Best Crypto Exchanges in Germany: Safest Platforms for Buying & Trading Bitcoin

Around 27.32 million Germans, or about 33% of the population, are projected to use cryptocurrencies in Germany. Crypto adoption in the region rose by 450% over the last few years, according to Statista, making Deutschland one of the fastest-growing crypto bubbles in Europe. 

The thing is, BaFin (Germany’s Federal Financial Supervisory Authority) is one of the strictest governing agencies in the world when it comes to custodians and crypto platforms. While this doesn’t necessarily bar Germans from embracing digital assets, exchanges compete not only for the best spread, but also for security and compliance. 

What Makes a Great Crypto Exchange in Germany

A great cryptocurrency exchange must be transparent, secure, and offer a fast platform with a diverse portfolio of assets. When it comes to CEXs operating in Germany, these companies also need to comply with BaFin regulations. 

The agency requires crypto firms to obtain a full license on par with traditional investment institutions. They also must comply with the German Money Laundering Act (GwG) and EU MiCAR rules, meaning they face rigorous anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorist financing checks.

Different from how the U.S. pivoted away from “crypto as a security” argument in 2025, in Germany, digital assets are treated as security investments, meaning that exchanges also need to be in line with established investment services under MiFID II — which means crypto firms are treated as security providers, rather than “tech startups”. 

This means that cryptocurrency exchanges operating in Germany must function as fully regulated financial institutions, meeting the same standards as banks and investment firms

Is Crypto Legal in Germany?

Owning and trading cryptocurrencies is completely legal in Germany. Since 2013, Germany has recognized Bitcoin and other digital assets as a “unit of account”, categorically classifying crypto as a financial instrument.

The only thing that differentiates crypto trading in Germany from other parts of the world is its regulatory oversight. For this reason, investors looking for a platform to trade and buy cryptocurrencies must ensure it holds a BaFin license, as well as AML/KYC Compliance under the German Money Laundering Act (GwG).

Best Crypto Exchanges in Germany

Kraken

Kraken is one of the most used and trusted crypto trading platforms in Germany. It operates in partnership with DLT Finance, a BaFin‑licensed custodian and broker, making its services fully compliant with German regulations. It offers a wide asset list, deep liquidity, and supports SEPA transfers for German users. 

Bitpanda

Bitpanda offers crypto, stocks, ETFs, and precious metals in one platform, making it ideal for multi‑asset investors. In January 2025, Bitpanda secured a MiCAR license directly from BaFin, becoming one of the first major platforms to achieve this milestone.

Offering a wide range of products from crypto, stocks, to even precious metals, BitPanda is a great option for traditional investors slowly making their way to crypto trading. Bitpanda holds a MiCAR license directly from BaFin since January 2025, the first platform to secure a license straight from the agency.

Coinbase Germany

The leading crypto exchange in the world, behind Binance, Coinbase was one of the first foreign companies to receive a BaFin license for crypto custody and trading in 2021. Due to its popularity, Coinbase is a great match for new traders as it provides a wide range of educational content, as well as an easy a straightforward UI.

Bitvavo

German traders looking to get the best bang for their buck may go with Bitvavo, as the platform is often considered to offer the most competitive fee structure in the business. After re‑entering Germany in 2025 with MiCAR licensing, Bitvavo now operates under BaFin oversight, ensuring compliance while keeping fees low. 

BISON (Börse Stuttgart)

Backed by Börse Stuttgart, one of Germany’s most traditional stock exchanges, BISON entered the German market with a lot of credibility and local trust. The exchange is fully BaFin-compliant and is designed as a no-nonsense platform where even beginners can easily buy and sell cryptocurrencies without needing prior technical knowledge.

Bitcoin.de

Germany’s oldest crypto exchange and one of the first platforms to receive BaFin licensing. It operates as a peer‑to‑peer marketplace, connecting buyers and sellers directly while ensuring compliance with German financial regulations.

Comparison Table — Fees, Supported Coins, Regulation

Exchange	BaFin‑regulated?	Spot fees (approx.)	Deposit options (SEPA, card, PayPal)	Number of coins (approx.)	Best for
Kraken	Yes (via DLT Finance partnership)	0.16%–0.26%	SEPA, card, PayPal	200+	Overall trust, security, liquidity
Bitpanda	Yes (BaFin MiCAR license, 2025)	0.1%–0.15%	SEPA, card, PayPal	250+	Multi‑asset investing (crypto, stocks, ETFs)
Coinbase Germany	Yes (BaFin license since 2021)	~0.5% spread	SEPA, card, PayPal	200+	Beginner‑friendly UX, fiat on‑ramp
Bitvavo	Yes (MiCAR license, 2025)	0.25%	SEPA, card	200+	Low‑fee trading, broad coin support
BISON	Yes (BaFin license, Börse Stuttgart)	~1% spread	SEPA, card	10+	German‑native option, beginner app
Bitcoin.de	Yes (BaFin license, P2P marketplace)	~0.5%	SEPA	Limited (BTC, ETH, BCH, etc.)	Peer‑to‑peer trading, long‑standing local trust

Exchanges that could become compliant soon

• Binance EU: Operates under EU regulation but does not hold a BaFin license directly.
• Bitget: Appeals to advanced traders with derivatives and copy trading, but lacks BaFin licensing.
• BTCC: One of the longest‑running crypto exchanges globally, BTCC is expanding its European presence and could seek BaFin licensing to strengthen its position in the German market.

