Gate.io Review 2025: The Altcoin King with 1800+ Cryptocurrencies

Quick Summary

What is Gate.io?

Gate.io is one of the oldest cryptocurrency exchanges, founded in 2013 (12 years operational history). With 1800+ cryptocurrencies—more than any other major exchange—Gate.io has earned its reputation as the "altcoin king" by aggressively listing new and obscure tokens quickly.

Gate.io processes $2-3 billion in daily trading volume and serves users in 190+ countries. Two key differentiators set Gate.io apart: (1) Massive altcoin selection (5x more coins than Binance), and (2) Optional KYC allowing 2 BTC daily withdrawals without identity verification—unique flexibility among major exchanges.

Key Features

1. Most Cryptocurrencies in the Industry (1800+)

Gate.io's defining feature is its massive cryptocurrency selection:

• 1800+ trading pairs as of November 2025
• 5x more than Binance (350+)
• 6x more than OKX (300+)
• 4.5x more than Bybit (400+)

Why so many coins?

• Gate.io lists new tokens very quickly (often within days of launch)
• Lower listing requirements than Binance/Coinbase
• Focus on long-tail altcoins and emerging projects
• Startup platform for token launches

Warning: Many of these 1800+ coins are extremely low-quality or potential scams. Always DYOR (do your own research) before trading obscure altcoins.

2. Optional KYC (Unique Flexibility)

Unlike Binance and OKX which require mandatory KYC, Gate.io offers flexible verification:

Without KYC (Level 0):

• 2 BTC daily withdrawal limit
• Spot trading fully allowed
• Futures trading allowed
• No fiat deposits (crypto only)
• Limited customer support

With KYC Level 1:

• 100 BTC daily withdrawal limit
• Fiat deposits enabled
• Full customer support
• Takes 5-15 minutes

With KYC Level 2:

• 500 BTC daily withdrawal limit
• OTC trading access
• Takes 1-3 business days

This makes Gate.io attractive for users who want privacy or cannot complete KYC due to jurisdiction limitations.

3. Early Altcoin Listings

Gate.io specializes in listing new projects before major exchanges:

• Fast listing process: New tokens often listed within days
• Startup platform: Token sales and initial listings
• First-mover advantage: Trade new coins before they hit Binance/Coinbase
• High risk/reward: Early access to potential 100x gains (or losses)

Examples: Many popular altcoins were listed on Gate.io months before appearing on Binance.

4. Comprehensive Trading Options

Available on Gate.io:

• Spot Trading: 1800+ pairs with 0.15% fees
• Perpetual Futures: Up to 125x leverage
• Delivery Futures: Quarterly and bi-quarterly contracts
• Margin Trading: Up to 10x leverage on select pairs
• Copy Trading: Follow and replicate top traders
• Options Trading: Crypto options for advanced strategies
• ETF Trading: Leveraged ETF products (3x, 5x)
• Staking & Earn: Hodl & Earn, Lending (5-20% APY)
• Startup (IEO): Early access to new token sales

5. Copy Trading

Gate.io offers established copy trading platform:

• Browse top traders: Filter by profit, win rate, followers
• Transparent statistics: Detailed performance history
• Customizable settings: Set copy amount, stop-loss, take-profit
• Profit sharing: Traders earn % of follower profits (typically 10-20%)
• Available for: Both spot and futures

6. Security Features

• 12 years operational with no major security breaches
• Cold storage: Majority of funds offline
• 2FA authentication: Google Authenticator, SMS
• Multi-signature wallets: Multiple approvals required
• Proof of Reserves: $100M+ verified regularly
• Anti-phishing protection
• Withdrawal whitelist

Comparison with Competitors

Key Takeaway: Gate.io wins on coin selection (1800+) and KYC flexibility. Competitors win on fees and liquidity. Choose Gate.io for altcoins, others for mainstream trading.

Advantages

1. Most cryptocurrencies in industry: 1800+ coins (5x more than Binance, 6x more than OKX)
2. Optional KYC: Trade with 2 BTC daily withdrawal without verification (unique among major CEX)
3. Early altcoin listings: New tokens listed quickly, first-mover advantage
4. Long operational history: Since 2013 (12 years, no major hacks)
5. 125x leverage: Matches Binance's maximum
6. Copy trading platform: Established and mature
7. Startup platform: Early access to new token sales (IEO)
8. Multiple trading options: Spot, futures, margin, options, ETFs
9. Global availability: 190+ countries
10. GT token benefits: Fee discounts, staking rewards, VIP access

