Overview at a glance
Tux Exchange surfaced around 2016, based in Canada. It once supported basic tokens like BTC, LTC, DOGE, Peercoin, Decred, Zcash, and others - roughly 16-17 coins in total. Trading was simple, spot-only, with no margin or fiat options, and a clean interface designed for quick trades.
Why it mattered back when it ran
- Zero maker fees encouraged limit orders and liquidity provision.
- Low taker and withdrawal fees - 0.3% taker on trades, and about 0.0007 BTC per BTC withdrawal.
- Basic security stack - 2FA, cold storage claims, simple charts and trade interface.
How and why it slowed to a stop
Operations halted abruptly on July 6, 2019. The exit message blamed unfavourable regulatory conditions, and support faded fast. Trading volume dropped to zero, users lost access, and today it is inactive.
The good bits
- Simplicity: clean interface, easy for crypto-to-crypto trades.
- No frills, clean fee structure - maker-free was a standout.
- Lightweight UX - fast and straightforward for a handful of coins.
The risks and drawbacks
- Gone cold - cannot trade, deposit, or withdraw now.
- No fiat support, so it catered only to those with prior crypto holdings.
- No transparency or audit trail - no proof of reserves or deep security measures.
- Low liquidity even when active - thin markets, limited tokens.
Who it suited then and who it suits now
Once: ideal for altcoin hobbyists grabbing niche coins quickly with low fees.
Now: only useful if you're digging up old account details - otherwise, there is zero value.
Final take
Tux Exchange was the engaging yet fleeting niche spot - zero maker fee, altcoins, simple UX - until it shut in 2019. Today, it is a relic, not a venue.