Uphold is a multi-asset digital money platform that hosts cross-border transactions globally in a seamless way where crypto has become a big part of their offering with over 100 tokens and coins listed. Trade metals, equities, utility tokens, stablecoins, and fiat currencies through the anything-to-anything solution that lets you transact between any asset class on the platform. Uphold has taken financial services to a new level by leveraging digital money which serves as the main carrier of value on an easy-to-use interface. Not only do they have experience in money transmitting since 2015, but the FinCEN and FCA regulatory approval furthermore cements their credibility overall. Read the full story of Uphold in our complete review.
Pros
• Very favorable spreads on all asset classes
• Uphold supports cross-border transactions between all asset classes
• Top choice among beginner investors
Cons
• There is no interactive charting interface
• Currently only available in English and Spanish
• The live chat is only available through the mobile app
Why Uphold
In this section of our Uphold review we have highlighted 6 special features that sets them apart when compared to other platforms.
About Uphold
Uphold is a US-based and US-licensed multi-asset trading platform that offers cross-border transactions with cryptocurrencies, national currency pairs, stocks, precious metals, and ETFs at very favorable rates. The company that runs the operation is called Uphold Inc and its main headquarters is located at 6 W 18th Street, 3rd Floor, New York, New York 10011, United States.
It’s safe to say that Uphold takes customer security seriously by being regulated by two different jurisdictions and two different government bodies, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) in the USA, and the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK. These regulations are what cement the credibility of this powerhouse in combination with a proven track record of operating safely since 2015.
Uphold’s motto and slogan “Anything-to-Anything” is what sets the platform apart from the rest where money transmitting across borders and between asset classes is done with ease through a very intuitive and beginner-friendly interface. It’s difficult not to like the design of Uphold and I can almost promise that all of our readers will find the interface very user-friendly, well done Uphold.
Why we like Uphold
Uphold is simple, flexible, and affordable, three aspects that made us dig the platform from day one and we are certain that you will feel the same. The fact that the platform hosts all their tokens, currencies, and commodities on the same ledger makes things so much easier since you can control, send, and transact between asset classes directly from your app.
“It’s created to make investing more effortless”, those were my first words after I started reviewing the platform and once you start browsing the features you will not disagree. The automated crypto trading feature where you can set up a recurring dollar cost averaging scheme is meant to streamline investing for beginners that have less experience or simply don’t have time to keep reinvesting.
The fact that Uphold offers 5 different asset classes makes them one of the most versatile multi-asset trading platforms that we have reviewed on Trading Browser and the interesting part is that they feature real cryptocurrency wallets which are not mirrored contracts of the price. This is a huge plus for those of our readers who want to keep their digital assets on the blockchain for future use.
Uphold trading
Uphold trading comes without added commissions and very low spreads that will keep your transaction costs to a minimum. The most interesting part of the trading platform is the option to automate your investing completely which is something that we strongly recommend all new investors try if you are not sure when and how to buy assets.
Now, since you can swap between asset classes (forex, stocks, commodities) you never have to worry about signing up for several accounts on different platforms, you can reach all of them from Uphold. This is something that most new investors will not appreciate in the beginning but I can tell you that diversification is the best risk management tool available and if you are planning to stay in the game for the long run you are going to have to diversify well.
The platform offers market orders, repeated orders (automated orders), and limit orders. The market order will execute your trade directly at the best market price to get you into the market as soon as possible. The repeated order system lets you set a date when the platform should repeat the same order, this can be done once per week, once every two weeks, or once per month depending on your investment strategy.
The limit orders are used to put an order into the market at a lower or higher price than the current value. For example, if you want to invest in Universal Carbon but you are not happy with the current price of $9.46604, you can then add a limit order to buy Universal Carbon at $9.2 instead and wait for the price to drop. Once the price drops to your chosen price level the platform will execute your order automatically.
All trading can be done directly through the Uphold mobile app.
Why use Uphold
Investing is the right word to associate with the platform and if you are looking for a new platform to handle all your needs as a beginner investor then Uphold is a great choice. The level of security it offers combined with five different asset classes and very favorable transaction rates puts the platform on the list of the top choices globally. Exchanging fiat to crypto is dead simple since the platform offers great fiat on-ramps.
Ease-of-use is another term that comes to mind when I’m browsing the interface and the app and I want to point out that Uphold is designed to make your investment operations as seamless as possible. The interaction between asset classes is just another bonus that I’ve not seen before and you should definitely take advantage of this option.
