Disclaimer: This information should not be interpreted as an endorsement of cryptocurrency or any specific
provider, service or offering. It is not a recommendation to trade.
Bithumb breaches
Bithumb was hacked twice in 2017, and the personal data of more than 30,000 customers was stolen.
It was hacked again in June 2018 and around US$30 million of cryptocurrency was stolen. Another heist took place less than a year later, and a further $20 million of cryptocurrency was stolen from the exchange in March 2019.
If you’re looking for an exchange with a strong security record, you may want to look at alternatives to Bithumb.
What is Bithumb?
Founded in 2013, Bithumb is a cryptocurrency exchange based in Seoul, South Korea. It’s one of the world’s largest exchanges in terms of trading volume and allows its users to trade 15 major cryptocurrencies against the South Korean won (KRW). The platform is run by BTC Korea.com Co. Ltd and offers iOS and Android mobile trading apps.
In March 2018, Bithumb announced plans to put kiosks in restaurants and cafes across South Korea, offering customers the option to pay for their food orders with cryptocurrency.
Which fiat and cryptocurrencies are supported?
- Supported fiat currencies:
KRW
- Supported cryptocurrencies:
Approximately 118 cryptocurrencies
Which payment methods are accepted?
Bithumb only accepts fiat currency (KRW) deposits from Korean residents. All other users will need to fund their account with cryptocurrency deposits.
Available countries
While Bithumb is mainly targeted toward South Korean users, it also offers its platform to users in countries around the world, including the US. Contact Bithumb directly for a full list of supported countries, but take note that according to the website’s terms and conditions, you’ll need to be 19 years of age or older to use the platform.
How much will it cost me to use Bithumb?
Bithumb’s trading fees are outlined in the table below.
Basic commission | 0.25% |
Discount coupon | 0.04% – 0.2% |
* “Discounted fixed-amount coupons” can be purchased from the Bithumb website and allow users to access lower commissions.
Fees may also apply to deposits and withdrawals to and from your Bithumb account.
Korean won (KRW) | Free | KRW1,000 |
Cryptocurrency | Blockchain fees | Blockchain fees |
Are there any transfer limits?
Maximum limits apply to the amount you’re able to withdraw from your account per day and per month, but these limits vary depending on the level of account verification you’ve achieved. You can upgrade your authentication level by performing tasks like verifying your phone number or submitting photo ID.
Minimum withdrawal limits also apply as follows:
Korean won (KRW) | Free |
Cryptocurrency | Based on blockchain fees |
Is it safe to use Bithumb?
Bithumb made headlines in mid-2017 when it announced that it had been the victim of a hack. The personal information of more than 30,000 customers was stolen during the hack, and some users reported that their funds were stolen. A separate breach in July caused the data of more than 3,400 customers to be leaked, and the two incidents prompted South Korea’s Communications Commission to impose a KRW60 million fine on the exchange.
The exchange was then hacked in June 2018, and US$30 million equivalent of cryptocurrency was stolen. It suffered another theft in March 2019, and another $20 million of cryptocurrency was lost.
With this in mind, it’s well worth researching the features this platform has to offer before deciding whether or not to register.
When you sign up for an account with Bithumb, you’ll need to enter and verify your name, email address and phone number. You’ll also need to create a secure password for your account that must be between 8 and 12 characters long and contain a combination of upper- and lowercase letters, numbers and special characters. A four-digit security PIN is also required to withdraw or transfer funds from your account.
Compare alternatives to Bithumb
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Cryptocurrencies
ATOM, BAT, BTC, BCH, XRP, DAI, DASH, EOS, ETH, ETC & 30+ more
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Deposit method
Bank transfer (ACH), Credit card, Debit card, Bank transfer (SEPA), Wire transfer
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Trading fee
Fees vary
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Withdraw fees
Instant Card Withdrawal: Up to 1.5% of the transaction plus a minimum of $0.55
Outgoing Wire Transfer: $25
Fees vary by location and payment method.
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BTC, ETH, BCH, XRP, DASH, LTC, ETC, ADA, MIOTA, XLM & 5+ more
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Deposit method
Bank transfer, Credit card, Debit card, Neteller, PayPal, Online banking, Skrill
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Trading fee
Fees vary. Overnight and weekend fees apply
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Withdraw fees
US$5 (minimum withdrawal of US$50)
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Cryptocurrencies
BTC, ETH, USDT, XRP, ATOM, XTZ, XLM, LINK, CRO, BCH & 50+ more
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Deposit method
Credit card, Cryptocurrency, PayPal, TransferWise, SEPA
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Trading fee
Maker: 0.04-0.20%
Taker: 0.10-0.20%
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Withdraw fees
Cryptocurrency: Fees vary
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Customer support
Customer support is a key feature of Bithumb’s service, and you can get in touch with the customer help team 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The international customer support line offers multilingual assistance. You can also email your question to the team or access live online support through your account. Bithumb also maintains a small database of FAQs along with the answers.
Pros and cons
Pros
- 24/7/365 customer support in multiple languages
- Competitive 0.15% commission on trades
- Access to a range of the world’s most popular crypto coins and tokens
- Simple and straightforward exchange platform
- High liquidity due to its popularity
- A range of order types available
Cons
- Targeted mainly at South Korean users
- Some translation issues on the English version of the website
- Fiat deposits only available to Korean residents
- Prior security issues that left user information vulnerable to theft
- Other exchanges provide access to a greater range of digital currencies
Disclosure: At the time of writing, the author holds IOTA and XLM.
Disclaimer: Cryptocurrencies are speculative, complex and involve significant risks – they are highly
volatile and sensitive to secondary activity. Performance is unpredictable and past performance is no guarantee of
future performance. Consider your own circumstances, and obtain your own advice, before relying on this information.
You should also verify the nature of any product or service (including its legal status and relevant regulatory
requirements) and consult the relevant Regulators' websites before making any decision. Finder, or the author, may
have holdings in the cryptocurrencies discussed.