Instant Bitex Review: Crypto Exchange Fees, Features, and Why It Closed

Instant Bitex Review: Crypto Exchange Fees, Features, and Why It Closed

Oct, 21 2025

Instant Bitex Fee Comparison Calculator

Instant Bitex offered a flat 0.10% trading fee (vs industry average 0.25%) and 0.0005 BTC withdrawal fee (vs industry average 0.001 BTC). Calculate your potential savings on trades and withdrawals.

Fee Comparison Calculator

Your Savings

Instant Bitex Comparison
Trading Fees
Your trade fee at Instant Bitex
Your trade fee at average exchange
Savings
Withdrawal Fees
Your withdrawal fee at Instant Bitex
Your withdrawal fee at average exchange
Savings
Important Note: Instant Bitex is no longer operational as of October 2025. This calculator is for historical comparison only and should not be used for actual transactions.

When you type Instant Bitex is a UK‑based cryptocurrency exchange that launched in 2018 with a promise of ultra‑fast trades, low fees, and a mixed central‑plus‑decentralized platform. It marketed itself as a one‑stop shop for seasoned traders, offering everything from margin leverage to an OTC desk. The twist? By October 2025 the platform is officially shut down, and the data that once powered its charts has vanished.

What Instant Bitex actually offered

During its seven‑year run the exchange bundled a surprisingly deep feature set:

  • Crypto‑to‑crypto trading pairs (no fiat on‑ramps).
  • Margin and leverage options for high‑risk strategies.
  • Decentralized exchange (DEX) functionalities alongside a traditional order book.
  • Launchpad services for early‑stage token sales.
  • Desktop and mobile apps plus full‑stack API access.
  • OTC desk for large‑volume moves.
  • 24/7 live chat support.

Fee structure - the real selling point

Instant Bitex’s headline hook was a flat 0.10% trading fee for both makers and takers. Most rivals quoted around 0.25% on average, so the exchange saved users roughly $15‑$30 per $10,000 trade, depending on volume. Withdrawal fees were also modest: Bitcoin withdrawals cost 0.0005 BTC, well under the industry norm of 0.001 BTC at the time.

Where the platform fell short

The low‑fee advantage was offset by a single critical weakness - no fiat deposit support. New investors had to first buy crypto on a fiat‑friendly exchange, then move the assets to Instant Bitex to trade. That extra step created friction and limited the exchange’s appeal to newcomers. In an era where regulatory pressure pushed most platforms to add bank transfers and credit‑card purchases, Instant Bitex’s crypto‑only model felt dated.

Security and compliance

Security-wise the platform wasn’t shabby. It employed SSL encryption from Let’s Encrypt, enforced multi‑factor authentication, and kept cold‑storage reserves for the majority of user funds. However, it never secured a full license from top‑tier financial regulators (e.g., FCA, FinCEN). Analysts warned that the lack of formal oversight could expose users to higher custodial risk, especially after the exchange ceased operations.

Performance and user experience

Technical reviews highlighted an “exceptionally fast” web interface, with page‑load times measured under one second on average. The mobile app mirrored this speed, offering near‑real‑time order book updates. Customer support was advertised as 24/7, though concrete response‑time metrics are unavailable. User sentiment, based on the two AffGadgets reviews, averaged four out of five stars, praising the low fees and smooth UX but noting the small community size.

Split view of desktop and mobile interfaces with margin, DEX, and OTC features in charcoal.

How Instant Bitex stacked up against the market

Instant Bitex vs. Industry Averages (2023‑2024)
MetricInstant BitexIndustry Avg.
Trading fee (maker/taker)0.10%0.25%
BTC withdrawal fee0.0005 BTC0.001 BTC
Fiat deposit supportNoYes (most exchanges)
Regulatory licenseNoneTypically FCA, FINMA, etc.
Average user rating (sample)4/53.5/5

Why the exchange shut down

By late 2024 regulatory scrutiny intensified across Europe and the UK. Exchanges handling fiat were forced to adopt AML/KYC regimes, maintain capital buffers, and submit regular audits. Instant Bitex’s decision to stay crypto‑only saved it from some compliance costs, but also barred it from the larger, faster‑growing market of fiat‑on‑ramp users. Coupled with a modest user base (the two public reviews suggest a niche community) and increasing competition from platforms that offered both low fees and fiat gateways, the business model became unsustainable. CoinCodex’s October 2025 notice bluntly states the exchange is “no longer operational” and that “trading data is unavailable,” confirming the final shutdown.

What to do if you were an Instant Bitex user

If you still have assets locked on the platform, the first step is to contact the archived support email (if still reachable) and request a withdrawal. In most cases, the exchange’s cold‑wallet addresses were publicly disclosed, so users could verify transaction status on a block explorer. After pulling out the funds, consider moving to a regulated exchange that offers both crypto‑to‑crypto and fiat on‑ramps - examples include Binance, Kraken, or Coinbase.

  • Check the withdrawal fee schedule on the new platform (often similar or lower).
  • Enable 2FA and store recovery phrases offline.
  • Consider splitting large balances across multiple wallets for added security.

Key takeaways for crypto traders

  • Low fees are attractive, but they must be weighed against accessibility and regulatory safety.
  • Always verify whether an exchange supports fiat deposits if you’re a beginner.
  • Look for transparent licensing and regular audits - they’re a strong signal of fund safety.
  • Performance matters, but a solid security framework and compliance posture are non‑negotiable.
Empty office with broken monitor, regulatory gavel, and drifting Bitcoin symbol in charcoal.

Is Instant Bitex still usable in 2025?

No. CoinCodex and other monitoring sites list Instant Bitex as permanently closed. Trading pairs and volume data are no longer available.

Can I still withdraw my BTC from Instant Bitex?

If the platform’s withdrawal endpoint is still active, you can request a transfer to an external wallet. Otherwise, you’ll need to rely on any archived support channels that may still process withdrawals.

How did Instant Bitex’s fees compare to other exchanges?

Instant Bitex charged a flat 0.10% fee for both makers and takers, compared with the industry average of roughly 0.25%. Its Bitcoin withdrawal fee of 0.0005 BTC was also half the typical rate.

Why didn’t Instant Bitex support fiat deposits?

The exchange chose to avoid the heavy regulatory burden associated with handling fiat currency. This saved compliance costs but limited its appeal to newcomers who need a fiat on‑ramp.

What are safer alternatives for low‑fee crypto trading?

Platforms like Binance, Kraken, and KuCoin offer tiered fee structures that can drop below 0.10% for high‑volume traders, while also supporting fiat deposits and holding reputable licenses.

1 comments

  • Jenna Em
    Posted by Jenna Em
    09:31 AM 10/21/2025

    Ever notice how cheap fees feel like a silent lure, whispering promises while hidden strings pull unseen? The exchange’s 0.10% rate looks good on paper, but the lack of fiat gates could be a backdoor for regulators to step in later. Some say the whole model was built to stay under the radar, let’s not forget the crypto‑only stance was a deliberate dodge of oversight. In the end, the speed and low cost may have been a smokescreen for a deeper vulnerability.

Write a comment

Color Variant

Customizer