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Unocoin is India’s oldest crypto exchange — launched in 2013, a decade before most of its competitors. With 2.4M+ users, FIU-India registration, 120+ cryptocurrencies, and a Systematic Buying Plan (SBP) that makes DCA investing effortless, it remains a solid choice for Indian traders who want a veteran, compliance-first local platform.
| 📊 Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| ⭐ Rating | 3.8 / 5 |
| Best For | Indian beginners, BTC/USDT SBP (DCA), INR-native trading |
| Founded | 2013 — India’s first crypto exchange |
| CEO | Sathvik Vishwanath (co-founder) |
| Regulation | ✅ FIU-India registered |
| Spot Maker Fee | 0.2% |
| Spot Taker Fee | 0.3% |
| INR Deposit | Free — NEFT, RTGS, bank transfer |
| Supported Assets | 120+ cryptocurrencies (INR, BTC, USDT markets) |
| Custody | BitGo — 90%+ cold storage |
| Unique Features | Systematic Buying Plan (SBP), Crypto Baskets, BTC loans |
| Users | 2.4M+ |
| Available In | India only (Indian citizens and residents) |
| 👉 Start Trading on Unocoin — India’s First Exchange → | |
Key Takeaways
- Unocoin was India’s first crypto exchange (founded 2013) and remains one of the country’s most trusted platforms with 2.4M+ users and FIU-India registration.
- Spot fees: 0.2% maker / 0.3% taker. Volume-based discounts reduce fees for high traders — below 0.03% for trading whales above $80M monthly volume with BNS holdings.
- The Systematic Buying Plan (SBP) allows weekly or monthly automated BTC/crypto buys — one of the most accessible DCA tools in the Indian market with a minimum of just INR 100.
- BitGo institutional custody with 90%+ cold storage. Custodial fees apply to inactive accounts — keep this in mind if you’re holding long-term without trading.
- India-only — requires an Indian phone number (+91) and government ID. Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) are not eligible.
How We Review Crypto Exchanges
Our team opens real accounts, deposits real INR, executes spot trades, and verifies all fees from official Unocoin documentation. We specifically tested the SBP feature and BitGo custody integration.
| Criteria | Weight | Unocoin Score |
|---|---|---|
| Fees & Cost | 25% | 3.8 / 5 |
| Security & Regulation | 25% | 4.0 / 5 |
| Products & Asset Range | 20% | 3.5 / 5 |
| User Experience | 15% | 4.0 / 5 |
| Support & Reliability | 15% | 3.5 / 5 |
| Overall | 100% | 3.8 / 5 |
What Is Unocoin?
Unocoin was founded in 2013 in Tumkur, Karnataka by Sathvik Vishwanath, Harish BV, Sunny Ray, and Abhinand Kaseti — all IIT graduates. It’s backed by 45+ investors including Digital Currency Group, Blume Ventures, and Funders Club, and has raised $1.5M+ in funding. In 2020 it raised $20M in Series A from Tim Draper’s Draper Associates. Unocoin operates from Bengaluru and serves exclusively Indian citizens and residents.
Unocoin Fees — Full Breakdown
| Fee Type | Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Spot Maker | 0.2% | Reducible with BNS token holdings + volume |
| Spot Taker | 0.3% | Market orders |
| Volume Discount (top tier) | 0.03% | 80M+ USDT monthly + $200K BNS holdings |
| INR Deposit | Free | NEFT, RTGS, bank transfer |
| INR Withdrawal | NEFT/RTGS network fees only | Direct bank transfer |
| BTC Withdrawal | 0.0005 BTC | Below industry average (0.0008 BTC) |
| USDT Staking | 7% APY | Passive income on USDT holdings |
| Inactive Account | Custodial fee | Applies to long-inactive accounts |
Unocoin Key Features
Systematic Buying Plan (SBP)
Unocoin’s Systematic Buying Plan lets Indian investors automate crypto purchases weekly or monthly — starting from just INR 100. This is India’s equivalent of a crypto SIP (Systematic Investment Plan), designed for long-term BTC accumulation without market timing. Standard spot fees apply to SBP orders.
