Before you can start trading Bitcoin (BTC), Ether (ETH) or other altcoins, you need to get set up on a crypto exchange. We’ve reviewed some of the best in Ireland which are registered with the relevant authority such as the Central Bank of Ireland or an equivalent watchdog if there’s no base in Ireland. With crypto, using even a registered exchange doesn’t give you any protection as a customer.
After crunching through data on fees, safety records, number of coins and more, we’ve picked exchanges that excel in different categories. We also look for learning tools, because not everyone’s a pro. There’s a quick summary or you can see a mini-review with pros and cons of each one.
eToro uses its experience as an investing platform to make things easy for crypto newbies. Its beginner-friendly interface makes buying and selling crypto quick and simple for someone just starting out.
eToro pioneered the concept of copy trading back in 2010. This feature, known simply as CopyTrader, allows you to view and mirror trades made by experienced investors. To do it, you choose a trader you want to copy and then set your account to follow their trading moves.
With a minimum of US$200, you can automatically repeat trades from some of eToro's top-performing crypto traders - although there's no guarantee they'll keep making a profit. There is no additional fee charged for this service.
Meanwhile, if you want to try before you buy, you can practice with a virtual $100,000 using eToro's virtual portfolio. This allows you to learn about the market and hone your trading skills before doing it for real.
Withdrawals and deposits are made in US dollars instead of pounds, so you’ll have to pay a conversion fee. You can avoid this fee by becoming a Diamond-tier eToro Club member, but that requires a huge account balance of $250,000.
| Deposit methods | Bank transfer, Credit card, Debit card, Neteller, PayPal, Skrill |
|---|---|
| Deposit fees | Fees vary (conversion fees for non-USD deposits) (US$50 minimum deposit) |
| Withdrawal fees | $5 per withdrawal |
| Trading fees | Fees vary. Overnight and weekend fees apply |
Kraken is one of the longest-running platforms in the industry and has maintained its legacy by constantly improving its services.
You can start building a cryptocurrency portfolio today from 220+ supported coins. Kraken is popular with over 10 million users, which makes it one of the world's largest exchanges. But for overall features and trading tools, Kraken blows most crypto exchanges out of the water. It's clearly made for traders but it doesn't leave novices behind either.
Kraken Pro, which is free, has a broad range of advanced trading features. It prides itself on offering low spreads and providing deep liquidity across markets so you don't need to worry as much about slippage (which is when the price changes quickly during your order and you feel short-changed). Its interface is also fully customisable, so you can include as many data-displaying tabs and panels as you’d like.
While new traders may feel daunted by the exchange at first, the large variety of guides can help anyone become knowledgeable about cryptocurrency, its underlying technology and the different forms of trading. You'll find these under the 'Learn' tab. It's worth reading the deposit and withdrawal guides in particular - if you use SWIFT, your withdrawal could cost you up to €35. See the 'Fees & deposits' tab in this guide for more about fees.
Meanwhile, more experienced traders will appreciate Kraken's high-quality system and easy-to-use user interface (UI). They'll be pleasantly surprised by how straightforward it is to trade, move crypto and manage assets.
| Deposit methods | Bank transfer, Credit card, Cryptocurrency, Debit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, SWIFT |
|---|---|
| Deposit fees | Fees vary |
| Withdrawal fees | Fees vary |
| Trading fees | Maker: 0.00-0.25% Taker: 0.10-0.40% |
Uphold offers a seamless user experience and a straightforward fee structure. Plus, it has several exciting features like its debit card - although it’s only available in the UK.
The card lets you spend crypto and national currencies wherever Mastercard is accepted. And there are 0% foreign transaction fees and low exchange rates.
Being able to use crypto or national currencies gives you some flexibility. You can also track your spending with real-time analytics and, if you lose your card, you can freeze it using the app.
| Deposit methods | Bank transfer (ACH), Credit card, Debit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay |
|---|---|
| Deposit fees | Bank transfer: None Bitcoin: None Credit/debit card: 3.99% Google Pay: None |
| Withdrawal fees | Cryptocurrency: fees vary Bank transfer: None Credit/debit card: None Google Pay: None |
| Trading fees | Fees Vary, 0.25% - 2.95% |
Revolut is steadily becoming a one-stop shop for all things crypto. The user-friendly digital app marries its e-money banking account services with its cryptocurrency features to create a seamless user experience. Customers can buy, hold and exchange 140+ cryptocurrencies in-app within seconds. Using funds from your Revolut account, you can start investing almost immediately.
