Blockchain.com is a veteran crypto exchange and wallet provider. How do its features, services, and approach to security measure up?
Founded | 2011 |
Headquarters | Luxembourg |
Website | https://www.blockchain.com/ |
Daily volume trading | $2-3 million |
Number of cryptocurrencies | 20+ |
Crypto licences | Bulgaria, Cayman Islands, Singapore |
Cryptocurrency Fees | 0.4-0.45% |
Minimum deposit | Varies by currency |
Digital Wallet | Yes |
Promotion | Yes |
Currency | USD. EUR, GBP, TRY |
Deposit Method | Bank, card, crypto |
Blockchain.com is one of the oldest and one of the most recognized names in the crypto space, not just because of its unique domain, but also because of what it brought to the market. It was established back in 2011 as a Blockchain Explorer and eventually evolved into the crypto exchange that it is today. It is one of the first contributors to the Bitcoin ecosystem, and it is now one of the biggest crypto exchanges. It offers trading, interest-earning, a secure wallet, and many other tools for both institutions and individuals.
The platform has more than 89 million wallets and more than $1 trillion worth of transactions have occurred over the years. Blockchain.com operates in more than 200 countries and remains a key player. It has a two-wallet system (non-custodial storage and custodial trading wallet) for its users. It currently supports more than 20 cryptocurrencies and provides more than 50 trading pairs.
While it has a relatively user-friendly interface, Blockchain.com has many limitations. First and foremost, compared to its competitors, it has a small selection of cryptocurrencies, not very likable customer support, and fa ee structure that does not necessarily favor retailers. Nonetheless, its other features contribute to its long-standing reputation and still make it one of the top choices for crypto enthusiasts.
This Blockchain.com review goes through main features, its fees, its security mechanism, customer feedback, and overall performance to help you determine whether it aligns with your trading needs. It does not matter whether you are a professional or a beginner in the crypto space; being informed puts you ahead of the curve.
Blockchain.com offers a range of services and features for both beginners and advanced users. It is overall a versatile platform for trading and storing crypto.
Blockchain.com offers two distinct wallet options. The non-custodial wallet gives users full control over their private keys so that users have complete ownership of their funds. This wallet supports more than a thousand types of assets, including ERC-20 tokens. The custodial trading wallet is managed by Blockchain.com. This wallet allows users to trade, stake, and deposit fiat on the platform. Overall, this dual system provides flexibility for users who want to prioritize security and those who engage in frequent trading.
The Blockchain.com exchange section supports over 50 pairs and more than 20 cryptocurrencies, including giants such as Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Polkadot (DOT), etc. Users can engage in spot trading, margin trading (with up to 5x leverage), and other automated trading options (i.e. limit and stop-limit orders).
One key feature is the Blockchain.com airdrop program. Users who are at the Gold Level in terms of verification can get access to the airdrop program. This program rewards such users from newly launched projects and has managed to remain a successful incentive for users to continue active participation on the Blockchain.com platform.
Similar to other financial platforms (especially in the crypto space), Blockchain.com allows users to earn passive income by staking cryptocurrencies in interest-earning accounts. Cryptocurrencies such as BTC, ETH, and even stablecoins can be used by users for staking purposes. Staking rewards can be paid monthly and can go up to 10% annually.
The oldest tool in the platform is the blockchain explorer. This tool allows users to access real-time insights into blockchain activity. Users can view the live transactions of different cryptocurrencies and analyze blockchain data such as hash rates and block sizes. Though this is now provided by many other platforms, it is what helped Blockchain.com evolve into the famous name that it has today.
Other features of the platform include Blockchain.com’s referral program. If you refer other users to the platform, you can earn 50% of trading fees for six months. This helps Blockchain.com in terms of community growth and user engagement.
Blockchain.com has other services that cater to institutions. For instance, it provides institutional clients with spot and derivatives trading, lending services, and advanced analytics and API integrations.
Blockchain.com is available on both desktop and mobile, making the platform quite accessible. The experience across devices is seamless due to the beginner-friendly interface that the platform has.
Blockchain.com also previously announced the launch of its Visa card to allow users to spend crypto directly and earn cashback for each transaction.
Introducing the https://t.co/0DZyULavbV Visa® Card.
✅ Spend your crypto or cash without fees
✅ Use it anywhere Visa® debit cards are accepted
✅ Earn 1% back in crypto on all purchasesJoin the waitlist todayhttps://t.co/JB9NxcePfS pic.twitter.com/ftLck1dmYz
— Blockchain.com (@blockchain) October 26, 2022
While not as impressive as it could be, Blockchain.com has made steps to comply with regulatory standards worldwide. It is available in more than 200 countries, but in certain regions, it is not. The company is registered in Luxembourg and tries to comply with the European regulatory frameworks.