Fees Explained — What German Users Should Expect

The fee structure in Germany is the same as in most places in the world. Exchanges operating in the country typically charge maker and taker fees, which are applied depending on how you place your trades.

Maker/Taker Fees

Maker fees are charged when an investor adds liquidity to the market, or in other words, an order that stays in the platform’s books until a different order challenges it. “Taker” fees are the exact opposite; they’re charged when an investor removes liquidity from the market, matching a “taker order.”

Spreads and Commissions

The second concept that investors must know before starting to trade on these platforms is how spreads and commissions work. 

A “spread” is the difference between the buy price (ask) and the sell price (bid) of an asset. When you place an order on an asset, let’s say Bitcoin, at €87,000, you’ll notice that the platform might show two different prices:

• Buy (ask) price: for example, €87,000
• Sell (bid) price: maybe €86,800

The gap of €200 in this example is essentially the exchange’s “premium”, as the built‑in cost you pay for using the platform. Knowing this concept allows investors to catch on to “zero-fee” trading offers, where — more often than not — the price of the feeless trading is built into the spread. 

Meanwhile, commissions are pretty easy to understand. As the name suggests, commission fees are pre-determined percentage charges on your trades. 

Withdrawal Fees

Withdrawing crypto to another wallet outside of the platform will also cost you in fees. Those will depend on which network the assets are in (Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc), and also what the gas fees are like that day. 

If you want to learn more details about fee structures in cryptocurrency exchanges, and not be caught by surprise, check out this article covering more about it.

How to Choose the Right Crypto Exchange in Germany

There is no “right” or “wrong” answer when picking a trading platform. As long as the exchange is licensed, secure, and transparent, the best choice will ultimately depend on your trading style; what caveats you’re willing to accept, and what quirks you’re comfortable with. 

As we mentioned before, exchanges like BISON and Coinbase excel in ease of use, while platforms like Bitpanda and Kraken provide advanced features like staking, an intricate trading platform, and features that align with Germany’s tax reporting requirements. 

For low‑fee seekers, cost efficiency is the deciding factor. Exchanges like Bitvavo and Kraken stand out with competitive fee structures and transparent pricing. 

Security is an important feature, no matter what your experience in crypto is. Fortunately, BeFin-compliant exchanges offer very high standards of security, but not all of them are ready to safeguard your funds in case of a major failure. 

While BaFin licensing ensures strict custody rules and operational safeguards, insurance coverage against hacks or account compromises is not guaranteed. Some platforms, like Coinbase, Kraken, Bitvavo, and BISON, provide additional protection through crime insurance or account guarantees. Others, however, rely solely on regulatory compliance. 

And if you want to learn more about crypto insurance, check out this article.

How to Buy Bitcoin or Crypto in Germany (Step-by-Step)

1. Create an account: Sign up with a BaFin‑regulated exchange that operates in Germany.
2. Verify identity (KYC): Upload your ID and complete the mandatory verification process.
3. Deposit EUR via SEPA: Transfer euros from your bank account. SEPA is the cheapest and most common method.
4. Make your first purchase: Use the exchange’s buy/sell function or place an order to purchase Bitcoin or another cryptocurrency.
5. Optional: Move coins to a private wallet: For long‑term security, transfer your crypto to a hardware or private wallet.

Crypto Taxes in Germany — Quick Basics 

Even though Germany has one of the strictest regulations on crypto trading, it is also one of the most investor-friendly places when it comes to tax regimes. 

One of the rules that makes cryptocurrency investment in Germany very attractive. If you buy Bitcoin or any other crypto and hold it for at least 12 months, the German government will not hold you liable for capital gains tax on the profit. In other words, any gains after a year are completely tax-free. 

If holding for less than a year, investors are expected to pay up to 45% in capital gains, plus a 5.5% solidarity surcharge that would otherwise apply to short-term profits. For comparison, the U.S. charges 10-37% in long-term (over a year) crypto holdings, and up to 20% for short-term (less than a year).

If you’re more interested in learning about crypto and taxes, we have a detailed guide about crypto tax software right here. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Are German exchanges regulated? 

Yes. All crypto exchanges must be licensed by BaFin, Germany’s financial regulator, ensuring strict compliance and investor protection.

Do German users pay fees? 

Yes. Maker/taker fees, spreads, and withdrawal costs apply, similar to global platforms, but transparency is emphasized under BaFin rules.

Is SEPA the main payment? 

Correct. Most German exchanges support SEPA transfers for euro deposits, making funding accounts cheap and efficient.

Are long‑term gains taxed? 

No. If crypto is held for 12+ months, profits are tax‑free. Shorter holds face progressive rates up to 45% plus surcharge.

Is insurance always included? 

Not always. Some exchanges like Coinbase, Kraken, Bitvavo, and BISON offer crime insurance, but others rely solely on regulatory safeguards.