If you're looking at Hikenex as a place to buy crypto with a credit card, you might be tempted by its simple interface and claims of supporting over 300 coins. But here’s the reality: Hikenex isn’t Binance. It’s not Coinbase. It doesn’t even show up on CoinGecko or CoinMarketCap. And that’s not an accident.
What Is Hikenex, Really?
Hikenex is a cryptocurrency exchange that started around 2018, originally listing a token called ONET COIN. Since then, it’s stayed under the radar. It doesn’t run ads on YouTube. It doesn’t sponsor crypto conferences. It doesn’t have a mobile app. And it’s not listed on any major exchange rankings. According to its own site, Hikenex supports Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and over 300 other cryptocurrencies across BEP-20, ERC-20, and TRC-20 networks. Sounds impressive, right? But here’s the catch: no independent source has verified those numbers. CryptoSingapore’s 2022 review said it supports around 30 coins. CryptoExchangeCanada said 300+. Which one’s right? No one knows. And that’s a red flag. The platform markets itself as a beginner-friendly option, especially for people in Singapore and Canada. It offers fiat on-ramps - you can buy crypto with a credit card. That’s useful if you’re new and don’t want to navigate peer-to-peer or bank transfers. But if you’re looking for advanced trading tools, limit orders, or API access? You won’t find them.Trading Volume? Almost None
One of the most telling signs of an exchange’s health is its trading volume. Binance does $20 billion a day. Coinbase does $1 billion. Hikenex? CoinCodex’s 2023 review listed its 24-hour volume as zero. Zero. That means no one’s really trading there. No liquidity. No price depth. If you try to sell $500 worth of Ethereum, you might get stuck waiting for a buyer - or get a terrible price because there’s no competition in the order book. Compare that to CoinEx, which supports thousands of assets and has real trading activity. Hikenex feels like a small shop in a shopping mall that’s been closed for months. The lights are on, the sign says “Open,” but nobody’s inside.Security? No Information
This is the biggest problem. You wouldn’t leave your keys in a car with no locks. Yet people are putting crypto into Hikenex without knowing if it’s even secured. There’s no public information about cold storage. No proof of reserves. No audits. No details on two-factor authentication (2FA) implementation. No mention of insurance for user funds. Not a single word from Hikenex about how your Bitcoin is protected. In 2026, that’s unacceptable. Even the smallest exchanges publish security details. Hikenex doesn’t. That silence speaks louder than any marketing page.
Fees and Withdrawals - The Hidden Costs
Hikenex says it offers “best rates.” But what does that mean? No one knows. The exchange doesn’t publish a fee schedule. Not for deposits. Not for trades. Not for withdrawals. CryptoExchangeCanada’s 2022 review mentioned Canadian users experienced withdrawal times of 12-24 hours. That’s slower than most major exchanges. And again - no verification. No sample size. No user names. Just a single report. In Singapore, users reported successful small purchases under S$500. But no one’s talking about fees on those trades. No one’s saying if they got charged 5%, 2%, or 0.5%. That’s not transparency. That’s guesswork. Compare that to Kraken or Bybit, where every fee is listed clearly: 0.1% for takers, 0.02% for makers, free deposits, fixed withdrawal fees. Hikenex? Blank.Customer Support and KYC - The Only Bright Spot
The one thing Hikenex does well is onboarding. CryptoSingapore’s review noted the KYC process takes under 24 hours - fast compared to exchanges that take days. The interface is clean. No confusing menus. You upload your ID, wait a day, and you’re in. Customer support is limited, though. Only email and live chat are mentioned. No phone number. No Twitter response team. No Telegram community for urgent help. If your funds get stuck, you’re on your own. And here’s the kicker: there are no verified user reviews on Trustpilot, Sitejabber, Reddit, or any major platform. One archived Bitcointalk thread from 2018 is the only public discussion. That’s not a community. That’s a ghost town.Who Is Hikenex For?
Let’s be honest. Hikenex isn’t for traders. It’s not for investors. It’s not even for crypto enthusiasts who care about security. It’s for one type of person: someone in Singapore or Canada who wants to buy $100 worth of Bitcoin with a credit card and doesn’t know any better. If you’re in a hurry, don’t want to learn about wallets or peer-to-peer, and just need a quick buy button - Hikenex might work. But even then, you’re better off using a regulated platform like Coinbase or Kraken. They’re cheaper, safer, and you can actually sell your crypto later without worrying. Hikenex’s biggest selling point - credit card purchases - is also its biggest weakness. High fees, no liquidity, no security disclosures. It’s like buying a car with no engine and calling it a “convenience vehicle.”
