Crypto exchange comparison: head-to-heads for EU residents
Pick two exchanges and see who wins for which goal, what each costs on real amounts, and whether it may serve you under MiCA. An exchange without an EU licence never wins for EU residents.
All comparisons
Each comparison shows who wins for which goal, the costs side by side, and whether each provider is licensed in the EU.
Binance vs Bitget
EU residents should pick neither: Binance has no MiCA licence and only allows withdrawals, and Bitget has only applied for one. Outside the EU, Binance is cheaper with a larger protection fund; Bitget suits copy traders who accept the risk after its September 2026 hack.
Binance vs Bybit
Living in the EU? Pick Bybit: Bybit EU holds an Austrian MiCA licence, while Binance has none and has limited EU accounts to withdrawals since 1 July 2026. Outside the EU, Binance has the lower 0.10% spot fee and more coins, but the heavier regulatory record.
Binance vs Coinbase
Living in the EU? Pick Coinbase: it holds a MiCA licence from Luxembourg, while Binance has none and has limited EU accounts to withdrawals since 1 July 2026. Outside the EU, Binance is far cheaper (0.10% against 0.60%/1.20% on Coinbase Advanced) but has the heavier regulatory record.
Binance vs Crypto.com
Living in the EU? Pick Crypto.com: it holds a Maltese MiCA licence, while Binance has none and has limited EU users to withdrawals since 1 July 2026. Outside the EU, Binance has the lower 0.10% spot fee and more coins; Crypto.com suits app and card users, including in the US.
Binance vs Gate.io (Gate)
EU residents should pick Gate: Gate EU is MiCA-licensed in Malta, while Binance has no licence and only allows withdrawals. Outside the EU, Binance is cheaper with BNB and has the larger protection fund, while Gate's global platform lists far more tokens.
Binance vs Gemini
Living in the EU? Neither: Binance has no MiCA licence and is withdrawal-only for EU users, and Gemini closed all EEA accounts on 6 April 2026. In the US, Gemini is the one you can use; elsewhere, Binance is far cheaper (0.10% against 0.60% to 1.20%) but has the heavier record.
Binance vs Kraken
Living in the EU? Pick Kraken: it holds an Irish MiCA licence, while Binance has none and has limited EU accounts to withdrawals since 1 July 2026. Outside the EU, Binance is cheaper (0.10% against Kraken Pro's 0.40%/0.80%) but carries the heavier regulatory record.
Binance vs KuCoin
EU residents should pick neither: Binance has no MiCA licence and only lets EU users withdraw, and KuCoin's Austrian licence isn't operating yet. Outside the EU, KuCoin suits altcoin hunters, while Binance is cheaper on fees and withdrawals and runs a larger protection fund.
Binance vs OKX
EU residents should pick OKX: it holds a MiCA licence in Malta, while Binance has none and has limited EU users to withdrawals since 1 July 2026. Outside the EU, Binance offers more coins, a BNB fee discount and its SAFU fund, against a heavier regulatory record.
Bitget vs Crypto.com
Living in the EU? Pick Crypto.com: it holds a Maltese MiCA licence, while Bitget has only applied, bars Germany, France and Austria, and was hacked in September 2026. Outside the EU, Bitget is cheaper (0.10% spot) and offers copy trading and futures; Crypto.com also serves the US and the UK.
Bitget vs Gemini
Living in the EU? Neither: Bitget has no MiCA licence and bars Germany, France and Austria, and Gemini closed all EEA accounts on 6 April 2026. In the US only Gemini serves you; elsewhere Bitget is far cheaper and offers copy trading, but it was hacked in September 2026.
Bybit vs Bitget
Living in the EU? Pick Bybit: Bybit EU holds an Austrian MiCA licence, while Bitget has only applied, bars Germany, France and Austria, and was hacked in September 2026. Outside the EU, Bitget's global platform is cheaper for spot trades (0.10%) and built around copy trading; neither serves the US.
Bybit vs Crypto.com
Both can serve EU residents under MiCA, so pick by cost and features. Bybit EU is cheaper for simple buys, at a flat 0.25% (€2.50 on €1,000); Crypto.com has more coins, published euro fees, tokenised US stocks and service in the US and UK.
