FTX operates two exchange domains, including “FTX.com” for users outside of the US, and the US-regulated “FTX.us” for traders in the US. Although both domains are quite similar, there are a few notable differences in their features and functionalities.
FTX cryptocurrency exchange first came onto the scene in 2019 as FTX.com. Since then, FTX cryptocurrency and derivatives exchange experienced tremendous growth in trading volumes and the number of registered users. FTX has increasingly hit several milestones on these metrics by providing innovative financial products for all types of crypto traders. The exchange offers leveraged tokens, futures trading, and many more features, including reduced trading fees and multiple ways to earn passive income. In 2020, FTX.us was launched specifically to be US Regulation compliant and to cater to US customers.
FTX EXCHANGE (INCLUDING FTX INTERNATIONAL AND FTX.US) ARE NO LONGER IN OPERATION
Both exchanges have filed for bankruptcy. Subsequently, the exchange was “hacked” and more than US$600 million worth of cryptocurrencies drained. The hacker is strongly rumoured to be a former FTX employee. For more about how this story unfolded and the latest news, check out these articles:
- SBF vs CZ War: What’s happening with FTX and Binance?
- Binance to Acquire FTX: What This Means for All Investors
- Binance Will NOT Acquire FTX: What is Next?
- BlockFi suspends withdrawals over unclear status of FTX
- FTX, FTX US and Alameda File for Bankruptcy
- FTX Hacked: Hacker Identity Revealed by Kraken
- What will happen to BlockFi?
- Were BlockFi’s assets held on FTX?
Table of Contents
Although both domains belong to the same platform, they cater to different groups of users. FTX.com is not available for traders in the US due to securities and crypto asset trading regulations imposed by the US government. US customers can only use the FTX.us exchange, as it complies with regulatory requirements. All features users enjoy on FTX.us are also available on FTX.com.
FTX.com is more suitable for experienced traders since it is strictly a crypto derivatives trading platform with a higher risk of fund loss. Most of the financial products offered by FTX require substantial knowledge of the market and the crypto assets up for trading.
Similarities Between FTX.com and FTX.us
FTX.com and FTX.us offers similar features, including user-friendliness and an easy trading experience. Like many exchange platforms, they both feature a trading chart that provides various trading features, charting tools, and in-built indicators.
Many traders opt for the FTX exchanges because both platforms offer convenient ways to control and track open trading positions. FTX also provides more order types than most crypto exchanges. Available order types include:
- Market order
- Limit order
- Stop limit
- Stop market
- Trailing stop
- Take profit
- Take profit limit
Another interesting feature is that they both allow the integration of API keys to automate trading using crypto trading bots. Both domains require users to complete a KYC verification process to start trading and withdrawing funds.
FTX and FTX.us are run by different companies, hence previous negotiations to buy out FTX international did not include FTX.us as part of the deal.
The major difference between the .us and .com FTX exchanges is that FTX.com is a crypto derivatives platform where users can’t trade any real crypto. Users can only trade derivatives, which are secondary products that derive their value from these assets. On the other hand, FTX.us allows users to trade the actual underlying cryptocurrency. Furthermore, the two domains have a few differences regarding the following:
- Trading pairs and contracts
- Leverage and margin trading
- Deposits and withdrawals
- Trading fees
Trading Pairs and Contracts
FTX.com supports futures contracts trading for over 80 cryptocurrencies. Unlike many of its competitors, FTX.com allows futures trading for coins with low market caps. It also supports many fiat currencies, including USD, EUR, AUD, SGD, GBP, TRY, HKD, TRY, CHF, BRL, and CAD.
One unique feature of the FTX.com platform is its MOVE contract, which allows users to trade market volatility. MOVE contracts represent the absolute value of the amount a crypto asset moves over a period. Additionally, the platform allows its users to trade leveraged ERC-20 tokens, which give traders leveraged exposure to the cryptocurrency market.
On the other hand, FTX.us does not support as many currencies and contracts as its .com counterpart. The US version only supports about 24 cryptocurrencies and has fewer financial products than FTX.com.
Leverage and Margin Trading
FTX.com currently offers its users up to 101x leverage, with an initial maximum leverage of 10x by default. Traders may expand this leverage if their user accounts meet the platform’s requirements. With FTX.us, crypto traders can only get up to 10x leverage subject to specific terms and conditions.
Deposits and Withdrawals
FTX.com supports deposits in many cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Bitcoin Cash, Litecoin, and various stablecoins. The exchange promptly processes all deposits and withdrawals and does not charge deposit or withdrawal fees for Ether and ERC-20 tokens. For Bitcoin, all withdrawals of more than 0.01 BTC are free. Smaller withdrawals incur withdrawal fees only after the first free one for the day.
FTX.com also allows users to deposit and withdraw in their local fiat currencies using bank wire transfers. USD transactions take one business day, while other currencies may take longer. Although there are no charges on deposits with FTX.com, fiat withdrawals below $10,000 incur a $75 fee.
Deposits and withdrawals on FTX.us are also very fast. However, depositing and withdrawing USD can take up to two weekdays. Like FTX.com, FTX.us also charges a fee for USD deposits completed via wire transfer. Users can make one free withdrawal of less than $5,000 per rolling week period. Additional withdrawals cost $25, but all withdrawals above $5,000 are free.
Trading Fees
FTX.com uses a 6-tier structure for trading fees. Like many other crypto exchanges, FTX.com gradually decreases the trading fees for its users based on their daily trading volume to encourage higher trading volumes. Tier 1 traders pay a taker fee of 0.07% and a maker fee of 0.02%, while traders in tier 6 only pay 0.04% in taker fees.
As for FTX.us, the platform generally charges its users higher fees. Although it operates a similar fee structure, FTX.us has 9 tiers. Tier 1 traders pay a maker fee of 0.1% and a taker fee of 0.2%, while traders in tier 9 pay only 0.05% in taker fees and no maker fee.
As of 10th November 2022, when users go to FTX international, there will be a banner warning: “FTX is currently unable to process withdrawals. We strongly advise against depositing.”
Now, when accessing the FTX.us website, there is now an announcement banner warning that, “…trading may be halted on FTX US in a few days. Please close down any positions you want to close down. Withdrawals are and will remain open. We will give updates as we have them.”
However, Sam Bankman-Fried, Founder of FTX has tweeted that FTX US is unaffected by the crisis surrounding FTX International and that it is “100% liquid”.
— SBF (@SBF_FTX) November 10, 202219) A few other assorted comments:
This was about FTX International. FTX US, the US based exchange that accepts Americans, was not financially impacted by this sh*tshow.
It's 100% liquid. Every user could fully withdraw (modulo gas fees etc).
Updates on its future coming.
Nevertheless, many members of the crypto Twitter (CT) community are warning users to withdraw their funds from FTX.us as soon as possible. Given the current situation with FTX International, users of FTX.us are indeed urged to exercise caution and keep updated on any news from the team.
