Best Crypto Exchanges for UK Investors in 2025
Discover the best crypto exchanges for UK investors in 2025. Compare fees, security, FCA regulation, and GBP deposit options to find the right platform for buying, selling, and storing cryptocurrency safely.
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.
What’s the Best UK Crypto Exchange Right Now?
To buy crypto in the UK, choose a secure exchange like eToro or Coinbase, register, complete KYC verification, and deposit GBP via bank transfer, card, or PayPal. Purchase Bitcoin or altcoins, then store them in a secure wallet for safety. Always follow FCA regulations.
My Top 6 Picks for the Best Crypto Exchanges in the UK
Here are my top picks for UK crypto investors:
- eToro – FCA Regulated, 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.
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).
The Best Crypto Exchanges in the UK Ranked & Reviewed
After testing each platform for fees, security, usability, and GBP deposits, here’s my full review:
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:
Some exchanges, like eToro and Coinbase, offer insurance coverage for digital assets, providing extra security against cyber threats. However, platforms without FCA regulation—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).
A Closer Look at the 6 Best UK Crypto Exchanges
eToro – Social Trading, FCA Regulated, 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.
- 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.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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-Regulated 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.
Summary/Personal Thoughts
I’ve used eToro for several years, and I keep coming back to it for one main reason: it makes crypto trading simple. The platform’s user-friendly interface and social trading features make it perfect for beginners who want to learn by following experienced traders.
However, I’ve noticed that spreads are higher than on other exchanges like OKX or Binance, meaning that active traders looking for low fees may find it expensive. That said, for casual investors or long-term holders, the convenience of FCA regulation and seamless GBP deposits outweighs the cost.
Another big advantage is the security and trust factor. Unlike many offshore exchanges, eToro is fully FCA-regulated, meaning your funds are better protected under UK financial laws. I’ve also found that customer support is more responsive compared to other platforms, which is a big plus when dealing with large transactions.
Overall, I’d recommend eToro to anyone just starting with crypto or looking for a safe, regulated exchange that integrates social trading. If you’re a high-volume trader looking for low fees and deep liquidity, you might be better off with OKX or Uphold. But if security, ease of use, and copy trading are priorities, eToro is one of the best choices 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.
As of 2025, eToro, Coinbase, and Uphold are FCA-regulated in the UK. This means they comply with UK financial laws, ensuring better protection for your funds. OKX and CoinJar operate legally but are not FCA-regulated.
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.
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.
