How to create a cryptocurrency exchange - blog cover

An abundance of people conducting currency and stock trading for a living is now focusing on cryptocurrencies in hopes of making money with them. People everywhere are talking about this. Some naysayers say it won’t be around forever and that Bitcoin is built to fail, resulting in a crash affecting all miners and traders. In spite of that, cryptocurrencies are thriving, and there is plenty of room for trading operations and startups to take a piece of it. In this article, we will explain how to create a cryptocurrency exchange, how long will it take, and how much it would cost.

List of The Contents

Cryptocurrency is attainable even for those who aren’t tech-savvy. At some point, people discover Ethereum, Bitcoin, and Litecoin, all of which can be used just like the Euro and Dollar. Transactions are made with a cryptocurrency wallet. This form of cryptocurrency is alluring: the cost of transactions is minimal in comparison to national currencies.

Fiat money is still on the top, and many people trust that we won’t see them disappear in the foreseen future. But there are many signs that cryptocurrencies will slowly change the banking system to take the place of government money and maybe even replace them completely one day.

Curious to know how cryptocurrencies affect the banking systems?

In the article about cryptocurrencies, we’ve discovered the positive and negative impact of them on central banks and other financial institutions.

How do banks adopt cryptocurrencies?

ABOUT CRYPTOCURRENCIES

Cryptocurrency is a kind of digital currency. Registration and emission are determined using asymmetric cryptography using various cryptographic protection approaches, like Proof-of-stake and Proof-of-work. The cryptosystem operates on a peer-to-peer network and is decentralized. That said, emissions are not possible. It can’t be counterfeited or destroyed. The biggest benefit, though, is the difficulty that comes with mining. In short, mining with a farm of GPUs will hardly be worthwhile.

MINING COST

Let’s try to calculate for comparison’s sake. The smallest mining “farm” holding 6 GPUs has a starting price of about $5000. Essentially, the mining scheme is based on a mathematical equation. The more people mine, the more crypto resources become attainable, making these equations more troublesome to solve. As such, while Bitcoin is currently not the highest it’s ever been at $10 000 apiece after its sudden fall from $20 000 in January 2018, it will take a while to locate a single coin and even longer for the tiniest of farm recoupments. Keep in mind that a basic farm costs about $5000. Browsing the web, you’ll discover warehouses rented out by fanatics will more GPUs than you have ever seen. As such, the costs to run such places are pricey. Further, a high-performance farm’s work will need to be supported. The electricity bill for maintenance alone is more than the starting price. At some point, the mined Bitcoin exchange will surpass the farm owner’s financial stability. Just another hassle that will make you disinterested in crypto mining.

THE FUNDAMENTAL IDEA OF HOW TO СREATE A CRYPTOCURRENCY EXCHANGE

Because the odds of making a profit at this point are low, the only way to reap the rewards is to help people already engaging. It can pay to be an intermediator just as much as it can by being a manufacturer or executor. That’s difficult to contest business rules. Recent trends indicate that crypto exchanges will be in demand, especially with the booming popularity of banking operations using Ethereum and Bitcoin, particularly with alluring features like small transaction fees. An overwhelming amount of people are finding out about cryptocurrencies and their substantially low transaction costs (in comparison to using MoneyGram and Western Union). Most people are using cryptocurrencies for money orders all over the country since it’s quicker and cheaper. It’s just a question of time before Bitcoin is used predominantly by the mass market.

As referenced earlier, trading platforms are the best way to profit using cryptocurrencies. Let’s look into how to create a crypto exchange and how it does things like transfer money in crypto and convert Bitcoins into a fiat currency of your choosing.

HOW TO CREATE A CRYPTOCURRENCY EXCHANGE

The crypto exchanges work as follows.

To begin with, the user registers to be part of the system and obtains an individual cryptocurrency wallet. Bitcoins and other currencies can be stored in this wallet.

When money is sent, the user conducts a transaction through the system. Afterward, funds are loaded to the user’s account on the app server. The user then chooses where the money will go and the currency it will be sent in.

What happens next can be done without the user’s assistance.

