Crypto Exchange comparison
Cointree vs Digital Surge
Cointree has been around since 2013 and offers phone support plus cash deposits at convenience stores, while Digital Surge is a newer platform that bounced back from a 2022 FTX-related collapse via a Deed of Company Arrangement. The biggest practical difference is Cointree's broader deposit options and phone support versus Digital Surge's leaner, all-digital approach.
Choose
Cointree
if…
- ›You want phone support as a backup — Cointree offers phone and live chat, whereas Digital Surge is live chat and email only.
- ›You need to deposit cash via convenience stores — Cointree supports this; Digital Surge does not.
- ›You prefer a platform with a longer track record — Cointree was founded in 2013, four years before Digital Surge.
- ›You want structured educational courses rather than just basic articles.
Choose
Digital Surge
if…
- ›You want a platform with 365-day live chat support — Digital Surge's Australian-based chat team is available year-round.
- ›You prefer a simpler, no-frills exchange without the overhead of phone support hours.
- ›You're comfortable with a younger platform that has weathered a major crisis (FTX exposure) and restructured to keep operating.
Where they differ
| Fact | Cointree | Digital Surge |
|---|---|---|
| Year founded | 2013 | 2017 |
| Minimum initial deposit | $25 AUD | Not disclosed |
| Deposit methods | PayID, Osko, crypto deposit, cash via convenience stores | PayID, Bank Transfer, OSKO |
| Customer support channels | Phone, live chat, email, help centre | Live chat, email |
| Support hours (AU time) | Phone/chat Mon-Fri 10am-2pm AEST; email 24/7 | Live chat 365 days (hours not published) |
Verdict
Choose Cointree for its longer history, phone support and cash deposits; choose Digital Surge for simpler year-round chat support.
All data points side-by-side
Every verified fact for both platforms. Differences are highlighted.
| Field | Cointree | Digital Surge |
|---|---|---|
| account structure | ||
| CHESS sponsorship model | — | custodian |
| Individual account | Yes | Yes |
| Joint account | — | Yes |
| Company account | Yes | Yes |
| Trust account | Yes | Yes |
| SMSF account | Yes | Yes |
| Kids / minor account | No | — |
| asset coverage | ||
| ASX shares supported | — | No |
| ASX ETFs supported | — | No |
| US shares supported | — | No |
| US ETFs supported | — | No |
| Fractional shares (ASX) | — | No |
| Fractional shares (US) | — | No |
| Options trading | — | No |
| CFDs supported | — | No |
| Crypto trading | Yes | Yes |
| Managed funds | — | No |
| Bonds supported | — | No |
| IPO access | No | No |
| costs hidden | ||
| Market data fees | $0/month | — |
| Conditional order fees | $0 | $0 |
| costs visible | ||
| Monthly platform fee | $0/month | — |
| Annual platform fee | $0/year | — |
| Inactivity fee | $0 | — |
| Withdrawal fee (AUD) | $0 | $0 |
| identity and trust | ||
| Legal entity name | Cointree Pty Ltd | Digital Surge Pty Ltd |
| AUSTRAC registration | Yes | Yes |
| Year founded | 2,013 | 2,017 |
| Parent / ownership | Privately owned; founded by Shane Stevenson, led by CEO Jess Renden. Strategic minority investment from Indicia Labs Inc. (Silicon Valley) in 2020. | 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 | AU | AU |
| Public company status | private | private |
| money movement | ||
| Minimum initial deposit | $25 | — |
| Minimum subsequent purchase | $0 | — |
| Deposit methods | PayID, Osko bank transfer, Cryptocurrency deposit, Cash via convenience stores | PayID, Bank Transfer, OSKO |
| Withdrawal time | Same business day (typically within hours) via Osko/NPP | 1 business day (typically same-day for PayID; up to 1-2 business days for standard bank transfer) |
| platform ux | ||
| iOS app | — | Yes |
| Android app | — | Yes |
| Desktop platform | No | No |
| Demo account | No | No |
| Free real-time market data | Yes | Yes |
| Free research reports | No | No |
| 2FA support | authenticator | authenticator app |
| Customer support channels | phone, live chat, email, help centre | live chat, email |
| Support hours (AU time) | Phone and live chat: Mon-Fri 10am-2pm AEST/AEDT; email/help centre 24/7 | Live chat available 365 days a year (Australian-based support team); specific hours not published |
| Education content | structured courses | basic articles |
| tax and reporting | ||
| Australian tax statement | Yes | Yes |
| CGT calculator / report | Yes | Yes |
| Sharesight / Navexa integration | Yes | Yes |
| trading mechanics | ||
| Market orders | Yes | Yes |
| Limit orders | Yes | Yes |
| Stop loss orders | Yes | Yes |
| Conditional orders | Yes | Yes |
| Auto-invest / DCA | Yes | Yes |
| Auto-invest sophistication | multiple | multiple |
| After-hours / overnight trading | Yes | Yes |