River vs Unchained: Which is Best? [2024]
Key differences
- Unchained.com offers IRA/retirement accounts, while River.com does not.
- River.com offers zero fees for recurring buys / DCA.
- Unchained offers self-custody. River secures funds in cold storage.
River vs Unchained Fees Calculator
Enter the amount you want to buy and we'll show you the estimated fees for each exchange.
River vs Unchained in Comparison
Description
River is a trusted Bitcoin-only exchange based in the USA.
Popular and well-known exchange based in the USA.
Supported Countries
USA
Available in all U.S. states besides New York, New Jersey, South Dakota, and North Carolina
Supported Cryptocurrencies
Bitcoin-only
Bitcoin only.
Fees
- Order Size: Up to $1,000,000 | Fee: 1.00%
- Order Size: >$1,000,000 to $5,000,000 | Fee: 0.70%
- Order Size: >$5,000,000 to $15,000,000 | Fee: 0.40%
- Order Size: >$15,000,000 | Fee: 0.25%
- Order Size: All recurring buy orders | Fee: 0.00%
- Trading Fees:
- 1.00% for trades up to $100,000
- 0.75% for trades $100,000 - $1,000,000
- 0.50% for trades $1,000,000 - $5,000,000
- Custom rates for trades over $5,000,000
- Minimum Trade Size: $2,000
Payment Methods
ACH, Bank Account, Wire Transfer
ACH, Wire Transfer, Bank Account
Do These Exchanges Allow you To Earn Interest on Crypto?
3.8%
Earn 3.8% interest on FDIC-insured cash, paid out in Bitcoin. No fees or minimums. Withdraws allowed anytime.
Mobile App Ratings
iOS Rating: 4.8 Official rating from the iOS App Store as of November 18, 2024.
Android Rating: 4.9 Official rating from the Android Play Store as of November 18, 2024.
iOS Rating: 4.8 Official rating from the iOS App Store as of November 18, 2024.
Android App: Not Available
Storage
River holds client Bitcoin in full reserve with no lending. They built their own custody systems from the ground up to minimize third-party dependencies. Security includes regular independent audits, mandatory 2FA, real-time notifications, 24/7 monitoring, and bcrypt password hashing. Users can verify holdings via Proof of Reserves.
Unchained uses a collaborative custody model with 2-of-3 multisignature security. You control two keys stored in separate locations, while Unchained secures a backup key. This ensures your bitcoin remains safe even if one key is lost or stolen. All bitcoin is stored offline in cold storage under your control - not on exchanges or hot wallets.
Have These Exchanges Been Hacked Before?
No. Has never lost customer funds in any way.
No customer funds have been lost. However, in March 2022, Unchained disclosed that their former email marketing provider ActiveCampaign was compromised. The breach exposed some client data including email addresses, usernames, and account status. No client funds or sensitive personal information was compromised.
Official Site
Exchange Review
"I really like the app so far. It does what it's supposed to and paired with the desktop web app, I could not personally ask for more. Great customer service and lots of upcoming features in the pipeline from my understanding."
- Real user review from iOS App Store, Android Play Store or Trustpilot
"Great company, I’ve been a customer since 2021. Though they offer a free service, I opted for concierge onboarding and also opted for their inheritance option. I also plan to move my tradition and Roth IRAs from itrustcaptial to Unchained in the near future. Love that they now have an app 😎"
- Real user review from iOS App Store, Android Play Store or Trustpilot
Coinbase
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