Nexo is a leading crypto exchange and loans platform. It has a simple interface catering to beginners, but Nexo also provides some advanced features that cater to more experienced crypto traders.
The exchange breaks the barrier between digital assets and everyday finance via digital asset-backed loans and crypto bank cards with debit and credit modes. Nexo is beginner-friendly but versatile. As such, it best suits novice crypto enthusiasts seeking an all-in-one platform for conducting mostly simple and some occasional advanced trades.
Throughout this Nexo review, we'll take an in-depth look at the exchange, breaking down its features and availability. We'll explain how to register a Nexo account discuss the mobile app, highlight Nexo’s best features, compare it to other popular crypto exchanges, and break down why it is recognized as one of the best crypto lending platforms. Let's get started.
Pros
Cons
Nexo is a crypto exchange and loans platform co-founded by Antoni Trenchev and Kosta Kantchev in 2018. It focuses on building users' wealth through exchange, loans, and staking services. Nexo suits beginners and experienced users, making it a versatile Centralized Crypto Exchange (CEX).
Nexo is headquartered in Switzerland but has offices in Bulgaria and the UK. It boasts over 7 million users and manages more than $11 billion of assets, highlighting its popularity and position in the crypto industry.
Users seeking a regulated crypto investment platform will find Nexo interesting. It's registered and licensed the world over by leading authorities, including:
With its licenses, Nexo can operate across over 150 jurisdictions while complying with the latest regulations. While it follows UK regulatory requirements and provides investor categorization and suitability assessment forms, seeing the company attain Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) approval would benefit its UK operations.
Despite its commitment to regulatory compliance, Nexo has faced some controversies throughout its history. Most notably, the crypto trading platform had to pay $45 million in damages to the Securities and Exchange Commission and state regulators after offering interest on crypto deposits via an unregistered securities product.
Nexo has faced other difficulties. Former founder Georgi Shulev claims ownership of a $12 million wallet, with hearings expected in 2026. Ex-partner Sokol Iankov attempted to claim a 20% ownership stake worth $800 million, but the case was dismissed. Bulgarian authorities also raided Nexo, but found no wrongdoing.
Unfortunately, Nexo is not particularly transparent. The company doesn't disclose its proof of reserves, but claims to have $11 billion of assets under management. However, conditions and price changes impact this figure, so it doesn't accurately reflect user deposits or platform growth.
While it has faced some controversies and could improve its transparency, Nexo's security has never been compromised. It holds many security certificates, indicating the platform is safe for users, even if it's not forthcoming with its finances.
The sentiment surrounding Nexo is primarily positive. It boasts a 4.5/5 rating on Trustpilot and replies to 99% of negative reviews, usually within 24 hours, indicating good responsiveness and open communication.
User reviews indicate that the Nexo customer support team is efficient and the platform itself is solid. However, some people complain of delayed withdrawals or excessive fees, which could be problematic if efficiency is your priority.
Forums like Reddit offer insight into genuine user experiences, as stories are shared in greater detail. Most user Nexo reviews indicate that the exchange is trustworthy, has operated reliably, and has never paused withdrawals. However, they shared issues with staking products and cashback unavailability in the UK and the USA.
Learning how to use Nexo doesn't have to be challenging. Below, we explain how to get set up and start using this popular exchange and loans platform.
The Nexo sign-up process takes around 10 minutes and requires some basic personal information, typical of all exchanges. First, head to the Nexo homepage and click the blue 'Sign-up' button in the top right.
You can register with Google/Apple or an email address. Once you provide an email, you'll have to input a confirmation code. Then, Nexo requires you to pick a password. To enhance security, we recommend choosing a unique password that is not used on other exchanges.
Users must provide their personal information before verifying their account. Nexo requires your name and address. Then, you must enter your employment status, industry, total wealth, and funding source.
After providing your personal details, you must verify your identity. The process usually takes around 10 minutes and differs slightly for US-based and non-US customers. Nexo requires a photo ID (passport, driving license, ID card, etc.) and proof of address (bank statement, utility bill, etc.) dated within six months.
