Crypto Exchange Due Diligence Calculator
Evaluate Your Crypto Exchange
This tool helps you assess whether a crypto exchange meets industry security and transparency standards based on the criteria from our Forteswap review.
Due Diligence Checklist
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When a new crypto exchange pops up, the first question is always the same: is it safe enough to trust with your money? Forteswap is one of those platforms that shows up in a handful of searches but has hardly any public data. This review pulls together everything you can find-as of October 2025-plus the criteria you should use to decide whether Forteswap is worth a try.
Quick Takeaways
- Forteswap is a little‑known exchange with virtually no publicly disclosed fee schedule, security audits, or supported fiat pairs.
- Major exchanges such as Binance offer transparent fees, proof‑of‑reserve audits, and dozens of fiat on‑ramps, setting a high benchmark.
- No concrete evidence that Forteswap appears on reputable scam‑watch lists, but the absence of information is a red flag.
- Before depositing any funds, run a personal due‑diligence checklist: verify KYC/AML policies, test withdrawals with a small amount, and compare security features against industry standards.
- If you need a proven platform for large trades, stick with established exchanges; consider Forteswap only for experimental testing after thorough vetting.
What Is Forteswap?
Forteswap is described as a cryptocurrency exchange platform that aims to provide spot trading and limited leverage options. The only publicly cited source is an FxVerify article titled “Forteswap Review - Pros, Cons & Rating,” but that piece offers no detailed breakdown of fees, security protocols, or supported assets. The exchange does not appear in major 2025 ranking lists from CryptoPotato, Koinly, or Coincub, suggesting it is either newly launched, highly niche, or possibly not operational at scale.
Security & Compliance: How Does Forteswap Stack Up?
In 2025 the industry standard for exchange security includes:
- Cold‑storage of the majority of user funds.
- Two‑Factor Authentication (2FA) and hardware‑key support.
- Regular proof‑of‑reserve audits (often using Merkle trees) published on-chain.
- Comprehensive KYC/AML compliance.
Forteswap’s public material does not mention any of these measures. By contrast, Coinbase publishes monthly proof‑of‑reserve reports, while Kraken implements multi‑sig cold wallets and annual third‑party security audits. Even Bybit offers AI‑driven fraud detection and a transparent “Proof of Reserves” dashboard.
Fees, Trading Pairs & Asset Coverage
Most exchanges disclose a maker/taker fee model. For example, Binance charges 0.10% maker and 0.10% taker for spot traders, while Kraken’s fees range from 0% to 0.26% depending on volume. Forteswap provides no fee chart, no maker/taker distinction, and no information about fee discounts for high‑volume traders.
Supported assets are another key metric. Leading platforms list their crypto count publicly:
- Binance - over 5,000 tokens.
- Coinbase - ~235 cryptocurrencies.
- Kraken - 350+ assets.
- Bybit - 1,453 cryptocurrencies.
Forteswap’s website does not list a total number of supported tokens, nor does it reveal any fiat on‑ramps. Users looking for USD, EUR, or GBP on‑ramps would typically rely on exchange‑specific integrations such as Coinbase’s “Transfer, Card, PayPal” suite or Bybit’s “Card, Sepa, Wise, Alipay, Wechat, Apple Pay, Google Pay.” The lack of any listed fiat pairs makes it difficult to gauge Forteswap’s suitability for everyday traders.
Reputation & Community Feedback
The crypto world is littered with platforms that disappear after a hack or a regulatory crackdown. The most recent “Reported Scam Companies 2025” list from CryptoLegal was updated on 17/10/2025, yet Forteswap does not appear on the publicly available excerpt. While omission does not guarantee safety, it does mean there’s no independent confirmation of legitimacy either.
Red‑flag signals include:
- No known security incident history (good, but also no transparency about audits).
- Absence from reputable exchange comparison tables (CryptoPotato, Koinly, Coincub).
- Potential name confusion with Forta (a blockchain security token that has its own price volatility headlines).
Pros & Cons (Based on Available Data)
| Feature | Forteswap | Binance | Coinbase | Kraken | Bybit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public fee schedule | N/A | 0.10% maker/taker | 0‑3.99% (varies) | 0‑0.26% (volume‑based) | 0‑0.1% (maker/taker) |
| Proof‑of‑Reserve audits | Not disclosed | Monthly reports | Quarterly audits | Annual audits | Live dashboard |
| 2FA / hardware key support | Unclear | SMS, Google Authenticator, YubiKey | SMS, Authenticator, U2F | SMS, Authenticator, YubiKey | SMS, Authenticator |
| Supported fiat | None listed | USD, EUR, GBP, many more | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, etc. | USD, EUR, GBP, JPY | USD, EUR, GBP, MXN, others |
| Number of crypto assets | Unknown | ~5,000 | ~235 | 350+ | 1,453 |
From the table it’s clear that Forteswap lags behind on every measurable metric-simply because the data isn’t public. That absence is itself a metric.
