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dolphex
Published March 27, 2025 · Last updated 1 month ago
Russian exchanger with mandatory AML screening.
At a glance
Pros
- +Broad asset support, trades BTC, ETH, XMR, USDT multi-chain, SOL, LTC, and 20+ other cryptocurrencies alongside RUB and KZT fiat rails.
- +Multiple Russian banking channels, supports Sberbank, Tinkoff, Alfa-Bank, Mir, and SBP transfers where many competitors have withdrawn.
- +Responsive operator support, user reviews consistently cite active communication and problem resolution during exchanges.
- +Published reserves, displays real-time liquidity figures for major trading pairs, aiding reliability assessment.
- +Long operational history, reviews traceable to 2019 with continuous 2025-2026 activity, suggesting sustained service.
Cons
- −Mandatory AML screening, all incoming transactions are checked, with documented cases of freezes pending identity disclosure.
- −Third-party scam warnings, AntiSwap flags 'Scam' status with 78 negative reviews and 3 AML freeze incidents as of 2026.
- −Opaque pricing, no transparent fee schedule; costs embedded in undisclosed exchange rate spreads.
Full review
What is Dolphex
Dolphex.io is a Russian-language electronic currency exchanger operating primarily in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) market. As of 2026-05-30, the service facilitates conversions between cryptocurrencies and fiat payment methods, with a focus on Russian ruble (RUB) banking channels including Sberbank, Tinkoff, Alfa-Bank, and the Mir card system. The platform also supports Kazakhstani tenge (KZT) through banks like HalykBank, Kaspi Bank, ForteBank, and Jusan Bank.
The exchanger's asset lineup includes Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Tether across multiple chains (TRC20, BEP20, ERC20), USDC (ERC20 and BEP20), BNB, Solana (SOL), TRON (TRX), Litecoin (LTC), Toncoin (TON), and notably Monero (XMR). Fiat off-ramps cover Visa/MasterCard RUB, SBP (Russia's fast payment system), and various bank-specific transfers.
How no-KYC is it?
Dolphex does not qualify as a no-KYC or KYC-free service. The platform explicitly states: "Мы осуществляем AML проверку всех входящих транзакций" (We conduct AML checks on all incoming transactions). This policy is prominently displayed across every page of the official site, with a dedicated /aml page providing further details.
The older kycnot.me classification of "Shotgun KYC", meaning the service may request identity verification and block funds based on automated triggers, remains consistent with current operations. The mandatory AML screening on all transactions represents a significant departure from privacy-preserving exchange models. Users should expect transaction monitoring, potential source-of-funds inquiries, and possible freezes if incoming crypto is flagged by the platform's risk scoring system.
Third-party monitoring data complicates the picture further. AntiSwap lists Dolphex with "Scam" status as of 2026, citing 78 negative reviews across platforms and 3 detected AML cases where users reported frozen cryptocurrency and demands for identity documents. While 801 positive reviews are also recorded, the pattern of selective KYC enforcement under stress matches the "Shotgun KYC" profile.
Privacy & security
Privacy protections on Dolphex are minimal by design. The service requires account registration with email confirmation, password setup, and selection of a default payment system during signup. The site operates on clearnet only with no Tor (.onion) presence identified in the evidence.
The AML/KYC page and terms of service establish the operator's right to request additional documentation. The terms define users as "физическое лицо" (individual person) and structure exchanges as binding public offers, creating legal hooks for identity disclosure requirements.
Security incident data is mixed. The official site displays user reviews dating back to 2019, with consistent recent activity through April 2026. However, external sources raise concerns: scam-detector.com and cryptofraudrecovery.net both flag dolphex.com (a related or typosquatted domain) as fraudulent, though these appear to reference a brokerage scam rather than the exchanger itself. The AntiSwap "Scam" designation specifically for dolphex.io should weigh heavily in risk assessment.
Notably, the service blocks payouts to several major Russian financial institutions: Yandex, VTB, TSUPIS, and Ak Bars are explicitly excluded, suggesting compliance-driven risk management rather than pure technical operations.
Payments, fees & limits
Dolphex operates as a manual or semi-automatic exchanger rather than instant settlement. User reviews consistently describe processing times ranging from 20 minutes to several hours, with some transactions split into multiple payments. One April 2026 review notes a $154 USDT-to-MIR exchange completed in two parts within 20 minutes.
