If you invest in crypto-assets, or want to start, a crypto exchange is usually the easiest way to buy and sell them. Many platforms let you trade bitcoin, ether, Solana, stablecoins and other altcoins, each with different features and fees.
Since July 2026, companies that offer crypto services to people in the European Union must be authorised under MiCA, the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation. That makes regulation a much easier filter than it was a few years ago.
In this article, we review the best crypto exchanges in Europe and compare four of the best platforms to buy and sell crypto.
Best crypto exchanges in Europe in 2026
eToro
Social investing platform founded in 2007, with more than 40 million registered users. It offers stocks and ETFs alongside a solid range of cryptocurrencies, and is MiCA-authorised by CySEC.
Coinbase
US crypto exchange founded in 2012 and listed on the Nasdaq. It is known for its simple app and a large selection of cryptocurrencies, and serves EU clients through its MiCA-authorised entity in Luxembourg.
Kraken
One of the oldest crypto exchanges, founded in 2011, with low fees on its Kraken Pro platform and 24/7 support. It is MiCA-authorised in Ireland.
Crypto.com
A crypto app with 250+ cryptocurrencies, a crypto debit card with rewards and a MiCA licence from Malta.
| Exchange | MiCA licence | Cryptos | Min. deposit | Staking | |
| eToro | CySEC (Cyprus) | 100+ | $50 (varies by country) | ✔ | |
| Coinbase | CSSF (Luxembourg) | 100+ | Varies by payment method | ✔ | |
| Kraken | Central Bank of Ireland | 185+ | Varies by payment method | ✔ | |
| Crypto.com | MFSA (Malta) | 250+ | Varies by payment method | ✔ | ✔ |
Sources: exchange websites and the ESMA interim MiCA register, checked in September 2026. Minimum deposits and staking availability can vary by country.
Disclaimer: Crypto-assets are high-risk and volatile. You could lose your invested capital, and they are not covered by investor or deposit protection schemes. Make sure you understand the risks before investing.
Video summary
Watch a short recap of our top picks in the video below:
Best crypto exchanges in Europe reviewed
1# eToro at a glance
52% of retail CFD accounts lose money.
eToro is the world’s leading social investing platform. You can share your views on crypto, read other investors’ comments and copy other investors’ portfolios.
It offers more than 100 cryptocurrencies, and the platform is intuitive and easy to use. When you buy crypto without leverage and without short-selling, you own the underlying crypto-asset. The fee for buying or selling crypto is 1%.
EU clients’ crypto services are provided by eToro (Europe) Ltd, which is authorised under MiCA by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC). If you want to move your crypto elsewhere, you can transfer supported coins to the eToro Money crypto wallet and send them to another wallet.
Read our in-depth eToro review and visit eToro’s website for more details.
2# Coinbase at a glance
Coinbase is one of the largest crypto exchanges in the world and is listed on the Nasdaq, so it publishes audited accounts. Its app is simple, with a large selection of cryptocurrencies and plenty of educational content for beginners.
For more advanced traders, Coinbase Advanced (which replaced Coinbase Pro) offers limit and stop orders, charts and lower fees than the simple buy and sell interface.
Coinbase is known for its simplicity, but its standard fees are higher than those of many competitors, so check the total cost before each trade. Users also complain that customer service is hard to reach and mainly automated.
EU clients are served by Coinbase’s entity in Luxembourg, which is authorised under MiCA by the Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF).
3# Kraken at a glance
Founded in 2011, Kraken is one of the oldest crypto exchanges in the world. You can buy and sell more than 185 cryptocurrencies, with several funding options, 24/7 live chat support and strong security standards.
Its simple app suits beginners, while Kraken Pro offers advanced charts and order types with much lower fees, starting at 0.40% for takers and 0.25% for makers at the lowest volume tier. Kraken also offers educational guides and videos.
Kraken offers staking on selected coins, so you can earn rewards on crypto you hold. Rewards vary by coin, are not guaranteed and come with the risk of the coin’s price falling. It also offers the Kraken Wallet, a self-custody wallet, if you want to hold your crypto outside the exchange.
EU clients are served by Payward Europe Solutions Limited, which is authorised under MiCA by the Central Bank of Ireland.
4# Crypto.com at a glance
Crypto.com suits investors with some experience. Its highlights are a large selection of more than 250 cryptocurrencies, low fees on its exchange and a Visa debit card that lets you spend crypto and earn rewards.
If you hold and stake Crypto.com’s own token, Cronos (CRO), you can get lower fees and higher card rewards. Card rewards depend on the card tier and have changed several times, so check the current terms before you commit.
If you are a beginner, the app may feel overwhelming, and you may prefer a simpler exchange even with higher fees. If you have some experience and want low fees and a large choice of assets, Crypto.com may suit you.
