Overview
Independent Reserve was founded in 2013 in Sydney, Australia, and has established itself as a trusted platform for both individual and institutional cryptocurrency trading. The exchange supports three fiat currencies, Australian dollars (AUD), US dollars (USD), and New Zealand dollars (NZD), making it accessible to users across Australasia. This multi-currency support distinguishes it from competitors that only offer AUD pairs.
The platform is registered with AUSTRAC in Australia and the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) in New Zealand, meeting regulatory requirements in both jurisdictions. Independent Reserve has positioned itself as an institutional-grade exchange, attracting SMSF (self-managed super fund) investors, corporate treasuries, and high-net-worth individuals alongside everyday retail users. The platform provides an OTC trading desk for large-volume transactions and offers features like auto-trading for dollar-cost averaging strategies.
Independent Reserve maintains a strong focus on security, using cold storage for the majority of customer assets and carrying insurance coverage for digital assets held on the platform. The exchange has maintained a clean operational record with no reported security breaches since its founding, which has helped build trust in the Australian and New Zealand markets.
Getting Started
- Step 1: Create an account at independentreserve.com or through the mobile app. Provide your name, email address, and country of residence.
- Step 2: Complete identity verification with a government-issued ID and proof of address. Australian and New Zealand residents can typically complete this process quickly.
- Step 3: Deposit funds via bank transfer, PayID, or Osko for AUD; or SWIFT transfer for USD and NZD. PayID deposits are generally the fastest option for Australian users.
- Step 4: Place a trade using the exchange interface. Choose between market orders for immediate execution or limit orders to specify your desired price.
Pros & Cons
- Pro: Supports AUD, USD, and NZD trading pairs, offering flexibility for users across Australasia.
- Pro: Regulated in both Australia (AUSTRAC) and New Zealand (FMA), demonstrating strong compliance.
- Pro: Insurance coverage on digital assets and a clean security track record since 2013.
- Con: Smaller asset selection compared to major global exchanges.
- Con: The platform is primarily focused on the Australian and New Zealand markets, with limited appeal outside those regions.
- Con: No credit or debit card purchase option; bank transfer is the primary funding method.