Best Crypto Exchange 2021 – Compare Bitcoin Exchanges

If you’re looking to trade popular cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Dogecoin you will need to pick one of the best crypto exchanges out there. But with so many top Bitcoin exchanges out there, how do you choose the best crypto exchange in 2021?  

In this guide, we’ll reveal the best Bitcoin exchange in 2021 and show you how to buy and sell cryptos with 0% commission today!

Best Exchange to Buy Bitcoin List 2021

Let’s take a look at a top-ten list of the best crypto exchanges in 2021 below. For an in-depth review of each cryptocurrency exchange keep reading!

  1. eToro – Cheapest Bitcoin Exchange with 0% Commissions
  2. Binance – Top Decentralized Crypto Exchange with Highest Daily Trading Volumes
  3. Coinbase – Best Bitcoin Exchange for Beginners
  4. OKEx – Best Exchange to Buy Bitcoin with a Secure Crypto Wallet
  5. CoinJar – Best Crypto Exchange with Low Minimum Deposit
  6. Gemini –   Best Bitcoin Exchange with 24/7 Customer Support
  7. Coinmama – Best Crypto Exchange with User-Friendly Platform
  8. Kraken – Safest Crypto Exchange Regulated by the UK’s FCA
  9. Bittrex – One of the Best Crypto Exchanges for New Crypto Traders
  10. Capital.com – Best Crypto Exchange with Lowest Fees

Best Crypto Exchanges Reviewed

When looking for the best Bitcoin exchanges for your trading needs – there are a few key metrics to bear in mind. For instance, the best bitcoin exchanges offer a wide range of crypto assets with market-leading commissions and spreads. You also need to see what payment methods are available and whether the platform is regulated and safe.  

To help you pick the best platform, we’ve reviewed the best crypto exchanges available across the board in 2021.  

1. eToro – Cheapest Bitcoin Exchange with 0% Commissions

etoro brokerAfter reviewing the best crypto exchanges we found eToro to be the best Bitcoin exchange currently on the  market. Launched in 2006, this social trading platform is fully regulated and serves more than 20 million active traders. At eToro you can access 17 of the most popular cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, Tether, Decentraland, and more.  

When you buy cryptos on eToro you gain ownership of the DeFi assets which can be stored in the secure eToro Money crypto wallet. Furthermore, the only trading fees charged by this top-rated online broker are the market-leading spreads. For example, when you buy Bitcoin on eToro you will only need to pay a spread of 0.75%. Aside from the largest cryptos in terms of market dominance and capitalization, eToro also gives you access to the crypto coins and tokens that are under the radar. This means you can invest in the likes of Uniswap, Yearn.finance, Algorand, and Aave with the click of a button. In terms of minimums, you can trade crypto assets on eToro with investments as low as $25 per trade.  

When it comes to fees, this is where eToro stands out from the crowd. The broker offers a 0% commission fee structure, meaning that you only need to pay the difference between the buy and sell prices. To demonstrate this point, you can buy Bitcoin with a typical spread of just 0.75%. Depositing funds is also an easy affair as the social trading platform accepts a wide range of convenient and top-tier payment methods.  

eToro crypto market

What payment methods does eToro accept?

At eToro, depositing funds into your trading account is simple and fully digital. There are various payment options available which include:

  • credit/debit cards
  • PayPal
  • Neteller
  • Skrill
  • Rapid Transfer
  • iDeal
  • Klarna/Sofort Banking
  • Bank transfer
  • Online Banking – Trustly

Most beginner traders prefer to deposit and withdraw funds with a credit/debit card, or e-wallet because the processing times are instant. Depositing funds with a bank transfer, on the other hand, typically takes between 4-7 business days for your funds to be credited to your account. The minimum first-time deposit depends on your region and country’s regulations. Consequently, all deposits after the initial deposit are required to be at least $50.

What is copy trading?

One of eToro’s best selling points is that it facilitates copy trading. In other words, you can invest in your favourite cryptos passively with eToro’s CopyTrader or CopyPortfolio. With CryptoPortfolio you can choose to invest in either a theme, such as cryptocurrencies, or a portfolio of top eToro investors. Similar to a traditional ETF, the broker automatically rebalances your portfolio to ensure it aligns with the broader crypto market.  

Alternatively, you can use the CopyTrader tool which allows you to copy the buy and sell positions of up to 100 seasoned investors. For example, if your chosen trader invests 15% of their funds on BTC, you will mirror the same trade strategy. While there are no additional costs to use the eToro copy trading features, there is a minimum investment of $5,000 for CopyPortfolio, and the minimum amount you can invest in one trade is $200 with CopyTrader.

