UK Crypto Exchanges Compared — August 2026
We checked the registration credentials of UK crypto exchanges against the official register at register.fca.org.uk and compared their key features and fees.
Coinbase
Launched in 2012, Coinbase is a platform that welcomes UK users and operates under the registered entity CB Payments Ltd. Coinbase’s user friendly interface makes it one of customer’s favourites.
Features
- FCA-registered under the Money Laundering Regulations – CB Payments Ltd with reference number 900635.
- Despite the FCA registration, crypto holdings are not covered by the FSCS.
- Supports GBP deposits and withdrawals.
- Coinbase Advanced enables advanced trading tools.
- Staking services are supported for some assets such as ETH and SOL.
- A separate FCA-registered institutional platform operates under the Coinbase Institutional (UK) Limited entity (reference number 1003842).
Fees
The maker fee at the base level for Coinbase Advanced is 0.4%, while the taker fee is set at 0.6%.
Kraken
Established in 2011, Kraken operates in the UK under the UK-registered entity of Payward Ltd, catering to casual and advanced traders alike as it enables both standard and advanced trading options.
Features
- FCA-registered under the Money Laundering Regulations – Payward Ltd with reference number 928768.
- Crypto holdings are not covered by the FSCS, regardless of Kraken’s FCA registration status.
- Kraken publishes proof-of-reserves reports, with the most recent review being performed on 31 March 2026.
- OTC trading services are available, allowing traders to execute orders off the exchange.
- GBP funding through local payment channels like GBP Faster Payments is supported.
Fees
Rates vary by tier, but at the base level, they are set at 0.25% (maker fee) and 0.4% (taker fee).
Bitstamp
Established in 2011, Bitstamp is a UK crypto exchange that is registered with the FCA through the Bitstamp UK Limited entity. It was acquired by Robinhood in 2025.
Features
- FCA-registered under the Money Laundering Regulations – Bitstamp UK Ltd with reference number 978690.
- Crypto holdings are not covered by the FSCS, and the FSCS won’t be able to consider claims against Bitstamp despite the FCA registration.
- Spot cryptocurrency trading is supported through the platform.
- GBP deposits and withdrawals through UK banking methods.
- Institutional services are provided.
Fees
Standard maker/taker fees for low-volume traders at Bitstamp start at 0.30% (maker fee) and 0.40% (taker fee).
CoinJar
CoinJar is an FCA-registered UK crypto exchange launched in 2013 that supports GBP deposits and withdrawals through UK payment methods.
Features
- FCA-registered under the Money Laundering Regulations – CoinJar UK Limited with firm reference number 928767.
- Crypto holdings are not covered by the FSCS, but users cannot make a claim about the company to the FSCS.
- CoinJar OTC for fast off-exchange trades when amounts exceed $50,000.
- A digital wallet with over 60 cryptocurrencies and a prepaid card that can be used to spend crypto like cash.
- GBP transactions with UK-issued cards are supported.
Fees
Base-level taker and maker fees for GBP trading pairs, applied to a 30-day trading volume of £0 to £50,000, are 0.10% (both taker and maker).
eToro
Established in 2007, eToro (UK) Ltd is a fully FCA-authorised investment firm, so eligible non-crypto investments are covered by the FSCS up to £85,000. However, crypto holdings themselves fall outside FSCS protection, as crypto remains an unregulated activity in the UK.
Features
- FCA-registered under the Money Laundering Regulations – ETORO UK Limited with firm reference number 583263 and eToro Money UK Ltd with reference number 900203.
- Crypto holdings are not covered by the FSCS.
- eToro may hold user funds in segregated bank accounts where applicable.
- GBP debit cards and bank transfers are supported.
- Social trading is a standout feature.
Fees
A 1% crypto trading buy/sell fee.
Gemini
Launched in 2014, Gemini was an FCA-registered crypto exchange with two authorised entities – Gemini Payments UK, Ltd (GPUK) and Gemini Intergalactic UK Ltd (GIUK). However, Gemini announced its UK exit on 5 February 2026, placed all customer accounts in withdrawal-only mode from 5 March 2026, and fully closed accounts on 6 April 2026.
Features
- Gemini Payments UK, Ltd (GPUK) and Gemini Intergalactic UK Ltd (GIUK) previously operated under the Money Laundering Regulations but exited the UK market.