The crypto purchase is completed by the system on the server side, and the end user’s engagement isn’t required either. Afterward, the foreign currency is bought after the crypto one is sold. The final step involves the user receiving the funds in the currency of their choice in their bank account.

That said, studies show that this isn’t feasible to perform the exchange application process automatically because no platforms have an API to have money withdrawn from a bank account. With the exception of ones that permit money transfers into “confirmed” accounts, an exchange is contingent on the money transfer’s direction.

A successful transaction involves the foreign currency being sent to an account with a native currency. Once an account is established, the user confirms their account. Lastly, the transaction is automatically completed. In short, the cryptocurrency exchange app can be automatic with the exception of one step: the recipient needs to designate the wallet in a new account as “confirmed.”

However, if money is transferred from a confirmed account, the process becomes more troublesome and must be conducted differently. The most optimal approach is to team up with those who issue cryptocurrency debit cards. In the event money doesn’t warrant withdrawal, it can be loaded onto these cards.

When funds are sent to the natural currency, here’s what’s implemented while creating a cryptocurrency exchange application:

Cryptocurrency exchange app login screen

Login/Register page of the cryptocurrency exchange application where the user creates his account or enters using already existing credentials.


Cryptocurrency exchange application  Account ID verification screen

Account ID verification with the list of available wallets.


Crypto Exchange Application Loading money to the chosen account screen

Money remit to the chosen account.


Cryptocurrency exchange application Transactions history screen

Transactions history screen.


Cryptocurrency conversion application screen

Cryptocurrency exchange screen.


The website will have an API via a backend service that both iOS and Android devices can use:

  • Creation of accounts
  • Request for the money deposit
  • Requests to send money
  • Cryptocurrency > Currency exchange proxy APIs
  • Management of bank accounts

Afterward, a backend portal will be implemented into the application, allowing the user to modify the information on his profile.

Lastly, there are multiple platforms for the crypto exchange app. Both Android and iOS apps operate the same way and execute the same functions.

For the complete implementation of a project, it is worthwhile to learn how to build a cryptocurrency exchange application that is web-based for the most optimal user experience.

CRYPTOCURRENCY EXCHANGE DEVELOPMENT PROCESS

The project’s intended functionality can be accomplished in similar ways regarding the backend and UX. The initial choice is to install the mobile cryptocurrency exchange app on a user’s web-based application or mobile device that resembles an Android or iOS app and copies the app’s functions. Another choice is to minimize the crypto exchange development cost and decrease the go-to-market time. Startups must begin with the development of a mobile app and return to making a web-based cryptocurrency exchange app afterward. 

We’ve calculated some of the approximate duration, human resources, and budgets required for both instances: developing a mobile app and a web-based version simultaneously and a mobile app with a basic site.

A CRYPTOCURRENCY EXCHANGE PLATFORM DEVELOPMENT TIMELINE

Based on our calculations and previous projects, it might take us from 4 to 6 months to build a cryptocurrency exchange development project. We will display more information for the team and the interaction duration for all specialists individually.

TEAM REQUIRED FOR THE CRYPTOCURRENCY EXCHANGE PLATFORM DEVELOPMENT AND MOBILE APP DEVELOPMENT

  • 1 back-end developer working full time for 6 months charging $65/hour to develop the backend service, database, etc. = $62 000
  • 1 Android developer working for 6 months at $65/hour to develop an Android application = $62 000
  • 1 iOS developer for 6 months at $70/hour to develop an iOS application = $67 000
  • 1 front-end web developer working for 6 months to develop back-end and front-end websites at $55/hour = $52 000
  • 1 graphic designer for 3 months at $40/hour to create designs for the website and apps = $38 000
  • 2 QA engineers for half a year at $35/hour who will begin testing immediately = $67 000
  • 1 PM who organizes all the work within 6 months at $55/hour = $52 000

This project’s budget to make a cryptocurrency exchange is approximately 400 000 USD.

TEAM REQUIRED TO BUILD THE BASIC CRYPTOCURRENCY EXCHANGE PLATFORM AND DEVELOP THE MOBILE APP

Let’s assess the resources and team required to launch the project with the basic-function web portal. The single way to transfer funds will be to use the cryptocurrency exchange app.