What can tradable assets can I access with an eToro account?  

As well as cryptocurrencies, eToro provides access to CFDs, forex, indices, commodities, stocks listed on 17 major exchanges, ETFs, fractional share trading, and much more. eToro was built with beginner traders in mind, which is why new investors will appreciate eToro’s demo account. In keeping with its user-friendly structure and interface, eToro offers just two brokerage accounts. A live trading account and a demo account. Demo accounts, or paper trading accounts, are ideal for beginners because you practice online trading in a simulated environment without risking your own capital. Opening an account, depositing funds, and trading heaps of financial assets via various instruments can be done in a matter of minutes on eToro.  

What are the Main Trading & Non-Trading Fees?

Fee Type Charge
Open an account FREE
Account fee None
Inactivity fee $10/month after 12 months
Deposit fee 0.5% on non-USD deposits
Withdrawal fee $5
Stock fees 0% Commission
Crypto fees Only trading fees charged by eToro are the spreads

Is eToro safe? eToro is authorized and fully regulated by multiple financial authorities including the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). Furthermore, according to eToro, it holds 90% of all client funds in segregated bank accounts, as well as providing negative balance protection.  

Pros
  • Regulated by top-tier financial authorities & home to more than 20 million traders
  • Market-leading spreads on crypto, indices, forex, and commodities
  • User-friendly & intuitive trading platform – ideal for beginners
  • Minimum stake starts at $25 per crypto trade
  • Supports debit/credit cards, bank transfers, and e-wallets
  • Copy Trading features promote passive investing

Cons

  • Charting and technical indicators may be too basic for experienced traders

67% of retail investors lose money trading CFDs at this site

2. Binance – Top Decentralized Crypto Exchange with Highest Daily Trading Volumes

In terms of daily trading volumes, Binance is one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges out there with a 24-hour trading volume of $13+bn. Just to put that into perspective for you, Coinbase has a daily trading volume of just over $2bn which represents a difference of at least 84%. Established in 2017, Binance is based in the Cayman Islands and has a loyal network of roughly 15 million traders.  

What are the costs when trading with Binance? This cryptocurrency exchange has some of the cheapest fees when compared to some of its main competitors. The crypto spot trading fee starts at 0.1% and the instant buy/sell fee is set at 0.5%. If you use BNB tokens you can access discounted trading fees on the Binance platform. The account minimum is $10, and you can deposit funds via wire transfer, ACH deposits, and debit cards.  

Binance crypto exchange

In terms of regulations and security, Binance has been facing a lot of scrutiny from financial regulators recently, with the likes of the UK’s FCA banning the crypto exchange from conducting any regulated activities amidst growing money laundering concerns. While this does not prevent retail traders from accessing Bianance’s services through its main website, centralized financial authorities are warning against the high risks and volatility associated with crypto trading on an unregulated exchange.  

What are the Main Trading & Non-Trading Fees?

Direct Debit/Credit Card Purchase 1-4% depending on country of residence
Bank Transfer Deposit FREE in many countries
Crypto Deposit Blockchain fee only
Standard Commission Starts at 0.1% per slide
Futures Trading Starts at 0.04% per slide
Margin Rate Depends on coin
Pros
  • Facilitates trading volumes in excess of $13bn
  • Access to 50+ cryptos
  • Competitive trading commissions starting from just 0.1% per slide
  • Intuitive platform with high liquidity when trading
  • Supports 62 payment methods for peer-to-peer trading

Cons

  • Binance.US not available in 7 US states.

Cryptoassets are highly volatile unregulated investment products.

3. Coinbase – Best Cryptocurrency Exchange for Beginners

According to coinmarketcap.com Coinbase is one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges with a market value above $47 billion and an average daily trading volume of $1.4 billion. Raising more than $500 million from investors, Coinbase went public on the NASDAQ exchange in its blockbuster IPO in April 2021. Coinbase has attracted institutional investors including Tiger Global, Paradigm, and Andreessen Horowitz. Coinbase is home to 35+ million active users and is perfect for beginner traders interested in trading crypto assets for the first time.  

Trading commissions come in all shapes and sizes depending on the crypto exchange. With that in mind, our Coinbase review found that it charges a standard commission of 1.49% per slide. Simply put, this means that you will have to pay a commission every time you open a position and again when you close the trade. Coinbase also charges a 2% spread for crypto-to-crypto exchanges. As you may have noticed the Coinbase fee structure can be rather convoluted and as such we’ve created a convenient table that reveals the key fees you need to keep in mind when trading on Coinbase.  