Is Hikenex Legit? Or Just a Risky Gamble?
Legit? Maybe. Safe? Absolutely not. It’s not a scam in the classic sense - it’s not stealing funds. But it’s not doing the basics either. No transparency. No security. No volume. No reviews. No updates since 2022. In 2026, the crypto world is tightening. Regulators are cracking down. Exchanges without clear compliance - especially ones that don’t even show up on rankings - are disappearing. Delphi Digital’s January 2026 report warned that small regional exchanges without regulatory clarity face existential threats. Hikenex fits that description perfectly. If you’re thinking of using it, ask yourself: would you leave your savings in a bank that doesn’t tell you how your money is protected? Would you trust a doctor who won’t show you their license? Hikenex doesn’t just lack features. It lacks trust.Alternatives That Actually Work
If you want to buy crypto with a credit card, here are better options:- Coinbase - Regulated in the U.S., EU, and Canada. Clear fees. Insurance on assets. Mobile app. Trusted by millions.
- Kraken - Low fees, strong security, supports 200+ coins. Great for beginners and traders alike.
- Bybit - Offers fiat on-ramps via credit card. High liquidity. Transparent fee structure.
- CoinEx - Supports over 1,000 assets. Real trading volume. Mobile app. Active community.
Final Verdict
Hikenex isn’t evil. It’s just irrelevant. It doesn’t offer anything unique. It doesn’t perform better than anyone else. It doesn’t even show up in the data. If you’re a beginner and you’re drawn to its simple interface, go ahead - but only with money you’re willing to lose. Don’t deposit more than you can afford to vanish. And don’t expect to ever sell it later without headaches. For everyone else? Skip it. There are dozens of better exchanges that actually care about your security, your money, and your future. Hikenex might be open. But it’s not alive.Is Hikenex a scam?
No, Hikenex isn’t a confirmed scam - it hasn’t been shut down or accused of theft. But it’s also not a trustworthy exchange. It lacks transparency, security disclosures, trading volume, and user reviews. It operates in a gray area where the absence of red flags doesn’t mean it’s safe - it means you’re on your own.
Can I trust Hikenex with my crypto?
No. There’s no public information about cold storage, insurance, or audits. Major exchanges like Coinbase and Kraken protect user funds with multi-signature wallets and third-party audits. Hikenex says nothing. If your coins disappear, there’s no recourse. Don’t risk your savings.
Why doesn’t Hikenex appear on CoinGecko or CoinMarketCap?
Because it doesn’t meet their listing requirements. Both platforms require verified trading volume, liquidity, and operational transparency. Hikenex shows zero volume and provides no documentation. Without that, it’s invisible to the industry.
Does Hikenex have a mobile app?
No. Hikenex has no dedicated iOS or Android app. You can only access it through a web browser. That’s a major disadvantage compared to competitors like Coinbase or Bybit, which offer secure, fast mobile trading.
Are Hikenex fees high?
Unknown. Hikenex doesn’t publish its fee schedule. Other exchanges clearly state trading fees, deposit costs, and withdrawal amounts. With Hikenex, you’re guessing. That’s a red flag - especially when you’re paying with a credit card, which often comes with hidden markups.
Is Hikenex available in the U.S.?
Hikenex doesn’t officially list supported countries. Its marketing targets Singapore and Canada, and there’s no evidence it serves U.S. users. Even if you can sign up, using it from the U.S. could violate local regulations. Stick to exchanges that clearly state their compliance status.
What happened to Hikenex after 2022?
Nothing. There have been no updates, announcements, new features, or regulatory filings since late 2022. The website hasn’t changed. No new blog posts. No social media activity. It’s frozen in time - a sign that the platform is either inactive or struggling to survive in a market that’s moved on.
Can I withdraw my crypto from Hikenex?
Possibly - but with no guarantees. One report from 2022 said withdrawals took 12-24 hours for verified users. But there are no verified user stories, no success rates, and no public tracking. If you need to move your crypto quickly, Hikenex is a risky choice.
