Best Crypto Exchanges in Dubai & the UAE in 2024

eToro was founded in 2007 and expanded into the crypto market in 2013, having today one of the best crypto exchanges in the UAE. It is the leading social trading platform in the world, allowing investors to discuss the world of crypto and copy other traders’ strategies, including professional traders.

Many features and services led us to choose eToro as the best option for UAE crypto traders:

• Extensive Crypto Portfolio: eToro offers a diverse selection of over 70 crypto assets, featuring leading cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Binance Coin (BNB), catering to the preferences of every investor.
• Innovative Staking Rewards: Engage in crypto staking with eToro and enjoy the dual benefits of contributing to network security and earning passive income. The platform’s staking program includes options for Cardano (ADA) and Tron (TRX), with rewards distributed monthly in the same cryptocurrency, depending on the collective earnings of all participants.
• User-Friendly Platforms: With its intuitive web and mobile applications, eToro stands out for its ease of use. The platform is enriched with educational resources, webinars, and social trading features, making it an ideal choice for both novice and experienced investors.
• Seamless Asset Management: The eToro Money crypto wallet enables fast withdrawal and management of your cryptocurrencies, offering unparalleled flexibility in how you store and transfer your cryptocurrencies.

eToro has received In-Principle Approval from the Abu Dhabi Global Market to operate as a securities and crypto broker in Abu Dhabi, which allows the broker to safely deal with crypto assets in the MENA region. 

Still, please note that when trading crypto, you are not protected by any investment scheme, which means that if the broker goes bankrupt, there is no guarantee that you will recover your crypto investment. However, unlike other exchanges, eToro’s provision of traditional financial products places it under the watchful eyes of regulators, significantly reducing the risk of bankruptcy and ensuring a safer trading environment. 

For a deeper dive into eToro’s offerings and how it can enhance your trading experience, make sure to check out our detailed eToro review!

Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest. This is a high-risk investment and you should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong. Take 2 mins to learn more.

Crypto.com is one of the largest crypto exchanges by volume of transactions. It was founded in 2016 and serves over 80 million users from 90 countries. It is a popular choice among UAE users due to its variety of services that allow investors to earn passive income and access financial services in its vast crypto ecosystem, which makes it one of the best crypto exchanges in the UAE.

With Crypto.com, users gain access to innovative features like a crypto savings account, a Visa card that converts cryptocurrencies for everyday purchases while rewarding users, and a user-friendly NFT marketplace. Additionally, leveraging the platform’s native token, Cronos (CRO), can significantly reduce fees and amplify rewards, especially when utilizing the crypto debit card.

Achieving provisional approval from Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority for its Virtual Asset MVP License underscores Crypto.com’s adherence to stringent anti-money laundering protocols and consumer protection standards, although investment protection remains limited. Despite its comprehensive services and competitive fees, newcomers might find navigating the platform challenging. However, its extensive service range and asset offerings undoubtedly earn Crypto.com a spot among the best crypto exchanges for UAE investors.

Founded in 2011, Kraken ranks among the world’s largest and oldest cryptocurrency exchanges. With a diverse selection of cryptocurrencies available at competitive fees (starting as low as 0.26%), Kraken serves traders globally, including those in the UAE. It provides 24/7 customer support through live chat and upholds high-security standards, ensuring a reliable and secure trading environment.

Kraken goes beyond trading by providing extensive educational materials, including comprehensive “Crypto Guides,” informative videos, and an engaging podcast. These resources are designed to assist both beginners and seasoned investors in making well-informed decisions. Furthermore, Kraken’s staking services offer the potential for significant returns, with interest rates exceeding 20% on select cryptocurrencies, presenting an attractive opportunity for passive income generation.

The company is committed to transparency and security, and it offers a combination of cold storage and multi-signature wallets that protect user funds. It operates in the UAE with a Financial Services Permission from the FSRA. But, as usual, your funds invested in crypto will not be protected if the exchange goes bankrupt.

