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Best of Crypto.com

• Ideal for cryptocurrency payments
• Simple money conversion process
• Visa card featuring cash back benefits
• Earn interest on crypto

Diego G. Crypto Enthusiast

Updated: July 5, 2024

Crypto.com review 2023: A Single-Platform Solution for All Crypto In case you’re on the hunt for a reasonably priced, all-encompassing crypto platform, Crypto.com could be the right fit for you. The more Cronos (CRO) you manage to stake, the more benefits you stand to gain from this exchange. Even without the CRO incentives, it remains […]

Crypto.com review 2023: A Single-Platform Solution for All Crypto

In case you’re on the hunt for a reasonably priced, all-encompassing crypto platform, Crypto.com could be the right fit for you. The more Cronos (CRO) you manage to stake, the more benefits you stand to gain from this exchange. Even without the CRO incentives, it remains a reliable low-fee crypto exchange with more than 250 cryptocurrencies on offer — particularly appealing for those seeking a crypto debit card. Peruse our in-depth Crypto.com review to see if it aligns with your requirements.

Complete review of Crypto.com exchange

This crypto exchange suits you: Individuals aiming to spend, trade, save, and store cryptocurrencies, with a particular interest in Crypto.com’s utility token, Cronos. This all-inclusive exchange allows for the purchasing, selling, and trading of a wide array of cryptocurrencies at reasonable prices.

Pros:

Cons:

Key benefits

Crypto.com brings a wide selection of offerings to the table, including its proprietary CRO token, Cronos. The more CRO you’re prepared to stake (meaning deposit with Crypto.com), the higher the rewards.

One-stop shop

Crypto.com is better perceived as a crypto bank rather than merely an exchange or brokerage. While it does allow buying and selling of cryptocurrencies on its platform, and enables swaps with other users via your DeFi wallet, its offerings go beyond these basic services. You can transact with a prepaid Visa card using your crypto, receive payment in crypto, invest your money in an account that earns interest, and even obtain a crypto loan in specific areas.

Low fees

As explored later, Crypto.com permits depositing funds via electronic bank transfer or wire transfer free of charge. The ability to buy and sell cryptocurrencies at true cost marks it as one of the better value exchanges. 

Note that Crypto.com does impose a fee for credit/debit card crypto purchases made through its app. Plus, if you buy cryptocurrency using a credit card, your card issuer may levy a cash advance fee.

Simple Money Conversion

Similar to the top crypto exchanges, the Crypto.com app facilitates easy conversion from fiat currencies into crypto. It supports over 20 fiat currencies, such as USD, GBP, and EUR, without imposing exorbitant fees. However, depending on where you reside, you may be restricted to certain fiat currencies post-registration.

Cash back Cards

Crypto.com provides a selection of five prepaid Visa cards. These cards are accepted wherever Visa is honored, though they require a prepayment before any spending. I’ve been using the Crypto.com Visa debit card for around a year now, and I personally consider it a highlight of the platform. Topping it up is straightforward, and I enjoy the benefits of earning rewards on my daily spendings.

Like its other offerings, the more CRO you stake, the higher the rewards. The top-tier Obsidian card earns 5% cash back (more correctly, crypto back) and includes a range of additional perks. However, to qualify, you’ll need to stake approximately $400,000 in CRO.

For those without excessive capital, staking $400 will get you a 1% cashback with the Ruby Steel card. There are no annual fees, and you receive a certain number of free ATM withdrawals and foreign transactions monthly, depending on the card. The rewards were previously more generous, but Crypto.com drastically reduced its benefits in 2022.

Earn interest

Crypto.com serves more purposes than simply purchasing Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. As an account holder, you can also earn high-interest rates. Even Crypto.com’s lowest interest rates surpass those of the best high-yield savings accounts. The peak interest you can earn exceeds 10%; however, similar to the Visa card perks, this would require a significant CRO holding.

