Cryptocurrency Information
CoinExchange.io: Quality Altcoin Cryptocurrency Trading Exchange Guide
About CoinExchange
Presenting as a very simple site, Coinexchange is nonetheless detailed in its online offer and traders have patronized the site by the thousands to swap altcoins. That said, absent company details and user complaints have long plagued the company’s credibility.
Particularly in the case of a currency exchange, a fixed address, portfolio of team members and proof of all licensing should be readily available to users, yet Coinexchange’s founder(s) and location remain a mystery to this day. Alongside a hefty slice of user complaints centered on funds simply being “lost,” particularly newcomers to the cryptocurrency space are advised to exercise extreme caution when employing the platform.
Coinexchange doesn’t take fiat payments via credit card, wire transfer or any other legacy banking methodology. Instead, the company positions itself as built for users who already hold digital coins in a wallet. For new entrants seeking to buy Bitcoin or others with USD and other fiat currencies, Coinexchange won’t be a good starting point.
Apparently completely unregulated, two-step authentication is a small comfort as a security protocol, although trading is completely anonymous. Adopting a high-volume-low-margin approach as a business model, Coinexchange has sophisticated AI running in the background to tally current pair prices, while keeping the UI simple, uncluttered and straightforward.
Along with API trading, the company also offers a “Bug Bounty.” Far more typical of the gaming arena and unusual for a digital exchange, users who report bugs, glitches or loopholes on the platform are paid a fixer’s fee by Coinexchange. Partly clever cost-saving and partly good housekeeping, the offer does entice feedback from the technically-minded.
Why The CoinExchange Mystery?
Any halfway intelligent company would have built a detailed site by now, listing all relevant corporation details and place(s) of residence in response to the persistent complaints over lost funds and a lack of company identity and transparency.
Remarkably, even the company’s Facebook page looks more like the supporting component of a scam than anything else. Company details are notably absent here too. At the very least, the modern cryptocurrency investor usually wants to know about an exchange’s country of origin and team members. Quite bizarrely for the fintech realm, none of these details are available with Coinexchange.
A further and serious red flag for any prospective user is that existing user comments point to persistent suspicions of the exchange having alternative, hidden agendas as a market maker. These allegations state that the company has amassed many disgruntled users on the back of “messy” transactions that either delay funds or see them evaporate entirely. Particularly against this backdrop, and with the stated aim of becoming “a pillar in the online cryptocurrency marketplace,” any currency exchange that isn’t copious on team and other details either lacks the savvy or has something to hide.
The company is ostensibly unregulated – they say nothing of any such matters even on their detailed Support page of FAQs – and this unfortunately already means that they represent old-era (read: negative press) crypto cowboyism. While Coinexchange has built an impressive trading floor and supports some coins that are largely unavailable elsewhere, their secrecy has likely kept bigger hitters off the exchange to date.
CoinExchange In A Nutshell
Coinexchange works strictly with cryptocurrencies, which means users should leave their fiat currencies behind when entering the site to trade. There is mixed debate on whether the ease of use that sees anyone able to log on and trade on Coinexchange combined with the absence of KYC or AML legislation that accompanies fiat currencies is a good or bad thing. Users seem divided on whether anonymity or security should prevail on the exchange, although the developers seem sure of their stance.
Once a user has converted their fiat into digital currency, they can log in and transact on Coinexchange. There they will find hundreds of altcoin trading pairs open for trade. The site is less informative than others and no sense of “live” trading is generated for users. Although detailed, the base offer is a rather blunt DIY trading platform that allows users to swap out digital currencies. There is no leverage available in trades, and the platform is simply a conversion table for users trading coins.
Coinexchange finds competition in outfits like Bittrex and others, and if one can forget for a moment about the glaring omissions in the company identity, compares favorably with others in terms of the diversity of altcoins on offer.
Client service is another dark horse and social media forums host more than the average amount of complaints against the company. Support appears slow and terminally so at times, with an alarming number of “minor” amounts lost in trades and user deposits, never to be seen again.
CoinExchange Problems
A casual glance at Coinexchange’s offered altcoins will tell any experienced crypto enthusiast that the company is not applying tremendously conservative filters before adding coin offers. Again a good reason for newbies to steer clear, pump-and-dump coins slip through the net and endemic system bugs don’t help matters either. Current bugs include the worst possible results – delayed transactions and lost funds.
As further fuel to propel Coinexchange into obscurity, their Twitter page was also suspended (on the same day as Kraken had their page suspended) although the company remains in the dark as to the reasons why. This incident can be easily filed along with other regulatory teething problems, one hopes.
With an ambitious list of stated development and improvement goals on the website, even this copy presents as minimal marketing fluff required to fill space and present legitimately.