Coinbase

What are the Main Trading & Non-Trading Fees?

Fee Type Charge
Debit Card Purchase 3.99%
Bank Transfer Deposit FREE
Debit Card Withdrawal 2%
Bank Transfer Withdrawal FREE
Standard Commission 1.49%
Spread 2%

What payment methods does Coinbase support? When it comes to depositing and withdrawing funds into and from your account, Coinbase supports three options; cryptocurrency, debit cards, and bank transfers.  

Is Coinbase safe? Most Bitcoin exchanges are unregulated by financial authorities which means that your capital is at risk. Nevertheless, Coinbase is authorized to offer services in the UK as it holds an e-money license from the Financial Conduct Authority. It’s important to note here that cryptocurrencies are not protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). Additionally, Coinbase is listed on the NASDAQ exchange which means that it discloses its financial records to the public. Furthermore, Coinbase is also registered as a Money Services Business with FinCEN.  

Pros
  • Home to over 35 million crypto enthusiasts
  • 50+ supported digital currencies
  • Conveniently deposit funds with a debit card, crypto, or bank transfer
  • Intuitive interface ideal for beginners  
  • Registered as a Money Services Business with FinCEN.

Cons

  • 3.99% fee to buy crypto with a debit card

Cryptoassets are highly volatile unregulated investment products.

4. OKEx – Best Exchange to Buy Bitcoin with a Secure Crypto Wallet

Launched in 2014 by Star XU, OKEx has grown to become one of the best crypto exchanges that offer its services to over 20 million users. OKEx allows you to trade crypto-to-crypto pairs instantly. For example, if you already hold Bitcoin, Ethereum, or Tether, you could easily trade them for another available crypto of your choice. OKEx offers a user-friendly crypto trading platform and provides access to more than 400 crypto trading pairs.    

When it comes to the spot trading fees, these are tier-based and are determined by your total OKB holding. OKEx’s maker-taker fee model starts at a mere 0.1% – 0.15% for retail traders holding less than 500 OKB tokens. The lowest spot trading fees are charged at tier 5 where OKEx charges 0.06% – 0.09% for clients holding over 2,000 OKB tokens.  

OKEx crypto exchange buy BTC

If you are interested in buying cryptocurrencies via a more convenient method, which would suit beginners, OKEx also accepts fiat currency deposits. However, to do this you will need to complete the KYC process. Nevertheless, this can be done in a matter of minutes and you can then go on to buy cryptos with a debit card, credit card, or deposit funds with a bank transfer.  

What are the Main Trading & Non-Trading Fees?

OKEx
Minimum Deposit   £7.25
Maximum Leverage   100:1
Payment Methods Bank transfer, credit/debit card, Apple Pay, gift cards, Google Pay, Skrill, Crypto Transfer, Alipay, WeChat Pay
Trading Fees None
Available Platforms Web, mobile
Withdrawal Fees Based on blockchain load
Account Opening Fees?   No

Is OKEX safe? OKEx continues to highlight its commitment to offering the best security for its clients. This top crypto exchange doesn’t just offer top-tier security features and technology for its users, but it also uses advanced security systems for its internal crypto wallets. OKEx goes that one step further and offers guides related to online account security as well as tutorials on how to keep your digital assets safe online. Here’s a quick summary of the type of security features you can find on OKEx:

  • Google Authenticator
  • Mobile verification
  • Mandatory 2FA
  • Email verification
  • Login password
  • Funds password
  • Anti-phishing code

Additionally, OKEx’s service provider, Aux Cayes FinTech Co. Ltd, is registered with the Seychelles Financial Services Authority (FSA).  

Pros
  • Low commissions from just 0.1%
  • Trade cryptos via debit/credit card or bank transfer
  • Low minimum deposit
  • Access to 150+ cryptos
  • Store your cryptos in the OKEx secure cold wallet

Cons

  • Credit/debit card fees slightly above average

Cryptoassets are highly volatile unregulated investment products.

5. CoinJar – Best Crypto Exchange with Low Minimum Deposit

CoinJarWhile many Bitcoin exchanges require a high deposit to purchase Ethereum and other cryptocurrencies, CoinJar is different. CoinJar enables you to purchase cryptos without spending a fortune as you can buy cryptocurrencies with just a £5 minimum deposit. CoinJar offers a secure crypto wallet and several crypto management services to its customers. With a couple of clicks, you can buy, sell, and trade a variety of crypto coins on the user-friendly platform. New traders will like the streamlined and fully digital onboarding process.

