As the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) continues to tighten oversight in the United Kingdom, crypto platforms operating in the region face increasing scrutiny. This article compares some of the most prominent crypto trading platforms available in the U.K. Here are our top five picks for 2025.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
➤ Exchanges like Coinbase, Kraken, Uphold, Crypto.com, and Bitget offer strong options if you’re based in the U.K. Each has a solid reputation and a top-tier range of features.
➤ It’s important to choose a platform that is registered with the relevant regulatory bodies. In the U.K., that’s the FCA.
➤Fees, payment methods, and supported features vary widely, so you should research carefully based on your personal trading needs.
Best UK crypto trading platforms in 2025
1. Coinbase
Brian Armstrong and Fred Ehrsam created Coinbase in 2012. It operates multiple venues, including Coinbase Prime (brokerage), and Coinbase Exchange (CEX). Coinbase has secured approval from the FCA to operate as a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) in the U.K. This allows businesses to offer both crypto and fiat services in the region. The centralized exchange is known best for being easy to use and good for beginners.
• Zero trading fees with Coinbase One membership
• Staking and deposit rewards
• Advanced trading tools
• Learn-to-earn (L2E)
• Beginner-friendly
- Strong security measures (e.g., cold storage, 2FA, etc.)
- Supports a variety of payment methods
- Educational resources
- Low minimum investment
- Relatively high fees if you don't have CoinbaseOne membership
- Customer support could be improved
2. Kraken
Kraken was founded in 2011, making it one of the oldest cryptocurrency exchanges. The exchange started out as Bitcoin-only, but eventually expanded to other cryptocurrencies. Kraken became popular due to its advanced trading features and derivatives products as well as a strong reputation for prioritizing security. It operates in the U.K. as a crypto-asset company registered with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
- Staking services with rewards up to 17% APR
- Advanced trading features
- 24/7 customer support
- Up to 50x leverage
- Certain features are restricted to U.K. residents
- Suffered a hack in 2024 despite a reputation for security
3. Uphold
Uphold is an online digital trading platform. It was founded by Halsey Minor who also co-founded CNET. Uphold is regulated in the U.S. by FinCEN and state regulators, in the U.K. by the FCA, and registered in Canada with FINTRAC. Forbes Advisor named Uphold the best cryptocurrency exchange in the U.K. in 2024.
• Staking for over a dozen assets
• Optimus debit card (U.K. only)
• Connects with UpHODL Web3 Wallet
• Supports 20 fiat currencies and three precious metals
- One-click anything-to-anything trading
- Low minimum investment
- 24/7 customer support via live chat and email
- Wide range of cryptocurrencies
- Fees relatively high
- High staking fees
4. Crypto.com
Crypto.com is a leading crypto exchange and financial services platform founded in 2016. Originally established as Monaco Technologies GmbH, the company rebranded to Crypto.com in July 2018. Crypto.com is one of the first cryptocurrency exchanges to obtain a MICA license. The Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation is a legal framework established by the E.U. to regulate crypto-assets and related services across its member states.
• Visa Card for spending crypto on everyday purchases
• NFT marketplace
• Earn program
• DeFi wallet and services
- Low trading fees
- Cashback reward for cards
- Supports over 20 fiat currencies
- Wide selection of assets
- Limited customer support
- High withdrawal fees and minimums
5. Bitget
Bitget is a centralized crypto exchange established in 2018 and based out of Seychelles. It is known for its range of features, particularly copy trading and futures trading, making it suitable for both beginners and advanced traders. Bitget relaunched in the U.K. following a compliance update with the FCA. The exchange has also obtained licenses in Bulgaria, Lithuania, Poland, and Italy.
• Spot and futures trading
• Social trading
• Bitget Wallet and native BGB token
• Launchpad and Earn products
- Low trading fees
- Supports multiple countries
- Wide variety of cryptocurrencies
- Withdrawal fees
- Limited customer support
Best UK crypto trading platforms compared
| Platform | Type | Fees | Cryptocurrencies | Min. purchase |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coinbase | Brokerage/CEX | $0.99 – $4.19 | 240+ | Varies |
| Kraken | Exchange | ~1% – 4% | 380+ | £1 / €1 |
| Uphold | Online trading platform | 0.2% – 2.95% | 360+ | £1 |
| Crypto.com | Exchange | 0.25% (maker) / 0.5% (taker) | 400+ | $1 |
| Bitget | Exchange | 0.1% | 500+ | 1 USDT |
These exchanges were chosen based on key industry benchmarks such as trading volume, fee structure, user base, and overall market reputation. In addition to these standard metrics, social sentiment and community engagement were also considered.
Barriers to finding a good UK exchange
Finding a reliable crypto trading platform in the U.K. presents some challenges. Users have expressed frustrations with the changing state of affairs, which has led to a number of platforms withdrawing from the market.
These barriers stem from regulatory developments, operational constraints, and market dynamics, such as:
- Stricter controls: Financial promotion rules implemented in 2023 have led to stricter controls on crypto advertisements.
- Limited payment options: Some U.K. banks have imposed limits or bans on transactions involving cryptocurrency exchanges.
- Complex regulatory environment: The UK’s regulatory framework for cryptoassets is complex, involving multiple regulators, leading to confusion regarding legal status and compliance.
These factors have led to difficulties for consumers in finding a reliable crypto trading platform.
How to choose an exchange in the UK?
Here are a few tips that will help you sort the wheat from the chaff.
Compliance
Given the U.K. crackdowns on crypto institutions, it is best to start with the end in mind: compliance. You should look for a crypto exchange that follows local laws and regulations and holds licenses.
Look for exchanges that are registered with the FCA under the U.K.’s anti-money laundering (AML) regime. Platforms operating in the U.K. must be listed on the FCA’s cryptoasset register. Additionally, if you’re considering platforms that operate in the E.U., look for those seeking compliance with MiCA.
Fees and payment methods
Payment methods and fees go hand in hand. Some platforms may increase their fees depending on the payment methods that you use. Choosing a platform with a variety of payment methods will give you multiple options for deposits and withdrawals.
Features
Naturally, you will want a crypto trading platform that is loaded with features. A reliable exchange will accommodate various activities you may want to partake in. Some of these may include:
- Spot, P2P, margin, futures, or options trading
- Copy trading or trading bots
- Wealth management (e.g., staking, Earn products, savings account)
- Advanced trading tools
- NFT marketplace
- Affiliates and referral programs
- Learning resources
- Bonuses and discounts
- Debit/credit cards
Many crypto trading platforms will have a combination of the aforementioned features. You should keep in mind that these may be restricted by region.
Use well-established platforms
While you may face challenges finding a reliable exchange in the U.K., you are not completely out of options. Exchanges such as Coinbase, Kraken, Uphold, Crypto.com, and Bitget are all solid choices with good reputations. As we’ve explained throughout this guide, it is best to choose an exchange based on regulatory compliance, fees, payment methods, and supported features. Remember always to do your own research and never invest more than you can afford to lose.
Frequently asked questions
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How to choose a U.K. crypto exchange?
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