8 Best Crypto Exchanges in Ireland in 2024

The Best Crypto Exchanges in Ireland for 2024

1. eToro – Best Overall Choice
2. Coinbase – Best for Beginners
3. Binance – Best for Cheap Fees
4. Uphold – Best for Casual Users
5. Bitpanda – Best for Traditional Investors
6. Capital.com – Best for Crypto CFDs
7. ByBit – Best for General Users
8. Bitstamp – Best for the Security-Conscious

Top 8 Crypto Exchanges Quickly Compared

Top 8 Crypto & Bitcoin Exchanges in Ireland Reviewed

1. eToro – Best Overall Choice

eToro is a large global exchange operating in over 200 countries with a user base north of 25 million users, one that has allowed it to grow a vibrant community of investors and offer innovative social investing tools.

One such tool is the CopyTrading feature, which allows users to copy the trading and investing decisions of their more experienced peers. The feature also shows the percentage return of various users so only the most profitable people are copied.

Using the copy trader, account holders can begin making smart investing decisions once they verify their account and deposit funds.

The second beloved feature is thematic investing, called Smart Portfolios, which are groups of crypto (or stocks) that follow a certain investment theme or idea. They allow users to invest in ideas or sectors they think will flourish without picking individual cryptos.

To use eToro, sign up for an account, verify it, and deposit funds. The minimum deposit is $10 and is free from eToro’s end, while withdrawals cost $5. All accounts are denominated in USD, so transfers from other currencies (like the Euro used in Ireland) are subject to a conversion fee.

Use payment methods like bank transfers, SEPA payments, credit/debit card payments, Skrill, Neteller, and other cryptos to fund your account. Once you deposit, you can begin trading cryptos at a 1% conversion fee.

To learn more, read our full eToro review here.

Pros

• Large user base makes up a vibrant investing community
• Innovative social investing tools
• Free deposits
• Low minimum deposit requirement
• Has a mobile app
• Well regulated

Cons

• Non-USD deposits are subject to conversion charges
• Crypto selection is not as wide as others in its class

Why we chose this platform

eToro is a great platform for crypto users in Ireland because of its global availability and the cohesiveness of its services, which means that Ireland users get the same features as US users.

2. Coinbase – Best for Beginners

Coinbase has a reputation for being the exchange that onboards regular folks into Web3 by making its platform from signup to deposits and purchases as easy as possible. The exchange also complies with the regulations of all areas of operation.

New users in Ireland will find that they can connect their bank accounts to their Coinbase accounts and add cash to their crypto balances, a feature which makes crypto purchases seamless.

Other deposit options include SEPA transfers for adding cash and cashing out, 3DSecure cards for buying crypto directly, Sofort for adding cash, and PayPal for buying directly and cashing out.

The minimum deposit amount is €50; however, users can buy crypto with as little as €2 after depositing.

To begin using Coinbase, sign up for an account, get verified, deposit cash to your account, or buy crypto directly. For a more comprehensive list of all payment methods, visit Coinbase’s page for the payment methods for European customers.

Once you add cash, you can buy/trade any of Coinbase’s 183+ cryptos at 1% of trade volume. To learn more, read our Coinbase review.

Pros

• Low minimum trade amount
• Has a mobile app
• User-friendly interface
• Seamless bank payment integration
• Wide crypto selection
• Has a mobile app

Cons

• Trading fees are higher than most

Why we chose this platform

Coinbase offers immense value to users as an exchange and a crypto firm. In 2023, Coinbase built Base, a layer 2 blockchain network to help onboard regular folks, including Coinbase users, to Web3.

3. Binance – Best for Cheap Fees

Binance is possibly the most popular crypto exchange thanks to its global presence, userbase of over 170 million users, support for over 64 fiat currencies, and a wide selection of 600+ cryptos.

The behemoth crypto exchange offers a growing list of features, like its peer-to-peer marketplace that allows users to exchange any of five cryptos with counterparties worldwide, using currencies and payment methods of their choice.

Other features aside from core crypto exchange include crypto-backed cards, an NFT marketplace, a Web3 wallet, cloud mining services, staking features, and more.

