Uphold is an all-in-one cryptocurrency exchange and financial platform, originally launched in 2014 as Bitreserve. It now serves over 10 million users in 140+ countries, offering trading in 300+ cryptocurrencies as well as major fiat currencies (USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, etc.) and three precious metals. Uphold’s educational resources and simple interface make it accessible to beginners, while its broad asset selection (and features like staking) appeals to both new and experienced crypto investors. In this Uphold Exchange Review, we’ll explore its key features, fees, security, user experience, and more.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
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Features
Supported Cryptocurrencies & Fiat
Uphold supports a wide range of assets. It offers over 300 cryptocurrencies (including Bitcoin, Ethereum, stablecoins, and many altcoins). It also supports 20+ fiat currencies (USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, CHF, etc.) and three precious metals (gold, silver, platinum). This multi-asset capability lets users trade across crypto, forex, and metals in one place.
Wallet Options
By default, Uphold holds user funds in custodial wallets (the company controls the private keys). For self-custody, Uphold offers two new options: the UpHODL wallet and the Uphold Vault. UpHODL is a separate full-self-custody mobile app (for BTC, ETH, XRP, and other coins), though it has had issues with token transfers. The Uphold Vault is a 2-of-3 multisig wallet (you control 2 keys, Uphold holds 1); currently it supports Bitcoin and XRP and will add more assets. Users can also withdraw crypto to any cold (offline) wallet of their choice.
Staking
Yes. Uphold relaunched staking on 19 cryptocurrencies in 2025. Notable staking coins include Cosmos, Tezos, and Polkadot. APYs can be very high (up to ~17% on some coins). The staking process is user-friendly: simply select an eligible coin and enable staking to start earning rewards automatically. Payouts are deposited in-kind into the user’s Uphold balance.
Debit Card
Yes – Uphold provides a Mastercard debit card linked to your account. This card automatically converts your crypto (or USD balance) into local currency for purchases. It supports multiple currencies with no foreign transaction fees and works at ATMs worldwide. A virtual (online) card is also available. There are no point rewards or cashback, and standard issuance/shipping fees may apply.
Trading Options
Uphold is primarily a spot exchange. You can instantly buy, sell, or convert between any two supported assets (crypto, fiat, or metals). Key features include one-click asset conversions, recurring buys (AutoPilot), and basic order types (limit, stop-loss, take-profit). There is currently no margin/leverage trading or advanced derivatives. In other words, seasoned day traders may find Uphold’s feature set fairly simple.
User Interface
Both the website and mobile apps are designed to be intuitive. The interface is clean and easy to navigate, helping beginners get started. The main Uphold app (Android/iOS) is highly rated (around 4.5/5 stars on average), with users praising its speed and design. (The UpHODL app, by contrast, has mixed reviews due to transfer usability issues.) In general, customers report that Uphold’s apps feel smooth and responsive, though occasional bugs or downtime have been noted.
Fees
Uphold’s fees include trading commissions and, for some methods, payment fees. Trading fees are embedded in the quoted rate. For example, cryptocurrency purchases have a commission of roughly 1.4%–1.6% for BTC/ETH, and about 1.9%–2.95% for most altcoins. Converting stablecoins or fiat is cheaper (~0.25%). Additionally, a $0.99 fee applies to trades under $500.
| Asset/Class | Trading Fee |
|---|---|
| Bitcoin, Ethereum | ~1.4%–1.6% per trade |
| Other Cryptocurrencies | ~1.9%–2.95% |
| Stablecoins/Fiat | ~0.25% |
Deposit and withdrawal fees vary by method. Most bank transfers (ACH/SEPA) and debit card deposits are free, while U.S. credit card buys incur ~3.99% fee. Withdrawals have higher costs: instant bank/debit withdrawals cost ~1.75%, and crypto withdrawals incur network fees (e.g. ~0.000075 BTC). Google/Apple Pay deposits are free, with 1.75% fee on withdrawal. The table below summarizes typical fees:
| Payment Method | Deposit Fee | Withdrawal Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Bank transfer (ACH/SEPA) | Free | Free (standard); ~1.75% for instant |
| Debit card | Free | 1.75% |
| Credit card | Free (US: 3.99%) | N/A |
| Apple/Google Pay | Free | 1.75% |
| Crypto transfer | Free | Network fee (varies by coin) |
Security Measures
Uphold employs strong security and transparency measures. All accounts should enable two-factor authentication (2FA) to protect funds. The platform is monitored 24/7 for suspicious activity. Critically, Uphold publishes real-time proof-of-reserves on its site, showing that customer funds are fully backed 1:1 (around $2.7 billion total reserves). The company holds SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001, and PCI DSS certifications to safeguard data and operations. Regulatory oversight also adds safety: Uphold is registered with FinCEN (U.S.) and the UK’s FCA, among other global regulators. As with any exchange, users are advised to use unique strong passwords and 2FA for the highest security.
