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Is Phemex safe? What the official record shows — and what it does not

We do not score safety. This report lists what Phemex’s official sources show, how that compares with 20 exchanges, and what we could not confirm.

Published 2026-09-23 Updated 2026-11-05 Data checked 2026-11-06 How we rate

103.29%BTC reserve ratio
2Licenses & registrations
NoKYC required

Key takeaways

  • Phemex’s proof-of-reserves report for November 2026 shows reserve ratios of BTC 103.29%, ETH 113.54%. No third-party auditor is named, so the figures are the exchange’s own disclosure.
  • Licenses and registrations: 2 recorded (Poland, United States). The median across 17 exchanges with confirmed data is 2.
  • KYC: not required to trade.
  • Security incidents: 1 recorded (2025).

01Reserves: BTC 103.29% · ETH 113.54%

Phemex’s proof-of-reserves report for November 2026 shows reserve ratios of BTC 103.29%, ETH 113.54%. It covers 8 assets. Reports began in November 2022. Reports are published monthly.

Users can check that their own balance is included with a Merkle-tree tool. No third-party auditor is named, so the figures are the exchange’s own disclosure.

Exhibit 1 Proof of reserves, November 2026
BTC reserve ratio103.29%
ETH reserve ratio113.54%
Assets covered8
Report periodNovember 2026
Monthly reports sinceNovember 2022
FrequencyMonthly

A ratio above 100% means the reported reserves exceed the reported user balances for the covered assets. It is a snapshot published by the exchange itself.

Source: Phemex

02Licenses: 2 recorded, against a median of 2

Our data records 2 licenses or registrations for Phemex: Poland, United States. Across 17 exchanges with confirmed data, the median is 2.

A registration is not the same as full regulation of every product. Each entry links to the official source it was recorded from.

Exhibit 2 Licenses and registrations
JurisdictionLicense / registration
Poland VASP registration (claimed by Phemex; other licenses stated as under application)
United States FinCEN MSB registration (Phemex Ltd; registration letter hosted by Phemex)

Source: CEX Compare, from official exchange sources (checked 2026-11-06)

03How Phemex compares

Proof of reserves does not set Phemex apart: all 16 exchanges with confirmed data publish one. A user protection fund is recorded at 16 of 17.

Exhibit 3 Trust indicators: Phemex against 20 exchanges
Item Phemex Across 20 exchanges
Proof of reserves Yes 16 of 16 confirmed
User protection fund Yes 16 of 17 confirmed
Licenses & registrations 2 Median 2 (17 confirmed)
KYC required No 17 of 20 confirmed
Recorded security incidents 1 Median 1 (10 confirmed)

Source: CEX Compare, from official exchange sources (checked 2026-11-06) · Share of the 20 exchanges on this site with a confirmed value. No weighting and no overall verdict — see methodology.

04What we could not confirm

  • An independent auditor for the reserve report — none is named.
  • A user protection fund with a stated size — none was found on Phemex’s official site. Futures insurance funds, which cover liquidations, are not counted.

Figures checked 2026-11-05

05Fees in context

Phemex’s base spot taker fee is 0.100% — 3 of 20 exchanges charge less and 8 charge the same. Its futures taker fee is 0.060%, with 12 of 17 charging less.

Exhibit 4 Taker fees across 20 exchanges, Phemex highlighted

Spot taker

20 of 20 confirmed
Lowest0.000%Bitfinex
Median0.100%
Highest1.200%Gemini

Futures taker

17 of 20 confirmed
Lowest0.000%Bitfinex
Median0.050%
Highest0.070%Gemini

Source: CEX Compare, from official exchange sources (checked 2026-11-06)

Phemex
Spot taker0.100%Futures taker0.060%Listed coins600
No verified affiliate link
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Phemex regulated?

Phemex holds 2 recorded licenses or registrations: Poland, United States. Each applies only to its own jurisdiction.

Does Phemex have proof of reserves?

Phemex’s proof-of-reserves report for November 2026 shows reserve ratios of BTC 103.29%, ETH 113.54%.

Does Phemex have a user protection fund?

A user protection fund with a stated size — none was found on Phemex’s official site. Futures insurance funds, which cover liquidations, are not counted.

Does Phemex require KYC?

No. Phemex does not require identity verification (KYC) to place orders.

Every answer is generated from the values above and their official sources — nothing is added that the data does not show.

Related

About this report

This report is built only from the verified figures on this site. Every number links to an official source, and the data is reviewed by Jason Lee. It is information, not investment advice. About us →

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