Nexo, a centralised cryptocurrency exchange established in Bulgaria in 2018, now operates from Switzerland in approximately 200 regions. Its offerings include spot and futures trading, peer-to-peer lending, cold wallet storage, and fiat on-ramps for purchasing crypto tokens. Nexo is registered with respected financial bodies like the ASIC. Additionally, it provides unique services, such as a credit card.
OKX, a reputable cryptocurrency company founded in 2017, provides a wide range of products, including mining pools and NFTs. Traders have access to more than 400 crypto tokens through OTC trading and derivatives. The firm features an outstanding web platform, developer tools, and dynamic charts, making it a favoured option for technical traders.
Pros
A well-regarded crypto exchange, established in 2018, has initiated steps towards regulatory compliance.
Nexo Pro is an intuitive platform tailored for traders, offering robust charting tools that enhance strategic trading.
The trading platform features essential tools such as asset-specific newsfeeds and social media analysis.
Traders can utilise perpetual futures to take long or short positions on crypto assets, thereby enhancing strategic opportunities.
Nexo's platform facilitates cryptocurrency lending and borrowing through its staking and credit features, offering traders some of the most competitive yields in the market.
Traders receive bonuses and incentives, such as complimentary trading funds given to lenders and cashback through the exchange's native Nexo token.
A vast array of blockchain products is available, featuring DeFi services, NFTs, and games, along with over 400 established and emerging cryptocurrencies.
In 2025, OKX obtained a MiFID II licence, allowing it to offer regulated derivatives across Europe, ensuring peace of mind for traders.
Access a diverse array of trading instruments, such as futures, options, and perpetual swaps, through both mobile and desktop platforms.
OKX enjoys a strong reputation, serving 20 million clients worldwide and holding a licence from the Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority.
Traders can obtain historical market information for both spot and futures markets, including OHLC data, aggregate trade details, and trading records.
The platform offers an extensive developer lab and access to a marketplace of pre-built trading bots equipped with automatic arbitrage functionalities.
Active traders benefit from competitive rates, with maker fees starting at 0.02% and taker fees at 0.05%.
Crypto staking and pools offer competitive mining fees starting at 2%.
Cons
While Nexo is registered with certain reputable regulators, trading with it carries more risk compared to established crypto brokers such as AvaTrade and Vantage.
High deposit and withdrawal fees for cards and e-wallets may deter many traders from using these convenient payment methods.
Limited educational resources diminish its attraction for newcomers, who may discover more valuable materials with leading platforms such as eToro.
Elevated maker/taker fees result in traders incurring higher costs for trading derivatives compared to competing exchanges such as Binance.
The selection of tokens is broad relative to many crypto brokers, yet it remains limited when compared to similar crypto exchanges such as Kraken.
The firm has minimal regulatory oversight, which is typical for crypto brokers.
Testing revealed that customer support quality varied.
The broker's platform and features might feel intricate for beginners.
Awards
Best Cryptocurrency Wallet – FinTech Breakthrough Awards, 2023
Best Use of Crypto and/or Blockchain in Financial Services – PAY360 Awards, 2022
Nexo provides trading services for approximately 70 tokens, including Bitcoin. Users can buy, sell, and exchange digital assets directly on the platform, with access to over 500 trading pairs. Additionally, these assets can serve as collateral for fiat loans or generate passive income through the ‘smart staking’ option and interest from peer-to-peer loans.
OKX provides an excellent range of over 400 tokens, such as Bitcoin and Ripple. Traders can engage in buying and selling tokens or engage in crypto trading on margin through derivatives like perpetual swaps, options, and futures. The platform is distinguished by its competitive fees, wide token selection, and rapid transaction processing.
