Bitbank Fee Calculator
Trading Fees
Maker Fee: 0.12%
Taker Fee: 0.15%
Effective Fee: 0.12%
Note: Maker rebates can reduce effective fees for high-volume traders
Withdrawal Fees
BTC Withdrawal: 0.0001 BTC
LTC Withdrawal: 0.001 LTC
Other Assets: 0.0001 BTC equivalent
Fixed fees for all assets except BTC/LTC
Fee Summary
Based on your selected volume and asset type, your estimated monthly trading costs would be:
- ~1,200 JPY in trading fees
- ~14,400 JPY annually
*These are estimates based on Bitbank's fee structure. Actual fees may vary depending on trading activity and market conditions.
TL;DR
- Bitbank review: Japanese‑only spot exchange, zero deposit/trading fees, low withdrawal fees.
- Regulated by Japan’s Financial Services Agency (FSA) and holds the top spot in local trading volume.
- Supports 28‑35 crypto pairs, all priced in JPY; no leverage, 1:1 margin.
- Security relies on hot/cold wallets, multisig, and 2FA.
- Mobile app ranked #1 in Japan’s App Store; support is Japanese‑only for live chat.
What is Bitbank?
Bitbank is a Japanese cryptocurrency exchange founded in 2015. It operates under a license from the Japanese Financial Services Agency, offering spot‑only trading for Japanese residents.
The platform markets itself as a “smart Bitcoin and crypto asset trading platform,” claiming the highest spot‑trading volume in Japan. While it only supports the Japanese Yen (JPY) for fiat, it lists a broad roster of digital assets, from Bitcoin to emerging DeFi tokens.
Trading Assets and Tools
Bitbank currently lists between 28 and 35 cryptocurrencies. Core assets include Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Ripple, and newer projects such as Aave, Algorand, and Chainlink.
All charts are powered by TradingView, giving users access to over 50 technical indicators and more than 60 drawing tools. This makes the interface familiar to anyone who’s used modern charting platforms.
Fee Structure - What You Really Pay
Bitbank’s headline claim is “no deposit or trading fees.” In practice, the exchange charges a small withdrawal fee - 0.0001BTC or 0.001LTC per transaction. Spot‑trading commissions sit between 0.12% and 0.15%, with a “maker‑rebate” that can bring effective maker fees below zero for high‑volume liquidity providers.
Because the platform only trades against JPY, you avoid conversion spreads that many global exchanges impose when you trade against USD or EUR. The minimum deposit is effectively $1 (or any amount of JPY), and order‑size minimums vary by pair, typically starting at 0.001BTC.
Security and Compliance
Security is a top priority for Bitbank. The exchange stores the majority of user funds in cold wallets, keeping them offline and protected from hacking attempts. The remaining hot‑wallet balance is secured with firewalls, intrusion‑detection systems, and mandatory two‑factor authentication (2FA).
For added protection, Bitbank uses multisignature (multisig) processes, requiring multiple private keys to approve any large withdrawal. These measures, combined with regular audits mandated by the FSA, place Bitbank among the most secure Japanese exchanges.
User Experience - Desktop and Mobile
The desktop UI is clean, with a left‑hand navigation panel and a central TradingView chart. Order entry is straightforward: market, limit, and stop‑limit options are all available. The platform does not offer leveraged products, so the learning curve is moderate for spot traders.
Bitbank’s mobile app, available for iOS and Android, consistently ranks #1 in Japan’s App Store. Users praise its stability, real‑time price updates, and the ability to place orders with a single tap. The only notable drawback is language - the in‑app chatbot speaks Japanese only, though the ticket system accepts English and Chinese inquiries.
Additional Services - Lending and Lotteries
Beyond spot trading, Bitbank runs a crypto‑lending program that pays up to 5% annual returns on assets like BTC, ETH, XLM, and DOGE. There’s no minimum amount, and interest accrues daily.
