Finding the best crypto exchange UK can feel overwhelming due to the countless platforms available. They all offer varying fees, features, and number of supported assets, while some services may not even work due to the UK’s strict regulations.
We’ve evaluated dozens of platforms available in the UK to bring you this list and help you make an informed decision. Whether you’re looking for the best UK crypto exchange with the lowest fees, the biggest selection of coins, or the highest perpetual trading leverage, we’ve got you.
Read on to see why OKX and Blofin top our list of the five best crypto exchanges in the UK.
At a Glance – The Top UK Crypto Exchanges To Consider
Before we get into details, let’s cut straight to the chase and answer the question: what is the best crypto exchange in the UK? Here are our top picks.
OKX | FCA-registered exchange with TradingView integration for advanced charting tools |
Margex | No-KYC crypto exchange with copy-trading for beginners |
KCEX | Crypto exchange with 0% trading fees and no KYC |
BloFin | Mobile-friendly no-KYC exchange with an automated trading bot |
Kraken | Trusted, FCA-registered exchange with pro trading tools and DeFi access |
Do All Crypto Exchanges Work in the UK?
Not all crypto exchanges are available in the UK. This is largely due to strict regulatory restrictions requiring the exchange to comply with local financial laws. A platform must be registered with the FCA (Financial Conduct Authority) and comply with AML (anti-money laundering) regulations to operate in the UK.
Due to this, many well-known global exchanges have chosen to restrict or limit their services in the UK. Even if the platform itself is accessible in the UK, features like crypto lending, derivatives trading, or margin trading may be disabled. Other platforms exited the UK market altogether due to regulatory hurdles.
Some platforms available in the UK also operate on a no-KYC (know your customer) basis, meaning they allow users to sign up and trade without submitting identification.
While convenient, these exchanges are not FCA-approved. So, you must be aware you’ll be waiving regulatory protections and should use these with discretion.
Fortunately, many top crypto exchanges serve users in the UK. We’ve compiled a list of available platforms that offer a good range of functionality.
Expert Analysis – Best Crypto Exchange UK
We’ve thoroughly tested and reviewed dozens of leading platforms to help you pick the best crypto exchange for the UK. We looked at trading fees, features, security, ease of use, and service availability in the UK.
Below is a mixture of centralized exchanges that offer varying features for beginners, professional traders, and DeFi (decentralized finance) explorers.
1. OKX – FCA-Registered Exchange With TradingView Integration for Advanced Charting Tools
- Year launched: 2017
- Spot trading fees: 0.08% maker, 0.1% taker
- Number of cryptocurrencies supported: 40+
- Rewards program: Varied rewards for completing tasks
- Accessibility: Android, iOS, desktop
OKX is a top-five cryptocurrency exchange with over 5M weekly visits and a daily trading volume exceeding $4B during the market’s busy days (Monday through Friday).
You can also integrate OKX with TradingView. This allows you to use its intuitive interface for charting tools and automate your trading with strategies built through Pine Script™.
While OKX is not registered as a crypto asset business with the FCA in the UK, it does comply with the FCA’s rules on promoting crypto assets, allowing you to legally use the platform in the UK.
Still, you cannot access the full range of OKX’s services, like Derivatives, OKX Earn (staking), or Crypto Loans. OKX’s available services are unregulated and not covered by the FSCC (Financial Services Compensation Scheme) and the FCA’s consumer protection regulations.
To comply with UK requirements set out in the Financial Promotions Regime, OKX reduced its token offering from 350+ available globally to 40+ assets in the UK. This is unlike the other top five exchanges in the industry, which instead decided to no longer offer services in the UK.
OKX Protect is the platform’s security suite. It combines exchange-level protection, multi-layer wallet security, and 24/7 threat detection against hacking and fraud to protect every trade and every asset you store on the exchange.
Recognized cybersecurity firms Hacken, Certik, and Slowmist have independently verified the systems.
