Learn more about TU’s methodology
- $1
- Web
- TradingView
- Profitable investment program Zaif Coin Reserve, you can order a plastic Manepa card, with the possibility of offline payment from it (in yen), you can earn cryptocurrency through entertainment applications like Zaika GO
Our Evaluation of Zaif
Learn more about TU’s methodology
Zaif is a cryptocurrency exchange with higher-than-average risk and the TU Overall Score of 4.09 out of 10. Having reviewed trading opportunities offered by the company and reviews posted by Zaif clients on our website, Traders Union expert Anton Kharitonov recommends users to consider a more reliable broker with better conditions, as, according to reviews, many clients of this broker are not satisfied with the company’s work.
The Zaif cryptocurrency exchange provides comfortable conditions for fast margin trading. The platform is equally convenient for beginners and experienced traders. The Zaif Coin Reserve program allows you to receive stable passive income, an additional source of income is the referral program. The crypto exchange offers lucrative commissions, but no hidden fees. You can order a universal plastic Manepa Card linked to your Zaif trader account.
How we tested Zaif
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 Zaif
The Zaif exchange is a popular cryptocurrency trading platform. There are two options for buying and selling - fast trading and trading in the order book. Bitcoin, Ethereum, Bitcoin Cash, Fisco Coin, Symbol, XEM, Mona Coin, and other cryptocurrencies are traded on the exchange. The Japanese yen (JPY) is the only fiat currency on the site. The exchange provides 1:2 leverage. The trading terminal is a web version based on the standard TradingView system. Trader chat and analytics are integrated into the fast trading service. The Zaif Coin Reserve investment program allows you to automatically buy cryptocurrency at an average dollar value. There is a referral program with a bonus payment system. Trading commissions are below the market average.
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- technically simplified trade;
- profitable investment solution;
- popular cryptocurrencies and tokens;
- significant bonuses for the affiliate program;
- transfer of cryptocurrency via Twitter;
- low commission fees;
- universal Manepa Card;
- detailed FAQs section.
- the Japanese yen is the only fiat;
- technical support does not have a call center.
TU Expert Verdict
Chief Analytics Officer
Zaif is a Japanese cryptocurrency exchange offering access to trading 19 major coins such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and NEM, with both fast trading and order book interfaces. The platform features a $1 minimum deposit, 1:2 leverage for margin trading through its web-based terminal, and additional tools like the Zaif Coin Reserve investment program and a Manepa card that enables offline yen payments. Trading commissions for spot deals are typically below industry average, and users benefit from a straightforward onboarding process backed by government regulation, two-factor authentication, and cold wallet storage for client assets.
A few disadvantages are that the platform only supports the Japanese yen as fiat, which could restrict users needing multi-currency access, and customer support relies exclusively on a ticketing system without a call center. There is no investor protection fund, mobile app ratings are low, and passive income options like staking are unavailable. These factors mean Zaif may best suit beginners seeking ease of use and low entry cost, but active or security-conscious traders may not find it fully suitable.
- You're a beginner, as Zaif offers a user-friendly interface and commission-free buying and selling in its "Simple Trade" feature. They also provide educational resources to help you learn about cryptocurrency.
- You want access to a diverse selection of coins, as Zaif lists over 20 different cryptocurrencies, including major ones like Bitcoin and Ethereum, as well as some lesser-known tokens.
- You value the lowest fees. While Zaif offers commission-free "Simple Trade", their fees for other trading options and withdrawals can be higher than some competitors.
- You prioritize security, as Zaif suffered a major hack in 2018, raising concerns about their security measures. While they claim to have improved security since then, it's worth considering for risk-averse users.
Zaif Summary
| 💻 Trading platform: | TradingView, web |
|---|---|
| 📊 Accounts: | Standard |
| 💰 Account currency: | Cryptocurrencies, currencies |
| 💵 Deposit / Withdrawal: | Electronic and cryptocurrency wallets, bank transfers |
| 🚀 Minimum deposit: | $1 |
| ⚖️ Leverage: | 1:2 |
| 💼 Copy Trading: | No |
| 📈️ Min Order: | From 0 |
| 💱 Commission: |
Spot: 0%-0.1% Futures: 0.039%-0.039% |
| 🔧 Instruments: | 19 supported coins, Futures, Perpetual contracts, Fiat, NFT. |
| 💹 Margin Call / Stop Out: | No |
| 🏛 Liquidity provider: | No |
| 📱 Mobile trading: | No |
| ➕ Affiliate program: | Yes |
| 📋 Order execution: | No data |
| ⭐ Trading features: | Profitable investment program Zaif Coin Reserve, you can order a plastic Manepa card, with the possibility of offline payment from it (in yen), you can earn cryptocurrency through entertainment applications like Zaika GO |
| 🎁 Contests and bonuses: | No data |
Zaif Key Parameters Evaluation
Regulation and Safety
With a 6/10 score, Zaif 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.
