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6 best crypto exchanges in Malaysia

Find the best crypto exchange or app for low fees, beginners, trading features and more.

This is not an endorsement of cryptocurrency or any specific provider, service or offering. It is not a recommendation to trade or use any services.

Each year, we conduct an extensive review of the crypto exchanges and trading platforms available in Malaysia. To arrive at these picks, we evaluated platforms on user experience, fees, payment methods, selection of coins and more.

When deciding on the best crypto exchanges or trading platforms for your needs, consider what you plan to use them for. It’s quite common to use multiple exchanges to benefit from their different areas of specialty, like using one for its range of coins and another for access to NFTs. Read more about our “best for” selections for a helpful head start.

Best crypto exchanges in Malaysia for 2023

1. Luno – Best crypto app

Luno Cryptocurrency Exchange

Luno Cryptocurrency Exchange

10
Supported cryptos
8
Fiat currencies

Luno was founded in London, UK, but has a regional hub in Malaysia.

The exchange has over 10 million customers in 43 countries, and the Luno app offers a simple way to get started in crypto investing.

Access a range of popular cryptocurrencies with as little as $1, and set up recurring purchases according to your preferred frequency.

With its user-friendly interface and a suite of learning tools, Luno is worth checking out, especially if you're just getting started and prefer an exchange without much of a learning curve.

Pros
  • Supports MYR. Deposit, withdraw and trade with MYR on the platform
  • Supports direct bank withdrawals and deposits. Deposit up to $200,000 per transaction into your Luno wallet directly from your bank account. Withdrawals via bank transfer cost $2
  • Secure storage. Most of the digital assets that Luno custodies for its clients are held in 'deep freeze' using a multi-sig wallet where the keys are generated and stored entirely offline and offsite
  • Intuitive trading web platform and mobile app. Beginner-friendly interface and informative learning portal make it easy for anyone to get started in crypto investing
  • Compliant. Luno is registered with the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC).
Cons
  • High trading fees. Luno charges a trading fee of 0.75% for buying and selling cryptocurrency, which is high compared to its competitors
  • Limited cryptocurrencies. Luno only offers 8 cryptos.
  • May not be suitable for active traders. Luno does not offer margin lending or advanced trading tools
Fees and deposit Methods Bank transfer, Cryptocurrency, PayID, Debit/credit cards
Deposit Fees Free ($1.30 for amounts below $50)
Withdrawal Fees Free ($1.30 for amounts below $50)
Trading Fees Maker: 0%
Taker: 0.03-0.10%

2. MX Global – Best for beginners

MX Global Crypto Exchange

MX Global Crypto Exchange

2
Supported cryptos
1
Fiat currencies

Founded in 2018, MX Global is an easy-to-navigate crypto platform based in Kuala Lumpur that makes it easy for you to start investing in crypto.

The information on the platform is presented in either Bahasa Melayu or English.

Creating an account on the platform is relatively easy. And once you've created your account, you can refer friends and earn up to 20% of their trading fees once they create an account and start trading.

If you have any issues using the exchange, you can email members of its customer support team or contact them by phone.

Pros
  • Offers MYR trading pairs. Buy and sell crypto with and for MYR
  • Multiple languages. Information on the exchange is presented in both Bahasa Melayu and English
  • Compliant. MX Global is registered with the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC)
  • Referral program. Earn up to 20% on the trading fees of those you refer to MX Global.
Cons
  • Limited cryptocurrencies. The exchange only enables you to purchase Bitcoin (BTC) or Ethereum (ETH)
  • Busy trading interface. While MX Global's trading interface provides you with detailed information to help you trade, some may find the trading interface slightly overwhelming.
Fees and deposit Methods N/A
Deposit Fees N/A
Withdrawal Fees N/A
Trading Fees N/A

3. Tokenize – Best for earning yield

Tokenize Xchange

Tokenize Xchange

7
Supported cryptos
1
Fiat currencies

Tokenize is a Singapore-based exchange that enables you to earn staking rewards on up to 85 different digital assets.

The Crypto Earn hub of the platform provides you with all of the details you need to start staking your crypto on the platform. You can see the annual yield you'll receive for staking an asset, the minimum amount of that asset you'll have to stake, the asset you'll receive as a reward and the minimum amount of days you'll have to stake your asset.

And if you have any trouble getting started staking your assets on the platform, you can watch a tutorial on how to do so in the Academy hub.