Blockchain.com complies with Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) regulations in supported jurisdictions, and it currently holds 3 VASP licenses. But this number is far below what the likes of Binance and Coinbase have.
Blockchain.com enforces a multi-tiered verification process to enhance security and meet regulatory requirements:
Users are required to enable two-factor authentication to add an extra layer of security for login, withdrawals, and other sensitive account activities. 2FA can be configured via mobile apps like Google Authenticator or through SMS-based authentication.
In terms of the non-custodial wallets, each wallet is protected by a unique recovery phrase that enables users to restore their wallets if they lose access to their accounts. Data transmitted between the user and the platform is encrypted to prevent interception. Blockchain.com employs Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) technology to ensure safe connections for all transactions and communications.
Blockchain.com stores the vast majority of user assets (around 95%) in offline, geographically distributed cold wallets. This approach minimizes exposure to online threats, ensuring a robust layer of protection against potential hacks or breaches. The remaining 5% of funds are maintained in hot wallets to facilitate trading and withdrawals, balancing security with operational efficiency.
Users can set up anti-phishing codes to verify the authenticity of emails from Blockchain.com, as well as monitor and control active sessions from their account dashboard.
Similar to other exchanges, Blockchain.com has a bug bounty program. Blockchain.com invites ethical hackers and security researchers to identify and report vulnerabilities. The bug bounty program ensures that potential issues are addressed proactively.
While Blockchain.com has not experienced significant breaches, user reviews occasionally cite account access issues, often related to forgotten credentials or phishing attempts. The platform’s response has included enhancing user education on security best practices.
Blockchain.com uses a fee structure that varies based on the type of transaction and the services utilized. For trading fees, it uses a maker-taker fee for spot trading. The fees are tiered based on the user’s 30-day trading volume. Higher trading volumes have lower fees.
30-Day Trading Volume (USD) | Maker Fee | Taker Fee |
$0 – $9,999.99 | 0.40% | 0.45% |
$10,000 – $49,999.99 | 0.17% | 0.35% |
$50,000 – $99,999.99 | 0.15% | 0.18% |
$100,000 – $499,999.99 | 0.08% | 0.18% |
$500,000 – $999,999.99 | 0.07% | 0.18% |
$1,000,000 – $2,499,999.99 | 0.06% | 0.18% |
$2,500,000 – $4,999,999.99 | 0.05% | 0.18% |
$5,000,000 – $24,999,999.99 | 0.04% | 0.16% |
$25,000,000 – $99,999,999.99 | 0.03% | 0.14% |
$100,000,000 – $499,999,999.99 | 0.02% | 0.11% |
$500,000,000 – $999,999,999.99 | 0.01% | 0.08% |
$1,000,000,000 and above | 0.00% | 0.06% |
For users engaging in margin trading, Blockchain charges a 0.02% rate for margin trading fees, and 0.02% per 4 hours for margin recurring fees.
There are no deposit fees imposed by Blockchain.com, but there might be network fees depending on the network and crypto you deposit. There is a small withdrawal fee in addition to the network fee. For more information, check the official website of Blockchain.com
For fiat transactions, it depends on the region.
Deposits:
Withdrawals:
There are also small fees when it comes to wallet services. These fees depend on the network fees as well as a small fee applied by Blockchain.com. This changes with every order and is transparently presented before the order is placed.
Opening an account and starting to trade on Blockchain.com is a straightforward process.
To create an account on Blockchain.com, start by visiting their website and navigating to the homepage. Click on the “Get Started” or “Sign Up” button located at the top-right corner of the page. Enter your email address and create a strong password that includes a mix of letters, numbers, and special characters for better security.
Select your country of residence from the dropdown menu, agree to the terms of service and privacy policy, and then click “Create Account” to proceed. Blockchain.com will send a verification email to the address you provided. Open the email and click the verification link to confirm your email address.
For enhanced account security, it is recommended to set up two-factor authentication (2FA). You can enable 2FA via the security settings in your account dashboard, using either an authentication app like Google Authenticator or SMS-based codes.
If you plan to access additional features like staking or fiat deposits or trade larger amounts, you may need to complete Know Your Customer (KYC) verification. This involves uploading a valid government-issued ID (e.g., passport or driver’s license) and proof of address. KYC verification typically takes 24–48 hours to process.
To fund your account with cryptocurrency, navigate to your account dashboard and select “Deposit.” Choose the cryptocurrency you wish to deposit, and Blockchain.com will generate a unique wallet address for that currency. Transfer funds to this wallet address from an external wallet or exchange. Deposits will be confirmed on the blockchain network and reflected in your account once verified.
