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Head-to-Head Comparison

Paxos vs Shakepay

Paxos leads overall with a score of 78/100. Paxos wins in 5 categories, Shakepay wins in 1.
Custody & SecurityEase of UseFeesFeaturesTransparencySupportPaxosShakepay
Category
Paxos
B+
Shakepay
C+
Overall Score
78
63
Custody & Security
35% weight
82
40
Ease of Use
20% weight
72
88
Fees
15% weight
75
72
Features
10% weight
78
62
Transparency
10% weight
88
58
Support
10% weight
72
65
Category Breakdown
Custody & Security
35% of overall score
82
Paxos
vs
40
Shakepay
Ease of Use
20% of overall score
72
Paxos
vs
88
Shakepay
Fees
15% of overall score
75
Paxos
vs
72
Shakepay
Features
10% of overall score
78
Paxos
vs
62
Shakepay
Transparency
10% of overall score
88
Paxos
vs
58
Shakepay
Support
10% of overall score
72
Paxos
vs
65
Shakepay
Fee Comparison
Paxos
Custom institutional pricing
Min: Institutional
Shakepay
~1.5% spread
Min: $0
Custody Features
Paxos
Multisig
Multi-Institution
No Single Point of Failure
Segregated Accounts
Proof of Reserves
Insurance
Regulated Custodian
No Physical Exposure
Multi-Jurisdiction
Inheritance
Segregated Insurance
IRA
Lending
Buy/Sell
Dynasty Trusts
Shakepay

N/A

Our Analysis

Paxos vs Shakepay: What the Data Shows

Paxos (stablecoin-issuer) and Shakepay (fintech) serve different corners of the Bitcoin ecosystem, but the question that matters most is the same: who controls the keys? Paxos scores 78/100 (B+) versus 63/100 (C+) for Shakepay. The 15-point spread is meaningful — it usually comes down to custody architecture and fee structure.

Where Each Platform Wins

Custody and security — the most heavily weighted category in our methodology at 35% — tilts 42 points toward Paxos (82 vs. 40). Both platforms carry single-point-of-failure risk, but Paxos mitigates it more effectively through its NY Trust Company (State-Regulated) approach. Shakepay stands out on ease of use (88 vs. 72), reflecting Shakepay's user experience and onboarding flow.

The Custody Question

Neither Paxos nor Shakepay has fully eliminated single-point-of-failure risk. Paxos uses NY Trust Company (State-Regulated) and Shakepay uses Single Custodian. Both models leave your bitcoin exposed to custodial concentration risk — if that one entity fails, your bitcoin could be locked, seized, or lost. For long-term holders, this is the most important factor to weigh.

Bottom Line

Paxos is the clear choice here, outscoring Shakepay by 15 points across our six-category methodology. Keep in mind these platforms target different audiences — Paxos is built for institutions & issuance partners, while Shakepay serves canadian. One thing to watch with Shakepay: single custodian. canada-only. spread-based pricing.. The data speaks for itself — but always verify our methodology and do your own due diligence before moving bitcoin to any platform.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, Paxos or Shakepay?

Based on our six-category scoring methodology, Paxos scores higher at 78/100 compared to 63/100. The biggest differentiator is custody security, which accounts for 35% of the overall score. However, the right choice depends on your individual needs — review the category breakdown above.

Is Paxos safe for storing Bitcoin?

Paxos scored 82/100 on custody and security in our methodology. It does carry single-point-of-failure risk, meaning your bitcoin depends on one entity's security. Its custody model is classified as NY Trust Company (State-Regulated). Always verify these details and do your own research.

Does Shakepay have a single point of failure?

Yes. Shakepay uses a Single Custodian model, which means a single compromised entity could put your bitcoin at risk. This is a structural concern for long-term holders.

What are the fees for Paxos vs Shakepay?

Paxos charges Custom institutional pricing. Shakepay charges ~1.5% spread. Paxos scored 75/100 on fees versus 72/100 for Shakepay in our methodology.