Choosing an exchange when you want to buy or sell hundreds or thousands of euros in cryptocurrencies must be extremely carefully considered, especially given the latest news of the bankruptcy of a large exchange like FTX, which declared bankruptcy in the first weeks of November 2022. Unfortunately, this is just one of the many alarming news stories, which in the past have seen numerous cases of exchanges opening and closing their doors in the space of a few weeks or months, then disappearing into thin air.
In these situations, web platform owners disappear, and with them, traders’ money. Another example is what happened in South Africa, where two South African brothers stole $3.6 billion from investors in June 2021 after staging a hacker attack in the preceding days. However, this shouldn’t discourage investing in this field, where many people have seen their investments multiply.
To avoid such risks, we encourage you to consider only the top cryptocurrency exchanges we recommend. Each of them allows you to buy and sell cryptocurrencies in exchange for fiat currency (fiat currency) or other cryptocurrencies in complete safety: here are our picks.
Index
- 1. What is a cryptocurrency exchange?
- 2. How to evaluate a cryptocurrency exchange
- 2.1. Accessibility
- 2.2. Security
- 2.3. Commissions
- 2.4. Liquidity
- 2.5. Variety of available cryptocurrencies
- 3. Best Cryptocurrency Exchanges for June 2026
- 3.1. Coinbase
- 3.2. Bitpanda
- 3.3. Kraken
- 3.4. SpectroCoin
- 3.5. Binance
- 4. Survey
What is a cryptocurrency exchange?
A cryptocurrency exchange is a platform where you can buy and sell cryptocurrency. You can use this platform to exchange one cryptocurrency for another, such as converting Bitcoin to Dogecoin, or to buy cryptocurrency using a regular currency, such as the euro.
Exchanges reflect the current market prices of the cryptocurrencies they offer. You can also convert your cryptocurrencies back to euros or another currency on an exchange, leaving them as cash in your account (if you want to trade back into cryptocurrencies later) or withdraw them to your regular bank account.
When we purchase a cryptocurrency, it is deposited into a wallet, an electronic wallet similar to a bank account. While a bank account has an IBAN, wallets have a specific address that identifies our electronic wallet. Each exchange provides its members with a wallet so they can buy and sell any cryptocurrency.
How to evaluate a cryptocurrency exchange
The fundamental parameters for determining the quality of a cryptocurrency exchange are basically five:
Accessibility
Some countries, like China, have banned their citizens from accessing cryptocurrency exchanges. You can therefore understand how the location of the exchange could prevent you from buying and selling cryptocurrencies on certain exchanges due to state or national regulations. For this reason, accessibility is a very important factor, especially now that each state is starting to regulate the use of cryptocurrencies.
Safety
As with all financial services, this aspect is crucial, as given the business volume surrounding this sector, malicious individuals are always lurking. Fortunately, the most reputable crypto exchanges adopt all the most advanced security systems . Furthermore, to protect your cryptocurrency from hacking or fraud, some exchanges have insurance policies to protect the digital currencies users hold on the exchange. Coinbase, for example, has an insurance policy worth $255 million.
Whether you plan to keep your cryptocurrencies on an exchange or only have them there for a short time before transferring them to your wallet, exchange security should be your top priority. Two-factor authentication is now common , meaning that, in addition to your username and password, you’ll need to verify your identity using an additional method, such as entering a code you receive via SMS, every time you log in. For this reason, the largest exchanges are also the most reliable.
Commissions
Fees are another factor to consider, especially for those who want to speculate on the constant fluctuations in the value of a cryptocurrency . However, these fees don’t vary much from one exchange to another. Sometimes, higher fees are due to various factors; fees increase or decrease based on the quality of the exchange, ease of trading, security, insurance, and many other aspects. Fees apply to four types of transactions: deposits and withdrawals from your account, and buying or selling cryptocurrencies.
Liquidity
Here too, the size of an exchange matters a lot. If you plan to buy, sell, or trade your cryptocurrencies, the exchange you choose must have sufficient trading volume to ensure your holdings are relatively liquid, meaning you can sell them whenever you want and, above all, quickly.