The interest rate you’ll get depends on the duration you plan to stake your money, the currency you’re saving in, and the amount of CRO you stake. If you want to boost your interest rate on the app, you can:

• Stake upwards of 4,000 CRO. Staking 40,000 CRO would earn you even more, though this may not be practical for many investors.
• Commit it for a three-month term. While flexible and one-month terms are available, three-month terms yield better rates.
• Put your money in a stablecoin. Stablecoins are tied to fiat currencies or commodities, so you could invest in one pegged to the U.S. dollar. You’ll earn higher interest, but the coin’s value is less likely to appreciate in the same manner as regular cryptocurrencies. 

However, stowing your savings in crypto carries risks. All cryptocurrencies exhibit volatility, and unlike traditional savings accounts, they don’t have FDIC insurance. If the currency fails, it could wipe out your entire savings.

Gift Cards and phone top ups

The Crypto.com Visa Card isn’t your sole option to spend your crypto. You can also earn cash back when purchasing gift cards from several renowned brands. Current U.S. gift card brands range from Airbnb and Barnes & Noble to Macy’s, among others. The cashback amount is contingent upon the quantity of CRO staked and the nature of the company. Additionally, you can recharge prepaid phones on select networks.

Areas for improvement

Crypto.com certainly brings a wealth to the table, yet there are areas where it can enhance its offerings.

Easy of use

Being a multifaceted platform comes with its drawbacks – the website can be quite intimidating initially. There’s an overwhelming amount of information and specialized terminology to comprehend, particularly for beginners. The 2021 website overhaul did not simplify matters much due to the sheer volume of its offerings. Navigating a site loaded with diverse products and services can indeed pose a challenge. Moreover, the browser exchange and the app exhibit distinct functionalities.

Limited accessibility 

Except for New York, Crypto.com registration is open to all U.S. states. Nevertheless, not all of its currencies are purchasable everywhere. The platform takes pride in offering over 250 coins and more than 20 fiat currencies, but several cryptos are not accessible in the U.S., with some even restricted within specific U.S. states.

Certain services such as the Crypto.com loan are not accessible in the U.S. However, in other countries, crypto investments can serve as collateral for a loan.

Customer support 

Even though Crypto.com extends 24/7 assistance via its in-app/website chat or email, its Trustpilot rating currently stands at a modest 2.1 out of 5 stars. A common grievance centers around the inadequate customer service response, which can potentially be exasperating for those attempting to create an account or trying to access their funds.

Educational resources

Crypto.com falls short as an educational resource for novice investors. While it does offer elementary information about individual currencies, that’s essentially it. The platform lacks a comprehensive knowledge center on cryptocurrency and offers scant research materials. Consequently, Crypto.com investors are left to seek out learning resources elsewhere.

Alternative options to consider:

• If you’re seeking an uncomplicated trading platform: Gemini offers a more straightforward user experience compared to Crypto.com. The difference becomes especially noticeable when comparing the two applications. From executing a trade to linking up external bank accounts, Gemini simplifies core functionalities. Additionally, Gemini provides high yields for stablecoins, an important feature.
• If you desire additional educational content: Coinbase, slightly more mature in the market than Crypto.com, is an excellent choice for newcomers. With a selection of beginner guides, crypto advice, and learning modules, it allows you to acquire knowledge while engaging with the platform. Interestingly, you can also earn complimentary crypto by participating in courses about specific products.

How Crypto.com works

Initially known as Monaco Technologies, Crypto.com was founded with the objective of accelerating the global transition to cryptocurrency. What started predominantly as a crypto payment product has evolved into a renowned hub for cryptocurrency.

Crypto.com operates via both desktop and mobile app. After creating your account and verifying your identity, you can engage in trading through its exchange, app, or the DeFi wallet. The distinction between the app and the exchange can be perplexing. In contrast to most crypto exchanges where the app and the browser interface grant access to the same account, the two platforms on Crypto.com operate independently. Though transferring money between the two is simple, the arrangement isn’t quite user-friendly. I ended up staking CRO on both platforms to take advantage of diverse benefits, which is less than optimal.

