Comparison of Upbit vs Valr [ 2024 ]

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

Your expert: Alejandro Borja

upbit

Upbit

  • Threenvest valuation: 4,4/5
  • US legal: No
  • Security: High 4,9/5
  • Mobile App: No
Go exchange

Investing risks losing your money

Your expert: Xavier Tarrasó

VALR

Valr

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

Investing risks losing your money

Main points

Fees

≈ 0,20%/0,25%

Earns

Yes

Customer service

4/5
-0,01%/0,10%

Fees

No

Earns

4/5

Customer service


Recommended for

Beginners

Yes

Trading

Yes

Passive income

Yes

Buy and hold

Yes
Yes

Beginners

Yes

Trading

No

Passive income

Yes

Buy and hold


Comparison of fees

Rating

4.0 – Competitive fees with strong local support in South Korea and Southeast Asia.
4.0 – Competitive fees with strong local support in South Africa.

Level

≈ 0,20%/0,25%
-0,01%/0,10%

Brief explanation

Upbit’s commission structure is designed to accommodate a range of trading volumes and styles, which makes it appealing for both high-volume traders and casual participants. The exchange typically employs a tiered fee system, where the trading fees decrease as the user’s monthly trade volume increases. This structure incentivizes frequent trading and larger transactions. However, it’s important for users to note that fees may vary depending on the market conditions and the specific cryptocurrencies being traded. Overall, Upbit’s fees are competitive within the industry but require users to stay informed about the specific details applicable to their trading activities.
VALR’s commission structure is designed to be competitive and attractive to both novice and experienced traders. The exchange employs a tiered fee system where the trading fees decrease as the user’s monthly trading volume increases. This incentivizes higher trading volumes while maintaining affordability for smaller traders. Fees for typical trades start relatively low, with further reductions possible depending on the trade volume and currency pairs being traded. Additionally, VALR occasionally runs promotions that temporarily reduce fees or offer rebates, enhancing the trading experience.

Upbit

upbit
Read upbit review
  • Security methods: Upbit employs rigorous security protocols, including regular security audits and multi-factor authentication, which significantly minimize the risk of breaches and unauthorized access.
  • Reputation and Reviews: Since its inception in 2017, Upbit has maintained a strong reputation within the crypto community, especially in South Korea. Its partnerships and transparent practices contribute to its positive image among users.
  • Trading volume and liquidity: Upbit boasts one of the highest trading volumes among South Korean exchanges, providing users with high liquidity which is crucial for executing trades efficiently and at desirable prices.
  • Customer service: Upbit offers comprehensive customer support with various channels for communication, ensuring that users' issues and queries are addressed promptly and effectively.
  • Transparency: The platform is known for its transparent operational practices, such as providing clear information on fees and the regular publication of audit reports, which helps in building trust with its clientele.
  • Pros
  • Wide range of cryptocurrencies
  • Strong security measures
  • High trading volume
  • Cons
  • Complex fee structure
  • Intimidating for beginners

Read upbit review

Valr

VALR
Read upbit review
  • Strong Security Measures: VALR employs robust security protocols including cold storage of assets, two-factor authentication, and secure encryption technologies to ensure user funds are protected against unauthorized access.
  • Compliance with Local Regulations: As a South African exchange, VALR adheres to local financial regulations and guidelines, which bolsters its credibility and reliability as a trustworthy platform in the eyes of both users and regulators.
  • High Trading Volume and Liquidity: VALR supports a high trading volume and offers substantial liquidity, making it easier for users to enter and exit positions, which is especially beneficial for traders looking to execute large volume trades.
  • Reputation and Reviews: Since its launch, VALR has built a solid reputation within the cryptocurrency community. Positive user reviews often highlight its user-friendly interface, range of supported cryptocurrencies, and responsive customer support.
  • Year Founded: Established in 2018, VALR has rapidly grown to become one of the leading exchanges in South Africa, demonstrating strong market resilience and continuous adaptation to user needs and technological advancements.
  • Pros
  • Wide range of cryptocurrencies
  • Competitive trading fees
  • Strong security measures
  • Cons
  • Limited global fiat options
  • Slow customer support response

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Product selection

Native token

No
No

Earns

Yes
No

NFT marketplace

Yes
No

Cripto/debit card

Yes
No

Company information

Full name

Dunamu Inc.
VALR Pty Ltd.