A daily lottery adds a gamified element; details on prize structures are sparse, but the feature is meant to boost user engagement.
Pros and Cons - Quick Checklist
- Pros
- Regulated by Japan’s FSA - strong legal protection.
- Zero deposit and trading fees; low withdrawal costs.
- High liquidity within the Japanese market.
- Robust security: cold wallets, multisig, 2FA.
- Top‑rated mobile app with real‑time charts.
- Cons
- Retail access limited to Japanese residents.
- No leverage or margin products.
- Customer support chat only in Japanese.
- Limited fiat options - JPY only.
Bitbank vs. Other Japanese Exchanges
| Feature | Bitbank | Coincheck | GMO Coin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regulator | FSA (licensed) | FSA (licensed) | FSA (licensed) |
| Supported fiat | JPY only | JPY, USD | JPY, USD, EUR |
| Leverage | No | Up to 5× | Up to 3× |
| Trading fees | 0.12‑0.15% (maker rebate) | 0.15% flat | 0.10% maker / 0.20% taker |
| Withdrawal fees | 0.0001BTC / 0.001LTC | ¥200‑¥300 | ¥150‑¥250 |
| Mobile app rating (Japan) | #1 (App Store) | #3 | #5 |
| Crypto lending | Yes, up to 5% | No | No |
How to Get Started - Step‑by‑Step
- Download the Bitbank app or visit the desktop site.
- Click “Sign Up,” enter your email and create a password (takes <1minute).
- Complete identity verification - upload a Japanese driver’s license or MyNumber card; verification usually finishes within one business day.
- Deposit JPY via bank transfer (no minimum) or use a compatible crypto wallet to fund your account.
- Navigate to the “Trade” tab, pick a pair (e.g., BTC/JPY), and place a market or limit order.
- Enable two‑factor authentication for extra security.
Potential Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them
- Geographic lockout: If you’re not a Japanese resident, you can only use Bitbank’s API services for institutional purposes. Trying to create a retail account will be rejected.
- Language barrier: The live chatbot is Japanese‑only. Stick to the ticket system for English support; response times can be longer.
- Withdrawal timing: BTC withdrawals are processed within 30minutes, but larger amounts may trigger additional manual review.
- No margin: All trades are 1:1, so be prepared to fund the full position size.
Final Verdict - Is Bitbank Worth Your Money?
If you live in Japan and want a secure, low‑fee spot exchange with a top‑rated mobile app, Bitbank is a solid choice. Its regulatory backing, cold‑wallet architecture, and zero‑deposit‑fee model make it attractive for everyday traders. The main downside is the strict residency requirement, which keeps international retail users out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can non‑Japanese residents use Bitbank?
Retail accounts are limited to Japanese residents only. Corporations outside Japan can access Bitbank via its API, but ordinary traders cannot open a personal account.
What are the exact withdrawal fees?
Bitbank charges 0.0001 BTC or 0.001 LTC per withdrawal. For other coins, fees follow a flat‑rate schedule published on the fee page.
Is there any leverage or margin trading?
No. Bitbank only offers spot trading with a 1:1 margin ratio. If you need leverage, you’ll have to look at other Japanese platforms like GMO Coin.
How secure is the platform?
Very secure. The majority of funds sit in cold wallets, withdrawals require multisignature approval, and two‑factor authentication is mandatory. Regular audits are mandated by the FSA.
Does Bitbank offer any interest‑bearing products?
Yes. The crypto‑lending service pays up to 5% annual yield on supported assets, with no minimum deposit.
John Dixon
October 4, 2025 AT 15:18So let me get this straight: you can't withdraw in USD, can't use leverage, and if you have a question? Good luck! Hope you're fluent in kanji, because the chatbot's gonna ghost you in English.
Zero trading fees? Cute. That's like saying your prison cell is 'free'-as long as you never leave.
And the 'top-rated app'? Yeah, because 12 people in Tokyo downloaded it and gave it five stars while sipping matcha.
