MoonPay vs Unchained: Which is Best? [2026]
Key differences
Unchained vs MoonPay in Comparison
Description
US-based Bitcoin-only financial services company. Offers Bitcoin trading desk. Supports wire transfers with 1% fees.
Simple app to buy Bitcoin with your bank or debit card. Works in most countries but has very high fees.
Supported Countries
Available in all U.S. states besides New York, New Jersey, South Dakota, and North Carolina
Available in 160+ countries. Regulated globally with licenses in major jurisdictions including UK, US, EU, Canada, and Australia.
Supported Cryptocurrencies
Bitcoin only.
160+ cryptocurrencies including BTC, ETH, USDC, USDT, DAI and many more
Fees
- Trading Fees (Product-Based):
- Unchained Vault: 1.00% flat fee
- IRA: 1.50% flat fee
- Unchained Signature: 0.75% flat fee
- Minimum Trade Size: $2,000
- Deposit Fees:
- Bank Transfer: 1%
- Credit/Debit Card: 4.5%
- Apple Pay/Google Pay: 4.5%
- PayPal: 4.5%
- MoonPay Balance: 0%
- Withdrawal Fees:
- Bank Transfer: 1%
- PayPal: 3.4%
- BTC: Network fees apply
Payment Methods
Wire Transfer, Bank Account
Bank Account, Credit Card, Debit Card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal
Do These Exchanges Allow you To Earn Interest on Crypto?
Mobile App Ratings
iOS Rating: 4.8 Official rating from the iOS App Store as of November 18, 2024.
Android Rating: 4.6 Official rating from the Android Play Store as of November 18, 2024.
iOS Rating: 4.2 Official rating from the iOS App Store as of November 18, 2024.
Android Rating: 4.0 Official rating from the Android Play Store as of November 18, 2024.
Storage
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.
Advanced security infrastructure with multi-signature wallets, cold storage solutions, and regular security audits. Features include 2FA authentication, biometric verification, and compliance with global regulatory standards.
Have These Exchanges Been Hacked Before?
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.
No. No publicly reported major hacking incidents.
Official Site
Exchange Review
"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
No review available
"MoonPay has been fantastic for buying crypto quickly and easily. The verification process was smooth, and I love having multiple payment options. Their zero-fee feature with MoonPay Balance is a game-changer."
- Real user review from iOS App Store, Android Play Store or Trustpilot
MoonPay vs Unchained Comparison
MoonPay and Unchained serve fundamentally different markets. MoonPay is a global crypto on-ramp for quick purchases of various cryptocurrencies. Unchained is a US-based Bitcoin financial services company focused on secure custody and larger Bitcoin purchases through their trading desk.
Fee Comparison
MoonPay charges:
- 4.5% for credit/debit cards
- 1% for bank transfers
- No minimum purchase
Unchained charges:
- 1% flat fee (Unchained Vault)
- 0.75% (Unchained Signature)
- 1.5% for IRA purchases
- $2,000 minimum purchase
Who Should Use Each?
Choose MoonPay if: You want to buy small amounts, need credit card purchases, want altcoins, or live outside the US.
Choose Unchained if: You're buying $2,000+ of Bitcoin, want industry-leading multisig security, value expert support, or need Bitcoin IRA services.
Key Takeaways
For serious Bitcoin investors making large purchases, Unchained offers superior security with collaborative custody (2-of-3 multisig) and delivers directly to cold storage. The $2,000 minimum filters out casual buyers. MoonPay is better for smaller, quick purchases or when you need altcoins.
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