## What Is Bitfinex? Bitfinex is one of the oldest cryptocurrency exchanges, founded in 2012 and operated by the Hong Kong-based company iFinex Inc. [Tether](https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/tether/) (USDT), the largest [stablecoin](https://coinmarketcap.com/alexandria/glossary/stablecoin) by [market cap](https://coinmarketcap.com/alexandria/glossary/market-capitalization-market-cap-mcap), is also owned by iFinex Inc. The [centralized exchange](https://coinmarketcap.com/alexandria/glossary/centralized-exchange-cex) (CEX) platform was designed for professional traders and institutions, with support for both [fiat](https://coinmarketcap.com/alexandria/glossary/fiat) and crypto. The exchange is considered one of the most [liquid](https://coinmarketcap.com/alexandria/glossary/liquid-market) for [BTC](https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/bitcoin/) pairs and other major altcoins like [ETH](https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/ethereum/) and [XMR](https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/monero/). To protect user assets, the platform offers both two-factor authentication and IP address monitoring. The exchange focuses on professional traders and investors with experience, offering platform users the ability to engage in margin lending, margin funding, paired trading, [over-the-counter](https://coinmarketcap.com/alexandria/glossary/over-the-counter-otc) (OTC) trading and more. Besides spot and [margin trading](https://coinmarketcap.com/alexandria/article/what-is-margin-trading-and-how-does-it-work), Bitfinex also offers various other products, such as: Bitfinex Borrow, Bitfinex Pay, Bitfinex Pulse, Affiliate Program, API and its native utility token — UNUS SED LEO, amongst others. ## Who Are the Bitfinex Founders? Bitfinex was co-founded in 2012 by Raphael Nicolle and Giancarlo Devasini. Nicolle started his career as an IT technician and worked as a system administrator at Gutenberg Networks. Afterwards, he focused on the Bitcoin ecosystem and started developing Bitfinex based on the Bitcoinica trading platform code. Devasini is the serving CFO. He graduated from Milan University as a Doctor of Medicine but developed a passion for technology and entered the computer hardware business. He founded Point-G Srl and then Solo SpA. In 2012, Devasini met Raphael Nicolle and joined Bitfinex, running its trading and risk management operations. ## Where Is Bitfinex Located? The company is registered in the British Virgin Islands and based in Hong Kong. ## Bitfinex Restricted Countries Bitfinex restricts access to Iran, North Korea, Cuba, Syria, Crimea, Donetsk People's Republic and the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic. U.S. citizens, citizens or residents of Canada, the British Virgin Islands, the Government of Venezuela and residents of Austria or Italy are also prohibited from accessing the exchange. ## What Coins Are Supported on Bitfinex? Bitfinex supports a wide array of trading pairs and 270+ cryptocurrencies, among them: [BTC](https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/bitcoin/), [ETH](https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/ethereum/), [USDT](https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/tether/), [SOL](https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/solana/), [LTC](https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/litecoin/), [XRP](https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/xrp/), [EOS](https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/eos/) and many other options. ## How Much Are Bitfinex Fees? For crypto to crypto/stablecoins/fiat, [maker fees](https://coinmarketcap.com/alexandria/glossary/market-maker-market-taker) are 0.10% while taker fees are 0.20%. For crypto derivatives, maker fees are 0.020% while taker fees are 0.065%. Users can hold UNUS SED LEO tokens to receive 15% - 25% discount on their trading fees. Deposit fees are free from crypto, stablecoin and securities, while wire transfer fees are 0.10%. Withdrawal fees are dependent on the cryptocurrency. ## Is It Possible To Use Leverage or Margin Trading on Bitfinex? On the platform, qualified users (basic plus verification level and above) have the option to trade up to 10X [leverage](https://coinmarketcap.com/alexandria/glossary/leverage), receiving funds through its [peer-to-peer](https://coinmarketcap.com/alexandria/glossary/peer-to-peer-p2p) (P2P) margin funding platform.