GateHub Crypto Exchange Review: Is It Still Worth Using in 2025?

By Robert Stukes    On 5 Dec, 2025    Comments (0)

GateHub Crypto Exchange Review: Is It Still Worth Using in 2025?

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GateHub was once one of the most popular places to trade and store XRP. Back in 2017, if you owned Ripple, you probably had an account there. It was simple, fast, and built right into the XRP Ledger. But things have changed. Today, in December 2025, GateHub isn’t the go-to exchange it used to be. In fact, for most people, it’s not even a good option anymore.

What GateHub Actually Does

GateHub isn’t a full crypto exchange like Binance or Coinbase. It’s a wallet and trading platform built specifically for the XRP Ledger. That means it only supports a handful of coins-around eight total-with XRP being the main focus. You can send, receive, and trade XRP, Bitcoin, Ethereum, and a few others, but only because GateHub lets those assets be issued on the Ripple network. It’s not a native blockchain bridge. It’s a gateway.

That’s not necessarily bad-if you only care about XRP. GateHub still does one thing well: letting you buy XRP directly with fiat. You can deposit USD, EUR, CNY, or JPY and turn it into XRP in minutes. Most big exchanges don’t offer that anymore, especially after the SEC lawsuit against Ripple. For people in countries where XRP is still popular, that’s useful.

The Big Problem: Fees Are Way Too High

Here’s the harsh truth: GateHub charges more than almost any other exchange you can find.

Crypto Head’s November 2025 review found that GateHub’s trading fees are 376.95% above the industry average. That’s not a typo. If Binance charges 0.1% per trade, GateHub charges nearly 0.5%. For Ethereum deposits, you pay 0.011 ETH. For Bitcoin, it’s 0.00053 BTC. Those aren’t small amounts-they’re noticeable, especially if you’re moving more than a few hundred dollars.

And don’t forget the 20 XRP reserve. Every account on the XRP Ledger must hold at least 20 XRP to stay active. That’s about $12.60 at today’s price. You can’t withdraw it. You can’t trade it. It’s just locked up as a network fee. Most other wallets don’t do this. Even Coinbase lets you hold XRP without locking up cash.

Security: A History of Breaches

GateHub has been hacked. Twice.

In August 2017, hackers stole $5 million. In June 2019, they took almost $10 million. GateHub claimed no user funds were lost because they had insurance. But users didn’t believe them. Reddit threads from 2019 to 2024 are full of people saying they lost access to their accounts, had transactions disappear, or got locked out for days with no reply from support.

Today, GateHub says it’s fixed everything. They’ve added two-factor authentication (2FA), and they say their system is secure. But trust doesn’t come back easily. Cryptowisser’s 2025 review says many users switched to Exodus, Electrum, or Coinbase after the breaches. And those platforms don’t have a history of losing millions.

Locked wallet with 20 XRP coins and high fee warnings in pixel art style, user looking frustrated.

UK Users Are Basically Locked Out

If you’re in the UK, GateHub has made it clear you’re not welcome.

As of November 2024, the platform disabled deposit and exchange functions for UK customers. You can still withdraw funds-if you already have them there-but you can’t add more. That’s because of FCA regulations. GateHub doesn’t have the proper licenses to operate as a financial service in the UK anymore.

This isn’t just a minor restriction. It’s a full retreat. If you’re a UK resident, you shouldn’t even consider GateHub. There are better, legal alternatives like Coinbase, Kraken, or Bitstamp.

Customer Support: Slow, Silent, or Nonexistent

Ask anyone who’s tried to get help from GateHub, and you’ll hear the same thing: silence.

Reddit users from r/CryptoCurrency reported that support tickets take days, if not weeks, to get answered. Some never get replies. One user posted in October 2024 that they sent three emails about a stuck XRP transfer. After 18 days, they got a generic “we’re looking into it” response. The transfer was never resolved.

Cryptowisser and CaptainAltcoin both call out slow or unresponsive support as a major flaw. GateHub says they’ve improved customer service, but user reviews from Trustpilot and App Store show an average rating of 3.2 out of 5. The complaints? Delayed withdrawals, frozen accounts, and no real way to talk to a human.

