Most crypto exchanges let you trade Bitcoin, Ethereum, and a bunch of altcoins. But if you're looking to trade INX crypto exchange, you're stepping into something very different. This isn't just another exchange. INX is one of the very few platforms in the world that's fully registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to trade both cryptocurrencies and security tokens. That means you can buy Bitcoin like normal - but you can also buy tokenized shares of real estate, private companies, or even debt instruments, all legally and with full regulatory oversight.
What Makes INX Different?
INX doesn't compete with Binance or Coinbase on volume or coin count. It competes on compliance. While other exchanges operate in a legal gray area, INX has gone through the full SEC registration process under Regulation ATS, Regulation D, Regulation A+, and Regulation S. That’s rare. Only two other platforms - tZERO and OpenFinance - have done the same. For institutional investors, accredited investors, or anyone who wants to avoid regulatory risk, this matters.
The platform supports seven major cryptocurrencies: Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Litecoin (LTC), Avalanche (AVAX), Zcash (ZEC), Ripple (XRP), and Solana (SOL). That’s a small selection compared to the 200+ coins on bigger exchanges. But INX isn’t trying to be a speculative trading hub. Its real strength is in security tokens - digital assets that represent ownership in real-world assets like commercial property, startup equity, or private credit funds.
As of October 2025, 47 companies have issued security tokens through INX’s platform. RealT, a real estate tokenization firm, and Goldfinch, a decentralized credit platform, are among them. These aren’t speculative tokens. They’re legally recognized securities, backed by tangible assets and subject to the same disclosure rules as traditional stocks.
How Trading Works on INX
Trading on INX is straightforward. You get standard order types: limit, market, stop-limit, and stop-market. The interface is clean, with TradingView-powered candlestick charts, full order books, and market depth graphs. It works just as well on mobile as it does on desktop. There’s no leverage, no futures, no perpetual contracts. If you’re looking to go long on Bitcoin with 10x leverage, you won’t find it here. That’s intentional.
Transaction fees can be paid in USD, BTC, or ETH, but the exact fee schedule isn’t published publicly. Based on user reports, typical spreads for major pairs like BTC/USD range from 0.5% to 1.0% - significantly wider than the 0.1%-0.2% you’d see on Coinbase or Binance. This is because INX has lower trading volume. Daily volume hovers around $5-7 million, compared to Binance’s $15-20 billion. Lower liquidity means less price stability, especially on larger trades. One user on Bitcointalk reported a 0.8% slippage on a $50,000 ETH trade - something that would be nearly impossible on a top-tier exchange.
The platform uses a sequential transaction processing system - meaning trades are handled one after another, not in parallel. This makes it slower under heavy load but more secure. In August 2025, INX announced it was integrating with the Avalanche blockchain to improve throughput. That’s a direct response to criticism from experts like Dr. Sarah Chen of MIT, who warned that the old architecture could cause delays during market volatility.
Security and Custody
Security is where INX shines. It partners with BitGo Trust Company, Inc. as its qualified custodian. BitGo holds assets in both hot and cold wallets, using multi-signature technology that meets Rule 206(4)-2 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. That’s the same standard used by traditional financial firms managing institutional portfolios.
Every transaction is recorded on the blockchain and verified through INX’s Smart Contract Guarantee feature - a transparency tool that lets users verify that their trades were executed exactly as ordered. On Trustpilot, 87 verified users gave INX a 4.1/5 rating in October 2025, with many citing this feature as a major reason they trust the platform.
The platform also holds a Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) license from Gibraltar’s Financial Services Commission, making it one of the few exchanges with dual regulatory oversight - SEC in the U.S. and GFSC in Europe. This gives international users more confidence, especially those in regions with unclear crypto laws.
Who Is INX For?
INX isn’t for everyone. If you’re a retail trader chasing meme coins or trying to swing trade with leverage, you’ll find it too slow, too limited, and too expensive. But if you’re an accredited investor, financial advisor, or institutional client looking to get exposure to digital securities, INX is one of the safest options on the planet.
Financial advisors are increasingly recommending INX to clients who want to diversify into digital assets without stepping outside legal boundaries. One Reddit user, u/CryptoComplianceGuy, wrote in August 2025: “INX is the only platform I feel comfortable recommending to clients for security tokens - the 24/7 trading of SEC-registered assets is revolutionary compared to traditional market hours.”
Traditional stock exchanges like NYSE and Nasdaq are starting to explore tokenization too. But they’re years behind INX in execution. INX has already processed dozens of tokenized offerings. It’s not just a platform - it’s a full-service issuer for companies wanting to tokenize assets. From legal structuring to SEC filings to listing and trading, INX handles it all.