Bybit vs Gate.io (Gate)
Both can serve EU residents under MiCA, but neither serves the US. Gate EU is cheaper (0.10%, or €1.00 on €1,000) and lists about four times as many coins; Bybit EU charges 0.25% but publishes more about deposits and offers card top-ups, 24/7 support and spot margin.
Bybit vs Gemini
Living in the EU? Pick Bybit: Bybit EU holds an Austrian MiCA licence, while Gemini closed all EEA and UK accounts on 6 April 2026. In the US it's the reverse: Bybit excludes US persons, so only Gemini, a New York-regulated exchange with higher fees, can serve you.
Bybit vs KuCoin
Living in the EU? Pick Bybit: Bybit EU holds an Austrian MiCA licence and is operating, while KuCoin EU may not start business yet and the Netherlands is restricted. Outside the EU, KuCoin suits altcoin hunters with 800+ coins and 0.10% spot fees, against a heavier regulatory record. Neither serves the US.
Bybit vs OKX
Both are MiCA-licensed, so EU readers can choose on cost and products. Pick OKX if you'll open its X-Perps account: spot fees drop to 0.08%/0.10%, and you get EU-regulated futures, free SEPA withdrawals and 270+ coins. Pick Bybit EU for one flat 0.25% fee without a derivatives account.
Coinbase vs Bitget
Living in the EU or the US? Pick Coinbase: it holds a MiCA licence from Luxembourg and serves the US, while Bitget has only applied for a MiCA licence, bars Germany, France and the US, and was hacked in September 2026. Elsewhere, Bitget is far cheaper and offers copy trading.
Coinbase vs Bybit
Both are MiCA-licensed, so EU readers can choose on cost and products. Pick Bybit EU for the lower spot fee (0.25% against 0.60%/1.20% on Coinbase Advanced); pick Coinbase for free SEPA withdrawals, 400+ coins against 100+, EU futures and a Nasdaq-listed parent.
Coinbase vs Crypto.com
Both are MiCA-licensed for EU residents. Pick Crypto.com for lower trading fees, with its Exchange at 0.25% maker / 0.50% taker against 0.60% / 1.20% on Coinbase Advanced; pick Coinbase for free euro withdrawals, audited public accounts and futures for Advanced users.
Coinbase vs Gate.io (Gate)
Both are MiCA-licensed and live in the EU. Pick Gate for far lower spot fees and a long altcoin list; pick Coinbase for free published SEPA transfers, EU futures, US and UK access and a listed parent company, and accept higher fees.
Coinbase vs Gemini
If you live in the EU or UK, pick Coinbase: Gemini closed all accounts there on 6 April 2026. In the US, both order books start at 0.60% maker / 1.20% taker; Coinbase lists far more coins, while Gemini publishes its full fee schedule with lower tiers from $10,000 of monthly volume.
Coinbase vs Kraken
Both are MiCA-licensed, so EU readers can choose on cost and features. Pick Kraken for lower order-book fees (0.40%/0.80% against 0.60%/1.20%), more coins and a clearer route to EU futures; pick Coinbase for free euro withdrawals and the transparency of a Nasdaq-listed company.
Coinbase vs KuCoin
Living in the EU or the US? Pick Coinbase: it holds a MiCA licence from Luxembourg and serves the US, while KuCoin EU may not operate yet and KuCoin restricts the US and the Netherlands. Elsewhere, KuCoin has lower fees (0.10% against up to 1.20%) and twice as many coins.
Coinbase vs OKX
Both are MiCA-licensed, so EU readers can choose on cost and features. Pick OKX for much lower fees (0.10% taker with an X-Perps account, against 1.20% on Coinbase Advanced) and EU futures; pick Coinbase for a simpler app, 400+ coins, phone support and a Nasdaq-listed parent.
Crypto.com vs Gemini
If you live in the EU or UK, pick Crypto.com: Gemini closed all accounts there on 6 April 2026. In the US, Crypto.com has lower published order-book fees and more coins, while Gemini suits buyers who want a New York-regulated custodian and accept higher fees.
DEGIRO vs Trade Republic
Pick Trade Republic for a monthly ETF plan at €0 per execution and automatic tax in Germany and Belgium. Pick DEGIRO if you place your own orders and want options, futures or around 50 exchanges.
Gate.io (Gate) vs Bitget
EU residents should pick Gate: Gate EU is MiCA-licensed in Malta and open for business, while Bitget has only applied for a licence, bars Germany and France, and was hacked in September 2026. Outside the EU, Bitget suits copy traders and futures traders who accept that risk.