Since cryptocurrency is the hottest investment topic right now it only makes sense that they have included digital assets in their arsenal of tradeable assets but what is truly valuable about Uphold is the fact that you can send, store, and withdraw cryptocurrencies from a blockchain wallet while trading other asset classes such as gold, EUR/USD, Apple stock, and ETFs.
How to use Uphold
To buy an asset on Uphold you first have to deposit funds into your account and this can be done either with a bank card or through a bank transfer. You will find all assets in the left-hand side menu under the “Markets” tab. From the “Portfolio” tab you can follow your entire portfolio and analyze the development in real-time.
To buy an asset on Uphold, follow these simple steps:
- Start by creating an account.
- Verify your ID.
- Once verified, click Portfolio in the left-hand side menu.
- To the right, choose your order entry (Transact, Repeat, or Limit).
- Select deposit method (Banks or Debit Cards).
- Choose which fiat currency you want to deposit with.
- Select the asset you want to invest in (Crypto, Forex, Equity, ETF, or Metals)
- Confirm the purchase!
Follow the instructions for how to add your bank details or debit card details. Once you have connected your accounts you are free to invest in all the asset classes available on the platform. Now, to learn more about the special features, scroll down to the special features section of this review.
Uphold category rating
Costs: | 4.2/5 |
Security: | 4.8/5 |
Trading Features: | 4.2/5 |
User-friendliness: | 4.5/5 |
Educational Resources: | 4.0/5 |
Mobile-Friendly: | 4.5/5 |
Funding: | 4.0/5 |
Customer Support: | 4.0/5 |
Things to improve on
I don’t have many things to point out when it comes to the negatives of Uphold. The lack of a live chat is a miss for me but since I know the team is fast on their feet answering queries through email this is not a huge miss. I would also like to see an interactive chart where traders and investors have the option to make a simple technical analysis. This is something that I know most investors rely on to make forecasts about future price movements.
Set aside these minor misses I highly recommend Uphold to all our investors and traders, especially those who are just starting out.
Uphold Trading Fees
Products
Trading Platforms
Order Types
Supported Devices
Special Features
About the special features on Uphold
There are a couple of special features that I would like to give some extra attention to and elaborate further on the details. As mentioned above, it goes without saying that Uphold is designed to help investors with their investments and they have done a great job of streamlining the path from no portfolio to becoming an active investor.
I highly suggest that you spend some time on this review to learn what the platform is all about before you get into the whole investing process. Even though it’s not complicated, there are a couple of elements that need explaining in order for you to make the best use of them.
Recap
Uphold has integrated Recap on its platform. Recap is an instant tool for generating crypto tax reports with ease. Recap enables you to track all your assets from one single point and lets you download your full HCMR tax report with only one click. This is a game-changer and when you have done significant crypto gains and you want to cash out some profits you are going to have to make your taxes right and with Uphold, it could not be easier.
Accointing
Accointing is another tax report tool that helps investors in the UK and EU sort out their tax reports on digital assets. Track your cryptocurrency performance directly through your wallet and generate professional tax reports that are legally binding. Accointing and Recap together cover most of the jurisdictions when it comes to taxing cryptocurrencies.
Limit orders
Limit orders are a big thing in investing. Why you might ask? When you are getting deeper into your investment strategies and you are aiming for long-term success you simply don’t want to just jump in and buy at market price. If you are a long-term investor, you have time to wait for prices to set back a little and earn 10, 20, or even 30% on some occasions.
This might not sound much but it gives you an incredible edge. So, the next time you think about your entry points, consider using the limit orders on Uphold to catch prices as they are falling, and remember, they are automatic which means that your orders will get executed at your price even if you are sleeping!
Dollar-cost averaging with crypto
In my opinion, this is one of the best tools Uphold has to offer. Dollar-cost averaging is one of the most effective ways to accumulate coins and keep reinvesting your savings at your own pace. The biggest problem investors face is pulling the trigger when markets start to swing wildly, especially when the markets fall in large numbers.
With a recurring purchase system, you don’t have to think twice about investing in difficult scenarios and there is no way for your emotions to get in the way. The system will automatically buy the same amount at the interval you have entered. For example, you can tell the system to buy $50 worth of Bitcoin and Ethereum every two weeks and it will keep buying until you tell it to stop.
As long as you have calculated your investment size and the interval between purchases you don’t have to worry about the system afterward. This gives investors a big edge when it comes to investing long-term and I highly recommend that you check it out.
