Nexo Flexible vs Fixed Terms: Which Should You Choose?
Locking your crypto into a fixed term earns a bonus on top of the standard rate — but you give up access to it until the term ends. Here's what each term type actually pays, what you're trading away, and how to decide which mix makes sense for your holdings.
The four options at a glance
Nexo offers one flexible option and three fixed-term lengths. Each fixed term pays a bonus on top of your loyalty tier's flexible rate — the longer the lock, the bigger the bonus, but not every asset supports every term length.
Lock-up: None
Compounding: Daily
Best for: Funds you might need access to
Bonus: Smallest of the three fixed terms
Available on: Most crypto assets
Best for: A modest bonus with short commitment
Bonus: Larger than the 1-month term
Available on: Stablecoins, fiat stablecoins, NEXO
Best for: Funds you're confident sitting on for a quarter
Bonus: Largest available
Available on: Fiat stablecoins and NEXO only
Best for: Long-term holdings you won't touch regardless
Why fixed terms don't apply to every asset the same way
It's worth noticing the pattern in the table above: the longest, highest-bonus terms are generally reserved for stablecoins and NEXO itself, not volatile assets like BTC or ETH. That's not an accident — a 12-month lock on an asset that could swing 40% in either direction is a very different commitment than a 12-month lock on a stablecoin whose dollar value barely moves. Always check which term lengths are actually available for the specific asset you're depositing before assuming the longest option applies.
| Term | Typical availability | Withdrawal before term ends |
|---|---|---|
| Flexible | All supported assets | Any time |
| 1 Month | Most crypto and stablecoins | Not available |
| 3 Months | Stablecoins, fiat stablecoins, NEXO | Not available |
| 12 Months | Fiat stablecoins, NEXO | Not available |
Exact availability and bonus rates vary and are set by Nexo directly — always confirm current terms on nexo.com before locking funds.
⚠️ The trade-off that matters most: liquidity
The extra rate on a fixed term is guaranteed by Nexo's published terms. What isn't guaranteed is that you won't need that money before the term ends. A 12-month lock earning an extra 6-8% looks great on paper — until an emergency, an opportunity, or simply a change of mind means you want that crypto back and can't get it. Only lock funds you're genuinely confident you won't need for the full term.
A simple way to think about the mix
Rather than choosing one term type for your entire portfolio, many users split holdings across terms based on how likely they are to need each portion:
- Keep an emergency portion flexible. Anything you might realistically need in the next few weeks stays liquid, even at the lower rate.
- Ladder shorter terms for medium-confidence funds. 1-month terms let you re-evaluate regularly without a long commitment.
- Reserve the longest terms for money you'd hold regardless. If you'd keep a stablecoin or NEXO position untouched for a year anyway, the 12-month bonus is close to a free upgrade — you weren't planning to touch it.
This "laddering" approach is standard practice in traditional fixed-deposit savings too, and the logic carries over directly: match the lock-up length to how confident you are that you won't need the funds, not to whichever term happens to pay the most.
Comparing the exact yield difference between flexible and each fixed term — for your specific asset, amount, and tier — is far easier with a calculator than doing it by hand.
Compare flexible vs fixed for your holdings →Related reading
Common questions
What's the difference between flexible and fixed terms on Nexo?
Flexible savings allow withdrawal at any time and compound daily at the standard rate. Fixed terms lock funds for 1, 3, or 12 months in exchange for a bonus rate, and generally cannot be withdrawn early.
How much extra do fixed terms pay?
It varies by asset and length — 1-month terms are available on most assets with a modest bonus, while 3 and 12-month terms are typically reserved for stablecoins, fiat stablecoins, and NEXO, with the 12-month term paying the largest bonus.
Can I withdraw from a fixed term early?
Fixed terms are designed to lock funds for the full duration. Always confirm Nexo's current early-withdrawal policy before committing funds you might need before the term ends.
See the exact numbers for your holdings
Compare flexible, 1-month, 3-month, and 12-month rates side by side for your asset, amount, and tier — with live prices.
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