Once your account is verified, you're ready to fund it. Nexo lets people purchase crypto directly by linking a credit/debit card via the 'Buy crypto' button. Alternatively, the 'Add funds' button lets people deposit cash using bank transfer or crypto via on-chain transfers, providing plenty of options.
When your Nexo account is funded, you can use the swaps tool, acquire new assets, or access Nexo Pro to start trading. Based on our experience, it's advisable to withdraw any funds you plan on holding for extended periods to an external wallet, ideally a hardware wallet like a Ledger.
When I test a new crypto platform, user experience is one of the first things I consider. It impacts everything, from whether the exchange is beginner-friendly to the deposit process. Here's how Nexo fared:
Users will appreciate Nexo's intuitive interface. Most features are split between the main dashboard and the exchange menu, making it easy to locate key tools. The homepage takes a bit of getting used to as it displays credit line and interest earnings data, but there are no major learning curves.
However, the Nexo Pro trading platform can be easy to miss. While testing the platform, it never prompted me to check out the Nexo Pro, so users unfamiliar with the company's offerings may never find it and be stuck with the basic functionality, unable to conduct any detailed analysis.
Although it boasts some relatively complex features, Nexo is straightforward to navigate. I had no difficulty finding any feature (other than Nexo Pro) and appreciated the exchange's intuitive labelling. Buying Shiba Inu or navigating to the crypto loans feature was simple, making Nexo a solid choice for beginners.
Unlike a Decentralized Exchange (DEX), which can require some technical understanding, Nexo is a centralized exchange with a beginner-friendly interface. The login process is simple, and the menus do not use complex terminology, making Nexo more approachable.
Nexo clearly highlights key sections, but finding the crypto loans tool can be challenging as it's integrated on the homepage and isn't attention-grabbing. Nexo Pro is critical to the platform's trading capabilities, but no links exist. To find the platform, users must search for Nexo Pro on Google.
I accessed various areas and simulated purchases/trades for my Nexo review. Asset pages, charts, and data all loaded quickly. There was hardly a delay, which made navigation convenient. Some charts on Nexo Pro took an extra second or two to load due to it pulling from TradingView.
Overall, Nexo's interface and navigation system are excellent. Users can easily find what they're looking for, and key features load quickly. There's a slight delay on Nexo Pro, but that's to be expected when pulling data from an external source.
I found the Nexo mobile app highly useful on Android and iOS. Navigation is simple, with most features accessed via a menu at the bottom. It's responsive and displays pop-up tips when you access certain areas, which I found helpful. However, Nexo Pro isn't integrated, limiting viability for advanced users.
My Nexo app review found that it offers a few extra features compared to the desktop site. Users can get loans and buy Solana, along with 98 other cryptos. The swaps tool, for example, lets users set a target price at which the transaction will be executed, like a limit order.
It also has a 'Crypto Baskets' service, which lets people invest in a mixture of digital assets linked to a specific category, with a few button presses, providing near-instant diversification. Some of the bundles are layer-1 blockchains, exchange tokens, and Web3. The tool displays basket compositions and average performance.
Nexo commands strong reviews. It holds a 4.6/5 rating on the App Store (1,700 ratings), while Android Play Store users have awarded it 4.5/5 (nearly 47,000 ratings).
Users agree that Nexo suits beginners and that its staking, loans, and trading tools make it flexible. The main complaints center around excessive fees, difficulties withdrawing, and loan liquidations, but issues are sparse on the whole and only seem to impact a small percentage of users.
After testing countless platforms, I've found that each exchange is unique, but there are a few features most of the top cryptocurrency platforms share. These include the ability to buy/sell digital assets, crypto staking, and secure token storage. Here's what our Nexo crypto exchange review found:
Users have options for buying Bitcoin and 98 other digital assets. Nexo supports direct purchases via credit/debit cards or fiat/stablecoin balances. The tool is beginner-friendly and doesn’t feature charts or an order book. It supports recurring daily to monthly purchases for easy dollar-cost averaging (DCAing).
