Poloniex Exchange Review | Is This Exchange Great Or Overrated?

Poloniex Review Image
Jack Moreau
Feb 2024
8 min read
Fact checked

Looking for a reliable cryptocurrency exchange? With countless choices available, it can be tricky to know which one(s) to use. That's why we've done the research for you and Reviewed Poloniex's features, pros and cons, trading fees and much more. Whether you're a veteran trader or a newbie, our impartial review will assist you in determining if Poloniex is a suitable exchange for you!

Poloniex

pros & cons

Pros

+350 cryptocurrencies
Spot, Futures & Margin trading
KYC not required
Low futures fees (0.01%)

Cons

No fiat deposits/withdrawals
High credit card fees
Average crypto withdrawal fees

Poloniex

vs alternatives

Poloniex
OKX
Kucoin
Founded
2014
2017
2017
Users
1M
20M
30M
Cryptos
+350
+350
+700
Spot Fees
0.15%
0.08%
0.1%-0.3%
KYC
No
Yes
Yes
Countries N/A
US, China and OFAC countries
US, CA
US, CA, CN
Best for
Spot & Futures Trading
Spot & Futures trading
Altcoins & Perps
Rating
Signup
Poloniex
Your Capital is at risk.
OKX
Kucoin

What is Poloniex?

Poloniex is a Boston-based cryptocurrency exchange founded in 2014 by Tristan D'Agosta. The exchange is registered in Seychelles and supports over 350 cryptocurrencies; including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple, Litecoin, and many others.

Poloniex exchange
Poloniex exchange

To keep their platform secure, Poloniex operates with strict geographic restrictions that prevent users from certain jurisdictions including the US, China, and OFAC countries.

This helps them to maintain a high level of security for their users without compromising on their customer experience. The exchange offers over 400 cryptocurrencies and trading services such as spot, margin, and futures trading with up to 100X leverage.

This allows traders to make the most of their investments and maximize their profits. Overall, Poloniex is a solid and reliable cryptocurrency exchange that provides a comprehensive and user-friendly platform to buy and sell digital assets.

Poloniex offers its users convenient mobile access with apps available for both iOS and Android devices.

The Poloniex Crypto Exchange app can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play, allowing users to buy, sell, and trade a range of cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, TRON, Tether, and other altcoins.

Poloniex App
Poloniex App

The Android version of the app has an average rating of 3.8 stars based on 9,000 reviews and has been downloaded over 500,000 times. Overall, the Poloniex mobile app provides a user-friendly and accessible platform for trading cryptocurrencies on-the-go.

Does Poloniex require KYC?

Unlike many other exchanges, Poloniex does not require KYC verification for users to deposit crypto, trade futures, or withdraw assets.

This makes it a popular choice for users who value privacy and anonymity. The signup process on Poloniex is quick and easy, taking less than a minute to complete. Users simply need to provide their email address and create a password to access the exchange.

Poloniex signup
Poloniex signup & KYC

However, it is important to note that while KYC is not required on Poloniex, some financial institutions may require it in order to process deposits or withdrawals from the exchange. Overall, Poloniex offers a fast and convenient signup process without requiring users to go through KYC verification.

This makes it a great choice for users who value privacy and want to quickly start trading cryptocurrencies. However, users should be aware of potential limitations when it comes to withdrawals or deposits from external financial institutions.

Poloniex Products & Services

Poloniex is a cryptocurrency exchange that offers both spot and futures trading, grid trading, the option to buy crypto with a card via simplex, earn products, and NFTs.

Poloniex spot trading
Poloniex spot trading

While the user experience on Poloniex is not very polished, the exchange is easy to navigate and offers a decent range of products and features.

Poloniex earn product
Poloniex earn product

One of the standout features of Poloniex is its futures trading, which offers leverage of up to 100X. For cross margin trading, Poloniex supports a maximum leverage of 3X. This makes it a great option for traders who are looking to maximize their profits with high leverage trading.

Poloniex Perpetual Futures
Poloniex Perpetual Futures

In addition to futures trading, Poloniex also offers spot trading for over 400 cryptocurrencies. This includes popular coins like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin, as well as smaller altcoins that may not be available on other exchanges.

Poloniex cryptocurrency markets
Poloniex cryptocurrency markets

While the user experience on Poloniex may not be as polished as some other exchanges, the platform is still easy to navigate and offers a decent range of products and features which also includes copy trading.

Poloniex copy trading
Poloniex copy trading

This makes it a great choice for traders who are looking for a reliable and secure cryptocurrency exchange. With an average daily spot trading volume of over $80 million, Poloniex is definitely worth considering for traders of all skill levels. And for users that are interested in digital art, Poloniex recently launched their APENFT marketplace.

Poloniex APENFT marketplace
Poloniex APENFT marketplace

Poloniex

products vs alternatives

Poloniex
OKX
Kucoin
Spot
Yes
Yes
Yes
Futures
Yes
Yes
Yes
Leverage
100X
125X
125X
Copy trade
-
Yes
Yes
Lend & Borrow
Yes
Yes
Yes
Staking
-
Yes
Yes
NFTs
Yes
Yes
Yes
Signup
Poloniex
Your Capital is at risk.
OKX
Kucoin

How To Buy Crypto With Poloniex

Poloniex users can easily buy and sell crypto on Poloniex via spot trading with low fees, making it a popular choice for traders.

