Best Crypto Exchanges in Europe in 2024 (compared)

eToro is the leading social trading platform in the world. The platform allows you to discuss the world of crypto by sharing your views and reading comments from other investors about investments. It is also possible to copy other traders’ strategies, leading to rewards for traders who can attract followers.

They currently offer 60+ options for cryptocurrencies, and the platform is intuitive and easy to use. When buying cryptocurrencies, you will gain ownership of the asset if you fulfill three requirements:

1. There was no leverage on the position through CFDs;
2. You did not short-sell the crypto asset;
3. You are not a client under the supervision of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).

If you are a client of eToro Europe, you can withdraw some of the cryptocurrencies from the platform to the eToro money crypto wallet and transfer them somewhere else if you wish.

The platform also allows you to leverage your cryptocurrency position through a Contract for Difference (CFD). This financial instrument is a derivative that lets you open a position without owning the underlying asset, benefiting from a higher rate of return than what you could gain initially but exposing yourself to higher losses. Note that this is a complex financial instrument, and eToro reports that approximately 79% of the retail investors that use CFDs lose money with their investments. Plus, eToro introduced a new 20% annual overnight fee for crypto BUY CFD positions, which is a high cost.

Cryptoasset investing is highly volatile and unregulated in some EU countries. No consumer protection. Tax on profits may apply.

Read our in-depth eToro review and visit eToro’s website for more details.

CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 76% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

Coinbase is one of the biggest cryptocurrency exchanges in the world, with more than98 million users. The platform combines a user-friendly interface with a large offer of cryptocurrencies for the user to buy and sell. It also provides a massive library of information about cryptocurrencies, focusing on beginner education. Any user with limited knowledge of computers can use both the online website and the apps for Android or iOS.

For more advanced traders, the exchange enables Coinbase Pro, which any retail investor can use to have more advanced types of trades, such as limit and stop orders, which are unavailable on the central platform.

While Coinbase is known for its simplicity, the platform has higher transaction fees than its competitors. Users also tend to complain about its customer service, saying that it is hard to contact other humans, with the service being primarily automated. Finally, Coinbase Europe is not a regulated financial service provider for digital currency services.

Founded in 2011, Kraken is one of the oldest crypto exchanges in the world. You can easily buy/sell over 185 cryptocurrencies with low fees (up to 0.26%), versatile funding options, 24/7 customer support via live chat, and high-security standards. Its inclusion of live support leads the market and makes it a preferred choice for investors new to crypto.

It offers trading tools for beginners, scaling up to experts’ needs. In addition, there are detailed “Crypto Guides” alongside instructional videos, even a podcast if you’re so inclined. These are excellent tools for beginners to be informed before making any decision.

We like the inclusion of futures and staking. The latter functions are similar to a locked savings account. With the right cryptocurrency choice, you could earn 10%-plus in interest. It’s an ideal choice for traders who wish to keep a portion in a secure wallet but make something out of that, too.

On the downside, It lacks a wallet for retail users, but it maintains a reputation for storing 95% of the exchange’s assets in cold storage across different geographies. Besides, Kraken’s trading platform and mobile app are pretty basic, so you might be disappointed if you’re looking for more advanced features.

Crypto.com is a platform that is suitable for investors with some experience. With more than 80 million users from 90 different countries, the highlights of this platform are its cheap fees, the possibility to earn interest on crypto holdings at a high rate, and its visa card that allows you to spend your cryptocurrencies and earn rewards for it.

The platform is also famous for its NFT market, which is easy to navigate and suitable for investors who want to start investing in this specific market.

If you hold the platform’s native utility token, Cronos (CRO), you can lower your fees and earn higher rewards when using your crypto debit card. It is possible to get between 1% and 8% cashback when acquiring certain goods or services.

If you are beginning to invest, you may be overwhelmed by this platform’s interface and opt for other exchanges that are more user-friendly, even though they have higher fees for trading. If you have some experience and want to access a platform with low fees and an extensive list of assets, Crypto.com might suit your needs.