- Government-regulated
- Cold wallet storage
- 2FA
- No investor protection fund
- Not tier-1 regulated
Zaif Security Factors
We also compared Zaif against the top two competitors with the highest scores in our overall ranking based on the most critical security indicators.
| Zaif | 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 | No | No | No |
| Cold wallet storage | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Successful hacker attacks | Yes | No | Yes |
Is Zaif a regulated crypto exchange?
Zaif 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.
Zaif is authorized or licensed in accordance with local regulations in the following regions: Japanese.
Is verification (KYC) mandatory at Zaif?
Yes, KYC verification is mandatory at Zaif. You will need to complete the verification process before you can open an account and access the platform's full range of services.
Is Zaif available in the USA?
Yes, Zaif is available in the USA. However, availability may vary by state due to local regulations. We recommend checking the official website or contacting support for up-to-date information specific to your location.
Zaif commissions and fees
Zaif received a 7.5/10 score for its trading fees. While Zaif is not the cheapest crypto exchange, the fees remain reasonable and competitive within the market.
- Spot fee below industry average
- No deposit fee
- Futures fees above industry average
- Withdrawal fee may be applied
What are Zaif trading fees?
We analyzed Zaif’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.
Zaif trading fees vs competitors
| Zaif | Nexus Trade | CoinMetro | Industry average | |
| Spot, maker fee (%) | 0 | 0.22 | 0.1 | 0.15 |
| Spot, taker fee (%) | 0.1 | 0.22 | 0.2 | 0.194 |
| Futures, maker fee(%) | 0.039 | 0 | 0 | 0.024 |
| Futures, taker fee(%) | 0.039 | 0 | 0.053 |
What are Zaif deposit and withdrawal fees?
| Deposit fee, % | 0 |
| Withdrawal fee, % | 0.0001 BTC 0.01 ETH |
Does Zaif offer P2P trading?
No, Zaif 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
Zaif received a 5.5/10 rating for its deposit and withdrawal services. While Zaif covers basic payment options, the platform lacks some widely used methods that could improve user flexibility.
- Bank cards accepted for instant deposits
- Many cryptocurrencies for deposits and withdrawals
- Bank transfers for deposits and withdrawals
- No deposit fees
- No PayPal option
- No Google Pay option
- Withdrawal fee applies
Deposit and withdrawal options
Zaif supports the following deposit and withdrawal options: Bank transfers, Bank card, Crypto.
Zaif Deposit and withdrawal options vs competitors
| Zaif | Kraken | Coinbase | |
| Bank transfers | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Bank card | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Crypto | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal | No | Yes | Yes |
What is Zaif minimum deposit?
The minimum deposit at Zaif is 1 USD/USDT or 1 BTC. The minimum trade size is 1 USD/USDT, which also serves as the minimum amount required to start trading on the platform.
Zaif minimum deposit vs competitors
| Zaif | Kraken | Coinbase | |
| Minimum deposit, USD or USDT | 1 | 10 | 10 |
| Minimum deposit, BTC | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Minimum trade amount, USD/USDT | 1 | 1 | 2 |
Does Zaif support fiat money?
Zaif supports fiat currency trading and account funding. The following fiat currencies are accepted:
Supported coins & markets
Zaif received a score of 4.5/10 in this category, indicating a modest offering of assets and markets. While Zaif covers essential trading functions, the number of supported coins, fiat currencies, and investment tools may be insufficient for users seeking more comprehensive options.
- Fiat currencies supported
- NFTs available
- Crypto futures available
- Staking not available
- Copy trading not available
Zaif supported coins and markets vs competitors
We compared Zaif 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.
| Zaif | Kraken | Coinbase | |
| Supported coins | 19 | 278 | 249 |
| Futures/Perpetual contracts | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Options | No | No | No |
| NFTs | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Zaif passive income options vs competitors
We also compared Zaif 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.
Trading apps & tools
Zaif received a score of 5.3/10 for offering a solid set of tools. The apps are intuitive and reliable, though certain advanced features remain limited or could benefit from further development.
- App data protection with 2FA
- Mobile indicators allowed
- Advanced tools and automation with API
- Advanced orders not available
- No standalone desktop access
Trading apps
Zaif provides web and mobile apps for both Android and iOS users, with an average rating of 2.1 on the App Store and 2.5 on Google Play. Our review focused on core features important to traders, particularly trading functionality and security tools, to evaluate how convenient and safe the Zaif platform is for mobile use.
| Zaif | Kraken | Coinbase | |
| 2FA | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Face ID | No | No | No |
| Mob Indicators | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Alerts | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Advanced Orders | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Trading with bots | No | No | No |
| API | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Extra trading platforms | No | No | No |
Does Zaif offer a desktop app?
No, Zaif does not currently offer a desktop app. However, users can access the platform via its web version, which provides more comprehensive functionality compared to the mobile apps.
Does Zaif offer advanced charting with TradingView integration?
No, Zaif does not currently support TradingView integration. However, it provides its own built-in charting tools with basic indicators and timeframes.
Contacts
| Foundation date | 2014 |
|---|---|
| Registration address | 5-11-9 Minami Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo |
| Official site | https://zaif.jp/ |
| Contacts |
050-5213-4651
|
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