From the app, you'll be able to choose which cryptocurrencies to invest in, set up recurring buys, send crypto to other Revolut users and take advantage of performance analytics to help you understand how your portfolio is performing. You can also add a crypto spending mode to your existing Revolut prepaid card, which allows you to pay for purchases with instantly converted tokens. Plus, if you're an advanced trader, Revolut now has its own standalone platform, Revolut X. This desktop platform has lower maker and taker fees than Revolut's standard offering. It also offers full-stack protection and advanced trading analytics.
| Deposit methods | Bank transfer, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Debit/credit cards |
|---|---|
| Deposit fees | Free |
| Withdrawal fees | Fees vary (Network fee and Revolut fee) |
| Trading fees | 1.5% per trade (varies with plan) |
Crypto.com has one of the largest lists of cryptocurrencies with over 380 coins on offer and it’s constantly looking to add more.
If you're looking for less-common altcoins, Crypto.com will have you covered. It has an extensive range of low-market-cap coins and you can see the latest releases in its 'Showroom'. Just remember that coins with a market cap can be even more volatile than the top cryptos, so do plenty of research before plunging in.
Crypto.com also offers other useful services to its 80 million customers worldwide. For example, you can get a crypto card, explore its NFT marketplace or set up your own DeFi wallet. However, not everyone is happy with the service and there are some negative reviews on Trustpilot.
| Deposit methods | Bank transfer, Cryptocurrency, PayPal, Wire transfer, SEPA, Debit/credit cards |
|---|---|
| Deposit fees | Free for bank transfers, 2.99% for cards |
| Withdrawal fees | Cryptocurrency: Fees vary |
| Trading fees | Maker - 0-0.075% Taker - 0.05-0.075% |
Our comparison tables are completely free to use. We link you directly to the platform’s secure sign-up page and often have offers you won’t find elsewhere.
We’ve researched and rated dozens of exchanges for our Crypto Trading Platform Awards and are often called upon to comment in media.
We’re not owned by an exchange or investment firm. Our opinions are our own and we put our users first to help you find the product that’s right for you.
We’re a team of crypto nerds with extensive experience in investing, trading and decentralised finance but we also remember how it feels to be a beginner.
It’s important to research a wide range of crypto platforms and compare the pros and cons of each option. The best crypto exchange for you depends on what you’re looking for, so consider the following:
There are plenty of places to buy crypto, including platforms founded here in Ireland or based in locations all around the world. Exchanges headquartered locally are required to register with the local watchdog and comply with requirements that don’t apply to global platforms. Depending on your goals, this may have some benefits or drawbacks.
Use the table to compare crypto exchanges and platforms on fees, range of cryptos, deposit methods and more. Once you’ve found the right fit, select Go to site to get started.
For the sake of our example, let’s assume that you have €500 that you want to use to buy Bitcoin (BTC).
Crypto exchanges in Ireland support a range of deposit methods, including the following:
Accepted payment methods vary between exchanges. Prior to signing up, it’s worth checking that your preferred payment method is supported.
The term “exchange” may refer to a variety of cryptocurrency brokers, trading platforms and other services. Different types of exchange are often more geared toward beginners or experienced users.
Not all crypto exchanges are created equal and not all crypto buyers and sellers have the same trading needs. The best exchange or platform for one person might not necessarily be the right choice for someone else, so it’s essential to do your own research.
Read our reviews of some of the most popular cryptocurrency exchanges in Ireland and around the world before you decide which to use. Compare the features, fees and pros and cons of each platform and consider whether they align with your investment goals and budget.
We also have a guide to the best crypto exchanges in the UK if you’re based here instead or looking to share it with someone who is.
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Read more…To evaluate our 2024 picks for the best crypto exchanges in Ireland, we compared trading platforms on a range of criteria, including the following:
Cryptocurrencies aren't regulated in Ireland (or the EU) and there's no regulatory protection from the Deposit Guarantee, Investor Compensation Scheme or Insurance Compensation Fund. Your capital is at risk. Capital gains tax on profits may apply.
Cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and are unsuitable for most investors. There is a high risk that you will lose some or all of your money, so you should not invest more than you can't afford to lose. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. This content shouldn't be interpreted as a recommendation to invest. Before you invest, you should get advice and fully understand the risks you are taking. Investing in cryptocurrency through a firm that is registered with the Central Bank of Ireland to provide financial services does not protect you from the above risks. Finder, or the author, may have holdings in the cryptocurrencies discussed.
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