OKX’s trading fees vary depending on your tier, which depends on your 30-day trading volume. Fees start at 0.08% maker and 0.1% taker but could reach as low as 0.01% maker and 0.015% taker if you’re a professional trader with large volumes.
Pros
– Dedicated NFT marketplace
– Integrates with TradingView
– 24/7 threat detection with OKX Protect
– Connects to 200+ dApps
– Supports major crypto assets like $BTC, $ETH, and $USDT
Cons
– Reduced number of assets available in the UK
– No staking available
Visit the official OKX website today.
2. Margex – No-KYC Crypto Exchange With Copy-Trading for Beginners
- Year launched: 2019
- Spot trading fees: 0.019% maker, 0.06% taker
- Number of cryptocurrencies supported: 55+
- Rewards program: Up to $10K sign up
- Accessibility: Android, APK, iOS, desktop
Margex aims to be the easiest entry point into crypto for beginners and provides services for 500K customers across 153 countries.
This top no-KYC exchange prides itself on its copy trading feature. You can look at a leaderboard of 100+ profitable traders and copy their tried-and-tested strategies in one click.
The leaderboard gives you insights into the total amount of equity they began with, the ROE (return on equity) percentage, and the number of people following (copying) the trader. This can help you pick someone based on strategy and past performance.
While Margex is not regulated by the FCA in the UK, it allows UK users to trade on the platform without completing the KYC verification process.
Note that by using Margex, you waive protections under UK regulations, including both FSMA (Financial Services and Markets Act) and FCA rules, and confirm you are acting on your own initiative.
Margex is available on both Android and iOS devices alongside its website version, offering users access to 100x leverage on perpetual futures on 55+ assets.
Margex stores 100% of your assets in a multisignature (multisig) offline wallet to reduce the possibility of hacking or internal fraud. Its dedicated treasury team processes withdrawals just once a day for additional control and oversight.
You can enable 2FA (two-factor authentication) via Google Authenticator to add an additional layer of defense against unauthorized access. Margex also provides 24/7 live chat and email assistance to resolve any issues quickly.
In addition to the opportunity of winning up to $10K as a welcome bonus, Margex also boasts a favorable reward program. By referring friends, you can gain a 40% commission on all fees Margex earns through your referral.
Pros
– Excellent copy-trading tools
– No KYC required for UK users
– 24/7 live chat support
– 6% APY on $BTC
– User-friendly mobile and desktop platforms
Cons
– Not FCA regulated
– Limited crypto selection compared to larger exchanges
Visit the official Margex website today.
3. KCEX – Crypto Exchange With 0% Trading Fees and No-KYC
- Year launched: 2021
- Spot trading fees: 0% maker, 0% taker
- Number of cryptocurrencies supported: 500+
- Rewards program: Up to $370 for completing tasks
- Accessibility: Android, iOS, desktop
KCEX is a user-friendly centralized exchange that offers spot and futures trading with some of the lowest trading fees on the market.
With KCEX, you get 0% maker and taker fees on spot trading and 0% maker and 0.02% taker on futures trading. This makes it ideal for active traders looking to cut their trade costs.
KCEX doesn’t support fiat currencies for deposits or withdrawals. Instead, you must deposit crypto directly from another wallet or exchange to start trading on the sleek desktop interface or intuitive mobile app.
Once you’re set up, you can leverage up to 100x on 500+ assets, including $BTC, $ETH, $SOL, and some of the best meme coins like $DOGE and $PEPE.
While KCEX isn’t registered with the FCA, you can still access all the features in the UK, as you don’t need to complete any KYC. Your daily withdrawal limit for basic verification (no ID) is 30 $BTC (currently equivalent to approximately $2.4M).
As a new user, you can unlock up to $370 in rewards by completing simple onboarding tasks like registering, making a spot deposit, and making a spot or futures trade.
