3EX Exchange Comparison Tool
3EX Overview
- Launched: ~2019
- Focus: AI-powered trading
- Assets: ~150
- Maker Fee: 0.12%
- Leverage: Up to 5x
Binance Overview
- Launched: 2017
- Focus: Market leader
- Assets: ~1,400
- Maker Fee: 0% (on selected pairs)
- Leverage: Up to 125x
MEXC Overview
- Launched: 2020
- Focus: Competitive fees
- Assets: ~2,000
- Maker Fee: 0% (on selected pairs)
- Leverage: Up to 200x
AI Trading Capabilities
3EX offers integrated AI bots, while Binance and MEXC do not provide native AI solutions.
Fee Structure
3EX charges 0.12% maker / 0.18% taker fees, which are higher than Binance and MEXC’s zero-maker fee models.
Asset Variety
Binance and MEXC offer significantly more cryptocurrencies than 3EX (~1,400 vs ~2,000 vs ~150).
Leverage Options
3EX provides up to 5x leverage, whereas Binance and MEXC offer up to 125x and 200x respectively.
Recommendation
This 3EX crypto exchange review looks at the AI‑driven platform that claims to be the world’s first one‑stop crypto trading hub. We’ll break down its security stack, AI tools, fees, user experience and how it measures up against the big players like Binance and MEXC.
Key Takeaways
- 3EX blends AI trading bots with a traditional exchange interface, targeting both beginners and seasoned traders.
- Security relies on TLS, AES encryption and a cold‑wallet‑dominant fund storage model.
- Fee details are sparse, but the public fee schedule appears higher than the industry‑average zero‑maker‑fee models.
- Customer support is 24/7 multilingual, and the platform offers a solid library of educational content.
- Compared with Binance and MEXC, 3EX lags on asset variety and leverage options, but it stands out for its AI integration.
What Is 3EX?
3EX is a cryptocurrency exchange that markets itself as the first AI‑powered, one‑stop trading platform. Launched around 2019, the service has spent six years building a suite that mixes standard spot trading with automated AI strategies. The platform’s core promise is that users can let machine‑learning models handle trade execution while still retaining full control over their assets.
Security & Wallet Architecture
Security is a non‑negotiable factor for any exchange, and 3EX leans on multiple layers to protect user funds.
TLS is the protocol that encrypts data in transit between a user’s device and the exchange’s servers, preventing eavesdropping on login credentials or trade orders. In addition, AES provides symmetric encryption for stored data and wallet keys, which is considered industry‑standard for safeguarding sensitive information.
The platform separates funds into cold wallets offline storage devices that are never connected to the internet and hot wallets online wallets used for day‑to‑day trading operations. According to the exchange’s security overview, roughly 95% of user assets sit in cold storage, dramatically reducing exposure to hacks.
3EX also runs internal security audits periodic reviews of code, infrastructure and operational procedures. While the exact frequency isn’t public, the exchange states that audits happen “regularly” and that any findings are patched within days.
AI Trading Tools and Core Features
The standout feature is the AI trading suite. Users can enable pre‑built bots that analyze market sentiment, price trends and order‑book depth to generate trade signals. The AI claims to execute trades faster than a human could, leveraging low‑latency APIs. Unfortunately, the exchange does not disclose the underlying algorithms or success rates, so traders should treat the bots as assistance rather than a guarantee of profit.
Beyond AI, 3EX offers standard spot trading, a limited set of margin options (up to 5× leverage on major pairs), and rapid token listing - new projects appear on the market within days of their launch. The platform also provides staking for a handful of popular assets, though the list is far shorter than that of top‑tier exchanges.
Fees and Cost Structure
Public fee information on 3EX is thin. The exchange advertises a maker fee of 0.12% and a taker fee of 0.18% for most pairs, which is higher than zero‑maker‑fee models offered by Binance or MEXC. Withdrawal fees vary by blockchain; for example, Bitcoin withdrawals are quoted at 0.0005BTC, while ERC‑20 tokens cost $5 per transaction.