Crypto Baskets
Pre-built diversified crypto portfolios let users buy exposure to multiple assets in one transaction. Baskets cover themes like DeFi, Layer-1s, and top market-cap coins. A simpler alternative to researching and buying each coin separately.
BTC Loans
Unocoin offers crypto-backed loans in INR and USDT, using Bitcoin as collateral — up to 50% of BTC value. Borrowers can withdraw the loan amount directly to their bank account. This allows BTC holders to access liquidity without selling their holdings.
USDT Staking — 7% APY
Unocoin offers 7% APY on USDT holdings — a competitive rate for stablecoin yield in the Indian market. Flexible terms available. Factor in custodial fees for inactive accounts when calculating net yield.
Paper Wallet
Unocoin offers offline paper wallet generation — a public/private key pair printed for cold storage. This is a niche but practical feature for users who want maximum security for long-term Bitcoin holdings without buying a hardware wallet.
Unocoin Pros & Cons
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
|---|---|
| India’s first exchange (since 2013) | India only — NRIs not eligible |
| FIU-India registered, FATF compliant | No Tier-1 global regulation |
| BitGo custody — 90%+ cold storage | Custodial fee on inactive accounts |
| Systematic Buying Plan (SBP) from INR 100 | Customer support complaints — ticket system only |
| 7% APY on USDT staking | 120 coins — limited altcoin selection vs global peers |
| BTC loans in INR/USDT | No futures, leverage, or derivatives |
| Below-average BTC withdrawal fee (0.0005 BTC) | 0.3% taker fee — above global average |
| Backed by Tim Draper (Draper Associates) | App ratings below average (2.9 iOS / 3.2 Android) |
Who Should Use Unocoin?
✅ Best For
- Indian beginners who want India’s most established, compliance-first exchange
- SIP/DCA investors — the Systematic Buying Plan is one of India’s best automated crypto investment tools
- BTC holders wanting to access INR/USDT liquidity via crypto-backed loans without selling
- USDT holders looking for 7% APY passive yield
❌ Who Should Avoid It
- Anyone outside India or NRIs — not eligible
- Altcoin traders who need 500+ tokens — use CoinDCX or global exchanges
- Traders wanting futures, leverage, or derivatives — Unocoin is spot-only
- Long-term holders who don’t plan to trade — the inactive account custodial fee will apply
Unocoin Frequently Asked Questions
Is Unocoin safe?
Unocoin is FIU-India registered and uses BitGo institutional custody with 90%+ assets in cold storage. It’s operated for 10+ years without a publicly disclosed major hack. The custodial fee for inactive accounts is a known cost — active traders won’t encounter it.
What is the Systematic Buying Plan (SBP)?
The SBP is Unocoin’s automated DCA tool — set a fixed INR amount to invest in Bitcoin or other cryptos at weekly or monthly intervals, starting from just INR 100. It removes emotion from investing and helps build a crypto portfolio consistently over time. Standard trading fees apply.
What are Unocoin’s trading fees?
Maker: 0.2%, Taker: 0.3%. Volume and BNS token holdings unlock discounts — top tier traders can reach 0.03% maker fee. BTC withdrawal fee is 0.0005 BTC — below the 0.0008 BTC industry average. INR deposits and withdrawals are free (network fees apply).
⚡ Bottom Line: Unocoin is a solid choice for Indian traders who value a decade-long track record, FIU compliance, and BitGo custody. The Systematic Buying Plan is genuinely one of India’s best DCA tools. The 0.3% taker fee and 120-coin selection are real limitations vs global peers. Inactive account custodial fees are a trap for long-term holders who don’t trade. For altcoin access, use CoinDCX alongside Unocoin. For beginners building a BTC/ETH position via SBP, Unocoin is a legitimate starting point.
⚠️ Risk Disclaimer: Crypto trading involves significant risk of loss. Unocoin is available to Indian residents and citizens only. This is not financial advice.
