If you're an Indian crypto trader looking for a place to buy and sell Bitcoin, Ethereum, or other coins using Indian Rupees (INR), you've probably heard of KoinBX. It's one of the few exchanges that openly says it's built for India. But with conflicting reports about its safety, regulation, and user satisfaction, is it really trustworthy? Let's cut through the noise and look at what KoinBX actually offers - no fluff, just facts based on real data from 2024 and early 2025.
What Is KoinBX?
KoinBX is a cryptocurrency exchange founded in 2020 that focuses almost entirely on the Indian market. Unlike Binance or Coinbase, which operate globally, KoinBX only supports INR deposits and withdrawals. That means if you're in India and want to trade crypto with your bank account, KoinBX tries to make that process smooth. It supports over 120 cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and Ripple. The platform has a web interface and mobile apps for iOS and Android, making it easy to trade on the go.
One of its biggest claims? It's registered with India's Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU-IND). That’s a big deal. Since 2023, all crypto exchanges operating in India are legally required to register with FIU-IND under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). KoinBX says it completed this in 2024, which gives it a legal edge over unregistered platforms. But here’s the twist: while The Economic Times confirmed this registration, FxVerify claims KoinBX "does not appear to be regulated by any government authority." This contradiction isn’t just confusing - it’s a red flag.
Trading Fees and Costs
KoinBX charges a flat 0.25% fee for both maker and taker trades. That’s straightforward. No hidden charges, no tiered pricing. Compared to global exchanges like Binance (0.1% for makers, 0.1% for takers) or Coinbase (0.5%+), KoinBX’s fee is on the higher side. Traders Union gave it a 5.2/10 for fees - meaning it’s acceptable, but not competitive. If you're a high-volume trader, you’ll pay more over time than on other platforms.
What’s interesting is that there are no deposit or withdrawal fees for INR. That’s rare. Most exchanges charge for bank transfers, but KoinBX allows instant INR deposits and withdrawals through UPI, NEFT, and IMPS. For Indian users, this is a major convenience. You can fund your account in minutes and cash out just as fast. No waiting 3-5 business days like on some global platforms.
User Experience and Interface
KoinBX’s interface is clean, simple, and designed for beginners. If you’ve used any major app like PhonePe or Paytm, you’ll feel right at home. The dashboard shows your portfolio, recent trades, and market trends in one glance. There’s no overwhelming charting toolkit - which is fine if you’re not a day trader. Advanced features like limit orders, stop-losses, and margin trading are available, but they’re buried under a few clicks. For casual traders, this is a plus. For serious traders, it feels limited.
The mobile app is stable and gets regular updates. Users report fewer crashes than on some global apps when Indian networks are slow. Customer support is available 24/7, and they offer help in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Bengali - a rare feature that makes a huge difference for non-English speakers. If you’ve ever struggled to get help from a global exchange because of language barriers, this alone might make KoinBX worth a try.
Security: What We Know - and What We Don’t
This is where things get shaky.
KoinBX claims to prioritize security. But here’s the problem: they don’t publish details. No mention of two-factor authentication (2FA) setup steps. No info on cold storage. No explanation of how user funds are protected. Most major exchanges - like Kraken or Coinbase - openly state that 95%+ of funds are stored offline in cold wallets. KoinBX says nothing. That’s not just vague - it’s risky.
Also missing? A SAFU fund (Secure Assets Fund for Users). Binance created this fund to cover losses in case of hacks. Other exchanges followed. KoinBX doesn’t have one. If the platform ever gets hacked, there’s no safety net for users. That’s not paranoia - it’s basic risk assessment.
TrustFinance reports a 4.48 TrustScore from 121 reviews, which sounds good. But Traders Union gives it a 2.1/10 overall score and says "most clients are not satisfied." Why? We don’t have detailed complaints, but community forums suggest issues with delayed withdrawals, poor customer response during outages, and confusion around KYC verification. One user on Reddit (unverified) said they waited 72 hours for a withdrawal in December 2024. That’s not normal.
Is KoinBX Legit? The Regulatory Mess
India’s crypto rules are still being written. The government hasn’t banned crypto - but it hasn’t fully legalized it either. FIU-IND registration is the only legal requirement right now. KoinBX says it has it. The Economic Times says it does. FxVerify says it doesn’t. Who do you believe?
The truth? The Indian crypto regulatory landscape is murky. KoinBX is betting everything on being compliant. That’s smart - but risky. If the government tightens rules next year (like banning INR pairs or requiring KYC for every transaction), KoinBX could be forced to shut down or change drastically. Global exchanges like Binance or OKX simply pull out of India. KoinBX can’t. It’s tied to the Indian market. That’s its strength - and its weakness.
