Pros, Cons and Top Alternatives

 Gate.io is a global crypto exchange that provides extensive crypto trading products and services for beginners and advanced traders alike. The exchange was founded in 2013 and has since established itself as a top choice for traders looking for advanced trading tools, institutional services, simple buy and sell, and a gateway to the web3 ecosystem.

But that’s all there is to know about the Gate.io Exchange. In this Gate.io review, we will discuss more about the crypto exchange, its pros and cons, key features, and trading options. We will also explore its security features, fees, and alternatives, and then provide a step-by-step guide on how to register and start trading on the platform.

Gate.io Exchange Review: A Snapshot

Gate Review: What is Gate.io?

Gate.io is a global centralized crypto exchange that offers traders access to advanced trading tools and a wide selection of over 2,000 cryptocurrencies, including popular crypto assets such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, as well as a diverse range of altcoins, meme coins, and real-world asset (RWA) tokens.

Gate.io supports various trading options, such as spot trading, margin trading with leverage of up to 10x, futures trading with leverage of up to 100x, staking, crypto lending, leveraged ETFs, and advanced features such as Initial Exchange Offerings (IEOs) and automated trading bots. In addition to these features, Gate.io traders enjoy low trading fees with discounts available for holding the platform’s native token, GateToken (GT). 

Pros of Gate

• Support for 2,000+ Cryptocurrencies: Gate.io supports a wide range of cryptocurrencies (over 2000), giving users access to major assets such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, smaller altcoins, meme coins, and thousands of trading pairs.
• Multiple Trading Options: The platform offers a diverse range of trading options, including spot and futures trading (with up to 100x leverage), margin trading, and pre-market trading.
• Advanced Trading Features: Gate.io  Exchange offers traders additional features, including copy trading, trading bots, Pilot Trading, staking, an NFT marketplace, crypto loans, and a proprietary token (GateToken) that can help reduce fees.
• Low Fees: From our Gate.io review, we found that the exchange offers a competitive fee structure (around 0.2% for spot trades; futures trading fees as low as 0.02% maker and 0.05% taker) with additional discounts from VIP levels and those holding GT tokens.
• Robust Security Features: The platform also has strong security measures to safeguard users’ assets, including cold storage, multi-signature wallets, and advanced risk controls

Cons of Gate

• Regulatory Restrictions: Not accessible in certain major markets, including the United States, China, India, and Canada, due to regulatory restrictions.
• Might be Complex for Beginners: The user interface can be complex and challenging for beginners to navigate. In fact, some users’ reviews indicate that they struggled to navigate the platform and understand the fee structure.
• Customer Support Could Be Improved: While Gate.io’s support is available 24/7, it has mixed reviews with occasional delays in resolving queries. Additionally, the KYC verification process can be slow or challenging for some users.

Gate Review: Trading Features

Gate.io Exchange offers various trading features, including Spot, margin, futures, automated trading bots, copy trading, and leveraged tokens (ETFs). Let’s discuss each of these trading options further to help you understand what is available on the platform.

1. Spot Trading

Gate.io spot trading allows users to buy and sell cryptocurrencies instantly at current market prices on a wide range of assets, including over 2,000 cryptocurrencies. The platform supports crypto-to-crypto trading pairs and offers a comprehensive trading interface with features such as market, limit orders, an order book, and customizable trading features.

2. Margin Trading

Gate.io’s margin trading feature enables users to trade cryptocurrencies using borrowed funds. The platform supports both cross margin and isolated margin modes; cross margin uses your entire account balance as collateral across trades, while isolated margin limits risk to a single position.

Gate.io offers leverage that ranges between 3x and 10x depending on the trading pair, and users can choose to manually borrow or use the Auto-Borrow option, which automatically borrows the required funds when placing a margin order.

3. Futures Trading

Gate.io supports both perpetual futures, which have no expiration date, and delivery futures, which settle at a specific time. You can select between cross and isolated margin modes here as well, depending on how you want to manage your collateral and risk exposure.

The cryptocurrency exchange offers leverage of up to 100x on certain contracts. Trading futures contracts on Gate.io comes with advanced order types, including stop-loss and take-profit orders, which help traders manage risk and lock in profits. Unlike margin trading, futures are purely contract-based instruments, making them perfect if you are looking to hedge positions.