What are the trading fees on CoinJar? When using a Visa or Mastercard, UK-based clients are charged a 2% instant purchase fee; however, Faster Payment Service deposits are free of charge. There is also a 1% conversion fee. What about costs that aren’t related to trading? When using cryptos to make a deposit, there are no costs. Similarly, there are no withdrawal fees.  

CoinJar cryptos

A variable fee of 1% will be charged if you want to buy one of the supported digital assets on CoinJar. If you use CoinJar to trade crypto pairs, however, the price structure is different as it uses a maker-taker fee rate structure.CoinJar accepts bank transfers and cryptocurrency deposits.  

What are the Main Trading & Non-Trading Fees?

Method Fee
Faster Payments Service deposit No fee
Instant Buy (Visa or Mastercard purchase) 2% fee#
Receiving digital currencies No fee
Receiving digital currencies from CoinJar users No fee
Cash Account to Bank Account   No fee
Sending Bitcoin   Dynamic fee

In terms of the fundamentals, CoinJar has obtained authorization and licensing from the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre. According to CoinJar, a minimum of 90% of all clients’ funds are held offline in geographically redundant secure locations. Multi-signature technology is also used by CoinJar to store crypto assets in secure hot wallets.

Pros
  • User-friendly platform great for new traders
  • Access to 30+ cryptocurrencies
  • Fully-fledged mobile trading app
  • Low minimum deposit of just £5
  • Holds a license from the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre

Cons

  • Charting and analysis tools may be too basic for advanced traders

Cryptoassets are highly volatile unregulated investment products.

6. Gemini –   Best Bitcoin Exchange with 24/7 Customer Support

Gemini is a cryptocurrency exchange established in the United States that gives users access to Bitcoin, Ethereum, and over 35 other popular cryptocurrencies. Gemini is broadening its global presence, with its main focus on Europe and Asia. Gemini is unique in that it offers a range of trading platforms based on experience. As such, beginners will appreciate the web and mobile trading apps, while advanced traders will find the ActiveTrader crypto platform a better match as it facilitates fast trade executions without compromising security or reliability.  

Gemini offers a range of fee schedules based on the type of platform you use to trade cryptos. Most beginners will participate in the crypto markets via the web platform or the mobile trading app.

What are the Main Trading & Non-Trading Fees?

Mobile / Web Order Amount Gemini Transaction Fee
$0 – $10 $0.99
$10 – $25 $1.49
$25 – $50 $1.99
$50 – $200 $2.99
$200+ 1.49% of your mobile order total
Deposit Fees Cost
All Cryptos, ACH, Gemini dollar Free
Wire Transfer Free
Debit Card Transfer 3.49% of total purchase amount


Gemini crypto tradingHow can I fund my Gemini account? You can fund your Gemini account with fiat or digital assets. To deposit funds with a fiat currency you need to first link your bank account. If you are unable to link your bank account via Plaid you can manually link your bank account via wire transfers and ACH deposits. Bank Transfer (ACH) deposits are made available for trading instantly and are completely cleared into your Gemini account and available for withdrawal in 4-5 business days.  

Traders interested in depositing supported cryptocurrency assets will be required to instruct their external wallet and service provider to initiate the withdrawal to their Gemini deposit address.  

Is Gemini safe?

When it comes to the security of your digital assets, Gemini gives you access to its secure cold and hot wallets. Gemini is also a New York trust company that undergoes frequent bank checks and complies with the cybersecurity standards set by the New York Department of Financial Services. Gemini is also the first cryptocurrency exchange to receive both SOC 1 Type 2 and SOC 2 Type 2 exams, in addition to earning an ISO 27001 certification.

Pros
  • User-friendly platform great for new traders
  • Access to 30+ cryptocurrencies
  • Fully-fledged mobile trading app
  • Low minimum deposit of just £5
  • Holds a license from the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre

Cons

  • Charting and analysis tools may be too basic for advanced traders

Cryptoassets are highly volatile unregulated investment products.

7. Coinmama – Best Crypto Exchange with User-Friendly Platform

Founded in 2013, Coinmama was set up to make cryptocurrency trading more accessible. Since then, Coinmama has served over 2.5 million users in 190 countries. Currently, Coinmama traders can buy and sell Bitcoin along with eight altcoins such as Ethereum, Ripple, and Litecoin.  

At Coinmama you can exchange Bitcoin for various fiat currencies including USD, GBP, and EUR. This popular cryptocurrency exchange also offers a wide range of payment methods such as credit/debit cards, or directly from your bank account, Apple Pay, Google Pay, SEPA, SWIFT, Fedwire, and more.  