Poloniex buy crypto with 50 fiat currencies
Poloniex buy crypto with 50 fiat currencies

For those looking to buy crypto with a debit or credit card, Poloniex offers the option through third-party payment provider, Simplex. However, this method comes with a high fee of 3.5% or $10, whichever is greater.

How to buy crypto with card Poloniex
How to buy crypto with card Poloniex

Overall, Poloniex is a solid option for spot trading cryptocurrencies, but users looking for P2P trading or the ability to buy crypto with bank deposits will need to consider other exchanges. The high fees for buying crypto with a card may also deter some users.

Poloniex

fees vs alternatives

Poloniex
OKX
Kucoin
Spot fee (mkr)
0.145%
0.08%
0.1%-0.3%
Spot fee (tkr)
0.155%
0.10%
0.1%-0.3%
Futures (mkr)
0.015%
0.02%
0.02%
Futures (tkr)
0.05%
0.05%
0.06%
Signup
Poloniex
Your Capital is at risk.
OKX
Kucoin

Poloniex Trading Fees

Poloniex charges a 0.145% maker fee for spot trading which is on the lower end of the spectrum compared to other exchanges.

Poloniex trading fees
Poloniex trading fees

However, its spot taker fee of 0.16% is higher than some competitors. When it comes to futures trading, Poloniex charges a 0.02% fee for makers and a 0.05% fee for takers, putting it in the middle of the pack. Overall, Poloniex's trading fees are competitive for spot trading and futures trading.

Poloniex Deposit Methods

Unfortunately, Poloniex does not support fiat deposits at this time. However, they do offer the ability to deposit and trade with a wide variety of cryptocurrencies.

Poloniex Crypto Deposits
Poloniex Crypto Deposits

Additionally, they have partnered with Simplex to offer the option to buy crypto with a credit card. While the lack of fiat deposit options may be a drawback for some users, Poloniex's focus on KYC free cryptocurrency deposits and trading and their is suitable for privacy focused users.

Poloniex withdrawal fees

Similar to fiat deposits, Poloniex does not offer fiat withdrawals so the only withdrawal method on the platform is via cryptocurrencies.

Poloniex offers relatively low withdrawal fees for Bitcoin and Ethereum, with a 0.0005 BTC fee for Bitcoin withdrawals and a 0.0032 ETH fee for Ethereum withdrawals. Additionally, users can withdraw ERC-20 USDT for a fee of 5 USDT and Solana for a fee of 0.01 SOL.

Poloniex Crypto Withdrawals
Poloniex Crypto Withdrawals

While the exchange does not support fiat withdrawals, it is still a great option for those looking to withdraw their cryptocurrencies to other platforms or wallets. In most cases, the cryptocurrency withdrawal fees are quite competitive with the lowest options in the market.

Is Poloniex Safe?

Poloniex is a cryptocurrency exchange that has had a complicated history with security. In short, the platform has been hacked multiple times which has led to concerns about the safety of user funds.

Having said this, Poloniex maintains a 95% asset cold storage ratio which helps to keep user funds safe from potential hackers. And while Poloniex is currently working on implementing proof of reserves, it is not currently available.

Poloniex security features
Poloniex security features

Despite these past issues, Poloniex has recently obtained a license in Bermuda that covers the operation of payment services, custody, exchange, trading, and other financial services.

This is a positive step towards improving the platform's security and gaining the trust of its users. Besides this, the exchange offers common security features such as whitelisting addresses, two-factor authentication, and bug bounties to incentivize white hackers.

Poloniex

security vs alternatives

Poloniex
OKX
Kucoin
Hacked
Yes
No
No
Proof of reserves
-
Yes
Yes
Licenses
Bermuda
VA in Dubai
-
Signup
Poloniex
Your Capital is at risk.
OKX
Kucoin

Is Poloniex legit?

In conclusion, Poloniex is a legit and comprehensive cryptocurrency exchange that offers a wide range of trading services for digital assets.

With over 350 cryptocurrencies available, Poloniex is one of the most versatile platforms on the market.

The exchange also offers a variety of trading options, including spot, margin, and futures trading with high leverage of up to 100x. The exchange also has relatively low trading fees for both spot and futures trading.

While Poloniex has some geographical restrictions and does not support fiat deposits or withdrawals, it offers a quick and easy signup process that doesn't require KYC verification.

Poloniex has had a complicated history with security with past hacks raising concerns about user funds.

However, the exchange has taken steps to improve its security measures, including obtaining a license in Bermuda and maintaining a 95% asset cold storage ratio.

Poloniex

+350 cryptocurrencies

Spot, Futures & Margin trading

KYC not required

Low futures fees (0.01%)

Visit Poloniex
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Author
Jack Moreau
Jack is a crypto writer and reviewer who has been active in the space since he caught the crypto bug in 2017. With a passion for trying out new shiny things, Jack is always eager to try the latest cryptocurrency exchanges, wallets or DeFi applications.

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