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

Crypto exchange rules in Malta, checked 26 October 2026

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

The regulator for crypto firms in Malta is the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA).

How this page is ordered. The ranking below shows the 12 exchanges we cover that hold a MiCA licence for Malta, ordered by CoinGecko trust rank, the same rank we use on every ranking page (the top 10 are ranked, all 12 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). BingX, Bybit, Kanga, KuCoin and WhiteBIT hold MiCA licences in another country, but Malta is not on their list of host countries. 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 MT 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 12 exchanges we cover that hold a MiCA licence for Malta, 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 Malta

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
7Bitvavo#14$305.5M2018Spot
8Bullish#24$2.11B2021Spot, Derivatives
9Backpack Exchange#58$18.2M2023Spot
10One Trading#85$176.6K2019Spot, Derivatives

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Comparison Results

How We Pick These Exchanges

Licence first. This page lists only the 12 exchanges we cover that hold a MiCA licence for Malta, 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

Look for a platform that is allowed to serve Malta, with strong security, clear fees, and responsive support. Check whether the provider is authorised by local or EU regulators and follows anti‑money‑laundering rules. Review supported assets, payment methods, and withdrawal options. Read the fee page and terms, including how disputes and complaints work. Try the app or web platform to see if it fits your needs. Seek transparent status pages and clear communication during outages or planned upgrades.

Crypto services can operate in Malta when they meet local and EU requirements. Providers may need authorisation and must apply anti‑money‑laundering controls and customer checks. Before you sign up, check the firm’s status on official registers and read its terms to see what is available in Malta. Some services limit features by country or may not list certain assets. Rules and guidance can change, so use official sources for the latest information. This content is general and not legal advice.

Most platforms ask you to complete identity checks before you can use all features. You may be asked for a government photo ID, a live selfie, and a recent document that shows your name and address. Platforms often require the name on your profile to match the name on your bank account or card. Some providers also ask about your experience and the source of funds. If documents are unclear or expired, approval can take longer. Never send files via unofficial channels or to unknown contacts.

Common options include bank transfers, payment cards, and approved payment services. In Malta, you often fund in euro, but exact methods depend on your bank and the platform. Processing times and charges vary by method and by your bank’s policy on crypto payments. Withdrawals usually return to a payment source in your name. For crypto withdrawals, double‑check the asset and network before sending. If the network or address is wrong, funds can be lost and may not be recovered.

Platforms can charge several types of fees. You may see trading fees or spreads when you buy or sell. There can be deposit or withdrawal fees, and currency conversion costs if your funding currency differs from the platform’s. Network fees apply when you move crypto on a blockchain. Some services also include account or inactivity fees. Read the full fee schedule and watch for third‑party costs from banks or payment providers, as those can affect your total cost.

Use a strong, unique password and enable multi‑factor authentication. An authenticator app or a security key adds protection if the platform supports it. Keep your devices updated and install only the official app. Watch for phishing links and fake support profiles; a real provider will not ask for your login codes. If you explore self‑custody wallets for longer holding, learn how backups, recovery phrases, and device security work before using them.

Of the exchanges we cover, Backpack Exchange, bitFlyer, Bitstamp, Bitvavo, Bullish, Coinbase, Crypto.com, Gate, Kraken, OKX, One Trading and Tothemoon hold a MiCA licence for Malta 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 Malta 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 Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA). 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 12 exchanges we cover that hold a MiCA licence for Malta, 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 Malta: what to know

Paying in euro (EUR)

SEPA bank transfers in euro (SEPA Instant where the exchange supports it) and debit or credit cards. Maltese banks are cautious with crypto transfers; a first deposit can take extra checks. English is an official language in Malta and the working language of the exchanges on this page. Malta is the home of the OKX, Crypto.com and Gate MiCA licences (MFSA). 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 Malta, through the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA). 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

Malta does not tax long-term capital gains on crypto held as an investment by individuals; frequent trading can be taxed as business income. The authority is the Commissioner for Revenue. 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 Malta
bitFlyerbitFlyer EUROPE S.A.the CSSF (Luxembourg)2026-06-26Notified to serve Malta
BitstampBitstamp Europe S.A.the CSSF (Luxembourg)2025-05-15Notified to serve Malta
BitvavoBitvavo B.V.the AFM (Netherlands)2025-06-26Notified to serve Malta
BullishBullish Europe GmbHBaFin (Germany)2025-09-04Notified to serve Malta
Coinbase ExchangeCoinbase Luxembourg S.A.the CSSF (Luxembourg)2025-06-20Notified to serve Malta
Crypto.com ExchangeForis DAX MT Limitedthe MFSA (Malta)2025-01-27Licensed at home in Malta
GateGate Technology Limitedthe MFSA (Malta)2025-09-29Licensed at home in Malta
KrakenPayward Europe Solutions Limitedthe Central Bank of Ireland2025-06-25Notified to serve Malta
OKXOKX Europe Limitedthe MFSA (Malta)2025-01-27Licensed at home in Malta
One TradingOne Trading Exchange B.V.the AFM (Netherlands)2025-05-15Notified to serve Malta
TothemoonBrilliantscope Trading LimitedCySEC (Cyprus)2026-06-29Notified to serve Malta

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.