Pros and Cons
| Feature | INX | Competitors (e.g., Coinbase, Binance) |
|---|---|---|
| SEC Registration | Yes | No |
| Security Token Trading | Yes | No |
| Cryptocurrencies Available | 7 | 200+ |
| Leverage & Futures | No | Yes |
| Trading Volume (Daily) | $5-7 million | $15-20 billion |
| Spread (BTC/USD) | 0.5%-1.0% | 0.1%-0.2% |
| Custody | BitGo Trust (SEC-compliant) | Third-party custodians (varies) |
| Mobile App Rating | 4.3/5 (1,247 reviews) | 4.5-4.7/5 |
Getting Started and Support
Signing up for INX requires a full KYC/AML process - standard for regulated platforms. But to trade security tokens, you also need to prove you’re an accredited investor. That means providing documents like tax returns, bank statements, or letters from a lawyer or accountant. The full verification process takes 3-5 business days, longer than most crypto exchanges.
Once verified, you’ll spend about an hour setting up your account, learning how security tokens work, and linking your wallet. The platform offers video tutorials, but if you’re coming from a traditional brokerage, the concept of blockchain-based ownership and gas fees can be confusing at first.
Customer support is available 24/7 via live chat and email. Chat responses average 12 minutes. Email replies take about 4.5 hours - faster than most regulated platforms. The official Discord server has 12,500 members, and the subreddit r/INXPlatform has 8,200 subscribers. It’s not as active as r/CryptoCurrency, but the discussions are more focused on compliance and long-term investing.
What’s Next for INX?
INX has a clear roadmap. By Q2 2026, it plans to expand its cryptocurrency list to 15 coins, introduce staking for proof-of-stake assets like ETH and SOL, and launch a dedicated institutional API with FIX protocol support - a feature institutions demand for automated trading.
The global security token market is projected to grow at 38.7% per year through 2030. INX currently holds about 18.3% of that market. Bernstein Research forecasts it could hit $50 million in annual revenue by 2027, mostly from fees charged to companies issuing security tokens - typically 3% to 7% of the total offering size.
SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce said in March 2025: “Platforms like INX that operate within clear regulatory frameworks while innovating are essential for the maturation of digital asset markets.” That’s not just praise - it’s a signal that regulators see INX as a model for the future.
Final Thoughts
INX isn’t the fastest, cheapest, or most feature-packed crypto exchange. But it’s one of the most important. For anyone who cares about legality, transparency, and long-term value over short-term speculation, it’s a rare and valuable tool. It’s not built for day traders. It’s built for investors who want to be part of the next generation of financial markets - where stocks, real estate, and private equity can be traded on a blockchain, 24/7, under the watchful eye of regulators.
If you’re looking to buy Bitcoin for a quick flip, go elsewhere. But if you want to invest in tokenized real estate, private equity, or other regulated digital securities - and you want to do it legally - INX is one of the only places you can.
Is INX a safe crypto exchange?
Yes, INX is one of the safest crypto exchanges available. It’s fully registered with the U.S. SEC and holds a DLT license from Gibraltar’s financial regulator. It uses BitGo Trust Company as its custodian, which meets strict SEC standards for asset protection. Unlike most exchanges, INX doesn’t rely on unregulated third-party wallets. Its multi-signature cold storage and Smart Contract Guarantee feature provide transparency and security that few other platforms match.
Can I trade Bitcoin on INX?
Yes, you can trade Bitcoin on INX, along with six other major cryptocurrencies: Ethereum, Litecoin, Avalanche, Zcash, Ripple, and Solana. However, INX only offers these seven coins - far fewer than larger exchanges like Coinbase or Binance. If you’re looking to trade lesser-known altcoins or meme tokens, INX won’t be the right choice.
What are security tokens on INX?
Security tokens on INX represent ownership in real-world assets like real estate, private company shares, or debt instruments. They’re legally classified as securities by the SEC, meaning they’re subject to disclosure rules and investor protections - just like traditional stocks. Unlike utility tokens, security tokens can’t be traded freely by unaccredited investors. INX allows accredited investors to buy and sell these tokens 24/7, which is a major advantage over traditional markets that only operate during business hours.
Does INX offer margin trading or leverage?
No, INX does not offer margin trading, leverage, futures, or perpetual contracts. This is a deliberate design choice. The platform prioritizes compliance and stability over speculative trading. If you’re looking to amplify your gains (or losses) with leverage, you’ll need to use a different exchange. INX is built for long-term, regulated investing, not high-risk day trading.
How long does verification take on INX?
Standard KYC verification takes 1-2 business days. But if you want to trade security tokens, you must prove you’re an accredited investor, which requires additional documentation like tax returns or a letter from a financial professional. This extra step can take 3-5 business days. The process is longer than on most crypto exchanges, but it’s necessary to meet SEC requirements.
Is INX good for beginners?
INX is not ideal for absolute beginners. The platform assumes some knowledge of investing and blockchain basics. The verification process is more complex than on retail exchanges, and the focus on security tokens can be confusing if you’re used to trading Bitcoin or Ethereum alone. Beginners interested in regulated digital assets should start with educational resources and consider INX only after understanding what security tokens are and how they differ from regular cryptocurrencies.
What’s the future of INX?
INX is positioning itself as a leader in the regulated digital securities market. By 2026, it plans to add staking, expand its coin list to 15 assets, and launch an institutional API. With the global security token market projected to grow over 38% annually, INX is well-placed to capture a growing share. Its regulatory moat is its biggest advantage - as governments worldwide tighten crypto rules, platforms like INX will become more valuable, not less.