Split-screen pixel art: UK user blocked from depositing, Latin American user sending fee-free XRP.

Who Should Still Use GateHub?

Let’s be clear: most people should avoid GateHub.

But there’s one group that might still find it useful: long-term XRP holders who need to send XRP internationally and want to avoid traditional banking fees. GateHub’s integrated payment gateway lets you send XRP to other GateHub users with zero fees. That’s still rare. If you’re running a small business in Latin America or Southeast Asia and you get paid in XRP, GateHub might be the easiest way to cash out without going through a bank.

It’s also fine if you’re holding a small amount of XRP as a long-term bet and don’t trade often. Just don’t store more than you’re willing to lose. And never use it for anything other than XRP.

Why Everyone Else Should Move On

Compare GateHub to the competition:

  • Coinbase: 200+ coins, 110 million users, regulated in the UK and US, 0.5% fee (lower for large trades), zero reserve requirement.
  • Kraken: Strong security, low fees (0.16%-0.26%), supports XRP natively, no locked reserves.
  • Exodus: Free wallet, no fees to hold, easy to use, supports XRP and dozens of others.

GateHub doesn’t compete on features, fees, or security. It competes on nostalgia. But in crypto, nostalgia doesn’t pay the bills.

If you’re still using GateHub, it’s time to move your funds. Withdraw your XRP, Bitcoin, or Ethereum. Send it to a wallet you control-or to a real exchange that doesn’t charge you 376% more than everyone else.

GateHub isn’t dead. But it’s not growing. It’s not innovating. It’s just holding on.

Final Verdict

GateHub is a relic. It was useful when XRP was new and few exchanges supported it. Today, it’s a high-fee, slow-support, security-risk platform with limited functionality and regulatory trouble.

Don’t use it unless you have no other choice. And even then, keep your balance small.

If you’re serious about crypto, use something better. There are plenty of options. You don’t need to stick with a platform that’s falling behind.

Is GateHub still safe to use in 2025?

GateHub has improved its security since the 2017 and 2019 hacks, but trust remains low. The platform has a history of major breaches and user complaints about lost funds and frozen accounts. While it now offers 2FA and claims to be secure, many experts and users recommend avoiding it in favor of exchanges with stronger track records like Coinbase or Kraken.

Why are GateHub’s fees so high?

GateHub charges significantly more than industry standards-up to 376.95% higher according to Crypto Head’s 2025 review. This is likely due to its small user base and lack of volume. Unlike large exchanges that benefit from economies of scale, GateHub has to cover operational costs with fewer traders, leading to inflated fees. Deposit fees for Bitcoin and Ethereum are especially steep.

Can I deposit fiat into GateHub from the UK?

No. As of November 2024, GateHub disabled all fiat deposit and exchange functions for UK users due to FCA regulatory restrictions. You can still withdraw funds if you already have them in your account, but you cannot add new money from a UK bank.

What’s the 20 XRP reserve requirement?

The XRP Ledger requires every wallet to hold a minimum of 20 XRP to prevent spam and network abuse. This is not a GateHub fee-it’s a protocol rule. But GateHub enforces it strictly. That means you can’t withdraw or trade those 20 XRP. At $0.63 per XRP, that’s $12.60 locked up just to open an account.

Does GateHub have a mobile app?

Yes, GateHub has mobile apps for iOS and Android. However, they have poor ratings-3.2 out of 5 on the App Store-with users complaining about slow performance, crashes, and difficulty navigating. The desktop version is more reliable, but the mobile experience is far from smooth.

Should I store my crypto on GateHub long-term?

No. GateHub is not a secure long-term storage solution. Even if you’re using it for trading, only keep small amounts you’re actively using. For long-term holding, move your crypto to a non-custodial wallet like Exodus, Ledger, or Trezor. GateHub is a trading tool, not a vault.

Is GateHub better than Coinbase for XRP?

No. Coinbase supports XRP natively, has lower fees, better security, faster support, and is fully regulated. GateHub only offers a slight edge if you need direct fiat-to-XRP conversion without going through a bank. But even that’s fading as more exchanges add XRP support. For most users, Coinbase is the clear winner.