MaskEX Crypto Exchange Review: Is It Safe or a Scam in 2025?

MaskEX Risk Assessment Tool

Risk Assessment

Your Risk Assessment

Risk Level:

Recommendation: Based on your inputs, you should consider withdrawing your funds immediately. MaskEX has a 1/100 trust score from Gridinsoft, and our calculation shows a high risk of losing your funds.

For safer alternatives: Consider regulated exchanges like Kraken, Coinbase, or Binance that publish proof of reserves and have transparent regulatory status.

MaskEX Crypto Exchange Review: Is It Safe or a Scam in 2025?

If you're thinking about using MaskEX to trade crypto, you need to know the truth before you deposit any money. This isn't just another exchange. It's a platform with glowing app ratings, high leverage offers, and bold claims about being licensed in multiple countries - but also a 1 out of 100 trust score from security experts, zero verified reviews on professional forums, and dozens of user reports about locked funds and silent support teams.

MaskEX launched in 2021, based in Dubai, and markets itself as a privacy-focused crypto exchange with a built-in wallet. It says it’s approved by Dubai’s Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (VARA), licensed in Canada, and registered in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Sounds legit, right? But here’s the problem: no public records confirm any of those licenses. Not one. Not even a link to a government registry. Meanwhile, Gridinsoft, a cybersecurity firm that tracks scam sites, gives MaskEX a trust score of 1/100 - the lowest possible rating.

What MaskEX Actually Offers

MaskEX isn’t shy about features. You can trade over 132 crypto pairs, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin, and Shiba Inu. Spot trading has a flat 0.09% fee for both makers and takers. Deposits are free. Withdrawals? They vary by coin, but users report delays of up to 72 hours - sometimes longer.

The real draw? Leverage. MaskEX offers up to 125x leverage on USDT-M futures contracts. That’s the same as Binance on select pairs, and higher than Bybit’s 100x or KuCoin’s 100x cap. But high leverage doesn’t mean safe. It means you can lose your entire deposit faster than you can click ‘sell.’ And with no transparent volume data, you’re trading in a vacuum. CoinMarketCap lists MaskEX as ‘untracked,’ meaning its daily volume isn’t verified by any major data provider. That’s a red flag. Top exchanges like Binance and Coinbase report volumes in billions. MaskEX? Nobody knows.

Privacy Claims vs. Reality

MaskEX says it’s built for privacy. It claims crypto-only users don’t need full KYC. That sounds great if you value anonymity. But here’s the catch: if you want to deposit fiat - using a credit card or via Mercuryo or AlchemyPay - you’re forced through KYC. So who’s really getting privacy? Probably not you. And if you’re hoping to avoid government scrutiny, you’re missing the bigger picture: global regulators are cracking down hard on exchanges that skip proper identity checks.

In July 2024, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) tightened rules on exchanges with weak KYC. MaskEX’s model - offering partial anonymity while claiming to be licensed in multiple countries - puts it directly in the crosshairs. Experts at Messari called out exchanges like this in their Q3 2024 report: “Claiming multiple international licenses without transparent filings warrants heightened scrutiny.” That’s MaskEX in one sentence.

A faceless CEO holding fake licenses while a skull with dollar signs reflects in a cracked mirror, 1970s comic style.

User Experiences: The Dark Side

The Google Play Store shows MaskEX with 4.0 stars from 115 reviews. Sounds good? Look closer. The app has only 10,000+ downloads. For a platform offering 125x leverage and claiming global reach, that’s tiny. And those reviews? Many are vague: “Easy to use,” “Good interface,” “Fast copy trading.” No details. No depth.

Meanwhile, Trustpilot has zero verified reviews. Forex Peace Army, a trusted forum for traders, has no reviews at all - not one. That’s not normal. Legitimate exchanges get flooded with user feedback, both good and bad. MaskEX? Silence.

But on Reddit, the story changes. Users in r/CryptoCurrency report account freezes, unresponsive support, and withdrawals that never arrive. One user, CryptoWatcher2024, said they deposited $1,200 and got zero response after 14 days. Another said their account was locked without warning after a small trade. These aren’t isolated complaints. They’re patterns. And they’re consistent with what we’ve seen on other failed exchanges.

Security and Regulatory Red Flags

MaskEX claims VARA approval. But VARA’s official public registry of licensed exchanges doesn’t list MaskEX as fully licensed - only as having “initial approval.” That’s like saying you’ve applied for a driver’s license but haven’t passed the test. It’s not the same thing.

Claims of Canadian and Saint Vincent licenses? No public databases confirm them. No government websites mention MaskEX. No press releases. No official filings. That’s not oversight - that’s deception.

And then there’s the domain age. CoinMarketCap says MaskEX launched in 2021. But Gridinsoft’s records show the domain was registered in 2020 - nearly five years ago. Why the mismatch? Is the company hiding something? Or is the 2021 launch date just marketing spin?

CryptoCompare’s risk assessment gives MaskEX a “high-risk” rating. Their report says exchanges with similar profiles - unverified licenses, low volume, privacy claims without transparency - have an 87% failure rate within 18 months. That’s not a warning. That’s a countdown.

