Europe
A list of ways to purchase bitcoin in Europe.
Bitpanda
Bitpanda is a regulated European crypto exchange with licenses across multiple EU countries. Users can buy Bitcoin using SEPA transfers, credit/debit cards, iDEAL, SOFORT, Skrill, NETELLER and more payment methods. Features include a built-in wallet and mobile apps.
Coinbase
Coinbase is extensively regulated across Europe with entities authorized by the FCA, BaFin, and CBI. European users can buy Bitcoin using SEPA transfers, iDEAL (Netherlands), credit/debit cards, and bank transfers.
Kraken
Kraken is regulated in Europe with Central Bank of Ireland EMI & Bank of Spain VASP registration. Users can buy & sell Bitcoin using SEPA transfers with low fees. One of the world's longest-standing Bitcoin buying, selling, and trading platforms.
Uphold
Uphold is available across Europe with FCIS registration. Users can buy Bitcoin using SEPA transfers, credit/debit cards and other supported payment methods.
ATM Radar
A map that allows you to find Cash to Bitcoin ATMs in any location in the world.
NETELLER
Online money transfer service that allows you to buy Bitcoin.
Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions
If I Bought Bitcoin
See how much you would have made if you bought Bitcoin in the past.
Transaction Fees
A look at the transaction fees for each exchange, both spread and commission.
- Spread fee: Exchanges may charge a higher price than the actual price of Bitcoin.
- Fee: Exchange fee for the transaction.
- Total fees: The sum of the spread fee and the fee.
Exchange | Spread Fee | Fee | Total Fees |
---|---|---|---|
Kraken | 0.0% | 0.4% | 0.4% |
Bitpanda | 1.5% | 0.0% | 1.5% |
Uphold | 1.5% | 0.0% | 1.5% |
Coinbase | 1.0% | 2.99% | 3.99% |
Actual fees may vary. Fees are subject to change. Fee estimates based on our research and testing. Some exchanges may charge less depending on volume.
Estimated Fees on €100
An estimate of the fees for buying €100 worth of Bitcoin using a bank account.
Exchange | Total Cost on €100 |
---|---|
Kraken | 0.4 |
Bitpanda | 1.5 |
Uphold | 1.5 |
Coinbase | 3.99 |
History of Bitcoin in Europe
Europe has played a pivotal role in Bitcoin's development. In 2011, Bitcoin Central became one of the first major European Bitcoin exchanges. A significant milestone occurred in 2013 when Germany became the first country to recognize Bitcoin as a 'unit of account', effectively treating it as a form of private money. In 2015, the European Court of Justice ruled that Bitcoin transactions should be exempt from VAT, setting an important regulatory precedent.
In 2016, Switzerland's Zug canton began accepting Bitcoin for government services, earning it the nickname 'Crypto Valley'. By 2018, the EU's Fifth Anti-Money Laundering Directive (AMLD5) established the first comprehensive cryptocurrency regulations in Europe, requiring exchanges to register with financial authorities and conduct customer due diligence.
Financial & Regulatory Licenses
Exchange | Licenses & Regulation |
---|---|
Bitpanda | Registered VASP in Austria, France, Spain, Italy, Czech Republic, Sweden and Norway. Licensed by BaFin in Germany for crypto custody and trading. |
Coinbase | Chartered by New York State Department of Financial Services for virtual currency. |
Kraken | Registered money services business with FinCEN (USA). |
Uphold | FinCEN (USA), FCA (UK), FINTRAC (Canada), FCIS (EU) |
ATM Radar | This is a map only. Please check with individual ATM operators for their regulatory status and licenses. |
NETELLER | Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the United Kingdom. |
Deposit Fees
These are fees exchanges may charge for deposits. Fees are subject to change.
