AI risk analysis - Coingi (2025-04-29 17:35:42)

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Below is a comprehensive analysis of Coingi, a cryptocurrency exchange, based on the requested criteria. The analysis draws from available information, including web sources, to evaluate Coingi’s legitimacy, security, and potential risks. Note that some information may be limited due to the exchange’s low visibility or inactivity, and critical examination of sources is applied to avoid blindly accepting unverified claims.

1. Online Complaint Information

  • Trustpilot Reviews: Coingi has a limited presence on Trustpilot with only 4 customer reviews as of 2018. One notable complaint mentions a Litecoin (LTC) deposit not being credited after 21 days and unreachable customer service due to email issues. This suggests potential operational or customer support deficiencies.
  • Other Platforms: No significant complaints were found on major platforms like Reddit, Bitcointalk, or ScamMinder, but the lack of recent user feedback is concerning. Coingi’s low popularity and trading volume may contribute to the scarcity of reviews, but it also limits insight into user experiences.
  • Red Flag: Unresolved deposit issues and unresponsive customer service are serious concerns, indicating potential reliability problems.

2. Risk Level Assessment

  • Operational History: Coingi was launched in 2014 in the Czech Republic and introduced fiat-crypto trading in 2017. It supports trading pairs with Bitcoin, Litecoin, Dogecoin, Dash, Vertcoin, Namecoin, and Peercoin, but notably excludes Ethereum, a major cryptocurrency.
  • Popularity and Activity: Coingi is marked as “Inactive” by BitDegree due to insufficient data or low activity. Its global website rank is #722,476, with only 90 monthly organic visitors and a low trading volume, indicating limited user engagement.
  • Risk Level: Moderate to High. The exchange’s low popularity, limited trading volume, and lack of recent updates (e.g., news section unchanged since August 2019) suggest operational stagnation. The absence of Ethereum and low user trust increase risk for traders seeking robust platforms.

3. Website Security Tools

  • SSL Certificate: Coingi uses HTTPS, indicating an SSL certificate for secure data transmission. However, the specific certificate type (e.g., Domain Validated vs. Extended Validation) is not detailed in available sources, limiting assessment of its strength.
  • Security Practices: Coingi claims to prioritize security through:
  • Offline storage of the majority of virtual currencies to prevent online theft.
  • Two-factor authentication (2FA) via Google Authenticator.
  • BIP32-generated addresses for enhanced Bitcoin security.
  • Regular security testing and external audits.
  • Red Flags: While these measures align with industry standards, the lack of transparency about audit results or specific security incidents raises concerns. No recent data confirms ongoing security maintenance.
  • Assessment: Coingi appears to implement basic security protocols, but without detailed audit reports or third-party verification, users should remain cautious.

4. WHOIS Lookup

  • Domain Information:
  • Domain Name: coingi.com
  • Registrar: NameCheap Inc.
  • Creation Date: March 24, 2014
  • Updated Date: March 20, 2018
  • Expiry Date: March 24, 2019 (expired, but the website remains operational, suggesting renewal not reflected in older WHOIS data).
  • Name Servers: josh.ns.cloudflare.com, uma.ns.cloudflare.com
  • Domain Status: clientTransferProhibited
  • Red Flags: The WHOIS data is outdated (last updated 2018), and the apparent expiration in 2019 is concerning, though the site is still active. Hidden WHOIS information (common with NameCheap) obscures ownership details, which is a tactic sometimes used by suspicious entities but also standard for privacy-conscious companies.
  • Assessment: The outdated WHOIS data and lack of transparency about ownership increase risk, as legitimate exchanges typically provide clear corporate details.

5. IP and Hosting Analysis

  • IP Address: 104.25.78.34
  • Hosting Provider: Cloudflare, Inc.
  • Location: Not explicitly tied to a specific country in the data, but Cloudflare is a reputable CDN provider with global servers.
  • Analysis: Cloudflare is widely used for DDoS protection and performance optimization, which is a positive sign. However, the lack of clarity on server location (potentially Czech Republic, based on banking ties) makes it harder to assess jurisdictional risks.
  • Red Flag: The use of Cloudflare is standard, but if Coingi hosts servers in high-risk jurisdictions or shares hosting with known scam sites (not confirmed), it could be problematic. No evidence of scam neighbors was found, unlike the unrelated Connieiu.com case.

6. Social Media Presence

  • X (Twitter): Coingi’s X account (@Coingi) has 500 followers and only 16 tweets since joining in August 2014. The account follows zero accounts, indicating minimal engagement. No recent activity was noted, suggesting dormancy.
  • Other Platforms: No official Telegram or Reddit accounts were identified, and Coingi’s social media presence is described as “quite small” with low community involvement.
  • Red Flag: The near-absent social media activity is a significant concern for a cryptocurrency exchange, as active platforms typically maintain robust community engagement. This aligns with Coingi’s low popularity and inactivity flags.