The DeFi wallet is a separate product entirely. It’s a decentralized exchange enabling you to trade cryptocurrencies with other users. Opting for this route means having complete control of your keys, and you can choose to pay a premium fee to expedite your swap.

If you stake CRO on either the Crypto.com app or the Crypto.com exchange and leave it untouched for over six months, you can earn interest and gain access to benefits. For instance, on the Crypto.com app, the following types of Visa debit cards and associated rewards can be unlocked through CRO staking:

Data source: Crypto.com

Crypto.com has made dealing with crypto much easier. However, it doesn’t have the same safety nets as a typical bank. If you put a lot of your CRO (their own crypto) into their system, you could earn interest and your CRO might even go up in value. But, if their crypto tanks, you could lose everything. Also, we recently found out that there’s nothing stopping Crypto.com from suddenly changing how much they reward you for staking your CRO. They tried to massively cut these rewards, but after users complained, they decided to only reduce the rewards a bit instead of a lot. This whole thing has made me less willing to hold onto my CRO for a long time, as I’m just not as sure about the platform anymore.

Fees overview

Depending on the method you use to fund your Crypto.com account, it could be a very cost-effective platform for trading.

Deposit and withdrawal fees

Maker/taker fees

Data source: Crypto.com.

Crypto.com has ambitions to expand. To achieve this, it requires high liquidity, robust trading activity, and widespread adoption of its Cronos coin. Accordingly, it’s prepared to offer reduced fees based on:

• Your trading volume
• Your role as a market maker or taker
• The amount of CRO you’ve staked

For instance, if you desire to trade an asset that’s not currently available, you’d incur a lower “maker” fee since you’re contributing to liquidity. If your trade is executed immediately, you’d be charged a higher “taker” fee due to reducing liquidity.

Assuming you’ve staked a minimum of 5,000 CRO and opt to pay in CRO on the exchange, you’d be eligible for a 10% discount on trading. Consequently, the highest fee you’d be charged for trading would be 0.36%.

Stake discount

Cryptocurrency Selection

Crypto.com globally provides access to over 250 cryptocurrencies. Nevertheless, certain coins aren’t available in the U.S. in their entirety, and some are restricted in certain regions. Despite these limitations, the platform’s range of coins is as extensive, if not more so, than many of its competitors. A variety of coins are accessible, including most of the top 20 cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Cardano (ADA), Solana (SOL), among others, via the Crypto.com app. Notably, Binance offers both Binance Coin (BNB) and Binance USD (BUSD), which can be hard to find on other platforms.

How safe is your cryptocurrency on Crypto.com? 

Crypto.com provides all the expected security features such as multi-factor authentication and measures against phishing. This includes safeguards like password, biometric, email, phone, and authenticator checks. 

The company claims to embed security into all aspects of its operation, with its systems regularly tested for resilience by top security firms. It also stores funds in cold storage and employs Hacker One, a bug bounty program, to uncover potential vulnerabilities. 

Crypto.com has a $360 million insurance against potential damage or theft and collaborates with Ledger to store user cryptocurrencies in cold storage. If you have a balance in U.S. dollars, the FDIC insures it just like they do for traditional banks.

A $34 million hack hit Crypto.com earlier this year because of a problem with its two-factor authentication. However, they compensated all user losses, and they have implemented an Account Protection Programme in specific markets since then.

Crypto.com is right for you if:

• You’re experienced in cryptocurrency investment and feel little need for additional educational resources.
• You’re inclined to conduct more of your financial transactions, including savings, expenditures, and investments, via a cryptocurrency platform.
• You’re seeking a cryptocurrency exchange with minimal fees that allows for a straightforward conversion of fiat money into digital assets.
• You’re prepared and capable of making large deposits into CRO.