When diving into the world of cryptocurrency, choosing the right exchange is crucial. One name that frequently comes up in Japan is Coincheck—a platform known for its user-friendly interface and extensive coin selection. But a common question among traders is: Is Coincheck’s fee structure too high compared to competitors?
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll analyze Coincheck’s fees in detail, compare them with other major Japanese exchanges, and reveal practical strategies to minimize costs. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced trader, this article will help you determine if Coincheck aligns with your trading style.
Coincheck's Fee Structure: What You Need to Know
Before comparing fees, let’s break down what Coincheck charges across different transaction types:
JPY Deposit Fees:
- Under ¥30,000: ¥770
- ¥30,000 and above: ¥1,018
- Over ¥500,000: 0.11% of amount + ¥495
- JPY Withdrawal Fee: ¥407
- Crypto Deposit Fee: Free
- Buy/Sell (Sales Desk) Fee: Free
- Exchange Trading Fee (Taker): Free or 0.1% (varies by asset)
- Exchange Trading Fee (Maker): Free or 0.05%
- Crypto Withdrawal Fee: Variable (based on network conditions)
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While Taker fees are among the lowest in the industry, especially for popular assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum, other costs—particularly JPY deposits—are relatively high. This makes Coincheck less ideal for frequent small deposits.
Comparing Coincheck with Top Japanese Exchanges
To better understand where Coincheck stands, we’ve compared it with four leading Japanese exchanges: GMO Coin, SBI VC Trade, DMM Bitcoin, and Bitbank.
JPY Deposit & Withdrawal Fees
| Exchange | JPY Deposit | JPY Withdrawal |
|---|---|---|
| Coincheck | Free (bank), ¥770–¥1,018 (convenience/quick) | ¥407 |
| GMO Coin | Free | Free |
| SBI VC Trade | Free (SBI Bank), ¥330 (others) | ¥220–¥440 |
| DMM Bitcoin | Free | Free |
| Bitbank | Free | ¥550–¥770 |
Verdict: Coincheck’s deposit options via convenience stores or Quick Pay are notably expensive. If you're funding your account frequently, GMO Coin or DMM Bitcoin offer better value.
Trading Fees (Maker/Taker)
| Exchange | Maker Fee | Taker Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Coincheck | Free or 0.05% | Free or 0.1% |
| GMO Coin | -0.01% to -0.03% | 0.05%–0.09% |
| SBI VC Trade | 0.01%–0.15% (volume-based) | — |
| Bitbank | -0.02% or free | Free or 0.12% |
Key Insight: GMO Coin and Bitbank offer negative maker fees, meaning you earn rebates for adding liquidity. While Coincheck’s taker fees are competitive, it lacks incentives for makers.
Crypto Withdrawal Fees (BTC Example)
| Exchange | BTC Withdrawal |
|---|---|
| Coincheck | Variable |
| GMO Coin | Free |
| SBI VC Trade | 0.0004 BTC |
| DMM Bitcoin | Free |
| Bitbank | 0.0006 BTC |
For users who frequently move crypto off-platform, Coincheck’s variable and often higher withdrawal fees can add up quickly.
Is Coincheck’s Spread Wide?
Spreads—the difference between buy and sell prices—can significantly affect trade execution costs.
| Exchange | BTC Spread | ETH Spread | XRP Spread |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coincheck | 6.0% | 6.6% | 8.8% |
| GMO Coin | 5.0% | 7.3% | 5.0% |
| SBI VC Trade | 5.9% | 6.7% | 9.6% |
| DMM Bitcoin | 4.0% | 3.6% | 5.8% |
| Bitbank | 4.8% | 5.0% | 5.0% |
Coincheck has one of the widest BTC spreads, which increases trading costs—especially for large orders. However, spreads vary across assets, so it's not universally poor.
Why Do Users Still Choose Coincheck Despite Higher Fees?
Despite higher fees in certain areas, Coincheck remains one of Japan’s most popular exchanges. Here's why:
✅ User-Friendly Mobile App
Coincheck’s app has been the top-downloaded crypto app in Japan for four consecutive years, with over 5.4 million downloads. Its intuitive design, real-time alerts, and built-in educational tools make it ideal for beginners.