EU clients are served by Foris DAX MT Limited, which is authorised under MiCA by the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA).
Disclaimer: Crypto-assets are high-risk and volatile. You could lose your invested capital, and they are not covered by investor or deposit protection schemes. Make sure you understand the risks before investing.
Decentralised exchanges (DEX)
Decentralised exchanges (DEXs), such as Uniswap and SushiSwap, are also popular in Europe.
On these platforms, you swap tokens directly from your own wallet through smart contracts. There is no bank, broker or payment processor in the middle.
DEXs generally don’t let you exchange euros for crypto. To buy crypto with euros, you need a centralised exchange with identity checks (KYC, or “know your customer”).
DEXs give you more control over your assets and access to many tokens that centralised exchanges don’t list. However, they are more complex for beginners, smart contract bugs and scam tokens are real risks, and there is no MiCA-authorised company to turn to if something goes wrong.
How to choose the best crypto exchange in Europe
These are the main factors to consider when choosing a crypto exchange in Europe:
- MiCA authorisation: check that the company serving you is authorised as a crypto-asset service provider in the ESMA register. The licence only covers the EU entity, not other companies using the same brand.
- Range of cryptocurrencies: some platforms offer hundreds of coins, others only the largest ones. Under MiCA, stablecoins that don’t meet EU rules, such as USDT, have been removed from many EU platforms.
- Reputation and track record: how long has the exchange been operating, has it been hacked, and does it publish audited accounts or proof of reserves?
- Fees: compare trading fees, spreads, deposit and withdrawal fees, and card purchase fees. Simple buy buttons are often much more expensive than the advanced trading screen.
- Deposits: check whether you can fund your account by SEPA transfer and whether there is a minimum deposit.
- Services: staking, crypto cards, recurring buys or self-custody wallets may matter to you. Staking rewards are not guaranteed.
Bottom line
To sum up, these are our top picks:
There are many crypto exchanges in Europe to choose from, and all four of our picks are now MiCA-authorised. This article is for information only and is not investment advice. Consider your own needs and goals before choosing an exchange, and only invest money you can afford to lose.
We hope this article helps, and good luck with your investments!
Disclaimer: Crypto-assets are high-risk and volatile. You could lose your invested capital, and they are not covered by investor or deposit protection schemes. Make sure you understand the risks before investing.
FAQs
What is a crypto exchange?
A crypto exchange is an online platform where you can trade cryptocurrencies for other cryptocurrencies or for traditional money such as euros. Most exchanges are centralised: the company holds your funds and matches buyers and sellers, much like a stock exchange. Decentralised exchanges use smart contracts on a blockchain to let users swap tokens directly from their own wallets.
Is a crypto exchange the only place where I can buy crypto?
No. You can also buy crypto through brokers and banking apps, which often act as the counterparty to your trade, or on peer-to-peer (P2P) marketplaces, where you deal directly with another person. In the EU, all of these providers need MiCA authorisation to offer crypto services.
Are crypto exchanges regulated in Europe?
Yes. The EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) has applied to crypto-asset service providers since 30 December 2024. After the transitional periods, which ended by 1 July 2026 at the latest, exchanges need a MiCA authorisation from a national regulator to serve EU clients, and they can then offer their services across the EU.
MiCA sets rules on capital, custody of client assets, conflicts of interest and complaints handling. However, it does not provide a compensation scheme if an exchange fails, so crypto held on an exchange is not protected like a bank deposit.
What is the best altcoin exchange in Europe?
Altcoins are cryptocurrencies other than bitcoin, such as ether, Cardano and Solana. The best crypto exchanges in Europe are generally also the best for altcoins. You can buy them on eToro, Coinbase, Kraken and Crypto.com, as well as on other MiCA-authorised platforms such as Bitpanda and Bitvavo.
How is crypto taxed in Europe?
Crypto taxation is set by each country, so the rules vary. The EU Court of Justice ruled that exchanging traditional currency for bitcoin is exempt from VAT.
Most EU countries tax gains on crypto, at rates that vary widely. Portugal, once seen as a crypto tax haven, has taxed gains on crypto held for less than 365 days since 2023. Since 1 January 2026, the EU’s DAC8 directive also requires crypto service providers to report their clients’ transactions to tax authorities.
Is there a Bitcoin ETF in Europe?
Not in the same form as in the US. EU rules for UCITS funds don’t allow a fund to hold a single crypto-asset, so European investors use crypto exchange-traded products (ETPs), usually structured as exchange-traded notes (ETNs). Several providers, including large asset managers, list Bitcoin ETPs on European exchanges such as Xetra and SIX. Unlike ETFs, ETNs carry the credit risk of the issuer, unless they are physically backed.