Because the AI bots automate trade execution, users may incur additional usage fees, but those charges are bundled into the overall percentage rate and are not broken out in the fee schedule. For high‑volume traders, the lack of a tiered discount structure could be a drawback.
User Experience, Education & Support
The UI is clean and uncluttered. The home screen presents a real‑time price ticker, quick‑access buttons for AI bots, and a sidebar with market news. Users can toggle between “Basic” and “Advanced” modes, keeping the interface approachable for newcomers.
Education is a core pillar. 3EX hosts a video library covering topics from “How to set up a wallet” to “Understanding AI trade signals”. There are also text‑based guides that walk a brand‑new trader through registration, KYC verification, and their first trade.
Customer support operates 24hours a day in English, Spanish, Mandarin, Russian and Arabic. Live chat is available on the website and within the mobile app, and email response times are typically under 12hours according to user reports.
How 3EX Stacks Up Against the Big Guys
| Feature | 3EX | Binance | MEXC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Launch Year | 2019 (approx.) | 2017 | 2020 |
| Supported Cryptocurrencies | ~150 (focus on major & emerging assets) | ~1,400 | ~2,000 |
| AI Trading Bots | Integrated AI suite (proprietary) | None (third‑party bots only) | None |
| Maker Fee | 0.12% | 0% (selected pairs) | 0% (selected pairs) |
| Taker Fee | 0.18% | 0.04%‑0.10% | 0.01% |
| Leverage (BTC/ETH) | Up to 5× | Up to 125× | Up to 200× |
| Cold‑Wallet % of Funds | ≈95% | ≈75% | ≈80% |
| Customer Support Hours | 24h multilingual | 24h (English, limited languages) | 24h (English, Chinese) |
Overall, 3EX shines in AI automation and multilingual support, but it trails behind the giants in asset breadth, leverage, and fee competitiveness.
Pros, Cons & Who Should Consider 3EX
- Pros
- Native AI trading bots for hands‑free trading.
- Strong security posture with TLS, AES and a high cold‑wallet ratio.
- Intuitive UI that adapts to beginner or advanced modes.
- 24/7 multilingual support and a solid educational library.
- Cons
- Higher maker/taker fees compared with zero‑fee competitors.
- Limited asset list and lower leverage options.
- Opaque details on AI algorithm performance and audit frequency.
- Regulatory status and licensing information are not publicly disclosed.
- Best For
- Traders who want an AI‑assisted approach without coding their own bots.
- Users who value multilingual support and a guided onboarding experience.
- Not Ideal For
- High‑frequency traders looking for ultra‑low fees and deep liquidity.
- Professionals needing a wide range of altcoins or high leverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 3EX regulated in the UK or EU?
3EX does not publish a specific regulatory license for the UK or EU. Potential users should verify the platform’s compliance status and consider using it only if they are comfortable with the lack of explicit licensing information.
How do the AI bots on 3EX actually work?
The bots analyze real‑time market data, order‑book depth and sentiment indicators. They then generate trade signals and can automatically place orders based on user‑defined risk parameters. Exact algorithmic details are proprietary and not disclosed publicly.
What is the minimum deposit to start trading on 3EX?
There is no enforced minimum; users can deposit as little as the network fee for the chosen blockchain, making it accessible for small‑scale traders.
Does 3EX offer a mobile app?
Yes, 3EX provides native iOS and Android apps that mirror the web UI, including AI bot controls and real‑time price alerts.
Can I use 3EX’s API for automated strategies?
An API is available for account data and order placement, but advanced AI bot integration is limited to the platform’s built‑in suite.
Overall, 3EX offers a niche blend of AI automation and solid security, but its higher fees and limited transparency may keep it from becoming a mainstream choice. If you’re curious about AI‑driven trading and value a multilingual help desk, it’s worth creating a test account and trying the bots with a small amount of capital.
Lara Decker
3EX’s AI hype is just a marketing ploy; the fees alone will eat any profit.
Anna Engel
Oh great, another exchange promising AI miracles while ignoring basic liquidity.
manika nathaemploy
i get the vibe that 3EX tries too hard, but the AI bots could actually help newbies if they’re not overhyped.