Exchange | Deposit Fees |
---|---|
Bitpanda |
SEPA: Free |
Coinbase |
ACH: Free Wire: $10 USD SEPA: €0.15 EUR SWIFT: Free |
Kraken |
ACH: $0 Wire: $0 SEPA: $0 SWIFT: $3 |
Uphold |
ACH: Free Wire: $0 - $20 SEPA: Free FPS: Free |
Bitcoin Scams in Europe
Europe has faced several major cryptocurrency scams. In 2017, the OneCoin Ponzi scheme, headquartered in Bulgaria, defrauded investors of approximately €4 billion before its founder Ruja Ignatova disappeared. In 2019, Dutch bitcoin trader Theodorus Maarten Paulussen was arrested for allegedly defrauding over 100 people of €23 million through a fake cryptocurrency investment scheme.
More recently, in 2021, Turkish cryptocurrency exchange Thodex halted operations with its CEO fleeing the country, taking $2 billion in investor funds. The same year, Swedish authorities warned about a surge in crypto investment scams, with reported losses exceeding 100 million SEK ($11.5 million), leading to increased regulatory scrutiny across Europe.
Mobile App Support
Exchange | iOS App | Android App |
---|---|---|
Bitpanda | ||
Coinbase | ||
Kraken | ||
Uphold | ||
NETELLER |
Earn Interest & Rewards
The following table shows interest rates offered by exchanges.
Exchange | Interest Rate & Details |
---|---|
Bitpanda |
2.65%
EUR 3.95%, USD 3.96%, GBP 3.96%.
|
Coinbase |
4.70%
Earn 4.70% APY rewards by holding USDC on Coinbase. USDC is fully backed 1:1 by US dollars. Minimum $1.
|
Kraken |
0.15% - 6.5%
Available for BTC (0.15% bonded/0.1% flexible), USDT/USD/USDC (6.5% bonded/4.5% flexible), and EUR (4.45% bonded/3.5% flexible).
|
Uphold |
2 - 4.65%
Earn up to 4.65% APY on USD balances of $1,000 or more, or 2% APY on balances below $1,000 in Uphold's USD Interest Account.
|
Exchange snapshots
Bitpanda
Bitpanda snapshot | |
Minimum Deposit | $1 |
iOS app score |
4.7
Official rating from the iOS App Store as of November 18, 2024.
|
Android app score |
3.5
Official rating from the Android Play Store as of November 18, 2024.
|
Deposit Methods | iDEAL, SEPA, Bank Account, Credit Card, Debit Card, giropay, EPS, SOFORT, Skrill, NETELLER, Google Pay |
Coinbase
Coinbase snapshot | |
Minimum Deposit | $1 |
iOS app score |
4.7
Official rating from the iOS App Store as of November 18, 2024.
|
Android app score |
4.6
Official rating from the Android Play Store as of November 18, 2024.
|
Deposit Methods | ACH, Wire Transfer, Debit Card, Bank Account, PayPal, Apple Pay, iDEAL, SEPA, Interac e-Transfer, Instant Verification, Google Pay |
Review | Read our review |
Kraken
Kraken snapshot | |
Minimum Deposit | $1 |
iOS app score |
4.7
Official rating from the iOS App Store as of November 18, 2024.
|
Android app score |
4.3
Official rating from the Android Play Store as of November 18, 2024.
|
Deposit Methods | ACH, Bank Account, Apple Pay, Google Pay, SEPA, Interac e-Transfer, Debit Card, PayPal, Instant Verification |
Uphold
Uphold snapshot | |
Minimum Deposit | $1 |
iOS app score |
4.6
Official rating from the iOS App Store as of November 18, 2024.
|
Android app score |
4.7
Official rating from the Android Play Store as of November 18, 2024.
|
Deposit Methods | ACH, Bank Account, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Credit Card, Debit Card, SEPA, Interac e-Transfer |
ATM Radar
ATM Radar snapshot | |
Minimum Deposit | Each ATM will have a different minimum deposit amount. |
iOS app score |
4.5
Official rating from the iOS App Store as of November 18, 2024.
|
Android app score |
4.5
Official rating from the Android Play Store as of November 18, 2024.
|
Deposit Methods | Cash |
NETELLER
NETELLER snapshot | |
Minimum Deposit | $1 |
Deposit Methods | NETELLER |