Gate.io (Gate) vs Crypto.com
Both are MiCA-licensed in Malta and open to EU residents. Pick Gate for far lower trading fees on altcoins; pick Crypto.com for published euro fees, a prepaid Visa card, 24/7 live chat and access in the UK and US, and accept higher fees and a heavier record.
Gate.io (Gate) vs Gemini
If you live in the EU, pick Gate: Gemini closed all EEA and UK accounts on 6 April 2026, while Gate EU is MiCA-licensed in Malta. In the US, Gemini is the reviewed option, a NYDFS-regulated custodian with high entry fees; Gate's global platform restricts the US.
Kraken vs Bitget
Living in the EU or the US? Pick Kraken: it holds an Irish MiCA licence and serves the US outside New York, while Bitget has only applied for a MiCA licence, bars Germany, France and the US, and was hacked in September 2026. Elsewhere, Bitget's 0.10% spot fee undercuts Kraken Pro's 0.40%/0.80%.
Kraken vs Bybit
Both are MiCA-licensed. Pick Bybit EU for the cheapest spot trading of the two (0.25% flat against Kraken Pro's 0.40%/0.80%); pick Kraken for EU-regulated futures, 600+ assets against 100+, seven fiat currencies and a record without a major hack in our sources.
Kraken vs Crypto.com
Both are MiCA-licensed for EU residents. Pick Crypto.com for the lowest order-book and app fees and a card-first app; pick Kraken for more coins, far cheaper bitcoin withdrawals, a 2026 proof of reserves and regulated futures in the EU.
Kraken vs Gate.io (Gate)
Both are MiCA-licensed and open to EU residents. Pick Gate for 0.10% spot fees; pick Kraken for more coins, published euro fees, EU-regulated futures, a 2026 proof of reserves and access in the UK and US, at 0.40% / 0.80% on Kraken Pro.
Kraken vs Gemini
If you live in the EU or UK, pick Kraken: Gemini closed all accounts there on 6 April 2026. In the US, Kraken has lower entry-tier fees and far more coins, while Gemini is the option for New York residents and buyers who want a New York-regulated custodian.
Kraken vs KuCoin
EU residents should pick Kraken: it is MiCA-licensed in Ireland and open, while KuCoin EU holds an Austrian licence but may not start operating, and the Netherlands is restricted. Outside the EU, KuCoin's global platform has more coins and 0.10% spot fees, against a 2020 hack and a US guilty plea.
Kraken vs OKX
Both are MiCA-licensed and open to EU residents. Pick OKX for the lowest spot fees and free SEPA withdrawals, if you accept opening an X-Perps account and a 2025 US guilty plea; pick Kraken for more coins and fiat currencies, a lighter regulatory record and UK access, at 0.40% / 0.80%.
KuCoin vs Bitget
EU residents should pick neither for now: KuCoin's Austrian MiCA licence isn't operating yet and Bitget has only applied. Outside the EU, KuCoin suits altcoin hunters and Bitget suits copy traders who accept the risk after its September 2026 hack.
KuCoin vs Crypto.com
EU residents should pick Crypto.com: it is MiCA-licensed in Malta and open for sign-ups, while KuCoin EU's Austrian licence isn't operating yet and the Netherlands is restricted. Outside the EU and the US, KuCoin suits traders who want 0.10% fees, 800+ coins and futures; Crypto.com suits app users who want a card.
KuCoin vs Gate.io (Gate)
EU residents should pick Gate: Gate EU is MiCA-licensed in Malta and open, while KuCoin EU holds an Austrian licence but may not start operating, and the Netherlands is restricted. Outside the EU both charge 0.10% on spot; KuCoin publishes its futures and bitcoin withdrawal fees, and Gate's global platform lists more tokens.
KuCoin vs Gemini
Living in the EU? Pick neither: KuCoin EU's Austrian licence isn't operating yet and Gemini closed all EEA and UK accounts on 6 April 2026. In the US only Gemini serves you; elsewhere KuCoin is far cheaper and lists 800+ coins, but carries a 2025 US guilty plea.
OKX vs Bitget
EU residents should pick OKX: it is MiCA-licensed in Malta and offers regulated futures, while Bitget has only applied for a licence, bars Germany, France and Austria, and was hacked in September 2026. Outside the EU and the US, Bitget leads on copy trading and its BGB fee discount, against a weaker security record.
