Hibt Crypto Exchange Review: Fees, Security, and Why It’s Not for Everyone

When you’re looking for a new crypto exchange, you don’t just want low fees or a long list of coins. You want to know if your money is safe, if you can actually use it, and whether the platform will still be around next year. That’s where Hibt comes in - a Canadian-regulated exchange that’s trying to carve out a space in a crowded market. But here’s the catch: Hibt doesn’t let you deposit dollars, euros, or any fiat currency. And if you live in the U.S., China, or a handful of other countries, you can’t even sign up. So is it worth your time? Let’s break it down.

What Is Hibt Crypto Exchange?

Hibt is a crypto-only trading platform founded in 2021 in Oshawa, Canada. Unlike big names like Binance or Coinbase, Hibt doesn’t offer bank transfers, credit cards, or PayPal deposits. You can only trade with cryptocurrency. That means if you want to use Hibt, you first need to buy crypto somewhere else - say, a U.S.-based exchange - then send it over. For experienced traders who already hold crypto, this isn’t a dealbreaker. But for beginners, it’s a major hurdle.

The platform claims to serve over 3 million users globally as of early 2025. It’s registered as a Money Services Business (MSB) in Canada, which gives it a level of legal oversight most offshore exchanges don’t have. That’s a big plus. Most shady platforms operate without any license. Hibt doesn’t.

Trading Pairs and Fees

Hibt offers more than 700 trading pairs as of October 2025. That’s more than many mid-sized exchanges. You’ll find Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and a solid selection of altcoins, including newer tokens that bigger exchanges might ignore. If you’re into trading obscure coins, Hibt gives you more options than most.

Fees are competitive. Spot trading charges 0.2% for both makers and takers - standard for the industry. But where Hibt shines is in futures trading: 0.05% for both maker and taker orders. That’s lower than Binance’s 0.02% for makers and 0.05% for takers on its futures market. Hibt matches that taker fee without the maker discount, making it one of the cheapest options for active futures traders.

There’s also a 10-level VIP fee structure based on trading volume. If you trade over $1 million per month, your fees drop further. But for most users, the standard 0.2% and 0.05% rates are what matter.

Security: Cold Storage and 2FA

Hibt takes security seriously. As of January 2025, 90% of user funds are stored in multi-signature cold wallets. That means your crypto is offline, encrypted, and requires multiple keys to move - a setup that’s nearly impossible to hack remotely. Only 10% of funds are kept hot for withdrawals and trades, which is a smart balance between safety and usability.

Two-factor authentication (2FA) is mandatory. You can’t disable it. The platform also warns users not to log in from jailbroken devices or untrusted networks. That’s rare - most exchanges just say “use strong passwords.” Hibt tells you exactly what can break your security.

In January 2025, Hibt rolled out its Security Upgrade Package, adding new encryption layers and improving its internal monitoring systems. It didn’t announce specifics - no mention of AES-256 or TLS 1.3 - but the fact that they’re actively upgrading shows they’re not resting on their laurels.

The Big Problems: No Fiat and Geo-Restrictions

Here’s where Hibt falls short. You can’t deposit USD, EUR, CAD, or any fiat currency. That’s a dealbreaker for most new users. If you’re starting from zero, you need a way to buy crypto with your bank account. Hibt doesn’t offer that. You’re forced to use another exchange first, then bridge your assets - an extra step that adds cost and complexity.

Even worse, Hibt blocks users from 29 countries. The U.S. is on that list. So are China, Iran, Syria, Venezuela, and most of the Middle East and Africa. If you’re in the U.S., you can’t even create an account - no matter how much crypto you have. That’s more restrictive than even Binance, which only blocks a few countries like the U.S. for derivatives trading. Hibt blocks the whole platform.

Why? Likely because of Canada’s strict MSB regulations. Hibt can’t legally serve users in countries where crypto regulation is unclear or hostile. But that also means it’s cutting off huge markets - and potential growth.

Customer Support and Mobile App

Hibt offers 24/7 support via live chat, email, and Telegram. That’s good. Many exchanges charge for live chat or have long wait times. But there’s no public data on response speed or user satisfaction. No Reddit threads, no Trustpilot reviews, no detailed user testimonials. That’s a red flag. If a platform has 3 million users, you’d expect to see at least some public feedback.

There’s no official mobile app. The website works on phones, but it’s not optimized like Binance or Kraken’s apps. If you trade on the go, you’ll be stuck with a browser. That’s a real disadvantage in 2026, when most traders use mobile for alerts, quick buys, and emergency sells.

Is Hibt Good for You?

Hibt isn’t for everyone. But it’s not for no one, either.

Choose Hibt if:

• You already hold crypto and want to trade altcoins with low fees
• You’re a futures trader and want 0.05% taker fees
• You value regulatory compliance over convenience
• You live outside the U.S. and other blocked countries

Avoid Hibt if:

• You need to deposit fiat (USD, EUR, CAD, etc.)
• You’re in the U.S., China, Iran, or any of the 29 blocked countries
• You rely on a mobile app for trading
• You want to see user reviews before committing

Hibt is a niche tool - not a starter exchange. It’s built for traders who already have crypto, know what they’re doing, and want to minimize fees on derivatives. It’s not for buying Bitcoin with your debit card or holding long-term.

How It Compares to Other Exchanges

Bottom line: Hibt matches Binance on futures fees and leverage, but loses on fiat access and app support. It’s not better than Kraken or Coinbase for beginners. But for experienced traders outside the U.S. who want low-cost derivatives trading and don’t mind the extra step of moving crypto in, it’s a solid option.

Final Thoughts

Hibt isn’t trying to be the biggest exchange. It’s trying to be the safest, cheapest one for a specific group: crypto-native traders outside the U.S. who want to trade altcoins and futures without paying high fees.

Its strengths - MSB regulation, cold storage, low futures fees - are real. Its weaknesses - no fiat, no U.S. access, no app - are just as real. If you fit the profile, it’s worth testing. If you don’t, you’re better off with Kraken, Coinbase, or even Binance.

There’s no magic here. Just a platform that knows who it’s for - and who it’s not.