ChainEX Review 2026
Learn more about TU’s methodology
- 1 ZAR or equivalent in other cryptocurrencies
- Web platform
- Mobile Apps
- Maker program, Earn products
Our Evaluation of ChainEX
Learn more about TU’s methodology
ChainEX is a high-risk cryptocurrency exchange with the TU Overall Score of 2.66 out of 10. Having reviewed trading opportunities offered by the company and reviews posted by ChainEX clients on our website, Traders Union expert Anton Kharitonov does not recommend working with this broker, as, according to reviews, most clients are not satisfied with the broker.
How we tested ChainEX
Traders Union has analyzed financial markets for over 14 years, evaluating brokers based on 250+ transparent criteria, including security, regulation, and trading conditions. Our expert team of over 50 professionals regularly updates a Watch List of 500+ brokers to provide users with data-driven insights. While our research is based on objective data, we recommend that users perform independent due diligence and consult official regulatory sources before making any financial decisions.
Learn more about our methodology and editorial policies.
Brief Look at ChainEX
ChainEX is a cryptocurrency exchange operating primarily in the South African market. It is a licensed financial service provider (FSP 53799) and is regulated by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA). The platform offers cryptocurrency trading via its proprietary web interface and mobile apps. Over 30 cryptocurrencies are available for trading in pairs with the South African rand (ZAR) and USDT. ChainEX features a four-tier referral program and an Earn Portal for passive income from holding crypto assets. The exchange also runs a maker incentive program with a negative fee of up to -15%.
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- Support for trading pairs with the South African rand (ZAR)
- Zero maker fee and a negative rate of up to -15% for high trading volumes
- Earn service with flexible crypto interest options
- Multi-tier referral program
- Deposits via debit or credit cards in fiat currencies are not supported
- No leverage, and the range of instruments is limited to spot trading only
TU Expert Verdict
Chief Analytics Officer
ChainEX provides access to trading over 30 cryptocurrencies paired with ZAR and USDT through a proprietary web platform and mobile apps. The exchange is regulated by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority in South Africa, supports several deposit and withdrawal methods including bank transfers and crypto, and offers additional services such as an Earn Portal for passive income and a four-tier referral program. Notably, the maker program features a negative fee of up to -15% for high volumes, and spot fees for regular trades are set at 0.25%.
Drawbacks include the absence of leverage, a limited selection of 47 coins compared to leading crypto exchanges, and no support for P2P trading, cards, or fiat deposits by debit or credit card. The exchange is not regulated by any Tier-1 authority, and cold wallet storage is not mandatory, which may concern security-focused traders. ChainEX may be suitable for users seeking ZAR-based spot trading with some passive earning tools, but those requiring broader asset coverage, advanced trading features, or higher regulatory oversight may find stronger options elsewhere.
ChainEX Summary
Your capital is at risk. Cryptocurrency trading can be extremely risky. Cryptocurrency trading can lead to large and immediate financial losses. The volatility and unpredictability of the price of cryptocurrency relative to fiat currency may result in significant loss over a short period of time. Transactions in cryptocurrency may be irreversible, and, accordingly, losses due to fraudulent or accidental transactions may not be recoverable. The nature of cryptocurrency may lead to an increased risk of fraud or cyber attack.
| 💻 Trading platform: | Web platform, mobile apps |
|---|---|
| 📊 Accounts: | Real |
| 💰 Account currency: | ZAR, USDT, BTC, and other cryptocurrencies |
| 💵 Deposit / Withdrawal: | Cryptocurrencies, ZAR via Electronic Fund Transfers (EFTs) |
| 🚀 Minimum deposit: | 1 ZAR or equivalent in other cryptocurrencies |
| ⚖️ Leverage: | None |
| 💼 Copy Trading: | No |
| 📈️ Min Order: | 10 ZAR |
| 💱 Commission: | Spot: 0.25%-0.25% |
| 🔧 Instruments: | 47 supported coins, Fiat. |
| 💹 Margin Call / Stop Out: | No |
| 🏛 Liquidity provider: | No |
| 📱 Mobile trading: | Yes |
| ➕ Affiliate program: | Yes |
| 📋 Order execution: | Market, Limit, Accumulation, Distribution |
| ⭐ Trading features: | Maker program, Earn products |
| 🎁 Contests and bonuses: | None |
ChainEX supports Accumulation and Distribution order types that automatically place buy or sell orders based on current order book prices. These orders continue to execute until the user's specified asset amount is reached. Parameters such as price change, min or max price, volume, and order interval are preset in advance.
ChainEX Key Parameters Evaluation
Regulation and Safety
With a 5/10 score, ChainEX demonstrates a moderate level of security and regulation. While the platform meets basic safety standards, it may not offer the same level of protection as higher-rated exchanges.