Variety of cryptocurrencies available
Not all exchanges offer trading for every one of the thousands of cryptocurrencies out there. If you’re interested in a popular coin like Bitcoin or Ethereum, you’ll likely find it on any cryptocurrency exchange you’re considering. The opposite is true with altcoins (alternative or minor cryptocurrencies), especially newer ones or coins with very small market caps.
Remember, these types of coins are often even riskier bets than already highly speculative and more established cryptocurrencies. That’s why it’s always recommended to diversify your trading by including stablecoins like Bitcoin and Ethereum. With any cryptocurrency you’re considering purchasing on an exchange, only trade a cash value you’re willing to lose.
Top Cryptocurrency Exchanges for June 2026
Coinbase
Coinbase holds a prominent position among the world’s top cryptocurrency exchanges. Its success is based on the user experience it offers its members, along with the security and speed of its trading .
Open your free Coinbase account and get $10 in cryptocurrency. Click for more information.
It was founded in 2012 by Americans Fred Ehrsam and Brian Armstrong, who in San Francisco laid the foundations of what nine years later would become a public company listed on the Nasdaq in New York.
To understand its greatness, let’s just cite a few numbers:
- 190 countries where you can make Bitcoin transactions
- 32 Countries Where You Can Exchange Cryptocurrencies for Fiscal Currency
You can currently buy and sell some of the highest-cap cryptocurrencies on Coinbase:
- Bitcoin
- Ethereum
- Litecoin
- Ripple
- Ethereum Classic
- Bitcoin Cash
- Dash
- EOS
- Stellar Lumens
- Tezos
To purchase cryptocurrency on Coinbase, you need a 3D Secure-compatible credit or debit card , while both bank transfer and PayPal are accepted for withdrawals .
These, however, are the fixed commissions applied to buying and selling:
- 99 euros for amounts equal to or less than 10 euros
- 49 euros for amounts between 10 and 25 euros
- €1.99 for orders between €25 and €50
- 99 euros for amounts between 50 and 200 euros
Finally, regarding identity verification , Coinbase requires certified phone number, a valid photo ID, and proof of address.
Read also : How to trade online, the best platforms
Read also: Which cryptocurrencies to buy (updated June 2026)
Bitpanda
Bitpanda is among the most popular cryptocurrency exchange platforms in Europe . Founded in 2014 in Vienna by three young Austrian entrepreneurs (Eric Demuth, Paul Klanschek, and Christian Trummer), it has few rivals in the EU today.
Visit the Bitpanda website
You can buy Bitcoin with euros using Visa and MasterCard credit cards, bank transfers, or Bitpanda transfers.
As for commissions , Bitpanda charges 1.49% when buying or selling Bitcoin.
Important : Unlike other online exchanges, Bitpanda specifies that “all premiums for buying and selling cryptocurrencies and digital assets are already included in the prices offered.”
These, however, are just some of the main cryptocurrencies supported by the Austrian platform:
- Bitcoin
- Ethereum
- Litecoin
- Dash
- Ripple
- Bitcoin Cash
- Stellar
- EOS
- Dogecoin
- Polkadot
- Uniswap
- Tether
- Solana
- Chainlink
- Aave
Another plus is the speed of transactions . For example, if you choose to buy Bitcoin with a credit card, you’ll see the cryptocurrency in your wallet within 10 minutes. Bank transfers, on the other hand, take longer, and you could wait up to 5 days.
We conclude this brief overview of the Austrian exchange with a discussion of security, specifically how the platform handles user identity verification . Bitpanda currently establishes three different procedures for the following profiles:
- Starter: A verified email is required to sell Bitcoin up to 50 euros per day and 600 euros in total
- Bronze: in addition to the email, the system requires a verified mobile number to be able to make purchases, within the limits set by the first level.
- Gold: In addition to a verified email and phone number, for the third and final level Bitpanda requires a live chat, proof of valid address and a scan of a valid ID.
Kraken
Kraken was founded in 2011 , a year before Coinbase, and can be considered one of the longest-running cryptocurrency exchanges in the world. It is headquartered in San Francisco, USA, where it has been operating continuously for ten years. For this reason, it is also among the top choices for those seeking a secure and reliable service .
