Best Crypto Exchange in the UK (2025)
How We Test & Review
At b3i.tech, we maintain rigorous standards for all blockchain and cryptocurrency content through comprehensive testing and verification.
Our Process
- Direct platform testing with real accounts and transactions
- Cross-referencing with blockchain explorers and on-chain data
- Review by experienced blockchain professionals
- Regular content updates to reflect market changes
Verification Standards
- All claims backed by multiple authoritative sources
- Technical accuracy verified through hands-on testing
- Clear disclosure of any affiliate relationships
- Independence maintained in all editorial decisions
Report inaccuracies: contact@b3i.tech
Last reviewed: November 3, 2025
Important Disclaimer
Educational Content Only
All content on b3i.tech is for educational and informational purposes. This is not financial, investment, or trading advice.
No Professional Advice
We are not licensed financial advisors. Always consult qualified professionals before making investment decisions.
Cryptocurrency Risks
Cryptocurrency investing carries significant risks including potential total loss of investment. Values are highly volatile and past performance doesn't guarantee future results.
No Guarantees
While we strive for accuracy, information may become outdated. We make no warranties about completeness, accuracy, or reliability of content.
Affiliate Disclosure
Some links may be affiliate links. We may earn commissions at no cost to you. This doesn't influence our editorial independence.
Your Responsibility
Any action you take based on this information is at your own risk. You're responsible for your own investment decisions and compliance with local laws.
Questions: contact@b3i.tech
Last updated: February 2025
Generating...
What’s the Best UK Crypto Exchange Right Now?
Right now, eToro is one of the best crypto platforms for UK users. It’s FCA-registered, beginner-friendly, and lets you buy Bitcoin and other major cryptocurrencies with GBP via bank transfer, debit card, or e-wallets.
To get started:
Sign up on eToro and verify your identity (KYC).
Deposit GBP using your preferred payment method.
Buy crypto like Bitcoin or Ethereum instantly.
For added security, transfer your coins to a private wallet if you don’t want to keep them on the exchange.
Always invest responsibly and follow UK FCA guidelines.
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.
My Top 6 Picks for the Best Crypto Exchanges in the UK
Here are my top picks for UK crypto investors:
- eToro – FCA Registered, Best for Beginners
- Coinbase – Trusted, Easy-to-Use, Secure
- OKX – Lowest Fees, Advanced Features
- CoinJar – Best for GBP Deposits
- Best Wallet – Most Secure for Crypto Storage
- Uphold – Multi-Asset Trading with Low Barriers
Each has strengths and weaknesses, which I’ll break down in detail.
| Rank | Exchange | FCA Registered | Supported Assets | Mobile App | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | eToro | Yes | 70+ Cryptocurrencies | iOS & Android | Beginners, Social Trading |
| 2 | Coinbase | Yes | 240+ Cryptocurrencies | iOS & Android | Secure & Trusted Platform |
| 3 | OKX | No | 340+ Cryptocurrencies | iOS & Android | Advanced Traders, Low Fees |
| 4 | CoinJar | No | 60+ Cryptocurrencies | iOS & Android | Easy GBP Deposits |
| 5 | Best Wallet | No | Multi-chain Support | iOS & Android | Self-Custody Storage |
| 6 | Uphold | Yes | 250+ Assets (Crypto, Stocks, Metals) | iOS & Android | Multi-Asset Trading |
Recent statistics indicate that Coinbase is the most popular cryptocurrency platform in the UK, with over 100,000 daily active users—ten times more than competitors like Crypto.com and eToro (www.statista.com).
What do the Fee's Look Like?
After testing each platform for fees, security, usability, and GBP deposits, here’s my full review:
| Rank | Exchange | Trading Fees | Deposit Fees | Withdrawal Fees | Minimum Deposit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | eToro | 1% Spread | Free (Bank Transfer), 0.5% (Credit Card) | £5 Flat Fee | £50 |
| 2 | Coinbase | 0.5% - 3.99% | Free (Bank Transfer) | Network fees + £0.15 | £2 |
| 3 | OKX | 0.08% Maker, 0.10% Taker | Free | Varies by coin | No minimum |
| 4 | CoinJar | 0.1% - 1% | Free (Bank Transfer) | Varies by method | £1 |
| 5 | Best Wallet | N/A (Wallet only) | N/A | Network fees only | No minimum |
| 6 | Uphold | 0.8% - 1.2% | Free (Bank Transfer) | Varies by method | £1 |
How Secure is Your Crypto on These Exchanges?
