ZB.com is a centralized cryptocurrency exchange (CEX) that has carved out a significant space in the digital asset ecosystem since its inception. Originally launched in China as CHBTC.com in 2013, the platform rebranded to ZB.com in November 2017 following regulatory shifts in the region. Today, it operates under Swiss registration with headquarters in Zurich and serves a global user base through a comprehensive suite of trading and financial services.
While ZB.com currently faces operational disruptions — with trading paused and no active volume tracking — it remains a historically influential player in the crypto space. This article explores the platform's core offerings, market structure, fee models, historical milestones, and additional services, offering insights into its role in the evolving cryptocurrency landscape.
Spot and Derivatives Markets
At the heart of ZB.com’s functionality are its spot and derivatives markets, which facilitate trading across a wide range of cryptocurrencies. The platform supports crypto-to-crypto transactions, including pairs involving major stablecoins such as Tether (USDT), Qcash (QC), Bitcoin (BTC), and USD Coin (USDC). Notably, direct fiat-to-crypto trading is not supported; however, users can still acquire digital assets using fiat currencies through indirect methods.
All cryptocurrency prices on ZB.com are displayed in Chinese Yuan (CNY) by default, reflecting its origins and early market focus. This pricing convention may require conversion awareness for international traders.
The spot market offers real-time data on trading volume, price movements, and order book depth. Users can customize their experience by bookmarking preferred assets and setting alerts for price changes. These tools enhance usability for both novice and experienced traders navigating volatile markets.
Leverage, Margin, and Automated Trading
ZB.com empowers traders with advanced features beyond basic spot trading. Margin trading is available with up to 3x leverage, enabling users to amplify their positions and potentially increase returns — though this also increases risk exposure.
In 2021, the platform introduced grid trading, a strategy that allows users to set automated buy-low, sell-high parameters within a defined price range. This feature supports both manual configuration and integration with trading bots, enabling 24/7 market participation without constant monitoring. Grid trading is particularly effective in sideways or volatile markets, where price oscillations create frequent entry and exit opportunities.
These tools position ZB.com as more than just an exchange — it functions as a dynamic trading environment suitable for algorithmic strategies and systematic investing.
Fee Structure and VIP Tiers
ZB.com employs a multi-tiered fee model based on users’ holdings of its native token, ZB. Unlike many exchanges that determine fee discounts solely by trading volume, ZB.com ties VIP status directly to ZB token ownership.
There are 10 VIP levels (VIP 0 to VIP 9), with higher tiers offering reduced trading fees. For example:
- At VIP 0, the standard spot trading fee is 0.20%, which drops to 0.10% if paid in ZB tokens.
- VIP 1 requires holding at least 100 ZB tokens, reducing fees to 0.18% (or 0.09% when paid in ZB).
- Higher tiers like VIP6 unlock access to the SVIP program, offering rates as low as 0.045%.
- The top tier, VIP9/SVIP4, requires acquiring at least 60,000 ZB tokens within 30 days post-trade, unlocking a fixed fee of 0.06% or a discounted rate of 0.03% when paying with ZB.
Special fee rates apply to certain pairs like USDC/QC and USDT/QC, providing cost advantages for stablecoin traders. Futures markets operate under a separate maker-taker model, with consistent rates across VIP levels: 0.050% for makers and 0.075% for takers. Notably, futures fees are unaffected by either trading volume or ZB holdings.
Deposit fees are generally absent, though minimum deposit thresholds exist for some assets based on current ZB.com cryptocurrency prices. Withdrawal fees and limits vary by asset and are subject to both single-transaction and daily caps.
Derivatives: USDT-Margined Futures
One of ZB.com’s key derivatives offerings is its USDT-margined perpetual futures contracts. These allow traders to speculate on price movements with up to 100x leverage, making them attractive for short-term strategies and hedging.
Perpetual contracts do not have an expiry date, allowing positions to be held indefinitely as long as margin requirements are met. Funding rates are periodically exchanged between long and short positions to keep contract prices aligned with the underlying index.
Although customized fee arrangements are possible for institutional teams, retail traders follow the standard maker-taker structure regardless of activity level or token holdings.
Additional Financial Services
Beyond trading, ZB.com offers several value-added services designed to enhance user engagement and capital utilization.
ZB Loan – Crypto Lending Service
ZB Loan enables users to borrow cryptocurrencies by posting digital assets as collateral. Interest is calculated hourly based on loan size and prevailing market conditions. This service supports leveraged trading strategies or liquidity needs without requiring users to sell their holdings.
Reward and Referral Programs
The platform runs a daily task reward program, where users earn tokens by completing simple actions like logging in or executing trades. Additionally, the referral program incentivizes user acquisition by rewarding both referrers and new sign-ups with USDT bonuses.
ZB Voting Listing – Community Governance
Holders of the native ZB token participate in the ZB Voting Listing system, which allows them to vote on new blockchain projects seeking listing on the exchange. This decentralized approach gives the community influence over which assets become tradable, promoting transparency and user-driven development.
Historical Milestones and Security Incidents
ZB.com’s journey reflects both rapid growth and significant challenges:
- In 2017, shortly after rebranding from CHBTC.com, the exchange captured over 50% of global Ethereum (ETH) trading volume, highlighting its early dominance.
- By January 2019, ZB.com briefly became the world’s largest crypto exchange, surpassing Binance with a 24-hour trading volume exceeding $6 billion on January 17.
- In 2020, it ranked as the third-largest cryptocurrency exchange globally based on cumulative trading volume across multiple pairs.
- That same year, ZB.com received a regulatory exemption under Singapore’s Payment Services Act (PSA), allowing legal operations in the country.
However, in August 2022, the platform suffered a major security breach, resulting in the theft of nearly $5 million worth of digital assets across more than 20 different cryptocurrencies. In response, ZB.com immediately suspended all financial transactions to conduct a full audit and strengthen its infrastructure.
Leadership and Vision
The exchange was founded by Jimmy Zhao, who serves as CEO. A computer science graduate from Uppsala University, Zhao has been instrumental in shaping ZB.com’s strategic direction. His background includes founding other fintech ventures such as ZBX — a Malta-based cryptocurrency exchange — and ChainxGame, a GameFi development company.
Under Zhao’s leadership, ZB.com has aimed to balance innovation with accessibility, targeting both retail investors and institutional clients.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Does ZB.com support fiat-to-crypto trading?
A: No, ZB.com does not offer direct fiat-to-crypto trading pairs. However, users can purchase crypto assets using fiat currency through third-party channels before depositing them onto the platform.
Q: How are ZB.com trading fees determined?
A: Fees depend on your VIP level, which is based on your holdings of the native ZB token. Higher ZB balances unlock lower fees, especially when paying trading costs in ZB.
Q: What happened during the 2022 ZB.com hack?
A: In August 2022, hackers stole approximately $5 million in crypto assets from ZB.com. The platform halted all transactions afterward to investigate and improve security measures.
Q: Can I use trading bots on ZB.com?
A: Yes, ZB.com supports automated trading via grid trading bots that allow users to set rules for buying and selling within specified price ranges.
Q: Is ZB.com regulated?
A: While originally based in China, ZB.com now operates internationally. It obtained a PSA license exemption in Singapore in 2020, permitting legal operations there.
Q: Where is ZB.com headquartered now?
A: The company is currently registered in Zurich, Switzerland.
ZB.com stands as a testament to the resilience and evolution of cryptocurrency exchanges. Despite recent setbacks, its history of innovation, strong community engagement through token governance, and diverse financial tools continue to draw interest from traders worldwide.