Accusations of being a market manipulator or enabling such manipulation remain string after a closer look at a few statistics.
- Spot trading is a valuable facility for many, and here the company is most enabling. That said, with competitive fees of around 0.15 percent on buying and selling and no deposit fees or other admin costs, facing the possibility of losing all funds in a botched transaction renders these benefits null and void.
- In comparison to other established digital exchanges, Coinexchange lacks many charting and other intel sources, although some are available onsite. The overall feel, however, is that of interlopers, whereas other exchanges typically overload users with protocol details and trading intel support.
- Faced with a dazzling array of coins and a theoretically quick and easy method of trade, the exchange still displays comparatively low trading volumes. Other missing small features like individual wallet balance displays and the absence of any iOS or Android app also niggle.
CoinExchange Conclusion
Sleek and fast in many ways, yet evasive, slipshod and potentially untrustworthy because of it, the barrage of claims by users of outright theft of funds remains a worrying aspect of the company’s history. It remains unclear whether the substandard customer support is being upgraded and enthused with genuine care, but some cases would remain troubling.
In the current era where Bitcoin and others seek legitimacy and mainstreaming in order to grow and one day rule the world, crypto outfits like Coinexchange [coinexchange.io] do little to further credibility. Rather, they tarnish the industry’s standing, warning off traditional investors and the crypto-using public, slowing adoption.
All told, there are no publicized security breaches that have plagued the exchange, just the unacceptably vague company origins and persistent complaints of missing funds by users. While many can be attributed to phishing corruption or other user errors, some remain remarkably troubling and still unresolved. Indeed, even a casual reading of chat rooms shows that support is woefully inadequate on critical issues.
Although a detailed site in terms of coins offered and real-time prices, it unfortunately cannot be recommended to anyone, especially in the face of growing and more competent competition.
Cryptocurrency Information
Bitcoin Volumes Finally Grow Again and Bitfinex/Tether Issues Spark Systemic Risks, New Diar Report Affirms
Diar has recently published its report of the crypto market for April. According to the company, Bitcoin volumes are finally growing again and the whole situation with Tether and Bitfinex showed the industry some of its systemic risks. DAI fee hikes and stablecoin projects were also highlighted in the report.
Bitcoin Goes Back To Growing Again
The main highlight of the month is, obviously, that Bitcoin is back on the action. After facing lows which started in 2018, the token has finally been able to effectively reverse the trends and have an actual price surge this month, going from less than $4,200 USD to over $5,200 USD during this short timeframe.
With this, the number of on-chain transactions has spiked for three months in a row, since prices started to get some of their value back in March and April. Now, transaction volumes are around their levels in June 2018 when the price of the asset was around $7,000 USD.
However, charts indicate that Bitcoin is yet to find more footing outside of speculative trading, so the bull market may not be as near as some think.
When looking at the volume of the whole quarters, Q1 2019 had lower volumes than Q4 2018, but Q2 2019 started considerably well.
Bitfinex and Tether Start Concerns of Systemic Risks
As you may have heard, Bitfinex was accused of using Tether funds to cover up its losses. According to Diar, there is a 26% shortfall of in-cash reserves to back Tether tokens (USDT). Tether loaned $850 million USD to Bitfinex to cover up losses and its general counsel Stuart Hoegner has affirmed that the company is operating with fewer reserves than the total market cap of the token.
This happened because Bitfinex had the $850 million USD “seized” by Crypto Capital, one of its payment processors. Unless Hoegner is lying, though, the company had the assets to back the stablecoin until recently.
While it is clear now that Tether simply does not have the money to back the funds, people simply keep buying the tokens. Now, instead of all cash, some shares of Bitfinex are being used to represent the rest of the value, which makes the stablecoin enter securities territory for the first time.
Curiously, the markets are all very tolerant now since the prices are still stable but the systemic risks are clear, especially if other companies are to follow Tether’s path.
DAI Hikes Fees Once More
Another situation highlighted by the reports is that DAI has decided to upgrade its stability fees once again as the community is desperately trying to make the prices of the so-called stablecoin go up again. DAI tokens are being sold for less than $1 USD, their official price, on secondary markets.
At the moment, the fees are 16.5%, after increasing three times in only one month. Before April, the fees were only 7.5%. This has resulted in a decrease of 4.9% in the circulation of DAI tokens.
Stablecoins Eye Wider Use Cases
Gemini and Harbor, a A16Z tokenized securities platform, have started a partnership in order to get more clients for the Harbor stablecoin. However, this was deemed “too soon” by Diar, as Harbor does not have any known token right now. The only one the company had was canceled.
TrustToken is also trying to get more stablecoins on its list, especially the ones that are not focused on USD, but on several other fiat currencies like HKD, CAD or GBP instead.
