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Key takeaways
Since July 1, 2026, every crypto exchange serving German customers must hold a MiCA license, so stick to licensed platforms.
Bitpanda is our top overall pick and was one of the first exchanges to earn a MiCA license from BaFin.
Kraken is the strongest option for investors who used to rely on Binance, which is now leaving the EU.
Crypto held for more than 12 months is tax-free for private investors in Germany.
In this guide, we’ll break down the 10 best cryptocurrency exchanges in Germany, based on factors like MiCA licensing, fees, security, and user interface!
Quick look: the best crypto exchanges in Germany
Exchange
Summary
Bitpanda
An Austrian-based, MiCA-licensed exchange with beginner-friendly features and a huge asset selection, including crypto, ETFs, and stocks.
Bitvavo
A Dutch, MiCA-licensed exchange consistently rated one of the cheapest for German investors.
Kraken
A long-running, MiCA-licensed exchange with deep euro liquidity and free SEPA deposits, a strong Binance alternative.
Relai
A Swiss Bitcoin app, now MiCA-licensed, offering simple purchasing and automatic cold storage.
Coinbase
A globally recognized, MiCA-licensed exchange known for beginner-friendly features and its “Learn and Earn” program.
Bitstamp
One of the oldest exchanges, now owned by Robinhood, offering low fees, advanced orders, and strong customer support.
Nexo
A platform with advanced features like crypto lending and staking rewards, serving users across the world.
Trade Republic
A German, BaFin-licensed broker offering commission-free investing across crypto, stocks, and ETFs.
BISON
A German exchange backed by Börse Stuttgart, emphasizing security with crime insurance and regulated custody.
Bitcoin.De
A German marketplace focused on Bitcoin, offering high security and low fees.
Bitpanda is an Austrian-based exchange specifically aimed at European investors. Today, the exchange serves more than 7.4 million users across the continent, and it has grown into a full multi-asset platform that supports crypto, stocks, ETFs, and precious metals!
MiCA license: Yes. Bitpanda was one of the first platforms to earn a MiCA license from BaFin in Germany, and it also holds licenses in Austria and Malta.
Pros & Cons
Beginner-friendly: Bitpanda is a beginner-friendly exchange with an easy-to-use user interface.
Safe and secure: Bitpanda complies with European laws and regulations and works with external auditors to make sure that your cryptocurrency is safe.
Large selection of cryptocurrencies: Bitpanda supports more than 650 cryptocurrencies and fiat currencies like EUR, USD, CHF, and GBP!
Large range of assets: In addition to crypto, Bitpanda supports additional assets like 10,000+ stocks and ETFs!
Not transparent about fees: Bitpanda is not transparent about fees. While buying and selling Bitcoin is subject to a 1.49% premium, Bitpanda’s website says that other cryptocurrency fees are reflected in the buy and sell price, meaning that it’s unclear how much you’re paying!
Bitvavo is a Dutch-based exchange that has become one of the most popular options for German investors looking to keep costs down. Independent studies have rated it among the cheapest exchanges in the DACH region.
MiCA license: Yes. Bitvavo is licensed in the Netherlands (AFM) and passports its license across the EU.
Pros & Cons
Low fees: Bitvavo consistently ranks as one of the lowest-cost exchanges for European investors.
Regulated and secure: Bitvavo is MiCA-licensed and holds the majority of assets in cold storage.
Wide selection: Bitvavo supports hundreds of cryptocurrencies with free SEPA deposits.
EUR-focused: Bitvavo is built around the euro, so it’s less useful if you want to trade in other fiat currencies.
Kraken is one of the world’s longest-running cryptocurrency exchanges, with more than a decade of euro-trading history. Now MiCA-licensed, it has become the go-to option for German investors who previously used Binance.
MiCA license: Yes. Kraken is licensed by the Central Bank of Ireland and passports its license across the EU.
Pros & Cons
Deep liquidity: Kraken offers strong euro liquidity and a wide range of trading pairs.
Free SEPA deposits: German users can fund their accounts by SEPA transfer at no cost.
