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

Crypto exchange rules in Germany, checked 26 October 2026

Only licensed exchanges appear on this page. Germany 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 Germany. A firm licensed in one EU country can serve the others once its home regulator has notified them.

The regulator for crypto firms in Germany is BaFin, the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority.

How this page is ordered. The ranking below shows the 16 exchanges we cover that hold a MiCA licence for Germany, ordered by CoinGecko trust rank, the same rank we use on every ranking page (the top 10 are ranked, all 16 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). Kanga holds a MiCA licence in another country, but Germany is not on its list of host countries. Bitget has no MiCA licence, and its terms exclude residents of Germany. 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 DE 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 16 exchanges we cover that hold a MiCA licence for Germany, 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

The top 10 licensed crypto exchanges in Germany

At a glance

#ExchangeTrust rank24h volumeFoundedMarkets
1Coinbase Exchange#1$2.29B2012Spot, Derivatives
2Kraken#2$1.94B2011Spot, Derivatives
3OKX#3$2.87B2017Spot, Derivatives
4Gate#6$2.60B2013Spot, Derivatives
5Bitstamp#7$370.3M2011Spot
6Crypto.com Exchange#9$961.3M2019Spot, Derivatives
7BingX#10$480.5M2018Spot, Derivatives
8Bitvavo#14$256.7M2018Spot
9KuCoin#21$1.69B2017Spot, Derivatives
10Bullish#24$1.47B2021Spot, Derivatives

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Comparison Results

How We Pick These Exchanges

Licence first. This page lists only the 16 exchanges we cover that hold a MiCA licence for Germany, 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

Crypto use is allowed in Germany, but providers must meet local rules. You should use a platform that is authorised to serve German residents and follows consumer protection standards. Check the legal disclosures on the website and confirm where the company is registered. Read the terms, including how your assets are held and what happens in an incident. Crypto assets are volatile and can lose value quickly. Only use services you understand, and keep your login details secure. If unsure, seek independent information from trusted sources.

Focus on authorisation to operate in Germany, clear fees, and reliable euro deposits and withdrawals. Review security features such as multi-factor login, withdrawal allowlists, and cold storage practices. Check whether customer support is available in German and during local hours. Look at supported assets, order types, and withdrawal limits. Review the company transparency, incident history, and user education. Ensure your account details match your funding method to avoid delays. Read the full terms and disclosures before you sign up.

Most platforms support bank transfers, card payments, or an online wallet. Processing times and limits vary by method and by your verification status. The name on your payment account usually must match your platform account. Providers may charge fees for deposits or withdrawals, and your bank or card issuer may also charge a fee. Withdrawals often return to the original funding method. You can track status in your account area and contact support if a transfer exceeds the stated processing window.

You may see several fee types. Common ones include trading fees or spreads, deposit and withdrawal fees, currency conversion fees, and blockchain network fees. Some providers also charge account or inactivity fees. Fee models vary, so read the schedule and examples on the provider website. Compare how fees apply to your usual deposit method and order type. Small transfers can be more expensive if a flat fee applies. Fees can change, so check the latest information before placing an order.

Protection is a shared effort. Platforms use measures such as multi-factor authentication, device checks, withdrawal allowlists, and cold storage for most assets. Some keep client assets separate from company funds and publish security information. You should use a strong, unique password, enable multi-factor login, and be alert to phishing. Consider using a hardware wallet for long term storage if that fits your needs. Keep your devices updated and avoid sharing codes or keys. No online system removes all risk.

Platforms that serve Germany follow identity checks and anti-money laundering rules. You may be asked for a government document, a selfie or video, and proof of address. Extra checks can apply for larger transfers or certain features. Verification helps prevent fraud and keeps accounts aligned with the law. If documents do not match your account details, processing can be delayed or declined. Use clear scans, valid dates, and your legal name as shown on your payment account.

Of the exchanges we cover, Backpack Exchange, BingX, bitFlyer, Bitstamp, Bitvavo, Bullish, Bybit, Coinbase, Crypto.com, Gate, Kraken, KuCoin, OKX, One Trading, Tothemoon and WhiteBIT hold a MiCA licence for Germany 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 Germany 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 BaFin, the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority. If you already hold funds on one, moving them to a licensed exchange or to your own wallet removes that risk.

This page lists only the 16 exchanges we cover that hold a MiCA licence for Germany, 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 Germany: what to know

Paying in euro (EUR)

SEPA bank transfers in euro (SEPA Instant where the exchange supports it) and debit or credit cards. Sofort (Klarna) is a common instant option on German deposit pages. German-language support is available on most licensed exchanges serving Germany. 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 Germany, through BaFin, the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority. 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

Germany treats crypto as a private asset: gains are tax free when the assets were held for more than one year, and taxed as income when sold within a year once total gains from private sales exceed 1,000 euro. The authority is the Bundeszentralamt für Steuern and your local Finanzamt. 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 Germany
BingXMEGE zweite GmbHthe FMA (Austria)2026-10-13Notified to serve Germany
bitFlyerbitFlyer EUROPE S.A.the CSSF (Luxembourg)2026-06-26Notified to serve Germany
BitstampBitstamp Europe S.A.the CSSF (Luxembourg)2025-05-15Notified to serve Germany
BitvavoBitvavo B.V.the AFM (Netherlands)2025-06-26Notified to serve Germany
BullishBullish Europe GmbHBaFin (Germany)2025-09-04Licensed at home in Germany
BybitBybit EU GmbHthe FMA (Austria)2025-05-28Notified to serve Germany
Coinbase ExchangeCoinbase Luxembourg S.A.the CSSF (Luxembourg)2025-06-20Notified to serve Germany
Crypto.com ExchangeForis DAX MT Limitedthe MFSA (Malta)2025-01-27Notified to serve Germany
GateGate Technology Limitedthe MFSA (Malta)2025-09-29Notified to serve Germany
KrakenPayward Europe Solutions Limitedthe Central Bank of Ireland2025-06-25Notified to serve Germany
KuCoinKuCoin EU Exchange GmbHthe FMA (Austria)2025-11-27Notified to serve Germany
OKXOKX Europe Limitedthe MFSA (Malta)2025-01-27Notified to serve Germany
One TradingOne Trading Exchange B.V.the AFM (Netherlands)2025-05-15Notified to serve Germany
TothemoonBrilliantscope Trading LimitedCySEC (Cyprus)2026-06-29Notified to serve Germany
WhiteBITWB-Shields Innovations GmbH (WhiteBIT EU)the FMA (Austria)2026-06-18Notified to serve Germany

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.