CEX.IO
Crypto exchange with instant buy and spot trading, serving US residents through CEX.IO Corp. in licensed states.
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CEX.IO key facts
| Category | Crypto exchange |
|---|---|
| US availability | Licensed states only; New York restricted |
| Trading fees | 0.25% (30-day volume up to $10,000) |
| Simple buy fee | Service commission included in the Instant Buy amount shown before purchase |
| Debit card purchase | 0.49% to 4.99% + service charge |
| Coins available (US) | 83 for instant buy, sell and convert |
| Staking (US) | Not offered in the US (suspended since April 1, 2023) |
| US licenses | FinCEN MSB, state MTLs (NMLS 1804170) |
| Custody | Custodial |
Not verified yet: self-custody wallet. We add a value only after checking it on CEX.IO’s own pages.
What is CEX.IO?
CEX.IO is a crypto exchange offering instant buy, spot trading and staking. US residents are served by CEX.IO Corp., a FinCEN-registered MSB (NMLS 1804170), only in states where it is licensed; its Terms name New York as a restricted location. Spot fees start at 0.25% for 30-day volume up to $10,000.
How CEX.IO works
CEX.IO has two ways to trade.
Instant Buy, Sell and Convert quotes a price for a single asset, and the spot exchange lists order-book pairs against USD, USDC and USDT, such as AAVE-USD and AAVE-USDT. US customers deal with CEX.IO Corp., which the company says holds more than 30 state money transmitter licenses. The US asset list covers coins like BTC, ETH, SOL, DOGE, LINK and USDC. CEX.IO Pay lets two CEX.IO users send crypto to each other by User ID instead of a blockchain address, with no fee. Because these transfers stay inside CEX.IO's own ledger, they never go on chain.
How to start with CEX.IO
- Registration asks for your country and, for US users, your state, followed by email confirmation.
- CEX.IO recommends turning on 2FA through SMS or an authenticator app.
- You need at least identity verification before you can fund with a card, Apple Pay, Google Pay or PayPal, and PayPal for Instant Buy is offered to US customers only.
- ACH bank transfer is also US-only.
- In the first three months after verification, card purchases are capped at $1,000 a day and $3,000 a month.
CEX.IO fees and limits
According to CEX.IO, it charges nothing on ACH deposits, whether you add USD to your balance or buy crypto directly, and standard conversion fees still apply to direct purchases. ACH funds can be traded right away but cannot be withdrawn until they settle. Card purchases carry a percentage fee plus a service charge, and the fee for each transaction is disclosed before you confirm. CEX.IO Pay transfers between users are free.
Risks to know before using CEX.IO
- Staking and Automated Staking have been suspended for US users since April 1, 2023, and CEX.IO says it is waiting for regulatory clarity.
- The US disclosures state that CEX.IO carries no private crypto or cybersecurity insurance and that balances are not covered by FDIC, NCUA or SIPC.
- Service is limited to states where CEX.IO Corp. is licensed, and the terms name New York as restricted.
- Separately, the site shows a notice that MiCA rules have limited some account functions for EU users.
CEX.IO alternatives
Other exchanges US customers compare with CEX.IO.
The largest US-listed crypto exchange, with a simple buy screen and the Coinbase Advanced order book.
US exchange run separately from Binance.com, with low order-book fees but limited state coverage.
US-available crypto exchange with an instant-buy app and the Kraken Pro order book.
US crypto exchange and custodian, public since September 2025, available in all 50 states.
Crypto trading inside the Robinhood app, commission-free by default with an optional exchange-routing mode.
Crypto app available in every US state except New York, with fees shown in the trade preview.
Where CEX.IO ranks on DappAtlas
CEX.IO pros and cons
- FinCEN MSB with state money transmitter licenses (NMLS 1804170)
- 83 assets listed for US instant buy, sell and convert
- ACH deposits free
- Not available in New York or other unlicensed states
- Card purchases cost 0.49% to 4.99% plus a service charge
- Entry spot fee 0.25%, no separate maker rate
CEX.IO FAQ
What is CEX.IO?
CEX.IO is a crypto exchange offering instant buy, spot trading and staking. US residents are served by CEX.IO Corp., a FinCEN-registered MSB (NMLS 1804170), only in states where it is licensed; its Terms name New York as a restricted location. Spot fees start at 0.25% for 30-day volume up to $10,000.
Is CEX.IO available in the US?
Licensed states only; New York restricted, according to CEX.IO’s own page (checked Sep 26, 2026).
What are CEX.IO’s trading fees?
At the lowest volume tier: 0.25% (30-day volume up to $10,000). Higher-volume traders pay less.
How much does it cost to buy crypto on CEX.IO?
On the simple buy screen: Service commission included in the Instant Buy amount shown before purchase.
Can I stake on CEX.IO?
Not offered in the US (suspended since April 1, 2023).
Does CEX.IO hold my crypto?
CEX.IO is custodial: it holds the keys to your balance. To hold your own keys, withdraw to a self-custody wallet.
Sources
How this page works
Sources: CEX.IO: official site, CEX.IO: Terms of Use, CEX.IO: Limits and Commissions. Data as of Oct 1, 2026.
Not affiliated with any project listed. Educational content, not financial advice.