Gate is one of the longest-running crypto exchanges still operating: it started in 2013 as Bter, became Gate.io in 2017 and switched to the Gate.com brand in May 2025. In this Gate review we look at what sets it apart, which is breadth. CoinGecko tracks 1,475 coins and 1,611 pairs on the exchange, and Gate itself advertises more than 5,400 assets, so new and small tokens often appear here before larger venues. It pairs that with low base fees, regular proof-of-reserves reports showing a 127% ratio and a MiCA licence for its Maltese arm. The trade-off is that the global platform most users join sits offshore and is closed to dozens of countries.
Gate at a glance
| Item | Details (November 2026) |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2013 (as Bter); Gate.com since May 2025 |
| Base | Panama per CoinGecko; founder and CEO Dr. Han Lin |
| Key licences | MiCA and PSD2 (Malta, Gate Technology Ltd); VARA (Gate Technology FZE) |
| Coins / pairs | 1,475 coins, 1,611 pairs (CoinGecko) |
| Spot fees (VIP 0) | 0.10% maker / 0.10% taker |
| Futures fees (VIP 0) | 0.020% maker / 0.050% taker |
| Max leverage | 125x futures, 10x spot margin |
| Proof of reserves | 127%, $8.215bn (data 19 Aug 2026) |
| CoinGecko Trust Score | 10/10 |
Regulation and safety: Gate review of licences
Gate runs as a group of regional companies, and your protection depends on which one you sign up with. On 1 October 2025 the group announced that Gate Technology Ltd (“Gate Europe”) had received a MiCA licence from the Malta Financial Services Authority to provide exchange and custody services, with passporting across the EEA. In February 2026 the same company added a PSD2 payment institution licence from the MFSA. In January 2026 Gate Technology FZE launched Gate Dubai under a Virtual Asset Service Provider licence from Dubai’s VARA, covering retail as well as institutional clients.
Elsewhere, Gate entered Japan in 2024 by acquiring the licensed exchange Coin Master Co., Ltd., and Gate US has served customers in a number of states since August 2025. The group also cites registrations or approvals in Australia, the Bahamas, Italy, Lithuania, Gibraltar, Hong Kong and Cyprus, though press releases rarely name the entity for each.
The global gate.com site is a different matter. Its user agreement lists around 35 restricted countries, including the US, Canada, the UK, France, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, Japan, Singapore and the UAE, and directs some of those users to the local entity instead. Customers of the global platform rely on Gate’s own controls rather than a top-tier regulator.
Gate’s reserves are among the better-documented. The report with data as of 19 August 2026 showed $8.215 billion of reserves and a 127% total ratio. Gate held 27,550 BTC against 22,436 BTC owed to users, and 458,203 ETH against 375,429 ETH; stablecoins were covered at 111.63%. Users can check their inclusion on the proof-of-reserves page.
One recent operational issue is worth knowing. On 9 August 2026 abnormal price swings hit the TUT, Lobster and BICO perpetual contracts, triggering liquidations. Gate opened a risk-control review and pledged full USDT compensation to eligible liquidated users within three working days.
Trading fees
Gate’s base fees are in line with the cheapest large exchanges. Its fee guide, updated on 4 November 2026, lists VIP 0 spot fees of 0.10% for both sides and futures at 0.020% maker and 0.050% taker. Holding or paying with the GT token can reduce rates, and VIP tiers go up to VIP 16. Options fees were cut in February 2026 to 0.020% maker and 0.028% taker at VIP 0. See the official fee page for your tier.
| Product | Maker (VIP 0) | Taker (VIP 0) |
|---|---|---|
| Spot | 0.10% | 0.10% |
| Perpetual futures | 0.020% | 0.050% |
| Options | 0.020% | 0.028% |
| Tokenised stocks | 0.10% | 0.10% |
| P2P | 0% | 0% |
Crypto deposits carry no Gate fee. Withdrawal fees vary by coin and network and are recalculated roughly every hour, so check the amount at confirmation.
Products and markets
The product range is wide. Alongside spot and perpetual futures with up to 125x leverage, Gate offers 10x spot margin, options, a P2P market, Launchpool and Launchpad token programmes, Earn and staking, crypto loans, pre-market trading, the Gate Alpha section for early on-chain tokens, a non-custodial Web3 wallet and the Gate Pay payment service. Tokenised US stocks charge 0.1% at VIP 0.
That breadth is double-edged. Many listings are small caps with thin order books, and the August 2026 contract incident shows how quickly prices on such markets can jump. Leveraged positions on these tokens can be liquidated in minutes.
Account opening and KYC
According to Gate’s KYC help article, all users must complete identity verification before depositing or withdrawing. Accepted documents are a passport, driving licence or national ID card, photographed in full; scans and screenshots are rejected, files must be JPG or PNG under 4 MB, and under-18s are not eligible.
Deposits and withdrawals
Most users fund Gate with crypto. For fiat, Gate supports card purchases and says it offers real-time Visa and Mastercard payouts in 36 fiat currencies, while the P2P market lets users trade local currency with other users at zero platform fee. Bank and on-ramp options differ by entity and region, and third-party providers may add their own charges. Gate does not publish a minimum crypto deposit.
Who Gate suits and who should avoid it
- Suits: experienced traders hunting new or niche tokens who want low base fees.
- Suits: EEA users who prefer a MiCA-licensed entity and Dubai residents who want a VARA-licensed venue.
- Avoid: residents of restricted countries such as the UK, Canada or Singapore.
- Avoid: beginners who want a simple app and only a few major coins.
Final verdict
To close this Gate review: Gate combines an exceptionally long coin list, base fees of 0.10% spot and 0.020%/0.050% futures, and a 127% proof-of-reserves ratio with real licences in Malta and Dubai. Its weaknesses are the offshore status of the main global platform, a long restricted-country list and the risk that comes with thinly traded tokens. We rate Gate 3.9 out of 5. Crypto is volatile and custody on any exchange carries risk, so keep only what you trade on the platform.
Compare Gate with the other top crypto exchanges, or read our Bitget review and Bitstamp by Robinhood review.
FAQ
Is Gate regulated?
Partly. Gate Technology Ltd holds a MiCA licence and a PSD2 payment institution licence from Malta’s MFSA, and Gate Technology FZE holds a VARA licence in Dubai, but the global gate.com platform serving most users is operated offshore and is not covered by those licences.
What are Gate’s trading fees?
At VIP 0, Gate charges 0.10% maker and 0.10% taker on spot and 0.020% maker and 0.050% taker on perpetual futures, as of November 2026. Paying fees in GT can lower the rate, and P2P trading is fee-free.
Does Gate publish proof of reserves?
Yes. Gate’s report with data as of 19 August 2026 showed total reserves of $8.215 billion and an overall reserve ratio of 127%, with BTC reserves of 27,550 BTC against 22,436 BTC of user holdings.
Is KYC required on Gate?
Yes. Gate’s help centre states that all users must complete KYC with a valid passport, driving licence or ID card before depositing or withdrawing, and users under 18 cannot verify.
Can US or UK residents use Gate?
Not the global platform. Its user agreement restricts about 35 countries including the US, Canada, the UK, France, Germany and Japan; US residents are directed to Gate US and Japanese residents to Gate Japan.
Facts compiled on 8 November 2026 from the official website, regulator registers and independent reviews listed in the sources. Fees and conditions change; confirm on the official site before opening an account.