BiONE Crypto Exchange Review: Was It Legit or a Scam in 2025?

BiONE Crypto Exchange Review: Was It Legit or a Scam in 2025?

Aug, 4 2025

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BiONE Crypto Exchange Is Dead - Here’s What Really Happened

If you’re searching for a review of BiONE crypto exchange, you might be hoping to sign up or move your funds there. That’s a mistake. BiONE is not operating. It hasn’t been for years. The website is down. Customer support is gone. And if you had money on it, you likely lost it.

BiONE launched in May 2018 as a Singapore-based exchange promising security, over 300 cryptocurrencies, and U.S. regulatory compliance. It claimed to follow ISO 27001 standards, use cold storage for most assets, and hold an MSB license from FinCEN. For a while, it looked like just another altcoin-friendly platform trying to carve out space in a crowded market.

But by 2025, every major crypto data source agrees: BiONE is dead. Cryptowisser lists it in their Exchange Graveyard. Fxmerge calls it a scam with a 1.8/5 rating based on user reports. CoinMarketCap marks its trading volume as untracked - meaning it no longer meets basic transparency rules to even be listed.

What BiONE Claimed vs. What Actually Happened

When BiONE was active, it sold itself on five big promises:

  • Strong security with ISO 27001 and NIST compliance
  • 300+ cryptocurrencies - more than most exchanges at the time
  • Fast deposits and withdrawals
  • U.S. MSB license from FinCEN
  • Clean, easy-to-use mobile and desktop interface

These weren’t unusual claims. Many exchanges said the same thing. But here’s the problem: BiONE never proved any of it.

Yes, FinCEN does issue MSB licenses. But having one doesn’t mean you’re safe. It just means you registered as a money transmitter - a basic requirement, not a stamp of approval. Plenty of scams have MSB licenses. It’s like getting a business license to open a bakery, then selling moldy bread.

The 300+ altcoins? Sounds great - until you realize most were low-volume, low-liquidity tokens. That’s a red flag. Exchanges that list hundreds of obscure coins often do it to attract speculative traders, then disappear when the hype fades.

Security claims? Maybe. But if your exchange vanishes, your cold storage doesn’t matter. The money’s still gone.

Why BiONE Failed - And Why You Should Avoid Similar Exchanges

BiONE didn’t fail because it was poorly designed. It failed because it was unsustainable.

By 2025, the crypto exchange market had tightened dramatically. Singapore alone had hundreds of registered exchanges. To survive, you needed real traction, real security audits, real customer trust - and most importantly, you needed to stay compliant as regulators cracked down.

BiONE didn’t have any of that. No one was talking about it on Reddit. No one was writing detailed reviews on Trustpilot. No one was posting about it on Twitter. That’s not normal for a real exchange with thousands of users.

Instead, what we saw was silence - then disappearance.

Fxmerge’s 1.8/5 rating isn’t just a number. It’s a pattern. Eight users voted. All of them were likely trying to withdraw funds when the site went dark. Their feedback? “Can’t log in.” “No response from support.” “My BTC is stuck.”

That’s the classic scam script. Build a shiny interface. Attract traders with low fees and lots of coins. Then vanish when the volume drops or regulators start asking questions.

Contrast between a fake BiONE office with false licenses and a transparent, trusted exchange with auditors.

What Happens to Your Money When an Exchange Dies

If you held crypto on BiONE in 2023 or 2024, you’re out of luck.

There was no official shutdown notice. No email warning users to withdraw. No liquidation plan. No refund policy.

When exchanges like BiONE die, they don’t file for bankruptcy. They just turn off the servers. The website goes dark. The Twitter account stops posting. The Discord channel goes quiet. And your funds? They’re gone forever.

Unlike regulated platforms like Coinbase or Crypto.com, which keep user funds segregated and have insurance, BiONE operated like a black box. No audits. No transparency. No legal recourse.

There’s no way to recover your assets. No government agency will help you. No lawyer can force a dead company to pay you back.