- No successful hacks history
- Facial recognition
- Government-regulated
- 2FA
- Cold wallet storage is not mandatory
- Not tier-1 regulated
- Not U.S regulated
ChainEX Security Factors
We also compared ChainEX against the top two competitors with the highest scores in our overall ranking based on the most critical security indicators.
| ChainEX | Kraken | Coinbase | |
| Tier-1 regulation | No | Yes | Yes |
| Government-regulated | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Investor protection fund | No | No | Yes |
| 2FA | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Facial recognition | Yes | No | No |
| Cold wallet storage | No | Yes | Yes |
| Successful hacker attacks | No | No | Yes |
Is ChainEX a regulated crypto exchange?
ChainEX is regulated by a government authority, ensuring compliance with national and international standards. However, it does not hold Tier-1 regulation (e.g., in the U.S., UK, Germany, Spain, France, Australia, Singapore, or other jurisdictions with strict financial oversight). While this regulation provides an added layer of security and legitimacy, it may not offer the highest level of investor protection found in top-tier regulatory environments.
ChainEX is authorized or licensed in accordance with local regulations in the following regions: FSCA (South Africa).
Is verification (KYC) mandatory at ChainEX?
Yes, KYC verification is mandatory at ChainEX. You will need to complete the verification process before you can open an account and access the platform's full range of services.
Is ChainEX available in the USA?
ChainEX is not available in the USA due to regulatory restrictions. In some cases, access might differ by state, so we recommend confirming details with the platform’s support or checking the official website for the latest updates.
You may also consider the top 3 exchanges that are available in the USA and rank highly based on our methodology: Kraken, Coinbase, OKX .
ChainEX commissions and fees
ChainEX received a 5.2/10 score for its trading fees. While ChainEX is not the cheapest crypto exchange, the fees remain reasonable and competitive within the market.
- No deposit fee
- Spot fee above industry average
What are ChainEX trading fees?
We analyzed ChainEX’s crypto fees and compared them to the top two competitors, both of which hold high average positions in our rankings. To establish a comprehensive benchmark, we also calculated the average fee score based on an evaluation of over 100 cryptocurrency exchanges.
ChainEX trading fees vs competitors
| Chainex | Nexus Trade | CoinMetro | Industry average | |
| Spot, maker fee (%) | 0.25 | 0.22 | 0.1 | 0.15 |
| Spot, taker fee (%) | 0.25 | 0.22 | 0.2 | 0.194 |
What are ChainEX deposit and withdrawal fees?
| Deposit fee, % | 0 |
| Withdrawal fee, % | 0.00005 BTC 0.0015 ETH |
Does ChainEX offer P2P trading?
No, ChainEX does not support P2P transactions. However, you can explore the best alternatives in our dedicated list of top P2P exchange platforms, offering a variety of secure options for peer-to-peer transactions.
Deposit and Withdrawal
ChainEX received a 4/10 rating for its deposit and withdrawal services. ChainEX offers limited funding options and may charge fees, which could be inconvenient for many users.
- No deposit fees
- Many cryptocurrencies for deposits and withdrawals
- Bank transfers for deposits and withdrawals
- No PayPal option
- No P2P transfer option
Deposit and withdrawal options
ChainEX supports the following deposit and withdrawal options: Bank transfers, Crypto.
ChainEX Deposit and withdrawal options vs competitors
| ChainEX | Kraken | Coinbase | |
| Bank transfers | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Bank card | No | Yes | Yes |
| Crypto | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal | No | Yes | Yes |
What is ChainEX minimum deposit?
The minimum deposit at ChainEX is 0 USD/USDT or 0 BTC. The minimum trade size is 1 USD/USDT, which also serves as the minimum amount required to start trading on the platform.
ChainEX minimum deposit vs competitors
| ChainEX | Kraken | Coinbase | |
| Minimum deposit, USD or USDT | 0 | 10 | 10 |
| Minimum deposit, BTC | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Minimum trade amount, USD/USDT | 1 | 1 | 2 |
Does ChainEX support fiat money?
ChainEX supports fiat currency trading and account funding. The following fiat currencies are accepted:
Supported coins & markets
ChainEX received a score of 3/10 in this category, indicating a modest offering of assets and markets. While ChainEX covers essential trading functions, the number of supported coins, fiat currencies, and investment tools may be insufficient for users seeking more comprehensive options.
- Staking available
- Fiat currencies supported
- Crypto options not available
- Only 47 supported coins
ChainEX supported coins and markets vs competitors
We compared ChainEX with leading exchanges in terms of supported coins, NFT access, and derivatives like futures and options to help users assess the platform’s product range and trading flexibility.
| Chainex | Kraken | Coinbase | |
| Supported coins | 47 | 278 | 249 |
| Futures/Perpetual contracts | No | Yes | Yes |
| Options | No | No | No |
| NFTs | No | Yes | Yes |
ChainEX passive income options vs competitors
We also compared ChainEX with top competitors in terms of passive income opportunities such as staking, farming, and copy trading, to help users evaluate the platform’s earning potential beyond regular trading.
Contacts
| Official site | https://chainex.io/ |
|---|
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