Alternatively, people can deposit cash into their Nexo account and use it for trades or purchases. Nexo uses proprietary tokenized currencies (USDx, EURx, GBPx) instead of traditional fiat currencies. Users can purchase them via card or bank transfer. Nexo also supports funding your account with crypto.
Nexo Pro is an advanced crypto trading platform. It's separate from the core Nexo platform but can be accessed with a regular Nexo account. It offers up to 50x leverage, an order book-based interface, TradingView integration, and various order types, making it ideal for experienced users seeking a robust trading experience.
Users will find Nexo to be a highly versatile exchange and crypto-backed loans platform. Thanks to its ability to swap between a simple beginner mode and a high-leverage trading mode with advanced features, Nexo can grow with you and support you as you gain experience.
While Nexo is most notable for its crypto loan services, I find that having access to robust trading tools is a significant benefit for any crypto platform. In Nexo's case, it lets people buy Cardano or other assets and swap them to maximize their staking earnings or their collateral's Loan-to-Value (LTV) ratio.
While testing the platform, I found Nexo's interface straightforward and relatively intuitive. It's fairly busy, but the trading features are easy to access via an 'Exchange' tab. The story is similar to that on the mobile app. There's a dedicated exchange section within the menu for easy navigation.
Users can swap crypto on the standard Nexo platform and access up to 3x leverage, but there's no typical order-book trading system. However, Nexo Pro offers advanced features like up to 100x leverage and TradingView integration, so many charting tools and technical indicators are available. It supports seven crypto trading order types:
| Order Type | How it Works |
| Market | Executes at the best current price |
| Limit | Executes at a specific, user-defined price |
| Stop Loss | Closes the trade when an asset hits a certain price to reduce losses |
| Take Profit | Close a portion of the trade when a target price is hit to secure profit |
| Trailing Stop | Adjusts as an asset's price increases to lower losses if the market reverses |
| One-Cancels-the-Other (OCO) | Places two orders and cancels one when the other is executed |
| TWAP | Time Weighted Average Price orders split a large trade into multiple smaller ones that are executed over a specific period |
The standard Nexo platform offers up to 3x margin on swaps, while Nexo Pro boasts a 5x margin and up to 100x leverage on futures pairs. In my experience, 100x is suitable for taking advantage of even the most minor moves, making Nexo surprisingly capable for traders.
Unfortunately, Nexo doesn't have a transparent proof of reserves system. Although they boast having $11 billion of assets under management, accounting is not shown. Platforms like CoinMarketCap do not track Nexo, but my Nexo Pro review found the order book shows minimal liquidity (sub 1 BTC) close to the current Bitcoin price.
Custodial wallets are better for beginners as they do not provide access to the keys or seed phrase, which enables recovery. Non-custodial wallets offer greater security but require careful management as the user controls the seed.
Nexo takes the former approach. Users can deposit, store, and withdraw crypto, but the platform controls the keys. While this method can be better for new investors, as they don't have the responsibility of managing keys, it can cause issues for privacy or security-centric individuals who'd rather self-manage.
Our Nexo crypto wallet review found that users can set up 2FA to add a layer of security to withdrawals. However, there is no way to connect a hardware wallet or security key to sign transactions securely.
According to Quantumrun's insights, Nexo paid over $250 million in interest to people holding crypto on the platform in 2024 alone. These figures highlight how popular Nexo is as a crypto rewards platform.
Its Flexible Savings program allows users to earn passive rewards by holding crypto, which Nexo uses to fund borrowing and staking. There are no lock-up periods, and earnings compound daily.
Users can stake EURx, GBPx, and USDx, among 36 other stablecoins and cryptocurrencies. Rates start at 2% (GRT) and go as high as 16% (AXS).