7. Red Flags and Potential Risk Indicators

  • Anonymity of Founders: Coingi’s founders are anonymous, and the physical headquarters’ location is unclear, though likely in the Czech Republic due to ties with FIO Banka.
  • Low Trading Volume: Coingi’s trading volume is “not very impressive,” reducing liquidity and increasing risk for traders.
  • Lack of Recent Updates: The news section on Coingi’s website has not been updated since August 2019, signaling potential operational dormancy.
  • Customer Support Issues: Complaints about unreachable support (e.g., email failures) indicate poor user experience.
  • No Ethereum Support: Excluding a major cryptocurrency like Ethereum is unusual and limits appeal.
  • Regulatory Uncertainty: No clear evidence confirms Coingi’s compliance with financial regulations (e.g., Czech or EU laws), though it implements AML/KYC verification.

8. Website Content Analysis

  • Content Overview: Coingi’s website (https://coingi.com/) offers trading in Bitcoin, Litecoin, Dogecoin, Dash, Vertcoin, Namecoin, and Peercoin, with fiat support for USD, EUR, and CZK. It features a simple interface with price charts, candlestick displays, and multilingual support (European, Russian, Arabic, Chinese).
  • Transparency: The site includes a privacy policy, terms and conditions, and an AML-CFT policy, which outline data handling and security measures. However, it lacks detailed corporate information (e.g., team, office address).
  • Fees: Coingi charges a flat 0.2% trading fee (below the industry average of 0.25%), a 0.001 BTC withdrawal fee, and variable fiat deposit fees based on banks. No credit card deposits are allowed, only wire transfers or SEPA.
  • Red Flags: The lack of corporate transparency and outdated news content (last updated 2019) suggest neglect. The absence of advanced features like leveraged trading or a mobile app may deter serious traders.

9. Regulatory Status

  • KYC/AML Compliance: Coingi requires KYC verification for fiat trading, aligning with anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorist financing (CFT) regulations. It does not create anonymous accounts, which is a positive sign.
  • Regulatory Oversight: No specific information confirms registration with Czech or EU financial regulators (e.g., Czech National Bank or ESMA). The use of FIO Banka suggests some banking oversight, but this is unverified.
  • Red Flag: The lack of explicit regulatory licensing or oversight is a concern, as reputable exchanges typically disclose compliance with bodies like the FCA, SEC, or equivalent.

10. User Precautions

To mitigate risks when using Coingi, users should:

  • Enable 2FA: Use Google Authenticator to secure accounts, as Coingi supports this feature.
  • Verify KYC Requirements: Be prepared to submit identification documents for fiat trading, and ensure personal data is handled securely.
  • Test with Small Amounts: Deposit and trade small amounts initially to confirm platform reliability, given complaints about uncredited deposits.
  • Monitor Account Activity: Regularly check for suspicious logins, as Coingi claims to analyze such activity.
  • Avoid Large Holdings: Store significant funds in offline wallets, as Coingi’s offline storage claims are unverified by third parties.
  • Research Alternatives: Consider more established exchanges (e.g., Kraken, Binance) with higher liquidity and regulatory clarity.

11. Potential Brand Confusion

  • Similar Names:
  • Coinigy: A crypto portfolio-tracking platform, not an exchange, which could cause confusion due to phonetic similarity. Coinigy is based in the U.S. and has a clearer operational profile.
  • Connieiu.com: A flagged suspicious site with no clear relation to Coingi but highlights the risk of typo-squatting or scam sites mimicking legitimate exchanges.
  • Red Flag: Coingi’s low brand recognition increases the risk of users mistaking it for scam sites or unrelated platforms. The domain’s simplicity (coingi.com) is vulnerable to phishing attempts (e.g., coing1.com).
  • Precaution: Users must verify the exact URL (https://coingi.com/) and avoid clicking unsolicited links claiming affiliation.

12. Overall Assessment and Recommendations

  • Summary: Coingi is a centralized cryptocurrency exchange with a long operational history (since 2014) but significant red flags. Its low popularity, outdated website content, limited social media presence, and lack of regulatory transparency suggest it may be dormant or struggling to compete. Security measures like 2FA and offline storage are positive, but unverified claims and customer support issues raise concerns. The absence of Ethereum and low trading volume further limit its appeal.
  • Risk Rating: High. While not explicitly a scam, Coingi’s operational opacity, lack of recent activity, and user complaints indicate substantial risks for traders.
  • Recommendations:
  • Avoid for Large Transactions: Use Coingi only for small, experimental trades until more transparency or activity is confirmed.
  • Seek Alternatives: Platforms like Kraken, Coinbase, or Binance offer higher liquidity, regulatory compliance, and active support.
  • Conduct Due Diligence: Cross-check Coingi’s status on platforms like CoinMarketCap or CoinGecko for updated activity before engaging.
  • Monitor Developments: Watch for any news about Coingi’s operations or regulatory status, as inactivity may precede closure or security lapses.

Notes

  • Source Limitations: The analysis is constrained by Coingi’s low visibility and outdated data (e.g., WHOIS, news). Some information may no longer be accurate, but the website’s continued operation as of April 2025 is assumed based on available sources.
  • Critical Perspective: Claims about security and AML compliance are taken from Coingi’s website and reviews but lack independent verification. The exchange’s anonymity and inactivity align with patterns seen in less reputable platforms, though no direct evidence of fraud was found.
  • Citation Usage: Sources are cited where relevant, but some conclusions are inferred from patterns (e.g., inactivity, low engagement) due to limited data. If you need further details or analysis of specific aspects (e.g., deeper WHOIS investigation or comparison with other exchanges), please let me know!
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