This isn’t speculation. It’s what happened to users of BitConnect, QuadrigaCX, and dozens of others. BiONE is just another name on that long list.

How to Spot a Fake or Dying Crypto Exchange

Don’t let this happen to you again. Here’s how to check if an exchange is safe before you deposit a cent:

  1. Check CoinMarketCap or CoinGecko - If it’s not listed, or says “untracked,” walk away.
  2. Look for independent audits - Real exchanges publish proof of reserves from firms like BDO or Armanino. BiONE never did.
  3. Search Reddit and Twitter - If no one’s talking about it, that’s a warning. Real exchanges have active communities.
  4. Verify regulatory status - Don’t trust “MSB licensed.” Check FinCEN’s database yourself. And ask: Is it licensed in a strict jurisdiction like the U.S., Japan, or the EU? Or just a shell company in a tax haven?
  5. Test customer support - Send a quick email before depositing. If they take more than 24 hours to reply, or give vague answers, move on.

BiONE checked none of these boxes. And now it’s gone.

A warning signpost in a digital wasteland showing safe exchanges vs. dead ones like BiONE.

Where to Trade Instead - Safe Alternatives in 2025

You don’t need BiONE. You don’t need sketchy altcoin exchanges. There are dozens of solid, trusted platforms still operating in 2025.

Here are three you can use right now:

  • Crypto.com - Offers over 250 cryptocurrencies, low fees, strong security, and a licensed U.S. entity. Ranked #1 by Finder in 2025.
  • Kraken - One of the oldest and most transparent exchanges. Publishes regular proof of reserves. Regulated in the U.S. and EU.
  • Binance - Still the largest exchange globally. Though under regulatory pressure, it maintains deep liquidity and 300+ trading pairs.

All three have been operating for over 5 years. All three have public audits. All three have active customer support teams.

BiONE promised the same things. But only these platforms delivered.

Final Warning: Never Trust an Exchange That Vanishes

The crypto space is full of hype. New platforms pop up every week promising the moon. But if an exchange doesn’t have a track record, doesn’t answer questions, and doesn’t show proof - it’s not worth your money.

BiONE looked professional. It had a website. It had a logo. It had a list of supported coins. But none of that matters if the company doesn’t exist anymore.

There’s no “maybe” here. BiONE is dead. And if you’re still considering using it, you’re risking your funds on a ghost.

Stick with platforms that are transparent, audited, and still operating. Your crypto will thank you.

Is BiONE crypto exchange still operational in 2025?

No, BiONE is not operational. As of 2025, its website (bione.me) is completely inaccessible. Multiple sources, including Cryptowisser and Fxmerge, confirm the exchange has shut down and is no longer accepting deposits or withdrawals.

Was BiONE a scam?

Based on user reports and expert analysis, BiONE is widely classified as a scam. Fxmerge rates it 1.8/5 and explicitly labels it as a fraudulent operation. While Cryptowisser treats it as a defunct exchange, the lack of transparency, vanished customer support, and inaccessible user funds align with common scam patterns.

Did BiONE have a valid U.S. license?

BiONE claimed to hold a U.S. MSB (Money Services Business) license from FinCEN. While FinCEN does issue such licenses, having one doesn’t guarantee legitimacy. Many scams register for MSB status to appear credible. There’s no public record of BiONE undergoing audits or maintaining ongoing compliance, making the license meaningless in practice.

Can I recover my funds from BiONE?

No, there is no way to recover funds from BiONE. The exchange shut down without notice, with no liquidation process, no customer support, and no official communication. Once an exchange disappears like this, user assets are permanently lost.

What should I use instead of BiONE?

Use established, regulated exchanges like Crypto.com, Kraken, or Binance. These platforms have public audits, transparent reserve proofs, active customer support, and years of operational history. Avoid any exchange that doesn’t appear on CoinMarketCap or CoinGecko with tracked volume data.