Contributor, Benzinga
January 30, 2025
Uphold
Overall Rating:
securely through Uphold's website

Terms Apply. Cryptoassets are highly volatile. Your capital is at risk.

Uphold is one of the most versatile trading platforms, allowing users to buy, sell and swap 260+ cryptocurrencies, precious metals and fiat currencies all in one place. Whether you're looking to diversify your investments, trade between different asset classes or hold your assets securely, Uphold has you covered. Unlike many exchanges that lock you into crypto-only trading, Uphold lets you trade Bitcoin for gold, silver or U.S. dollars without the extra steps. The platform is transparent about its fees, offers an intuitive and beginner-friendly dashboard and supports fast, commission-free trades. While spread fees vary, the convenience of asset-to-asset trading and a strong security framework make Uphold an excellent choice for both casual and serious traders. Uphold is a solid pick if you’re looking for a flexible, easy-to-use platform with a wide range of assets. Current Promotion: Earn up to 4.40% APY on your USD balance.
Pros
  • Large selection of crypto assets
  • Seamless cross-asset trading
  • Commission-free trading
Cons
  • High spread fees
  • No staking for U.S. users
  • Limited advanced trading tools

Uphold Ratings at a Glance

Pricing and Fees
Features and Tools
Supported Assets
Supported Countries and Regions
User Experience
Mobile App
User Benefits
Customer Service
Security
Overall
Table of Contents

Terms Apply. Cryptoassets are highly volatile. Your capital is at risk. Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest. This is a high-risk investment, and you should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong

What Is Uphold?

Founded in 2015, Uphold is a multi-asset trading platform that lets users buy, sell and swap cryptocurrencies, stablecoins, precious metals and fiat currencies. Unlike traditional crypto exchanges, it allows direct trades between different asset classes. For example, you can trade Bitcoin for gold in one step.

Key features include:

  • Crypto trading: 260+ cryptocurrencies supported.
  • Precious metals: Gold, silver, platinum and palladium.
  • Fiat trading: Supports 20+ national currencies.
  • Autopilot: A dollar-cost averaging (DCA) feature for automated trading.
  • Vault Storage: Assisted self-custody solution for enhanced security (Bitcoin & XRP only).

Pricing and Fees

Uphold keeps things simple and transparent when it comes to pricing. No hidden commissions, no surprise withdrawal fees. Instead of traditional maker/taker fees, Uphold uses a spread-based pricing model, which means the platform makes money from small price differences when you buy or sell.

Asset TypeSpread Fee
Stablecoins & Major FX0.25%
Bitcoin & ethereum1.6%
Altcoins1.9% - 2.95%
Precious Metals1.9% - 2.95%


While spread fees on lower-liquidity cryptos can be higher than some competitors, Uphold makes up for it with instant swaps, access to multiple asset classes and an easy, commission-free structure. If you value transparency and convenience, Uphold’s pricing model is a fair trade-off for the features you get.

Features and Tools

Uphold’s biggest advantage is its cross-asset trading, which lets users swap between asset classes without first converting to fiat. The Autopilot feature makes recurring buys easy, helping investors take advantage of dollar-cost averaging. For those looking for extra security, Uphold Vault offers assisted self-custody for Bitcoin and XRP, with plans to expand to more assets soon.

With zero deposit or withdrawal fees and an intuitive dashboard, Uphold is a strong platform for users who want a hassle-free trading experience.

Supported Assets

Uphold has one of the most diverse asset selections in the industry, supporting over 260 cryptocurrencies, stablecoins and precious metals like gold, silver and platinum. Users can trade between 20+ fiat currencies, including USD, EUR, GBP and JPY. Whether you’re looking for major cryptos like Bitcoin and ethereum or lesser-known altcoins, Uphold likely has what you need.

Supported Countries and Regions

Uphold operates in 180+ countries, giving global access to its trading platform. Certain U.S. states, like New York and Texas, have restrictions on some services such as staking. The platform is unavailable in a few countries, including Afghanistan, Cuba, Iran, North Korea and Syria. For most users, though, Uphold offers a truly global trading experience.

User Experience

Uphold’s clean design makes trading simple for both beginners and experienced investors. The sign-up process is quick, requiring basic KYC verification before you can start trading. The dashboard is customizable, allowing users to track and trade multiple assets in just a few clicks. The one-step trading process eliminates the hassle of multistep conversions, making the platform a frictionless experience.

Mobile App

The Uphold mobile app is highly rated, with 4.7 stars on iOS and 4.2 stars on Android. It mirrors the desktop experience with a user-friendly interface, real-time price tracking and easy asset swaps. Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds an extra layer of security. While the app lacks advanced trading tools, it’s perfect for quick and easy trades on the go.

User Benefits

Uphold stands out with its Autopilot feature, which allows users to automate purchases and reduce market volatility through dollar-cost averaging. The Vault storage option provides an extra layer of security for Bitcoin and XRP, with plans to expand to other assets. While there’s room for more educational resources, Uphold’s design and feature-rich platform already offer great value to users.

Customer Service

Uphold offers multiple support options, including a live chat feature on its app, a detailed FAQ section and social media support. While phone support isn’t available, email inquiries are typically handled within a reasonable time frame. Some users have reported slow response times, but overall, customer support is solid compared to other exchanges.