Regulation

Regulated in Corea del Sur
Regulated in Sudáfrica

Year founded

2017
2019

Founder

Song Chi
Farzam Ehsani

Payment methods

Transfers

Yes
Yes

Mastercard

Yes
Yes

Wire transfer

Yes
Yes

Card

Yes
Yes

Comparative table

Upbit FEATURES Valr
Upbit allows users to trade with relatively small amounts, making it accessible for beginners.
Minimum Trade
VALR allows relatively low minimum trades, making it accessible for beginners to start trading without requiring large initial investments.
The fees are competitive but the structure can be complex and confusing for new users.
Trading and Transaction Fees
One of VALR’s strongest features is its competitive fee structure, which ranks among the lowest in the industry, benefiting all types of traders.
Upbit offers a wide array of over 150 cryptocurrencies, catering to diverse trading preferences.
Number of Cryptocurrencies
The exchange offers a wide selection of cryptocurrencies, providing ample opportunities for diversification.
Provides an extensive range of trading pairs, supporting various crypto-to-crypto transactions.
Crypto-to-Crypto Trading Pairs
VALR supports a broad range of trading pairs, allowing users to trade directly between various cryptocurrencies without needing to convert to fiat.
Generally transparent about trading conditions and security policies, though some information like fee structures could be simplified for better clarity.
Website Transparency
While VALR generally provides clear information, some users might find details regarding certain policies and operational procedures could be better highlighted.
Lacking a dedicated exchange card, Upbit misses an opportunity to integrate cryptocurrency spending into everyday transactions for its users.
Credit/Debit Card
The VALR card integrates seamlessly with the exchange, providing convenient access to funds and attractive rewards, enhancing the overall utility of the platform for everyday transactions.
Offers secure storage solutions, though it’s primarily an exchange, not a dedicated wallet service.
Storage Offering
VALR offers secure storage options including cold storage, ensuring high security for stored digital assets.
Offers competitive staking options and rewards, providing users with opportunities to earn from their holdings.
Staking and Rewards
The platform provides competitive staking options and rewards, making it attractive for users looking to earn passive income.
Both platforms are user-friendly and offer full functionality, facilitating trading on-the-go and from desktop setups.
Mobile App and Desktop
VALR offers both mobile and desktop platforms that are user-friendly and feature-rich, facilitating trading on-the-go as well as from a desktop setup.
Available and responsive, though some users report delays during peak times, which could be improved.
Customer Service
While available, customer service response times can be slow, which might frustrate users, especially those needing urgent support.
Efficient processes with some limits on international transactions, reflecting the need for broader accessibility.
Deposit and Withdraw
Deposits and withdrawals are facilitated smoothly, but improvements can be made in terms of speed and the variety of supported currencies and methods.

Key features

Analysis tools

Advanced charting tools, technical analysis
Basic charting tools

Mobile APP

Yes
No

Security

High 4,9/5
High 4,6/5

Additional features

Margin trading, staking, Upbit Earn, fiat on/off ramps
Staking, fiat on/off ramps, VALR Earn, institutional services

Anonymity

No
No

Key points

Available cryptocurrencies

200+
50+

User-friendliness

Upbit 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.
VALR 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 a wide range of supported cryptocurrencies, making it an affordable option for traders.
Offers good value for money with competitive fees and strong local support in South Africa, making it a good choice for regional users.

Countries of operation

South Korea, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand
South Africa

Best for

Best for South Korean, Singaporean, Indonesian, and Thai investors seeking a reliable platform with competitive fees.
Suitable for South African investors looking for a reliable platform with competitive fees and strong local support.

Base currencies available

KRW, BTC
ZAR, BTC

Account

Trading

Upbit is a major exchange in South Korea, offering a wide range of cryptocurrencies and high liquidity. It provides advanced trading tools but can be complex for beginners.
VALR is a popular exchange in South Africa, offering a user-friendly platform and easy fiat integration. It supports a good range of cryptocurrencies and competitive fees but lacks some advanced trading tools.

Deposit and withdrawal

Upbit is a major exchange in South Korea, offering multiple deposit and withdrawal methods. Withdrawals are processed quickly, with competitive fees.
VALR is popular in South Africa, offering easy fiat and cryptocurrency deposit methods. Withdrawals are processed efficiently, with competitive fees.

Account opening process

Upbit offers an easy and quick account registration process. Users need to provide personal information and verify their identity. The process is fully digital and typically takes less than a day to complete.
VALR provides a seamless and fully digital account registration process. Users need to submit personal details and verify their identity. The process is quick and usually takes less than a day to complete.

KYC required?

Yes
Yes

Customer Service

Upbit offers extensive customer support via email, live chat, and phone. The support team is responsive and available 24/7, making it reliable for users globally.
VALR provides customer support via email and live chat. The support team is responsive and helpful, but the lack of 24/7 support may be a limitation for some users.

Security

Upbit ensures security through 2FA, encryption, and cold storage. It is regulated by Korean authorities, providing a secure environment for investors.
VALR employs robust security features, including 2FA and cold storage. However, 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 reviewing Upbit, I’d recommend this exchange for users interested in a wide variety of cryptocurrencies and robust trading options. Its comprehensive security measures and high liquidity make it a reliable choice, especially for traders who prioritize a secure trading environment. However, newcomers should take time to familiarize themselves with its interface and fee structure to fully leverage Upbit’s offerings effectively.
Xavier-tarraso-mascarell.jpg

Xavier Tarrasó

As an expert reviewer on our website, I highly recommend VALR for anyone entering the cryptocurrency market in South Africa. The platform’s wide array of cryptocurrencies paired with some of the most competitive fees in the market makes it a top choice. However, if you’re trading from outside of South Africa or require swift customer support, you might want to consider these aspects before deciding.

View all comparisons against Upbit

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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 Upbit and Valr