Where the core exchange is concerned, Binance offers an ever-expanding selection of cryptos that can be converted for free using Binance Convert (limited to 350 cryptocurrencies).

The simple trading interface lists 600+ cryptos at a 0.10% trading fee for more options, one of the lowest in the market. Users who hold BNB, the exchange’s native coin, on their balance can get their fees slashed by up to 25%.

To begin using Binance, create an account, pass KYC, and deposit funds using SEPA transfers or credit card payments. With SEPA, you can deposit cash into your Binance account for as little as €0.5; with credit cards, you can buy crypto directly or add cash to your account at a 2% fee.

To learn more, read our Binance review.

Pros

• Wide crypto selection
• Low trading fee
• Free direct conversions
• Multiple available services
• P2P market with flexible payment options
• 24/7 chat support

Cons

• It can be overwhelming to new users
• It is known to face regulatory hurdles

Why we chose this platform

Binance is a great option for users who want more than a regular exchange or users who want to grow into a platform that offers more. The exchange’s fees are cheap (aside from credit card deposit fees), and it offers tools to help investors take full advantage of their cryptos.

4. Uphold – Best for Casual Users

Uphold is a crypto exchange that emphasizes helping users discover new cryptos, trade them, and store them securely.

The exchange claims to list new tokens early, allowing its users to get into potentially valuable tokens close to the ground floor, before bigger, more popular exchanges like Coinbase and Binance list them.

Where trading is concerned, Uphold provides a seamless process between any two cryptos in its 250+ selection, meaning that all trades are at prevailing market prices. However, we like that all fees are summed up and displayed as a single fee at the execution point, so the exact charge is displayed each time.

Trading fees range between 0.8% – 1.8%, with major cryptos like Bitcoin and Ethereum being on the lower end and more exotic cryptos being on the higher end.

Users who prefer to invest in new or exotic tokens can combine Uphold’s selection of new tokens with its seamless one-step swap feature to acquire cryptos easily.

When users have obtained cryptos, they can store them on the platform, which publishes its asset reserves every 30 seconds to maintain radical transparency.

To use Uphold, sign up for an account, pass KYC, and deposit funds. Users in EU countries can deposit using a debit card, SEPA transfer, Google Pay, and Apple Pay. All deposits are free; however, debit card withdrawals cost 1.75% and are limited to a weekly €5,000 limit.

For more information about the payment methods and limits, visit the Uphold fees limit page.

Pros

• One-step trading between any two cryptos
• Transparent custody structure
• Free deposits
• Suitable for long-term storage

Cons

• Fees higher than competitors

Why we chose this platform

Uphold is a great option for investors who simply want to buy and hold crypto without the hassle of decentralised blockchain wallets.

5. Bitpanda – Best for Traditional Investors

Bitpanda is a fintech firm that offers an investment platform that grants real-time access to various markets, including stocks, commodities, metals, and cryptocurrencies.

The exchange is fully regulated as a multi-asset platform, holding 12 European licences. It also implements top-of-the-line security measures, even obtaining the industry-leading ISO27001 certification for information security, making it one of the safest cryptocurrency exchanges on our list.

Its crypto brokerage and trading platform lists over 170 cryptos that can be bought at 2% per conversion. However, the platform features a full-fledged trading terminal that charges 0.025% per trade.

Traders also get access to Bitpanda Leverage, a feature that allows them to go long or short on crypto with up to 2x leverage.

Other popular features include Bitpanda’s Crypto Index, which acts like index funds that group cryptos under one theme. There are currently seven indices to choose from that represent various sectors of the crypto space: large caps, DeFi, metaverse, media and entertainment, infrastructure, and smart contract leaders.

To begin using Bitpanda, sign up for an account, pass KYC, and deposit funds using any of the 11 supported payment methods, including SEPA transfers, credit/debit cards, PayPal, Sofort, Skrill, and Neteller.

Note that the minimum deposit limit is €25, while the minimum limit for purchasing crypto is €1.