Uphold fees
Uphold charges no fees on transactions, deposits, and withdrawals. However, there is a price spread that you should be aware of for each asset on the platform. This spread is a difference in the buy and the sell price and it works pretty much like a commission but on a percentage basis.
For example, if you were to invest $500 in Bitcoin, which has a 0.85% buy spread, you would pay $4,25 in spreads. This is not bad at all and definitely better than most competitors to Uphold.
Environmental assets
Here is a neat feature on Uphold if you care about the environment but still want to make good investments. You can help the climate by investing in their environmental assets UPCO2 and BTCO. These are some of the cleanest ways to invest in cryptocurrencies and it’s dead simple to do it. Head to the “Markets” tab in the main menu to the left and search for the ticker name.
Staking
Staking is an up-and-coming feature on Uphold that we are excited to learn more about. This review will be updated when staking goes live so you can learn more about the rewards, what coins are available, and all the extra information you might need. Stay tuned.
Digital wallets
Cryptocurrency wallets are available on Uphold which enables you to make blockchain transactions between your current wallet and the crypto wallet on Uphold. This is great because you can keep your digital assets when you sign up with Uphold and still be able to use all the features the platform has to offer. Uphold keeps 90% of its digital assets in cold storage which is one of the safest methods of storing cryptocurrencies today.
Our own experience with Uphold
Uphold Funding Methods
Accepted Currencies
Limits
Max Withdrawal Limits | $10000 daily |
Min Withdrawal Limits | $5 |
Min Deposit Limits | $1 |
Uphold Withdrawal Fee
Method | Fee |
---|---|
Cryptocurrency | BTC 0.0003 |
USD | 0 % |
Languages
Restricted Countries
Security
Is Uphold regulated?
Yes, Uphold is registered by FinCEN as a Money Services Business (MSB) in the United States, and as an EMD Agent of an Electronic Money Issuer by the FCA in the United Kingdom.
Is Uphold safe to use?
After reviewing the website and all the security protocols and layers that Uphold follows I have no doubt that they adhere to the highest of standards when it comes to financial security. The regulatory approval in the United States and the United Kingdom alone is sufficient enough and this is why Uphold has earned both the Trading Browser “High Security” and “Security of Funds” badges which is something that only the safest platforms can achieve. On top of these features, Uphold is also compliant with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard PCI/DSS which is required by all top-level payment brands such as VISA and Mastercard.
Uphold is routinely tested and audited by security professionals to ensure maximum safety of client funds and all their third-party payment solutions undergo strict due diligence checks.
Reserve Status
At the time of writing this review, Uphold holds global assets in reserve to a value of €2,189,266,189.
Support
Similar Alternatives
Frequently asked questions
Read what other investors ask about Uphold. Find answers without searching the web.
Uphold is a licensed and regulated multi-asset trading platform that offers global cross-border transactions between all asset classes listed for both individuals and businesses with a track record stretching back to 2015.
The Uphold wallet is considered very safe due to 90% of digital assets being kept offline in cold storage. Cryptocurrencies can be sent in and out of the wallet through blockchain which enables transactions between other crypto wallets that clients might have.
The operating company is called Uphold Inc.
Uphold Inc as a company is currently regulated and licensed by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network in the USA and by the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK. This makes the app one of the safest trading applications on the market.
The platform offers free deposits, free withdrawals, and $0 trading commissions. However, every purchase on the platform has an added price spread.
Yes, you can store, send, and receive cryptocurrencies on Uphold.
The platform is used for investment purposes in different asset classes such as digital assets, equities, commodities, national currencies, and metals. The platform offers a recurring purchase system that automatically invests for you at your pre-set interval and amount. Uphold can also be used for cross-border transactions between any asset class listed on the platform.
1. Log in to your Uphold account. 2. Select the card you wish to withdraw funds from. 3. Choose "Send To Bank Account". 4. Select the bank account you want to receive your funds to.
We cannot find any information online that supports a customer being hacked while using Uphold.
Digital currency is not legal tender and is not backed by the government and therefore not subject to Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) or Securities Investor Protection Corporation protections. Source: Uphold website.
Yes, Uphold is licensed by FinCEN in the United States.
Review Sources
The editorial team of Trading Browser is required to use first-hand sources to collect and share information regarding the businesses we promote. Among these sources, you will find LinkedIn profiles, Trustpilot reviews, Crunchbase, Sitejabber ratings, whitepapers, government reports, and other reputable sources. Below is a shared list of the article sources used for this review.
- LinkedIn – “Uphold Company“
- Trustpilot – “Uphold“
- Financial Crimes Enforcement Network – “FinCEN“