Advanced tools: Kraken supports margin trading, staking, and advanced order types for experienced investors.
Steeper learning curve: Kraken’s advanced platform can feel complex for complete beginners.
Relai is a Switzerland-based app designed to take the hassle out of buying Bitcoin. Since 2020, Relai has made it possible for investors all over Europe to buy Bitcoin, and in 2025 it became one of the first Bitcoin-only apps to earn a MiCA license!
MiCA license: Yes. Relai is licensed by France’s AMF and passports its license across the EU.
Pros & Cons
User-friendly: Relai offers an easy-to-use mobile app that makes it a great choice for first-time Bitcoin investors!
Cold storage: Relai allows users to automatically transfer BTC to a non-custodial wallet for maximum security.
Great for Bitcoin investing: Relai allows you to make one-time or recurring purchases of Bitcoin!
Bitcoin only: Currently, Relai only offers Bitcoin. The exchange does not support other cryptocurrencies.
Fees: Relai’s base fee is 1% (0.9% with an invite code), and card payments add roughly 3%.
Bitstamp is one of the world’s oldest cryptocurrency exchanges, originally getting started in 2011! In 2025, Bitstamp was acquired by Robinhood, but it continues to operate under the Bitstamp brand for European investors.
MiCA license: Yes. Bitstamp is licensed in Luxembourg (CSSF) and passports its license across the EU.
Pros & Cons
Low fees: Bitstamp offers low fees for investors. Fees start at 0.4% and go down with additional trading volume!
Advanced transactions: Bitstamp offers advanced features like limit orders and stop orders!
Staking support: Bitstamp allows users to earn staking rewards on select cryptocurrencies like Ethereum and Algorand.
Strong customer support: Bitstamp offers phone-based customer support for users!
Security issues: While Bitstamp is a trusted exchange, the exchange was hacked in 2015 causing customers to lose $5.2 million in Bitcoin.
Nexo is a cryptocurrency platform originally founded in 2018. Today, the platform serves users across the world, with advanced features like crypto lending and borrowing, and it holds more than $11 billion in assets under management!
MiCA license: Nexo describes itself as MiCA-ready and operates under BaFin oversight, but a full CASP authorization has not yet been confirmed. Keep this in mind before signing up.
Pros & Cons
Advanced features: Nexo offers advanced features, such as allowing you to borrow cryptocurrency and trade cryptocurrency on margin!
Low fees: Nexo Pro offers relatively low fees, ranging from 0.03% to 0.2%.
Staking and Earn rewards: Nexo allows you to earn additional rewards on your cryptocurrency through staking and Earn rewards!
Regulatory history: Nexo left the US in 2022 after a $45 million settlement, then returned to the US market in 2025.
Limited crypto selection: According to Nexo’s website, the platform supports 120+ cryptocurrencies.
Trade Republic is a Berlin-based broker that has become one of the most popular investing apps in Germany, with more than 4 million customers. Alongside crypto, it offers commission-free investing in stocks and ETFs.
MiCA license: Yes. Trade Republic is licensed by BaFin in Germany.
Pros & Cons
German and regulated: Trade Republic is headquartered in Berlin and licensed directly by BaFin.
All-in-one investing: Trade Republic lets you hold crypto alongside stocks and ETFs in a single app.
Low costs: Trade Republic offers commission-free investing with a small per-trade external fee.
Limited crypto tools: Trade Republic is built for long-term investing, so it lacks the advanced trading features of a dedicated exchange.
BISON is a German-based cryptocurrency exchange backed by a traditional stock exchange, Börse Stuttgart. BISON is designed to make buying and selling cryptocurrencies easy for German investors!
MiCA license: Yes. Börse Stuttgart Digital was the first German provider to earn a MiCA license from BaFin.
Pros & Cons
Highly secure: All cryptocurrency on BISON is held with a custody provider that is a subsidiary of Börse Stuttgart. In addition, all cryptocurrency on BISON is protected by crime insurance.
