Bithumb

Bithumb Exchange was established in 2014 and is headquartered in Seoul, South Korea. It is a centralized cryptocurrency platform operated by BTC Korea.com Co. Ltd., originally launched as Xcoin and rebranded in 2015. It is one of the leading exchanges in South Korea, with over 10 million monthly visitors, and serves global markets as of June 3, 2025.

What Makes It Special

• Trading Variety: Supports 385–479 coins and 394–559 pairs, such as BTC/KRW with a daily volume of $205M. Offers spot trading with a 24-hour volume ranging from $1.53B to $55B, depending on the source.
• Affordable Costs: Trading fees range from 0.04% to 0.25% for makers and takers, with discounts for High-Frequency Traders at 0.04%. Deposits are free, but withdrawals have a minimum of 0.005 BTC.
• Extra Perks: Provides a mobile app for iOS and Android, auto/bot trading, staking, and plans for an NFT marketplace. It also offers 24/7 support and has recently listed tokens like ZRC and EPT.
• Global Reach: Available worldwide, though restricted in over 20 countries, including North Korea and Iran. KYC is required for spot trading, with limits scaling to $50K/day after verification.
• Solid Protection: Uses 90%+ cold storage, 2FA, and maintains over 100% cash reserves. It experienced a hack in 2017 affecting 3% of users but has had no major breaches since.

Points to Ponder

• Regulatory Spotlight: Licensed in South Korea and compliant with FIU/FSC regulations, but it faces scrutiny, including a 2025 CEO embezzlement raid and a 2023 FCA warning.
• User Sentiment: Some users value its liquidity and new listings, while others on X and in reviews report withdrawal delays and scam concerns—consider this feedback inconclusive.
• Liquidity Notes: The 24-hour volume of $1.53B–$55B shows activity, but a 15% drop over 30 days and potential inflation risks may affect smaller pairs.
• Security History: The 2017 hack and a 2021 SNX deposit suspension due to sUSD risks highlight past issues, despite improved security measures.
• IPO Ambitions: Plans a Nasdaq listing in late 2025, spinning off non-exchange units to enhance credibility, though regulatory challenges and past losses of $180M in 2018 remain concerns.

Bithumb offers a range of altcoins and local access for Korean users, but its regulatory issues and mixed user feedback suggest caution. Visit https://www.bithumb.com to explore its services.