MEXC Alternatives 2026: 4 Exchanges Compared on Fees and Licences
Four MEXC alternatives side by side, unranked: spot fees, MiCA licences, restricted countries, 2026 hacks, reserves and what the Satovela code gives.
In this article
- The comparison in one table
- What can go wrong when switching
- Which profile should look where
- Fees: what trading costs
- Licences and restricted countries
- Security: hacks and reserves
- Binance
- Bitget
- Bybit
- Gate
- Differences that show up in daily use
- Common mistakes when leaving MEXC
- What the Satovela code gives on each
After the US order against MEXC on November 6, 2026, many users started looking for another exchange. This guide compares four alternatives in alphabetical order, with no ranking: Binance, Bitget, Bybit and Gate. Each has strengths and weak spots; the point is to put the numbers in front of you.
The comparison in one table
| Binance | Bitget | Bybit | Gate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic spot fee (maker / taker) | 0.100% / 0.100% | 0.1% / 0.1% | 0.100% / 0.100% | 0.1% / 0.1% |
| EU MiCA licence | No | No | Yes, via Bybit EU | Yes (Malta), with caveats |
| Serves US and Canada | No | No | No | No |
| Hack in 2026 | Yes, Oct 29 | Yes, Sep 24 | None found | None found |
| Satovela code | 10% rebate + new-user rewards | 20% on fees | No code yet | 20% on fees |
Data checked on November 8, 2026. Each exchange’s official pages prevail.
What can go wrong when switching
- Wrong network on the transfer. MEXC warns that the withdrawal network must match the deposit network on the receiving side, or the funds may be lost.
- Your country is restricted. Each exchange keeps its own list of excluded countries, and the lists differ a lot (see below).
- Forgetting the referral code. On all four the code goes in at sign-up. Adding it later is limited or impossible depending on the exchange.
Which profile should look where
| If your priority is | What the data shows |
|---|---|
| A MiCA-licensed platform in the EU | Bybit (via Bybit EU) and Gate (Malta) hold licences |
| No hack recorded in 2026 | Bybit and Gate have no 2026 incident in the sources reviewed |
| A protection fund with a published size | Binance (SAFU, about US$1 billion) and Bitget (over US$464 million on Sep 24, 2026) |
| One page listing every licence | Gate publishes a full licence list |
| The Satovela code discount | Bitget and Gate: 20%; Binance: 10% rebate + new-user rewards; Bybit: no code |
| Living in the US or Canada | None of the four serves you |
Fees: what trading costs
| Exchange | Basic spot (maker / taker) | With own token | Token |
|---|---|---|---|
| Binance | 0.100% / 0.100% | 0.075% / 0.075% | BNB (25% off) |
| Bitget | 0.1% / 0.1% | 0.08% / 0.08% | BGB (20% off) |
| Bybit | 0.100% / 0.100% | 25% off (third-party source) | MNT |
| Gate | 0.1% / 0.1% | 0.09% / 0.09% | GT |
At the basic tier all four charge the same on spot. The gap comes from token discounts and referral codes.
In practice: at low volume, fees barely separate the four. Check licences, country restrictions and security first.
Licences and restricted countries
EU and MiCA
| Binance | Bitget | Bybit | Gate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MiCA status | None; Greek application withdrawn in June 2026 | None; Bulgarian VASP registration | Licensed via Bybit EU (Austria, FMA), passported to about 29 EEA states except Malta | Licensed in Malta (MFSA), passported to most EEA states |
| What EU users see | No new EU sign-ups since July 2026 (third-party reports); withdrawals unaffected | France, Germany and Austria on the prohibited list | EEA users are directed to bybit.eu | The restricted-locations page still lists Spain, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Austria and Malta |
Gate’s two official pages contradict each other on several EU countries. The cautious reading: check what the sign-up page accepts for your country.
Countries outside the EU
| Country | Binance | Bitget | Bybit | Gate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Excluded | Excluded | Excluded | Excluded |
| Canada | Excluded | Excluded | Excluded | Excluded |
| United Kingdom | Not on the third-party lists | Not on the prohibited list | Not on the excluded list | On the restricted list |
| Japan | Not on the third-party lists | Prohibited | Not on the excluded list | Restricted |
| Singapore and Hong Kong | Not on the third-party lists | Prohibited | Excluded | Restricted |
| Indonesia | No restriction found | Not prohibited | Not excluded; separate OJK-supervised Bybit Indonesia | Restricted |
| Turkey | Separate local company Binance TR | Not prohibited by Bitget, but Turkish authorities block unlicensed offshore sites (third-party reports) | Not excluded; local company Bybit Türkiye | Not on the list |
Binance’s official list could not be read in full; the column reflects third-party copies of it. In the UK, exchanges also need FCA registration to serve customers, and MiCA does not apply there.
In practice: check your country on the official list before moving funds. A frozen account after deposit is harder to fix than a refused sign-up.
Security: hacks and reserves
| Binance | Bitget | Bybit | Gate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 hack | Oct 29: about US$6.3 billion affected, about US$3 billion frozen with partners | Sep 24: US$351.6 million initial official estimate; about US$388 million in later press figures | None found | None found |
| Who covered it | SAFU fund and company funds | Protection fund | — | — |
| Withdrawals | Reopening in stages (Recovery Update #9 on Nov 6) | Fully back on Oct 2 | — | — |
| Proof of reserves | BTC at 100.04% after the hack (third party) | 135% overall (Sep 2026) | BTC 102%, USDT 112% (Oct 27, 2026) | 118.49% overall (Sep 2026) |
| Protection fund | SAFU, about US$1 billion in BTC | Over US$464 million (Sep 24, 2026) | Size not published | US$500 million as of Aug 2025 (third party; may be outdated) |
Bybit was hacked on February 21, 2025, for about US$1.46 billion. That falls outside 2026 but is part of its record.
