Gate.io has been around since 2013, making it one of the older exchanges still alive. As of October 2025, it reports around $2–3B in daily volume depending on CoinGecko or CoinMarketCap. Its reputation is built on massive token variety and frequent IEOs (Initial Exchange Offerings).
For altcoin hunters, Gate.io is a playground — it often lists coins before bigger exchanges. But the downside is that its interface feels outdated, fees can stack up, and liquidity isn’t as deep as Binance or Bybit.
📜 Background & Reputation
Gate.io started in China in 2013, later rebranding and shifting to serve global users after regulatory crackdowns. It’s known for being one of the first exchanges to list new tokens, sometimes within days of launch. This made it a magnet for degens in both bull and bear markets.
Reputation-wise, Gate.io is considered a legit but mid-tier exchange. It has survived multiple cycles without collapsing, which is impressive, but it has also faced criticism for its clunky design and sometimes opaque customer support.
🚀 Features and Offerings
Gate.io is stacked with features, especially for altcoin explorers:
- Spot Trading: Thousands of tokens and trading pairs, one of the widest selections in crypto.
- Futures and Margin: Leverage up to 100x on derivatives.
- IEO Launchpad: Famous for token sales that often deliver early pumps.
- Earn Products: Staking, lending, dual investments, and liquidity pools.
- NFT Marketplace: Active during the NFT boom, now quieter.
- Mobile App: Comprehensive but not the smoothest UX compared to Bybit or Binance.
🛡️ Safety and Trust
Gate.io has never had a catastrophic hack like Mt. Gox or BitMart, though it has faced phishing attacks and smaller incidents. It claims to hold funds in cold storage and offers standard protections like 2FA and withdrawal whitelists.
As of 2025, Gate.io publishes partial proof of reserves, but it’s not as fully transparent as Binance or OKX.
User reviews are mixed. Many love the wide selection of tokens and IEOs. Others complain about poor customer support, withdrawal delays, and clunky UI.
🎭 What the Users Say
Positive:
- “Best place for new token listings. I found gems here before they pumped.” — Reddit
- “Huge variety of coins, feels like a crypto supermarket.” — App Store review
Negative:
- “Withdrawal process was too slow.” — Trustpilot
- “UI looks old, not user-friendly.” — Google Play feedback
- “Support is unresponsive when problems happen.” — community forums
The vibe: people use Gate.io for what it offers (early coins, IEOs), but no one loves the experience.
🌍 Who Actually Uses Gate.io?
Gate.io is popular in Asia, Eastern Europe, and among global degens chasing early listings. It doesn’t have as strong a presence in the US due to regulations, but it’s still used as a secondary exchange by Western traders who want access to tokens not yet on Binance.
📊 Real Examples
- In 2021–2022, Gate.io’s IEO platform became famous for tokens that pumped heavily after listing.
- Many CT degens credit Gate.io for helping them catch early altcoin runs that Binance listed weeks later.
- In 2024–2025, despite its dated interface, it remained one of the top 10 exchanges by token variety.
🎰 Should a Degen Use It?
Gate.io is like the side hall of the casino with hundreds of slot machines. The games are endless, some jackpots hit, others eat your chips instantly. It’s chaotic, exciting, but not where you’d keep your main bankroll.
For early listings, it’s one of the best. For user experience, it lags behind.
🏁 Final Degen Verdict
Gate.io is an altcoin supermarket with a loyal following. It has survived for over a decade and still lists coins earlier than most competitors. But its clunky design, mixed support, and weaker liquidity compared to top exchanges mean it’s best used as a side venue.
Degens will love it for sniping early listings. Just don’t expect it to feel smooth or premium.
WAGMI — if you can handle the chaos.
