Best Crypto Exchanges UK (Updated 2025)
Tea, crumpets, and crypto, true British staples, right? It would appear that way, given how popular crypto is in the UK and how friendly cryptocurrency exchanges are to the British. Aside from crypto derivatives trading, which is banned in the UK, there is pretty much a full range of exchanges and services to pick from. Furthermore, despite not being in the EU anymore, UK residents can still own SEPA bank accounts if they wish to conduct activity in Euros and Pound Sterling.
Another positive position the UK has taken is being transparent and providing well-defined information on the taxation and legality of digital currencies. Rather than taking an ambiguous or grey-area approach, hovering around the idea of banning cryptocurrencies entirely as some other nations have done, or over-regulating and sucking the fun out of it (*cough* America *cough*), the UK got on board early and saw the massive potential and benefits it could bring to their shores.
So, knowing what we know, which is the best place to buy and trade Bitcoin in the UK?
Ranking Methodology – How We Decided Which Exchanges to Consider
Our Top-Ranked UK Crypto Exchanges
Below is a rankings list of crypto exchanges that are commonly cited as among the best for UK users, based on the methodology outlined previously. The ranking takes into account factors such as regulatory compliance, security, liquidity, fee structures, user interface, and customer support. That said, this list is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Always conduct your own research and consider your individual needs before making any decisions.
1. Coinbase

- Regulatory Standing: Registered with the FCA for cryptoasset business.
- Security: Offers two-factor authentication (2FA), cold storage, and has insurance for digital assets.
- Liquidity & Volume: Known for high trading volumes, especially in major cryptocurrencies.
- Fees: Straightforward, though not the lowest; Coinbase Pro offers more competitive fee tiers.
- User Interface: Beginner-friendly interface with a separate, more advanced trading platform (Coinbase Pro).
- Customer Support: Generally responsive through email and chat, though experiences vary.
Why It Ranks #1
Coinbase is one of the longest-established names in crypto and places strong emphasis on compliance and security, making it a dependable choice for both novice and experienced UK traders.
2. Binance

- Regulatory Standing: Engaged with the FCA; certain features for UK users have undergone adjustments to meet local regulations.
- Security: High-level security features (e.g., multi-factor authentication, withdrawal whitelist).
- Liquidity & Volume: Often the world’s highest-volume exchange, offering extremely deep liquidity.
- Fees: Among the lowest trading fees, especially for high-volume traders.
- User Interface: Offers a feature-rich trading interface for advanced users, plus a simpler “Convert” option for newcomers.
- Customer Support: Has improved over time, offering live chat; can still be overwhelmed during peak market activity.
Why It Ranks #2
Binance excels in liquidity, coin variety, and low fees. However, UK users should keep updated on regulatory changes affecting specific services.
3. Kraken
- Regulatory Standing: Committed to compliance across multiple jurisdictions, including the UK.
- Security: Rigorously tested security architecture; 95%+ funds kept in cold storage.
- Liquidity & Volume: High volume for top crypto pairs like BTC/GBP, ETH/GBP, etc.
- Fees: Competitive maker-taker structure, with potentially lower fees than many mainstream competitors.
- User Interface: Advanced trading tools, margin trading, and a “simple buy” feature for beginners.
- Customer Support: 24/7 live chat and email support; reputation for relatively fast response times.
Why It Ranks #3
Kraken is a solid option for traders who want more advanced functionality alongside robust compliance and security. It’s also well-suited to margin and futures traders.
4. Gemini
- Regulatory Standing: A New York trust company that aligns with strict compliance in both the US and the UK.
- Security: Emphasizes institutional-grade security, insurance on hot wallets for select crypto holdings.
- Liquidity & Volume: Lower volume than Binance or Coinbase but still robust for major assets like BTC and ETH.
- Fees: Straightforward but can be higher than some competitors; volume-based incentives on Gemini ActiveTrader.
- User Interface: Very user-friendly platform with an advanced interface option for active traders.
- Customer Support: Known for relatively responsive support and a transparent help center.
Why It Ranks #4
Gemini’s focus on regulatory compliance and security make it particularly appealing for cautious UK investors willing to trade slightly higher fees for peace of mind.
5. Bitstamp
- Regulatory Standing: One of the longest-running crypto exchanges, fully regulated in the EU and compliant with UK norms.
- Security: A pioneer in security standards, including multi-sig wallets and strong AML/KYC procedures.