In practice: reserve ratios above 100% are a snapshot of one day, not a guarantee. On any of the four, keeping only what is needed for trading lowers exposure.
Binance
Strengths
- Bank deposits in many local currencies; in Mexico, Argentina and Colombia monthly limits run in three tiers by verification level.
- SAFU fund with a published size and reserves above 100%.
- Satovela code: 10% fee rebate plus access to Binance’s new-user rewards.
Weak spots
- Hacked on October 29, 2026; withdrawals were still reopening in stages on November 6.
- No MiCA licence, and no new EU sign-ups since July 2026 (third-party reports).
- No Passkey option for two-factor authentication.
Full guide: Binance referral code.
SATOVELA10% trading-fee rebate with this code · Unlocks new-user rewardsBitget
Strengths
- Local deposit routes in Brazil (PIX), Vietnam (VND and P2P), Indonesia (P2P) and Latin America (SPEI and OXXO in Mexico, among others).
- Protection fund above US$464 million and reserves of 135% (September 2026).
- Satovela code: 20% on fees.
Weak spots
- Hacked on September 24, 2026; little of the stolen money was recovered (about US$1.1 million frozen by October 2), and the fund covered users.
- No MiCA licence; its terms prohibit France, Germany, Austria and several other countries.
- No single official page listing all its licences was found.
Guides: Bitget review and Bitget referral code.
SATOVELA20% trading-fee rebate with this codeBybit
Strengths
- No 2026 hack in the sources reviewed; its October 27, 2026 proof of reserves showed all 50 covered assets above 100%, verified by Hacken.
- MiCA licence through Bybit EU, and local companies in Turkey and Indonesia.
- Reported a 2026 first-half risk review blocking over 30,000 suspicious withdrawal requests.
Weak spots
- Hacked on February 21, 2025, for about US$1.46 billion; insurance fund size not published.
- Some fee and fiat details come only from search-cached official pages.
- No Satovela code yet.
Gate
Strengths
- One official page listing every licence, including MiCA (Malta), Japan, Dubai and others.
- No 2026 hack in the sources reviewed.
- Satovela code: 20% on fees.
Weak spots
- Its restricted-locations page conflicts with its licence page for several EU countries, and it lists the UK, Indonesia and Argentina as restricted.
- No native bank withdrawal: cashing out to fiat goes through partners (Banxa, MoonPay, Coinify), each with its own fees.
- Two-factor authentication only via authenticator apps (no SMS), and the referral code cannot be added after sign-up.
Full guide: Gate referral code.
SATOVELA20% trading-fee rebate with this codeDifferences that show up in daily use
| Binance | Bitget | Bybit | Gate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Two-factor options | Security key, app, SMS, email (no Passkey) | SMS, Google Authenticator, Passkey | Google Authenticator, Passkey | Google or Gate Authenticator only |
| Adding the code later | Within 30 days with no deposit or trade (official rule) | Within 7 days (third-party source) | Within 14 days via a partner programme (third-party source) | Not possible |
| Verification attempts | Up to 10 a day | Up to 5 in 24 hours | Resubmission result in 15–20 minutes | Up to 3 a day per level |
Common mistakes when leaving MEXC
- Opening the new account without the code and only then looking for where to enter it.
- Copying a deposit address for one network and withdrawing from MEXC on another.
- Sending the full balance without a small test first.
- Picking an exchange that restricts your country, then getting stuck at verification.
- Leaving everything on the new exchange without considering a self-custody wallet for part of it.
The transfer itself is covered step by step in how to move funds off MEXC. For background, see the FinCEN order’s impact and is MEXC safe?.
What the Satovela code gives on each
| Exchange | What the code gives |
|---|---|
| Binance | 10% rebate on trading fees + Binance new-user rewards |
| Bitget | 20% on trading fees |
| Bybit | No Satovela code yet |
| Gate | 20% on trading fees |
The percentages are Satovela settings inside each exchange’s referral programme, not a promise the exchange makes for every code. What the sign-up page and account show is what applies. Sign up: Binance, Bitget, Gate.
To filter by country and estimate savings with the code, use the exchange comparison.
FAQ
Which exchange can replace MEXC?
It depends on your country and needs. Binance, Bitget, Bybit and Gate all charge 0.1% on basic spot trades; they differ on licences, restricted countries, 2026 incidents and local deposit methods. The tables in this guide cover each point.
Which MEXC alternatives hold a MiCA licence?
Bybit, through Bybit EU (licensed in Austria), and Gate, through its Malta entity. Gate's own restricted-countries page still lists several EU states, so check your country at sign-up. Binance and Bitget had no MiCA licence as of November 8, 2026.
Can US or Canadian residents use these exchanges?
No. Binance.com, Bitget, Bybit and Gate do not serve US or Canadian residents.
What does the Satovela referral code give?
Binance: a 10% trading fee rebate plus new-user rewards. Bitget and Gate: 20% on trading fees. Bybit has no Satovela code yet. What the sign-up page and account show is what applies.
Can crypto be sent from MEXC straight to these exchanges?
Yes: withdraw from MEXC to the other exchange's deposit address on the same network at both ends. Send a small test amount first.
Content is for education only and is not investment advice. Crypto and stocks can lose value. Risk disclaimer · Affiliate disclosure