  • 1 full-time back-end developer for the 6 months at $65/hour to develop the backend service, database, etc. = $62 000
  • 1 Android developer for the full 6 months at $65/hour to develop an Android application = $62 000
  • 1 iOS developer for 6 months at $70/hour to develop an iOS application = $67 000
  • 1 QA engineer for 6 months at $35/hour to begin testing immediately = $33 000
  • 1 PM who organizes all the work on the whole project duration (6 months) at $55/hour = $52 000

The cost to create a cryptocurrency exchange for this would be approximately 288 000 USD.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO CREATE A CRYPTOCURRENCY EXCHANGE: OFFSHORE AND ONSHORE DEVELOPMENT COST COMPARISON

The rates shown above are inexpensive for a cryptocurrency exchange app project to be done in that window of time. For comparison’s sake, we have shown approximate rates for an identical project outsourced for development into Western European countries like Ukraine or Romania.

What are software development rates in different locations?

Have a look at our Global Software Development Rates Guide for more information about global outsourcing rates.

Custom Software Development Rates

How Much It Would Cost to Make a Cryptocurrency Exchange with The Web Portal and Mobile Application

Total cost     $403 200 $196 800
Specialist Number of Devs Months of Engagement US Hourly Rate Europe Hourly Rate
Back-End Developer 1 6 $65/h $35/h
Android Developer 1 6 $65/h $35/h
iOS Developer 1 6 $70/h $40/h
Front-end Web Developer 1 6 $55/h $35/h
Graphic Designer 1 4 $40/h $20/h
QA Engineer 2 6 $35/h $15/h
Project Manager 1 6 $55/h $25/h

How Much It Would Cost to Create a Cryptocurrency Exchange Platform with Basic Web-Portal and Mobile Application

Total cost     $278 400 $144 000
Specialist Number of Devs Months of Engagement US Hourly Rate Europe Hourly Rate
Back-End Developer 1 6 $65/h $35/h
Android Developer 1 6 $65/h $35/h
iOS Developer 1 6 $70/h $40/h
QA Engineer 1 6 $35/h $15/h
Project Manager 1 6 $55/h $25/h

CONCLUSION

Keeping the above prices in mind, it may seem expensive at first, but if you look into the future, the deposit required to create a cryptocurrency exchange will offer substantial profit earnings. Its success isn’t contingent on the exchange rate and cryptocurrency state. It’s difficult to predict any currency’s course. The only certainty is that its popularity will continue to rise over the next several years, and all market tendencies, be they positive or negative, will result in greater interest in these platforms. To summarize, this cryptocurrency exchange isn’t contingent on the crypto vacillating course since it is only dependent on transactions of trade which will remain intact forever.

Cryptocurrencies have never received more attention than it has currently had. The market is still new and has a lot of potential for exciting new concepts. We at Existek believe that there are many accomplishments in the industry to be had.

Would you like to share your thoughts?

Have a look at our Custom Software Development Services Page, or contact us to learn how we can perfect your existing software or develop something new for you. If you have any ideas about implementing your software projects, our team will gladly assist you.

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Frequently asked questions

What is a crypto exchange?

A crypto exchange is a digital platform allowing users to buy, trade, and sell cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and others.

Why create a cryptocurrency exchange?

Creating a cryptocurrency exchange can be a lucrative business opportunity, as it allows for the facilitation of cryptocurrency transactions and can generate revenue through trading fees. Additionally, it can contribute to the growth and adoption of the cryptocurrency ecosystem.

What is the team composition to create a crypto exchange?

Businesses commonly have to set up a cross-functional team, including back-end developers, Android developers, iOS developers, front-end developers, graphic designers, QA engineers, project managers, etc.

How much does it cost to create a cryptocurrency exchange?

The cost of creating a cryptocurrency exchange varies greatly depending on factors such as the development team's location, the features and functionalities desired, and the chosen tech stack. On average, the project's budget could start at $196 000.

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