Ranked in 0 of 16 countries · Derivatives
BitMEX Review (October 2026): Fees, Licences and Where It Works
By Vahe Hakobyan Verified No affiliate links
- Taker fee— Not verified
- Maker fee— Not verified
- Coins— Not verified
- CustodyCustodial
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersSeychelles
Our verdict
BitMEX was a Seychelles-based derivatives exchange founded in 2014 and known for the perpetual swap. It stopped trading on 23 September 2026 and now only processes withdrawals, with account fees on idle balances. It paid US penalties in 2021 and 2025 over AML failures.
Pros
- Withdrawals still open after the closure
- Published proof of reserves and liabilities
- Long track record before the wind-down
Cons
- Exchange closed; no trading since September 2026
- Account fees apply to balances left behind
- US AML penalties in 2021 and 2025
Where BitMEX works
How secure is BitMEX?
- Proof of reserves
- Yes - Bitcoin proof of reserves and liabilities published twice weekly from Nov 2022; status after the Sep 2026 closure unverified
- Custody
- Custodial
Incidents since 2019
- 2026otherBitMEX announced on 23 Jul 2026 that it would wind down and ceased exchange operations on 23 Sep 2026; accounts stay open for withdrawals only.
- 2025enforcementIn Jan 2025 a US court fined BitMEX operator HDR Global Trading $100M for wilful Bank Secrecy Act violations after a guilty plea.
- 2021settlementOn 10 Aug 2021 five BitMEX entities agreed to a $100M CFTC and FinCEN penalty for running an unregistered derivatives platform without KYC.
Crypto held on a platform is generally not covered by deposit insurance.
BitMEX FAQ
Does BitMEX publish proof of reserves?
Yes - Bitcoin proof of reserves and liabilities published twice weekly from Nov 2022; status after the Sep 2026 closure unverified
Not financial advice. Crypto prices are volatile and you can lose everything you put in. World-Crypt earns nothing from the platforms reviewed here.