In page navigation
- 1. Compare the 11 best cryptocurrency brokers in 2023
- 2. Top cryptocurrency brokers overall for 2023
- 3. What are the best crypto brokers?
- 4. Top 11 crypto brokers, reviewed
- 5. The top crypto brokers for your needs
- 6. What is a cryptocurrency broker?
- 7. What should I look for in a crypto broker?
- 8. Quick answers to key questions
- 9. Should I use brokers to buy and sell cryptocurrency?
- 10. Methodology: How we chose the best cryptocurrency brokers
- 11. FAQs
Compare the 11 best cryptocurrency brokers in 2023
Invezz is an independent platform with the goal of helping users achieve financial freedom. In order to fund our work, we partner with advertisers who compensate us for users that Invezz refers to their services. While our reviews and assessments of each product on the site are independent and unbiased, brands may pay to appear higher up our table rankings or place ads in specific areas of the site. The order in which products and services appear on Invezz does not represent an endorsement from us, and please be aware that there may be other platforms available to you than the products and services that appear on our website. Read more about how we make money >
We asked our team of experts, with decades of cryptocurrency experience between them, test the best crypto brokers and rate which ones came out on top.
This beginner-friendly guide breaks down the results to show you which platforms came top of the class, and explains how your trading style affect which is the best Bitcoin broker for you.
Top cryptocurrency brokers overall for 2023
- eToro: Best for beginners, copy-trading & demo-account
- Public: Best for sharing beginner trading ideas
- Bitstamp: Best for professionals & trading with APIs
- Uphold: Best for building long term wealth
- OKX: Best for futures and margin trading
- Nexo: Best for earning interest & rewards
- KuCoin: Best social trading altcoin exchange
What are the best crypto brokers?
Our experts ranked these brokers as the best places to trade crypto today. Sign up by following one of the links in the table or keep reading to find out more about each platform and why we rated it so highly.
77% of retail CFD accounts lose money.
Top 11 crypto brokers, reviewed
1. eToro. Best for beginners, copy-trading & demo-account
1500
No. assets
$10
Minimum deposit
Crypto
Platform type
Pros & Cons
Overview
We love eToro because it makes it simple to trade crypto at home or on the go. If you’ve never bought cryptocurrency before, then eToro makes it simple to buy 75+ of the leading coins, including the likes of Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Dogecoin. Every crypto trade comes with a flat 1% fee, which makes it one of the cheapest crypto brokers on the market to boot.
As well as being a broker that offers lots of investor protection, eToro offers a very social trading experience. You can easily see what’s trending on the crypto market every day, browse the latest technical analysis about every one of those tokens, and copy other people’s trade suggestions from your desktop or the eToro app.
The fees: You will be charged a 1% fee every time you buy or sell crypto. The charge is included in the market price that’s displayed on eToro. CFD trades may be charged an overnight or weekend fee if you leave the position open.
77% of retail CFD accounts lose money.
2. Public. Best for sharing beginner trading ideas
...
No. assets
...
Minimum deposit
Crypto
Platform type
Pros & Cons
Overview
We love Public because it’s a social platform where you can share trading tips and get ideas from other people. Public offers 9,000+ financial instruments, including cryptocurrencies and stocks from around the world.
Alongside a community of other investors all sharing their ideas, Public offers real time news and information so that you can see the full picture before you invest. And the assets don’t just include your run-of-the-mill assets; you can make alternative investments in things like handbags and comic books as well.
The fees: Cryptocurrency trades are charged a 2.5% fee per transaction.
3. Bitstamp. Best for professionals & trading with APIs
1
No. assets
...
Minimum deposit
Crypto
Platform type
Pros & Cons
Overview
We love Bitstamp because it has a proud reputation for top performance over more than decade. Bitstamp offers trading on 75+ cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin, while staking is available on Ethereum and Algorand.
Bitstamp was one of the first crypto platforms to set up shop in 2011 and has built up trust since. It’s designed with institutional traders in mind, so it prides itself on near 100% uptime. It stores 95% of assets in cold storage and offers a sliding scale of fees so that high volume traders get the best rates.
The fees: There are no trading fees if you trade less than $1,000 in a rolling 30-day period. Above that, fees start from 0.4% and decline the higher your trading volume is. There is a 15% charge for staking. Withdrawals are charged a flat €3 fee.
