Best crypto exchanges in Bulgaria (2026): MiCA licensed only

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Crypto exchange rules in Bulgaria, checked 26 October 2026

Only licensed exchanges appear on this page. Bulgaria follows the EU crypto rules, known as MiCA. The last MiCA transition period ended on 1 July 2026. Since then a crypto exchange needs a MiCA licence to serve people in Bulgaria. A firm licensed in one EU country can serve the others once its home regulator has notified them.

The regulator for crypto firms in Bulgaria is the Financial Supervision Commission (FSC).

How this page is ordered. The ranking below shows the 17 exchanges we cover that hold a MiCA licence for Bulgaria, ordered by CoinGecko trust rank, the same rank we use on every ranking page (the top 10 are ranked, all 17 are in the licence record at the end of the page). Licence status comes first: an exchange that is not on the register is not listed, whatever its size and whether or not it is a partner. The licensed entity, the regulator and the date for each one are in the licence record lower on this page. If you want a shortlist by fees and features instead, the Exchange Finder applies the same licence rule.

Not listed, and why: Binance does not hold a MiCA licence. It stopped new sign ups in the EU and restricted its services ahead of 1 July 2026 (CoinDesk, 26 June 2026). Gemini holds a MiCA licence but closed all accounts in the EEA on 6 April 2026 (Gemini). MEXC is on the ESMA list of non-compliant firms (decision of the Dutch AFM, 16 September 2025). HTX, Bitfinex, BitMart, CEX.IO, Toobit and XT.COM are not on the register either.

How to check any exchange yourself: open the ESMA register of licensed crypto firms and search for the company name. Then check that BG is in its list of host countries. If the firm is not there, do not send it money.

See every exchange and country we have checked in our crypto exchange licence tracker, with the data to download.

Sources: ESMA interim MiCA register, update of 15 October 2026 (read 20 October 2026); exchange notices. Checked 26 October 2026.

Compare crypto exchanges by licence, fees and features

Overview

Updated · Rankings data refreshed (CoinGecko)

This page lists the 17 exchanges we cover that hold a MiCA licence for Bulgaria, in trust-rank order, with the licensed entity, the regulator and the date for each one. The top of the list is Coinbase, Kraken, OKX. Use the comparison tool to set any two or three of them side by side on fees, coins and funding, and the rules block above to see who is not listed and why. Deposits in euro are covered lower on the page. Trading crypto involves risk; nothing here is financial, legal or investment advice.

Exchange of the Month

Coinbase Exchange 5.0
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The top 10 licensed crypto exchanges in Bulgaria

At a glance

#ExchangeTrust rank24h volumeFoundedMarkets
1Coinbase Exchange#1$2.74B2012Spot, Derivatives
2Kraken#2$2.27B2011Spot, Derivatives
3OKX#3$3.38B2017Spot, Derivatives
4Gate#6$3.02B2013Spot, Derivatives
5Bitstamp#7$395.9M2011Spot
6Crypto.com Exchange#9$1.33B2019Spot, Derivatives
7BingX#10$533.0M2018Spot, Derivatives
8Bitvavo#14$305.5M2018Spot
9KuCoin#21$1.74B2017Spot, Derivatives
10Bullish#24$2.11B2021Spot, Derivatives
  1. Coinbase Exchange 5.0
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  2. Kraken 5.0
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  3. OKX 5.0
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  4. Gate 5.0
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  5. Bitstamp 4.5
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  6. Crypto.com Exchange 4.5
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  7. BingX 4.5
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  8. Bitvavo 4.5
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  9. KuCoin 4.0
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  10. Bullish 4.0
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How We Pick These Exchanges

Licence first. This page lists only the 17 exchanges we cover that hold a MiCA licence for Bulgaria, in CoinGecko trust-rank order. An exchange that is not on the register is left out whatever its size, and whether or not it is a partner. The licence record for each one is in the table lower on this page.

The exchanges on this page are chosen and ranked using ExchangeCatalogue’s independent review framework – we look at security, regulation, fees, products, user experience, and overall fit for this specific use case or region.