Regulatory Compliance and Licensing
Uphold is compliant in key jurisdictions. In the U.S. it is a FinCEN-registered money transmitter. In the UK, Uphold Europe Ltd is FCA-registered for AML and acts as an agent for a regulated e-money issuer. It is also registered with Canada’s FINTRAC and other regulators. Note that crypto trading services aren’t protected by UK deposit insurance (FSCS), so crypto balances don’t have insurance. Fiat balances are held in safeguarded e-money accounts (still not FSCS-insured). Uphold enforces full KYC/AML compliance on all accounts to meet these regulatory standards.
User Experience and Mobile App
Uphold’s user interface earns high marks. The platform is often described as intuitive and easy to use. Both the web and mobile apps allow instant trading and portfolio tracking. The main Uphold app is well-reviewed (about 4.5/5 on average across app stores). Reviewers highlight the smooth design and wide coin selection. By contrast, the UpHODL wallet app has mixed feedback (around 2.5/5) due to some usability complaints. Overall, however, customers appreciate Uphold’s responsive design and multi-asset access on mobile. One Trustpilot reviewer summed it up: “Everything is easy to use” on Uphold.
Customer Support
Uphold’s support is primarily online-only. It offers email/ticket support and a knowledge base; there is no live phone support. Many reviews note that response times can be slow – issues submitted via ticket may take a couple of days to resolve. On the plus side, Uphold does maintain an extensive FAQ and help center, and company data show it responds to roughly 59% of negative Trustpilot reviews (typically within 48 hours). In practice, traders should be prepared to rely on asynchronous support methods.
Comparison with Other Exchanges
The table below compares Uphold to three major crypto exchanges on key features:
| Platform | Cryptos Supported | Trading Fees (maker/taker) | Staking | Notable Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uphold | 300+ | ~1.4%–2.95% per trade | Yes – 19 coins (up to ~17% APY) | Multi-asset (crypto, forex, metals), crypto debit card, FCA/FinCEN-regulated |
| Coinbase | ~280 | 0%–0.40% / 0.05%–0.60% | Yes – on-chain (up to ~12% APY) | Beginner-friendly, FDIC-insured USD, US-regulated |
| Kraken | 450+ | 0%–0.25% / 0.10%–0.40% | Yes – staking resumed 2025 (US only) | High security (proof-of-reserves), low fees for pros |
| Binance | 600+ (global) | 0.10% / 0.10% (with BNB discount) | Yes | Lowest fees, huge coin selection; US via Binance.US only |
User Reviews and Sentiment
User feedback on Uphold is mixed. On Trustpilot, Uphold holds an “Excellent” 4.5/5 rating (59% of ~18.6k reviews are 5-star). Many positive reviews highlight the easy interface, wide asset range, and fast transactions. For example, satisfied users say “Everything is easy to use” on Uphold and appreciate the instant deposits/withdrawals. However, 23% of Trustpilot reviews are 1-star, citing issues like slow support and frozen accounts. Reddit users similarly praise the broad asset selection and convenience, but complain of “hidden fees” and sluggish service.
App store ratings reflect this split. The Uphold iOS app scores ~4.7/5, whereas Google Play is about 3.6/5, often due to reported bugs. In summary, users tend to love Uphold’s convenience and feature set, but wish for faster support and lower fees. As one expert review notes, “Uphold is a well-rounded crypto app with features that will appeal to beginners and advanced crypto investors alike,” despite its fee and support downsides.