Pros

• Well regulated
• Industry-leading security measures
• Wide crypto selection
• Has a mobile app
• Innovate investment tools and products
• Low trading fee

Cons

• High conversion fees

Why we chose this platform

Bitpanda provides an innovative solution for investors to manage their cryptos as part of an overall portfolio. The platform allows investors to DCA into their favourite cryptos, use crypto-backed cards, and invest in themes they believe in using the BCI indices.

6. Capital.com – Best for Crypto CFDs

Capital.com is a broker that provides trading services to users across the globe. It is regulated in Europe by the Cyprus Securities Exchange Commission (CySEC) and operates in Ireland using its license.

The broker lists over 400+ crypto CFDs, short for Contracts for Differences, which are financial derivatives that track the prices of underlying assets/securities, this case being cryptos.

These CFDs allow people to trade crypto without purchasing the underlying asset, improving capital efficiency. They also allow brokers like Capital.com to offer leverage facilities that increase the size of traders’ positions without requiring increased capital.

Capital.com appeals to traditional traders who wish to profit from cryptos’ volatility in the short term and do not wish to hold them in the long term. Traders will find the familiar MetaTrader4 trading and TradingView terminals available.

Crypto CFDs come with spreads starting from 60 pips for major cryptos like Bitcoin. The numeric cost depends on the lot size used, of which there are three: the standard lot (100,000 units), the mini lot (10,000 units), and the micro lot (1,000 units).

To begin using Capital.com, sign up for an account, pass KYC, and deposit funds using any supported methods, including bank transfers, credit card payments, PayPal, and wire transfers. Deposits and withdrawals are free but subject to minimum limits of €20 and €50.

Pros

• Low minimum deposit requirement
• Free deposits and withdrawals
• Integration with popular trading platforms
• Wide selection of crypto CFDs
• Highly regulated

Cons

• CFDs are restricted in Ireland (but not banned)

Why we chose this platform

Capital.com is a trusted broker with strong security measures, global recognition, and a track record of good service delivery. While CFDs are restricted in Ireland, they are not banned, and Capital.com is one of the companies allowed to offer the service.

7. ByBit – Best for General Users

ByBit is a global exchange offering services that allow investors to buy cryptos and earn passive income on them, as well as allow traders to take advantage of crypto price action using various financial derivatives.

The exchange boasts an active user base of roughly 20 million people, lists over 460 cryptos, and is licensed by the Cyprus Securities Exchange Commission (CySEC).

For investors, ByBit offers a one-click buy feature that allows users to buy 100+ cryptos in 65+ fiat currencies using payment methods like bank transfers, Google and Apple Pay, and third-party onramps. There’s also a p2p trading marketplace, a fiat top-up feature for depositing fiat into your ByBit account, and an auto-invest feature for recurring buys.

For traders, the exchange offers a spot trading terminal, margin trading terminal with up to 5x leverage, over-the-counter trading, and derivatives like perpetuals and options.

Trading fees are capped at 0.10% for spot trades and range between 0.02% – 0.055% for derivatives trades. Fees start to decline with increased volume once your monthly trading volume exceeds $100,000.

To begin using ByBit, sign up for an account, pass KYC, and deposit funds using any of the multiple convenient options. You can use the p2p market, allowing flexibility in the chosen payment method. Alternatively, you can top up your ByBit fiat balance using a bank transfer and then buy cryptos.

Pros

• Low trading fees
• Multiple deposit methods
• Has a mobile app
• Wide crypto selection

Cons

• It can be overwhelming to new users

Why we chose this platform

ByBit is a rising star among crypto exchanges, following in the footsteps of Binance in offering a wide range of services that cater to various types of users.

8. Bitstamp – Best for the Security-Conscious

Bitstamp is a crypto exchange known for its strong service delivery history and military-grade security system. The exchange has been operating for 13 years (since 2011) and is trusted by institutions thanks to its industry-leading uptime.

Regarding security, the exchange keeps 95% of all user assets in cold storage at all times. It also implements wallet address whitelisting to ensure account holders move funds to only pre-approved off-platform addresses and uses institutional-grade security to encrypt user data.