Coinmama cryptos

What are the Main Trading & Non-Trading Fees?

Direct Debit/Credit Card transaction fee Transactions with fixed crypto rates and instant delivery – 5% express fee
Buy Order Commission Fee XBX Index average + 2% + commission fee up to 3.90%
Sell Order Commission Fee XBX Index average + 2% + sell fee 0.9% – 1.9%
Bank transfer No added fees
SEPA transfer No added fees

Buy order fees are based on your Coinmama loyalty level and the payment method. The fees are based on the TradeBlock XBX index plus a standard deviation of 2% in addition to Coinmama’s commission fee of anything up to 3.90%. Buy orders made via bank transfers are not charged any additional fees while transactions made with a fixed crypto rate and instant delivery incur an express fee of 5%. In terms of sell order fees, these are determined by the TradeBlock XBX Index market rate plus 2% and a selling fee ranging from 0.9% and 1.9%.  

Cmama Ltd, based in Ireland and a subsidiary of New Bit Ventures Ltd, operates and manages the Coinmama platform. Coinmama is a Money Service Business that is regulated and registered with FinCEN.

Pros
  • User-friendly platform  
  • Access to 9 different cryptos
  • Wide variety of payment options
  • Faster Payments service available with 0% processing fees
  • Coins are delivered quickly

Cons

  • Does not provide a mobile trading app

Cryptoassets are highly volatile unregulated investment products.

8. Kraken – Safest Crypto Exchange Regulated by the UK’s FCA and FinCEN

The Kraken cryptocurrency exchange was launched in 2013 and since then has gathered more than 4 million traders across over 170 countries. Kraken is heavily regulated as a Money Service Business by FinCEN in the US and FINTRAC in Canada. Kraken is the safest crypto exchange that allows you to trade 66 cryptocurrencies including all the major and minor altcoins.    

If you’re interested in buying or selling cryptos via the Kraken platform or the mobile app, the following trading fees are charged:

Kraken cryptos

Kraken Fee Payment Card Processing Fee Online Banking Processing Fee
0.9% for any stablecoins

1.5% for other cryptos

3.75% + €0.25 0.5%

What are the maker-taker fees at Kraken?  

0-Day Volume (USD) Maker Taker
$0 – $50,000 0.20% 0.20%
$50,001 – $100,000 0.16% 0.16%
$100,001 – $250,000 0.12% 0.12%
$250,001 – $500,000 0.08% 0.08%
$500,001 – $1,000,000 0.04% 0.04%
$1,000,000+ 0.00% 0.00%

In terms of payment methods, there are two different ways to deposit funds on Kraken. The first option is via a bank wire transfer and the second option is by depositing cryptocurrency. The best part is that when you deposit with cryptocurrencies there are no deposit fees. The withdrawal fees vary depending on whether you withdraw cryptos or fiat currencies.  

Pros
  • Heavily regulated cryptocurrency exchange
  • Access to wide range of digital assets
  • Various payment options
  • Access to crypto derivatives trading such as crypto futures
  • User-friendly platform

Cons

  • Credit/debit card deposits are only available in EUR.

Cryptoassets are highly volatile unregulated investment products.

9. Bittrex – One of the Best Crypto Exchanges for New Crypto Traders

BittrexBittrex began life as a crypto-to-crypto exchange, which meant that to use the platform, you had to own bitcoin and other altcoins first. However, in 2021, the platform introduced the ability to purchase cryptocurrencies using fiat currency, such as EUR and USD. Bittrex is now a good option for new crypto traders looking to invest in the crypto market.  

Bittrex offers some of the cheapest trading fees out there with commissions starting at 0.50% per trade when you open and close positions, regardless of the digital asset or crypto pair you are trading. The trading fees are based on your 30-day trading volume in USD, which means that the higher your trading volume the lower your trading fees are.  

Bittrex crypto charts

What are the Main Trading & Non-Trading Fees?

Bittrex Fee Schedule 30-Day Volume (USD) Maker fee Taker fee
<25k 0.35% 0.35%
25k-50k 0.25% 0.30%
50k-100k 0.15% 0.25%
100k-1m 0.10% 0.20%
1m-5m 0.06% 0.16%
Transaction Fees Blockchain   Fiat
Deposits None No charge for USD deposits and withdrawals

Is Bittrex safe? Bittrex has a Class F Digital Assets Business Act license to conduct its services under the regulations of the Bermuda Monetary Authority.  

Pros
  • Low trading fees with 0.50% commission per trade
  • Fully-fledged integrated crypto wallet
  • Platform is easy to use  
  • $50 minimum deposit  
  • Fully regulated by the Bermuda Monetary Authority

Cons

  • Does not accept credit cards, Mastercard debit cards, or e-wallets such as Skrill, PayPal.