4. Uphold. Best for building long term wealth
...
No. assets
$1
Minimum deposit
Crypto
Platform type
Pros & Cons
Overview
We love Uphold because it’s a regulated and transparent digital asset platform. There are 160+ cryptocurrencies available to hold and trade, along with three fiat currencies; GBP, EUR, and USD.
Uphold’s key features include the ability to schedule transactions to avoid trying to time the market. With a focus on long term wealth building, Uphold also offers the ability to earn rewards of up to 25% on staked crypto, as well as 4% cashback paid in XRP for purchases made with the Uphold card.
The fees: Crypto spreads start from 0.9% and are usually lower than 1.3% for BTC and ETH. Other cryptocurrency spreads are higher. Average spreads on fiat currency are 0.2%. There is a $0.99 fee for transactions under $100 made with the Uphold card.
5. OKX. Best for futures and margin trading
...
No. assets
$50
Minimum deposit
Crypto
Platform type
Pros & Cons
Overview
We love OKX because it’s an adaptable and flexible exchange, with an app that’s available in three different versions depending on how you trade. Choose from the beginner-friendly Lite version, Web3 option for NFT traders, or the Pro version for a plethora of trading tools.
From an app or desktop you can trade 350+ crypto coins on one of the world’s top crypto exchanges. You can fund your account easily, through a variety of simple payment methods, and a sliding scale of fees that means you can access discounts by holding the OKB token or trading high volumes.
The fees: Regular users pay a 0.1% fee on spot crypto trades. OKB crypto holders are entitled to a discount, up to 0.02% off for holding more than 2,000 coins. High volume traders are also entitled to a discount, with the cheapest fees available for traders with a 30 day trading volume above $10,000,000,000.
6. Nexo. Best for earning interest & rewards
...
No. assets
...
Minimum deposit
Crypto
Platform type
Pros & Cons
Overview
We love Nexo because you earn rewards every time you make a purchase. You can trade 60+ cryptocurrencies and earn rewards of up to 0.5% on every transaction, then store your coins on Nexo to build your wealth through passive interest payments.
You can trade on the go from a mobile app and Nexo is designed for simplicity. Every trade is locked in at the rate you see on your screen, so you won’t suffer from price slippage, and it has the added bonus that any crypto held in your account automatically starts to earn interest.
The fees: Nexo charges a 2% spread on buy and sell transactions. There are no fees for storing coins in your Nexo account. Depending on your loyalty tier, you receive a fixed number of free withdrawals, and any additional withdrawals will be charged a network fee.
7. KuCoin. Best social trading altcoin exchange
1
No. assets
...
Minimum deposit
Crypto
Platform type
Pros & Cons
Overview
We love KuCoin because it;s a great place for beginners to trade more than 700 altcoins. KuCoin is a social trading platform with 20+ million investors worldwide in 200+ countries.
KuCoin’s beginner zone offers up rewards up to $500 for new users. The rest of the platform has plenty of features for the crypto enthusiast: a staking service to earn money on your stored crypto, an NFT marketplace, and margin trading features to buy leveraged tokens.
The fees: Trading fees are charged on a sliding scale. Fees are 0.1% on trading volumes below 50 BTC in a 30 day period. Discounts are available if you pay fees in KCS or store more than 1000 KCS in your account.
The top crypto brokers for your needs
What is the top cryptocurrency broker for beginners?
eToro is the best beginner-friendly platform for trading cryptocurrency. When you’re just starting out, you want to prioritise ease of use and get plenty of guidance. With eToro’s CopyTrader feature you can access both, and it boasts cheap trading fees as well.
| Crypto broker | Trading fees |
|---|---|
| eToro | 1% |
| Coinbase | 1% |
| Binance | From 0% |
What is the best broker for cryptocurrency trading?
BitPanda is our expert pick as the best broker to trade cryptocurrency. For those looking to make frequent moves, it’s essential to register for a broker that offers low trading fees and a variety of charting and analysis tools. BitPanda offers both, which makes it a great place to start your trading journey.
| Crypto broker | Trading fees |
|---|---|
| BitPanda | 1.49% |
| eToro | 1% |
| Coinbase | 1% |
What is the top cryptocurrency broker for long term investors?
