HitBTC is a long-standing cryptocurrency exchange launched in 2013, known for offering a wide range of trading pairs, including popular coins like Bitcoin and Ethereum. It primarily attracts active traders who want advanced order types, margin trading, and deep market liquidity. The platform is best suited for users willing to manage their own trades and navigate a complex market environment.
The exchange supports over 800 trading pairs and provides tools like APIs for automated trading, making it appealing to experienced users. It also uses standard security measures such as cold storage and two-factor authentication. However, some users report issues with withdrawal delays and limited customer support, which can affect the overall experience.
For those seeking a hands-on trading platform with a broad selection of altcoins, HitBTC presents a viable option. Yet, it may not be ideal for investors looking for fully regulated services or passive income solutions, as it operates with less regulatory clarity compared to some newer platforms.
What Is HitBTC?
HitBTC is a cryptocurrency exchange offering a range of trading options for digital assets. It provides access to many cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin and a broad list of altcoins. The platform also features different trading methods and security measures to support its users.
History and Development
HitBTC was founded in 2013 and began public operations in 2014. It quickly positioned itself as a European-based exchange that accepted fiat deposits from various countries, expanding its user base beyond Europe. Early on, it gained a reputation for high liquidity and a wide variety of trading pairs.
Over time, however, user complaints about lost funds and poor customer service have increased. Reports suggest operational challenges, possible internal fraud, and technical mishaps weakened its trust. Despite its early success, HitBTC’s reliability has decreased notably by 2025.
Key Features
HitBTC offers spot trading, margin trading with up to 10× leverage, and futures trading with up to 100× leverage. It supports multiple base currencies including Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Tether (USDT).
The platform uses a “maker-taker” fee model to encourage liquidity. Security measures include cold storage of most assets and optional two-factor authentication with physical security keys like YubiKey.
Users should note that HitBTC does not accept clients from the United States. The interface is designed to appeal to both novice retail traders and more experienced professionals, offering a mix of usability and advanced features.
Supported Cryptocurrencies
HitBTC supports over 800 trading pairs, covering a vast array of cryptocurrencies. Bitcoin remains the primary asset, but the exchange offers extensive access to numerous altcoins, including Ethereum, NEO, and smaller tokens.
The platform also introduced its own ERC20 token, HIT, which provides trading fee discounts and other benefits within its ecosystem. Digital assets stored by HitBTC are mostly kept in cold wallets, aiming to reduce the risk of loss from hacks.
Trading on HitBTC
HitBTC offers a wide range of trading choices and order types designed to meet different trading needs. Its fee system is competitive and transparent, allowing traders to understand the costs involved with every trade. This makes it suitable for both new and experienced users.
Available Trading Options
HitBTC supports over 800 trading pairs, including popular cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin. It offers spot trading, which involves buying or selling cryptocurrencies immediately at current market prices.
In addition to spot trading, HitBTC provides futures trading, allowing users to leverage positions or hedge risks. The platform also supports trading through APIs and offers mobile apps for both Android and iOS devices.
Users can access trading bots to automate strategies, making it easier to trade quickly and efficiently. A demo feature is available for beginners to practice without risking real money.
Order Types and Execution
HitBTC offers four main order types: market, limit, stop, and stop-limit orders.
- Market orders execute immediately at the current market price.
- Limit orders allow users to specify a price and wait until the market hits that price.
- Stop orders trigger a market order once a set price is reached.
- Stop-limit orders combine stop and limit orders, activating a limit order after reaching a stop price.
Once funds are transferred to the Spot account, traders use the trading terminal to select a pair and place orders. Past order history is available for review, though only cancelled and rejected orders from the past 24 hours appear.
Fee Structure and Trading Costs
HitBTC charges trading fees based on a maker-taker model. Makers add liquidity by placing limit orders and usually pay lower fees. Takers remove liquidity by filling existing orders and pay slightly higher fees.
The fees vary depending on trading volume but are generally competitive within the industry. Deposits are typically free, but withdrawal fees depend on the cryptocurrency being withdrawn.
Fee transparency is supported by easy access to fee schedules, helping traders estimate costs beforehand. This clarity aids effective planning for trading activities and risk management.
Platform Tools and Advanced Features
HitBTC provides a range of practical tools designed to help traders analyse the market, connect automated systems, and manage more complex trades. These features support both new and experienced users by offering detailed insights, customisable options, and increased trading flexibility.
Market Analysis and Charting Tools
HitBTC offers comprehensive charting tools that include multiple technical indicators such as Moving Averages, RSI, and MACD. Traders can customise charts using different timeframes, helping them spot trends and price patterns effectively.
Charts are interactive and allow zooming, drawing trend lines, and setting alerts on price movements. These tools help users make better-informed decisions by visualising market dynamics in real time.
The platform also supports detailed order book views, showing bid and ask prices with market depth. This data helps traders assess liquidity and spot potential support or resistance levels before placing trades.
API Access and Integration
HitBTC’s API allows users to connect trading bots or third-party software directly to the platform. It supports both REST and WebSocket protocols, enabling real-time data access and order execution.
The API is designed to handle advanced trading strategies like automated market making or algorithmic trading. Users can manage account information, execute trades, and monitor balances programmatically.
Security features protect API usage with key restrictions and permissions. This gives traders control over which actions the API can perform, reducing risk when integrating external trading systems.
Margin Trading Capabilities
HitBTC offers margin trading, allowing users to trade with borrowed funds and increase their buying power. Traders can use leverage to amplify potential profits but should be aware of the associated risks.
The platform provides clear margin requirements and maintains risk controls to manage liquidation levels. Users can monitor their margin ratios in real time to avoid forced position closures.
Margin trading is available for selected cryptocurrencies with flexible leverage options. This feature supports advanced trading tactics like short selling and hedging within the platform’s secure environment.
Security Measures and User Protection
HitBTC uses multiple security features to keep user accounts and funds safe. These include strong authentication methods, secure storage of assets, and a range of additional protocols designed to prevent unauthorised access and fraud. Each layer strengthens the overall protection of its platform.
Two-Factor Authentication
Two-factor authentication (2FA) is a critical security step required for all users on HitBTC. By adding a second verification stage, usually through an app like Google Authenticator, 2FA significantly reduces the risk of unauthorised account access.
Users must enter a one-time code generated on their mobile device along with their password. This makes it much harder for attackers to break in, even if they have the password. HitBTC also recommends enabling 2FA from the start and encourages using withdrawal whitelists to add an extra level of control.
Cold Storage of Assets
The majority of user funds on HitBTC are stored in cold wallets. Cold storage means keeping cryptocurrency offline, away from internet-connected devices, which reduces the chance of hacking and theft.
Only a small portion of funds needed for active trading is held online. This separation helps safeguard the bulk of user assets from online threats. Cold storage is an industry-standard practice and one of the most important security measures to protect digital currencies.
Additional Security Protocols
Beyond 2FA and cold storage, HitBTC uses several other security measures to improve user protection. This includes SSL encryption to secure data transmissions and email notifications for all major account activities, such as withdrawals or password changes.
The platform supports IP and location-based monitoring to detect unusual logins. Withdrawal address whitelists allow users to restrict fund transfers to pre-approved wallets, further limiting risk. These combined tools help defend against social engineering and hacking attempts.
