When it comes to choosing a cryptocurrency exchange, the decision can significantly impact your trading experience, security, and long-term investment success. In this detailed comparison, we analyze C-CEX and CEX.IO—two platforms that launched in the same year but have taken vastly different paths. While both exchanges entered the market in 2013, only one remains active and trusted by users today.
Our goal is to help you make an informed decision by evaluating key factors such as platform activity, user experience, trading features, security, and overall reliability. Whether you're new to crypto or looking to switch platforms, this guide delivers everything you need to know.
Platform Overview: Founding and Status
C-CEX: A Platform No Longer Active
C-CEX was founded in 2013 in Russia and operated as a centralized cryptocurrency exchange. However, as of June 1, 2019, C-CEX suspended all services. The website is no longer accessible, and users who hadn’t withdrawn their assets by that date lost access permanently.
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This makes C-CEX irrelevant for current use—no trading, no withdrawals, and no support. Despite its early presence in the market, the platform failed to maintain operations or transparency during its shutdown.
CEX.IO: A Global Player Still Thriving
In contrast, CEX.IO, also founded in 2013, remains one of the longest-running and most reliable exchanges in the industry. Based in the United Kingdom, CEX.IO operates under clear regulatory oversight and continues to serve users worldwide.
The platform supports major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH), along with over a dozen other digital assets. Originally starting as both an exchange and cloud mining provider, CEX.IO has evolved into a full-service crypto platform offering trading, staking, and wallet services.
Key Features Comparison
User Ratings and Trust Score
User feedback plays a critical role in assessing platform credibility.
- C-CEX: Holds a poor 1.9/5 user rating based on 9 reviews. Its Cryptogeek rating is just 1/5, with a Trust Score of 2.85/5—largely outdated due to inactivity.
- CEX.IO: Boasts a strong 4.2/5 user rating from 20 reviews. It also earns a 4.2/5 Cryptogeek rating and a high Trust Score of 4.26/5, reflecting its reliability and performance.
Clearly, CEX.IO outperforms C-CEX across every user satisfaction metric.
Language Support and Accessibility
Global accessibility matters for non-English speakers.
- C-CEX supported 4 languages: English, French, Russian, and Chinese.
- CEX.IO offers broader coverage with 5 languages: Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, Russian, and Chinese—making it more inclusive for Latin American and European users.
Mobile Experience
A mobile app enhances convenience for active traders.
- C-CEX never released a mobile application.
- CEX.IO provides fully functional apps for both iOS and Android, enabling on-the-go trading, price alerts, and portfolio management.
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Trading Capabilities
Trading Volume and Available Pairs
Liquidity and market depth are vital for efficient trading.
- C-CEX: Currently reports $0 trading volume and offers 0 trading pairs. The platform is defunct.
- CEX.IO: Reports a healthy 30-day trading volume of ~1.55 million BTC, with 51 active trading pairs and support for 15 cryptocurrencies.
More pairs mean more opportunities—but also require robust infrastructure. CEX.IO maintains stable performance even with expanded offerings.
Fiat Trading and Deposit Options
While neither platform currently supports direct fiat-to-crypto trading (such as USD or EUR deposits), CEX.IO has previously offered such services and may reintroduce them depending on region and compliance updates.
Deposits on CEX.IO vary by currency and network fees, whereas C-CEX once allowed free deposits—but these are now irrelevant due to service termination.
Margin Trading
Advanced traders often seek leverage options.
- C-CEX: Never offered margin trading.
- CEX.IO: Supports margin trading, allowing eligible users to trade with borrowed funds and increase potential returns (with increased risk).
This feature gives experienced traders greater flexibility on CEX.IO.
Security and Verification
Security is non-negotiable in the crypto space.
Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Both platforms implemented 2FA at some point, but only CEX.IO continues to enforce it actively.
Verification Status
- C-CEX: Listed as unverified, with no recent audits or public security reports.
- CEX.IO: Marked as verified, adhering to KYC (Know Your Customer) and AML (Anti-Money Laundering) regulations—essential for protecting user data and preventing fraud.
Company Transparency
CEX.IO provides full legal details:
- Registered Address: 2nd Floor, 1-5 Clerkenwell Road, London, EC1M 5PA, UK
- Company Number: 08757996
Such transparency builds trust and ensures accountability—something missing entirely from C-CEX’s legacy.
Social Media Presence
An active social footprint indicates ongoing engagement.
- C-CEX Twitter: @CryptoCurrEncyX – approximately 93,409 followers (largely inactive since 2019)
- CEX.IO Twitter: @cex_io – around 28,200 followers with regular updates on features, promotions, and security
Despite fewer followers, CEX.IO maintains consistent communication—a sign of an engaged and responsible team.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is C-CEX still operational?
No. C-CEX suspended all services on June 1, 2019. The website is offline, and users can no longer access their accounts or withdraw funds.
Can I use CEX.IO in my country?
CEX.IO serves customers globally, though availability varies by region due to local regulations. Check their official site for up-to-date country support.
Does CEX.IO charge high trading fees?
CEX.IO uses a tiered fee structure based on 30-day trading volume:
- Takers: From 0.25% down to 0.10%
- Makers: From 0.16% down to 0.00%
High-volume traders benefit from reduced or zero maker fees.
Is CEX.IO safe to use?
Yes. CEX.IO is a verified exchange with strong security protocols including 2FA, KYC verification, cold storage for funds, and regular system audits.
Why did C-CEX shut down?
The exact reasons haven’t been publicly disclosed. However, lack of transparency, minimal customer support, and absence of regulatory compliance likely contributed to its failure.
Should I consider older exchanges for better reliability?
Generally yes—exchanges that have survived market cycles since 2013 tend to be more trustworthy. But longevity alone isn’t enough; ongoing operation, security, and user satisfaction matter just as much.
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Final Verdict: Which Exchange Wins?
When comparing C-CEX vs CEX.IO, the answer is clear:
✅ Choose CEX.IO — it’s active, secure, user-friendly, and continuously evolving.
❌ Avoid C-CEX — it’s defunct, inaccessible, and poses financial risk if you still hold assets there (which cannot be recovered).
While both launched in 2013, only CEX.IO has demonstrated resilience, adaptability, and commitment to users.
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