Coinbase is the best broker for cryptocurrency trading combined with a secure storage facility. You can use Coinbase to buy and sell crypto, then keep your digital currencies safe in the Coinbase Wallet.
| Crypto broker | Trading fees | Dedicated wallet? |
|---|---|---|
| Coinbase | 1% | Yes |
| eToro | 1% | Yes |
| Binance | From 0% | Yes |
What is the best crypto broker for altcoins?
OKX has the largest range of coins on offer, so it should be your first port of call to buy altcoins. Many crypto brokers only list a limited number of digital currencies, so take advantage of the fact that OKX offers hundreds of them.
| Crypto broker | No. of coins |
|---|---|
| OKX | 360+ |
| Binance | 350+ |
| Coinbase | 200+ |
Read more: the best altcoin brokers
What is the best crypto broker for DeFi coins?
The leading decentralised finance (DeFi) coins are all available on eToro. DeFi coins have become some of the most popular cryptocurrencies on the market, and eToro has always been quick to add the best coins to their list of digital assets for sale. You can buy them on eToro very easily, and with low fees.
| Crypto broker | Trading fees |
|---|---|
| eToro | 1% |
| Coinbase | 1% |
| Binance | From 0% |
Read more: the best DeFi trading platforms
What is the best broker for staking coins?
eToro is the best bet for staking your coins without having to think much about it. You simply buy and store your coins on eToro and earn interest on coins once you pass the qualifying period – usually about ten days.
Just note that you may be better off financially if you use a dedicated staking platform, as opposed to a broker, as less of your money is lost in fees.
| Crypto broker | Staking? |
|---|---|
| eToro | Yes |
| Coinbase | Yes |
| YouHodler | Yes |
Read more: the best crypto staking platforms
What is the best crypto broker for spread betting?
It is hard to find cryptocurrency brokers that let you spread bet. The best option is normally to trade crypto instead, as it’s more widely accessible to retail traders. City Index is our top ranked spread betting broker.
| Spread betting broker | Trading fees |
|---|---|
| City Index | Zero commission |
| Pepperstone | Zero commission |
| Saxo Markets | Zero commission |
Read more: the best cryptocurrency spread betting brokers
What is the best Bitcoin broker?
eToro is the best broker for trading Bitcoin. It charges a fixed 1% fee on all Bitcoin trades, while the interface is clean and easy to use.
| Crypto broker | Trading fees |
|---|---|
| eToro | 1% |
| Bitstamp | 1.49% |
| Coinbase | 1% |
What is the best crypto broker for Ethereum?
Bitstamp is the best Ethereum broker. It’s a highly secure broker for trading crypto, and boasts industry-leading uptime so you can always trade whenever you want.
| Crypto broker | Trading fees |
|---|---|
| Bitstamp | 1.49% |
| eToro | 1% |
| Binance | 1% |
What is the best cryptocurrency broker for new coins?
Coinbase is the best crypto broker for trading new coins. It has a huge range of cryptocurrencies and is usually one of the first brokers to add new coins.
| Crypto broker | Trading fees |
|---|---|
| Coinbase | 1% |
| Binance | From 0% |
| OKX | From 0.6% |
What is a cryptocurrency broker?
A crypto broker is an online trading platform that functions as a middleman for buying and selling cryptocurrencies. There are two different varieties of crypto broker: simple platforms that offer coins at set prices, and more complex interfaces that allow you to trade a wide variety of cryptocurrencies in real time.
How does a crypto broker work?
On the most basic level, Bitcoin brokers work by matching up buyers and sellers in order to execute trades. Sometimes the broker itself is on the other end of the deal, and sometimes the broker merely facilitates trades between other users in an open marketplace.
Like a bureau de change at an airport, most of the time the broker sets rates for each coin and allows you to buy at this price instantly. The broker will apply fees for this convenience, but these platforms are often the best bet whether you want to trade crypto by buying and selling coins rapidly, or you want to own a large number of coins or tokens – say more than £50,000 worth.
How do I use a Bitcoin broker?
You simply need to sign up, make a deposit, and then you can get the coins you’re interested in at the price given by the platform. The best Bitcoin brokers are straightforward and easy to use.
To start making trades as the market fluctuates you simply need to head to the trading interface of the Bitcoin broker’s website or app. From here you will be able to see all the relevant crypto price charts and start to trade cryptocurrencies right away.
What should I look for in a crypto broker?
There are a number of different factors to consider when choosing the best broker to buy cryptocurrency. Consider how intuitive the platform is to use, to more trading-related concerns such as how many coins you can trade and the fees involved for doing so.