The Nexo loans service enables crypto-backed borrowing, so people can receive a loan using their digital assets as collateral. The service is valuable as it allows temporary cash outs to fiat or crypto without triggering a taxable event by selling. It is ideal when you need funds to cover unexpected expenses quickly.
The Loan-to-Value (LTV) ratio dictates how much you can borrow based on the assets you use as collateral.
For example, Bitcoin has a 50% LTV ratio, so depositing $1,000 in BTC can get you a $500 loan. I deposited a few dollars in XRP and was given an instant credit line, which was very convenient.
The LTV ratios for some of the most popular assets on Nexo are:
| Asset Name | Loan-to-Value (LTV) Ratio |
| USDT | 90% |
| Bitcoin | 50% |
| Ethereum | 50% |
| XRP | 30% |
| Solana | 30% |
Additionally, Nexo features two more products that help users earn interest on cryptocurrency. Its fixed-savings service requires people to lock their assets for 1, 3, or 12 months to attain higher Nexo interest rates. Alternatively, dual investment is a higher-risk, higher-reward tool that lets people earn by predicting price changes.
Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) is one of the most common and robust methods of protecting your account. It requires users to input a code sent to a delegated device to complete sensitive actions.
After conducting a Nexo review, we found that users can set up 2FA via email, SMS, or an authentication app. Although SMS can be convenient, using a dedicated app like 2FAS is recommended to prevent SIM-swap attacks. However, hardware security keys are not supported.
As is common on the best crypto exchanges, Nexo stores most user assets in cold storage, keeping only operationally necessary funds in hot wallets. Doing so secures customer assets against digital attacks. Nexo uses multi-signature wallets, requiring multiple signees to approve a transaction from its cold wallets.
Nexo mainly stores funds with two custodians. Ledger Vault's insurance policy protects up to $150 million of customer assets. Fireblocks has a similar policy, but the exact figures are not public. While useful, Nexo has $11 billion of assets, so $150 million only covers 1.36% of its assets.
To enhance Nexo's security, the firm has undergone multiple third-party audits. It has achieved SOC 2 Type 2 and SOC 3 Type 2 certifications. Moreover, it has received a Cryptocurrency Security Standard (CCSS) Level 3 rating. Additionally, it has been awarded several ISO certifications, including ISO 27001.
Users can set up anti-phishing codes, which are special PINs included in official Nexo communications. They define a code and check for it in emails from Nexo to confirm genuine messages. If the message doesn't include the code, it's a phishing scam.
While Nexo is a secure crypto exchange, it doesn't disclose its proof of reserves transparently. Customers cannot view whether the exchange is properly collateralized, which raises questions like 'Is Nexo legit?' While the platform discusses some statistics about its holdings, none are verifiable.
Nexo offers free bank transfer deposits over £100 for GBPx, €100 for EURx, and $5,000 for USDx, making account funding convenient. Nexo's fees for crypto withdrawals vary, while fiat is tiered based on currency and payment method. Platinum loyalty members get one free withdrawal, but the general rates are as follows:
| Currency / Payment Method | Withdrawal Fee |
| EURx (SEPA) | 5 EURx |
| EURx (SWIFT) | 25 EURx |
| GBPx (FPS) | 5 GBPx |
| GBPx (SWIFT) | 25 GBPx |
| USDx (ACH) | 10 USDx |
| USDx (SWIFT) | USDx 25 USDx |
On Nexo USD transfers below $5,000 incur a $10 processing fee. It claims the minimum deposit is £/$/€100, but there is a discrepancy in the help center article, stating a £/€5 charge will be applied for transfers below this figure.
When I consulted the support bot, it told me that Nexo changed the processing fees for sub £/$/€100 in February 2025 and is now 25 units of the respective currency. However, I spoke to a human customer service agent, and they confirmed that five units were correct.
The bot's information was not correctly updated, leading to incorrect details being provided when translated from English to other languages. When you open the live chat system, it warns of this, but inconsistent information renders the support bot somewhat ineffective.