Some platforms may be our partners, but no exchange can pay to change its score or ranking. Sponsorship can affect visibility (for example, “featured” labels), not how we rate risk or quality.

This page is for information only and is not financial or investment advice. Always do your own research.

See our Affiliate & Advertising Disclosure, Methodology and Risk Disclosure for full details.

Frequently Asked Questions

You want an exchange that is allowed to serve Bulgaria residents, follows strong compliance, and fits your needs. Check if it supports your funding method and local currency, offers the coins and order types you use, and explains fees in plain language. Review security features, incident history, and whether it shares proof of reserves. Test the app or web flow for clarity and support. Look for helpful education and responsive help. Read the terms and regional restrictions before you open an account.

Many platforms let you add and withdraw funds in local currency through bank transfer, card, or payment partners. Availability can depend on your bank and your account status. Watch for conversion costs if the account base currency is not the lev. Check any limits, processing times, and name matching rules on deposits and withdrawals. If local rails are not offered, you can still fund in another currency, but fees and timing may differ. Always confirm the latest methods inside the payment section before you start.

To meet compliance rules, you usually complete a know-your-customer check. You may provide a government ID, a live photo, and a recent address document. Some platforms also ask about your experience and the source of funds. For higher limits or business use, extra steps can apply. Verification speed and accepted documents vary by platform and region. You can review the requirements in the help center before you sign up, and choose a platform with clear privacy and data handling policies.

Exchanges can charge trading fees, spreads, and network fees for blockchain transfers. You may also see costs for deposits, withdrawals, or currency conversion. Fees change by method, asset, and account tier. Read the fee schedule and compare common actions you plan to take, such as a bank transfer and a market order. Watch the total cost at checkout before you confirm. Using limit orders, grouping withdrawals, and funding in the currency you will trade can help you manage costs. This is general information only.

Protect your account with a strong unique password and multi-factor authentication. Turn on withdrawal confirms and address allowlists if available. Keep your device and browser updated, and avoid public networks for account access. Beware of phishing links and fake support messages. Consider a separate wallet for longer term holding if you want more control over keys. Start with a small test transfer when you use a new address. Review the platform’s security page for custody practices, incident response, and proof of reserves.

Rules for digital assets continue to evolve in the region. Many platforms operate under compliance frameworks that cover identity checks, market conduct, and consumer protections. As a Bulgaria resident, confirm the service states it is allowed to serve your location and that it meets regional rules. Read the terms, risk disclosures, and restrictions. Laws can change, so rely on official sources for the latest details, or consult a qualified professional for guidance tailored to your situation. This is general information only.

Of the exchanges we cover, Backpack Exchange, BingX, bitFlyer, Bitstamp, Bitvavo, Bullish, Bybit, Coinbase, Crypto.com, Gate, Kanga, Kraken, KuCoin, OKX, One Trading, Tothemoon and WhiteBIT hold a MiCA licence for Bulgaria on 26 October 2026. The ranking on this page shows them in trust-rank order, and the licence record lists the entity, the regulator and the date for each one. Other licensed firms exist that we do not review yet; the register linked in the rules block at the top of this page has the full list.

Binance does not hold a MiCA licence. It stopped new sign ups in the EU and restricted its services ahead of 1 July 2026, when the last MiCA transition period ended, so it is not on this page. Existing customers should follow Binance's own notices; new customers in Bulgaria can choose from the licensed exchanges listed here.

An unlicensed exchange may refuse you, close your account or restrict withdrawals when the regulator steps in, and you have no complaint route under MiCA. Your bank may also block transfers to it. Regulators in the EU publish warnings and can order websites blocked, and the exchange is not supervised by the Financial Supervision Commission (FSC). If you already hold funds on one, moving them to a licensed exchange or to your own wallet removes that risk.

