6 minute read
MEXC vs Deribit Comparison: Which is better?
from MEXC
by Exness_India
When comparing MEXC vs Deribit, the choice largely depends on whether you want a broader crypto trading ecosystem or a platform specialized in derivatives. MEXC is a global exchange offering spot, futures, margin, staking, and copy trading, while Deribit focuses almost entirely on crypto derivatives—especially Bitcoin and Ethereum options and futures.
If you want an all-in-one platform with many altcoins, MEXC is better. If you’re a professional trader specializing in options strategies, Deribit is the go-to choice.
This article will break down key differences in features, fees, liquidity, supported assets, and security so you can decide which platform fits your trading goals.
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1. Overview of MEXC and Deribit
MEXC was founded in 2018 and quickly became known for its wide selection of cryptocurrencies, low trading fees, and no mandatory KYC for small withdrawals. It caters to beginners and experienced traders, offering a user-friendly interface and many earning features like staking and copy trading.
Deribit, launched in 2016, is more niche. It’s a derivatives-only exchange, specializing in high-performance options and futures markets for Bitcoin and Ethereum. Deribit is favored by professional and institutional traders who need advanced risk management tools, deep liquidity in derivatives, and ultra-fast trade execution.
The first key difference is scope: MEXC is a generalist exchange; Deribit is a specialist.
2. Supported Assets
MEXC lists over 2,000 cryptocurrencies, including major coins, emerging altcoins, meme tokens, and DeFi projects. You can trade them in spot, margin, and futures markets, making it a strong choice for altcoin hunters.
Deribit keeps its list very short—primarily BTC, ETH, and USDC—because its entire focus is on derivatives. Instead of offering hundreds of altcoins, Deribit offers multiple contract types, maturities, and strike prices for each supported asset. This makes it ideal for traders who want precision rather than variety.
If you’re after diverse coin exposure, MEXC wins. If you only need BTC and ETH but with deep derivatives liquidity, Deribit takes the lead.
3. Futures and Options Trading
Both platforms offer futures trading, but their approach differs:
MEXC Futures: Supports perpetual and standard futures with up to 200x leverage, covering hundreds of coins. Best for those who want to speculate on altcoins and majors alike.
Deribit Futures: Specializes in BTC and ETH futures with up to 100x leverage, optimized for speed and deep order books.
When it comes to options trading, MEXC’s offering is limited compared to Deribit. Deribit is the undisputed leader in crypto options, providing European-style options with flexible expirations, advanced Greeks data, and comprehensive risk controls. Professional traders often hedge large portfolios using Deribit’s options.
4. Fees
MEXC: Offers competitive spot fees starting at 0.1% maker/taker, with discounts for using MX tokens or high volumes. Futures fees can be as low as 0% maker and 0.02% taker.
Deribit: Charges 0.03% maker and 0.05% taker for futures, and 0.03% maker and 0.04% taker for options. While slightly higher than MEXC, these fees are reasonable for institutional-grade liquidity.
MEXC is cheaper for casual traders, especially in spot markets. Deribit’s fees are more tailored to high-value derivatives traders.
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5. Liquidity and Trading Volume
Liquidity is vital in avoiding slippage. MEXC has strong liquidity across popular altcoins and majors, but its derivatives liquidity for BTC and ETH can’t match Deribit.
Deribit consistently ranks among the top for BTC and ETH options volume. Its order books are extremely deep, which benefits traders placing large contracts without significant price impact.
If your priority is the deepest BTC/ETH derivatives liquidity, Deribit is better. For broad liquidity across hundreds of markets, MEXC wins.
6. User Interface and Experience
MEXC’s interface is beginner-friendly yet feature-rich. You get customizable charts, one-click trading, and an integrated mobile app. The platform also offers copy trading for beginners who prefer following professionals.
Deribit’s interface is more technical. It provides detailed options chains, advanced order types, portfolio margining, and volatility charts. While not intimidating for experienced traders, beginners might find it overwhelming.
For simplicity and learning, MEXC is better. For advanced derivatives analytics, Deribit is unmatched.
7. Security
Both exchanges implement strong security measures:
MEXC: Uses cold storage for most funds, two-factor authentication (2FA), and anti-phishing codes.
Deribit: Holds over 99% of funds in cold storage, offers 2FA, IP whitelisting, and withdrawal delays for extra protection.
Neither has suffered major hacks, but Deribit’s security is more conservative, partly because it handles fewer assets.
8. Regulation and KYC
MEXC allows trading without mandatory KYC up to certain withdrawal limits, appealing to privacy-focused users. However, full verification unlocks higher withdrawal limits and fiat on/off ramps.
Deribit requires KYC for all users due to compliance with international regulations. This makes it less private but more aligned with institutional requirements.
If anonymity is important, MEXC offers more flexibility. For traders who prefer a fully compliant environment, Deribit is the safer bet.
9. Extra Features
MEXC: Offers spot trading, futures, margin trading, copy trading, staking, launchpad access, and various earning programs.
Deribit: Focuses purely on derivatives and doesn’t provide staking or spot trading. However, it excels in analytics tools, volatility indexes, and institutional APIs.
MEXC is better for traders who want multiple ways to earn and diversify. Deribit is for traders who live and breathe derivatives.
10. Which Should You Choose?
Choose MEXC if you want a large variety of cryptocurrencies, low fees for casual trading, copy trading options, and a platform that supports both beginners and pros.
Choose Deribit if your main focus is BTC/ETH derivatives, you need professional-grade options tools, and you prefer deep liquidity for large positions.
Final Verdict
Neither platform is objectively “better” because they serve different purposes. MEXC is a versatile, user-friendly exchange ideal for traders who want access to thousands of cryptocurrencies and various earning opportunities. Deribit is a specialized platform designed for serious derivatives traders seeking the deepest BTC and ETH liquidity and advanced options strategies.
In short: MEXC wins for variety and accessibility; Deribit wins for professional derivatives trading. Your choice should align with your trading style, asset preferences, and experience level.
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