4. Automated Trading Bots

The trading bots help traders automate their strategies and run trades even when they are inactive. These bots operate based on pre-set strategies that respond to market movements. For example, you can deploy a grid bot that buys low and sells high within a defined price range or a trend bot that follows the direction of the market.

You can also get all you need to execute your strategies on Gate.io’s bot marketplace, including browsing and copying strategies developed by other traders. Aside from the built-in bots, you can integrate third-party automation platforms such as 3Commas or WunderTrading through API connections.

Note: While bot trading can be profitable, its effectiveness depends entirely on your strategy and the crypto market conditions. 

5. Copy Trading

The Gate.io copy trading feature enables users to mirror the trades of more experienced traders. When you select a trader to follow, your account automatically replicates their trades based on the parameters you’ve set, such as capital allocation and leverage.

6. Leveraged Tokens (ETFs)

Gate.io also offers leveraged tokens, sometimes referred to as leveraged ETFs. These tokens provide exposure to an underlying cryptocurrency with built-in leverage. For instance, if you buy 10x Long BTC, it will deliver ten times the daily return of Bitcoin’s price movement. One major thing with ETFs is that they are rebalanced automatically each day to maintain their target leverage, making them better for short-term trading.

Gate Review: Other Features (or bullet points)

In addition to the extensive trading options Gate.io offers, here are other features that make the exchange stand out.

• Institutional Services: Gate Institutional is built for large-scale and professional investors such as hedge funds and high-frequency trading firms. It provides access to exclusive institutional services and multiple trading products, deep liquidity pools, co-location services (for low latency), and high throughput for order submission and cancellation.

• NFT Marketplace: Gate NFT is a platform where creators and collectors can mint, auction, and trade non-fungible tokens. The platform supports both fixed-price sales and auctions, and allows creators to upload their works (often at low cost), display them, and monetize them.

• Gate Web3: Gate Web3 is the platform’s non-custodial/multi-chain wallet that also serves as a portal to a suite of Web3 services. Users can connect to multiple blockchains, manage assets across chains, use decentralized applications (dApps), perform swaps, and participate in DeFi (yield earning, airdrops, etc.).

• Gate Card: The Gate card is a Visa debit/crypto card linked to your Gate.io account, allowing you to spend cryptocurrency in your daily life. There are both virtual and physical cards. The card offers cashback in various cryptocurrencies (including USDT, BTC, ETH, and GT), integration with payment networks (such as Google Pay), and other perks (like travel rewards and fee rebates).

Gate Review: Earn Products

Gate.io offers multiple earn products, including simple earn, staking, lending/crypto loans, HODL & Earn, and launchpool staking.

• Simple Earn: This product provides both flexible and fixed-term investment options with competitive annual percentage rates (APR). Flexible-term investments support major cryptocurrencies with APRs as high as 15% for USDT and around 11% for BTC and ETH. Fixed-term plans come in 3-day, 7-day, and 30-day durations, allowing investors to choose based on their goals.
• Staking: Gate.io offers staking on various cryptocurrencies, including popular PoS assets. Examples include BTC staking with roughly 10% APR and liquid staking options. You can increase your staking rewards by circular lending, where you borrow against staked tokens to reinvest and increase yields.​
• Lending and Crypto Loans: Gate users can lend their cryptocurrencies to earn interest. The platform offers crypto loans with relatively low interest rates (e.g., 0.88% for BTC) that can be combined with the Earn and staking products for better yield strategies. You can also reinvest borrowed funds in ETH 2.0 staking and other products to boost returns.​
• HODL & Earn: This feature enables users to lock in popular cryptocurrencies for a fixed term, earning stable APRs. For example, a 60-day fixed BTC product can offer up to 50% APR, which you will receive after your subscription.
• Launchpool and Token Staking: Gate.io supports token launch staking, enabling users to earn new tokens, such as IMT, by participating in quick staking pools and accessing early rewards from new projects.

Gate Security: Is Gate.io a Safe Exchange?