Cryptoassets are highly volatile unregulated investment products.

10. Capital.com – Best Crypto Exchange with Lowest Fees

Capital.com LogoCapital.com is an international CFD and forex broker that was established in 2016. It is regulated by the UK’s FCA, CySEC, and NBRB. Capital.com is considered a safe online broker because it is fully regulated by top-tier financial authorities. Client funds are also held in segregated accounts and the broker provides negative balance protection.  

With Capital.com you can trade popular cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple, Cardano, and much more without having to worry about storing them in crypto wallets or gaining ownership of the underlying assets. This is because Capital.com offers cryptocurrency CFDs (contracts for difference) which allow you to speculate on the price movements of the underlying cryptos with leverage of up to 2:1.

Capital.com cryptos

In terms of crypto pairs, you can access both crypto-to-fiat and crypto-to-crypto pairs. For instance, you could trade Bitcoin to US Dollar (BTC/USD) CFDs with a spread of 110.00 pips, 50% margin, and 0% commission on the trade.  

What are the Main Trading & Non-Trading Fees?

Non-trading fees Charge
Overnight Fee Overnight fee charge on indices, commodities, and forex is based on the total value of the position. For Cryptos, Shares, and thematic investments Capital.com charges an overnight fee based only on the leverage provided.  
Deposit Fee 0%
Withdrawal Fee 0%
Inactivity Fee None
Account Fee None
Trading Fee Charge
CFD trading 0% Commission; Overnight on leverage is not included in the spread
Forex trading 0% Commission; Overnight on leverage is not included in the spread
Crypto CFD leverage Up to 2:1

When it comes to trading fees, Capital.com is very similar to eToro in the sense that this CFD broker offers 0% commission when trading forex and CFDs. This means that the only fees you have to pay are the spreads. Capital.com is also very popular for its 0% non-trading fees which include no deposit fees, withdrawal, account, or inactivity fees.  

Pros
  • Access to heaps of crypto CFDs with 0% commission
  • Regulated by the FCA, CySEC, and NBRB
  • Demo account ideal for beginner traders
  • Huge selection of payment methods including Apple Pay
  • Low non-trading fees

Cons

  • Cannot set price alerts on the web trading platform

76.25% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and/or CFDs with this provider.

Best Bitcoin Exchanges Comparison

Platform Trading Commission Deposit Fee Withdrawal Fee Payment Methods Supported Cryptos
eToro Spread-Only (From 0.75%) 0% for US Traders, 0.5% conversion fee $5 Debit/Credit Cards, e-wallets, Bank Transfer BTC, ETH, ETC, Dash, LTC, BCH, XLM, NEO, EOS, ADA, ITOA, TRON, ZCash, Tezos, Chainlink, Uniswap, Dogecoin
Binance 0.10% Up to 4% on Debit/Credit Cards Depends on Payment Method Debit/Credit Cards, Crypto, Bank Transfer Binance offers crypto-to-crypto trading in over 500 cryptocurrencies such as BNB/BUSD, as well as hundreds of cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDT to name a few.  
Coinbase 1.49% 3.99% on Debit/Credit Cards 2% on Debit/Credit Cards Debit/Credit Cards, Crypto, Bank Transfer Supports 5,340 digital assets such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, Binance Coin, XRP.
OKEx 0.10% per slide 0% 0% Bank transfer, credit/debit card, Apple Pay, gift cards, Google Pay, Skrill, Crypto Transfer, Alipay, WeChat Pay Supports 240 cryptos that can be traded against BTC, Ethereum, Tether, Litecoin and more.
CoinJar 1% 0% 0% Cryptos, UK bank transfers Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Litecoin (LTC), Ripple (XRP), Lumens (XLM), Algorand (ALGO),EOS (EOS) & 20+ ERC-20 tokens
Gemini 1.49% + 0.5% 3.49% on Debit/Credit Cards Depends on Payment Method Debit/Credit Cards, Crypto, Bank Transfer 30+ cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Litecoin (LTC), Bitcoin Cash (BCH), Zcash (ZEC), Chainlink (LINK), Orchid (OXT)
Coinmama 3.90% + 2% Mark-Up 5% on Credit Cards Automatic Wallet Transfer Debit/Credit Cards, Bank Transfer Bitcoin (BTC), Bitcoin Cash (BCH), Ethereum (ETH), Ethereum Classic (ETC), Cardano (ADA), Litecoin (LTC), Tezos (XTZ), Ripple (XRP), Dogecoin (DOGE)
Kraken From 0.20% FREE Bank Transfers 0.09 EUR on SEPA Debit/Credit Cards, Crypto, Bank Transfer Wide range of cryptos such as Aave, Algorand, Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin and more.
Bittrex Starts at 0.50% per trade 3% deposit fee for VISA and Mastercard deposits Varies depending on whether you withdraw fiat or crypto i.e $0 withdrawal fee for USD Bank card (VISA), wire transfer, SEPA transfer, or cryptocurrencies. Buy, sell and trade over 500 markets including Bitcoin, Cardano, Tether, Ethereum and Dogecoin.
Capital.com 0% FREE FREE Debit/Credit Cards, e-wallets, Bank Transfer Hundreds of popular crypto CFDs such as BTC/USD and ETH/BTC  