Traders sucked into a leverage black hole as trusted exchanges stand strong, vintage comic book illustration.

How It Compares to the Big Players

MaskEX vs. Top Crypto Exchanges (2025)
Feature MaskEX Binance Kraken Coinbase
Trading Pairs 132+ 500+ 200+ 150+
Max Leverage 125x 125x (select pairs) 50x 20x
Verified Volume Untracked $30.2B/day $2.1B/day $4.7B/day
Regulatory Status Claimed, unverified Licensed in 50+ jurisdictions Licensed in U.S., EU, Canada Licensed in U.S., EU, Canada
Proof of Reserves No Yes, monthly Yes, quarterly Yes, quarterly
Trust Score (Gridinsoft) 1/100 97/100 95/100 94/100
Customer Support Response Often 72+ hours Under 4 hours Under 6 hours Under 5 hours

MaskEX looks tempting because of the leverage and low fees. But when you compare it to exchanges that actually publish their reserves, answer support tickets quickly, and operate under verified licenses - the gap is terrifying.

Who Should Avoid MaskEX

If you’re new to crypto and want to learn, skip MaskEX. There are no educational resources like Binance Academy or Coinbase Learn. No guides, no webinars, no risk calculators.

If you care about safety, skip MaskEX. No proof of reserves. No transparent audits. No public team. Just a CEO named Eric Yang with no LinkedIn profile or public track record.

If you’ve ever lost money on a platform because support disappeared - you know what this feels like. MaskEX is a repeat of past failures: high rewards, zero accountability.

Final Verdict: Too Risky to Use

MaskEX isn’t just risky. It’s dangerous. The combination of unverified licenses, zero verified reviews, low trust scores, and widespread withdrawal complaints makes it one of the most concerning exchanges in the crypto space right now.

Yes, the interface is clean. Yes, the leverage is high. Yes, you can deposit with a credit card. But none of that matters if you can’t get your money out.

There are hundreds of better options. Kraken, Coinbase, Binance, Bitstamp - they all have real licenses, real audits, and real customer support. You don’t need to gamble on a platform with a 1/100 trust score when you can use one with a 95+ score.

MaskEX feels like a trap dressed up as a trading platform. Don’t be the next person who wakes up to a frozen account and no way to get help.

Is MaskEX a scam?

MaskEX isn’t officially listed as a scam by CryptoScamDB, but it has all the hallmarks of one: unverified licenses, zero professional reviews, a 1/100 trust score from Gridinsoft, and consistent user reports of withdrawal failures. While it’s not confirmed as a scam yet, it’s in the high-risk category where 87% of similar platforms fail within 18 months.

Can I trust MaskEX with my crypto?

No. MaskEX doesn’t publish proof of reserves, doesn’t allow third-party audits, and has no track record of security transparency. If your crypto is stored on MaskEX, you’re trusting a company with no public accountability. For any amount over $100, use a wallet you control - not an exchange you can’t verify.

Why does MaskEX have a 4.0-star rating on Google Play?

The 4.0-star rating comes from only 115 reviews - a tiny sample size. Many reviews are generic (“easy to use,” “good app”) with no details. Professional traders don’t use Google Play to review exchanges. The lack of reviews on Trustpilot, Forex Peace Army, and Reddit suggests the ratings may be inflated or manipulated. Real users with serious trading activity aren’t leaving feedback - likely because they’ve already lost money.

Does MaskEX really have VARA approval?

MaskEX claims “initial approval” from Dubai’s VARA, but it’s not listed in VARA’s official public registry of licensed exchanges. Initial approval means the application is under review - not that the license is granted. Many platforms use this language to mislead users into thinking they’re fully regulated. VARA has licensed 17 exchanges as of Q3 2024. MaskEX is not among them.

What should I do if I already deposited on MaskEX?

Withdraw everything you can, immediately. Don’t wait for a “better time.” If you’ve already tried and failed to withdraw, contact your bank or payment provider (like Mercuryo or AlchemyPay) to dispute the transaction if possible. Document every interaction with support - screenshots, emails, timestamps. There’s no guarantee you’ll get your money back, but acting fast gives you the best shot. Avoid depositing more.

Are there safer alternatives to MaskEX?

Yes. Kraken, Coinbase, and Binance are all regulated, publish proof of reserves, and have responsive customer support. If you want high leverage, Bybit and OKX offer up to 125x with verified licenses and strong track records. If privacy matters, consider decentralized exchanges like Uniswap or PancakeSwap - you keep control of your keys. There’s no reason to risk your funds on an unverified platform when trusted options exist.