Where trading is concerned, the platform features a full-fledged trading terminal with access to over 75 cryptos at fees between 0.30% – 0.40% for monthly trade volumes between $1,000 and $10,000. Monthly trade volumes below $1,000 are free, while those above $10,000 attract lower fees.

Aside from trading and investing, Bitstamp offers earning products via staking and lending. The exchange handles all the backend infrastructure while the users deposit funds and allocate them to the desired product.

To get started with Bitstamp, create an account, verify it, and deposit funds using any available channels, including credit cards, international wire transfers, Faster payments (UK), ACH payments, Google and Apple Pay, and SEPA transfers.

Different payment options charge varying fees, but all charges are listed on the site’s fee schedule page.

Pros

• Institution-grade security
• Low minimum deposit (€5)
• Instant deposit options
• >95% uptime

Cons

• Fees higher than competitors for $1,000 to $10,000 monthly volumes

Why we chose this platform

Bitstamp is a great option for users who prefer reliability and a strong security track record, which could explain why a good chunk of their client base is institutional.

What Is a Crypto Exchange & How Do They Work?

A crypto exchange is a service that allows users to swap one coin for another easily, usually from the comfort of their computers or mobile phones. Similar to how a stock exchange serves as a structured marketplace for buyers and sellers to trade stocks, crypto exchanges serve the same function for cryptocurrencies.

Crypto exchanges operate by creating a platform for users to log on to trade. On the back end of this platform are liquidity engines that power real-time trade execution so that users don’t have to wait for counterparties to be available before trading (unless they specifically choose peer-to-peer trading. More on that later).

While these exchanges may have started as simple currency swap services, many have grown to offer various services like derivative instrument trading (like Futures and Perpetuals), peer-to-peer (p2p) trading, and even NFT trading.

Is Crypto legal in Ireland?

Yes, cryptocurrency is legal in Ireland, as the Irish government has not imposed any laws that prohibit its citizens from owning or trading cryptocurrencies. The government supports distributed ledger technology, as stated in a paper titled International Financial Services Strategy 2025 published in 2019.

However, its support for DLTs should not be taken as support for cryptocurrencies, which are applications of DLTs. The Central Bank of Ireland, in 2018, warned the public of the risks of investing in ICOs and cryptocurrencies.

Despite the warning, Ireland has not banned cryptos as it does not currently have cryptocurrency regulations.

Are Crypto Exchanges Regulated in Ireland?

Much of the regulation in Ireland is predicated on that of the European Union, which is the latest version of the EU’s anti money-laundering (AML) laws and counter-terrorism financing (CTF) measures.

The fifth anti-money laundering directive by the EU requires member states to impose mandatory registration and reporting on crypto exchanges that wish to operate within the region.

In April 2021, the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2021 was implemented in Ireland and required all crypto exchanges to register with the Central Bank of Ireland.

It also subjects exchanges to the same rules as other financial service providers, including conducting an AML/CFT business risk assessment, carrying out KYC, continuously monitoring customers and their transactions, and filing suspicious transaction reports with the relevant authorities.

Do I Have to Pay Tax on Crypto in Ireland When Buying or Selling Through an Exchange?

There are no special tax rules for cryptos in Ireland, so regulations default to the general tax rules for income and capital gains within the region.

Profit from trading, mining, and delegating are considered income tax and subject to the going rate based on your income and tax bracket.

Profits made from crypto investments, i.e., buying cryptos (not trading derivatives) at a lower price and selling at a higher price later on, are seen as capital gains and are subject to the capital gains tax. However, citizens and residents are allowed a certain amount of tax-free capital gains.

Consult a licensed legal professional in the region for specific figures and tax rates.

Different Types of Crypto Exchange

Various crypto exchange types are available by metrics like centralisation, types of assets offered, or regional availability. We’ve combined all the popular types in the list below.