Mark Bosky
From a security standpoint, the 95% cold‑wallet allocation aligns with industry best practices, yet the fee structure remains suboptimal when compared to tiered models employed by larger exchanges.
Debra Sears
It's interesting how the platform emphasizes multilingual support; this could be a real advantage for non‑English speakers seeking guided onboarding.
Jasmine Kate
Honestly, the AI bots feel like a gimmick, and the limited asset list makes me wonder if they're just riding a trend.
Nicholas Kulick
3EX offers AI bots, but the lack of disclosed performance metrics is a red flag for serious traders.
Caleb Shepherd
Everyone talks about AI, but they never mention who actually controls those algorithms-big players could be pulling strings behind the scenes.
Heather Zappella
Short.
Jason Wuchenich
For beginners, the guided AI interface may lower the barrier to entry, provided they stay aware of fee impacts.
Kate O'Brien
Sure, but maybe the AI bots actually automate some of the grunt work, so the hype isn’t entirely baseless.
Ricky Xibey
Even if fees are high, the AI could offset losses through smarter trade timing.
Sal Sam
While the cold‑wallet ratio is commendable, the exchange’s lack of tiered fee discounts undermines its competitive edge.
Moses Yeo
One might argue that multilingual support is merely a veneer; the real test is how well they handle regulatory compliance across jurisdictions!
Marcus Henderson
Indeed, the AI suite may serve as a valuable educational tool, provided users recognize its limitations and avoid over‑reliance.
Andrew Lin
What’s the point of AI if you can’t even trade a decent number of altcoins? It’s like putting a turbo on a sedan with no gas.
Matthew Laird
Performance metrics aren’t needed when the marketing hype does all the heavy lifting for them.
Caitlin Eliason
🤔 Could be, but who’s to say the “big players” aren’t just us, the community, shaping the future.
Ken Pritchard
Even a short comment can spark a deeper discussion about the trade‑off between simplicity and feature depth.
Brian Lisk
When evaluating 3EX, the first thing that stands out is the promise of AI‑driven trading, which on paper sounds like a revolutionary step forward for retail investors.
However, as with any new technology, the devil is in the details, and the platform’s fee structure immediately raises eyebrows – a flat 0.12% maker fee and 0.18% taker fee are considerably higher than the zero‑maker models offered by established exchanges.
Security-wise, the claim that roughly 95% of funds reside in cold storage is reassuring, yet the lack of publicly disclosed audit frequency leaves a gap in transparency.
The user experience is polished; the UI toggles smoothly between “Basic” and “Advanced” modes, which can help novices get a foothold without being overwhelmed.
Education is clearly a priority, with video tutorials and written guides that cover everything from wallet setup to interpreting AI signals.
On the flip side, the asset list is a glaring limitation – about 150 cryptocurrencies pale in comparison to Binance’s 1,400 and MEXC’s 2,000, restricting diversification opportunities for traders.
Leverage options are also modest, capped at 5×, whereas competitors push the envelope up to 125× or even 200×, which may deter high‑risk traders looking for amplified exposure.
Another point of contention is the opacity surrounding the AI algorithms; without performance metrics or third‑party validation, users are essentially betting on a black box.
Regulatory clarity is also absent; the exchange does not disclose any licensing for the UK or EU, which could pose legal risks for residents in those jurisdictions.
Customer support, however, scores high marks with 24/7 multilingual availability, reducing friction for non‑English speakers.
The mobile app mirrors the web experience, offering on‑the‑go access to AI bots and real‑time price alerts.
For API developers, basic order placement is possible, but integration with the native AI suite remains limited, potentially restricting sophisticated automation strategies.
Overall, 3EX carves out a niche for users who value AI assistance and strong multilingual support, but the higher fees, limited asset range, and lack of transparency may keep it from mainstream adoption.
Potential users should start with a modest test fund to evaluate the AI’s real‑world performance before committing larger capital.
In summary, if you’re curious about AI‑driven trading and can tolerate higher fees for a guided experience, 3EX is worth a peek; otherwise, more established exchanges may offer better value.