Disadvantages

1. 50% higher fees than Binance: 0.15% vs 0.1% (87% higher than OKX's 0.08%)
2. 10x lower volume than Binance: $2-3B vs $20B (less liquidity)
3. Many low-quality altcoins: 1800+ coins includes many scams and dead projects
4. Lower liquidity on obscure pairs: High slippage on small-cap altcoins
5. Complex interface: Overwhelming for beginners
6. Higher withdrawal fees: More expensive than Binance/OKX
7. Customer support issues: Can be slow, especially without KYC
8. Less brand recognition: Not as trusted as Binance/Coinbase

Trading Fees Breakdown

Spot Trading Fees

Futures Trading Fees

Withdrawal Fees (Common Cryptocurrencies)

Note: Gate.io withdrawal fees are generally 20-40% higher than Binance/OKX. Use TRC20 for cheapest USDT withdrawals.

How to Get Started on Gate.io

Step 1: Create Account

Visit Gate.io or use referral link:

1. Click "Sign Up" in top right
2. Enter email or phone number
3. Create strong password
4. Verify email/phone with code
5. Accept Terms of Service

Note: You can start trading immediately without KYC!

Step 2: Security Setup (Required)

1. Enable 2FA: Settings → Security → Two-Factor Authentication
   • Google Authenticator (recommended) or SMS
   • Save backup key securely
2. Set Fund Password: Extra password for withdrawals
3. Anti-Phishing Code: Verify official Gate.io emails

Step 3: Optional KYC Verification

Without KYC: 2 BTC daily withdrawal, full spot/futures trading

With Level 1 KYC (5-15 minutes):

1. Navigate to Profile → Verification
2. Upload government ID (passport, driver's license)
3. Complete facial recognition
4. Benefit: 100 BTC daily withdrawal, fiat deposits

With Level 2 KYC (1-3 days):

• Proof of address required
• Benefit: 500 BTC daily withdrawal, OTC access

Step 4: Deposit Funds

Option A: Crypto Transfer (No KYC Required)

• Navigate to Wallet → Deposit
• Select cryptocurrency and network
• Copy deposit address
• Send from external wallet
• Fee: Network fees only

Option B: Credit Card (KYC Required)

• Buy Crypto → Card Payment
• Enter amount
• Enter card details
• Fee: 3-5%
• Processing: Instant

Option C: P2P Trading (Optional KYC)

• Buy Crypto → P2P Trading
• Browse sellers
• Choose payment method
• Fee: 0-1%

Step 5: Start Trading

1. Navigate to Spot Trading for basic trading
2. Search from 1800+ trading pairs
3. Select pair (e.g., BTC/USDT)
4. Choose order type (Market, Limit, Stop-Limit)
5. Enter amount
6. Review (0.15% fee)
7. Confirm trade

🚀 Start Trading on Gate.io Now →

Gate.io vs Competitors: Detailed Comparison

Gate.io vs Binance

Gate.io vs OKX

Gate.io vs Bybit

Gate.io vs DEXs (AsterDEX, Hyperliquid)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are Gate.io trading fees?

Gate.io charges 0.15% maker and 0.15% taker fees for spot trading. This is:

• 50% higher than Binance (0.1%)
• 87% higher than OKX (0.08%)
• 50% higher than Bybit (0.1%)

Futures trading fees are lower: 0.015% maker / 0.05% taker.

With GT token holdings, you can get up to 25% discount (0.1125% effective fee). VIP tiers offer lower fees for high-volume traders (down to 0.03% at VIP 16).

How many cryptocurrencies does Gate.io support?

Gate.io supports 1800+ cryptocurrencies as of November 2025, making it the exchange with the most coins in the industry. This is:

• 5x more than Binance (350+)
• 6x more than OKX (300+)
• 4.5x more than Bybit (400+)
• 18x more than Coinbase (100+)

Gate.io specializes in listing new and obscure altcoins quickly, often within days of token launch. This gives traders early access to emerging projects but also comes with higher risk of scams and low-quality tokens.

Is Gate.io safe and legal?

Safety: Gate.io has strong security record:

• Operating since 2013 (12 years) with no major security breaches
• Cold storage for majority of funds
• 2FA, multi-signature wallets
• Proof of Reserves: $100M+ verified
• Regular security audits

Legality: Gate.io legal status varies by jurisdiction:

• ✅ Available in 190+ countries
• ⚠️ United States: Limited services (no futures for US users)
• ❌ Banned in China (mainland), Singapore, Japan

Gate.io has obtained several regulatory licenses including MSB registration in multiple US states, though it's not fully compliant for all US users.

Can I use Gate.io without KYC?