Here’s a quick summary of all the key considerations when using a broker to trade cryptocurrency.
Design and ease of use
It’s always best to ensure you find a platform easy to navigate before using it to place trades. The point of using a broker is to make the trading process simpler, so don’t settle for a platform that makes it confusing.
Access to a demo account
Many online crypto brokers offer the option to trade with virtual money so that you can practice. Demo accounts are hugely useful if you have never traded digital currencies before.
You can trade Bitcoin and Ethereum without risking any money just by flipping a switch in the settings, and we recommend it as a starting point. This option is available to all retail investor accounts.
Price
You don’t want to pay too much above the market rate. Cryptocurrency broker fees include a combination of fixed commissions and variable spreads, so compare different brokers and make sure you’re getting a good deal.
Payment charges
Different crypto brokers will accept different methods of payment – and charge a range of fees for doing so. It’s common to find debit card payments accepted across most crypto broker platforms, but if you’re looking to pay for your coins using other methods such as credit cards or online wallets like PayPal there can be fees applied.
Regulation
The top Bitcoin brokers are regulated or approved by top tier financial institutions, such as the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
When you choose a cryptocurrency broker, look for platforms that are registered with the FCA, or an equivalent body, as that means you benefit from investor protection, like compensation schemes in case the broker goes bust.
Most brokers are regulated in some form right now, but the rules on which platforms meet the regulations might change in the future.
Reputation
Whenever you’re trusting an online platform or app with your money, you want to be sure the service is reliable. To compare cryptocurrency brokers it’s best to have a look through various user review sites, and also to check out in-depth reviews of each brokerage.
Variety of coins
It’s no use finding a platform that you like if it doesn’t allow you to trade the specific coins you’re looking for. Every crypto broker will let you buy Bitcoin, but not all will support less frequently traded cryptos such as Theta and Algorand.
Payment methods
When you create an account you need to deposit some money into it at the same time. Most brokers accept common payment methods, like bank transfers and debit cards.
However, other payment methods may not always be accepted. If you want to use PayPal or a similar online payment provider, it’s important to check the broker accepts it before you sign up.
Trading options
If you’re looking to trade cryptocurrencies, rather than holding coins for the long term, then make sure the cryptocurrency broker you’re using has the capabilities you’re looking for.
This could involve being able to trade cryptocurrency with leverage or to sell different coins short. Techniques like this come with increased risk and we only recommend experienced traders undertake them.
Quick answers to key questions
Do cryptocurrency brokers charge commissions or fees for buying cryptocurrency?
Yes, even the best cryptocurrency brokers charge some sort of trading fee or commission. However, these vary between platforms and might appear in different ways. For instance, a broker might advertise that it charges ‘zero fees,’ but if you look at the price they’re quoting for a coin you’ll realise that it’s above market rate.
This is because cryptocurrency broker fees are sometimes incorporated into the price, so you won’t pay a fixed rate fee, but there is still a commission being applied. Other platforms charge a certain amount per trade; 1-2% of the total trade value is most common.
Do I have to verify my identity with a cryptocurrency broker?
Yes, you will have to provide evidence of your identity. The top brokers are regulated and as such need users to prove their identity to comply with KYC (Know Your Customer) guidelines. Usually at least one form of photo ID is required, which can be your British passport or a driving licence.
Can I buy multiple cryptocurrencies through a broker?
Yes, pretty much every broker will offer a range of coins. The amount on offer varies from 10-15 on the most basic broker, to thousands on the biggest and most advanced platforms. On almost every broker you can expect to find the likes of Bitcoin, Ethereum, Avalanche, Binance Coin, Cardano, Dogecoin, Solana, Tether, and XRP.
If you’re looking for altcoins, then you need to find a more advanced trading platform, or a top crypto exchange. There you can find more obscure coins, like Aave, ApeCoin, Axie Infinity, Bitcoin Cash, Chiliz, Litecoin, Monero, Stellar, Zcash, and many hundreds of others.
Do I need a wallet to use a crypto broker?
No, not usually. It can however be a good idea to get one if investing for the long term. The best crypto brokers will typically allow you to hold your coins in your online account or app.
This can be convenient for people looking to trade coins frequently, but long term investors might want to consider a secure hardware wallet, such as the Ledger Nano S.