Gate.io is a safe cryptocurrency exchange based on the security measures it implements. Some of these measures include cold wallet storage, two-factor authentication, anti-phishing tools, and withdrawal whitelisting. The exchange also applies encrypted TLS connections, anti-DDoS protection, and cloud security defenses to safeguard user accounts and the platform itself.

Security Measures

• Dual Layer Asset Protection (Cold and Hot Wallet Storage): Gate.io stores the majority of users’ assets in cold wallets, which are protected with multi-signature authentication and offline backups. The exchange then holds a smaller portion of funds in hot wallets to support daily operations. Funds in the hot wallet are secured using Trusted Execution Environments (TEE), Multi-Party Computation (MPC), and threshold signatures.
• Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): The exchange encourages traders to enable 2FA for their accounts. This involves a password and a time-based one-time password (TOTP) generated through apps like Google Authenticator. Once you activate 2FA on your account, even if someone obtains your password, they would still need the second factor to access the account.
• Anti-Phishing Code: You can set a personalized anti-phishing code that appears in all official Gate.io emails. This will help you determine if emails claiming to be from the platform are truly from Gate.io and not part of a phishing scam designed to steal your login credentials.
• Withdrawal Whitelisting: This feature allows you to specify trusted wallet addresses. Withdrawals can only be made to these pre-approved addresses, adding another layer of protection in case your account is compromised.
• Bug Bounty Program: Gate.io operates a bug bounty program where security researchers can report vulnerabilities in exchange for rewards. This helps identify and patch security flaws before they can be exploited.
• Insurance Fund: Gate.io has an insurance or contingency fund to compensate users in the event of a security breach.

In addition to these security features, Gate.io releases Proof of Reserves (PoR) audits, indicating user assets are fully backed with a reserve ratio above 128%. Gate Exchange was actually one of the earlier exchanges to adopt PoR, conducting its first public audit as far back as 2020.

Gate Hacks Explained

Gate.io has experienced notable security incidents in its history. One of the most debated incidents in its history dates back to 2018, when the cryptocurrency exchange was allegedly hacked for approximately $234 million worth of cryptocurrency.

However, conversations around this incident resurfaced in 2022 after prominent on-chain investigator ZachXBT brought forward a detailed analysis suggesting that Gate.io had suffered a significant breach. According to his investigation, which was backed by verifiable blockchain data, the stolen crypto assets included over 10,000 BTC, hundreds of thousands of ETH, and other major tokens.

Gate.io did not comment on the allegations when they first surfaced, but later responded by asserting that no users had lost funds. The exchange pointed to the results of its PoR audits to argue that all user balances were fully backed at the time.

In a separate incident in 2021, Gate.io had a more proactive approach to user protection. Following the PAID Network hack, which affected token holders across various crypto platforms, Gate.io announced that it would reimburse impacted users even though the cryptocurrency exchange had no direct responsibility for the exploit. 

The following year was no better for the exchange. Their official X (formerly Twitter) account was hacked. The attackers used the account to promote a fake $500,000 USDT giveaway, directing users to a phishing website that looked like the exchange’s domain. The exchange has since invested heavily in security upgrades and has maintained a clean record with no major breaches reported in recent years.

Gate Review: Mobile App & User Experience

The Gate.io mobile app offers a comprehensive experience that closely mirrors the desktop platform, giving you everything you need to trade while you are on the move. It supports a wide range of functionality, including spot trading, futures positions, staking, NFT browsing, earn products, and even full access to decentralized applications (DApps).

The app has a clean interface optimized for mobile across iOS and Android, with real-time portfolio management and price alert notifications. It is built to cater to both beginners with simplified modes and advanced traders with customizable charts and AI-powered market insights. The app also supports multiple languages, offers various accessibility options, and features a clear trading fee structure similar to the web platform.

Gate Fees Review

Gate.io Exchange charges fees on spot and futures trading, on deposits, and on withdrawals. For trading fees, the platform follows the standard maker-taker structure and offers VIP discounts. These discounts are available to users with a high 30-day trading volume and a high 14-day Gate Token holding, who pay less compared to other traders.

Trading Fees

Gate.io trading fees are 0.2% maker/taker for spot traders. This fee is for regular users, but the fees go lower depending on your VIP level and 30-day trading volume (the exchange has about 16 VIP levels). Below are the different trading fees for various VIP levels on Gate.io.

For futures trading, Gate.io charges various fees, depending on the type of futures contract (available options are USDT perp, BTC perp, USDT delivery, and options). The standard trading fees for futures contracts are 0.02% for makers and 0.075% for takers. Similar to the spot fees, you get more discounts with a higher VIP level or more GT holdens. Here’s a rundown of how these fees are charged for different VIP levels.

Deposits and Withdrawals Fees

Deposits of cryptocurrencies are free on Gate.io. However, if you are depositing fiat currencies, you will incur fees depending on the payment method, but they range between 1% and 3%. On the other hand, withdrawal fees vary by the cryptocurrency you are withdrawing. Here is a breakdown of the withdrawal fees for various cryptos on Gate.io.

How to Use Gate IO?

Here is a straightforward guide on how to create a new Gate account, how to trade on the cryptocurrency exchange, and how to buy and sell crypto on Gate.io. Before you proceed, find out the bonuses available for individuals who use the current Gate.io referral code during registration. 

How to Create a Gate Account? 

1. Visit Gate.io or Download the Mobile App: Go to the Gate.io website and click “Sign Up” at the top right corner of the homepage. Then enter your email address (or phone number) and use this referral “VLEWAV0NVQ” to enjoy up to $10,000+ in welcome rewards.

2. Verify Your Email and Set a Strong Password: Click “Signup to Get $10,000+ Rewards”, then verify your email or phone number by entering the six-digit code sent to you. Then set a strong password with at least eight characters.

3. Verify and Claim 15 USDT: Upon submission, you will gain instant access to the Gate.io dashboard. Click on “Verify now to claim 15 USDT.” You will be taken to the verification center, where you can submit your documents for full access to account features, including deposits, withdrawals, and higher withdrawal limits.

How to Trade on Gate.io?

• Login and Deposit: Log in to your account on the website or mobile app and deposit funds via crypto transfers or purchase crypto via fiat gateways.
• Start Trading: Go to “Spot Trading” from the menu and select the trading pair you want (e.g., BTC/USDT). Then choose the order type (market, limit, or stop-limit).
• Customize Your Trade: Enter the amount to buy or sell and submit your order. The trade will be executed immediately if you place a market order, or it will wait for the price limit you set in limit orders.

The coins you purchased will appear in your Spot Wallet for withdrawal or further trading. The futures market is also accessible for advanced traders who are familiar with futures contracts and understand the risks involved.

How to Buy and Sell on Gate io Exchange?

• Buying Crypto: After funding your account, go to “Buy Crypto,” select the payment method (crypto deposit, credit card, P2P), choose the currency and amount, and complete theme payment. The crypto you purchase will be deposited in your Spot Wallet.
• Selling Crypto: Go to “Spot Trading,” select the pair (e.g., BTC/USDT), choose the sell order type, specify the amount, and place the order. Upon execution, you receive the funds in the counter asset (e.g., USDT).

Gate Licenses and Regulation

Gate.io holds regulatory licenses in multiple jurisdictions, including Malta and Australia. These licenses ensure that the exchange meets the requirements necessary to operate as a virtual asset provider in the region. These are the major countries and regions where Gate.io is regulated:

• Malta: In Malta, it operates under a Virtual Financial Assets (VFA) Service Provider license through Gate Technology Ltd under the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA). This license enables the offering of a Virtual Financial Asset Exchange and custodial services within Europe.
• Hong Kong: In Hong Kong, its subsidiary Hippo Financial Services Limited holds a Trust or Company Service Provider (TCSP) license focused on virtual asset custody.
• Australia: Gate Information Pty Ltd is a registered Digital Currency Exchange Provider with AUSTRAC, the financial intelligence agency regulating anti-money laundering (AML).
• Dubai: Gate MENA DMCC is authorized for proprietary trading in crypto commodities by the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC). Additionally, Gate Technology FZE (Gate Dubai) secured a full operational license from the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) in April 2025.
• Italy: In Italy, Gate Italy S.R.L is registered with Organismo Agenti e Mediatori (OAM) as a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) for exchange, transfer, clearing, and wallet services.
• Bahamas: Gate Global Limited is approved by the Securities Commission of The Bahamas (SCB) to offer digital asset-to-fiat exchange, transfers, and trading services.
• Gibraltar: In Gibraltar, Hippo Capital Co. Limited is approved by the Gibraltar Financial Services Commission (GFSC) as a Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) Provider.
• Argentina: Gate Global UAB is registered as a VASP to provide cryptocurrency exchange and wallet services.
• Lithuania: Gate Global UAB is registered as both a Virtual Currency Exchange Operator and a Depository Virtual Currency Wallet Operator, allowing trading and custody services.