OKX vs Crypto.com
Both are MiCA-licensed in Malta, so EU residents can use either. Pick OKX if you trade actively and want low fees and regulated futures; pick Crypto.com if you want a simple app with a Visa card and more coins, and accept higher fees.
OKX vs Gate.io (Gate)
Both are MiCA-licensed in Malta, so EU residents can use either. Pick OKX if you want regulated futures, free SEPA transfers and published fiat fees; pick Gate if you want more altcoins and a flat 0.10% spot fee without opening a derivatives account.
OKX vs Gemini
EU residents should pick OKX: it holds a MiCA licence in Malta, while Gemini closed all EEA and UK accounts on 6 April 2026. In the US, where OKX runs a separate platform, Gemini offers NYDFS-regulated custody and a Nasdaq listing, but its entry fees of 0.60% / 1.20% are high.
OKX vs KuCoin
EU residents should pick OKX: it is MiCA-licensed in Malta and operating, while KuCoin EU's Austrian licence isn't in use yet and the Netherlands is restricted. Outside the EU and the US, KuCoin suits altcoin traders with 800+ coins and a flat 0.10% spot fee, while OKX has cheaper futures and Bitcoin withdrawals.
Trade Republic vs Scalable Capital
Both charge €0 per ETF savings plan and withhold German tax. Pick Trade Republic if you live outside Scalable's six countries or want real crypto; pick Scalable Capital if you trade often with PRIME+ or want robo-advice.
A crypto exchange comparison is only useful if both exchanges can legally serve you. Every comparison above puts two cryptocurrency exchanges side by side for someone living in the EU: licence first, then what you pay to buy and sell digital currencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, then what you can trade. We use only data from the exchanges’ own fee pages and ESMA’s interim MiCA register, checked on 23 October 2026.
Unlike an exchange ranking by trading volume, which measures size, our comparisons measure what a cryptocurrency exchange costs you and whether it may serve you. Crypto assets and other digital assets are volatile, cryptocurrency trading can lose you all the money you put in, and a comparison can’t tell you whether to buy.
How to read a crypto exchange comparison
Read each comparison in five steps: licence, the winner for your goal, costs at your amount, what you can trade, and the catch. The summary at the top gives you the answer in two sentences; the steps tell you whether it fits you.
- Licence first. The facts table shows whether each exchange holds a MiCA licence and serves EU residents. If one side doesn’t, it can’t win for you, whatever its fees: in Binance vs Kraken, Kraken wins for EU residents because Binance has no MiCA licence and EU users can only withdraw.
- The winner for your goal, not overall. Each comparison names a winner for four to six goals, such as lowest spot fees, euro deposits or crypto derivatives. A tie means the difference is too small to matter.
- Costs at your amount. Check the maker and taker fees for the order type you’ll use, how you deposit funds and which payment method you’ll pay with, and the other fees: card deposits, withdrawals and instant-buy premiums. A complex fee structure can make a low headline rate expensive on €100.
- What you can trade. Coins and trading pairs, staking, margin trading, copy trading and derivatives differ for EU users. For experienced traders, OKX offers MiFID-regulated futures to retail and institutional investors, Kraken and Coinbase offer futures with limits, and Bitvavo, Bybit EU and Gate EU don’t offer crypto derivatives to EU users at all.
- The catch. Every comparison names the regulatory compliance record: hacks, fines and how customer assets are held.
Crypto trading fees on MiCA-licensed crypto platforms
Seven of the crypto exchanges we review hold a MiCA licence and serve EU residents today. Their entry-tier spot fees range from 0.10% to 1.20% for a market order, so €1 to €12 on a €1,000 buy.
| Exchange | Home regulator | Maker | Taker | €1,000 market order |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OKX (with X-Perps) | MFSA (Malta) | 0.08% | 0.10% | €1.00 |
| Gate EU | MFSA (Malta) | 0.10% | 0.10% | €1.00 |
| Bitvavo | AFM (Netherlands) | 0.15% | 0.25% | €2.50 |
| Bybit EU | FMA (Austria) | 0.25% | 0.25% | €2.50 |
| Crypto.com Exchange | MFSA (Malta) | 0.25% | 0.50% | €5.00 |
| Kraken Pro | Central Bank of Ireland | 0.40% | 0.80% | €8.00 |
| Coinbase Advanced | CSSF (Luxembourg) | 0.60% | 1.20% | €12.00 |
How the sums work: a market order pays the taker fee, so €1,000 × 0.25% = €2.50 at Bitvavo and €1,000 × 0.80% = €8.00 on Kraken Pro. A limit order that waits in the order book pays the maker fee instead: €4.00 on Kraken Pro. Without an X-Perps account, OKX charges 0.20% and 0.35%.