Due‑Diligence Checklist for Forteswap (or any new exchange)
- Verify the company’s registration and physical address. Look for a verifiable “About Us” page.
- Check for independent security audits or proof‑of‑reserve reports. If none exist, ask the support team directly.
- Test the KYC process with a minimal amount of personal data. Note any red‑flags like unnecessary document requests.
- Deposit a tiny amount (e.g., $20) and attempt a withdrawal within 24‑48 hours. Monitor any extra fees or delays.
- Search for the exchange name on scam‑watch databases such as CryptoLegal, Reddit, and Trustpilot. Document findings.
- Confirm that the platform supports the fiat currencies you need, and that their conversion rates are competitive.
- Read the API documentation (if you plan to trade programmatically) and see if rate limits are reasonable.
Following this checklist reduces the risk of losing funds to an opaque platform.
Final Thoughts
Forteswap is a mystery box. Without transparent fee tables, security audits, or clear fiat support, it can’t compete with the proven track records of Binance, Coinbase, Kraken, or Bybit. If you’re a casual trader looking for a sandbox to test a few small trades, you could try Forteswap after completing the checklist above. For anyone handling larger balances, sticking with established exchanges remains the safest path.
Is Forteswap a legitimate crypto exchange?
There is very limited public information about Forteswap. It does not appear in major 2025 exchange rankings, and its website lacks details on fees, security audits, and fiat support. While it isn’t listed on known scam databases, the lack of transparency makes it a high‑risk choice. Perform thorough due‑diligence before depositing any funds.
How does Forteswap’s fee structure compare to Binance or Coinbase?
Forteswap does not publish its fee schedule, so a direct comparison isn’t possible. Binance typically charges 0.10% maker/taker, while Coinbase fees range from 0‑3.99% depending on the transaction type. Until Forteswap releases its fee table, you’ll have to treat it as “unknown” and factor that uncertainty into your decision.
What security features should I look for on an exchange?
Key features include cold‑storage of the majority of funds, two‑factor authentication (SMS, authenticator apps, or hardware keys), regular proof‑of‑reserve audits, and compliance with KYC/AML regulations. Leading exchanges publish audit reports and provide detailed security documentation; Forteswap currently offers none of these publicly.
Can I trade fiat currencies on Forteswap?
The platform does not list any fiat on‑ramps or supported fiat pairs on its public pages. In contrast, exchanges like Coinbase and Bybit support USD, EUR, GBP, and many other currencies. If fiat trading is essential for you, you’ll need to verify directly with Forteswap support or choose another exchange.
How can I check if an exchange is on a scam list?
Visit reputable databases such as CryptoLegal, search community forums like Reddit’s r/CryptoCurrency, and look for warnings on trusted news sites. Always cross‑reference multiple sources before trusting a platform.
Mike GLENN
February 28, 2025 AT 06:06When you start looking at a brand‑new exchange like Forteswap, the first thing that should settle in your mind is that you are stepping into an environment where transparency is scarce, and that alone should trigger a cautious approach; you want to protect whatever capital you have, especially in an ecosystem that thrives on trust and solid security measures. Many traders ignore the red flags because they are eager to chase low fees or novel token listings, but the cost of a lost wallet is far higher than any marginal fee savings. Begin by checking if the platform publishes any audit reports or proof‑of‑reserve data, because those documents act like a seal of honesty that can be verified on‑chain. If you cannot locate such reports, you should request them directly from support, and note how quickly (or slowly) they respond; delay can be a signal of deeper opacity. Next, scrutinize the KYC/AML procedures-do they ask for excessive personal documentation, or do they provide a clear privacy policy? Over‑reaching requests might expose you to identity theft. It's also wise to test the withdrawal pipeline with a minimal amount, say twenty dollars, and watch for hidden fees, long processing times, or unexplained rejections. Compare the exchange's fee model, even if it is not published, by calculating the net cost of a few test trades. Keep in mind that many crypto platforms charge a hidden spread on fiat conversions, which can erode profits silently. Another crucial step is to verify the company’s legal registration and physical address; a legitimate service usually lists a corporate entity, a physical office, and contact information beyond just a generic support email. Look into community sentiment on Reddit, Twitter, and specialized forums; while rumors can be misleading, a pattern of unresolved complaints should set off alarms. Assess whether the platform supports hardware‑based 2FA or YubiKey authentication; if they only offer SMS, you are exposed to SIM‑swap attacks. Finally, consider the breadth of assets and fiat pairs offered-if the exchange does not list any fiat gateways, you may be forced to use third‑party bridges that could introduce additional risk. All these steps together form a comprehensive due‑diligence checklist that can protect you from diving into a black box; remember, in the crypto world, a little extra caution now can save you from a huge loss later.
