Best Crypto Exchange in Germany 2023

If you’re a German investor and want to get serious in the crypto market, you’ll need to make sure that you’re using the best crypto exchange in Germany. 

We’ve carefully analysed the ins and outs of the top German exchanges to bring you clear, concise, and helpful recommendations. To ensure our reviews are as useful as possible, we’ve looked at a multitude of factors including fees, supported coins, regulations, and trading tools. 

Cryptoassets are a highly volatile unregulated investment product. No UK or EU investor protection.

The Top Bitcoin Exchanges in Germany Reviewed 

In order to select the best crypto exchange in Germany, it’s important to consider what you need out of your broker. There are a ton of German Bitcoin exchanges so it can be difficult to select one that matches your needs. 

So, to ensure our readers have access to the best Germany crypto exchanges we’ve carefully analysed some of the top crypto exchanges in Germany to bring you a comprehensive list of the least costly, most feature-rich platforms out there. 

1. eToro – Overall Best German Crypto Exchange

Founded in 2007, eToro has grown to become a leading global broker that supports investments in cryptocurrency, stocks, ETFs, and CFDs. As a regulated platform with over 20 million customers around the world, eToro is one of the safest choices when it comes to selecting a good exchange. Thanks to its plethora of features, eToro has something for everyone, likely the reason for its massive appeal. As such, crypto enthusiasts can buy Bitcoin in Germany with an eToro trading account using a wide range of payment methods. 

eToro comes equipped with features fit for investors of all experience levels. The eToro academy is an educational platform designed to teach beginners the basics of investing, ensuring eToro clients always make well-informed decisions. 

On top of its expensive collection of educational materials, eToro supports CopyTrading, a system that allows someone to automatically mirror the trades of a more experienced user in order to earn passive income and gain experience.

 For more advanced investors, eToro offers a huge range of assets, meaning you can diversify your portfolio extremely well. On top of that, eToro offers commission-free trading, meaning you’ll be able to invest regardless of budget. 

Another area eToro shines in is its security. Like every trustworthy exchange, eToro is regulated by leading authoritative bodies like the SEC and the FCA. However, in addition to regulation, eToro uses cold storage and SSL encryption to keep client funds and information secure. eToro clients also have the option of enabling 2-factor authentication to add an additional layer of protection to their accounts. 

Overall, eToro is the best cryptocurrency exchange in Germany. It’s packed full of not only useful trading features but also information designed to take your investing to the next level. 

Cryptoassets are a highly volatile unregulated investment product. No UK or EU investor protection.

2. Crypto.com – Best Bitcoin Exchange in Germany for Staking

Crypto.com has quickly gone from relative obscurity to the forefront of the crypto industry and for good reason. Similarly to eToro, Crypto.com has something for every type of investor, so regardless of your investment goals it’s a great exchange. Although Crypto.com has a diverse offering of cryptocurrencies, it doesn’t support any stocks so if you want to manage all of your assets in one place, eToro is still your best bet. 

The Crypto.com mobile app is a great choice for beginners as it makes buying crypto incredibly intuitive. However, its ease of use isn’t all that Crypto.com has to offer, the platform’s main draw is its staking features. 

When it comes to earning interest on your assets, Crypto.com is the best Bitcoin exchange in Germany. It offers up 14.5% returns on cryptos and 10% for stablecoins. If you actively trade, then the Crypto.com exchange has everything you need, a ton of order types, analytic tools, and heaps of assets make Crypto.com a great choice for technical traders. 

If you’re looking for a German crypto exchange that does it all, Crypto.com is one of the best. It’s got everything you could possibly need in order to have a successful investing experience and with some of the lowest fees in the industry, it’s the perfect choice for anyone looking to save a little cash. 

Cryptoassets are a highly volatile unregulated investment product. No UK or EU investor protection.

3. Bitstamp – Longest-Running Crypto Exchange

Bitstamp has been around since the release of Bitcoin in 2011 and was one of the first crypto exchanges available. Although it’s not perfect, Bitstamp is still a solid exchange with a good range of cryptocurrencies. However, it’s worth noting that some larger-cap assets are missing from the platform; Solana & Polkadot, for example. 

Considering that it’s been operating for over 10 years, it’s no surprise that Bitstamp has its fair share of intriguing features. With some of the lowest trading fees on the market, Bitstamp can actually be cheaper to use than some larger competitors. 

While the standard platform does leave a bit to be desired, the more advanced Tradeview platform (similar to the Crypto.com Exchange or Coinbase Pro) has everything you’d expect from one of the longest-standing exchanges. However, there is a blemish in BitStamp’s track record, it was hacked in 2015, resulting in almost 19,000 BTC being stolen.

Is Bitstamp the very best crypto exchange in Germany? Perhaps not but it is a solid option that comes with a ton of useful features. Ultimately, the best Bitcoin exchange in Germany is a matter of preference, but if you’re looking for a platform that’s already withstood the test of time, then you can’t go far wrong with Bitstamp.

Cryptoassets are a highly volatile unregulated investment product. No UK or EU investor protection.

