Don't invest unless you're prepared to lose all the money you invest. This is a high-risk investment and you are unlikely to be protected if something goes wrong. Take 2 mins to learn more.
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.
Positioned for a European market, Kriptomat is a cryptocurrency exchange that was launched in Estonia in 2018. The company’s ambition is to bring cryptocurrencies to the mainstream by making the process of buying, trading and storing digital assets as easy as possible.
With a user-friendly interface, Kriptomat provides a comprehensive platform to “onboard” new cryptocurrency investors. The exchange provides clarity on fees, cryptocurrency education and access to the exchange’s digital wallet. Kriptomat is licensed in Estonia and regulated by EU law. To further increase flexibility, the exchange comes with both web and mobile formats.
What fiat currencies and cryptocurrencies are supported?
Supported cryptocurrencies:
Approximately 347 cryptocurrencies
Supported cryptocurrencies include:
BTC
ETH
XRP
BCH
EOS
FET
LTC
ADA
XLM
TRX
ELF
ARK
KMD
ARDR
KNC
LOOM
WICC
ELA
BNT
FUN
NEO
XEM
VET
USDT
ETC
ICX
QTUM
BNB
OMG
ZIL
SYS
KIN
LINK
POWR
HOT
ETN
MANA
RLC
REQ
THETA
LSK
AE
ONT
STEEM
ZRX
SC
WAN
DCR
WAVES
BTM
CVC
STORJ
QSP
ANT
ENJ
BLZ
GNO
MTL
TOMO
DENT
REP
MKR
DOGE
IOST
SNT
DGB
AION
WTC
BAT
LRC
DATA
ADX
REN
AST
DNT
EDG
UTK
RVN
BAX
DOCK
Which payment methods are accepted?
Credit card
Neteller
SOFORT
Skrill
SEPA
What’s it like to use Kriptomat?
With a clear focus on user-friendly design, Kriptomat’s exchange platform is easy to navigate, even for those unfamiliar with cryptocurrency exchanges. Users have the ability to buy, sell, trade and store cryptocurrencies within the exchange. More than 150 cryptocurrencies are currently available. Kriptomat charges no fees when making crypto to crypto exchanges, which is one of the best rates in the industry.
For those looking to gain insight into each cryptocurrency token, Kriptomat provides in-depth guides on all projects, including “How to Buy” video walkthroughs. Thanks to the leaner set of features, the exchange remains unintimidating yet completes the simple tasks well. Alongside facilitating trades, there is a digital asset savings account that can be utilised to earn interest. Customer support can be accessed via a ticketing system on the website.
Kriptomat mobile application
Utilise the mobile app to buy, sell, exchange and store cryptocurrencies on the go.
Get started
To start purchasing cryptocurrencies, along with the full suite of features within the Kriptomat application, a user must create an account.
Register
Although Kriptomat requires KYC verification, the exchange has tried to streamline the onboarding process.
Cryptocurrency listing
Buy, sell and trade up to 139 different cryptocurrencies through the Kriptomat application.
Buy and sell
Kriptomat’s simple and friendly user interface provides a clean and comfortable environment for those new to cryptocurrency investing.
The trading fees and limits implemented on the Kriptomat exchange are easy to find and are very clear.
The fees below are accurate as of 11 January 2022.
Platform trading fees
Buy/sell fee (euro to crypto & crypto to euro)
1.45% (1.45 EUR minimum)
Credit card purchase
3.45% Additional charges apply if the purchase is below 100.00 EUR
Crypto to crypto fee
0.00%
Skrill buy
5.35%
Neteller buy
5.35%
Deposit and withdrawal fees
Deposit fees
SEPA fiat deposit
0.00 EUR
Crypto deposit fee
0.00 EUR
Withdrawal fees
Crypto withdrawal fee
Varies depending on the cryptocurrency. Example withdrawal fees include 0.0005 BTC, 0.0017 ETH, 0.02 XRP. The full list can be found here.
Transaction limits
Daily SEPA deposit and withdrawal
25,000 EUR
Monthly SEPA deposit and withdrawal
200,000 EUR
Crypto deposit and withdrawal
No limit
Daily limit for other payment methods
500 EUR
Monthly limit for other payment methods
5,000 EUR
Minimum trade amount
Variable
Minimum SEPA fiat deposit
35 EUR
Fees for buying 1,000 EUR of Bitcoin
When buying 1,000 EUR worth of Bitcoin, a 1.45% charge would be applied to the transaction. For a 1,000 EUR purchase, 1,014.50 EUR would need to be paid to cover the transaction fees.
How do I create an account at Kriptomat?
Kriptomat has tried to streamline the process of account creation as much as possible, which means creating an account through the application should be straightforward.
Head over to the official Kriptomat website and click the “Get Started” button at the top right of the screen.
To register with Kriptomat enter your full name, email address and create a password. Agree to the terms and conditions when prompted.
Head over to your email account and search for a verification email from Kriptomat. Within the email click “Verify email address”. For extra security, Kriptomat requires a mobile phone number that can be used as a double verification method. Enter your phone number and wait for verification prompts.
Kriptomat may reach out to request verification of identity such as an address, photo ID, etc. Once confirmed, your account will be ready to use.