What is a Crypto Exchange?

In simple terms, a crypto exchange is a platform that allows users to buy and sell cryptocurrencies. As well as trading services, some top cryptocurrency exchanges offer price discovery via trading activity and internal crypto wallets for the safe storage of your digital assets. Before crypto exchanges were introduced traders only had access to cryptocurrencies through mining. Currently, there are heaps of Bitcoin exchanges providing a variety of cryptos and varying trading fees and payment methods.  

What is a crypto exchange?

We recommend that you assess your financial objectives and risk tolerance when choosing which exchange to use.  

With that said, there are two main types of cryptocurrency exchanges that you need to be aware of:  

  • Decentralized cryptocurrency exchanges – cryptos and blockchain technology were set up with the ideology that currency does not need a centralized authority to manage its usage. As such, decentralized cryptocurrency exchanges (DEXs) are not overlooked by third parties, are open source, and are based on peer-to-peer trading.  
  • Centralized crypto exchanges are monitored by a third-party exchange operator. The role of the exchange operator is to maintain streamlined signup and trading processes at all times. Centralized crypto exchanges make it easy to use your bank account or debit card to buy cryptocurrency online. Nevertheless, this convenience often comes with transaction fees. The majority of centralized cryptocurrency exchanges allow you to trade digital currencies with either a fiat currency or other cryptos.  

How do the best crypto exchanges work?

Bitcoin exchanges work by matching sellers with buyers. As is the case with conventional bank accounts, buying and selling digital assets on most crypto exchanges are permitted after successfully signing up. After you have completed the KYC process and your account has been verified you can transfer fiat or cryptos onto the platform, which can then be used to buy your preferred cryptocurrencies.  

How to Choose the Best Bitcoin Exchange for You

Crypto exchanges are relatively new so you must select one that matches your trading goals, risk tolerance, experience level, and security expectations.  

Available coins

You will need to have a look at which crypto coins are supported by each exchange. If you’re interested in trading the most popular cryptos such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, then you will find that all the best cryptocurrency exchanges offer them.  

ETH chart eToro

67% of retail investors lose money trading CFDs at this site

On the other hand, if you are searching for the next cryptos to explode, DeFi tokens, and coins such as Algorand and Decentraland’s MANA tokens, then you will need to do some extra research to see whether or not your preferred crypto is supported.  

Trading options

Crypto futures and crypto options trading provide benefits for investors, which accounts for the growing popularity of digital currencies in the trading sector. While options come with less risk, futures are typically more cost-effective in the long term. Whether you choose futures or options will depend on your risk tolerance and experience with crypto derivatives.  

For crypto traders, futures and options are effective trading instruments. They allow for calculated risks and speculations and have been boosting crypto trading volumes. Trading used to be a niche activity reserved for professional investors. Nevertheless, online trading has become more mainstream as a result of instruments such as futures and options.  

With this in mind, you will need to check whether your chosen cryptocurrency exchange facilitates crypto derivatives trading based on your preference to trade USD-margined futures contracts or crypto options.  

Fees

We have already discussed trading and non-trading fees throughout our in-depth reviews of the top ten best cryptocurrency exchanges. After all, you will be trying to keep your trading expenses to a minimum.  

eToro fees

Here’s a quick breakdown of the key metrics you need to keep in mind when it comes to trading cryptos online:  

  • Commissions are charged when you trade cryptos. However, the commission rate varies depending on the exchange or broker. For example, Coinbase charges a 1.49% commission per slide. This means that you pay the commission when you open a position and again when you close it. As you may have already noticed, eToro and Capital.com offer crypto trading with 0% commission.  
  • Spreads – the difference between the bid and ask price quoted by the exchange is referred to as the spread. For example, eToro users can buy Bitcoin with a spread of just 0.75%.  
  • The withdrawal and deposit fees are potentially the most important fees to consider when choosing an exchange particularly if you plan on using a debit/credit card to deposit funds and buy crypto assets. Coinbase, for example, charges a 3.99% deposit fee while eToro only charges a conversion fee of 0.5% when depositing in anything other than USD. There are no deposit fees when depositing with USD on eToro.  