Meanwhile, the rest of us are over here trying to buy crypto without needing a visa and a translator.
Brody Dixon
October 4, 2025 AT 17:37It's nice to see an exchange that prioritizes security and transparency, especially when so many others are cutting corners.
For people outside Japan, it’s frustrating, sure-but that doesn’t mean the platform isn’t doing something right for its target audience.
Maybe one day they’ll expand, but until then, it’s a good reminder that not every platform needs to be global to be valuable.
Mike Kimberly
October 5, 2025 AT 02:22Unlike many Western exchanges that chase leverage and derivatives to attract speculative traders, Bitbank has chosen to serve the needs of retail investors who want a simple, secure, and transparent way to hold and trade crypto.
The absence of leverage isn’t a flaw-it’s a feature for those who want to avoid the psychological traps of margin trading.
Their use of cold storage, multisig, and FSA oversight places them among the most compliant platforms globally, even if their market is geographically limited.
And while the Japanese-only live chat is inconvenient for non-speakers, the fact that they accept English and Chinese tickets shows at least some awareness of international interest.
The mobile app’s #1 ranking speaks volumes about user experience, not just marketing.
Many global exchanges have bloated interfaces with confusing fee structures; Bitbank’s simplicity is refreshing.
Even the lending program at 5% is unusually generous compared to the sub-2% yields on most US platforms.
The lottery feature? A bit gimmicky, sure-but it’s also a clever way to increase engagement without encouraging reckless behavior.
It’s not perfect, but it’s a rare example of a crypto exchange that seems genuinely interested in building trust, not just extracting fees.
Claymore girl Claymoreanime
October 5, 2025 AT 12:28And you call this 'smart trading'? It's like buying a Tesla and being told you can only drive it on Sundays.
0.15% fees? Please. That's just the price of admission to be trapped in a country-specific walled garden.
And let's not pretend the 'top-rated app' means anything when the entire user base is 0.001% of the global market.
You're not a pioneer-you're a niche gimmick with a fancy compliance badge.
Michael Hagerman
October 6, 2025 AT 00:03Spent 45 minutes trying to figure out if I needed a Japanese address.
Then I saw the live chat was only in Japanese.
I screamed into my pillow.
Then I went to Binance and bought ETH in 90 seconds.
Worth it.
Karla Alcantara
October 6, 2025 AT 14:16For Japanese users, this is probably the most stress-free way to get into crypto.
It’s rare to see a platform that doesn’t feel like it’s trying to trick you into trading stuff you don’t understand.
The lending program is a nice bonus too-passive income without the complexity.
Hope they keep this philosophy as they grow.
Jessica Smith
October 6, 2025 AT 16:47Zero leverage? No USD? Japanese-only support?
You’re not a platform-you’re a museum exhibit.
People don’t want safe. They want profit.
And if you’re not offering leverage, you’re not even in the game.
Call it ‘secure’ all you want. I call it irrelevant.
Petrina Baldwin
October 7, 2025 AT 10:19Ralph Nicolay
October 8, 2025 AT 05:42One must acknowledge that the absence of multi-currency fiat on-ramps and leveraged derivatives, while potentially limiting from a speculative standpoint, significantly mitigates systemic risk exposure for end-users.
Furthermore, the integration of multisignature protocols and cold-storage mechanisms demonstrates a commitment to operational security that is, regrettably, uncommon among peer institutions.
It is my professional opinion that this platform exemplifies a responsible, albeit geographically constrained, model for cryptocurrency exchange development.
sundar M
October 8, 2025 AT 14:13Even the 5% lending is insane compared to what we get in India.
I wish more exchanges worldwide took notes from Japan-focus on users, not hype.
And that app? Absolute butter. I’ve seen so many apps crash during volatility, but Bitbank? Smooth as silk.
Yeah, I can’t use it from India, but I still cheer for them.
Maybe one day they’ll open up. Until then, I’ll just keep dreaming of JPY pairs.