Crypto.com Exchange Review

Founded in 2016, Crypto.com is one of the most widely-used cryptocurrency platforms that operates through a dedicated smartphone app. Crypto.com primarily focuses on trading and portfolio management through the Crypto.com app.

Originally launched through the Monaco Coin ICO in 2017, Hong Kong-based Crypto.com was launched as MCO. The MCO platform acquired the Crypto.com domain in July 2019, which resulted in all MCO token balances migrated to CRO — the native token of the Crypto.com blockchain.

Crypto.com now boasts over 10 million users worldwide and offers a variety of features that include physical debit cards, DeFi functionality, occasional NFT promotions, portfolio management, and an impressive range of supported coins.

Why Use Crypto.com?

The primary offering of the Crypto.com platform is the Crypto.com Visa card, a physical debit card that allows users to sell cryptocurrency in order to fund retail or online purchases. The Crypto.com visa card bridges the gap between cryptocurrency and fiat currency, making it possible to instantly spend cryptocurrency anywhere Visa is accepted.

In addition to the Crypto.com visa, the Crypto.com app allows users to buy, sell, or trade a wide range of different cryptocurrencies. The app supports both bank transfer and credit or debit card purchases, as well as a Crypto Pay function that allows users to pay with cryptocurrency anywhere that supports Crypto Pay Checkout.

A notable difference between Crypto.com and other app-based cryptocurrency exchanges is the trading interface. Rather than present users with a complex order book, Crypto.com offers a basic buy/sell function for each supported coin — you won’t find different order types or a long list of different pairs.

The simplified functionality of Crypto.com makes it ideal for crypto investors and traders that seek a basic, streamlined platform for buying or selling cryptocurrency. The Crypto.com app also provides a simple entry point for DeFi investing, offering a DeFi product called Earn that allows users to earn up to 12 percent APR.

Before Getting Started

Before signing up with Crypto.com it’s important to check whether the platform supports users in your region. Crypto.com currently supports users in over 100 markets, including most EU and Asian countries and 49 states in the USA and US territories.

How to Get Verified on Crypto.com

Crypto.com doesn’t offer KYC-free functionality — in order to use Crypto.com you’ll need to complete the Crypto.com verification process. It’s possible to sign up and verify your identity through either the Crypto.com web app or the Crypto.com smartphone app.

To verify your Crypto.com account you’ll need to perform the following steps:

• Download the Crypto.com app or sign up via the Crypto.com website
• Once you’ve downloaded the app or created an account via the website, you’ll be prompted to provide your legal first and last name
• Select the issuing country of your ID and the type of ID you’ll use, and upload a copy. The smartphone app provides an option to take a photo from within the app itself
• After uploading photo ID, Crypto.com will prompt you to take a selfie photo
• Once you’ve completed the verification process, Crypto.com will typically notify you of your verification status within one business day.

How to Make a Deposit on Crypto.com

Making a deposit on Crypto.com is extremely straightforward. It’s possible to buy cryptocurrency on Crypto.com with either a credit/debit card or a bank account, both of which offer highly competitive fees.

Crypto purchases via Crypto.com are performed through the following methods:

• Directly with a credit or debit card
• With fiat currency through the Crypto.com fiat wallet

Buying with a credit or debit card is extremely simple. Using the Crypto.com app, navigate to the crypto wallet section and select the cryptocurrency you want to buy. Selecting “buy” will provide you with a list of cryptocurrencies available for purchase — choose your crypto and select the “Credit Card” option when prompted. Credit card purchases are limited to between $40,000 and $50,000 per week for most users.

To buy cryptocurrency with a bank transfer through Crypto.com, you’ll need to fund your fiat wallet. Navigate to the “Accounts” tab of the crypto.com app and select “Fiat Wallet.” Selecting “Set up a new currency” will allow you to select a currency. Crypto.com will provide bank details, which can automatically be sent to your email address. It’s worth noting that bank transfers are typically limited to $250,000 per day.

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How to Trade on Crypto.com

Trading on Crypto.com is extremely straightforward. Crypto.com supports an exhaustive list of coins, each of which are listed via the crypto wallet section. When you’re ready to trade crypto, navigate to the crypto wallet section of the Crypto.com app and select the crypto you want to trade.

