BICC Exchange Crypto Exchange Review: Is It Safe and Worth It in 2025?

If you're looking for a crypto exchange based in Japan that's actually licensed by the government, BICC Exchange might be on your radar. But here’s the thing: you won’t find it on CoinGecko’s top 100 list. You won’t see it mentioned in most YouTube crypto roundups. And if you’re used to exchanges like Binance or Coinbase, BICC feels quiet - almost invisible. That doesn’t mean it’s a scam. It just means it plays by different rules.

What Is BICC Exchange?

BICC Exchange launched in 2018 and is registered under Japan’s Financial Services Agency (FSA). That’s a big deal. Japan was one of the first countries to crack down on unregulated crypto platforms after the Mt. Gox collapse. Since then, only exchanges that pass strict audits, keep user funds separate, and enforce KYC can legally operate. BICC is one of them.

Unlike global giants that chase international users, BICC focuses on the Japanese market. It supports trading in over 50 cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple, Litecoin, and Bitcoin Cash. If you live in Japan and want to trade digital assets without stepping outside the law, BICC gives you a legal, regulated path.

How Does BICC Exchange Work?

BICC operates as a centralized exchange. That means they hold your crypto for you - not like a wallet where you control the keys. That’s standard for most exchanges, but it also means you trust them with your assets. So what’s their security like?

Every user must complete KYC. That’s not optional. You need to upload a government-issued ID - passport or driver’s license - and verify your email. Then you’re asked to turn on two-factor authentication (2FA). These steps aren’t just for show. They’re required by Japanese law. If you skip any of them, you can’t trade.

The signup process is straightforward:

1. Go to the BICC website and click "Sign Up"
2. Enter your name, email, and password
3. Verify your email with the link they send
4. Upload your ID for KYC
5. Enable 2FA (Google Authenticator or Authy)
6. Wait for approval - usually a few hours to a day

Once approved, you can deposit either cryptocurrency or Japanese Yen via bank transfer. Withdrawals work the same way. No credit cards, no PayPal, no third-party payment processors. Just direct bank transfers and blockchain deposits. It’s simple, but it’s also slow if you’re used to instant deposits on global platforms.

Trading Features and Asset Selection

BICC offers both spot trading and contract trading. Spot trading means buying and selling crypto at current market prices. Contract trading lets you speculate on price movements without owning the asset - think leverage, short positions, and futures. If you’re a beginner, stick to spot. If you’re experienced and understand the risks, contracts are available.

With over 50 coins listed, BICC has more options than some smaller Japanese exchanges. For example, BitFlyer USA only supports 11 cryptocurrencies. BICC gives you room to diversify beyond just BTC and ETH. You can trade lesser-known tokens like Chainlink, Solana, or Polygon - as long as they’re approved by Japan’s FSA.

But here’s the catch: liquidity matters. Even if a coin is listed, if no one’s trading it, you’ll struggle to buy or sell at a fair price. BICC doesn’t publish real-time volume data, and it’s not ranked on CoinMarketCap or CoinGecko. That’s a red flag for traders who need tight spreads and fast order fills.

How Does BICC Compare to Other Japanese Exchanges?

Japan has a few big players: BitFlyer, Coincheck, and GMO Coin. All are FSA-licensed. All have higher trading volumes. All appear on major exchange rankings.

BitFlyer has over 2 million users. Coincheck had $158 million in 24-hour volume as of October 2025. GMO Coin hit $125 million. BICC? No numbers are public. That’s not because it’s hiding - it’s because it doesn’t need to compete on volume. It’s not trying to be the biggest. It’s trying to be the safest.

Compared to these giants, BICC’s interface is simpler. Revain users describe it as "dynamic and user-friendly," but there aren’t many reviews. No detailed feedback on mobile apps, customer support response times, or fee structures. That’s unusual. Most exchanges, even small ones, have at least a few hundred user reviews. BICC has almost none.

That silence could mean one of two things: either users are happy and don’t feel the need to write reviews, or they’re not using it much. There’s no way to tell for sure.

Fees and Payment Methods

BICC doesn’t publish its fee schedule publicly. That’s a problem. If you’re comparing exchanges, you need to know the costs. Are deposits free? Are withdrawals charged per coin? Is there a spread markup?

Based on industry standards for FSA-regulated exchanges, you can expect:

• Free cryptocurrency deposits
• Small withdrawal fees (usually 0.0005 BTC for Bitcoin, 0.01 ETH for Ethereum)
• Trading fees around 0.1%-0.2% per trade, possibly lower for high-volume users
• Bank transfers for JPY deposits/withdrawals - likely free or low-cost

There are no sign-up bonuses, no referral programs, no cashback deals. BICC doesn’t lure users with promotions. That’s a good sign if you’re wary of exchanges that give away free crypto to attract scam targets. But it’s a downside if you’re looking for extra value.

Is BICC Exchange Safe?

Yes - but only if you’re in Japan.

BICC has never been flagged in any official scam database. California’s DFPI Crypto Scam Tracker doesn’t list it. No reports of hacks, frozen funds, or phishing scams tied to BICC. That’s rare. Most smaller exchanges get swallowed by fraud scandals within a few years. BICC has stayed clean for seven years.

Its FSA license is the strongest guarantee you’ll get. The agency requires exchanges to:

• Keep 95%+ of user funds in cold storage
• Submit monthly financial audits
• Separate customer assets from company funds
• Report suspicious activity to regulators

If BICC failed any of these, the FSA would shut it down immediately. That’s how strict Japan is.

But safety doesn’t mean convenience. If you live outside Japan, you probably can’t open an account. The bank transfer option only works with Japanese banks. The KYC process asks for Japanese ID documents. The interface is mostly in Japanese. Even the customer support likely only responds in Japanese.

Who Is BICC Exchange For?

BICC isn’t for everyone. It’s not for Americans. Not for Europeans. Not for crypto traders who want to buy Dogecoin with a credit card or earn 10% APY on stablecoins.

BICC is for one group: Japanese residents who want to trade crypto legally, safely, and without risk of regulatory action. If you live in Tokyo, Osaka, or Fukuoka - and you want to hold Bitcoin without worrying about your exchange getting banned tomorrow - BICC is a valid option.

It’s not the fastest, not the cheapest, not the most popular. But it’s one of the few exchanges in Japan you can trust without doing a deep dive into its corporate structure.

The Bottom Line

BICC Exchange is a quiet, regulated, and safe platform - but only if you’re in Japan. It lacks the visibility, liquidity, and user feedback of bigger exchanges. It doesn’t offer bonuses, international support, or mobile apps that rival Coinbase or Kraken.

But if you care about legal compliance over flashy features, BICC delivers. It’s not trying to be the next Binance. It’s trying to be a reliable, long-term partner for Japanese investors. And in a market where so many exchanges have failed, that’s worth something.

For Japanese users: if you’ve done your research and want a platform that follows the rules, BICC is a solid choice. For everyone else: look elsewhere. There are better options with more features, more coins, and more support.