KCEX offers a layered security approach. First, you can add 2FA (Google Authenticator) to your account for extra verification when you withdraw funds. Alongside this is email verification for login and password recovery.
KCEX also provides anti-phishing codes that allow you to verify whether an email is authentic. Enabling the feature means every legit email from KCEX will include a code to help you avoid falling victim to a scam.
Pros
– Zero spot trading fees and ultra-low futures trading fees
– No KYC required to start trading
– Straightforward, mobile-friendly interface
– Supports 500+ cryptocurrencies
– Generous bonuses, airdrops, and trading events
Cons
– Not FCA registered
– No fiat support for buying or selling crypto
Visit the official KCEX website today.
4. BloFin – Mobile-Friendly No-KYC Exchange With an Automated Trading Bot
- Year launched: 2019
- Spot trading fees: 0.100% maker, 0.100% taker
- Number of cryptocurrencies supported: 400+
- Rewards program: Win up to $5K
- Accessibility: Android, iOS, desktop
BloFin is a mobile-friendly, no-KYC crypto exchange headquartered in the Cayman Islands that offers a signal trading bot.
This trading bot will give you a powerful edge in perpetual futures trading by automating your trades based on a TradingView strategy. This free tool can help you save time and reduce emotional trading.
Although you’ll need experience creating TradingView strategies, you can learn to set up the bot to execute trades based on pre-set conditions. Then, you don’t even have to be active; your bot will trade while you’re asleep.
BloFin also supports leverage of up to 150x on select perpetual futures pairs. While not all the trading pairs offer this leverage (some are capped at 25x or even lower), you can choose between a few different margin modes depending on your risk appetite:
- Isolated margin: Limits risk to individual positions
- Cross margin: Shares collateral across positions for higher exposure
- Portfolio margin: Optimizes margin requirements based on overall portfolio risk
Like Margex and KCEX, BloFin is not registered as a UK crypto asset business with the FCA. However, it complies with the FCA’s rules on promoting crypto assets and provides the necessary risk warning for UK users to allow you to use the platform.
You can sign up with BloFin with basic KYC, which doesn’t require any personal identification or documents. This gives you a 20K $USDT withdrawal limit, no limits on futures, and maximum leverage.
BloFin guarantees the safety and accessibility of your cryptocurrency assets by holding a 1:1 reserve of all users’ funds on its platform.
BloFin also integrates with Fireblocks, a leading cold wallet infrastructure provider. This partnership means BloFin stores all funds using industry-grade security protocols, multisig cold storage, and advanced encryption.
Alongside this, it works with Chainalysis, an American blockchain analysis platform, to offer you peace of mind through real-time monitoring of fraud and suspicious activity.
Pros
– Offers 150x on futures trading
– Free signal trading bot for automatic trades
– Assets are stored in cold storage
– Supports 400+ cryptocurrencies
– Security partnerships with Fireblocks and Chainalysis
Cons
– Not FCA registered
– Signal bot requires TradingView strategy knowledge
Visit the official BloFin website today.
5. Kraken – Trusted, FCA-Registered Exchange With Pro Trading Tools and DeFi Access
- Year launched: 2013
- Spot trading fees: 0.250% maker, 0.400% taker
- Number of cryptocurrencies supported: 370+
- Rewards program: Get 20 USDG per friend you refer
- Accessibility: Android, iOS, desktop
Kraken is an FCA-registered crypto exchange that offers 370+ crypto assets to UK customers. It’s one of the industry’s long-standing big names, serving 13M customers across 190 countries.
Kraken offers two core interfaces:
- Kraken: The standard app for simple crypto purchases and tracking
- Kraken Pro: A powerful trading environment for professionals
Kraken Pro allows you to play with advanced order types, improved charts, and lower fees on all current and upcoming Kraken listings.