- Liquidity & Volume: Consistent volume across major currency pairs (BTC, ETH, XRP).
- Fees: Competitive maker-taker fees for higher-volume traders, though can be higher at lower volumes.
- User Interface: Offers a straightforward, no-frills trading dashboard; mobile app is user-friendly.
- Customer Support: Notable for a relatively quick and personalized support experience.
Why It Ranks #5
Bitstamp is a veteran exchange known for reliability and strong regulatory track record, appealing to those who value simplicity and long-term stability.
6. eToro
- Regulatory Standing: Authorized and regulated by the FCA for its brokerage services; crypto services operate under these parameters.
- Security: Has standard protections like 2FA; funds are generally held in segregated accounts.
- Liquidity & Volume: Sufficient for mainstream crypto assets, but not as deep for less popular tokens.
- Fees: Uses spread-based fees for crypto trades, which can be less transparent compared to maker-taker schedules.
- User Interface: Renowned for social trading features and a sleek platform design; ideal for beginners.
- Customer Support: Offers live chat and a ticket system; community forums also provide a quick way to address common questions.
Why It Ranks #6
eToro stands out for its social trading aspect, letting users mimic successful traders’ strategies. It’s more of a multi-asset broker with a crypto component than a pure exchange.
7. OKX
- Regulatory Standing: Global exchange subject to varied regulations; UK users should confirm which specific services are accessible locally.
- Security: Offers multi-factor authentication, anti-phishing codes, and cold storage.
- Liquidity & Volume: High daily volumes, especially for BTC and ETH.
- Fees: Low transaction fees with tiered discounts for higher-volume traders.
- User Interface: An extensive suite of trading tools, including spot, margin, and derivatives markets.
- Customer Support: 24/7 live chat; response times can vary depending on market volatility periods.
Why It Ranks #7
OKX caters to serious traders looking for a broad range of markets and tools, though some features may be restricted depending on the user’s location.
8. Uphold
- Regulatory Standing: Uphold is registered with the FCA as an EMD Agent, offering multiple fiat on-ramps for UK users.
- Security: Zero-access encryption for user data, strict KYC/AML protocols.
- Liquidity & Volume: Decent liquidity for major cryptocurrencies and tokenized assets, but not on par with the largest exchanges.
- Fees: Charges vary by payment method; has a transparent fee schedule but can be higher than dedicated crypto exchanges.
- User Interface: Focus on simplicity—buying, selling, and holding crypto alongside precious metals, stocks, and more.
- Customer Support: Email and ticket-based support, with a user-focused knowledge base.
Why It Ranks #8
Uphold is a multi-asset platform that appeals to investors seeking exposure across different asset classes, though it may not offer the advanced trading tools of larger exchanges.
Honorable Mentions
- Luno: Especially popular in certain regions, offers a simple interface and direct GBP deposits.
- Huobi: Large global player, though some features might be geographically restricted.
- CEX.IO: London-based exchange with a lengthy track record and FCA-registered status.
Important Reminders
- Regulatory Environment: The FCA and other authorities continue to adjust regulations for cryptoasset businesses. Ensure any exchange you use complies with the most current guidelines.
- Security is Paramount: Always enable 2FA (or multi-factor authentication where available) and use strong passwords and withdrawal whitelists.
- Fees & Terms Can Change: Exchanges often revise their fee structures or introduce new features; stay updated by checking the official website.
- Do Your Own Research (DYOR): Beyond these highlights, dive deeper into user reviews, support channels, and community sentiment before committing to a platform.
By applying the methodology—evaluating regulatory compliance, security, liquidity, fees, user interface, and customer support—you can more confidently narrow down the exchange that aligns with your needs and trading style.
What is ‘Faster Payments’ and why does it benefit British Traders?
Each of the crypto exchanges in this article uses a payment system called Faster Payments, which is used only for GBP deposits. Thanks to this service, these crypto exchanges can guarantee same-day deposits and withdrawals free of charge. Whether it’s wire transfers, Simplex, or bank deposits, there’s no other country or service that can get the same deposit speed, and for free, as British traders. The Faster Payments service is, however, only for UK residents. Non-UK traders can still engage with the GBP-to-crypto trading pairs, but they won’t be able to make deposits and withdrawals in GBP.
There you have it. Our top-rated UK exchanges. Each exchange has a lot to offer, so we wish you the best of luck out there.