If you wish to deposit fiat currency, go to “Deposit Fiat” in your dashboard, select the desired currency (e.g., USD, EUR, GBP), and choose a supported payment method such as a bank transfer or debit card. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the deposit, keeping in mind that some methods may require identity verification.
Once your account is funded, you can begin trading on Blockchain.com by accessing the trading interface through your account dashboard. Choose a cryptocurrency trading pair (e.g., BTC/USD, ETH/BTC) using the search bar or dropdown menu. Decide on the type of order you wish to place: a market order to trade immediately at the current price, a limit order to set a specific price, or a stop-limit order to limit potential losses. Enter the amount of cryptocurrency you want to trade, review the total including fees, and click “Place Order” to execute the transaction. You can monitor your trades through the “Open Orders” or “Order History” tabs, and completed trades will update your account balance.
To withdraw funds, go to the “Withdraw” section of your dashboard. For cryptocurrency, select the desired currency, enter the destination wallet address and amount, and confirm the transaction. Blockchain.com will deduct applicable network fees and process the withdrawal. If withdrawing fiat currency, choose “Withdraw Fiat,” select your currency and withdrawal method, and enter the amount to be withdrawn. Follow the provided instructions to complete the transaction, noting that withdrawal fees may apply and processing times will vary depending on the chosen method.
We have compiled a list of Blockchain.com reviews on various media from Blockchain.com users. Some of these reviews are positive, but the majority of the reviews suggest that there is a lot of room for improvement for the platform.
Ease of Use and Accessibility
Many users praised Blockchain.com for its user-friendly platform and straightforward navigation. One reviewer appreciated the smooth registration process and found the wallet secure for managing cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin.
Customer Support Success Stories
Several users had positive experiences with customer support. For example, issues like account recovery, ID verification, and email updates were resolved efficiently for some users, with special thanks to named support agents.
Security Measures
The platform’s focus on security, including private keys and non-custodial wallet features, was appreciated by users who felt their funds were safe. The intervention of Blockchain.com in a fraud case, where funds were temporarily held until the user’s account was secured, highlighted their proactive security measures.
Transaction Speed
Positive reviews noted that transfers and trades were generally fast, with some users finding the platform reliable for frequent transactions and secure wallet storage.
Verification and KYC Delays
A significant number of users expressed frustration over prolonged KYC verification times, with some accounts locked for weeks, preventing access to funds. This was a recurring issue for both new and long-standing users.
Customer Support Issues
While some users praised customer support, many others criticized it for being unresponsive or providing generic responses. Complaints about inconsistent communication and unresolved issues were common.
Scams and Fraudulent Activity
Several reviewers reported being targeted by scammers impersonating Blockchain.com representatives. Despite warnings from the platform, scammers exploiting the company’s name have caused trust issues among users.
Withholding Funds
Multiple users reported their funds being held without clear explanations. Some mentioned difficulties withdrawing fiat or cryptocurrencies due to system errors or restrictive policies, leading to dissatisfaction.
Platform Bugs and Errors
Bugs in the platform, such as errors in the withdrawal process or inconsistencies with trading features, were frequent complaints. These issues left users unable to complete transactions and questioned the platform’s reliability.
Some users acknowledged the benefits of Blockchain.com’s features, such as staking and passive income opportunities, but noted a lack of transparency in how yields are generated or the associated risks. While some users benefited from Blockchain.com’s intervention in fraudulent cases, others criticized the platform for not doing enough to address scams targeting its users. Last but not least, users who primarily utilized basic wallet services or smaller transactions tended to have fewer complaints and considered the platform adequate for their needs.
Fiat availability depends on the country. For more information, check here.
What is Blockchain.com?
Blockchain.com is a cryptocurrency platform offering wallets, trading, and blockchain exploration services.
Is Blockchain.com safe?
Blockchain.com prioritizes security with features like non-custodial wallets, two-factor authentication, and cold storage.
How much are Blockchain.com trading fees?
Trading fees range from 0.00% to 0.40%, depending on your trading volume.
Can beginners use Blockchain.com exchange?
Yes, Blockchain.com provides a user-friendly interface suitable for beginners.
How does Blockchain.com work?
Blockchain.com lets users buy, sell, store, and manage cryptocurrencies through its wallet and exchange features.
How do I create a Blockchain.com wallet?
Visit the Blockchain.com website, sign up with your email, and create a strong password to open a wallet.
What cryptocurrencies are supported by Blockchain.com?
Blockchain.com supports popular cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Bitcoin Cash, and various ERC-20 tokens.
What are the fees for using Blockchain.com services?
Fees depend on the service; trading fees are volume-based, while deposit and withdrawal fees vary by method.
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