If you want to explore Web3, Kraken Ink, the exchange’s Ethereum Layer-2 network, provides access to a growing collection of dApps (decentralized apps) like SuperSwap, GM, and Velodrome. The platform also offers tools for bridging cross-chains, visualizing data, and even the Kraken Wallet.
The Kraken Wallet is a self-custodial (where you control your keys) multi-chain wallet. It allows you to safely store and secure your crypto and gain access to the decentralized web.
Beyond DeFi, Kraken also offers staking on 18+ crypto assets. Anyone looking to earn passive income can get up to 16% APY. Some notable eligible assets are $ADA (2% to 5%), $SOL (4% to 7%), and $DOT (5 to 9%).
Kraken is one of the best exchanges in the UK for buying crypto from fiat. UK users can deposit GBP via Apple Pay, Google Pay, or credit card. This enables you to make instant buys and sells with GBP, saving time converting currencies or using third parties. However, these may incur a platform fee of 3.75% and a small transaction fee.
Kraken also heavily invests in providing education on crypto, which aligns with FCA guidance. Through Kraken Learn, it offers in-depth guides, videos, and market insights, helping new users learn about the industry and grow their knowledge.
Pros
– FCA-registered in the UK
– Staking rewards on 18+ assets with APYs up to 16%
– Access dApps, DeFi, and self-custody via Kraken Wallet
– Lower fees, advanced tools, and deep liquidity with Pro
– Excellent educational content via Kraken Learn
Cons
– High trading fees unless using Pro
– Fiat purchase fees can be high (3.75%)
How to Pick The Best UK Crypto Exchange
When you’re trying to choose the best UK crypto exchange, there are a few factors you should consider.
Regulatory compliance
Check if the exchange is registered with the FCA and meets the necessary UK AML requirements. While some platforms on our list aren’t FCA-approved, they still comply with the FCA’s rules on promoting crypto assets to UK users and display appropriate risk warnings.
Trading fees
Dig into the fees, making sure you find any hidden ones. Consider the maker/taker fees for executing trades, along with any potential charges for withdrawals or purchasing crypto with fiat.
Available cryptocurrencies
Not all of the best crypto exchange platforms in the UK offer the same assets. Some will offer hundreds, if not thousands, of cryptocurrencies. Others will just focus on the major players like $BTC, $ETH, $SOL, and $USDT. Make sure your platform offers a suitable variety for your needs.
Payment methods
Does the exchange support GBP deposits via bank transfer, debit card, or PayPal? Investigate the platform’s accepted payment methods to make sure they align with your preference. Some will offer Apple Pay or Google Pay for convenience and speed.
Security
Check to see if the exchange offers adequate protection like cold storage, 2FA, biometric login, and insurance on your assets. These are key in keeping your crypto safe.
Accessibility
Does the exchange offer a mobile app? If so, is it user-friendly? Being able to access your assets and make trades on the go is important if there are any wild price fluctuations, as is often the case with crypto.
Reputation
Dig into online crypto forums and check reviews on reputable sites. This will help you better understand what like-minded individuals truly think of the platform.
Liquidity
You’ll want to pick an exchange with high liquidity. This allows you to execute trades faster and with less slippage, which is important if you’re an active or high-volume trader.
These are also the factors our team of crypto experts considered when putting together this list of the best UK crypto exchanges.
The Best Crypto Exchange Platforms in the UK Compared
Still deciding which crypto exchange is best for the UK and suits your trading style? Below is a quick side-by-side comparison of the top crypto exchanges in the UK. This should help you make a more informed choice based on key features like spot trading fees, crypto support, rewards, and accessibility.