Security is one of the most critical factors when choosing a crypto exchange. Here's how the top platforms compare:
| Rank | Exchange | Cold Storage | Insurance Policy | 2FA Authentication | Recent Hacks? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | eToro | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| 2 | Coinbase | Yes | Yes (FDIC for USD) | Yes | No |
| 3 | OKX | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| 4 | CoinJar | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| 5 | Best Wallet | 100% (Self-Custody) | Yes | Yes | No |
| 6 | Uphold | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
Some exchanges, like eToro and Coinbase, offer insurance coverage for digital assets, providing extra security against cyber threats. However, platforms without FCA registration—such as OKX and CoinJar—lack insurance protection, meaning your funds may not be recoverable in case of a breach.
The global cryptocurrency market has experienced nearly a 190% increase in users between 2018 and 2022, which has led to increased scrutiny on security measures (www.statista.com).
The Best Crypto Exchanges in the UK Ranked & Reviewed
eToro – Social Trading, FCA Registered, Best for Beginners
Pros
Cons
- FCA-regulated – Fully compliant with UK financial regulations.
- Easy-to-use – Ideal for beginners with a user-friendly platform.
- Copy trading – Allows users to mirror successful traders.
- FCA-regulated – Fully compliant with UK financial regulations.
- Easy-to-use – Ideal for beginners with a user-friendly platform.
- Copy trading – Allows users to mirror successful traders.
- Trading Fees: 1% Spread
- Deposit Fees: Free (Bank Transfer), 0.5% (Credit Card)
- Withdrawal Fee: £5 flat fee
- Minimum Deposit: £50
- Inactivity Fee: £10 per month (after 12 months)
- FCA-regulated: Provides a secure and compliant trading experience.
- Cold storage: A large percentage of assets are stored offline.
- Two-factor authentication (2FA): Ensures added security for transactions.
eToro offers 75+ cryptocurrencies, including:
- Bitcoin (BTC)
- Ethereum (ETH)
- Ripple (XRP)
- Cardano (ADA)
- Dogecoin (DOGE)
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.
Coinbase – Trusted, Easy-to-Use, Secure
Pros
Cons
- Lowest trading fees – 0.08% maker, 0.10% taker, making it ideal for high-volume traders.
- Wide range of cryptocurrencies – Over 350+ coins available for trading.
- Advanced trading tools – Supports futures, margin trading, and DeFi.
- Not FCA-regulated – Operates offshore and is not directly overseen by UK regulators.
- No fiat insurance – Customer funds are not insured in the UK.
- Complex for beginners – Designed for experienced traders, with a steep learning curve.
- Trading Fees: 0.5% – 3.99% (depends on payment method)
- Deposit Fees: Free (Bank Transfer)
- Withdrawal Fee: Network fees + £0.15
- Minimum Deposit: £2
- Inactivity Fee: None
- Not FCA-regulated: Operates under global compliance but not UK financial laws.
- Cold storage security: The majority of assets are stored offline.
- Two-factor authentication (2FA): Adds an extra layer of security for logins and withdrawals.
OKX offers 350+ cryptocurrencies, including:
- Bitcoin (BTC)
- Ethereum (ETH)
- Polygon (MATIC)
- Avalanche (AVAX)
- Cosmos (ATOM)
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.
OKX – Low Fees, Advanced Trading, but Less Regulated
Pros
Cons
- Lowest trading fees – 0.08% maker, 0.10% taker, making it ideal for high-volume traders.
- Wide range of cryptocurrencies – Over 350+ coins available for trading.
- Advanced trading tools – Supports futures, margin trading, and DeFi.
- Not FCA-regulated – Operates offshore and is not directly overseen by UK regulators.
- No fiat insurance – Customer funds are not insured in the UK.
- Complex for beginners – Designed for experienced traders, with a steep learning curve.
- Trading Fees: 0.08% Maker, 0.10% Taker
- Deposit Fees: Free
- Withdrawal Fee: Varies by coin (e.g., BTC: 0.0004 BTC)
- Minimum Deposit: No minimum
- Inactivity Fee: None
- Not FCA-regulated: Operates under global compliance but not UK financial laws.