These are fees before volume discounts, which apply as your trading volume grows. Instant buys in each crypto app cost more, such as 1% in the Kraken app and 0.8% in the Crypto.com app, plus a spread. For deposit and withdrawal costs, see our crypto exchange fees comparison.
Key features of the best cryptocurrency exchange for you
The best crypto exchange for you is the licensed cryptocurrency platform that fits how you trade. Beyond fees, compare these key features:
- Coins, trading pairs and liquidity: Bitvavo lists 450+ coins in euros and OKX 270+ assets with euro pairs. Small coins with a low market cap trade with less liquidity, so prices move more on each order.
- Security: Kraken’s proof of reserves was last checked on a 30 June 2026 snapshot, OKX publishes one every month, and Bybit lost about $1.5bn in ETH in a February 2025 hack.
- Payment method: SEPA deposits are free at Bitvavo, Kraken, Coinbase and OKX; card deposits cost 1.00% at Bitvavo, 1.99% at OKX and 3.99% at Crypto.com.
- Derivatives: only relevant for crypto traders who understand leverage. Most retail traders lose money with it.
Buying Bitcoin, Ethereum or altcoins: which comparison to read first
Start with the comparison that matches what you want to do:
- Buying crypto or Bitcoin with euros for the first time: Coinbase vs Kraken, two large exchanges with free SEPA deposits; Kraken Pro charges less per trade.
- Active trading and low fees: Kraken vs OKX or Bybit vs OKX, for experienced traders who compare order types, liquidity and derivatives.
- An app with a card: Kraken vs Crypto.com.
- Altcoins beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum: Kraken vs Gate.
- Stocks and ETFs instead: DEGIRO vs Trade Republic.
Bitvavo has no head-to-head page yet; the Bitvavo review covers it on its own.
Crypto exchanges we compare but don’t recommend
Many comparisons include Binance, KuCoin, Bitget, MEXC or Gemini, because people search for them. For EU residents the outcome is the same each time: Binance has no MiCA licence, KuCoin EU may not start operating yet, Bitget has only applied for a licence, MEXC has no licence and an AFM warning, and Gemini closed all EEA accounts on 6 April 2026. The comparisons still explain the differences, which helps if you live outside the EU or want to move your coins.
Whichever exchange wins, protect your account with two-factor authentication. For security, keep long-term Bitcoin and other digital assets in a crypto wallet you control rather than on any platform. Our reviews explain the scores behind each verdict.
Questions people ask
Which crypto exchange is best for EU residents?
For most EU residents, Bitvavo: 0.15% maker and 0.25% taker on euro pairs, free SEPA deposits and withdrawals, and a MiCA licence from the Dutch AFM. Kraken suits advanced traders who want futures under EU rules. See our best crypto exchanges for EU residents.
What is better than Coinbase?
On cost, several licensed exchanges charge less than the 1.20% taker fee on Coinbase Advanced at the entry tier: Bitvavo and Bybit EU charge 0.25% and Kraken Pro 0.80%. Coinbase's rate comes from its in-app table and may differ for EU accounts.
Who is the cheapest crypto exchange?
Among MiCA-licensed exchanges, OKX has the lowest entry-tier spot fees (0.08% maker, 0.10% taker) if you open an X-Perps account, and Gate EU charges 0.10% on both sides. Bitvavo costs a little more per trade but has free SEPA deposits and withdrawals.
What are the top 3 crypto exchanges?
By our overall score for EU residents: Bitvavo (8.1), Kraken (7.6) and OKX (7.4). All three hold a MiCA licence and serve the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium and Ireland.
Why do some comparisons include exchanges without a MiCA licence?
Because people search for them. Each comparison explains the differences, but an exchange that can't legally serve EU residents, such as Binance, never wins a goal for EU readers.