For further details related to trading and non-trading fees and commissions be sure to check out our in-depth reviews of the best cryptocurrency exchanges above.  

Payment methods

If you prefer to deposit funds with an e-wallet such as PayPal or Neteller, or if you want to buy Bitcoin and other popular altcoins with a credit or debit card, you will need to examine the types of payment methods accepted by each exchange.  

Trading tools & features

etoro copytrader

If you’re looking for a particular trading tool or feature you need to check that your chosen crypto exchange supports it. The most popular features and tools include:  

  • Copy trading features allow you to copy the trades of other experienced traders in a hands-off approach to online trading. eToro is the most popular choice when it comes to copy trading as it offers its own CopyTrader and CopyPortfolio features.  
  • Leverage – popular CFD brokers such as Capital.com and eToro allow you to maximize your trading opportunities with leverage. For instance, if you place a $100 buy order on BTC/USD at a leverage of 2:1, the value of the trade will be amplified to $200. While leverage works to maximize profits it also works by amplifying potential losses.  

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Security

Top-tier financial authorities such as the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority do not regulate cryptocurrencies but make it a requirement that all crypto exchanges and crypto trading platforms register with the FCA.  

Depending on your risk tolerance and security expectations you will need to pay close attention to the type of security offered by your chosen exchange or broker. eToro is fully regulated by the FCA, CySEC, and ASIC, and keeps at least 90% of all clients’ funds in segregated bank accounts.  

Getting Started with the Best Bitcoin Exchange

In this section of our guide to the Best Bitcoin Exchange in 2021 we’ll explore how to start buying and selling cryptocurrencies with the top-rated social trading platform eToro.  

Step 1: Open a Trading Account

To get the ball rolling, head over to the eToro.com website and create a new trading account.  

etoro sign up

The account opening process is entirely digital and takes a matter of minutes. As we have already mentioned eToro is regulated by several top-level financial authorities and as such complies with strict anti-money laundering and anti-fraud regulations.  

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Step 2: Verification  

The KYC process is simple and can be completed in a matter of minutes. All you have to do is upload a copy of your passport and a recent bank statement.  

Step 3: Deposit Funds

The next step is to deposit funds into your trading account. The minimum initial deposit varies depending on your region and country’s regulations. In the US the minimum first deposit is $50.  

eToro supports the following payment methods:  

  • Bank transfer
  • Debit/credit card
  • PayPal
  • Neteller
  • Skrill
  • Rapid Transfer
  • iDeal
  • Klarna
  • Online Banking – Trustly

While there are no deposit fees, all non-USD deposits incur a conversion fee of 0.5% as the only supported account base currency is USD.  

Step 4: Search for your preferred crypto  

You can now search for your preferred cryptocurrency using the convenient search box. As you can see from the image below, we have searched for Bitcoin (BTC).  

eToro search for BTC

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Alternatively, you can browse through all the supported cryptocurrencies by clicking on the ‘Trade Markets’ tab in the left-hand navigation bar.  

Step 5: Open Crypto Trade

You can now open a position. First, decide whether you want to buy or sell depending on your price speculations.  

eToro open trade BTC

Next enter your investment amount, which can be as low as $25, and tap on ‘Open Trade’ to confirm your position.  

eToro – Best Bitcoin Exchange with 0% Commission

Throughout this guide, we have covered the 10 best Bitcoin exchanges in 2021. As we have mentioned, it is up to you to pick the right cryptocurrency exchange for your financial goals and needs.  

If you want to participate in the crypto market and take advantage of unique trading opportunities – we recommend eToro as the best cryptocurrency exchange across the board. As well as being fully regulated by multiple financial authorities, the only crypto trading fees charged by eToro are the tight spreads.  

So, to start trading heaps of cryptos on a spread-only basis, just follow the link below and open an eToro trading account today!

etoro broker

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Dassos Troullides

Dassos Troullides

Dassos Troullides is an experienced finance writer who specializes in CFD, stock, and crypto trading. In particular, Dassos is skilled at breaking down complex financial topics to help new and advanced investors make better trading decisions. Dassos also writes for TradingPlatforms.com, BuyShares.co.uk, LearnBonds.com, InsideBitcoins.com and ForexCrunch.com