- Cold storage security: The majority of assets are stored offline.
- Two-factor authentication (2FA): Adds an extra layer of security for logins and withdrawals.
OKX offers 350+ cryptocurrencies, including:
- Bitcoin (BTC)
- Ethereum (ETH)
- Polygon (MATIC)
- Avalanche (AVAX)
- Cosmos (ATOM)
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.
CoinJar – Best for GBP Deposits & Simple UI
Pros
Cons
- Fast GBP deposits – Supports instant bank transfers.
- Low fees – Competitive conversion rates for fiat-to-crypto transactions.
- User-friendly interface – Great for beginners with a simple layout.
- Not FCA-regulated – Based in Australia, but UK users can still access services.
- Limited cryptocurrency selection – Only supports around 50 coins.
- No advanced trading tools – Lacks futures and margin trading.
- Trading Fees: 0.1% – 1% (depends on volume)
- Deposit Fees: Free (Bank Transfer)
- Withdrawal Fee: Varies by method (GBP: Free, Crypto: Network fees)
- Minimum Deposit: £1
- Inactivity Fee: None
- Not FCA-regulated: Operates under Australian financial law.
- Cold storage: Majority of assets stored offline.
- Basic security measures: Includes 2FA and withdrawal limits.
CoinJar offers 50+ cryptocurrencies, including:
- Bitcoin (BTC)
- Ethereum (ETH)
- Litecoin (LTC)
- Stellar (XLM)
- Chainlink (LINK)
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.
Best Wallet – Most Secure for Crypto Storage
Pros
Cons
- 100% cold storage – Best for long-term security.
- Multi-signature authentication – Prevents unauthorized access.
- No hacking incidents – Proven track record of security.
- No trading features – This is a storage solution, not an exchange.
- No fiat support – Only supports crypto storage, no GBP deposits or withdrawals.
- Requires technical knowledge – Users must manage private keys securely.
- Trading Fees: N/A (Wallet only, no trading)
- Deposit Fees: N/A (Direct wallet deposits)
- Withdrawal Fee: Network fees only (varies by blockchain)
- Minimum Deposit: No minimum
- Inactivity Fee: None
- 100% cold storage: Ensures the highest level of asset security.
- Multi-signature authentication: Prevents unauthorized transactions.
- Regular security audits: The platform undergoes rigorous security checks.
Best Wallet is primarily a crypto storage solution rather than a trading exchange. However, it supports a wide range of cryptocurrencies for secure, long-term storage.
Best Wallet supports hundreds of cryptocurrencies, including:
- Bitcoin (BTC)
- Ethereum (ETH)
- Ripple (XRP)
- Litecoin (LTC)
- Cardano (ADA)
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.
Uphold – Multi-Asset Trading with Low Barriers
Pros
Cons
- FCA-regulated – Fully compliant with UK financial regulations.
- Supports multiple assets – Trade crypto, forex, and commodities.
- Low minimum deposit – Accessible for investors with any budget.
- Limited cryptocurrency selection – Fewer options compared to OKX.
- Fees can be confusing – Different asset types have different fee structures.
- No futures trading – Not ideal for advanced traders who need leverage.
- Trading Fees: 0.8% – 1.2% (depends on asset)
- Deposit Fees: Free (Bank Transfer), 3.99% (Credit Card)
- Withdrawal Fee: Varies by method (Bank: Free, Crypto: Network fees)
- Minimum Deposit: £1
- Inactivity Fee: None
- FCA-regulated: Compliant with UK financial laws.
- Cold storage: Secure asset storage to prevent breaches.
- Insurance protection: Some funds are covered against hacks.
Uphold offers around 60 cryptocurrencies, including:
- Bitcoin (BTC)
- Ethereum (ETH)
- XRP (XRP)
- Dogecoin (DOGE)
- Basic Attention Token (BAT)
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.
Do I Need to Pay Tax on Crypto in the UK?
