Estimated reading time: 2 min
Due to the potential for losses, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) considers this investment to be high risk.
What are the key risks?
1. You could lose all the money you invest
- The performance of most cryptoassets can be highly volatile, with their value dropping as quickly as it can rise. You should be prepared to lose all the money you invest in cryptoassets.
- The cryptoasset market is largely unregulated. There is a risk of losing money or any cryptoassets you purchase due to risks such as cyber-attacks, financial crime and firm failure.
2. You should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong
- The Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) doesn't protect this type of investment because it's not a 'specified investment' under the UK regulatory regime – in other words, this type of investment isn't recognised as the sort of investment that the FSCS can protect. Learn more by using the FSCS investment protection checker.
- The Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) will not be able to consider complaints related to this firm or Protection from the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) does not cover poor investment performance. If you have a complaint against an FCA regulated firm, FOS may be able to consider it. Learn more about FOS protection here.
3. You may not be able to sell your investment when you want to
- There is no guarantee that investments in cryptoassets can be easily sold at any given time. The ability to sell a cryptoasset depends on various factors, including the supply and demand in the market at that time.
- Operational failings such as technology outages, cyber-attacks and comingling of funds could cause unwanted delay and you may be unable to sell your cryptoassets at the time you want.
4. Cryptoasset investments can be complex
- Investments in cryptoassets can be complex, making it difficult to understand the risks associated with the investment.
- You should do your own research before investing. If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
5. Don't put all your eggs in one basket
- Putting all your money into a single type of investment is risky. Spreading your money across different investments makes you less dependent on any one to do well.
- A good rule of thumb is not to invest more than 10% of your money in high-risk investments.
If you are interested in learning more about how to protect yourself, visit the FCA's website here.
For further information about cryptoassets, visit the FCA's website here.
We extensively review UK FCA-registered cryptocurrency exchanges and trading platforms with hands-on expert testing to decide our top picks. We’ve selected our top 5 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 beginners: eToro
- Best for crypto debit card: Crypto.com App
Compare crypto exchanges
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.
Top crypto exchanges for customer satisfaction
We asked customers of the crypto platforms featured in this table whether they’d recommend it to a friend and we’ve ordered the table by the percentage score. Our independent survey was carried out in February 2026.
| Brand | Customers who’d recommend | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Coinbase | 83% | Coinbase is commended for being intuitive and beginner-friendly. Users value the brand’s security and trustworthiness, as well as the wide range of available coins. |
| IG | 80% | Great customer support and reliable transactions are hallmarks of IG. Most users find the platform trustworthy, though some noted a relatively limited selection of coins. |
| Revolut | 80% | Revolut is valued for its easy-to-use app and helpful training programs. Many users appreciate how simple it is to buy crypto, though some find the fees high. |
| eToro | 77% | Praised for its ease of use and variety of investment opportunities, eToro is frequently described as a reliable brand that provides helpful information. |
| CoinJar | 77% | CoinJar is highlighted as a simple platform that is particularly good for beginners. Multiple users described the brand as transparent and easy to understand. |
| Bitpanda | 77% | While many appreciate the simple interface of Bitpanda, others noted concerns regarding high fees. It is described by customers as reliable and easy to use. |
| Crypto.com | 74% | Crypto.com is noted for its reliable service and easy-to-navigate app. Many users appreciate the transparent nature of the platform and the low trading fees. |
| Kraken | 74% | Consistently praised for its excellent mobile app and low fees, Kraken provides a user-friendly interface with quick deposit and withdrawal processes. |
| Bitstamp | 72% | Bitstamp is highly rated for its security and trustworthy feel. The platform is seen as easy to use, providing a smooth and transparent transaction experience. |
| coinpass | 70% | According to customers, coinpass feels trustworthy, secure, and comfortable for daily use. It is consistently described as an easy-to-use and reliable platform. |
| Uphold | 67% | Uphold is praised for its easy-to-navigate app and good customer service. It’s often used to manage crypto rewards rather than as a main exchange. |
Frequently asked questions
Beginner’s guide to crypto
How do you pick the best crypto exchange?
Crypto safety and protection
Sources
*Cryptocurrencies aren't regulated in the UK and there's no protection from the Financial Ombudsman or the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. Your capital is at risk. Capital gains tax on profits may apply.
Cryptocurrencies are speculative and investing in them involves significant risks - they're highly volatile, vulnerable to hacking and sensitive to secondary activity. The value of investments can fall as well as rise and you may get back less than you invested. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. This content shouldn't be interpreted as a recommendation to invest. Before you invest, you should get advice and decide whether the potential return outweighs the risks. Finder, or the author, may have holdings in the cryptocurrencies discussed.
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