Updated 28 September 2026 · Originally published 2 June 2024 · By Alex Rivera · Reviewed for CryptosBeginner
CoinSpot Review 2026: Australia's Oldest Exchange, Fees & How to Use It
CoinSpot has been running since 2013, longer than almost any exchange still standing. It is the default first exchange for Australians: AUSTRAC-registered, 470-plus coins, and genuinely easy to use. The catch is the 1% instant-buy fee most beginners pay without realising there is a 0.1% way to do the same trade.
Alex Rivera · Crypto researcher, CryptosBeginner
Every review is research-led: specs, fees, and availability are checked against official sources before publication and re-checked on every update. Affiliate links never influence verdicts. Last reviewed 28 September 2026.

The short version
- Australia's veteran. Running since 2013, over 3 million customers, 470-plus coins.
- Real regulation. AUSTRAC-registered, ISO 27001 certified, cold storage for most customer funds.
- Two fee levels. Instant buy costs 1%, market orders on the Exchange cost 0.1%. Always use the 0.1% route.
- Free AUD in and out. PayID and bank deposits are free, AUD withdrawals to your bank are free.
- Spot only. No futures, no margin, no leverage. Plus an NFT marketplace, bundles, OTC, and a spending card.
- Australia only. If you do not live in Australia, this review is not for you.
What CoinSpot is
CoinSpot was founded in 2013 by Russell Wilson in Berwick, Victoria, which makes it older than Binance, Bybit, and just about every exchange your mates have heard of. It has survived every crypto winter since, and that longevity counts for something in an industry where exchanges disappear overnight.
It is a spot-only exchange built for Australians: AUD in, AUD out, 470-plus cryptocurrencies, and a product set that goes well beyond basic trading with an NFT marketplace, bundles, recurring buys, an OTC desk, and a Mastercard crypto spending card. The whole thing is designed so a complete beginner can buy their first Bitcoin in minutes, which is both its greatest strength and the source of its main fee trap.
Fees, with the full table

Here is the fee structure from CoinSpot's official fee page, and it is worth studying because the difference between the two trading routes is tenfold:
| Trading | Fee |
|---|---|
| Market orders (Exchange tab) | 0.1% |
| OTC trades | 0.1% |
| Instant buy, sell and swap | 1% |
| AUD deposits and withdrawals | Fee |
|---|---|
| PayID and direct bank deposits | Free |
| AUD withdrawals to your bank | Free |
| Cash deposits | 2.5% |
Crypto withdrawals carry only the network mining fee. The lesson is simple: the Exchange tab exists for a reason, and that reason is saving you 0.9% on every single trade.
How to register and verify
Getting started on CoinSpot takes a few minutes. Because it is a regulated Australian exchange, identity verification is mandatory, there is no way around it, and that is actually a good sign.
- Head to the CoinSpot homepage and click Register, then enter your email address to create your account.
- Complete the verification with your full name, date of birth, address, and a government-issued ID. Approval is usually same day.
- Set up two-factor authentication before you deposit anything. Better yet, use a hardware security key rather than an authenticator app.
- Once verified, you are ready to deposit AUD and buy crypto.
How to deposit AUD
CoinSpot gives you several ways to fund your account, and the free ones are the best ones. PayID is the move for most people: instant and free. A regular bank transfer works too and is also free, just slower.
- Log in and go to your Wallets or Deposit section.
- Choose PayID for an instant free deposit, or bank transfer if you prefer the traditional route.
- Follow the instructions to send AUD from your bank. The funds land in your CoinSpot AUD wallet.
- Avoid cash deposits unless you have no choice: they cost 2.5%, which is money thrown away.
How to buy crypto (and pay 0.1%, not 1%)

This is the most important section of this review. CoinSpot has two ways to buy, and beginners almost always pick the expensive one. The Buy/Sell page is instant and simple, and it charges 1%. The Markets or Exchange tab lets you place a market order for 0.1%. Same Bitcoin, same account, ten times cheaper.
- Go to the Markets tab and pick your pair, for example BTC to AUD.
- You will see the order book, the price chart, and the Buy and Sell panels on the right.
- Enter how much you want to buy in the Buy panel and hit the buy button to place a market order at 0.1%.
- Your crypto lands in your CoinSpot wallet. Consider moving larger amounts to your own wallet afterwards.
If you just want the absolute simplest experience and do not mind the 1%, the Buy/Sell page will do it in two clicks. But now you know better, and your future self will thank you for the 0.9% you kept.
How to withdraw
Cashing out is straightforward. AUD withdrawals to your linked bank account are free, which is refreshingly rare among exchanges. Crypto withdrawals to an external wallet cost only the network fee.
- For AUD: go to Withdraw, choose your bank account, enter the amount, and confirm. No platform fee.
- For crypto: go to your wallet, choose the coin, hit Withdraw, and paste your external wallet address.
- Double-check the address and the network before confirming. A wrong address means the funds are gone.
- For large amounts, do a small test withdrawal first. It costs a few cents and buys real peace of mind.
Security, regulation, and the 2025 incident
CoinSpot's credentials are genuinely strong: AUSTRAC-registered, the first Australian exchange to earn ISO 27001 certification, an independent 1:1 reserve audit completed in 2022, most customer crypto in cold storage, and 2FA plus anti-phishing phrases and geo-locked logins on accounts.
The honest caveat: in June 2025, a user publicly reported over $18,000 AUD stolen from their account despite having 2FA enabled. CoinSpot disputed the claim, and no official breach was declared. Whatever the truth of that case, the lesson stands for every exchange: use a hardware security key for 2FA, and do not treat any exchange as a vault. Buy on CoinSpot, then move serious money to your own wallet.
NFTs, bundles, OTC, and the card

