Crypto Exchange comparison
CoinJar vs Digital Surge
CoinJar and Digital Surge are both Australian-owned crypto exchanges, but they split on trading features and history. CoinJar is the older, more established platform (founded 2013) with broader deposit options including PayPal and cards. Digital Surge offers more advanced order types like stop-loss and conditional orders, plus a built-in CGT calculator — but carries the baggage of its 2022 FTX exposure and subsequent Deed of Company Arrangement.
Choose
CoinJar
if…
- ›You want the widest range of deposit methods including PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay and debit/credit cards
- ›You prefer a longer track record — CoinJar has been operating since 2013 and is backed by notable investors like Blackbird Ventures and DCG
- ›You want extended support hours (Mon-Fri, 9am-3am AET) rather than standard business hours
- ›You value a platform that has never been through a Deed of Company Arrangement or major exchange collapse exposure
Choose
Digital Surge
if…
- ›You want stop-loss and conditional orders — Digital Surge offers these; CoinJar does not
- ›You want a built-in CGT calculator/report to simplify tax time without third-party tools
- ›You want joint accounts — Digital Surge supports them; CoinJar does not
- ›You prefer live chat support available 365 days a year rather than email/ticket-only support
Where they differ
| Fact | CoinJar | Digital Surge |
|---|---|---|
| Year founded | 2013 | 2017 |
| Stop-loss orders | Not supported | Supported |
| CGT calculator | Not available | Built-in |
| Joint accounts | Not supported | Supported |
| Deposit methods | PayID, Osko, bank transfer, debit/credit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal | PayID, bank transfer, OSKO |
Verdict
Pick CoinJar for its longer track record and flexible deposits; pick Digital Surge for better order types and tax tools.
All data points side-by-side
Every verified fact for both platforms. Differences are highlighted.
| Field | CoinJar | Digital Surge |
|---|---|---|
| account structure | ||
| CHESS sponsorship model | — | custodian |
| Individual account | Yes | Yes |
| Joint account | No | Yes |
| Company account | Yes | Yes |
| Trust account | Yes | Yes |
| SMSF account | Yes | Yes |
| Kids / minor account | No | — |
| asset coverage | ||
| ASX shares supported | No | No |
| ASX ETFs supported | No | No |
| US shares supported | No | No |
| US ETFs supported | No | No |
| Other markets supported | — | |
| Fractional shares (ASX) | No | No |
| Fractional shares (US) | No | No |
| Options trading | No | No |
| CFDs supported | No | No |
| Crypto trading | Yes | Yes |
| Managed funds | No | No |
| Bonds supported | No | No |
| IPO access | No | No |
| costs hidden | ||
| Conditional order fees | $0 | $0 |
| costs visible | ||
| ASX brokerage percentage | 1% | — |
| Monthly platform fee | $0/month | — |
| Annual platform fee | $0/year | — |
| Inactivity fee | $0 | — |
| Withdrawal fee (AUD) | $0 | $0 |
| identity and trust | ||
| Legal entity name | CoinJar Australia Pty Ltd | Digital Surge Pty Ltd |
| AUSTRAC registration | Yes | Yes |
| Year founded | 2,013 | 2,017 |
| Parent / ownership | Privately held; backed by Blackbird Ventures, Digital Currency Group (DCG), Boost VC, Possible Ventures (founders Asher Tan and Ryan Zhou retain operational control) | Digital Surge Pty Ltd (privately held, Australian-owned; co-founded by Dan Rutter (CEO) and Josh Lehman). Following the 2022 FTX exposure event, an associated company 'Digico' provided a A$1.25M loan as part of the Deed of Company Arrangement that allowed the business to resume operations. |
| Country of incorporation | Australia | AU |
| Public company status | private | private |
| money movement | ||
| Deposit methods | PayID, Osko / NPP bank transfer, Standard bank transfer (direct credit), Debit / Credit Card (Visa, Mastercard), Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal | PayID, Bank Transfer, OSKO |
| Withdrawal time | PayID withdrawals to participating banks typically arrive within minutes; standard bank transfers (non-PayID) take 1-3 business days. Withdrawals submitted before the daily cut-off process same day, otherwise next business day. | 1 business day (typically same-day for PayID; up to 1-2 business days for standard bank transfer) |
| platform ux | ||
| iOS app | Yes | Yes |
| Android app | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop platform | No | No |
| Demo account | No | No |
| Free real-time market data | Yes | Yes |
| Free research reports | No | No |
| 2FA support | authenticator_app | authenticator app |
| Customer support channels | email, help desk ticket / support portal | live chat, email |
| Support hours (AU time) | Mon-Fri, 9am-3am AET (extended hours covering AU and UK trading days) | Live chat available 365 days a year (Australian-based support team); specific hours not published |
| Education content | structured_articles | basic articles |
| tax and reporting | ||
| Australian tax statement | Yes | Yes |
| Distribution component breakdown | No | — |
| CGT calculator / report | No | Yes |
| Sharesight / Navexa integration | Yes | Yes |
| trading mechanics | ||
| Market orders | Yes | Yes |
| Limit orders | Yes | Yes |
| Stop loss orders | No | Yes |
| Conditional orders | No | Yes |
| Auto-invest / DCA | Yes | Yes |
| Auto-invest sophistication | multiple | multiple |
| After-hours / overnight trading | Yes | Yes |