Platform | Year Launched | Spot Trading Fees | No. Supported Crypto | Rewards Program | Accessibility |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
OKX | 2017 | 0.080% maker, 0.100% taker | 40+ | Varied rewards for completing tasks | Android, iOS, desktop |
Margex | 2019 | 0.019% maker, 0.060% taker | 55+ | Up to $10,000 sign up | Android, APK, iOS, desktop |
KCEX | 2021 | 0.000% maker, 0.000% taker | 500+ | Up to $370 for completing tasks | Android, iOS, desktop |
BloFin | 2019 | 0.100% maker, 0.100% taker | 400+ | Win up to $5,000 | Android, iOS, desktop |
Kraken | 2013 | 0.250% maker, 0.400% taker | 370+ | 20 USDG per friend referred | Android, iOS, desktop |
Getting Started With a UK Crypto Exchange
You can get started with the UK’s best crypto exchanges in minutes. Let’s walk you through this simple process.
1. Navigate to the Exchange Website
Go to your selected UK crypto exchange and click ‘Sign Up.’ In this example, we’ll be using our top choice, OKX.
2. Enter Your Email Address
The OKX website makes it easy to sign up. Simply enter your email address and click the ‘Try OKX’ button.
3. Select Your Country
You will then be prompted to select your residence country in the ‘Country/Region’ field. You’ll also need to read the terms of service and acknowledge you’ve read it before selecting ‘Next.’
You must then confirm that you’ve entered the right country, as the country must match your ID or proof of address.
Note: You can also insert a referral code if you received one from a friend.
4. Confirm Email Address & Phone Number
After clicking ‘Sign Up,’ you’ll receive a six-digit registration verification code in your email. You’ll have ten minutes to enter this.
You’ll then need to do the same with your phone. Enter your phone number and select ‘Verify now.’
Enter your six-digit registration verification code to continue.
5. Enter a Password
Now, enter a password in the ‘Password’ field to secure your account. The password must be a combination of numbers, letters, symbols, and lowercase and uppercase letters.
Make sure you save this password somewhere safe and never share it with anyone.
6. Verify Your Account & Start Trading
After successfully creating your account, you’ll need to verify your identity. This will require ID and selfie verification, as well as your personal information.
After verifying your account, you will be able to access the dashboard to make a deposit and start trading.
Conclusion – The Best Crypto Exchange UK
Finding the best crypto exchange in the UK will depend on your specific trading needs. Whether you want a beginner-friendly platform or one with advanced trading tools, you’ll need to be sure the exchange offers your preferred features.
Our expert team has analyzed dozens of platforms and has highlighted some of the best crypto exchanges in the UK. For instance, if you want an FCA-registered exchange that integrates with TradingView, OKX may be your pick.
If you’re a beginner who wants the ease of copy-trading, Margex could be the one for you. Or, perhaps you’re a frequent trader who wants the 0% fees KCEX offers on your trades.
As always, this article is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice. Please DYOR before choosing a crypto exchange in the UK.
FAQs
1. Which crypto exchange has the lowest fees in the UK?
KCEX offers the lowest trading fees for UK users, with 0% on both maker and taker fees on spot trades and just 0.02% taker fees on futures. It’s a no-KYC platform, making it ideal for privacy-conscious traders who want to minimize their trading fees.
2. What is the best app to buy cryptocurrency in the UK?
OKX tops our list for being FCA-registered and offering TradingView integration. Margex is suitable for beginners, as you can copy-trade professional traders. Alternatively, if you want zero trading fees on over 500 assets, then KCEX is a suitable pick. Ultimately, the decision depends on your specific crypto trading preferences.
3. Is Coinbase allowed in the UK?
Yes, Coinbase is allowed in the UK and is registered with the FCA as a crypto asset business. This allows Coinbase to offer cryptocurrency and fiat services to UK customers. However, some features, like derivatives, may be restricted due to UK regulations. You should always check the latest compliance updates directly on Coinbase.
4. Which is the most reliable crypto exchange?
Kraken and OKX are both considered highly reliable as both are FCA-registered in the UK. Kraken has a spotless security record, while OKX serves millions of users with strong security protocols like OKX Protect and independent audits. Both platforms have trusted reputations and consistent uptime, making them dependable choices for UK traders.