Strike vs Unchained: Which is Best? [2025]
Key differences
- Strike has lower fees overall for buying Bitcoin, especially for recurring buys.
- Unchained offers multisig security products, while Strike does not.
- Strike offers personal Bitcoin backed loans, while Unchained only offers commercial loans.
- Unchained requires a $2,000 minimum trade.
Strike vs Unchained Fees Calculator
We built this fee calculator to help you compare the fees of Strike and Unchained.
Enter the amount you want to buy and we'll show you the estimated fees for each exchange.
Strike vs Unchained in Comparison
Description
Fast, secure US-based exchange with high limits.
US-based Bitcoin-only financial services company. Offers Bitcoin trading desk. Supports ACH & wire transfers with 1% fees.
Supported Countries
Available in 65+ countries including United States, El Salvador, Argentina, Costa Rica, Philippines and more. Send Globally feature available in 12+ countries.
Available in all U.S. states besides New York, New Jersey, South Dakota, and North Carolina
Supported Cryptocurrencies
Bitcoin (BTC) on-chain and Lightning, USDT
Bitcoin only.
Fees
- Trading Fees:
- Under $250: 0.99%
- $250 - $2,000: 0.95%
- $2,000 - $5,000: 0.89%
- $5,000 - $50,000: 0.79%
- $50,000 - $500,000: 0.69%
- $500,000 - $5,000,000: 0.59%
- $5,000,000 - $15,000,000: 0.49%
- Over $15,000,000: 0.39%
- Bank transfers: Free
- On-chain BTC withdrawals: Network fee
~2% debit card deposit fee.
- 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
Debit Card, ACH, and Wire Transfer
ACH, Wire Transfer, Bank Account
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: 4.8 Official rating from the iOS App Store as of November 18, 2024.
Android App: Not Available
Storage
Industry standard security measures including 2FA authentication. Non-custodial Lightning payments. Registered and regulated Money Services Business (MSB).
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 publicly reported security incidents
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
No review available
"Love the hourly auto buy feature on this app. Invite some friends and go fee free. Auto buy for a week and go fee free. Otherwise fees are super low compared to everything else. Will never buy BTC on the other platforms again. Highly recommend."
- 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
Strike vs Unchained Comparison
Fee Structures
Strike uses a tiered fee structure starting at 0.99% and dropping to 0.39% for large trades over $15M. Unchained charges a flat 1% fee for trades up to $100K, decreasing with trade volume. Strike has lower fees for small trades, while Unchained requires a $2,000 minimum trade size.
Feature Set
Strike stands out with Lightning network support, instant global transfers, and auto-buy features. Unchained offers multisig cold storage vaults, Bitcoin IRA support, and concierge onboarding with inheritance planning.
Geographic Availability
Strike is available in 65+ countries, including the U.S., El Salvador, and the Philippines. Unchained is U.S. only, with some state restrictions (not available in NY, NJ, SD, and NC).
Security & Storage
Strike uses industry standard security measures including 2FA authentication and non-custodial Lightning payments. Unchained uses a collaborative custody model with 2-of-3 multisignature security, giving users full control while eliminating single points of failure.
Payment Methods
Strike supports ACH, Wire Transfer, and Debit Card. Unchained supports ACH and Wire.
Customer Support
Strike offers standard app support, while Unchained provides high-touch, expert support with concierge onboarding.
Additional Features
Strike offers Lightning support and auto-buy options. Unchained provides vaults, IRA services, and inheritance planning.
Regulatory Compliance
Strike is registered as a Money Services Business (MSB) with FinCEN. Unchained is licensed in 14+ states and holds NMLS ID 1900773.
Conclusion
Strike is ideal for users who want Lightning network support, global availability, and lower fees for small trades. Unchained is better suited for users who prioritize security with multisig cold storage, need IRA services, or want personalized support for larger trades.
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