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

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Crypto exchange rules in Latvia, checked 26 October 2026

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

The regulator for crypto firms in Latvia is the Bank of Latvia.

How this page is ordered. The ranking below shows the 17 exchanges we cover that hold a MiCA licence for Latvia, 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 LV 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 Latvia, 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 Latvia

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
  1. Coinbase Exchange 5.0
    Visit Exchange Read Review
  2. Kraken 5.0
    Visit Exchange Read Review
  3. OKX 5.0
    Visit Exchange Read Review
  4. Gate 5.0
    Visit Exchange Read Review
  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
    Visit Exchange Read Review

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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 Latvia, 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

Start with compliance. Check that the provider follows EU and Latvian rules and applies strong identity checks and anti‑money laundering controls. Review security features like multi‑factor authentication, withdrawal whitelists, and custody practices. Compare supported coins, order types, and local payment methods you can use. Read the fee schedule and any limits. Test the app and web experience for language, clarity, and uptime. Look for clear support channels and plain policies on outages, incidents, and delistings before you open an account.

Crypto services operate under EU rules and local anti‑money laundering laws. In Latvia, service providers may need to register and follow know‑your‑customer and reporting standards. As a user, you should choose platforms that publish compliance information, terms, and risk disclosures. Rules change, so check current guidance from official Latvian and EU sources before you onboard. Avoid services that bypass identity checks or promote anonymous activity. Using regulated payment channels and keeping your own records helps you understand your activity and avoid surprises.

Most platforms ask for an identity document, a selfie or live check, and a proof of address such as a utility bill or bank statement. Some may request details about your source of funds and your experience with digital assets. Make sure photos are clear and your address matches your account details. Use your own email and phone, not shared contacts. If your name or address recently changed, prepare supporting documents. Do not send documents over unsecured links; upload only through the platform’s verified portal.

You usually can fund your account by bank transfer in euros, payment cards, or supported e‑money services. Some platforms also let you deposit and withdraw on blockchain networks. Check the name on the bank account matches your exchange account to avoid delays. Your bank’s policies can affect transfers to crypto services. Review any holds, limits, cut‑off times, and required references before sending funds. For crypto withdrawals, confirm network and address details, and consider a small test transfer first to reduce the chance of an error.

You may see trading commissions, spreads between buy and sell prices, deposit or withdrawal fees, currency conversion costs, and blockchain network fees for on‑chain transfers. Some platforms also charge for certain payment methods or for inactivity. Fees can vary by your account level, order type, asset, and funding route. Always read the fee page, terms, and examples before you trade or transfer. If a price looks unusually low, check for other costs such as wider spreads or third‑party processing charges.

Use a strong, unique password and enable multi‑factor authentication with an authenticator app. Set an anti‑phishing code and withdrawal address whitelist if available. Keep your devices updated and avoid logging in on shared or unknown networks. Be careful with links in messages; access the platform from a saved bookmark. For long‑term holdings, consider a self‑custody wallet and store the recovery phrase offline. When sending crypto, verify the network and address, and start with a small test transfer to check everything works as expected.

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 Latvia 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 Latvia 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 Bank of Latvia. If you already hold funds on one, moving them to a licensed exchange or to your own wallet removes that risk.

Licensed exchanges in Latvia

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 Latvia, 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 Latvia: what to know

Paying in euro (EUR)

SEPA bank transfers in euro (SEPA Instant where the exchange supports it) and debit or credit cards. Latvian-language support is rare; English is the working language. Latvia is the home of the Backpack and Kanga MiCA licences (Bank of Latvia). 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 Latvia, through the Bank of Latvia. 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

Latvia taxes crypto gains as capital gains at 25.5 percent (the rate since 2025). The authority is the State Revenue Service (VID). 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 Latvia2026-05-27Licensed at home in Latvia
BingXMEGE zweite GmbHthe FMA (Austria)2026-10-13Notified to serve Latvia
bitFlyerbitFlyer EUROPE S.A.the CSSF (Luxembourg)2026-06-26Notified to serve Latvia
BitstampBitstamp Europe S.A.the CSSF (Luxembourg)2025-05-15Notified to serve Latvia
BitvavoBitvavo B.V.the AFM (Netherlands)2025-06-26Notified to serve Latvia
BullishBullish Europe GmbHBaFin (Germany)2025-09-04Notified to serve Latvia
BybitBybit EU GmbHthe FMA (Austria)2025-05-28Notified to serve Latvia
Coinbase ExchangeCoinbase Luxembourg S.A.the CSSF (Luxembourg)2025-06-20Notified to serve Latvia
Crypto.com ExchangeForis DAX MT Limitedthe MFSA (Malta)2025-01-27Notified to serve Latvia
GateGate Technology Limitedthe MFSA (Malta)2025-09-29Notified to serve Latvia
KangaSIA AlphaRoutethe Bank of Latvia2026-06-18Licensed at home in Latvia
KrakenPayward Europe Solutions Limitedthe Central Bank of Ireland2025-06-25Notified to serve Latvia
KuCoinKuCoin EU Exchange GmbHthe FMA (Austria)2025-11-27Notified to serve Latvia
OKXOKX Europe Limitedthe MFSA (Malta)2025-01-27Notified to serve Latvia
One TradingOne Trading Exchange B.V.the AFM (Netherlands)2025-05-15Notified to serve Latvia
TothemoonBrilliantscope Trading LimitedCySEC (Cyprus)2026-06-29Notified to serve Latvia
WhiteBITWB-Shields Innovations GmbH (WhiteBIT EU)the FMA (Austria)2026-06-18Notified to serve Latvia

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.