Cryptocurrency Information
#DropGold Campaign to Hit Your TV, Here’s A Breakdown of the Underlying Bitcoin Message(s)
Grayscale, a leader in digital currency investing, launched an ad on Wednesday, May 1, telling investors that money should be contributed to Bitcoin holdings as opposed to gold. In a number of interviews, CEO of Grayscale’s parent company (Digital Currency Group), Barry Silbert and Managing Director of Grayscale, Michael Sonnenshein, have since expressed the underlying message of the ad.
The #DropGold Ad
According to news outlet, U Today, the ad starts off with a man holding gold bars in his arm, which he decides to drop. While doing so, a woman also does the same. Throughout the ad, people supposedly have their gold bars stacked in shopping carts, while “losing their gold coins.” Watching what’s about to unfold, the two individuals try to find their way out.
Advertising Bitcoin or Grayscale’s Services?
Despite being the one to have introduced this campaign, Silbert argues that it isn’t entirely about Grayscale services, but rather said services being a result of consumers’ decision. Yahoo Finance has since quoted the following comment made by Silbert himself:
“We do not see this as a Grayscale commercial. For us #DropGold is our ‘Got Milk’. This campaign is first and foremost focused on starting a conversation about bitcoin vs gold. If the ad makes people want to get into Bitcoin, we’re completely indifferent about how they go about doing it.”
Having said this, the commercial is evidently portraying Grayscale as an option, as towards the end, one is told, “Go Digital. Go Grayscale.”
Silbert’s and Sonnenshein’s Arguments Regarding Gold’s Limitations
Silbert believes that this campaign works towards addressing the fact that Bitcoin can serve as an equal asset class as gold, if not better. In particular, he was quoted saying, “But now you have Bitcoin, which, in our opinion, provides all the same attributes as gold – it’s fungible and scarce and you can’t counterfeit it – but the big difference is that Bitcoin has utility. Gold doesn’t have much utility beyond jewelry.”
He further argued that the goal here isn’t to replace fiat currency for shopping purposes, but rather to show the world that Bitcoin does a better job at doing gold’s job and this will be evident in the long run. Although he has acknowledged Bitcoin’s volatility as being concerning, he is hopeful that it will one day serve as both an ideal utility token and store of value.
As for Sonnenshein’s viewpoint, he sees this ad as revealing the “absurdity” associated with gold. More specifically, he said:
“We’re going after a narrative around gold being where investors should go when markets turn south or as a hedge against inflation […] we’re highlighting the absurdity of gold.”
As per The Block Crypto, Grayscale also tries to convince investors that the return earned from redistributing 5% of gold to Bitcoin will be greater than 5% yearly.
What are your overall thoughts on this ad? Did it leave you asking yourself, “Why did you invest in gold? Are you living in the past?” Share your thoughts below!
Huobi Pro Cryptocurrency Exchange
Founded in 2013, Huobi Pro allows for a myriad digital currencies to be exchanged, at a 0.2 percent trading commission. Loyal users point to the low fees and stellar service that make the exchange stand out above others.
Although pitched at dedicated cryptocurrency enthusiasts since the site doesn’t accept fiat currencies many who enter the realm on the back of fiat end up at Huobi Pro, largely due to its diverse offering and favorable fee structure.
Huobi Pro in A Nutshell
A victim of China’s clampdown on digital currencies, the company might be registered in the Seychelles, but was originally founded in Beijing. As testament to the broad appeal of the platform, after the Chinese regime effectively banned all things crypto at the beginning of 2018, trading volumes have only grown.
While at first very much a Chinese company looking at the home market, Huobi Pro has been forced to find a wider marketplace on the international scene. Indeed, even prior to the official cessation of altcoins and their trading, the company heard the rumblings in 2017 and took its cryptocurrency interests abroad.
Huobi now provides exchange services to users in over 130 countries. Company offices are located in the USA, Korea, Japan, Singapore and Hong Kong. Although the Huobi Group also owns and manages the Huobi Autonomous Digital Asset Exchange (HADAX), Huobi Pro is more of a pure “login and trade” exchange.
Users can employ network tokens to cast votes on adding new altcoins on HADAX. On the Huobi Pro exchange, a simplified offer encompassing all of the mainstream altcoins greets visitors. Some more popular coins offered are Bitcoin (BTC), Bitcoin Cash (BCH), Ethereum (ETH), Litecoin (LTC), NEM (XEM), NEO (NEO), Qtum (QTUM) and Ripple (XRP).
That said, when one actually tallies the number of altcoins available for exchange, it becomes apparent why loyal followers value the site. A marriage of both simple ease of use and diversity in trading, the platform is largely welcomed by newcomers and experienced enthusiasts alike. In the current melee of regulation being contemplated, implemented and tweaked all the while, some users may be precluded from trading on the exchange based on their country of residence.