- Gemini announced plans to exit the market on 5 February 2026 and closed all customer accounts on 6 April 2026.
- Crypto holdings are not covered by the FSCS in the UK.
- Offers custody services, but they are not available to UK users.
- Staking services for some cryptocurrencies, but that is also a functionality not available to UK residents.
Fees
Gemini maker/taker fees start at 0.6% and 1.2%, respectively.
FCA Registration vs FSMA Authorisation: Get This Right Before You Deposit
Crypto exchanges are regulated by the FCA for their compliance with anti-money laundering laws in the UK. However, while this type of registration covers anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist-financing oversight, it doesn’t mean that the FCA regulates cryptoasset products and cannot be interpreted as equivalent to full Financial Services and Markets Act (FSMA) authorisation.
Cryptoasset FCA regulation will begin to be enforced on 25 October 2027, while the registration window for companies to apply for the new rules governing the UK cryptoasset sector opens on 30 September 2026 and closes on 28 February 2027. Therefore, crypto exchange platforms claiming to possess full FCA authorisation are overstating the fact that they are merely complying with anti-money laundering regulations.
Before starting to use a crypto exchange platform in the UK, ensure that it is registered with the FCA directly in the official registry instead of taking FCA badges displayed on the website as the ultimate proof that a crypto exchange has achieved anti-money laundering regulatory compliance, let alone obtained FSMA authorisation, which is a completely different thing.
GBP Payment Rails Compared
While choosing a crypto exchange is a process that requires some research, the same applies to selecting the payment methods to deposit and withdraw GBP, particularly if you are someone concerned with the speed and cost of transactions.
| Method | Speed | Typical Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Faster Payments | Instant to same-day | Free at most exchanges | Considered the standard for UK deposits and withdrawals |
| Open Banking | Near-instant | Usually free | Supports higher deposit limits and enables transactions without entering card limits |
| Card Deposits | Instant | Fees of 1.5% to 3.5% typically apply | Higher fees make them impractical for regular use |
When it comes to withdrawals, users should first confirm which exchanges support instant or GBP withdrawals that are completed within the same day before signing up with a platform.
The Travel Rule and What "No KYC" Really Means in the UK
One important factor that UK crypto exchange users must be aware of is the Travel Rule. It has been enforced since September 2023, and it requires crypto services to share and obtain information to verify the identity of the user to comply with requirements under Part 7A of the Money Laundering Regulations.
That means that while swapping one crypto coin for another might seem like no or a limited KYC endeavour, funding an account through a UK bank or another fiat-based payment method will completely change that. As soon as that happens, KYC verification becomes a requirement that needs to be completed.
Therefore, whenever a platform markets itself as a no-KYC crypto exchange, it is probably referring to only one stage of the user experience and activity involved. Verifying which actions will trigger KYC processes is crucial when that’s the case.
UK Crypto Tax: CGT Allowance and CARF Reporting
HMRC considers crypto assets to be property. So, under Capital Gains Tax rules, users who dispose of crypto by selling, spending, trading crypto or giving it as a gift are subject to CGT. The annual exempt allowance for the 2025/26 tax year is £3,000 for individuals and £1,500 for trusts. The annual CGT allowance has dropped from £12,300 in 2022/23 to £6,000 in 2023/24, so the current figure is relatively low, meaning traders should not automatically assume they are below it if their annual trading volume is also low.
Another tax-related factor to take into account is the requirement for UK-facing crypto exchanges to gather and share user transaction information under the Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework (CARF). In short, that means that the HMRC may have already obtained user trade records regarding UK crypto tax obligations even when they are not self-reported. Nevertheless, the requirement for UK residents to report and pay tax remains.
What FSCS Protection Does Not Cover
The Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) offers one of the best protection mechanisms to eligible UK users whose deposits have been affected by financial institutions or providers failing up to a predetermined amount. However, these protections don’t apply to cryptoasset products, meaning if an exchange fails, is hacked, or becomes insolvent, users’ funds are not protected.
So, while confirmed AML compliance with the FCA is some sign of a legitimate business when it comes to countering the risks associated with the illegal flows of money, it is not a substitute for a compensation scheme that covers users’ losses. In such a climate, the best things one can look for include proof-of-reserves reviews from independent bodies, which confirm the quantity of assets an exchange holds at a particular point in time.