• Centralised exchanges: These are the most popular exchanges run by companies like Binance and Coinbse. They usually require users to open an account and pass KYC. They usually have mobile apps and are known for being the easiest to use.
• Decentralised exchanges: These exchanges are not run by a single entity or company. Instead, they are run by smart contracts on blockchain networks. They do not require you to sign up or provide personal data. Simply connect your crypto wallet and begin transacting.
• Hybrid exchanges: Hybrid exchanges combine aspects of centralised and decentralised exchanges to deliver a mixed solution that offers the best of both worlds. For example, a hybrid exchange may have liquidity like centralised exchanges and security features like decentralised exchanges.
• P2P exchanges: Peer-to-peer exchanges are marketplaces that allow people to trade with one another directly instead of going through market makers and liquidity pools. They usually offer the most flexible payment options as users set the most convenient payment methods.
• Derivatives exchanges: Derivatives exchanges are more trading services that allow users to focus on trading to access a range of crypto derivatives with high leverage and facilities specific to traders.

How We Chose the Best Crypto Exchanges in Ireland

While there may not be a singular exchange that could be the best in Ireland, we’ve found that all the top crypto exchanges possess key features and hit key metrics. Some of these include:

Security

All the best crypto exchanges in Ireland are secure. They implement the latest security measures and technologies to ensure user the safety of user data and funds. Some of these include SSL encryption to protect against malicious traffic and to prevent third parties from intercepting confidential client communications.

Some others include using cold wallets to store the bulk of user funds so that they are always out of the reach of hackers if a breach occurs. Multisignature wallets prevent theft from a single point of failure for funds kept in hot wallets.

Regulation

In addition to strong security, the top exchanges are all licensed by the Central Bank of Ireland and implement KYC and AML procedures and constant monitoring to ensure that nefarious third parties with legitimate accounts do not compromise the legal standing of the firm and its users.

Payment Methods

The payment methods supported are important. The best exchanges in Ireland support convenient payment methods for residents within the region. This includes supporting the Euro and all its payment methods like SEPA and Sofort.

Crypto Selection

The amount of cryptocurrencies available for trading and investing is important as a small selection may cause users to seek rare coins elsewhere, which will require them to use the same password across multiple platforms, weakening security.

Fees

Fees are an important factor to consider as it affects the cost of your investments. The total cost of using an exchange should be estimated and considered; this includes deposit costs, conversion fees, maintenance charges, and withdrawal charges.

The ideal platform may not be the cheapest overall regarding numerical cost as people’s needs and preferences differ. For example, a trader may deposit funds a few times a year but trade frequently. In this case, higher trading fees will affect their use of the platform more than deposit fees.

How to Buy Crypto in Ireland With a Crypto Exchange

For this section of the guide, we used Bitpanda.

1. Open an account

Navigate to the Bitpanda website to create a new account. You’ll have to provide your name, email address, and password.

2. Verify your account

Verify your account by filling out your details and submitting KYC documents like proof of ID (National ID or driver’s licence) and proof of residency (utility bill). Then, finish setting up your profile.

3. Make a deposit

Once your account has been verified, navigate to your account dashboard to deposit funds. The available options will be displayed. Choose one that works for you and set an amount you’d like to deposit at or above the minimum.

4. Buy Crypto

Once your account is funded, search for any crypto you wish to buy. You can buy crypto directly with a fiat deposit. Simply select the crypto you wish to buy (Bitcoin in this case), select how much you wish to buy, and execute your transaction.

Final Thoughts

We explored the best crypto exchanges in Ireland and chose eToro as the top choice because of its vibrant investor community, useful investing tools, multiple payment methods, and global availability.

However, if eToro is unavailable or otherwise unfeasible, any of the other eight cryptos on our list are great options, depending on your preferences.

Remember to go through the key features of all top exchanges to help you make more informed decisions when choosing an exchange.

For more information on how we select exchanges, visit our How We Test page.

Review Methodology

The platforms covered in this guide were chosen through rigorous testing, research, and reviews. We paid attention to security, transparency, reputation, trading fees, deposit and withdrawal methods, coin selection, and trading facilities.

The platforms listed are the best we found in the various categories we listed them. For example, we found that Bitpanda had a cohesive investment platform for investing in and managing multiple assets, which made it the best cryptocurrency exchange for traditional investors.

Check out our why trust us and how we test pages for more information on our testing process.