Yes, cryptocurrency gains in the UK are subject to Capital Gains Tax (CGT). If you make over £12,300 in profits, you must report and pay tax to HMRC.
| Crypto Gains | Tax Rate |
|---|---|
| Up to £12,300 | Tax-Free Allowance |
| £12,300 - £50,270 | 10% Capital Gains Tax (Basic Rate) |
| Over £50,270 | 20% Capital Gains Tax (Higher Rate) |
Exchanges like Coinbase and eToro now provide automated tax reporting tools, making compliance easier. According to HMRC, failure to report crypto gains could result in penalties or legal consequences.
Additional Considerations for UK Crypto Investors
- Use FCA-Registered Exchanges: Platforms like eToro and Coinbase offer greater protection.
- Understand Crypto Taxes: Report gains over £12,300 to avoid fines from HMRC.
- Beware of Scams: Only use exchanges with strong security measures.
- Diversify Holdings: Avoid keeping all funds on one exchange—use a hardware wallet for long-term storage.
What Are the Different Types of Crypto Exchanges?
Crypto exchanges fall into three main categories: centralized exchanges (CEX), decentralized exchanges (DEX), and peer-to-peer platforms (P2P). UK users primarily use centralized exchanges like Coinbase and eToro because they support GBP deposits, offer regulatory protection, and provide user-friendly interfaces for beginners.
What Is a Centralized Crypto Exchange (CEX)?
A centralized exchange is a platform that acts as an intermediary between buyers and sellers, holding custody of your funds. Examples include Coinbase, eToro, and OKX. They offer fiat currency deposits, high liquidity, customer support, and regulatory compliance—making them ideal for UK users.
What Is a Decentralized Exchange (DEX)?
A decentralized exchange operates without a central authority, allowing direct peer-to-peer trading via smart contracts. Examples include Uniswap and PancakeSwap. Users maintain custody of their funds, but DEXs don’t support GBP deposits, have no customer support, and require more technical knowledge.
Which Type of Exchange Is Best for UK Users?
Centralized exchanges are best for UK users because they accept GBP deposits via bank transfer, comply with FCA registration requirements, and offer insurance protection. DEXs and P2P platforms lack regulatory oversight, don’t support fiat currencies, and provide no recourse if problems occur.
What's the Difference Between a Crypto Exchange and a Broker?
A crypto exchange provides a marketplace where users trade directly with each other, while a broker acts as an intermediary selling crypto at set prices. Exchanges like Coinbase offer lower fees and more control; brokers like eToro provide simpler interfaces but charge higher spreads.
Which Should UK Beginners Choose?
UK beginners should start with a broker-style platform like eToro or the standard Coinbase interface. The simplified buying process, instant execution, and intuitive design outweigh higher fees when learning. Once comfortable, graduate to exchange platforms like Coinbase Pro or OKX for lower costs.
Summary/Personal Thoughts
I’ve used eToro for several years, and it remains my go-to for one key reason: simplicity. The user-friendly interface and social trading features make it ideal for beginners who want to learn by copying experienced traders.
The main downside? Higher spreads than competitors like OKX or Binance, which can add up for active traders. However, for casual investors or long-term holders, the convenience of FCA registration and seamless GBP deposits makes up for it.
What sets eToro apart is trust and security. As an FCA-registered platform, your funds have stronger protection under UK financial regulations compared to offshore exchanges. Customer support is also more responsive—crucial when dealing with large transactions.
Bottom line: eToro is perfect if you’re new to crypto or want a safe, regulated platform with social trading features. High-volume traders seeking the absolute lowest fees should consider OKX or Uphold instead. But if security, ease of use, and copy trading matter most, eToro is a top choice for UK investors.
The best crypto exchange for UK investors depends on your needs. eToro is ideal for beginners due to its FCA regulation and social trading features. OKX offers low fees, while Best Wallet is the safest option for long-term crypto storage.
OKX and CoinJar offer some of the lowest trading fees in the UK. OKX has a 0.08% maker fee and 0.10% taker fee, while CoinJar has free bank deposits and low conversion fees.
Yes! Exchanges like Coinbase, eToro, and CoinJar allow GBP deposits via bank transfer, credit card, and PayPal. Be sure to check deposit fees before choosing a platform.
Best Wallet offers the highest security with cold storage and multi-signature authentication. For a trading exchange, eToro and Coinbase are FCA-regulated, making them safer for UK users.
Choose the Best
- Copy Trading Feature
- Low Fees
- Multi-Asset Platform
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.