How to Choose a UK Crypto Exchange
Even experienced traders can sometimes make mistakes when it comes to choosing UK crypto exchanges and trading platforms. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to ensure that it is not the case.
Start by checking the AML regulatory standing directly in the FCA’s official register by searching for the name of the crypto exchange platform and taking note of the authorisation status. It is important to remember that full FCA authorisation for digital assets is currently not available, so the only thing one can confirm is AML and other types of supervisory compliance stemming from the Money Laundering Regulations.
Most UK crypto exchanges support GBP deposit options, but that shouldn’t be automatically assumed. Instead, users should verify the availability of GBP payment rails, be they Faster Payments, debit cards, or open banking solutions.
Most crypto platforms market fee structures that apply to high-volume traders, as they are the lowest. However, base-level fees are typically higher. So, before selecting a platform, determine whether the maker and taker fees for your trading tier are acceptable.
Since cryptoassets aren’t eligible for FSCS protection, the closest alternative for someone looking to have peace of mind and reduce the risk of a platform becoming insolvent is to look for proof-of-reserves reports. Crypto exchanges have a dedicated section for these, so they shouldn’t be hard to locate.
Pros and Cons of UK-Regulated Crypto Exchanges
The best crypto exchanges for UK customers are not without limitations. Below, we list the main benefits and drawbacks of UK-regulated crypto exchanges.
Pros
FCA registration requires baseline AML controls, giving UK users a documented complaint route via the exchange even without FSCS coverage
Payment methods that support GBP transactions are often supported
Advanced trading features are available at many exchanges
Most UK crypto exchanges utilise two-factor authentication and cold storage for added security
A broad range of supported coins is available at most UK-facing exchanges
Cons
Crypto assets are not covered by FSCS regardless of an exchange’s FCA registration status
Trading fees vary between platforms and are higher for traders with low 30-day trading volumes
Despite the availability of advanced trading tools, margin/leverage products and crypto derivatives are typically not available for most UK retail users
While proof-of-reserves reviews are useful for gauging the solvency of a crypto exchange, they don’t offer guarantees in the same way as compensation schemes like the FSCS
Larger transactions will likely trigger Travel Rule verification
How We Verify This Information
To ensure there’s as little regulatory uncertainty as possible when listing UK crypto exchanges, we have confirmed all details listed on this page against official sources rather than relying on the marketing sections of platforms to source that information.
We verify the FCA regulatory status of a crypto exchange directly in the FCA register before reviewing or featuring it. All listings are registered with the FCA.
We differentiate between the sometimes-marketed “fully authorised by the FCA” status and the actual AML regulatory compliance as the only available option currently.
Platform claims of low trading fees and advanced features are only included as facts once they are confirmed against the official documents published by the company.
Aware of the fact that FSCS protections don’t apply to cryptoasset products, we inform readers that platforms claiming to offer users FSCS coverage are not telling the truth.
Conclusion
Before trading crypto, UK users should verify that crypto exchanges are registered with the FCA, but also understand that AML oversight is not the same as full authorisation for offering financial services, nor does it imply FSCS coverage. In that context, the support for GBP payments, the access to proof-of-reserves reports, and transparently listed trading fees that are acceptable at your trading level are often of greater significance than references to FCA regulation.
FAQs
Is crypto trading legal in the UK?
Yes. Crypto trading is legal in the UK. That said, crypto exchanges must register with the FCA and comply with relevant AML rules.
Are UK crypto exchanges FSCS-protected?
No. Crypto traders in the UK are not covered by protection mechanisms like the FSCS, meaning there will be no compensation if a platform fails or is hacked and users’ funds are affected.
What is the difference between FCA registration and FCA authorisation for crypto exchanges?
FCA registration means that the crypto exchange is subject to anti-money laundering regulatory oversight. FCA authorisation, on the other hand, means that platforms are fully authorised to offer financial services, a framework that doesn’t currently apply to cryptoasset activities.
Do I have to pay tax on crypto in the UK?
UK residents must pay Capital Gains Tax on crypto disposals above the annual allowance of £3,000, while staking, mining, or employment payments are typically subject to Income Tax.
Can I use Binance in the UK?
Binance may be available to some UK users, but it is not registered with the FCA. Anyone planning to use the platform should first verify the registration status and the services available stemming from that status.