Gate Review: Customer support & User Feedback

Gate.io provides several customer support options, including 24/7 live chat, email support, and a variety of educational resources such as tutorials and FAQs. However, user feedback about Gate.io’s support experience is mixed. On the positive side, some users report prompt responses, professional support agents, and a generally smooth trading experience.

On the other hand, Gate.io has numerous negative reviews around support and other services. Common complaints include slow or unresponsive customer service, difficulty accessing accounts, delayed withdrawals, and challenges in resolving disputes. Others are often related to account verification delays, regional restrictions, and issues with automated trading tools.

When it comes to automated trading tools, such as bots or copy trading strategies, users must know that the associated risks fall entirely on the investor. Whether you’re trading manually or using automated trading tools, your outcomes depend heavily on market conditions and user decisions.

Best Gate IO Alternatives for Crypto Trading

Conclusion: Is Gate.io a Good Exchange?

Gate.io is a good exchange for trading. The trading platform offers basic features and advanced charting tools to cater to both beginners and advanced traders. In addition to these features, Gate.io users enjoy low fees and have multiple trading pairs to choose from. Although the exchange is good for trading, it might not be suitable for you, depending on your needs, trading goals, and location.

You can determine if it’s the best trading platform for you by reviewing the comparison table above, or take your research a step further with a comprehensive review of the alternatives, starting with this in-depth Binance review. There you will find a detailed overview of the Binance Exchange, its best features, security measures, fees, and other relevant details to help you make informed decisions. 

FAQs

What is the Best Crypto Exchange for Beginners in 2025?

The best crypto exchange for beginners in 2025 depends on your trading needs and location. However, some top options are Coinbase, Gate.io, Bybit, and Crypto.com. Coinbase has an intuitive user interface, solid security infrastructure, and a user-friendly fee structure that is easy to understand. However, the exchange is not available or is limited in some countries.

Other exchanges, such as Gate.io, Crypto.com, and Bybit, are also suitable for beginners. They offer user-friendly interfaces, beginner-friendly trading platforms, and learning materials to guide users on how to trade and invest on the platform.

Is Gate.io Legit to Use?

Yes, Gate.io is legit to use. The exchange is registered and regulated by many financial institutions in various countries, including Malta, Australia, Italy, and the United Arab Emirates.

Is Gate.io Available in the United States?

No, Gate.io is not available in the United States. The platform does not offer its services to traders in the US due to stringent regulatory requirements. Although it has announced plans to build a US-compliant version of the trading platform, it is still not available at the time of writing.

Is Gate.io Legal in the United States?

No, Gate.io is not legally available to traders in the United States. The exchange does not offer them its products and services; therefore, it would be illegal to use. If a US trader bypasses this restriction and uses the platform, Gate.io reserves the right to freeze or delete the account, even if it contains funds. To avoid losing your money, consider using Gate.io alternatives that are available in the US, such as Coinbase Exchange and Crypto.com.

Is Gate.io a Good Wallet?

Yes, Gate.io is a good wallet. It provides a portal for users to trade, hold tokens, and explore NFTs and the web3 ecosystem. However, it might not be the suitable exchange for you, depending on your needs. It is advisable to do your own research and compare various exchanges so you can be better equipped to make a decision.

What are the Risks of Using Gate.io?

The risks of using Gate.io are similar to those associated with other exchanges and cryptocurrency trading in general. Other platform-specific risks include regulatory challenges, a history of hacks, and a slightly complex user interface. However, the exchange offers educational resources and guides to help beginners get familiar with the platform easily.