Pros
  • Offers staking for numerous cryptos. Stake up to 85 digital assets for rewards
  • Supports MYR. Deposit, withdraw and trade with MYR
  • Compliant. Licensed to operate by the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC)
  • Multiple languages. The website is available in Bahasa Melayu, Chinese and English.
Cons
  • Minimum deposit fee. RM100 minimum deposit fee
  • Withdrawal fees. Charges withdrawal fees for certain amounts of fiat and for all crypto withdrawals
Fees and deposit Methods N/A
Deposit Fees N/A
Withdrawal Fees N/A
Trading Fees N/A

4. SINEGY – Best market maker fee

SINEGY Digital Asset Exchange

SINEGY Digital Asset Exchange

2
Supported cryptos
1
Fiat currencies

SINEGY is a unique crypto exchange in that it actually pays you a commission to be a market maker.

A market maker — or just a 'maker' for short — queues either a buy or sell order on an exchange's order book. Makers help exchanges by providing liquidity — money or assets — to be traded.

When you provide this liquidity on SINEGY, you actually receive a commission of 0.25% on the trade. Another way of saying this is that the maker fee on the exchange is -0.25%.

So, if you are a frequent trader and understand how to be a maker, you might consider taking advantage of getting paid to be one on SINEGY.

Pros
  • Market maker commission. Market makers receive a 0.25% commission
  • Compliant. SINEGY is registered with the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC)
  • Offers MYR trading pairs. You can trade your MYR for either Bitcoin (BTC) or Ether (ETH) and vice versa
  • Quick trade function. Beginner investors and traders can use the Quick Trade function to simplify the process of buying and selling crypto.
Cons
  • Limited cryptocurrencies. The exchange only offers Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH)
  • No mobile app. The platform doesn't have a mobile app, but recommends using Google Chrome if you choose to use the exchange in a mobile browser
  • Low liquidity. The exchange's 24-hour trading volume is very low
  • Single language. Information on the exchange is only available in English.
Fees and deposit Methods N/A
Deposit Fees N/A
Withdrawal Fees N/A
Trading Fees N/A

5. Crypto.com – Best for NFTs

Crypto.com App

266
Supported cryptos
31
Fiat currencies

Crypto.com enables you to purchase NFTs from a variety of collections, including notable ones like Bored Ape Yacht Club and Moonbirds.

You can use either fiat or crypto to buy NFTs on Crypto.com. The platform supports NFT purchases with your fiat account balance, a credit or debit card or over 20 different cryptocurrencies, and there are no gas fees if you pay via the Crypto.com app.

If you're an NFT creator, you can apply to mint and sell your NFTs on the platform. However, keep in mind that you have to apply to be a creator on the site, and if you get rejected you can't reapply. Also, minting NFTs on the site can take up to 72 hours.

Pros
  • Purchase NFTs with fiat or crypto. Buy NFTs on Crypto.com through multiple payment methods including credit and debit cards as well as over 20 different cryptocurrencies
  • Supports many NFT collections. The platform supports over hundreds of NFT collections on four different blockchains
  • Mint and sell your own NFTs. You can apply to be a creator on the platform and then mint and sell your NFTs through the exchange.
Cons
  • Multiple languages, but no Bahasa Melayu. Information on Crypto.com can be presented in multiple languages – including English and Chinese – but not in Bahasa Melayu
  • Doesn't support MYR. You can't deposit, withdraw, trade or purchase NFTs with MYR on the platform
  • Unlicensed. Crypto.com is not registered with the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC).
Fees and deposit Methods Bank transfer, Credit card, Cryptocurrency, Debit card, PayPal
Deposit Fees None
Withdrawal Fees Cryptocurrency: Fees vary
Trading Fees Maker - 0-0.075%
Taker - 0.05-0.075%

6. Kraken – Best for advanced trading

Kraken Cryptocurrency Exchange

221
Supported cryptos
8
Fiat currencies

Kraken offers an array of trading services through Kraken Pro, its advanced crypto trading platform.

Kraken offers margin as well as futures contracts to traders. Please keep in mind, though, that these financial instruments are risky to trade and not suited to less-experienced traders.

Low maker and taker fees that range from 0% to 0.26% also make Kraken a good choice for frequent traders.

You can even customise the platform's trading interface according to what data you want to use to trade.

Pros
  • Offers margin for trades and futures contracts. Trade with margin or utilise crypto futures contracts as part of your trading strategy on Kraken Pro
  • Low trading fees. The exchange offers low maker and taker fees
  • Customisable user interface. You can reorganise and resize the windows on Kraken Pro until the interface is to your liking
  • 24/7 customer support. Kraken offers global round-the-clock support via live chat.
Cons
  • Doesn't support MYR. Kraken doesn't support MYR deposits or withdrawals and the platform doesn't support MYR trading pairs
  • Multiple languages, but no Bahasa Melayu. You can view Kraken's website in 13 languages – including English and Chinese – but not in Bahasa Melayu
  • Unlicensed. Kraken is not registered with the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC).
Fees and deposit Methods Bank transfer, Credit card, Cryptocurrency, Debit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay
Deposit Fees Fees vary
Withdrawal Fees Fees vary
Trading Fees Maker: 0.00-0.16%
Taker: 0.10-0.26%

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How to choose the best crypto exchange in Malaysia

It's important to research a wide range of crypto platforms and compare the pros and cons of each option. The best crypto exchange for you depends on what you're looking for, so consider the following:

Using SC-registered exchanges to buy cryptocurrency

There are plenty of places to buy crypto, including platforms founded here in Malaysia or based in locations all around the world. Exchanges headquartered locally are required to register with the SC and comply with requirements that don't apply to global platforms. Depending on your goals, this may have some benefits or drawbacks.

Pros
  • Malaysia-based exchanges must comply with the SC's Anti-money Laundering (AML) and Counter-terrorism Financing (CTF) reporting obligations.
  • You can usually buy crypto with MYR.
  • Exchanges in Malaysia typically support local payment methods.
  • You may be able to access local customer support.
  • Subject to local laws.
Cons
  • You'll need to provide your personal details and proof of ID – a disadvantage if you want to trade anonymously.
  • Overseas trading platforms may provide better liquidity.
  • MYR-to-crypto prices are sometimes slightly higher than USD-to-crypto prices, meaning you sometimes pay a premium for buying directly with Malaysian ringgits.
  • Some features are simply not available on SC-registered exchanges. For example, margin trading, DeFi features and some altcoins.

Compare more crypto trading platforms and apps in Malaysia

Use the table to compare crypto exchanges and platforms on fees, range of cryptos, deposit methods and more. Once you've found the right fit, select Go to site to get started.
1 - 10 of 12
Name Product Deposit methods Fiat Currencies Cryptocurrencies Offer Disclaimer
Kraken Cryptocurrency Exchange
Bank transfer, Credit card, Cryptocurrency, Debit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay
USD, EUR, GBP, JPY, CAD, CHF, AUD, AED

221
cryptocurrencies

Coinmama Cryptocurrency Marketplace
Coinmama Cryptocurrency Marketplace
Bank transfer, Credit card, Debit card
USD, EUR, AUD, CAD, GBP, JPY

18
cryptocurrencies

CEX.IO Cryptocurrency Exchange
4.5★★★★★(16)
CEX.IO Cryptocurrency Exchange
Bank transfer, Credit card, Cryptocurrency, SEPA, Faster Payments (FPS), SWIFT
USD, EUR, GBP, CAD

145
cryptocurrencies

Disclaimer: Highly volatile investment product. Your capital is at risk.
Paybis Cryptocurrency Exchange
Paybis Cryptocurrency Exchange
Bank transfer, Credit card, Cryptocurrency, Debit card, Neteller, Skrill
EUR, GBP, USD, AUD, CAD, PHP, SGD, CHF, HKD, JPY & 30+ more

38
cryptocurrencies

US residents: Restricted in the following states - NY, CT, NM, WA, HI, AL, VT, FL, AK, NV.
Bitfinex Professional Trading Exchange
Credit card, Cryptocurrency, Bank Wire
USD, EUR, GBP, JPY

242
cryptocurrencies

Cryptocurrencies are a highly volatile investment product. Your capital is at risk.
StormGain Cryptocurrency Exchange
StormGain Cryptocurrency Exchange
Cryptocurrency
USD, EUR, AUD, CHF, CZK, DKK, GBP, HUF & 5+ more

23
cryptocurrencies

Bittrex Global
Bittrex Global
Bank transfer, Credit card, Cryptocurrency, Debit card
USD, EUR

347
cryptocurrencies

Uphold
Uphold
Bank transfer (ACH), Credit card, Debit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay
USD, GBP, AUD, EUR, CAD, CNY, JPY, SGD, INR, NZD

237
cryptocurrencies

Crypto.com App
Bank transfer, Credit card, Cryptocurrency, Debit card, PayPal
USD, EUR, GBP, COP, CHF, HKD, SGD, AUD, CAD, KRW, SEK, CNY, TRY, RON, JPY, NOK, MYR, BRL, DKK, ZAR, BGN, THB, INR, TWD, PHP, IDR, MOP, MDL, SAR, MXN, CLP

266
cryptocurrencies

Bithumb Cryptocurrency Exchange
Bithumb Cryptocurrency Exchange
Cryptocurrency
KRW

201
cryptocurrencies

Disclaimer: Star ratings are only displayed for products with 10 or more reviews.
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How to use a cryptocurrency exchange

For the sake of our example, let's assume that you have RM500 that you want to use to buy Bitcoin (BTC).

  1. Compare cryptocurrency exchanges to find one that offers the right service for you.
  2. Register for an account on the platform and provide any personal details and proof of ID required.
  3. Navigate your way to the "Buy" screen.
  4. Select BTC as the cryptocurrency you want to buy.
  5. Select your payment currency, which in this case is MYR, and specify the amount you want to spend as RM500.
  6. Select your payment method, such as a credit card payment or bank transfer.
  7. Enter your payment details, such as your account number if sending a bank transfer or your card number and CVV if paying by credit card.
  8. Review the full details of your transaction, including the fees that will apply and the amount of BTC you are purchasing.
  9. If you're happy to proceed, click "Buy BTC".
  10. Once the transaction has been processed, the BTC will be deposited into your exchange wallet. However, please note that some brokers will automatically send your purchased BTC to an external wallet address that you nominate.

How to pay for your cryptocurrency in Malaysia

Crypto exchanges in Malaysia support a range of deposit methods, including the following:

  • Peer-to-peer (P2P) payments
  • Neteller, Skrill and other online payment services
  • Financial Process Exchange (FPX)
  • Interbank GIRO (IBG)

Accepted payment methods vary between exchanges. Prior to signing up, it's worth checking that your preferred payment method is supported.

The different types of cryptocurrency exchanges

The term "exchange" may refer to a variety of cryptocurrency brokers, trading platforms and other services. Different types of exchange are often more geared toward beginners or experienced users.

  • Cryptocurrency brokers (suited to beginners). Buy directly from cryptocurrency dealers for simple and quick purchases. Many beginners use brokers for their first purchase. A broker will facilitate an instant purchase of the digital asset of your choosing and will not offer spot trading.
  • Cryptocurrency trading platforms (suited to beginner/intermediate users). Buy and sell cryptocurrency on an open market for competitive fees, a wide selection of cryptocurrencies and optional features like margin trading. Many exchanges now offer brokerage services to be more beginner-friendly.
  • Cryptocurrency derivatives platforms (suited to advanced users). These trading platforms don't sell cryptocurrency outright. Instead, they let certain users trade cryptocurrency derivatives in regions where this restricted-access feature is available. They're for advanced traders who want high speed, high leverage and deeply liquid platforms with a full range of features.

It's difficult to find one exchange with all the coins and features you want. I spread my trading around several exchanges to make sure I'm getting exactly what I need, while also diversifying my risk should the exchange get hacked or shut down. To further reduce risk I use one registered locally so it's subject to local laws and regulations.

Risks of using a crypto exchange

  • Cybersecurity breaches. Hacks and scams are, unfortunately, commonplace in the crypto space. Exchange-related security breaches and targeted phishing scams remain a major concern for exchanges and their customers.
  • Not your keys. "Not your keys, not your crypto" is a common industry saying and refers to holding your digital assets in a wallet that another person or company controls, such as on an exchange. By storing cryptos on an exchange rather than in a non-custodial wallet , you're relinquishing full ownership of those assets and putting trust in a third party – which some may see as contradictory to the decentralised philosophy of crypto.
  • Lack of consumer protection. While crypto exchanges are increasingly regulated in Malaysia and may be registered with the SC, they are still lacking a lot of consumer protections such as mandatory insurance or strict rules about how user assets are managed.
  • Proof of reserves. Since the widely publicised collapse of FTX, many traders and investors have demanded centralised exchanges provide proof of reserves and user deposits. This may be done by a third-party auditor or through the use of on-chain data. Proof of reserves is still an evolving concept, and it's not clear yet what the best practices are or how reliable it will prove to be.
  • Transaction limits. Most crypto trading platforms have daily deposit and withdrawal limits. This means that even though you may have, for example, 10,000 MYR available, you may not be able to access and withdraw the total balance. Transaction limits depend on the exchange and the SC stipulations and typically increase as you provide additional KYC information.
  • Frozen accounts. Crypto exchanges freezing deposits and withdrawals can happen without warning. If your account is frozen, you will not be allowed to remove your funds until the exchange approves or denies your request. Precautionary measures such as only holding a trading balance on an exchange are recommended.
  • Asset delistings. Centralised exchanges can opt to delist a cryptocurrency at any time. This can happen for numerous reasons, including poor asset performance, security concerns or anti-money laundering (AML) breaches. If delisting is taking place, you will be notified by the exchange and forced to sell your assets or remove them from the platform.

Is it safe to store your cryptocurrency on an exchange?

Securely store your crypto:

Cryptocurrency is held in digital wallets. Some exchanges will give you your own wallet that lets you hold cryptocurrency in your exchange account and then transfer it anywhere as desired.

However, once you have purchased what you consider to be a sizable amount of digital assets, you may want to consider transferring the private keys to those assets to a self-custodial wallet.

This is because the exchange controls the private key to your wallet, which means you don't have total control of your funds. And with exchanges sometimes falling victim to hackers, there is some degree of risk involved with leaving the private keys to your crypto in the hands of a centralised exchange.

Learn more about cryptocurrency wallets

2023 crypto exchange industry predictions report

We polled 56 specialists in the fintech industry to get their opinion on what the future looks like for centralised crypto exchanges and what the demise of FTX means for the crypto industry.

The vast majority of our panellists (83.93%) don't think the collapse of FTX was the beginning of the end for crypto, while 8.93% think it was and 7.14% are unsure.

However, because of the FTX collapse, more than half of our panellists (58.49%) believe that crypto exchanges should be regulated just as much as other financial trading platforms.

22.64% believe that crypto exchanges should be regulated, but less so than other financial trading platforms. 15.09% don't believe that crypto exchanges should be regulated to the same degree.

Over one-third of our panellists (35.19%) believe all crypto exchanges will be regulated as traditional financial institutions by 2030. A further 22.22% believe this will happen by 2025 and another 14.81% think it will happen by 2024.

In the future, the majority of our panellists (86.79%) feel that crypto exchanges should be required to disclose both their proof of reserves (PoR) and records of their liabilities.

42.31% think that more crypto exchanges will face bankruptcy as a result of a reduction in their customer base. 15.38% believe this will play out over the next 5 years while a quarter (26.92%) think it'll happen within the year.

Bottom line

Not all crypto exchanges are created equal and not all crypto buyers and sellers have the same trading needs. The best exchange or platform for one person might not necessarily be the right choice for someone else, so it's essential to do your own research.

Read our reviews of some of the most popular cryptocurrency exchanges in Malaysia and around the world before you decide which to use. Compare the features, fees and pros and cons of each platform and consider whether they align with your investment goals and budget.

FAQs

Methodology

To evaluate our 2023 picks for the best crypto exchanges in Malaysia, we compared trading platforms on a range of criteria, including the following:

  • Supported assets. Does the platform offer a good breadth of coins, tokens and NFTs?
  • Payment methods. What account funding options are available? Does the exchange accept bank transfers, credit and debit cards or crypto-only transfers?
  • Fees. What trading fees, withdrawal fees and other miscellaneous charges are levied by the exchange, and are these rates comparable with competitor exchanges?
  • User experience. Is the platform simple to use for both beginners and advanced crypto traders?
  • Platform features. What tools, charts and functionalities are available on the exchange? Is there support for advanced trading features such as derivatives or hedging?
  • Security. What measures are taken by the exchange to protect its customers' assets and prevent theft or loss? Are additional security features in place, including 2-factor authentication (2FA), cold storage of assets, regular audits and insurance coverage?
  • Regulator registration. Is the platform registered with the Securities Commission Malaysia?
  • Customer support. How do existing users rate the exchange's customer support? Does the exchange offer various methods of contact, such as email, instant chat, phone or social media?
Read our full trading platform rating methodology

Finder's crypto exchange reviews

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Disclaimer: Cryptocurrencies are speculative, complex and involve significant risks – they are highly volatile and sensitive to secondary activity. Performance is unpredictable and past performance is no guarantee of future performance. Consider your own circumstances, and obtain your own advice, before relying on this information. You should also verify the nature of any product or service (including its legal status and relevant regulatory requirements) and consult the relevant Regulators' websites before making any decision. Finder, or the author, may have holdings in the cryptocurrencies discussed.

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