Low spread: While BISON does not charge fees, the exchange earns revenue by charging a ‘spread’ between the listed price and the market price of cryptocurrencies.
Advanced features: BISON offers advanced features like charting tools, limit orders, and price alerts!
Growing but focused selection: BISON now offers around 60 cryptocurrencies, along with stocks and ETPs, but that’s still fewer than the largest global exchanges.
Lacking customer support: In the past, customers have complained about BISON’s lackluster customer support.
Bitcoin.De is a German-based marketplace designed to make it easy to trade and invest in Bitcoin. Today, Bitcoin.De serves more than 1 million customers across Europe, and it began rolling out a fully modernized trading platform in 2026!
MiCA license: Yes. Bitcoin.De operates under German regulatory oversight through its parent company, Bitcoin Group SE.
Pros & Cons
Highly secure: Bitcoin.De stores 98% of customer funds in cold storage. In addition, all of the company’s servers are in highly-secure data centers!
Low fees: Bitcoin.De offers low fees ranging from 0.3-0.5%.
Customer support: Bitcoin.De offers quality customer support through an online booking form!
Limited selection: Because Bitcoin.De’s main focus is Bitcoin, the platform only offers support for a limited number of cryptocurrencies.
Unfriendly user interface: Bitcoin.De’s user interface may not be intuitive for new investors.
What is MiCA, and why does it matter for German exchanges?
MiCA (the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation) is the European Union’s framework for regulating cryptocurrency. Since December 2024, any exchange that wants to serve customers in the EU has needed a license, known as a Crypto-Asset Service Provider (CASP) authorization.
In Germany, BaFin is the regulator that grants these licenses. An exchange can also be licensed by another EU regulator, such as those in Ireland or Luxembourg, and ‘passport’ that license into Germany.
The transition period ended on July 1, 2026. As a result, exchanges without a MiCA license can no longer take on new German customers. Binance, which never secured a license, has started withdrawing from the EU entirely.
For you, the takeaway is simple. Before you sign up, check that an exchange is MiCA-licensed. Every top pick on this list is.
What to consider when choosing an exchange?
Here are a few factors to consider when choosing an exchange.
User interface: You should choose an exchange with an easy-to-use user interface. Beginner investors may prefer exchanges with a simpler interface, while experienced investors may be looking for advanced tools.
Fees: Most exchanges charge fees when you buy and sell cryptocurrencies.High fees may be an issue if you trade cryptocurrencies frequently!
Cryptocurrency selection: Before you choose an exchange, consider which cryptocurrencies you are planning to invest in. While some investors only wish to invest in a few cryptocurrencies, others may want to buy a wide range of tokens!
Security: Cryptocurrency exchanges around the world have been subject to hacks! Before you choose an exchange, it’s important to look at your exchange’s security policy.
Regulatory compliance: Since MiCA took full effect, exchanges serving German customers must hold a license from BaFin or another EU regulator. Binance, which withdrew its German application in 2023 and never earned a MiCA license, is now leaving the EU. Make sure your exchange is licensed.
How is cryptocurrency taxed in Germany?
Germany has some of the most favorable crypto tax rules in the world, but you still need to keep careful records.
If you hold your cryptocurrency for more than 12 months, your gains are completely tax-free when you sell, no matter how large. If you sell within 12 months, your gains are taxed at your personal income tax rate.
There is also a €1,000 exemption for short-term gains. Remember, this is a Freigrenze, not an allowance. If your total short-term gains go over €1,000, the entire amount becomes taxable, not just the portion above the limit.
In 2025, Germany’s Federal Ministry of Finance (BMF) tightened its record-keeping rules. You now need to be able to trace each transaction individually, which is difficult to do by hand once you’ve used multiple exchanges.
Luckily, there’s an easy fix. CoinLedger connects to exchanges like Bitpanda, Kraken, and Coinbase, then automatically generates a complete tax report in just minutes.
This guide breaks down everything you need to know about cryptocurrency taxes, from the high level tax implications to the actual crypto tax forms you need to fill out.
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