10 Best Crypto Exchanges In UK For January 2025

The UK has been a favourable jurisdiction and has been welcoming to crypto exchanges for a few years now. With a range of options to choose from, the best crypto exchange in the UK is the one that fits your trading needs.

After carefully reviewing most of the crypto exchanges within the UK, we only selected the trading platforms with the most appeal to UK users. Our research shows that these exchanges are popular amongst crypto traders in the UK. We also considered several factors such as their ties with regulators, security measures and accessibility among many others. In the end, these are the best crypto exchanges in the UK for your trading. 

eToro is a global trading platform that was first launched in 2007. The platform has since evolved into a good spot to trade crypto and one of the best crypto exchanges in the UK. eToro has a strong presence in Europe, and is one of the best exchange in Europe and the United Kingdom. Its biggest appeal is its emphasis on security. All deposits are monitored by a dedicated team and are subject to compliance checks. 

Why did we choose eToro?

Toro is a popular choice for UK users, thanks to its user-focused approach. eToro is well regulated and approved by the UK’s FCA. This means it complies with local policies, which is good for your funds. On the service side, eToro offers a couple of services that make trading easier as a UK resident.

eToro is also the best copy trading platform, enabling new traders to copy the strategies of experienced traders. eToro also offers GBP support. This way, you can easily deposit, trade and withdraw your funds. With eToro, you don’t have to go through the hassle of converting your local currency and the fees associated with that procedure. 

Kraken is one of the biggest crypto exchanges in the UK, and this comes as no surprise. Kraken is used by more than 9 million crypto traders globally and is one of the best exchanges to trade Bitcoin. Its biggest appeal is its low trading fees, and security as it offers a vast selection of cryptocurrencies to choose from. Kraken is also one of the best crypto futures trading platform for traders in UK.

Why did we choose Kraken?

Kraken is a good choice for UK users due to its strong security measures, support for GBP transactions, multiple payment options and regulatory compliance. For security, Kraken uses advanced encryption cold storage for most of the user’s funds and two-factor authentication (2FA.)

Its regulatory compliance ensures transparency, which provides a sense of safety for your funds. Kraken also offers 24/7 customer support’. So, if you are looking for a security-tight exchange with regulatory backing, Kraken is one of your best bets. 

If Copy trading is your priority, Bitget is the best option. Bitget has a massive user base in the UK and is also particularly popular for users involved in futures trading. Bitget serves millions of customers globally. Its biggest appeal is its wide options of trading services such as spot and futures trading. Bitget also supports over 500 cryptocurrencies. This means you can find most of your trading needs on this platform. 

Why did we choose Bitget?

Bitget operates one of the best copy trading platforms. So, if you need access to better trading strategies, you can use this feature. Bitget is designed to cater to newbies. So, Bitget is a good option if you are just starting crypto. Plus, they publish educational resources to help guide their users. 

If you stay in the UK, and you just got into crypto, then Uphold is a good exchange. It supports multiple cryptocurrencies with a friendly user interface. Uphold seeks to cater to the needs of both experienced and newbies. The platform caters to thousands of UK users daily, and its regulatory compliance and transparency make it a good place to manage your digital assets. 

Why did we choose Uphold?

Uphold is a good choice for UK users thanks to its strong support for GBP transactions and easy deposits and withdrawals. Uphold uses a transparent fee structure and complies with UK law. This adds to its appeal for UK residents. In addition, Uphold has ties with UK banks to help facilitate fast transactions.

If you’re looking for a well-regulated crypto exchange, look no further. Coinbase is one of the biggest exchanges globally and of the best crypto exchanges in the UK. In fact, Coinbase goes above in beyond with regulatory compliance both in the UK and other parts of the world. 

Coinbase has an easy-to-grasp interface. So, anyone can find their way around the exchange. In addition, Coinbase caters to a broad group of users, ranging from advanced traders to beginners. Coinbase provides a safe trading environment for its users. You can easily trade cryptocurrencies that may not be available on other exchanges on Coinbase. In addition, Coinbase frequently lists new tokens. So, there’s lots of variety.

Why did we choose Coinbase?

Coinbase has native support for GBP, enabling easy deposits and withdrawals. This makes it one of the best crypto exchanges in the UK for new and established users. Coinbase also complies with all local laws and uses advanced security measures, making it safe for users to manage their funds. 

Gate.io is an absolute favorite of most crypto traders, thanks to its support of over 1400 coins. This means you can trade more cryptocurrencies on Gate.io than on exchanges like Coinbase and Uphold. Gate.io is one of the best crypto exchanges in the UK for a couple of reasons: it has high trading volume, includes advanced trading features, and implements strong security measures.

Why did we choose Gate.io?

Gate.io’s extensive selection of cryptocurrencies makes it a good option for UK users. It’s easy to find your desired coins on this exchange. It also supports trading features like margin trading, and different financial products. The exchange also focuses on compliance. So far, its activities are deemed legal in the UK. The extensive crypto support also makes it a good exchange for day trading. 

Gemini is the oldest crypto exchange and one of the best options for traders in UK. It has over 10 million active users globally. Gemini prioritizes security, which makes it ideal for both newbies and experienced users. It uses strategies such as 2FA, and provides support for hardware security keys. Although the exchange has suffered previous attacks, it has worked towards improving security and making users feel safe. 