Founded in 2017, Sarwa is a Dubai-based online platform that makes investing in global markets simple and affordable. They consolidate all your investment needs into a single, user-friendly app. Whether you’re interested in crypto or stocks, Sarwa provides a seamless experience for investors to initiate and manage their wealth by offering 4 main services/products:

• Sarwa Save: A savings account to earn interested on your cash;
• Sarwa Trade: A trading account that allows you to trade US-listed stocks and ETFs on your own;
• Sarwa Invest: A robo-advisory solution that allows you to create and manage ETF portfolios automatically
• Sarwa Crypto: An account that allows you to trade cryptocurrencies

The platform is acclaimed for its low fees, accessibility, transparency, and the promo code bonus. It is a great option for beginners or those looking for a local solution.

Unlike other platforms, Sarwa operates on a closed-loop system, eliminating the need for a crypto wallet. Users can trade seamlessly by funding their accounts with fiat currency, simplifying the trading process. Moreover, Sarwa does not charge any commission on local transfers, making depositing and withdrawing funds cost-free. They give you access to 10 cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Litecoin (LTC), Bitcoin Cash (BCH).

Binance has emerged as a global leader in the cryptocurrency space, providing a comprehensive platform for crypto enthusiasts worldwide. It was founded in 2017 by Changpeng Zhao, and now stands as one of the largest and most widely used platforms, facilitating the seamless trading of cryptocurrencies.

Binance is renowned for its extensive offerings, including futures trading, staking, savings accounts, and the innovative Binance Visa Card. With its utility token, Binance Coin (BNB), users enjoy reduced fees, access to exclusive token sales, and the power of the Binance Smart Chain, enhancing the platform’s functionality.

Binance does not charge any deposit fees for cryptocurrency deposits, while fees for fiat deposits vary based on the currency and deposit methods. Trading activities on Binance incur a standard fee of 0.1% per trade for regular users, a rate that can be reduced to 0.75% by using BNB to pay for fees. Additionally, VIP users get personalized fee structures.

On the downside, despite its user-friendly design catering to various experience levels, Binance’s trading interface might be overwhelming for beginners due to the availability of advanced tools. recent developments saw Binance’s CEO, Changpeng Zhao, stepping down and pleading guilty to violating U.S. anti-money laundering laws, facing charges related to misrepresentation, operation of unregistered entities, and participation in unregistered securities sales.

Founded in 2015, Coinsfera stands as a reputable Over-the-Counter (OTC) desk giving customers access to buy and sell over 500 cryptocurrencies securely with cash and credit cards.  Although they do not mention their charged fees on their website, they claim to offer competitive pricing with fast execution. Their platform boasts a substantial customer base, with over 11,800 customers and 24,000+ successful transactions.

The process to buy and sell Cryptocurrency with Coinsfera is straightforward:

1. Calculate: Check the amount you want to exchange using the calculator on the Coinsfera website.
2. Appointment: Contact the Coinsfera team via WhatsApp, Telegram, or phone number to schedule an appointment.
3. Buy & Sell: Visit Coinsfera offices in Dubai to complete the transaction.

OKX, formerly OKEx, was founded in 2017 and is a significant player in the cryptocurrency exchange industry. It distinguishes itself by offering various trading options, including spot, margin, futures, and options trading, catering to the needs of various investors. In addition to traditional trading, OKX is at the forefront of offering innovative Web 3.0 services. These include flexible and fixed staking, lending, and liquidity mining on decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols and a comprehensive NFT marketplace, positioning OKX as a holistic platform for digital asset enthusiasts.

OKX prides itself on competitive trading fees, with a distinct maker/taker fee structure starting at 0.06%/0.06% for regular users, which can decrease to as low as -0.005%/0.015% for VIP users. Fee tiers for regular users are based on their OKB token holdings, while VIP tiers depend on 30-day trading volumes and daily asset balances, with daily updates to reflect users’ current status.

They offer Peer-to-peer (P2P) trading with zero fees, encouraging users to leverage the platform’s vast community as a Super Merchant. Their trading platform offers enhanced flexibility with over 900 local payment methods and supports more than 100 currencies, including AED.

Recently, OKX obtained a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) license from Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), authorizing it to offer spot and spot-pairs trading services to both qualified retail and institutional clients. Additionally, OKX is committed to transparency and regulatory compliance, publishing regularly their Proof of Reserves and adhering to the regulations under Malta’s Virtual Financial Assets Act.