Crypto.com Review: Pros, Cons and How It Compares

Crypto.com

Crypto.com has grown into a full-service crypto platform that appeals to mobile-first investors. Founded in 2016, it combines a crypto exchange, a mobile trading app, a Visa rewards card, staking/Earn programs, a DeFi wallet and even an NFT marketplace. It now has 100+ million users worldwide and high-profile partnerships (for example, Crypto.com holds naming rights to LA’s Crypto.com Arena). For experienced traders, its strength is a feature-rich ecosystem: you can trade 400+ coins (and soon stocks/ETFs), stake assets for yield, earn crypto rewards on spending, and access fiat on-ramps all in one place.

However, Crypto.com’s fees and support can be subpar compared to niche exchanges. Its standard trading fees (0.25% maker, 0.50% taker) are higher than Binance’s (~0.10%) but better than Coinbase Pro’s (0.40–0.60%). Withdrawal costs are especially steep – e.g. a BTC withdrawal is ~$36 (vs. ~$5–$10 at Binance). The app also applies spreads (up to ~2% on buys) which can add hidden cost. On the plus side, Crypto.com launched a revamped “Level Up” rewards program in late 2025: for a subscription (from $4.99/mo) users get zero-fee trading, up to 5% APY on USD cash accounts, and up to 6% back in CRO tokens on card spending. The redesigned staking/Earn program now offers up to 9.5% APY on CRO (12-month lock) and high yields on 30+ tokens (e.g. ~19% on SOL). In summary, Crypto.com excels at mobile convenience and rewards, but traders should watch fees, support and KYC holds.

Key Features & Updates

  • Exchange & Trading: Crypto.com Exchange supports 400+ cryptocurrencies and spot/derivative trading pairs. It also offers futures/options and a “Sports Event” derivative in the U.S. Deposits (ACH bank transfers) are free, and the platform allows advanced order types and APIs. In 2025, Crypto.com expanded into stock/ETF trading in the U.S., EU, Canada and Australia, and is planning to launch its own stablecoin and yield-bearing cash account.
  • Mobile App & Wallet: The Crypto.com app (iOS/Android) is highly rated (≈4.5/5) and praised for its intuitive design. It lets you buy/sell crypto with one-tap trades, monitor your portfolio, and securely login with multi-factor authentication. All assets are held 1:1 in offline cold storage, and the company carries large insurance (hundreds of millions USD) on wallets. A companion DeFi Wallet app supports non-custodial keys and DeFi access.
  • Crypto.com Visa Card: This prepaid Visa card (in supported countries) lets you spend crypto anywhere. Traditional card tiers offered up to 5–8% back in CRO on spending, with no annual or foreign transaction fees. The new Level Up program (Sept 2025) replaced earlier card requirements with subscription tiers: you can earn up to 6% CRO back on all purchases with the Crypto.com Visa Signature card. The card now also includes perks like a 2.5–5% CRO bonus on stock trades and fee-free USD spending.
  • Staking and Earn: Crypto.com relaunched its Earn/Staking schemes in late 2025. The on-chain staking interface (now on web) offers up to ~19% APY on select coins like SOL and ETH. You can also lock up CRO for 12 months to get up to 9.5% APY (plus higher card benefits). A new USD Cash Earn account yields up to 5% APY for U.S. customers. These rates are competitive, but note that staking often requires locking funds for months and depends on CRO’s volatility.
  • NFT Marketplace & Pay: Crypto.com runs an NFT marketplace for trading digital collectibles, and Crypto.com Pay (for merchants) to accept crypto payments. It also provides tax tools and reports: U.S. users earning ≥$600 in rewards get a Form 1099-MISC, and futures/option traders get a 1099-B for tax filing. Crypto.com is fully regulated in many regions (U.S., EU, UK, Singapore etc.) and continuously adds compliance certifications (SOC2, ISO, PCI-DSS).

Pros and Cons

  • Extensive crypto selection: 400+ coins (including BTC, ETH, SOL, and many altcoins) on spot and derivatives markets.
  • Feature-rich ecosystem: Beyond trading, Crypto.com offers staking/Earn (high yields), a DeFi wallet, an NFT marketplace, tokenized stocks, and merchant crypto payments.
  • Competitive perks: New rewards program gives zero-fee trading, up to 5% APY on USD (cash) and crypto-earning features, plus generous card cashback.
  • Strong mobile app: Rated ~4.5/5 for ease of use, with integrated fiat on-ramps and instant buy/sell features. Good for on-the-go portfolio management.
  • Visa card rewards: The Crypto.com Visa card can deliver up to 5–6% back in CRO on all purchases (via Level Up tiers), and no foreign transaction fees.
  • High fees/spreads: Base trading fee is 0.25% (maker) / 0.50% (taker), higher than Binance (0.10%). The mobile app adds hidden spreads (up to ~2% on buys). Crypto withdrawal fees are steep (e.g. 0.0006 BTC ≈ $36), far above Binance or Kraken.
  • Slow customer service: Support is mainly via in-app chat or email. Many users report long response times and unresolved tickets. (Trustpilot ratings are low – around 2.0/5.)
  • Withdrawal delays: Large withdrawals or new recipients often trigger manual review/holds (24–72+ hours). Users have been known to face temporary account locks after KYC verification or sudden selling, causing frustration.
  • CRO dependence: Maximum benefits (fee discounts, card tier perks, rewards) require staking CRO tokens for long periods. This ties your returns to CRO’s price, adding volatility risk.
  • Regional limits: Some features vary by country. For example, the Visa card and certain earn products may be unavailable or reduced in the U.S., UK, or Asia.