✅ Largest Selection of Tradable Assets
With 29 cryptocurrencies available on its sales desk, Coincheck offers the widest range of tradable coins in Japan—all with zero trading fees on the sales desk.
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This breadth appeals to investors exploring altcoins without worrying about per-trade costs.
✅ High Bitcoin Liquidity
As of early 2025, over 36% of all Bitcoin traded in Japan happens on Coincheck. High liquidity ensures faster order execution and tighter effective spreads during peak times.
For Bitcoin-focused traders, this outweighs minor fee disadvantages.
Who Should Use Coincheck?
Based on its strengths and weaknesses, here are the ideal user profiles:
🟢 Beginners in Cryptocurrency
- Simple UI/UX
- In-app guidance
- Trusted brand with strong regulatory compliance
Perfect for those taking their first steps into digital assets.
🟢 Mobile-First Traders
If you prefer managing investments on your phone, Coincheck’s award-winning app delivers speed and functionality unmatched by many competitors.
🟢 Bitcoin-Centric Investors
With zero trading fees on Bitcoin via the exchange, and deep market liquidity, active BTC traders benefit from fast, low-cost executions.
How to Reduce Fees on Coincheck
Even if some fees are fixed, there are smart ways to minimize your overall cost:
🔹 Use the Exchange Instead of the Sales Desk
The sales desk includes hidden spread costs of 3–6%, even though it advertises “zero fees.” In contrast, using the exchange mode charges only explicit maker/taker fees (often free), drastically reducing total cost.
⚠️ Note: The exchange function is only available via web browser—not the mobile app.
🔹 Consolidate Deposits and Withdrawals
Since deposit fees apply per transaction, making fewer but larger deposits reduces recurring costs. For example:
- One ¥100,000 deposit: ~¥1,018 fee
- Ten ¥10,000 deposits: ¥770 × 10 = ¥7,700
That’s a difference of nearly ¥6,700!
Always plan your funding strategy to avoid unnecessary charges.
Lower-Fee Alternatives to Coincheck
If minimizing fees is your top priority, consider these two platforms:
💡 GMO Coin – Earn Fees as a Maker
- JPY Deposit/Withdrawal: Free (up to ¥20M)
- Crypto Withdrawal: Free
- Maker Fee: -0.01% to -0.03% (you get paid!)
- Taker Fee: 0.05%–0.09%
GMO Coin leads in cost efficiency, especially for high-volume traders who can earn rebates.
💡 DMM Bitcoin – Zero Withdrawal Fees
- Crypto Deposit/Withdrawal: Free
- Spot Trading: Free (except BitMatch orders)
- Leverage Trading: Low daily funding rate (0.04%)
DMM Bitcoin excels for users who regularly transfer assets externally.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
❓ Is Coincheck safe for beginners?
Yes. As one of Japan’s most regulated and trusted exchanges, Coincheck offers strong security measures including cold storage, two-factor authentication (2FA), and insurance coverage against theft.
❓ Why is Coincheck’s deposit fee so high?
The higher convenience deposit fees (e.g., via konbini) reflect third-party processing costs. For lower fees, use bank transfers instead.
❓ Can I trade without paying any fees on Coincheck?
Yes! You can trade Bitcoin and many other assets with zero fees when using the sales desk or exchange mode (taker) for supported coins.
❓ Does Coincheck charge for crypto deposits?
No. Depositing cryptocurrencies like BTC or ETH into your Coincheck wallet is completely free.
❓ Which exchange has the lowest overall fees in Japan?
As of 2025, GMO Coin offers the lowest net cost due to free deposits/withdrawals and negative maker fees that reward liquidity providers.
Final Verdict: Is Coincheck Worth It?
While Coincheck’s fees are slightly higher than some competitors, its strengths in usability, asset diversity, and Bitcoin liquidity make it a top choice—especially for beginners and mobile users.
It may not be the cheapest option for high-frequency traders or those focused on arbitrage, but for most retail investors seeking a reliable, easy-to-use platform with broad coin access, Coincheck delivers excellent value.
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Whether you're just starting out or diversifying your portfolio, understanding fee structures is key to maximizing profits. Use this guide to make an informed decision—and always keep cost-efficiency in mind when choosing your crypto exchange.