Support OptionAvailability
Live Chat✅ Available in-app
Email✅ Contact form
Phone❌ Not available
FAQ/Knowledge Base✅ Extensive resources
Social Media⚠️ Mixed response times

Security

Uphold takes security seriously, using two-factor authentication (2FA) and cold storage for most assets. It is a 100% reserve platform, meaning it does not lend out customer funds, making it more secure than many competitors. Users also benefit from real-time asset transparency, as Uphold publicly displays its assets and liabilities.

Overall

Uphold is one of the best multi-asset trading platforms, offering easy trade between crypto, fiat and metals. Its commission-free structure, wide asset selection and beginner-friendly interface make it a strong choice for traders of all levels. While spread fees can be higher for certain assets, the ability to trade across different asset classes in a single step makes it a standout platform.

Uphold is a top-tier option for those seeking an easy-to-use, secure and transparent trading experience.

Uphold vs. Competitors

Compared to Coinbase and eToro, Uphold stands out with its multi-asset trading capabilities and a larger selection of cryptocurrencies. While it lacks advanced trading tools, it’s an excellent all-in-one trading solution for diversifying beyond crypto.

FAQs

Q

Is Uphold a wallet or an exchange?

A

It’s both! Uphold acts as both a trading platform and a digital wallet, allowing users to securely store and manage their assets.

Q

Is Uphold legit?

A

Yes, Uphold has operated since 2015 and serves users in 180+ countries.

Q

Is Uphold a safe exchange?

A

Yes, Uphold is a 100% reserve platform with strong security measures, including two-factor authentication (2FA) and cold storage for most assets.

Q

How long does it take for Uphold to review an account?

A

Uphold account verification typically takes a few minutes to a few hours, but in some cases, it may take up to 24 hours if additional verification is required.

Q

How much are Uphold fees?

A

Uphold charges spread fees ranging from 0.25% to 2.95%, with no deposit or withdrawal fees, though crypto withdrawals may incur standard network fees.

Q

Is Uphold legal in the U. S.?

A

Yes, Uphold is legal in the U.S., but some services, such as staking, are restricted in certain states, such as New York and Texas.

Q

Is Uphold FDIC insured?

A

No, Uphold is not FDIC insured, but it operates on a 100% reserve model, meaning it does not lend out customer funds.

Uphold Disclaimer: Uphold offers Cryptoasset investing within the EU/UK (by Uphold Europe Limited) USA (by Uphold HQ Inc).  

Terms Apply. Cryptoassets are highly volatile. Your capital is at risk. Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest. This is a high-risk investment, and there's no safety net if things go south. The Uphold Card is issued by Optimus Cards UK Limited, a principal member of Mastercard and fully authorized by the FCA.

User Reviews

gary willson

How do you use this product to boost your finances?

the pinnacle of capitalism. Never using this place ever again. they placed an indefinite ban on my account after which they denied my refund. I got all they stole back through 360FORENSICdot (com)

K Lee

How do you use this product to boost your finances?

I honestly thought uphold has been pretty good for buying and holding crypto which is what I use it for. Also have one of the best selections of coins to stake. IDK I’m really surprised by so many negative comments it’s making me a little nervous now…

D Jakubs

How do you use this product to boost your finances?

Awful customer service. I question the legitimacy of the organization. When asking for explanation around restrictions, I keep getting asked for more proof. I have sent DL, Passport, global ID. What more do they need? Such a small amount of money but as N

james s Hanson

How do you use this product to boost your finances?

It make it intuitive and easy to purchase the asset I want at the moment in time that I want it.

STEVE W Collins

How do you use this product to boost your finances?

Terrible execution pricing

Pramod

How do you use this product to boost your finances?

uphold doesn't have all US stocks available. Just top few are available.

Krista Rose

How do you use this product to boost your finances?

Sync Uphold, then you can withdraw

Mi Suk Ko

How do you use this product to boost your finances?

Uphold does not have send or receive button? also, No earing interest on the cryptocurrency hold? Am I miss 't know where to find the functions?

Christopher Nelson

How do you use this product to boost your finances?

I don't because they need my first born son in order to change my legal state from MA to NH.

Nicholas

How do you use this product to boost your finances?

Cant withdraw your money

Plask

How do you use this product to boost your finances?

Please don't recommend UpHold. They don't have support, so you won't pass identity verification, without it your money will be stuck there.

quy duc nguyen

How do you use this product to boost your finances?

hell NOWAY

quy duc nguyen

How do you use this product to boost your finances?

uphold

Dan

How do you use this product to boost your finances?

Worst crypto company I have dealt with yet by far. Can't even complete opening the account. Takes 2 weeks to get any customer service. Avoid at all cost.

Ergys peka

How do you use this product to boost your finances?

I would not trust this company with my lollypop yet alone with my investment. RUN away! they will steal from you and turn their backs.

Peter Prokopenko

They processed a systematic account closure, after having accepted my deposit. It\'s been 30 days and they just keep closing out support tickets. Can\'t get in contact with anyone from support, everything is done online no center to call. Really annoying that they took my money and now I can\'t even get anyone to assist in resolving the issue. And their exchange rates are horrible. I would go with Coinbase as an alternative easy to set up crypto e-wallet.

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