Visit the Kraken website
As of this writing, Kraken supports over 60 cryptocurrencies , including:
- Bitcoin
- Bitcoin Cash
- Ethereum
- Cardano
- Tether
- USD Coin
- Ripple
- Stellar
- Dogecoin
- EOS
As for payment methods, the American platform allows you to make a deposit in euros exclusively via bank transfer , while it does not accept credit or debit cards.
When it comes to fees , Kraken behaves differently than its rivals, taking your activity over the last 30 days as a reference point:
- 16% (maker) / 0.26 (taker) with a volume between 0 and 50,000 dollars
- 14 (maker) / 0.24 (taker) with a volume between $50,000 and $100,000
- 12 (maker) / 0.22 (taker) with a volume between $100,000 and $250,000
- 10 (maker) / 0.20 (taker) with a volume between 250,000 and 500,000 euros
Note : If your volume is over $10,000,000 in the last month, commissions are waived.
Like other major cryptocurrency exchanges, Kraken requires a certified phone number, a valid ID, and a photo to verify your identity .
SpectroCoin
Another cryptocurrency exchange we recommend is SpectroCoin. It’s a hybrid system, incorporating both an exchange and a wallet , offering the advantage of completing all cryptocurrency trading transactions with a single service.
Visit the SpectroCoin website
Its launch dates back to 2013, and today many industry insiders rank it at the top of their list. Among its strengths is the SpectroCoin Card , a prepaid card that allows you to withdraw both fiat currency and cryptocurrency at any ATM in over 150 countries. It can also be added to your PayPal account’s payment cards.
Below is the list of currently supported cryptocurrencies :
- Bitcoin
- Ethereum
- Dash
- Ripple
- Litecoin
- Tether
- Stellar Lumens
- Paxos Standard
- USD Coin
- TrueUSD
As for withdrawal fees , a fee of €1.50 is added if you use a bank transfer, with a limit of €100,000.
These are the payment methods accepted for purchasing cryptocurrencies:
- credit or debit card belonging to the Visa, MasterCard and Maestro circuits
- SEPA bank transfer
- Skrill
- Neteller
- Payeer
- Perfect Money
- Advcash
- Local Bank Transfer (FPS)
- International Bank Wire
Finally, in relation to identity verification , SpectroCoin requires the completion of the KYC (customer due diligence) form, a photo that identifies the person requesting registration on the platform and a valid identification document (a driving licence is not accepted).
Binance
Binance is the world’s most popular cryptocurrency exchange, but it’s not just that. It’s also a crypto wallet and the provider of Binance Coin, one of the largest cryptocurrencies by market capitalization. At the end of June 2021, this exchange received a lot of attention. The United Kingdom banned purchases on this cryptocurrency platform, seeking to regulate the market by ensuring all exchanges comply with various regulations (anti-money laundering, etc.).
Visit the Binance website
Founded in 2017 by developer Changpeng Zhao, this Chinese exchange differs from most other platforms by focusing on cryptocurrency trading . However, you can also exchange cryptocurrencies for fiat currencies like euros or dollars.
With the euro, for example, you can exchange some of the main cryptocurrencies in circulation:
- Bitcoin
- Ethereum
- Binance Coin
- Litecoin
- Bitcoin Cash
- Tether
- Cardano
- Dash
- Dogecoin
- Ripple
At the moment, the accepted payment methods are credit/debit card and bank transfer , along the lines of other competitors.
There’s also a positive note regarding fees: on Binance, you pay 0.1% whether you buy or sell a cryptocurrency . If you want, you can reduce the costs by up to 25% if you choose to use Binance Coin.
Finally, regarding identity verification , Changpeng Zhao’s exchange requires a valid ID and a photo of your face. Additionally, you’ll need to share your name, surname, date of birth, and residential address with the platform.
Survey
If you already have experience with this or other exchanges, express your preference in our survey.
Which exchange do you think is better?
- Other Exchanges not mentioned among these
- Binance
- Bitpanda
- Coinbase
- Kraken
- Spectrocoin
See the results
That’s all, our in-depth look at the best crypto exchanges ends here. I always recommend investing moderately until you understand the performance of cryptocurrencies, which can lose or gain tens of percentage points in value in a matter of seconds.