And here’s another thing: KoinBX claims over 1.5 million users. But no third-party source verifies that. CoinMarketCap doesn’t list it in the top 100 by volume. FxVerify’s traffic stats show only 124,646 monthly visits - far below top Indian exchanges like CoinDCX or WazirX. If it’s really the "fastest growing" exchange, why is its traffic so low?
Who Should Use KoinBX?
Let’s be clear: KoinBX isn’t for everyone.
- Best for: Indian residents who want to trade crypto using INR, especially beginners or those who prefer local language support. If you don’t need advanced trading tools and just want to buy Bitcoin or Ethereum with your bank account, KoinBX works.
- Avoid if: You’re a serious trader looking for low fees, advanced charting, or margin trading. You’re outside India. You care about transparency in security. You’ve heard horror stories about exchanges vanishing overnight.
If you’re new to crypto and want to dip your toes in without overcomplicating things, KoinBX is a decent starting point. But don’t leave large amounts of money there. Use it like a temporary wallet - buy, hold, sell - then move funds to a personal wallet if you’re holding long-term.
How KoinBX Compares to Other Indian Exchanges
Here’s a quick breakdown against India’s top 3 competitors:
| Feature | KoinBX | CoinDCX | WazirX | Bitbns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| INR Support | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Fees (Maker/Taker) | 0.25% / 0.25% | 0.2% / 0.3% | 0.2% / 0.3% | 0.25% / 0.25% |
| FIU-IND Registered | Claimed | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Cold Storage | Not disclosed | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| SAFU Fund | No | No | No | No |
| 24/7 Support (Regional Languages) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Partial |
| Monthly Traffic (Est.) | 124K | 850K | 720K | 310K |
As you can see, KoinBX doesn’t stand out on fees, security, or traffic. It wins on simplicity and language support. But so do CoinDCX and WazirX - and they’re more transparent.
Final Verdict: Should You Use KoinBX?
KoinBX isn’t a scam. It’s not a Ponzi scheme. It’s a real platform with real users and a clear focus: serving Indian traders with INR.
But it’s also not the safest or smartest choice. The lack of security details, the contradictory regulatory claims, and the low user engagement metrics all point to a platform that’s trying hard - but not quite there yet.
If you’re just starting out in crypto and want to buy your first Bitcoin with UPI, KoinBX will get the job done. But don’t store large sums there. Don’t assume it’s bulletproof. And don’t ignore the warning signs.
For most Indian users, CoinDCX or WazirX are better options - more established, more transparent, and with stronger security claims. KoinBX is an option, not a recommendation.
Is KoinBX registered with FIU-IND?
KoinBX claims to be registered with India’s Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU-IND), a legal requirement for crypto exchanges operating in India. The Economic Times confirmed this registration in August 2024. However, FxVerify reports that KoinBX "does not appear to be regulated by any government authority," creating clear contradiction. Until independent verification is available, this remains uncertain.
Can I deposit INR into KoinBX?
Yes. KoinBX exclusively supports Indian Rupee (INR) deposits and withdrawals via UPI, NEFT, IMPS, and bank transfers. There are no fees for deposits or withdrawals, and transactions are typically processed instantly.
Does KoinBX have a SAFU fund?
No. KoinBX does not have a Secure Assets Fund for Users (SAFU), which is a reserve fund used by some exchanges to cover losses in case of hacks. This is a significant security gap compared to global platforms like Binance or Kraken.
Is KoinBX safe for long-term holdings?
Not recommended. KoinBX doesn’t disclose its security practices, such as cold storage usage or two-factor authentication details. Without transparency, it’s risky to store large amounts of crypto long-term. Use it for short-term trading and move funds to a personal wallet afterward.
What are KoinBX’s trading fees?
KoinBX charges a flat 0.25% fee for both maker and taker trades. This is higher than competitors like CoinDCX and WazirX, which charge around 0.2%-0.3%. While not the cheapest, the fee structure is simple and predictable.
Does KoinBX support other fiat currencies besides INR?
No. KoinBX is designed exclusively for the Indian market and only supports Indian Rupee (INR). You cannot deposit USD, EUR, GBP, or any other currency. This makes it unusable for international traders.
How many users does KoinBX have?
KoinBX claims over 1.5 million users, according to its official blog. However, this number is not verified by any independent source. Traffic analytics from FxVerify show only 124,646 monthly visits, suggesting the actual active user base may be much smaller.
For Indian users, the choice isn’t just about features - it’s about trust. KoinBX tries to fill a real need. But until it proves its security, transparency, and regulatory standing beyond claims, it’s better to look elsewhere.