Why did we choose Gemini?

Gemini offers UK users a straightforward onboarding process, integration with local banks, competitive fees, and compliance with local laws. UK users can access a decent number of cryptocurrencies and enjoy advanced trading features without compromising on security.

Bitstamp is one of the best crypto exchanges in the UK with low fees and a user-friendly trading platform. Although it offers just around 80 cryptocurrencies, Bitstamps remains a good choice for UK users, especially beginners. Advanced traders might struggle with the lesser crypto support. However, Bitstamp offers advanced trading features, such as an easy-to-use instant buy platform, and several order types.

Why did we choose Bitstamp?

Bitstamp is one of the few crypto exchanges recognized and registered by the FCA. It also provides UK users with an easy way to access crypto, making it ideal for UK users who are new to crypto.

OKX is one of the best crypto exchanges in the UK. It is approved by the FCA to operate legally within the UK and caters to both new and established traders. OKX offers several trading products to over 20 million users globally. If you are searching for an exchange with low fees, staking, and mining opportunities, OKX is your best option.

Why did we choose OKX?

OKX is a competitive and transparent trading environment for UK users. OKX conducts thorough assessments of UK users as part of its compliance efforts. It also uses advanced monitoring tools to prevent money laundering. In addition, OKX supports around 300 cryptocurrencies. So, you have lots of trading options using this exchange. 

Coinjar is a good option for crypto traders in UK if you’re looking to deposit and withdraw GBP using multiple methods. It is FCA-approved and even registered on the website. The exchange has been operating for a couple of years and makes buying and selling crypto really simple. Coinjar offers a mobile app for easy trading. Additionally, it provides lots of payment methods. 

Why did we choose Coinjar?

UK users can rely on this exchange to trade some of the top cryptocurrencies. Although trading options are limited, Coinjar offers good trading fees and multiple payment methods.

There are lots of exchanges in the UK. However, selecting the best crypto exchange in the UK should depend on your trading needs. Newer traders would need platforms like eToro, OKX, and Coinjar, Meanwhile, advanced traders would need platforms like OKX, Gate.io, and Bitget. It all depends on your needs.

There is an abundance of crypto exchanges in the UK that comply with rules set by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The FCA is the watchdog of the UK financial market, ensuring companies comply with anti-money laundering (AML) policies and counter-terrorist financing (FCT) laws. It’s only safe to use exchanges that are registered with the FCA, reflecting their commitment to transparency, security and accountability. 

For example, eToro is FCA-regulated and is best suited for newbies to crypto trading. Other platforms like Kraken, Uphold, Gemini, Bitstamp, OKX, and Coinjar are also recognized by the FCA. Using legal crypto exchanges in the UK comes with a lot of benefits such as robust security measures, protecting them from hacking attempts and fraud. They also offer better customer support and dispute resolution services.

The FCA stands for Financial Conduct Authority. Think of it like the UK’s version of the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission.) The FCA controls all financial activities in the UK. This includes protecting customers and ensuring only approved companies operate and comply with rules. The FCA has provided crypto guidelines for exchanges to follow in the UK. 

The FCA demands that crypto service providers register and meet certain anti-money laundering (AML) rules and counter-terrorist financing demands. The FCA offers regulatory supervision and scrutiny of crypto projects. Its primary duty is to ensure that crypto platforms operate with high regard to consumer rights.

There are lots of factors to consider before choosing a crypto exchange. Here are a few:

Security

Ensure the exchange has adequate security measures. It is also important to find out if they have suffered a hack and if they undergo constant security audits.

Fees 

Crypto exchanges offer varying fees. You can spend a lot on fees if you use exchanges with high fees. So, ensure you compare costs and use the exchange with the most friendly fee structure. 

Supported cryptocurrencies

It is important to use exchanges that support the coins you want to trade. Exchanges like Coinbase, OKX, support a wide range of coins. 

Payment methods

Check the exchange’s supported payment methods and ensure they are convenient for you. Popular payment methods include bank transfers, debit, and credit cards.

Customer support

It is important to use an exchange with fast and reliable customer support. This would help you resolve issues with your account. 

Compliance

Like most countries, the UK is keen on ensuring compliance. So, only use exchanges that comply with local laws and are transparent in their operations. 

User interface

Use interface refers to how easy it is for new users to grasp and navigate the platform. New users should only use exchanges with simple layouts. Some exchanges offer advanced features that might be difficult for new users. 

In this article, we’ve listed a couple of the best crypto exchanges in the UK. Each of these platforms caters to different trading needs. For example, eToro and Coinbase are best suited for beginners with user-friendly interfaces. Uphold caters to users interested in multiple assets with ease of deposit and withdrawal.

Platforms like Bitget offer lower fees for futures trading, while Gate.io offers diverse trading opportunities. Kraken and Gemini stand out for their robust security tools, catering to both advanced traders and beginners. OKX offers advanced tools for experienced traders while Bitget’s reliability makes it a great choice. Finally, Coinjar simplifies access to crypto with its friendly interface and crypto debit cards.