforms are user-friendly and highly functional, suitable for traders on-the-go or at home.
Customer service is responsive, though there is room for improvement in speed and availability during peak times.
Customer Service
Generally responsive and helpful customer service, although peak times can see slower responses.
Deposits and withdrawals are processed efficiently, with multiple options available, although some methods might incur fees.
Deposit and Withdraw
Supports multiple deposit and withdrawal methods, though some users may find the options limited compared to larger exchanges.

Key features

Analysis tools

Basic charting tools
Basic buying and selling, no advanced tools

Mobile APP

No
No

Security

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

Additional features

OTC trading, SMSF services, staking, insurance options
Crypto-to-fiat services, bill payments, mobile top-ups, staking

Anonymity

No
Yes

Key points

Available cryptocurrencies

20+
Few, primarily major cryptocurrencies

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.
Yellow Card provides a straightforward and easy-to-use platform that is ideal for beginners. The interface is clean and intuitive, making it easy to navigate and execute trades.

Value for money

Delivers good value for money with competitive fees and strong security features, suitable for Australian and New Zealand users.
Provides decent value for money with competitive fees and strong local support in Africa, making it a good choice for regional users.

Countries of operation

Australia, New Zealand, Singapore
Nigeria, South Africa, Botswana, Kenya, Ghana

Best for

Best for Australian and New Zealand investors looking for a reliable platform with competitive fees and strong security.
Ideal for African investors seeking a reliable platform with competitive fees and strong local support.

Base currencies available

AUD, NZD, USD, BTC
Multiple local currencies, 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.
Yellow Card is a popular exchange in Africa, offering easy fiat integration and a user-friendly platform. It supports a good range of cryptocurrencies but has higher fees compared to some other exchanges.

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.
Yellow Card is popular in Africa, offering easy fiat and cryptocurrency deposit methods. Withdrawals are processed efficiently, 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.
Yellow Card provides a straightforward and user-friendly account registration process. Users need to provide personal information and verify their identity. The process is efficient and typically takes less than a day to complete.

KYC required?

Yes
No

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.
Yellow Card provides support through email and live chat. The response time is quick, and the support team is available 24/7, making it reliable for users in Africa.

Security

Independent Reserve employs comprehensive security measures, including 2FA, encryption, and cold storage. It is regulated by Australian authorities, ensuring high security for investors.
Yellow Card employs comprehensive security measures, including 2FA and cold storage. It is regulated by African authorities, ensuring high security for 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 an expert closely analyzing Yellow Card, I appreciate its focused approach to serving the African market. Its user-friendly interface and support for local payment methods make it an excellent choice for newcomers. However, I recommend potential users consider the limited variety of cryptocurrencies offered. This platform is ideal for those starting their journey in crypto trading or those who primarily deal with major cryptocurrencies.

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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.

More comparatives Independent Reserve and Yellow Card