Uphold Review: Details, Pricing, & Features

Uphold is a multi-asset digital money platform allowing individuals to trade in cryptocurrencies (stablecoins included), metals, U.S. equities, and national currencies. Uphold also allows rapid conversions between different assets. Let’s discuss its products, prices, features, supported wallet, safety, fees, and much more in detail in this review.

Uphold Background

Uphold (previously Bitreserve) was launched by Halsey Minor and J.P. Thieriot in 2013. The company was renamed in 2015, and Anthony Watson, Nike’s former Chief Information Officer, assumed the CEO role. It is available in 150+ countries and supports 250+ currencies and commodities with frictionless foreign exchange and cross-border remittance for members globally. 

Since its launch, the platform has powered over $4 billion in transactions. It has over 30 million users worldwide. Uphold has also collaborated with several companies, such as Bitwage and Brave Software. Today, the company is recognized for its innovative approach to financial services.

Key Features and Services

Ease of Use

The interface of the platform is easily accessible. It’s an ideal platform for beginners, featuring a quick account opening process. Moreover, uphold is among the safest crypto exchanges. The exchange is registered with FCA (UK), FinCEN (US), and FCIS (Lithuania). Uphold publishes all liabilities and assets in real-time and follows strict security rules.

Order Types Available

The exchange offers three types of orders: market, limit, and stop. Market orders are swiftly executed at the current market price. Limit orders let you set a specific price for purchasing or selling an asset. Finally, stop orders act as a safety measure, automatically selling when the price falls below a specified level.

Supported Coins

Uphold currently supports over 250 cryptocurrencies, including major tokens, smaller cap tokens, and stablecoins. Some of the options include:

• Bitcoin (BTC)
• Ripple (XRP)
• Ethereum (ETH)
• Cardano (ADA)
• Dogecoin (DOGE)
• Tezos
• Chainlink (LINK)
• Litecoin (LTC)
• Solana (SOL)

The platform offers over 35 national currencies, including USD, EUR, and GBP. Fiat currencies are particularly useful for cross-border payments and remittances. 

Precious Metals

You can also trade precious metals on Uphold. Precious metals are naturally found elements that have high economic value. They serve as a reliable store of value due to their consistent demand, especially for industrial or tech uses. 

On Uphold, you have four precious metal options: silver, gold, platinum, and palladium. The exclusive option to exchange BTC for Gold, or vice versa, remains a distinctive feature. Purchasing metals is made easy through bank connectivity to 36 countries. You can also use debit and credit cards for smooth transactions.

Stocks

Uphold stocks exclusively offer U.S. equities, allowing users to buy them for as little as $1. You can purchase these U.S. equities with crypto wallets, banks, and debit/credit cards. The platform offers popular U.S. equities like TSLA, AMZN, GOOGL, NFLX, FB, and more.

Supported Wallets

Uphold is a versatile platform that allows you to link your account with various wallets. Whether you’re all about maximum security with a hardware wallet like Trezor or Ledger, or you prioritize the convenience of mobile wallets like Coinbase Wallet or Trust Wallet, Uphold has you covered.

DeFi Wallet

The exchange offers a DeFi wallet that enables you to earn interest on your crypto holdings. The DeFi wallet is integrated with a decentralized lending platform, Compound. You can get interest on your crypto holdings by lending them out on the Compound. 

Interest rates fluctuate depending on the cryptocurrency and market conditions. The staking period is flexible, allowing you to withdraw your funds at any time. Moreover, there are no restrictions on the amount of crypto that you can stake. Visit the official website for the latest information on APR and APY.

Uphold Card

The Uphold Card is a MasterCard debit card available to Uphold Exchange customers in the United Kingdom. This card can be used anywhere Mastercard is accepted, both online and in person, with no activation fees or annual fees. 

It allows individuals to spend any asset they hold in the Uphold wallet, whether commodities, precious metals, crypto, or fiat. Whenever you use the Uphold Card to make a purchase, you receive 4% cashback in Ripple (XRP). You can then spend or convert it to any available assets on Uphold, such as Bitcoin or gold.

Convert Anything to Anything

Users can convert any of their assets to any other supported assets from the same trading page on the platform. There is no need to log into different accounts or platforms to convert something like Bitcoin to a US stock like Apple. The fee for the conversion depends on the types of assets involved and works as a price spread.