There are 16 Comments

  • Eric Redman
    Eric Redman
    LMAO this post is so over the top. I deposited $500 on MaskEX last week and made 300% in 48 hours. You guys are just mad because you lost money on Binance.
  • Jason Coe
    Jason Coe
    I've been trading on MaskEX since 2022 and honestly, the leverage is insane. Yeah, support takes a while sometimes, but I've never had a withdrawal fail. The app is smooth, the UI is clean, and if you're smart with your positions, you can make bank. People just don't understand risk management. It's not the platform's fault you got liquidated on 125x. Also, VARA initial approval is legit - they're in the pipeline. Stop panicking over trust scores from some sketchy cybersecurity blog.
  • David Roberts
    David Roberts
    The 1/100 trust score isn't the issue. It's the domain registration date. 2020? But they claim 2021 launch? That's a classic shell company move. And the fact that they're not on VARA's official registry? That's not oversight - that's fraud. The FATF guidelines are crystal clear: partial KYC + unverified licensing = red flag tier 1. You think you're being private? You're being targeted. This is a honeypot for retail traders who think leverage = free money.
  • Beth Devine
    Beth Devine
    I appreciate the detailed breakdown. I was considering MaskEX for my small portfolio, but after reading this, I'm sticking with Kraken. Better to be slow and safe than fast and broke.
  • Hanna Kruizinga
    Hanna Kruizinga
    This is so obviously a shill farm. 115 reviews on Google Play? That’s a bot army. And why no reviews on Forex Peace Army? Because they don’t exist outside of marketing pages. I’ve seen this movie before - same script, different name. MaskEX = 2021 FTX with worse PR.
  • Jessica Hulst
    Jessica Hulst
    Funny how we treat exchanges like they’re gods. We chase leverage, ignore proof of reserves, and then cry when the house burns down. MaskEX isn’t the problem - we are. We want the dream: fast money, no paperwork, no accountability. But crypto isn’t Vegas. It’s a ledger. And ledgers don’t lie. The only thing MaskEX is scamming is our hope that shortcuts exist in finance.
  • Phyllis Nordquist
    Phyllis Nordquist
    I must emphasize that while the platform's interface may appear user-friendly, the absence of verifiable regulatory documentation and the pattern of unresponsive customer service represent significant fiduciary risks. One should not conflate aesthetic design with operational integrity. The data presented here aligns with established patterns of financial misconduct in unregulated digital asset environments.
  • Brett Benton
    Brett Benton
    Guys, I just got back from Dubai. I met with a guy who works at VARA’s compliance desk. He said MaskEX is in the final audit phase. They’re just waiting on some paperwork from their legal team. The trust score? Gridinsoft is owned by a former crypto trader who got burned by Binance and now hates anyone who isn’t Coinbase. Don’t trust the haters. Do your own research.
  • Brian McElfresh
    Brian McElfresh
    This is all a distraction. MaskEX is a front for the CIA. They’re using crypto to track your wallet activity and feed it to the NSA. That’s why they need KYC for fiat - so they can link your real name to your Bitcoin. Don’t deposit. Don’t even look at the app. They’re watching you right now. I’ve seen the documents. The domain was registered by a shell company linked to a defense contractor in Virginia.
  • Monty Tran
    Monty Tran
    MaskEX is a scam and anyone using it is an idiot. No proof of reserves. No real licenses. No support. That’s it. End of story. You think you’re clever using leverage? You’re just funding the next yacht for the founder. Don’t be the sucker.
  • Kaela Coren
    Kaela Coren
    The comparison table is accurate. Binance’s volume is over 30 billion daily. MaskEX is untracked. That alone should be a dealbreaker. No reputable institution would partner with an exchange that doesn’t report volume. The lack of transparency isn’t negligence - it’s intentional obfuscation.
  • David James
    David James
    I had a bad experience with MaskEX. I sent 2000 usdt and it took 5 days to get processed. Support never replied. I switched to Kraken and my withdrawals are instant. Don't risk it. There are better options.
  • Shaunn Graves
    Shaunn Graves
    So you’re telling me because a platform has high leverage and a clean UI, it’s automatically a scam? That’s not logic - that’s fearmongering. Where’s your proof they stole funds? Not anecdotal Reddit posts. Not trust scores from a biased firm. Show me a court case. Show me a regulator fine. Until then, stop scaring people out of alternatives.
  • Elizabeth Melendez
    Elizabeth Melendez
    I've been on MaskEX for over a year and I've never had an issue. Withdrawals take a day or two sometimes, sure, but that's because of blockchain congestion, not them. I love the 125x leverage - I used it to double my account during the last memecoin surge. The reviews are low because most people don't know how to trade. They blow up their accounts and blame the platform. I'm not saying it's perfect, but it's not a scam. And if you're scared of leverage, don't use it. Simple.
  • Jeremy Jaramillo
    Jeremy Jaramillo
    I just want to say - if you're new to crypto, please don't even think about MaskEX. I've seen too many people lose everything chasing 125x. You don't need to be a hero. Use Coinbase, learn the basics, keep your keys safe. There's no shame in playing it slow. Your future self will thank you.
  • Sammy Krigs
    Sammy Krigs
    I tried maskex last month and my funds got lockd. I messaged suppot 12 times. no reply. i lost 1200$. dont trust them. use binance or kraken. its safer

Write a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *