Best crypto exchanges and brokers 2026

We extensively review UK FCA-registered cryptocurrency exchanges and trading platforms with hands-on expert testing to decide our top picks. We’ve compared 6 crypto platforms in areas such as user experience, fees, cryptoasset choice and trading tools.

Finder’s 6 best crypto exchanges and trading platforms in the UK for 2026

• Best for crypto choice: Bitpanda Broker UK
• Best for overall exchange: Kraken
• Best for advanced features: Coinbase
• Best for new coins: Uphold
• Best for beginners: eToro
• Best for crypto debit card: Crypto.com App

Finder Score	Trade fees	Deposit methods	Available cryptos	Offer
Best for crypto choice
9.8Excellent Bitpanda Broker UK	9.8Excellent	From 0.99% plus spread	Bank transfer (ACH), Debit card, PayPal, Apple Pay	BTC, ETH, BNB, USDT, SOL, ADA, XRP, DOT, USDC, DOGE & 592 more	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. Communication approved by Bitpanda Broker UK Ltd on 08/10/25. Approver FRN: 925234.	Go to site Capital at risk More info Compare product selection Compare	loading	Why we like it Unlike some platforms, Bitpanda is actually a crypto brokerage. So, if you want a clean, broker-style experience without complicated order books, Bitpanda is ideal. Fees are baked into competitive, transparent spreads (0.99% for Bitcoin), and the platform lets you invest in over 600+ cryptoassets - the largest choice of cryptocurrencies available to UK investors. Alongside individual cryptos, you also have the option of investing in crypto indices, which allow you to own a collection of crypto with a single investment. On top of the wide choice of cryptos, Bitpanda has no deposit or withdrawal fees and you can get started with just £1. Pros & cons Pros No deposit or withdrawal fees Over 600 cryptocurrencies available Buy crypto from £1 Excellently designed app Trade crypto 24/7 Crypto indices Transparent fees Spotlight feature for finding new cryptos Cons No access to advanced trading platform Instant buy fees up to 2.49% No access to additional assets in the UK yet
Best for overall exchange
10Excellent Kraken Finder Award	10Excellent	Instant buy: 1% plus spread Maker fee: 0-0.25% Taker fee: 0.08-0.4%	Bank transfer, Cryptocurrency, Debit card, PayPal, Faster Payments (FPS), Apple Pay, Google Pay, SWIFT	BTC, ETH, XRP, BCH, EOS, LTC, ADA, XLM, DASH, USDT, BEAM & 458 more	Kraken offers staking, an OTC desk, and dark pools. Trade multiple fiat currencies and cryptocurrencies from your desktop or mobile with near-instant deposits and withdrawals.	Go to site Capital at risk More info Compare product selection Compare	loading	Why we like it Kraken earns the top spot as our best overall crypto exchange as it was our highest-scoring platform across the board when we dug into the details for its Finder score. Along with an excellent beginner interface for those just starting out, Kraken is absolutely packed with other tools and features. Experienced traders get free access to advanced tools with Kraken Pro, it offers a state-of-the-art open source Kraken Wallet (meaning it can be scrutinised and checked externally), and the latest string in Kraken’s bow is the new “Krak” debit card with 1% cashback. This is a crypto exchange that truly covers all bases Pros & cons Pros Large selection of 500+ cryptos Low fees for active traders Accessible interface for new traders High-quality educational guides and tools Krak debit card with 1% cashback Open-source Kraken Wallet Cons Lots of trading features unavailable to UK users More expensive for newcomers or infrequent traders Need to use Kraken Pro for lowest fees
Best for advanced features
9.7Excellent Coinbase	9.7Excellent	Instant buy: Up to 3.99% plus spread Maker fee: 0-0.6% Taker fee: 0.05-1.2%	Bank transfer, Credit card, Cryptocurrency, Debit card, PayPal	BTC, ETH, ADA, SOL, DOT, LTC, DAI, UNI, ETC, XLM & 246 more	Buy and sell major cryptocurrencies on one of the world's most renowned cryptocurrency exchanges.	Go to site Capital at risk More info Compare product selection Compare	loading	Why we like it Although Coinbase does cater towards beginners, we think it’s best suited for those looking for more advanced features. Those looking to dive deeper into crypto markets will find a lot to like with Coinbase. You get free access to “Coinbase Advanced”, which has a much more competitive fee structure and comes complete with all the tools and features an aspiring crypto enthusiast needs. This includes interactive charts powered by TradingView, advanced order types, and access to all of the other features offered by Coinbase like staking, borrow, and the Web3 wallet. As a publicly traded company, you don’t get much more legit than Coinbase. Pros & cons Pros Free GBP deposits 240+ cryptoassets Beginner-friendly platform Offers Visa debit card Low fees with Coinbase Advanced Coinbase has an insurance fund Cons Coinbase instant buy fees are quite high Limited ways to contact customer service Cheapest fees for high frequency traders Some fees aren't very transparent and difficult to calculate
Best for new coins
9.8Excellent Uphold	9.8Excellent	0.25%-2.95% Spreads also apply	Bank transfer (ACH), Debit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay	BTC, ETH, XRP, BCH, EOS, LTC, ADA, XLM, TRX, NEO & 274 more	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.	Go to site Capital at risk More info Compare product selection Compare	loading	Why we like it Uphold stands out in the UK market for those looking to get in on new and emerging cryptocurrencies early, offering one of the broadest ranges of tradable digital assets. The platform prides itself on being connected to multiple underlying trading venues, which allows it to support a massive selection of cryptoassets and often list important new tokens earlier than many competing platforms. Beyond sheer quantity, Uphold also offers the unique 'Anything-to-Anything' feature, which enables a single, seamless trade between any two supported assets - be it crypto, fiat currency, or even precious metals - making it an exceptionally flexible platform for UK users looking to diversify their portfolio and explore up-and-coming digital assets. Pros & cons Pros No fiat deposit/withdrawal fees when using bank transfer Expansive list of digital assets Available in 184+ countries Registered with the FCA Cons Limited customer service Certain services are limited to geographical availability (debit card) Crypto withdrawal fees are unclear
Best for beginners
9Excellent eToro	9Excellent	1% plus spread	Bank transfer, Debit card, eToro Money	BTC, ETH, BCH, XRP, DASH, LTC, ETC, ADA, MIOTA, XLM & 90 more	Go to site Capital at risk More info Compare product selection Compare	loading	Why we like it eToro makes investing in 100+ cryptocurrencies as straightforward as possible. Using the mobile app or desktop platform is a breeze and there are excellent features like a free virtual portfolio and an academy to learn how to trade crypto. Its beginner-friendly interface makes buying and selling crypto quick and straightforward for someone just starting out. allowing you to view and mirror the trades of more experienced investors with a click of a button. Getting started is easy, simply choose a proven trader and set your account to automatically follow their moves, making it a powerful shortcut for beginners (though profits are not guaranteed). Pros & cons Pros Copy trading features Well-trusted exchange Easy to navigate Insurance fund Tiered membership options for advanced traders Cons No live chat for customers without a deposit Non-US customers pay extra exchange fees Limited altcoin representation
Best for crypto debit card
9.8Excellent Crypto.com App Finder Award	9.8Excellent	Maker: 0.00-0.75% Taker: 0.05-0.75%	Cryptocurrency, Debit card, SEPA, Faster Payments (FPS), Apple Pay, Google Pay	BTC, ETH, XRP, BCH, EOS, FET, LTC, ADA, XLM, USDT & 289 more	Buy 375+ cryptocurrencies, earn up to 14.5% p.a. on holdings, pay with your crypto for cashback at stores, and more with this complete crypto-finance platform.	Go to site Capital at risk More info Compare product selection Compare	loading	Why we like it Crypto.com was a pioneer in the crypto debit card space, really driving the wider adoption of these tools, and it’s managed to stay on top of the game which is why it’s our best exchange for a crypto card. The Crypto.com prepaid debit card allows you to use Visa to spend crypto and fiat anywhere, offering cashback rewards (paid in CRO) that are among the best available. The key distinction is that higher cashback percentages are unlocked by staking the native CRO token or subscribing to a Level Up tier. Alongside the card, the platform provides access to over 400+ cryptos and a range of integrated financial and lifestyle features. Pros & cons Pros 150m+ users globally 400+ currencies Thematic baskets to instantly diversify Wide range of features including crypto debit cards and staking. Security is a top priority and there is a $750 million insurance fund. Clean and friendly user interface. Certain Crypto.com cards give you the opportunity to cover the entire monthly cost of subscription services like Netflix or Spotify. Registered with the FCA Cons Customer service is rated poorly. Support for certain cryptocurrency assets can be geographically restricted. Withdrawal fees from exchange can be high. In order to be eligible for certain Crypto.com cards, you are required to stake a set amount of GBP that is converted into CRO.

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Compare crypto exchanges

6 of 9 results

Finder Score	FCA-registered	Minimum deposit	Cryptocurrencies	Offer
9.8Excellent Bitpanda Broker UK	9.8Excellent		£10	602	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. Communication approved by Bitpanda Broker UK Ltd on 08/10/25. Approver FRN: 925234.	Go to site Capital at risk More info Compare product selection Compare	loading
9.8Excellent Uphold	9.8Excellent		£10	284	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.	Go to site Capital at risk More info Compare product selection Compare	loading
9.8Excellent Crypto.com App Finder Award	9.8Excellent		£1	299	Buy 375+ cryptocurrencies, earn up to 14.5% p.a. on holdings, pay with your crypto for cashback at stores, and more with this complete crypto-finance platform.	Go to site Capital at risk More info Compare product selection Compare	loading
10Excellent Kraken Finder Award	10Excellent		£1	469	Kraken offers staking, an OTC desk, and dark pools. Trade multiple fiat currencies and cryptocurrencies from your desktop or mobile with near-instant deposits and withdrawals.	Go to site Capital at risk More info Compare product selection Compare	loading
9.7Excellent Coinbase	9.7Excellent		£50	256	Buy and sell major cryptocurrencies on one of the world's most renowned cryptocurrency exchanges.	Go to site Capital at risk More info Compare product selection Compare	loading
9.2Excellent CoinJar	9.2Excellent		£10	67	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.	Go to site Capital at risk More info Compare product selection Compare	loading

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Finder Score for crypto exchanges

To make comparing even easier we came up with the Finder Score. Fees, features and asset-support across the most popular platforms are all weighted and scaled to produce a score out of 10. The higher the score the better the exchange – simple.

Frequently asked questions

Beginner’s guide to crypto

• Where can I buy and sell crypto?

  To buy and sell crypto in the UK, you need to sign up to a cryptocurrency exchange or app. Increasingly, you can buy and sell crypto through banking apps like Revolut. Our guides and comparisons help you to filter down your options to what’s important to you.

  Crypto guides are plastered with warnings and there’s a good reason for that, which is that crypto is incredibly volatile and you could lose all your money. It’s worth knowing that before you take the plunge.

• What is an altcoin?

  Altcoin stands for alternative coin, and refers to any cryptocurrency other than Bitcoin (BTC). This broad term covers everything from coins like Ether (ETH), which was released in 2014 and has a 12-figure market cap, right down to brand new crypto coins which were invented this morning.

• Are Bitcoin and BTC the same thing?

  Yes, Bitcoin is also known as BTC (and, less commonly, XBT). All cryptos have a “code”, called a ticker symbol, which is typically 3 letters but can be 4 or more. Bitcoin is BTC, Ether is ETH, Ripple is XRP, Dogecoin is DOGE and so on.

• What’s the difference between a wallet and a crypto exchange?

  Typically, a crypto wallet is used to safely store your crypto (online or offline) and it can be hardware or software. Whereas, a crypto exchange works like a stock exchange where you can buy or sell crypto by dealing with other crypto investors, and the exchange itself acts as a middleman (or broker) to help facilitate trades.

• Do I need to pay tax on crypto in the UK?

  Yes. In the UK, profits made from selling crypto are subject to Capital Gains Tax (CGT). You may also be taxed if you’re earning crypto through staking or mining. HMRC provides clear guidance, and you can use online tools to help calculate your tax obligations.

How do you pick the best crypto exchange?

• How do I choose the right crypto exchange?

  This depends on what cryptocurrencies you’re interested in and how you plan to invest. We’ve listed some of the best crypto exchanges that excel in different categories, but the best exchange for you to use will be based on which one suits your needs and budget.

  First, think about how you plan to invest in cryptocurrency (or whether you’re looking to trade cryptoassets). If you’re a complete beginner, check out the more beginner-friendly apps and platforms that are simple to use and have some useful learning resources.

  If you happen to know your hash rates from your halvings, you might want to think about using one of the crypto exchanges offering more advanced trading features to help you make the most of your investing experience.

  Whether you’re a beginner or experienced crypto trader, it’s always worth comparing fees to try and find the best UK crypto exchange with low fees to ensure you get the most value from your digital investments.

• Which crypto exchange is best?

  There’s no single answer unfortunately, it’s all about finding the best crypto exchange for your budget and investing strategy. We’ve broken down the top FCA-registered crypto exchanges into different categories to help you narrow down the best option to suit your cryptocurrency plans.

• What is the best crypto exchange in the UK?

  The best crypto exchange in the UK depends on your needs. For beginners, eToro, Revolut and Kraken offer user-friendly interfaces. If you’re seeking low trading fees and advanced features, Kraken Pro, Revolut X and Uphold strong options. Always choose an FCA-registered exchange where possible.

• What is the best crypto exchange in the UK according to Reddit?

  There’s no single thread where all the crypto-enthusiast Redditors get together to vote on the best UK crypto exchange. However, a number of posts, threads and comments have highlighted Kraken, which is also on our list as one of the best.

• How do maker and taker fees work?

  To trade crypto, there has to be a buyer and a seller. The people adding to the order book are makers. For example, if you’re selling a coin at a high price. These orders didn’t exist beforehand, so you’re making more options available. If you buy or sell at a price which is already available, you’re taking options away. Both makers and takers can be charged a fee when trading, called – you guessed it – maker fees and taker fees.

• Can I leave my crypto funds on the exchange?

  It’s up to you whether you want to leave your funds on an exchange or store them in your own private wallet, which can be done either online or offline. If you do choose to leave your funds on an exchange, it would help to choose one which has additional insurance. This is because the exchange could be hacked, which is something that has happened at very large crypto exchanges in the past.

• What’s the best crypto exchange to withdraw fiat in the UK?

  Our current pick is Uphold is a good choice because you get a debit card linked to your digital wallet that allows you to withdraw your crypto balances as fiat currency (pounds sterling, for example) at a cash machine just like you normally would. You can also use it in shops and online to spend directly from your cryptocurrency balance and you’ll even earn 1% cashback in GBP when spending on your card.

• What’s the best decentralised exchange or non-KYC crypto exchange?

  We don’t score and rate decentralised exchanges or those that don’t follow “know your customer” (KYC) requirements because these exchanges don’t comply with the rules.

Crypto safety and protection

• Is it legal to buy Bitcoin?

  Yes, it is legal to buy and sell Bitcoin (BTC) in the UK. In order to ensure you’re being legally compliant, it’s a good idea to use only crypto exchanges which are registered with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). All of the crypto trading platforms in this guide registered with the FCA (which means they’ve passed checks for money-laundering).

• Are crypto exchanges legal in the UK?

  Yes, cryptocurrency exchanges are legal in the UK. However, exchanges that serve UK residents must register with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) for anti-money laundering compliance. Not all global exchanges are FCA-registered, so always check this before you sign up.

• Can I buy crypto in the UK?

  Yes, you can trade crypto legally from the UK on FCA-registered exchanges like those in this guide. There are currently no signs that crypto trading will be made illegal in the UK.

• Which crypto exchange is safest in the UK?

  FCA-registered exchanges like eToro, Coinbase, Kraken, Uphold and all the crypto exchanges listed here are considered safe due to their regulatory compliance. For extra security, we’ve given each platform a Finder score to help you choose platforms offering things like cold storage, 2FA, and a stellar security track record.

• Can I use Binance in the UK?

  No, as of Monday 16 October 2023 at 5pm UK time, Binance stopped accepting new UK users. If you had an existing account, this should still work to some degree but you can’t open a new account with Binance because it does not comply with the FCA’s rules around crypto exchanges and money laundering.

To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Liz Edwards as part of our fact-checking process.

Written by

George Sweeney, DipFA

Deputy editor

George is a deputy editor at Finder. He has previously written for The Motley Fool UK, Nasdaq, Freetrade, Investing in the Web, MoneyMagpie, Online Mortgage Advisor, Wealth, and Compare Forex Brokers. He's focused on making personal finance and investing engaging for everyone. To do this he draws from previous work and his Level 4 Diploma for Financial Advisers (DipFA), sharing what he’s learnt. When he’s not geeking out about money, you’ll find him playing sports and staying active. See full bio

George's expertise

George has written 266 Finder guides across topics including:

• Investing
• Personal finance
• Tax
• Pensions
• Mortgages
• Cryptocurrency