Licensed exchanges in Bulgaria

Coinbase Exchange
5.0/5
Kraken
5.0/5
OKX
5.0/5
Gate
5.0/5
Bitstamp
4.5/5
Crypto.com Exchange
4.5/5
BingX
4.5/5
Bitvavo
4.5/5
KuCoin
4.0/5
Bullish
4.0/5

This page lists only the 17 exchanges we cover that hold a MiCA licence for Bulgaria, in CoinGecko trust-rank order. See the crypto exchange licence tracker for every licence we check, our Q4 2026 licence gap report for the numbers across 40 countries, or more rankings and lists.

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Using a crypto exchange in Bulgaria: what to know

Paying in euro (EUR)

SEPA bank transfers in euro (SEPA Instant where the exchange supports it) and debit or credit cards. Bulgaria adopted the euro on 1 January 2026, so deposits that used to need a lev conversion now run as plain SEPA transfers. Bulgarian-language support is rare on the licensed exchanges; English is the working language. Deposit limits and processing times depend on the method and on your verification level, and the name on your bank account must match the name on your exchange account.

What a MiCA licence gives you, and what it does not

A MiCA licence means the exchange is authorised by an EU or EEA regulator, must keep your crypto separate from its own assets, must handle complaints under a set procedure and is supervised at home and, for Bulgaria, through the Financial Supervision Commission (FSC). It does not mean your money is guaranteed: crypto is not covered by deposit guarantee or investor compensation schemes, and a licence does not stop prices from falling or a platform from failing.

Tax at a glance

Bulgaria taxes gains on crypto as income at the flat rate of 10 percent. The authority is the National Revenue Agency (NRA). Rules change often, so confirm the current rate and your reporting duties before you file. This is general information, not tax advice.

Licence record for the exchanges on this page

Every exchange in the ranking, in A to Z order, with the entity that holds the licence, the authority and the date. The record comes from the registers named in the rules block at the top of this page and is refreshed when the weekly register check reports a change.

ExchangeLicensed entityLicensed or registered bySinceReference and notes
Backpack ExchangeTrek Technologies SIA (Backpack EU)the Bank of Latvia2026-05-27Notified to serve Bulgaria
BingXMEGE zweite GmbHthe FMA (Austria)2026-10-13Notified to serve Bulgaria
bitFlyerbitFlyer EUROPE S.A.the CSSF (Luxembourg)2026-06-26Notified to serve Bulgaria
BitstampBitstamp Europe S.A.the CSSF (Luxembourg)2025-05-15Notified to serve Bulgaria
BitvavoBitvavo B.V.the AFM (Netherlands)2025-06-26Notified to serve Bulgaria
BullishBullish Europe GmbHBaFin (Germany)2025-09-04Notified to serve Bulgaria
BybitBybit EU GmbHthe FMA (Austria)2025-05-28Notified to serve Bulgaria
Coinbase ExchangeCoinbase Luxembourg S.A.the CSSF (Luxembourg)2025-06-20Notified to serve Bulgaria
Crypto.com ExchangeForis DAX MT Limitedthe MFSA (Malta)2025-01-27Notified to serve Bulgaria
GateGate Technology Limitedthe MFSA (Malta)2025-09-29Notified to serve Bulgaria
KangaSIA AlphaRoutethe Bank of Latvia2026-06-18Notified to serve Bulgaria
KrakenPayward Europe Solutions Limitedthe Central Bank of Ireland2025-06-25Notified to serve Bulgaria
KuCoinKuCoin EU Exchange GmbHthe FMA (Austria)2025-11-27Notified to serve Bulgaria
OKXOKX Europe Limitedthe MFSA (Malta)2025-01-27Notified to serve Bulgaria
One TradingOne Trading Exchange B.V.the AFM (Netherlands)2025-05-15Notified to serve Bulgaria
TothemoonBrilliantscope Trading LimitedCySEC (Cyprus)2026-06-29Notified to serve Bulgaria
WhiteBITWB-Shields Innovations GmbH (WhiteBIT EU)the FMA (Austria)2026-06-18Notified to serve Bulgaria

Licence record checked 26 October 2026. Partner links appear only next to licensed exchanges; a partner link never changes licence status, scores or the order of this page.