NFT Support 

Trading NFTs on Uphold is just as easy as trading digital currencies. Users can browse through the available NFTs, make their selections, and easily complete the transaction. If users want to mint their NFTs, the exchange provides tools and resources to make the process smooth and enjoyable.

Uphold doesn’t just facilitate buying and selling NFTs.  It often partners with creators and artists, offering exclusive NFT drops and events. This lets you access unique digital collectibles and join a lively NFT community.

Educational Resources

Uphold cares about customers’ success in the crypto industry. It provides a treasure trove of educational resources designed with beginners in mind. These resources cover trading strategies, the basics of cryptocurrency, and maximizing the platform’s features. Users can also visit the blog articles and other content to solve any FAQs or problems.

Service Fees: Personal Accounts

• For cryptocurrencies: In Europe and the U.S., the spread ((difference between the bid and ask) is about 0.8% to 1.2% on BTC and ETH. In other regions of the world, the charges are about 1.8%. Spreads are high for low-liquidity tokens and cryptos. So check the rates before trading.
• For precious metals: The spread for metals is 3%. 
• For U.S. equities: The spread for U.S. equities is 1%. Charges usually go up when you trade outside of U.S. market hours, from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM ET on business days.
• For fiat currencies: The spread for major national fiat currencies like EUR, USD, and GBP is 0.2%.

Service Fees: Business Accounts

Opening an account and holding funds on the platform is free. Funding an Uphold account with crypto or another Uphold account is also free. Therefore, all member-to-member transactions incur no fees. Depositing money is free unless that deposit is made via a credit or debit card. The conversion fees for the various assets available on Uphold vary from 0.65% to 3.95%.

When withdrawing funds using crypto, the fee is $2.99, while withdrawing via bank transfer incurs a fee of $3.99. Moreover, other withdrawal charges include wire costs, third-party costs,  depending upon geographical location, and blockchain network fees.

Is Uphold Exchange Safe?

Many digital asset experts consider Uphold one of the safest ways to purchase crypto. The site is unique for its extensive range of assets — including gold and silver — which might clarify why security is important for the company. One of Uphold’s core security strategies includes the deployment of layered defenses coupled with robust encryption methods to minimize the depth and scope of potential attacks.

Security professionals routinely conduct security audits and penetration testing to maintain the system’s integrity. Uphold’s dedication to safeguarding against potential dangers is also evident through its 24/7 Security Operations Centre. This center continually monitors systems and promptly addresses any identified threats.

The platform has never experienced any security breach. The exchange also complies with Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) requirements.  It has obtained certifications and licenses, including a Money Services Business (MSB) license in the U.S.

Most of the users’ funds are stored offline in cold storage, which is more secure than keeping funds online in hot wallets. Interestingly, the company also runs a bug bounty program through Intigriti, a third-party security firm. This program rewards users who report any bugs or security issues on the platform.

Customer Service

The exchange offers reliable customer service, and you can communicate with one of the agents via several channels. You can submit a support ticket through the Uphold app or website. This is the best method for solving emergency problems. You also have the option to email agents at [email protected], and you can expect a response within a few hours. The firm also has an official Twitter account, @AskUphold, allowing you to send direct messages for support.

How to Sign Up for Uphold

1. Visit Uphold‘s official website and select “Sign Up”
2. Select whether you want a business or individual account
3. Fill out personal details, including full legal name, date of birth, and social security number (for U.S. residents)
4. Provide the home address, city, and zip code
5. Certify tax information accuracy and e-sign
6. Verify phone number with code
7. Verify identity with ID and face photos
8. Congratulations, you have an Uphold account

Pros

• User-friendly platform
• Supports a variety of cryptocurrencies
• Integration with traditional assets like U.S. equities and precious metals
• Unique “Anything-to-Anything” trading feature
• Offers personal and business accounts
• Robust security features

Cons

• Not as popular as some competing crypto exchanges
• Significant fee for credit card deposits
• No live help or support
• Identity verification is required upon withdrawal
• Educational content is less

Conclusion

Uphold is the best option for those seeking a reliable and safe crypto exchange. It offers a diverse range of crypto assets for trading. The platform also supports other asset classes, including US equities, fiat currencies, and precious metals. Uphold’s fee structure is also competitive in the market.

The company’s smart routing algorithm sources assets from 26 different exchanges, ensuring good pricing. For beginners, Uphold strikes a balance between functionality and simplicity. To begin, you need only to register and fund your account.