4. Coinbase – Beginner Crypto Exchange in Germany

Another of the best German crypto exchanges, Coinbase is a US-based platform that operates globally. It serves more than 98 million users, making it one of the world’s biggest crypto exchanges. It offers a massive variety of cryptocurrencies, each of which has been screened by Coinbase to ensure they’re suitable for investment. 

Coinbase operates two different platforms, ‘Coinbase’ & ‘Coinbase Pro’. As the name suggests, the latter is aimed at those with previous investment experience as it’s more feature-rich than the regular Coinbase platform. Coinbase Pro also offers a more attractive fee structure, making it the more cost-effective choice. 

Coinbase takes its security seriously. It holds around 98% of client assets in cold storage to ensure they’re not accessible even if an attacker was able to breach the Coinbase servers. On top of this, using the Coinbase DeFi wallet, you have full control over your keys just like you would when using a traditional decentralised wallet. 

If you’re new to the crypto space and want an easy-to-use platform, Coinbase is certainly one of the best cryptocurrency exchanges. It’s regulated, available almost everywhere, and very customer-focused, making it a great choice for investors that need an extra hand getting started. 

Cryptoassets are a highly volatile unregulated investment product. No UK or EU investor protection.

5. Binance – Global Crypto Exchange with Huge User Base

Binance is one of the top crypto exchanges in Germany. But it’s a little more complex than some of the others we’ve discussed but for anyone willing to work through the learning curve, the extra features are near-innumerable. 

With more than 100 million clients worldwide, Binance is a titan of the industry and definitely pushes its weight around in order to outcompete other exchanges. The Binance ecosystem isn’t composed solely of an exchange but also an NFT marketplace and the decentralised Trust wallet. Because the exchange and NFT marketplace are both directly a part of the Binance ecosystem, users only need a single account to access both.

 Although Binance isn’t the most transparent when it comes to its security, it has committed a lot of resources to ensure clients are safe. All sensitive information is encrypted, the majority of client funds are held offline, and a risk management system monitors things like withdrawals and password resets in order to prevent customer accounts from getting compromised. 

Without a doubt, Binance is one of the best Germany crypto exchanges. The exchange is phenomenal, it’s got tons of customizability and a low spread making it a great option for traders. 

Cryptoassets are a highly volatile unregulated investment product. No UK or EU investor protection.

6. Bitcoin.de – Best German-based Exchange

Bitcoin.de is a German Bitcoin exchange and allegedly the largest Bitcoin marketplace in Europe boasting more than 1 million customers. What differentiates Bitcoin.de from other exchanges is rather than buying from the exchange, you instead buy directly from a 3rd party seller, similar to Paxful. 

There are plenty of advantages to using an exchange based in your home country, oftentimes deposits can be quicker and less costly. However, Bitcoin.de only supports deposits using wire transfer so you can expect to wait a day or two for your funds to be credited to your account. 

Trading fees are limited to spreads, so while it’s definitely more difficult to know how much you’re paying in fees, it is also possible to get a better than usual deal. 

Bitcoin.de isn’t the best Germany Bitcoin exchange on our list, however, it’s sure to be useful for German investors that aren’t a fan of traditional exchanges. While there’s no real-time trading, the peer-to-peer-esque system is sure to be of interest to believers of the decentralised crypto-ethos. 

7. Pionex  – Best Crypto Exchange for Automated Trading

Founded in 2019, Pionex is one of the fastest-growing exchanges in Asia with over 100,000 active users. Despite its massive popularity within the Asian markets, Pionex is available all over the globe with minimal restrictions, making it one of the more accessible platforms on our list. 

The main feature that differentiates Pionex from other leading German Bitcoin exchanges is its focus on trading robots. The platform has 16 in-built trading robots that are completely free to use. It utilises the Binance liquidity engine so there’s more than enough liquidity in the order books. 

Another positive for Pionex is its incredibly low fees. At just 0.05% for both maker and taker, Pioxex boasts some of the lowest fees on the market. However, as the in-built trading bots execute orders far more frequently than manual traders, there are more transactions for them to take a percentage of. 

Although Pionex does support manual trading, the bots are where exchange really excels. Therefore, we can only recommend Pionex to users that are interested in trading bots as everyone else would be better served on a platform like eToro or Binance.  

8. CoinSmart – Educational Crypto Exchange

Canada-based CoinSmart has taken a page out of Coinbase’s book and aims to “make cryptocurrency accessible to everyone”. Despite this, CoinSmart maintains that it’s for experts as well as beginners, so don’t fret if you are looking for a more advanced German Bitcoin exchange. 

CoinSmart’s main selling point is its educational platform, the GetSmart Hub. It comes equipped with heaps of information about cryptocurrency and investing in general. The content is a mixture of articles, news, and ‘how to’ guides, so there’s plenty of information to work through. 

Outside of education, CoinSmart is a well-designed platform that has 16 tradable assets. It’s worth noting that there isn’t much in the way of technical indicators, so if that’s your preferred method of trading it’s advisable to use a different broker, like eToro. 

For beginners looking for an alternative to Coinbase, CoinSmart is an excellent choice. It makes trading a bit more engaging and easy to understand than most other brokers so it’s a great place to start your journey. 