Do the best cryptocurrency brokers have mobile apps?
Yes, the best Bitcoin brokers have their own crypto trading app that you can access on iOS and Android devices. You may want to test out the app by downloading it before you sign up to a broker, particularly if you plan on trading a lot from your phone.
Apps should provide a seamless trading experience that’s just as good as using a web browser; if an app doesn’t offer that, you might want to look elsewhere.
Can I trade cryptocurrency CFDs with an online broker?
It depends on where you live. Crypto derivatives are banned in the United Kingdom and so trading CFDs is not allowed, but it is permitted in the US and other parts of the world.
Luckily, there are some Bitcoin brokers that allow you to buy and sell the underlying asset, which is permitted. eToro is a good example of a broker that offers crypto trading where you trade the underlying digital currency, rather than crypto CFDs.
Should I use brokers to buy and sell cryptocurrency?
The answer to this question depends on your investment goals. Any of our top 10 cryptocurrency brokers offer beginner-friendly, but you need to be aware that the convenience provided by brokers comes with additional fees.
The number of cryptocurrencies available on a broker can be limited compared to other investing platforms. A broker is a great option for the most popular coins, so you can buy Bitcoin and Ethereum very easily, but it might not be the best choice if you want to trade the latest altcoin trends.
You need to balance your desire for convenience and ease-of-use with cost and the range of trading options. A broker is best for beginners and for low trading fees but for the best coin prices or the widest range of coins, you might want to look elsewhere.
Still undecided?
Before investing in cryptocurrency it’s important to weigh up the key pros and cons. Below are some of the main benefits and drawbacks of trading cryptocurrencies through a broker, along with some additional questions to consider and FAQs at the bottom of the page.
Pros
- Buying cryptocurrencies using a broker is a user-friendly process
- Brokers are intuitive and offer excellent customer support
- Some brokers allow leveraged trading of cryptocurrencies
Cons
Should I buy cryptocurrency now?
If you believe that a particular cryptocurrency is going to perform well and rise in value in the long term, then it’s a good idea to sign up to a broker and hold your coins while the uptrend in price hopefully materialises.
But long term trends aren’t the most important thing for every trading strategy. If your interest is more in becoming a crypto day trader, then it’s more important for you to master the art of analysing cryptocurrency charts and other aspects of technical analysis. Rather than looking into how a coin will perform over months and years, you need to be able to predict how it will perform over days, hours, or even minutes and make trades accordingly.
Whatever the approach you take, one thing that is always essential is to keep up to date with the hottest cryptocurrency news. You can read the most recent features from our experts right here to help you time your trades and work out if now is the right time to invest.
DeFiReturns v2 launches with advanced analytics for DeFi investing
VIDEO: Bitcoin mining stocks – with Wilshire Phoenix
Circle Singapore granted Major Payment Institution (MPI) license
Methodology: How we chose the best cryptocurrency brokers
Helping people make better financial decisions is at the heart of our mission at Invezz.
We periodically test more than 63 crypto brokers to provide our users with clear, accessible guidance on the investing options available. All testing is carried out by our panel of crypto experts, analysts, and active traders who sign up to each brokerage, conduct research, and score each service.
Our tests are designed to find crypto brokers that offer a beginner-friendly, secure investing experience at a fair price. To supplement our practical testing and experience, we research each brokerage to gather any further relevant information. We read online customer reviews, app reviews on the Play Store and App Store, and conduct user surveys to get feedback from real people about what works, and what doesn’t.
Each crypto platform is awarded a final score based on 130+ data points across 8 ranking categories: cost, reliability, user experience, deposit & withdrawals, investing options, range of products/markets, research & analysis tools, and the availability of educational & learning resources.
We work closely with individual crypto brands to ensure all factual information displayed here is accurate. All data is then fact-checked by an independent reviewer. You can learn more about our expert panel and how we test, rate, and review platforms in our review process.
FAQs
More of the best crypto rankings
Invezz is a place where people can find reliable, unbiased information about finance, trading, and investing – but we do not offer financial advice and users should always carry out their own research. The assets covered on this website, including stocks, cryptocurrencies, and commodities can be highly volatile and new investors often lose money. Success in the financial markets is not guaranteed, and users should never invest more than they can afford to lose. You should consider your own personal circumstances and take the time to explore all your options before making any investment. Read our risk disclaimer >