To trade one crypto for another, select the crypto you hold in the Crypto.com app and then select “Sell.” A trade screen will provide a list of assets that can be traded — as a general rule, all assets on the Crypto.com platform can be freely exchanged.

Selling crypto for fiat currency is similar — select the cryptocurrency you’d like to sell, then select “fiat wallet.” Once you’ve sold crypto for fiat through this method, you’ll need to withdraw it via bank transfer. It’s also possible to sell crypto for fiat currency to fund the Crypto.com Visa card.

Crypto.com Trading Fees

Crypto.com trading fees are based on trading volumes and can be discounted by staking CRO tokens through the Crypto.com app. The fee structure offered by Crypto.com is based on a maker/taker model, with 30-day trading volume of $0 to $25,000 offering a 0.40%/0.40% maker/taker model. Higher volume offers lower fees, with the highest discount offering a 0.04%/0.10% model.

Crypto.com doesn’t charge any deposit fees, but does charge a withdrawal fee. The withdrawal fees for each coin are calculated on a per-coin basis typically range between $0.50 and $1 depending on market prices

Overview of Supported Coins

Crypto.com supports over 100 different cryptocurrencies. Each crypto listed on Crypto.com can be purchased with a credit or debit card and traded with each other, or sold to fund the Crypto.com visa card.

The coins listed by Crypto.com include:

• Bitcoin (BTC)
• Ethereum (ETH)
• Tether (USDT)
• Litecoin (LTC)
• Cardano (ADA)
• Binance Coin (BNB)
• Ripple (XRP)
• Dogecoin (DOGE)
• USD Coin (USDC)
• Uniswap (UNI)
• Bitcoin Cash (BCH)
• Chainlink (LINK)

Security

Crypto.com has a flawless track record for security. The app itself offers a variety of 2FA options, which are backed up by a dedicated security team that screens all transactions for compliance and security. All user crypto is held offline in cold storage, while hot wallet funds are managed via corporate funds.

Importantly, all fiat currency holdings are managed by regulated custodian banks. US-based customers are covered by $250,000 FDIC insurance.

The Crypto.com Visa Card

Crypto.com’s Visa card offerings are the most unique point of difference offered by the platform. Rather than offer a single card, Crypto.com offers a series of cards that range from free plastic cards to premium metal cards that offer significant benefits and cash back on purchases.

All Crypto.com Visa cards except the Midnight Blue card require CRO stake, which means “locking up” CRO tokens in your Crypto.com CRO wallet for a period of 6 months. Cash back is provided in CRO coins.

Crypto.com Visa cards offer:

• Midnight Blue: 1% cash back with no stake requirements.
• Ruby Steel: 2% cash back with a $400 CRO stake, with additional 100% cash back on Spotify
• Royal Indigo or Jade Green: 3% cash back with a $4,000 CRO stake, with free Spotify and Netflix
• Frosted Rose Gold or Icy White: 5% cash back with a $40,000 CRO stake, with free Spotify, Netflix, and Amazon Prime in addition to 10% off Expedia purchases
• Obsidian: 8% cash back with a $400,000 stake, with all the benefits of the previous tier in addition to Crypto.com Private access, bonus interest, and private jet partnerships

The three highest tiers of cards offered by Crypto.com also offer airport lounge access through Lounge Key.

Benefits of Crypto.com

• Straightforward, easy crypto purchases and sales
• Basic trading functionality
• Powerful cryptocurrency debit card
• Impressive VIP features for higher debit card tiers
• Wide variety of DeFi and NFT functions

Limitations of Crypto.com

• Limited trading capabilities — no custom order types
• No orderbook — not ideal for advanced or professional traders
• No margin trading

Wrapping it up

Crypto.com is one of the best app-based crypto exchanges online. Crypto.com’s flagship Visa card is the best crypto card in the market, and offers a wide variety of additional benefits and cash back options. While Crypto.com isn’t ideal for traders seeking complicated order types or API access, it’s one of the best options available to everyday crypto investors or individuals seeking a crypto card solution.