When you buy Ethereum or any other asset directly with a card, you'll be charged 1.99% in European Economic Area (EEA) countries and 3.49% in non-EEA countries.
Nexo Pro charges 0.20% for spot trading with below $10,000 30-day volume, but this figure falls as far as 0.07% (taker) / 0.04% (maker) with volume discounts. Futures trading costs 0.06% for taker orders; maker orders are unsupported.
Swaps on the standard platform incur a spread (the difference between buy and sell prices) and a flat fiat fee:
Nexo's withdrawal limits are crucial to understand. Users must deposit or withdraw at least 10 units of the respective currency. However, they must also consider fees, which result in higher minimums, bringing the effective thresholds to:
| Withdrawal Method | Fee |
| EURx (SEPA) | 15 EURx |
| USDx, GBPx, EURx (SWIFT) | 35 USDx/GBPx/EURx |
| USDx (ACH) | 20 USDx |
Nexo offers multiple customer support channels to ensure that users always receive prompt assistance with their issues.
The help center provides various articles covering typical queries, such as the available Nexo deposit methods and how to earn interest through Flexible Savings.
For complex issues, users can contact support via email. The client care team is available 24/7, ensuring timely responses. The team can access user data and provide region-specific information. A chatbot can answer questions, or users can request a human agent via live chat, but this isn't advertised clearly.
I asked the bot a question and then opened a live chat request. It connected me with an agent within a few seconds. They were helpful, kind, and efficient, but supplied information that conflicted with the chatbot. When questioned, they informed me that the bot can give false information, limiting usability.
Nexo operates globally, but certain countries, most notably the United States and Canada, are prohibited from accessing the platform. Users in Bulgaria, Iran, Crimea, Cuba, Sudan, and 11 other countries are also banned from using Nexo.
Some features are restricted in certain regions. For example, UK users must complete knowledge assessments to access staking and prove they understand crypto investing risks. Certain countries may get Nexo app updates later than others, but people in the EU, UK, Australia, Singapore, and Taiwan can access the latest version.
To ensure it can continue operating, Nexo complies with local regulations and gathers data as per Know-Your-Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) guidelines. Its services are tailored by region to ensure it doesn't offer products in countries where they're prohibited, which would negatively impact its compliance.
While Nexo lacks Bitcoin mining pools for people to contribute to and automaton features like copy trading or crypto bots, it's a versatile platform for trading, loans, and earning interest. However, there are a few other Nexo features worth checking out:
Nexo's crypto debit/credit card differs from most crypto cards issued by exchanges (cards issued by exchanges are usually prepaid cards). It offers dual credit and debit modes. The former enables users to automatically borrow funds starting at 2.9% interest with up to 2% cashback. The latter converts crypto, stablecoins, and Nexo's FaitX assets for spending in everyday establishments.
The Nexo Card supports Google/Apple Pay, staking on unspent balances, and free ATM withdrawals (limits based on loyalty tier). It's an excellent tool for breaking down the barriers between crypto and everyday finance. However, while it's available across most of Europe, users in the UK, the USA, and Australia cannot order one.
The Nexo Loyalty Program is designed to reward committed users who support Nexo by purchasing its proprietary NEXO token. Benefits include higher interest rates, cheaper borrowing, and better cashback rates. Users in the highest (Platinum) tier get a free monthly withdrawal.
To qualify, users must maintain at least $5,000 in total portfolio value to access loyalty perks and earn interest. If the balance drops below $5,000, you will be given 7 days to restore your balance before losing loyalty benefits.
The highest loyalty tier is relatively easy to attain if your Nexo portfolio is small because the tier depends on the percentage of your portfolio that NEXO comprises:
| Percent of NEXO Holdings | Nexo Loyalty Tier |
| Up to 1% | Base |
| 1% to 5% | Silver |
| 5% to 10% | Gold |
| Above 10% | Platinum |
If you hold more than $100,000 on Nexo, you can unlock a dedicated account manager and specialty Over-The-Counter (OTC) trade services. You're entitled to expert advice and priority support. Moreover, your account manager may invite you to Nexo's conferences or events.