Yes! Gate.io allows trading without KYC verification with the following limits:

Without KYC (Level 0):

• ✅ Spot trading: Fully allowed
• ✅ Futures trading: Fully allowed
• ✅ Withdrawals: Up to 2 BTC daily
• ❌ Fiat deposits: Not allowed (crypto only)
• ⚠️ Customer support: Limited priority

This makes Gate.io one of the few major exchanges still offering optional KYC. Binance, OKX, and Bybit all require mandatory KYC.

Recommendation: Complete at least Level 1 KYC (5-15 minutes) to unlock 100 BTC daily withdrawals and full customer support.

What countries is Gate.io banned in?

Gate.io is restricted or banned in the following jurisdictions:

Completely banned or severely restricted:

• China (mainland)
• Singapore
• Japan
• North Korea
• Iran, Syria (sanctions)

Limited services:

• United States (no futures for US users, limited features)
• United Kingdom (FCA warning, limited services)
• Canada (some provinces restricted)

Gate.io operates in 190+ countries globally. However, some features may be limited based on local regulations. Always check current availability in your jurisdiction.

Is Gate.io better than Binance?

Gate.io is better for:

• Altcoin hunting (1800+ coins vs 350+)
• KYC flexibility (2 BTC daily without verification)
• Early access to new tokens

Binance is better for:

• Lower fees (33% cheaper: 0.1% vs 0.15%)
• Much higher liquidity (10x volume: $20B vs $2B)
• Insurance protection ($1B SAFU fund)
• Brand trust and customer support
• Mainstream trading

Verdict: For 90% of traders, Binance is the better choice due to lower fees and higher liquidity. Choose Gate.io specifically if you:

• Hunt for obscure altcoins before they hit major exchanges
• Cannot or don't want to complete KYC
• Want access to 1800+ tokens for speculation

What is Gate.io maximum leverage?

Gate.io offers up to 125x leverage on perpetual futures for major cryptocurrency pairs like BTC and ETH. This matches Binance and is higher than OKX (100x) and Bybit (100x).

Maximum leverage depends on:

• Position size: Larger positions have lower max leverage
• Account verification: Higher KYC levels may unlock higher limits
• Local regulations: Some jurisdictions limit maximum leverage

Other trading modes:

• Margin trading: Up to 10x leverage on select pairs
• ETF products: Pre-leveraged 3x, 5x tokens

Risk Warning: 125x leverage is extremely dangerous. A 0.8% adverse price move causes complete liquidation.

Does Gate.io have good liquidity?

Gate.io has moderate liquidity with $2-3 billion daily trading volume. To put this in perspective:

• 10x lower than Binance ($20B)
• 6x lower than OKX ($12B)
• 5-7x lower than Bybit ($15B)
• Similar to Kraken ($2B)

Liquidity by coin type:

• Major pairs (BTC, ETH, major altcoins): Good liquidity, low slippage
• Mid-cap altcoins: Moderate liquidity, some slippage on larger orders
• Small-cap/obscure coins: Low liquidity, high slippage, use limit orders

Recommendation: Gate.io liquidity is adequate for small-to-medium trades ($1k-$50k). For larger positions, consider Binance or OKX for better execution.

What is Gate.io copy trading?

Gate.io offers established copy trading platform allowing beginners to automatically replicate trades from experienced traders:

How it works:

1. Browse top-performing traders (filter by profit, win rate, max drawdown)
2. Review detailed trader statistics and strategy
3. Click "Copy" and set parameters:
   • Copy amount (minimum varies)
   • Stop-loss percentage
   • Maximum positions to copy
4. System automatically replicates trader's positions
5. Profit sharing: You typically pay 10-20% of profits to the trader

Available for: Both spot and futures trading

Gate.io's copy trading is more established than Binance's but less popular than Bybit's. Good feature for beginners but doesn't eliminate risk.

How long does Gate.io verification take?

Remember: Verification is optional on Gate.io!

Level 1 KYC (5-15 minutes):

1. Upload government ID (passport, driver's license, national ID)
2. Complete facial recognition (selfie + liveness check)
3. Automated approval (typically instant)
4. Manual review if flagged (up to 24 hours)
5. Benefit: 100 BTC daily withdrawal, fiat deposits enabled

Level 2 KYC (1-3 business days):

• Proof of address required (utility bill, bank statement)
• Additional document verification
• Benefit: 500 BTC daily withdrawal, OTC trading access

What are Gate.io withdrawal fees?