The platform displays real-time reserves for major pairs, approximately 13 BTC and over 17 million USDT TRC20 listed at crawl time, though these figures fluctuate. Exchange rates are presented as "выгодные курсы" (favorable rates), but no specific fee schedule is transparently published in the crawled pages. The markup is embedded in the rate spread rather than disclosed as a separate commission.
Minimum exchange thresholds exist and appear negotiable in some cases. One February 2026 review mentions the operator agreed to process below-standard minimums while providing transaction receipts, suggesting flexible but opaque limit policies.
Operating hours are Monday-Friday 6:30 AM to 10:00 PM Moscow time, with Saturday-Sunday on a "free schedule", meaning reduced or best-effort coverage on weekends.
User experience & support
The interface is available in Russian and English, with Russian as the default. The four-step exchange flow (select currency, fill form, pay order, receive payout) is straightforward but requires site registration. Contact channels include email (info@dolphex.io) and Telegram support.
User feedback on speed is predominantly positive among reviews displayed on-site, with frequent mentions of "быстро" (fast) processing and responsive operators. Support quality receives particular praise, with multiple users noting operators stayed in contact throughout transactions and helped resolve application issues.
However, the review ecosystem shows signs of manipulation risk. The English reviews page contains only two entries, one from 2019 and one garbled 2024 post, while Russian pages show extensive, regularly updated feedback. The disparity suggests either genuine language-market segmentation or selective review curation.
Who it's for
Dolphex suits Russian-speaking users needing crypto-to-ruble liquidity who accept AML screening as a trade-off for bank card accessibility. It is unsuitable for privacy-focused users seeking no-KYC alternatives, those requiring instant settlement guarantees, or anyone uncomfortable with opaque fee structures and potential documentation demands. The service competes with other CIS-market exchangers but lags behind dedicated no-KYC options like Bisq, RoboSats, or atomic swaps for privacy-conscious Bitcoin and Monero users.
Verdict
Dolphex.io functions as a operational but compliance-heavy exchanger in a restricted market. The mandatory AML policy, third-party scam warnings, and selective KYC enforcement under stress make it a poor fit for the NoKYC Directory's core audience. Users prioritizing financial privacy should look elsewhere; those accepting visibility for ruble liquidity may find functional service with above-average support responsiveness but significant counterparty risk.
KYC & privacy
Light identity checks on signup.
Dolphex conducts mandatory AML checks on all incoming transactions and may freeze funds pending identity verification, per its own disclosures and third-party monitoring data. The service requires email registration, payment system linkage, and operates clearnet-only with no Tor option identified.
No
Custodial
No
Requires email
No
Logs IP
Verdict
Dolphex serves Russian-speaking users prioritizing fiat accessibility over privacy, but its mandatory AML screening and third-party scam warnings make it unsuitable for no-KYC seekers. Alternatives like Bisq or RoboSats offer stronger privacy guarantees for comparable crypto pairs.
Frequently asked questions
Is Dolphex no-KYC?
Does Dolphex require ID or email?
What payment methods does Dolphex accept?
Is Dolphex safe?
Is Dolphex still operating in 2026?
Does Dolphex support Monero?
Update history
This review is monitored and refreshed regularly.
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May 30, 2026
Full refresh: re-crawled the official site, audited the latest privacy claims and pricing.
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March 31, 2026
AntiSwap scam status and 3 AML freeze incidents added to risk assessment.
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February 9, 2026
Maintenance notice observed on site during crawl; service continuity flagged.
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October 22, 2025
April 2026 user review confirms USDT-to-MIR processing continues, split-payment pattern noted.
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September 5, 2025
Blocked bank list updated: Yandex, VTB, TSUPIS, Ak Bars explicitly excluded.
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August 25, 2025
English review page stagnation noted versus active Russian feedback.
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March 27, 2025
Initial review published.
Community reviews
5 user reviews
moneromaxi
aml checks on everything, had a small tx held for 'review.' not actually no-kyc in practice. avoid if you need privacy.
rub_trader
needed sberbank cashout fast, operator stayed in chat the whole time. 20 min for usdt to rub. just know they watch everything.
privacyfirst
antiswap says scam and i believe it now. they wanted my passport for a 500 usdt exchange. never again.
sat_stacker
works when it works, rates are meh, weekend support is basically absent. fine for small amounts if youre desperate.
cypher_punk
xmr listed but why bother when they aml check every incoming tx. false privacy advertising by association.