Huobi Pro accepts the funding of accounts only in digital currencies, and accepts deposits in any of its listed altcoins. Unlike other exchanges that have opted for a midway between crypto and fiat, Huobi Pro traders deal strictly in digital coins at every point of a transaction. Funds need to be withdrawn to a wallet, and fiat users looking to buy in will have to establish a wallet first in order to fund their Huobi Pro trading account.
Traders pay a maker or taker fee of just 0.02 percent using the exchange. There are more detailed offers, worth looking at for daily traders with volume.
Huobi Pro Membership Levels
VIP users get preferential platform trading fees if they buy the privilege with Huobi tokens. The Huobi Token (HT) was never an ICO token, but rather a system token that users only obtain by buying “Point Cards” on the Huobi Pro platform. Point Card is essentially a pre-paid Huobi card that keeps users liquid on service fees. One HT = 1 USD, therefore one “point” = 1 USD. The more points purchased, the more free points are added, although savings on 1000 points, for example, means only 10 HT for free.
Huobi Global minted a fixed total of 500 million tokens, with 300 million employed to facilitate the in-house VIP structure. A mark of the business group behind the platform is seen in their practice of buying back-sold tokens from the open market each quarter. Not only that, but those funds go towards the Huobi Investor Protection Fund (HIPF).
This is a planned fund that will compensate investors who suffer platform disruption and subsequent losses. It’s a tool that minimizes risk, smooths out the market overall and also goes towards protecting investor interests. This transparent and pleasing aspect of the platform is one reason traders have confidence in the exchange, and its popularity is rising worldwide.
By way of example, in order to glean a VIP status, a trader will pay 120 HT a month for First Level membership. This enables a 20 percent discount on trading fees. Running through toward the top end, a pricier option of 6,000 HT a month secures a 50 percent discount on fees. Overall, a diligent trader can optimize the system and come out with a substantial discount on the already low 0.02 percent base offer.
The company charges no fees to deposit funds, but there are withdrawal fees. Although there are reviews online listing withdrawal fees, it appears that, especially within the membership structure, users are advised to ascertain exact fees when establishing their account. Likewise, transfer limits need to established upfront to avoid disappointment later. There exist order size limits on the platform too, again becoming more malleable as one moves up the ranks of the VIPs.
Security And UX On Huobi Pro
All of the standard protocols including two-step Google Authenticator verification are at play on the platform. Unlike many other exchanges that offer a simple crypto-exclusive platform, Huobi Pro will need your personal details in the form of a passport copy and chat room comments are not devoid of complaints, although almost all of them take issue with the structure of the platform and its potential pitfalls. There are few allegations of lost funds or other negligence on behalf of the company. On the whole, Huobi Pro seems to be rubbing off its decidedly corporate ethos onto the exchange – good news for traders overall.
Another serious boon for the cryptosphere as a whole is that over 98 percent of holdings are stored in an offline cold wallet or vault. Imbued with a strict customer service ethic, the platform probably sports the best customer service to date for crypto exchanges. Available 24/7 365, there is a live chat option onsite.
The platform intel is sufficient although newbies might have to scratch to paint a clear picture of how exactly everything works. The FAQs are thoughtful and, again, testament to a polished offering. Huobi used to be one of the biggest Chinese crypto exchanges, based in Beijing. Started by entrepreneur Leon Li in 2013, since the move there has been mutual appreciation of its value. Worldwide users have taken to the exchange, as it too realized that it had global appeal.
Huobi Pro Conclusion
Huobi claims to have exceeded BTC 500,000 in daily trading approaching 2014. Although only in its fifth year, that’s a long time in cryptocurrency. Although frequently accused of embellishing trading volumes, these allegations have never been proven. In comparison to other digital exchanges that have suffered persistent user complaints and even been shut down due to criminal activity, Huobi Pro shines.
As an offering, it has low fees, great diversity and an unbeatable crypto-energy. No trader on the platform feels like they’re missing out on something else somewhere else, by most accounts. Possibly due to their prior involvement in the fintech world, the platform got it right first time around and user numbers prove it. The company Huobi also owns another trading platform, BitYes, more focused on USD/BTC and USD/LTC pairs trading. Great customer service and minimal technical glitches have made it appear positively top-tier, again in comparison to less polished outfits.
With a detailed offering, great client liaison – very unusual for most digital exchanges so far – and no legitimate proof of anything even vaguely dark hanging about them, the Huobi Pro project is recommended. Users are advised to always ascertain costs prior to trading – not hard with the customer support in this case – and sample a platform with small trades before trading greater amounts. To learn more, you can head to their official website: huobi.pro
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