The OTC service offers custom terms, including lower fees, improved margin levels, and an interest-free credit line of up to $100 million. It's a solid offer if you have significant capital to deploy.
While exploring the exchange's settings, I found that it offers a deal with the Koinly tax software. Users can get a free report for up to 1,000 transactions and a 30% discount on a premium account if they need to process more, streamlining crypto tax reporting.
Here is how Nexo stacks against other top crypto exchanges in the market
| Crypto Exchange | Top Choice For | Price | Products and Offerings | Standout Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nexo | Traditional crypto loans | 0.2% (Nexo Pro) | Crypto loans, staking, crypto credit/debit card, swaps, and an advanced platform | Crypto loans, crypto debit/credit card |
| Coinbase | Ease of use | 0.60% / 1.20% | Switch between standard and advanced modes, staking, and derivatives | Ability to toggle between beginner and advanced modes |
| Youhodler | Cascading (leveraged) loans | 0.02% hourly rollover fee | Simple interface, crypto loans, cascading loans, Web3 wallet | 70x leverage via cascading loans |
| OKX | Low trading fees | 0.08% / 0.1% | Region-specific features, P2P marketplace, derivatives, loans, staking, trading bots | Trading bot marketplace, up to 100 leverage |
| Bybit | Advanced capabilities | 0.1% / 0.1% | Advanced trading bots, high leverage, staking/earn products, options, debit card | Diverse staking and structured earn products |
Nexo is a surprisingly well-rounded crypto exchange. Users have a simple interface for swaps, Nexo Pro for enhanced trading capabilities, and advanced features, including crypto loans and leverage, making it more attractive to experienced crypto enthusiasts.
While Nexo might not fall into low-fee crypto exchange territory, it's reasonably priced and provides good value to its users. Users can earn through trading or staking, and multiple deposit options exist. As such, it's well-suited to people seeking a comprehensive platform.
However, Nexo is unavailable in the United States and offers relatively few assets compared to exchanges like Binance or Bybit, making it a poor choice for international altcoin traders. That said, its intuitive interface and simple system for buying/swapping crypto make Nexo a great crypto exchange for beginners.
Nexo is a centralized crypto platform that specializes in exchange and loan services. It has millions of users and billions of dollars in assets under management. While available across most of the world, Nexo is unavailable in the US, reducing accessibility.
Although it's a solid crypto exchange for beginners, Nexo is well-equipped. Users can trade with leverage, temporarily cash out without triggering a taxable event via crypto loans, or access Nexo Pro for robust trading/analysis capabilities via an order-book-based interface and TradingView integration.
After extensive research and testing for this Nexo review, we can conclude that the Nexo could be the best crypto exchange for someone with little to moderate experience who wants access to a simple trading interface, but also desires some advanced features to play with as they learn and grow.
Nexo generates revenue via multiple avenues, primarily trading fees. It charges 0.2% for trades on Nexo Pro and a variable fee for swaps on the standard platform. Users also pay a spread (the difference between buy/sell prices), and Nexo takes a commission on staking rewards.
Users can earn passive rewards via Nexo’s savings program. They pledge assets, which Nexo uses to generate a yield via lending, liquidity farming, and staking. Nexo takes a portion of the earnings to provide the service and infrastructure, while users receive the remainder.
Profits you earn through trading or staking contribute to your income, so you must correctly declare them on your tax returns. Failure to do so can result in warnings, fines, or even jail time. Because paying the correct amount is essential, contacting a tax professional for advice is recommended.
The Know-Your-Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) guidelines are regulatory frameworks that require exchanges and other financial platforms to gather user details and financial information to combat illicit activities like tax avoidance and criminal financing. Nexo must comply with these rules because it’s a regulated exchange.