Gate.io withdrawal fees are generally 20-40% higher than Binance and OKX:

• Bitcoin (BTC): 0.0005 BTC (~$34 at $67k) vs Binance 0.0004 BTC ($27)
• Ethereum (ETH): 0.007 ETH (~$24) vs Binance 0.005 ETH ($17)
• USDT (TRC20): 1 USDT - Same as competitors
• USDT (ERC20): 12 USDT vs Binance 10 USDT
• GT Token: 5 GT (~$25)

Pro tip: Use TRC20 network for USDT withdrawals to minimize fees ($1 vs $12 on ERC20).

Does Gate.io support fiat deposits?

Yes (with KYC Level 1+), Gate.io supports fiat deposits through multiple methods:

• Credit/Debit Card: Visa, Mastercard (3-5% fee, instant)
• Bank Transfer: SEPA, wire transfer (free or low fee, 1-3 days)
• P2P Trading: Buy from other users (0-1% fee, various payment methods)
• Third-party processors: Simplex, Banxa, MoonPay

Supported fiat currencies: USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, and 20+ others depending on your region.

Note: Without KYC, you can only deposit cryptocurrency. Fiat deposits require at least Level 1 verification.

What is Gate.io GT token?

GT is Gate.io's native utility token launched in 2019. Current price: ~$5 per GT.

GT token benefits:

• Trading fee discount: Up to 25% reduction (0.15% → 0.1125%)
• VIP tier upgrades: Holding GT increases your VIP level
• Voting rights: Vote on new token listings
• Staking rewards: 5-10% APY for locking GT
• Startup access: Exclusive participation in new token sales (IEO)
• Airdrops: Priority for platform airdrops and promotions
• Lower withdrawal fees: Pay fees in GT for discounts

GT works similarly to BNB on Binance or OKB on OKX—providing various platform benefits for holders.

What are Gate.io advantages?

Main advantages of using Gate.io:

1. Most cryptocurrencies in industry: 1800+ coins (5x more than Binance)
2. Optional KYC: Trade with 2 BTC daily withdrawal without identity verification
3. Early altcoin listings: New tokens listed within days, first-mover advantage for gains
4. Long operational history: Since 2013 (12 years, no major hacks)
5. 125x leverage: Matches Binance's maximum
6. Copy trading platform: Established and functional
7. Startup (IEO) platform: Early access to new token sales
8. Multiple trading options: Spot, futures, margin, options, ETFs
9. Global availability: 190+ countries
10. GT token ecosystem: Fee discounts, staking, exclusive access

What are Gate.io disadvantages?

Main disadvantages of Gate.io:

1. 50% higher fees than Binance: 0.15% vs 0.1% (87% higher than OKX's 0.08%)
2. 10x lower volume than Binance: $2-3B vs $20B (significantly less liquidity)
3. Many low-quality altcoins: 1800+ includes numerous scams, dead projects, rug pulls
4. Lower liquidity on obscure pairs: High slippage on small-cap altcoins
5. Complex, overwhelming interface: Not beginner-friendly
6. Higher withdrawal fees: 20-40% more expensive than Binance/OKX
7. Customer support issues: Can be slow, especially for non-KYC users
8. Less brand recognition: Not as trusted or well-known as Binance/Coinbase

Related Resources

• Binance Review - Compare with market leader
• OKX Review - Lowest fees (0.08%)
• DEX vs CEX Comparison - Gate.io vs decentralized alternatives
• AsterDEX Review - No-KYC alternative with 1001x leverage
• Hyperliquid Review - Zero gas fees DEX
• All DEX Platforms - Complete decentralized exchange directory

Conclusion

Gate.io occupies a unique niche as the "altcoin king" with 1800+ cryptocurrencies (5x more than Binance) and optional KYC allowing 2 BTC daily withdrawals without verification. With 12 years operational history since 2013 and no major security breaches, Gate.io has proven reliability despite lower brand recognition.

Best for: Altcoin hunters seeking early access to emerging tokens before they hit major exchanges, traders wanting KYC flexibility/privacy, users in jurisdictions with KYC limitations, speculators targeting high-risk/high-reward small-cap projects.

Not recommended for: Beginners (complex interface), mainstream traders prioritizing low fees (0.15% vs Binance 0.1%), large position traders needing deep liquidity, users wanting insurance protection (no SAFU fund like Binance).

Final verdict: Gate.io serves a specific purpose—altcoin speculation and KYC flexibility—but isn't ideal for mainstream crypto trading. The 50% higher fees and 10x lower liquidity vs Binance are significant drawbacks. However, if you're hunting for the next 100x small-cap gem or need to trade without KYC, Gate.io remains one of the best options available. Just be aware that many of those 1800+ coins are low-quality or scams—always DYOR (do your own research).

🚀 Start Trading on Gate.io Now →