Crypto.com vs Competitors

  • Crypto.com: Strengths are its ecosystem breadth and app-centric design. It offers both consumer (app/card) and advanced (exchange/derivatives) services, plus crypto and soon stock trading. With card rewards up to ~6% (on Level Up) and a huge asset list, it appeals to mobile investors and rewards maximizers.
  • Coinbase: Easier to use, especially for U.S. beginners. Coinbase has a very straightforward interface and is fully focused on compliance in the U.S.. It supports fewer altcoins (≈318 vs 400+) and offers no crypto-backed card. Coinbase’s fees are slightly higher (maker 0.40%/taker 0.60%), but it has the trust of many regulators.
  • Binance: The global giant with the lowest fees. Binance’s base fees are 0.1% maker/taker (with BNB discounts), and it supports 400+ coins with deep liquidity. However, Binance.US (restricted platform) lacks many features of Binance.com. Binance offers no crypto card and limited on-ramps compared to Crypto.com. In short, Binance is unbeatable on volume and costs (if available in your region), but Crypto.com wins on integrated services and rewards.
  • Kraken: Known for rock-solid security and low fees (Kraken Pro can get maker fees near 0% on high volume). It offers advanced trading and U.S. support, but no crypto card or mobile flair. Crypto.com has more consumer perks (card, Earn) than Kraken. Kraken’s web interface is powerful but less beginner-friendly than Crypto.com’s app. Many traders choose Kraken for safety and deep margin/derivative markets, while Crypto.com suits those valuing reward programs.

Recent News & Updates

  • Level Up (Sept 2025): Crypto.com launched a revamped membership program (Level Up) with three tiers (Plus, Pro, Private). For example, PLUS (~$4.99/mo) now gives zero trading fees on crypto/stocks, 5% APY on USD accounts, and 6% CRO back on all Visa purchases. The scheme also integrates the old Rewards+ and boosts staking yields (up to 9.5% on CRO).
  • Staking Relaunch: In early Q3 2025, on-chain staking moved to the web platform. Crypto.com now offers up to 19% APY on assets like SOL and ETH (for 30+ tokens) and up to 9.5% APY on 12-mo CRO stakes. These rates and the zero-fee promos make its Earn program very aggressive relative to others.
  • Product Expansions: According to its 2025 Roadmap, Crypto.com is expanding beyond crypto. It plans to add stock/ETF trading in multiple jurisdictions, launch a USD-backed stablecoin, implement new AI-powered trading tools, and roll out international banking features (multi-currency accounts, 1-cent global transfers). The company also continues to enhance security certifications (adding PCI DSS 4.0, etc.).
  • US Institutional Exit: In June 2023 Crypto.com announced it would close its US institutional exchange operations (about 400 large clients). Its retail app and consumer services remained intact. This highlights Crypto.com’s focus on global retail growth while reshaping its regulated business models.
  • Media & Sponsorships: Crypto.com’s brand visibility is high: it sponsors events and media. For instance, it backed the “Crypto.com Showdown” PGA-vs-LIV golf event in Dec 2023. Winners of that Las Vegas exhibition even received their prizes in CRO tokens. These moves raise awareness but are marketing – they don’t affect the trading platform itself.

Who Should Use Crypto.com?

Crypto.com is ideal for mobile-oriented traders, crypto card rewards maximizers, and staking/earn enthusiasts. Its all-in-one app suits investors who want banking, trading, and DeFi features under one roof. It’s also strong for those focused on Bitcoin and major altcoins (Investopedia calls it “best for Bitcoin investors”) and anyone wanting a slick crypto debit card.

However, if you’re extremely fee-sensitive or a power trader, you might look elsewhere. High-frequency traders or institutional desks may prefer Binance (for lowest fees and liquidity) or Kraken (for security and low-volume trading). Beginners in the U.S. might find Coinbase simpler, while Crypto.com’s feature-rich app can be overwhelming at first. And users in restricted regions should check availability (NY and other states have limitations).

FAQ

Is Crypto.com safe?

Yes. Crypto.com is a legitimate, well-regulated exchange with strong security. It stores every user’s crypto 1:1 in cold storage and carries hundreds of millions in digital insurance. It holds licenses in the US, EU, UK and 90+ countries and undergoes regular audits. As with any platform, it’s wise to enable two-factor authentication and address whitelisting to protect your account.

How do I withdraw money from Crypto.com?

To withdraw crypto: open the Crypto.com app (or Exchange site), select ‘Withdraw’, choose your coin and paste the destination address. Confirm and the network fee (e.g. 0.0006 BTC) will apply. Allow time for blockchain confirmations. For fiat (e.g. USD/EUR) withdrawals: sell crypto to USD in the app, then use “Withdraw to bank”. Crypto.com supports ACH (no fee in US) and wire transfers. ACH transfers typically arrive in 1–3 business days (Crypto.com doesn’t charge for ACH, though your bank may). US wire withdrawals cost about $45. Note: large or new withdrawal requests may trigger an AML review (24–72h delay). To minimize delays, complete full KYC, use only whitelisted addresses, and consider breaking large transfers into smaller batches.

Is Crypto.com customer service available 24/7?

Crypto.com offers 24/7 support via its website and in-app chat. There is no publicly advertised toll-free support number. (Some older sources list a US number like 1-888-824-8817, but Crypto.com’s official help site emphasizes email/chat support.) The help desk articles and chat are meant to be available any time. In practice, live chat can have queues, so some users report slow ticket resolution.

Is Crypto.com legit?

Absolutely. Crypto.com is one of the largest crypto firms globally with ~140 million users. It is headquartered in Singapore and complies with regulations in multiple regions. The platform has undergone serious compliance audits and holds major security certifications. It is widely used and has not been involved in any exit-scam – however, always remember that all crypto investments carry risk.

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