Beyond trading, CoinSpot packs in more than most local exchanges. The NFT marketplace lets you buy NFTs with AUD or crypto from your account. Bundles let you buy a basket of coins in one go, recurring buys automate dollar-cost averaging, the OTC desk handles large trades at 0.1%, and the Mastercard crypto spending card lets you spend your balance anywhere. There is also staking on select assets and SMSF support for retirement accounts, which is a nice touch for long-term Australian investors.
What users say: ratings
Our verdict is our own, but it is worth seeing how other users rate CoinSpot on public platforms. These are third-party ratings, checked in October 2026, and they move over time.
| Platform | Rating |
|---|---|
| Trustpilot | 4.4 out of 5 (2,700+ reviews) |
| Google Play | 4.0 out of 5 (11,500+ reviews) |
| Apple App Store | 4.8 out of 5 (27,000+ ratings) |
The App Store score is unusually strong for a financial app. The Trustpilot base is smaller and more mixed, with complaints centering on withdrawal security holds, which is the honest counterweight to the glowing app reviews.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Operating since 2013, 3M+ customers
- AUSTRAC-registered, ISO 27001, cold storage
- Market orders at 0.1%, OTC at 0.1%
- Free PayID deposits and free AUD withdrawals
- 470+ coins, NFT marketplace, bundles, card
- 24/7 live chat with real humans
Cons
- Instant buy costs 1%, an easy trap for beginners
- Australia only, no international users
- No futures, margin, or leverage
- June 2025 disputed theft report
- Cash deposits cost 2.5%
Who it suits, and who should skip it
CoinSpot is the natural home for Australian beginners and anyone who wants a regulated local exchange with AUD rails, a huge coin list, and products like the NFT marketplace and the spending card. SMSF investors and long-term holders fit here well too.
Skip it if you do not live in Australia, if you need futures or leverage, or if you are a cost-conscious active trader who will feel the lack of advanced order types. In that case, look at Kraken or Bybit.
Alternatives
For Australians wanting lower fees and more active trading tools, Kraken is the usual alternative. For global derivatives, Bybit. For a regulated Gulf venue with local fiat rails, Rain. Our best crypto exchanges guide compares the leading venues side by side.
Verdict
CoinSpot is the easy recommendation for Australians, and it has been for years. Thirteen years of operation, real regulation, free AUD rails, and a product set that keeps growing. Just learn the one trick that matters: use the Exchange tab and pay 0.1%, not the 1% instant buy. Do that, secure your account properly, move big balances to your own wallet, and CoinSpot will serve you well.
CoinSpot questions
Is CoinSpot safe and legit?
Yes, CoinSpot is one of the most credentialed exchanges in Australia: registered with AUSTRAC, the first Australian exchange to earn ISO 27001 certification, with most customer crypto held in cold wallets. In June 2025 a user publicly reported over $18,000 AUD stolen despite having 2FA enabled, a claim CoinSpot disputed. Use a hardware security key for 2FA and keep large holdings in your own cold wallet.
What are CoinSpot's fees?
From CoinSpot's official fee page: market orders cost 0.1%, OTC trades cost 0.1%, and instant buy, sell and swap orders cost 1%. PayID and direct bank deposits are free, card deposits are free on the fee schedule but cash deposits cost 2.5%. AUD withdrawals to your bank are free; crypto withdrawals carry the network fee.
How do I buy Bitcoin on CoinSpot?
Register with your email, complete identity verification with a government ID, deposit AUD with PayID or a bank transfer, then either use Buy/Sell for an instant purchase at 1% or head to the Markets tab and place a market order at 0.1%. The 0.1% route saves you real money on every trade.
Is CoinSpot only for Australians?
Yes. CoinSpot is built for Australian residents, with AUD deposits and withdrawals and Australian regulation. If you live elsewhere, it is not for you.
Does CoinSpot have futures or leverage?
No. CoinSpot is spot only: no futures, no margin, no leverage. That is a feature for beginners and a dealbreaker for derivatives traders.
Does CoinSpot have an NFT marketplace?
Yes. CoinSpot runs an NFT marketplace where you can buy NFTs with AUD or crypto from your CoinSpot account, alongside bundles, recurring buys, an OTC desk, and a crypto spending card.