Now it’s time to add funds to your account. You can deposit fiat currency into your account which can then be used to purchase cryptocurrency, or you can purchase cryptocurrencies directly with a credit card. If you already hold cryptocurrencies in an external wallet, these can be transferred to the Kriptomat digital wallet at no extra charge.
Additional features
Recurring buy
Kriptomat offers users the ability to set up frequent automated cryptocurrency purchases. Timing any market is almost impossible, which is why recurring purchases are useful. It removes the concern of volatile price movements and capitalises on dollar-cost averaging, a method implemented to avoid timing the market. Recurring purchases allow a user to set a date and frequency for cryptocurrency purchases. Purchases can then be automatically completed by Kriptomat without user input.
Kriptomat savings account
Kriptomat offers users the opportunity to place both fiat and cryptocurrency assets into an EU-regulated savings account. By depositing assets into the account, Kriptomat leverages those assets through a series of staking and reward accounts. The returns from those accounts are then passed back to the account holders. There is no lock-in period and rewards are returned at the start of every month. A savings calculator inside a Kriptomat account can offer an estimate of potential returns.
Customer support
Kriptomat offers users 2 options for customer support. These include:
Ticketing system. On the Kriptomat website, there is an online form that can be completed. The question moves into a ticketing system which is then answered by a Kriptomat representative.
Email. For support enquiries, users can also send an email directly to support@kriptomat.io
Is Kriptomat safe to use?
Regulation. Kriptomat has no registered business in the UK, and therefore you won’t find it on the Financial Conduct Authority’s cryptoasset register. Kriptomat is licensed and regulated by the government in Estonia, and by EU legislation. As a licensed cryptocurrency exchange, the company must abide by the same laws and regulations as banks and financial institutions. The parent company, Kriptomat OÜ, was awarded an operating licence by the Financial Intelligence Unit in Estonia for providing a virtual currency service (licence number FVT000310). Due to the aforementioned regulations, Kriptomat implements thorough Know Your Customer (KYC) checks.
Verification process. As an EU licensed cryptocurrency, exchange users must verify their identity and provide requested ID documentation. Deposits can only be made from verified bank accounts and no third party payments are accepted.
Security features. Security on Kriptomat is a priority, with the exchange implementing protocols recommended by the “Code of practice for information security management and Cryptocurrency Security Standard”. 98% of cryptocurrency holdings are held in cold storage facilities which mitigate against potential security breaches. The exchange undergoes regular security tests from a dedicated team and operates strict security procedures. To add personal data protection for users, the application was developed using the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Although security is the highest priority on the exchange, it is always best to keep cryptocurrency holdings in a secure digital hardware wallet.
Verdict
Kriptomat provides a clean and organised platform for both new and experienced cryptocurrency investors. Although lacking some of the advanced features offered by other exchanges, such as margin and derivatives trading, the intentional removal of these features helps to keep the platform user-friendly. Although fiat to crypto fees are on the high side, the ability to exchange cryptocurrencies without a transaction cost means Kriptomat offers some of the lowest fees in the market. The flexibility to transfer cryptocurrencies in and out of Kriptomat’s digital wallet is also a huge bonus.
For frequent and active cryptocurrency investors who wish to utilise margin and derivatives trading or want the ability to actively stake cryptocurrencies, other platforms will trump Kriptomat on features. However, for those looking for a clean, security-conscious exchange, with a good range of cryptocurrencies, Kriptomat ticks a lot of the boxes.
Pros and cons of Kriptomat
Pros
Low crypto to crypto fees. With zero fees for crypto to crypto exchanges, Kriptomat’s fees are some of the lowest on the market.
User-interface. The interface on Kriptomat is easy for even inexperienced cryptocurrency investors to grasp.
Digital wallet. Use of the exchange comes with the use of Kriptomat’s digital wallet for free.
Range of cryptocurrencies. The breadth of cryptocurrencies on the platform is larger than most.
Fiat to crypto purchases. Users can buy cryptocurrencies directly with fiat.
Security. The security features on Kriptomat are of the highest quality.
Regulated. The exchange is regulated by the Estonian government and EU legislation.
Cons
Centralised. The cryptocurrency exchange is centralised. If a user leaves cryptocurrencies on the exchange they do not truly hold full control. For full control, a user needs to remove cryptocurrencies from the exchange.
Range of fiat currencies. While having the option to purchase cryptocurrencies is good, the exchange only offers that option with GBP and major EU fiat currencies.
Lack of features. While doing the simple things extremely well, the exchange does lack advanced features offered by other platforms.
Table: shows partner brands and other brands, sorted by popularity
Crypto is unregulated in the UK; there's no consumer protection; value can rise or fall; tax on profits may apply*.
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Frequently asked questions
Kriptomat is available in over 70 countries globally.
Yes. The Kriptomat app can be downloaded from both the Android and iPhone stores.
*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.
James Hendy is a writer for Finder. After developing a keen interest in traditional financial investing, James transitioned across to the cryptocurrency markets in 2018. Writing for cryptocurrency exchanges, he has documented some of the key blockchain technological advancements. James has a Masters of Science from the University of Leeds and when he isn't writing, you will either find him down at the beach, reading (coffee in hand) or at the nearest live music event.
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