How We Rate Crypto Platforms

Our scoring methodology is transparent, repeatable, and designed to protect you. Every platform on Cryptosites goes through the same rigorous evaluation process.

Why This Matters

The crypto space is full of affiliate sites that rank platforms based on who pays the highest commission. We take a different approach. Our ratings are based on a 10-category scoring system that we apply consistently to every platform we review. We test each platform ourselves, verify claims independently, and update reviews quarterly.

We earn affiliate commissions — that is how we keep the site running. But commissions never influence rankings. A platform that pays us 50% commission will still get a 2.0 rating if the product is poor. We have given negative reviews to platforms with active affiliate deals, and we will continue to do so.

Our 10-Category Scoring System

Each category is scored 1-5 and weighted based on importance. The final rating is a weighted average rounded to one decimal.

20%

Security & Trust

Licensing, 2FA, cold storage, insurance, audit history, and past breach record. This is the single most important factor — no platform scores above 3.0 overall with poor security.

  • Valid gambling/financial licence
  • Two-factor authentication available
  • Cold storage for majority of funds
  • Independent security audits
  • No unresolved breach history
15%

Fees & Value

Trading fees, withdrawal fees, deposit fees, hidden charges, and overall bonus/promotion value. We calculate effective costs based on realistic usage patterns, not theoretical minimums.

  • Transparent fee schedule
  • Competitive rates vs. market average
  • No hidden withdrawal charges
  • Fair bonus wagering requirements
  • No deceptive "free" claims
10%

User Experience

Interface design, navigation, mobile responsiveness, page load speeds, and overall ease of use. We test on multiple devices and browsers, including mobile-first scenarios.

  • Intuitive navigation
  • Mobile-responsive design
  • Fast load times (<3s)
  • Clean, uncluttered interface
  • Accessible to new users
10%

Crypto Support

Number of supported cryptocurrencies, blockchain networks, deposit/withdrawal options, and integration with popular wallets. More is better, but quality matters too.

  • Major cryptos (BTC, ETH, USDT)
  • Multiple blockchain networks
  • Wallet integrations
  • Reasonable confirmation times
  • Stablecoin support
10%

Customer Support

Response times, channel availability (live chat, email, phone), knowledge quality, and resolution rates. We submit test tickets and measure actual response quality.

  • 24/7 live chat available
  • Response under 5 minutes
  • Knowledgeable agents
  • Issue resolved on first contact
  • Multiple support channels
10%

Speed & Reliability

Deposit confirmation times, withdrawal processing speed, platform uptime, and performance during high-traffic periods. We track real withdrawal times over weeks.

  • Withdrawals processed within stated time
  • 99.9%+ uptime track record
  • No degradation during peaks
  • Fast deposit confirmations
  • Consistent performance
5%

Transparency

Clear terms and conditions, visible fee structures, provably fair mechanisms (for casinos), and honest marketing. Platforms that hide information lose points here.

  • Clear T&Cs, easy to find
  • No misleading advertising
  • Provably fair verification (casinos)
  • Public audit reports
  • Honest about limitations
5%

KYC & Privacy

Know Your Customer requirements, data handling practices, privacy policy quality, and options for anonymous usage. Balance between regulatory compliance and user privacy.

  • Clear KYC requirements stated upfront
  • Privacy-respecting data practices
  • Options for reduced-KYC usage
  • GDPR/privacy compliant
  • No excessive data collection
10%

Product Range

Breadth and depth of offerings — games for casinos, markets for sports, trading pairs for exchanges. Quality over quantity, but range matters for versatility.

  • Comprehensive offering for the category
  • Quality providers/markets
  • Regular new additions
  • Unique features or exclusives
  • Cross-category options (casino + sports)
5%

Community & Reputation

Online sentiment, social media presence, community engagement, industry awards, and longevity. We aggregate reviews from Reddit, Trustpilot, and industry forums.

  • Positive community sentiment
  • Active social media presence
  • Industry recognition/awards
  • Years of operation
  • Resolved complaints publicly

Our Review Process

1

Account Creation & First Impressions

We create real accounts on every platform we review. We evaluate the signup process, KYC requirements, and initial user experience. If a platform requires KYC, we go through the full verification process and time it.

2

Deposit & Fund Testing

We deposit real cryptocurrency — typically BTC, ETH, and USDT — and record confirmation times, any fees charged, and the overall process smoothness. We test multiple deposit methods where available.

3

Product Testing (2-4 Weeks)

We actively use each platform for 2-4 weeks. For casinos, we play a variety of games. For exchanges, we execute trades across market conditions. For sportsbooks, we place bets across multiple sports. This is not a quick look — we live on the platform.

4

Withdrawal Testing

The true test of any crypto platform. We request withdrawals of varying sizes and track processing times against the platform's stated timeframes. We test multiple withdrawal methods and note any unexpected fees or delays.

5

Support Evaluation

We contact customer support through every available channel (live chat, email, social media) with pre-defined test scenarios ranging from basic questions to complex issues. We measure response times, agent knowledge, and resolution quality.

6

Scoring & Publication

Two independent reviewers score the platform using our 10-category system. If scores diverge by more than 0.5 on any category, a third reviewer arbitrates. The final score is published with full category breakdowns.

7

Quarterly Re-Evaluation

Every reviewed platform is re-tested quarterly. Scores can go up or down based on changes to the platform, new security incidents, fee changes, or shifts in market standards. We note all score changes and the reasons behind them.

Score Interpretation

4.5 - 5.0
Excellent
Best in class. We would personally use and recommend this platform to anyone.
4.0 - 4.4
Very Good
Strong platform with minor areas for improvement. Recommended with confidence.
3.5 - 3.9
Good
Solid option with some notable drawbacks. Suitable for most users with caveats.
3.0 - 3.4
Fair
Below average. Specific strengths but significant concerns. Proceed with caution.
Below 3.0
Poor
Not recommended. Major issues with security, reliability, or trust. See our Warnings page.

What We Will Never Do

Rank a platform higher because they pay a higher affiliate commission

Remove a negative review because a platform asked us to

Publish a review without testing the platform ourselves first

Hide a security incident or negative news about a listed platform

Accept payment for favourable reviews or sponsored rankings

Recommend a platform we would not use ourselves with our own money

Questions About Our Methodology?

We believe in full transparency. If you have questions about how we scored a specific platform, or if you think we missed something, reach out to our editorial team. We read every message and update reviews when presented with new evidence.

Contact Our Team