Benjamin Debrick
March 4, 2025 AT 20:06Indeed, the paucity of publicly disclosed metrics, which ostensibly stems from an alleged desire to maintain competitive secrecy, paradoxically engenders a climate of distrust; one must, therefore, interrogate the epistemological foundations upon which such an exchange purports its legitimacy, whilst simultaneously demanding empirical substantiation, lest we succumb to the seductive allure of unverified innovation.
Anna Kammerer
March 9, 2025 AT 10:06Oh great, another “mystery box” exchange. Yeah, you can throw a few dollars at it, but don’t be surprised when you can’t pull them out. The lack of fee info is basically a neon sign saying “we might take more than we say.” If you’re into blindfolded gambling, go ahead, but most of us have better things to do than chase ghosts.
Erik Shear
March 14, 2025 AT 00:06Test it cheap and watch the exit. If they stall you, stop.
Tom Glynn
March 18, 2025 AT 14:06Folks, think of Forteswap like an unknown cave: fascinating, but you need a torch. 🔦 Start with micro‑deposits, check if they even have a cold‑wallet policy, and remember that every unknown platform carries a hidden cost of uncertainty. 📊 If the exchange can’t show a proof‑of‑reserve, treat it as a speculative art piece rather than a safe vault. 🌐 Transparency is the new liquidity, so demand it early, or you’ll end up paying the price later. 🛡️
Johanna Hegewald
March 23, 2025 AT 04:06Look at the basics: does it show fees? Does it have 2FA? If not, stay away.
mike ballard
March 27, 2025 AT 18:06From a regulatory compliance standpoint, the absence of a verifiable AML framework is a red flag of non‑conformity; furthermore, without disclosed proof‑of‑reserve protocols, the platform fails to meet the rigorous transparency standards demanded by institutional custodians. 🌍💼
Molly van der Schee
April 1, 2025 AT 08:06Even if the odds look shaky, a tiny test can give you confidence. Small steps, big peace of mind.
Mike Cristobal
April 5, 2025 AT 22:06Morality isn’t optional in finance; if an exchange hides its safety measures, it’s effectively asking you to gamble with your hard‑earned money.
Scott McCalman
April 10, 2025 AT 12:06Whoa, another “secret” exchange? 😂 I’ve seen more transparency from a tumbleweed. If they don’t post a fee schedule, you might as well be paying a hidden tax. Seriously, where’s the proof of reserves? Nothing? That’s a recipe for disaster. This space needs more watchdogs, not more mystery boxes. 😑
PRIYA KUMARI
April 15, 2025 AT 02:06This is a classic case of “no info, no problem” nonsense. The community has already flagged such platforms as high‑risk, and the lack of audit data is a glaring omission that screams untrustworthiness. Users need to be blunt: if you can’t see the numbers, you can’t trust the platform.
Jessica Pence
April 19, 2025 AT 16:06Well, i guess we cant just rely on thier website alone. Its best to do more research. Maybe reach out to cuustomerservice for clarity and check other recources as well.
johnny garcia
April 24, 2025 AT 06:06In the grand tapestry of decentralized finance, the principle of verifiability serves as a cornerstone; consequently, an exchange that abstains from publishing its reserve attestations subverts the very ethos of transparency that underpins trust in the ecosystem. Accordingly, prudent participation mandates rigorous inquiry into the custodial mechanisms employed, the cryptographic proofs offered, and the regulatory compliance frameworks adhered to, lest one inadvertently align with a venture veiled in obscurity. 📜🧐
Andrew Smith
April 28, 2025 AT 20:06Exactly, let’s keep the conversation constructive-share any steps you took that helped you feel safer with a new platform.
Ryan Comers
May 3, 2025 AT 05:40Looks like nobody’s buying this hype.