The Best Germany Crypto Exchanges Compared

We appreciate that it can be difficult to visualise how each platform compares to one another so we’ve included this easy-reference guide. 

How to Choose the Best Germany Cryptocurrency Exchange for You

When it comes to selecting the best crypto exchange in Germany, there’s a lot of factors to consider. To make this easier, we’ve included a few things to look out for when deciding which broker is right for you. 

Regulation

Ensuring your platform of choice is regulated is crucial. A regulated platform has to answer to an authoritative body like the SEC, meaning they can get away with far less unscrupulous activities than unregulated exchanges. Some of the main authoritative bodies to look for are the SEC, the FCA, BaFin, and CySEC.

Tradable Cryptos

If you plan on diversifying your portfolio or trading a variety of assets, it’s important to look at the range of cryptos offered by a platform before registering. Although you only technically need the asset you want to buy, it’s always nice to have options. 

Sign Up Offers

In order to draw in new users, lots of exchanges and brokers have rather lucrative sign-up offers. For the most part, they’ll be something akin to a tiny bit of free crypto but some offers can certainly be worthwhile. 

Fees

Fees are the bane of any investor’s existence. Some platforms charge egregious fees so you should always double-check deposit/withdrawal and trading fees before registering with a broker. 

Tools & Features

Every exchange has its own special features, eToro has CopyTrading, Binance & Coinbase have NFT marketplaces, and Pionex has trading robots. It’s worth checking what an exchange offers because there will always be something that piques your interest. 

Payment Methods

Having a few different payment options might not seem like a big deal but it’s so much more convenient than getting stuck with one. It’s worth double-checking to make sure your platform of choice offers wire/bank deposits as they tend to incur the least fees. 

Customer Service

At the core of any business is customer service. You should watch out for exchanges that don’t offer 24/7 live chat or offer no easy way to contact customer service. 

How to Use a German Crypto Exchange 

We understand that getting used to a new platform can be time-consuming. So to help our readers get started on the right foot, we’ve included this comprehensive guide covering how to use the best Germany crypto exchange

Step 1: Open an eToro Crypto Account 

Before you can buy any Crypto, you’ll first need to register for an account with eToro. This can be done by heading over to the eToro website, clicking ‘Join Now’, and entering a few basic details. 

Step 2: Verify Account

Because eToro is a regulated broker, after you create your account, you’ll need to verify it. Luckily, eToro has made this process quick and easy. All you’ll need at hand are a photo ID (passport, driving licence) and proof of address (bank statement, utility bill).

Step 3: Deposit Funds

After your eToro account has been verified, you’re ready to deposit. Simply click the ‘Deposit Funds’ button, select a payment method (credit/debit card, Skrill, PayPal) enter the amount you plan on investing, and push ‘Deposit’. The funds will arrive in your account promptly. However, first-time deposits tend to take a little while longer.  

Step 4: Buy Crypto

As soon as the funds arrive in your account, you’re ready to buy some crypto. All you have to do is type the name or ticker of the asset you want to buy into the eToro search bar, press ‘trade’, enter the amount you want to invest, and press ‘open trade’. You can monitor and manage your investment from the portfolio section of your account. 

Are Crypto Exchanges Legal in Germany?

While crypto is legal in Germany, the finer points of the law can be difficult to understand. Thankfully, German crypto regulations are fairly concise so once you understand a few key points, you’ll be ready to invest!

Germany considers crypto-assets as a type of ‘financial service’. However, it’s important to understand that Germany does not consider Bitcoin legal tender. All German citizens and entities are able to purchase/sell/hold crypto-assets as long as they are purchased through a BaFin-licensed (Germany’s regulatory body for crypto) exchange, broker, or Bitcoin ATM.

Exchanges that hold your crypto are considered custodians. Therefore, if an exchange offers a custodial wallet it has to be BaFin-licensed, otherwise, it’ll be in breach of the German Banking Act (Kreditwesengesetz – KWG), which could lead to issues when trying to deposit/withdraw further down the line.

In order to fulfil anti-money laundering (AML) and combatting the financing of terrorism (CFT) obligations, Germany requires all brokers/exchanges to follow enhanced due diligence (EDD) and know your customer (KYC) policies. 

Crypto Tax in Germany

Compared to countries like the United Kingdom, Germany’s crypto tax laws are quite tame. For short-term capital gains, your tax rate will be the same as your income tax, up to 45% in addition to the 5.5% solidarity tax. However, if you hold your crypto-assets for over one year, you’re not subject to any tax on your gains. 

Conclusion

If you’re new to crypto or simply not up to date with the latest developments, it can be extremely difficult to find the best Germany crypto exchanges. There are a ton of options out there, so you should always consider your personal investment goals before committing to a broker. 

However, we’ve analysed the fees, features, and security of countless crypto exchanges with eToro coming out on top across every metric. Therefore, if you’re still unsure which platform is right for you, eToro is always a solid bet. 

Cryptoassets are a highly volatile unregulated investment product. No UK or EU investor protection.

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