Best Crypto Exchanges UAE 2023 – Compare Crypto Trading Platforms

Investors in the United Arab Emirates can easily buy and sell crypto from an online exchange. The key challenge is knowing which crypto exchange is the right fit for you.

In this guide, we compare the best crypto exchanges in the UAE for 2023 in terms of security, markets, fees, payments, and more.

We review each of the above UAE crypto exchanges in the following section.

The Top Bitcoin Exchanges in UAE Reviewed

It is difficult to know which crypto exchange is suitable for your requirements until you do a little bit of research. For instance, you will need to evaluate what crypto markets the exchange supports and how much it charges in fees and commission.

You also need to assess what payment methods are accepted and whether a reasonable level of customer support is offered. In the reviews below, we cover these key metrics in great detail with the view of helping you choose the best crypto exchange in the UAE.

1. eToro – Overall Best Crypto Exchange UAE for 2023

eToro – which was launched in 2007 and is now used by over 27 million people, is the overall best crypto exchange in the UAE. The platform is home to 70+ leading cryptocurrencies – which include everything from Bitcoin and Ethereum to AAVE, Shiba Inu, and Decentraland.

You can open an account with this exchange in a matter of minutes simply by providing some personal information. You can then deposit funds instantly with an e-wallet like Paypal or a debit/credit card issued by Visa or MasterCard. You can also transfer funds from your bank account but this will take longer than the aforementioned. 

All of the cryptocurrency markets supported by eToro can be traded from just $10. This will suit inexperienced investors or perhaps those on a budget. Fees are very competitive at this exchange too. For instance, you can deposit funds in AED and the transaction will cost you just 0.5% across all supported markets. Trading commissions cost just 1% above the market spread.

Withdrawals are competitive too at just $5 – regardless of how much you cash out. In addition to digital currencies, you can also invest in stocks here. Thousands of stocks and ETFs are supported – all of which can be purchased at 0% commission. Moreover, residents in the UAE can also use eToro to trade commodities like oil, natural gas, and gold.

Forex and indices are also on offer on this trading platform. When it comes to core investment tools, eToro offers a copy trading tool that allows you to follow and automatically mirror the positions of an experienced trader. This tool can be accessed without paying any additional fees and the minimum investment is just $200.

A mobile trading app for iOS and Android can also be downloaded for free onto your smartphone and this will connect to your main eToro account. If you wish to get some practice in before you start buying and selling cryptocurrencies, eToro also offers a free demo account that comes packed with $100k in paper funds. Finally, eToro is regulated by CySEC, ASIC, and the FCA.

Did you know that eToro is also one of the best forex brokers in the UAE?

What We Like:

Cryptoassets are a highly volatile unregulated investment product. No UK or EU investor protection.

2. Evest – Top Crypto CFD Exchange for 2023

Evest is a global trading platform that lets UAE investors trade cryptocurrency CFDs (Contract for Differences) without paying any commission. Along with crypto CFDs, Evest also offers multi-asset trading. 

Investors can access more than 525 stocks, indices, and forex trading pairs. Moreover, the financial instruments are offered from across 100+ financial instruments. While Evest does not support direct cryptocurrency trading, crypto CFDs allow one to trade the digital token without holding the underlying asset. 

CFD trading allows the investor to speculate on the asset’s future price. For example, leverage trading and shorting are some of the tools supported by CFD trading. On the other hand, trading cryptocurrency CFDs can be a very risky investment since cryptos are already volatile assets. Investors should access this feature if they possess a high-risk appetite.

To begin trading with Evest, one can complete the account creation process and choose one of the four account types. These include the Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond accounts. Silver accounts may benefit beginner traders since they require a minimum deposit of just $250 (918 AED). However, investors must pay a $5 (18.3 AED) fee per withdrawal. 

On the other hand, the Diamond account offers customizable spreads on trades and does not charge any withdrawal fees. The minimum deposit for this account type is a hefty $50,000 (183,650 AED). 

According to our Evest review investors can pay via multiple Credit card options such as VISA, Mastercard, and American Express. Investors can also access e-wallet options, including Neteller and Skrill. Evest does not charge any additional deposit fees. 

One can also benefit from Evest’s paper trading account, which lets you practice trading strategies without risking real funds. The account is pre-loaded with $25K. The platform also offers a Trading Academy to help beginner traders learn more about investing techniques and basic concepts. 

What We Like:

3. Crypto.com – Best Crypto Trading Platform UAE with User-Friendly Mobile App

Crypto.com isn’t just an exchange – it’s an entire cryptocurrency ecosystem. The platform offers everything from crypto debit cards and loans to interest accounts and an NFT marketplace. You can also use the Crypto.com platform to buy digital currencies instantly with a debit or credit card.

For this, you will first need to open an account and download the Crypto.com app. Then, you will pay a debit/credit card fee of 2.99% and your chosen digital tokens will then be added to your portfolio, making it an affordable platform to buy Dogecoin and other cryptos in UAE. You can also deposit funds via a standard bank wire.

If you wish to use the Crypto.com exchange to trade Dubai cryptos such as BTC/USD or DOGE/USD, you will only pay a commission of 0.40%. This means that entering a buy order worth $1,000 would cost you just $4. As such, if you’re looking for top crypto exchanges in the UAE for low fees, this provider is well worth considering.

If you decide to buy digital currency here and HODl your investment in the long run, Crypto.com offers industry-leading security tools. You can also deposit your tokens into a crypto savings account that generates interest. This feature is available on dozens of coins and you can choose from a 1-month, 3-month, or flexible term.

The highest rates are offered on 3-month accounts and when you stake CRO tokens. You might also decide to use Crypto.com for its popular wallet – which allows you to retain control of your private keys. Alternatively, if you’re thinking about buying some non-fungible tokens, the Crypto.com NFT marketplace allows you to invest without paying any commission.

What We Like:

Cryptoassets are a highly volatile unregulated investment product.

4. Binance – Best Crypto App UAE for Experienced Traders

Binance is perhaps the best Bitcoin exchange in the UAE and Dubai for low commissions. The platform charges just 0.10% per slide when you buy and sell crypto here and spreads are very competitive. If you trade larger volumes each month, your commission will be reduced. This is also the case when you hold BNB tokens.

Binance is also the world’s largest exchange for registered users and trading volume. You will often find that this exchange facilitates over $10 billion per day in volume, so naturally – liquidity levels here are significant. You can deposit crypto into your Binance for free or elect for a debit/credit card.

Binance uses a third-party payment processor for debit/credit card payments that are executed from the UAE, so fees will vary depending on the provider. Binance is also great for short-term traders and even automated bots. You will have access to plenty of charting tools and dozens of technical indicators are offered.

You can even access leveraged markets – which includes spot trading, futures, and options. In total, Binance is now home to over 600 digital currencies, so this exchange is also a good option if you wish to build a diversified portfolio. The main drawback with Binance is that its regulatory status remains unclear – even though it has been operational since 2017.

What We Like:

Cryptoassets are a highly volatile unregulated investment product.

5. Kraken – Bitcoin Exchange With Margin Accounts

Kraken offers both a standard client interface and an advanced platform that comes packed with tools and features that will appeal to seasoned investors. Moreover, if you are looking to trade digital currencies with leverage, Kraken is arguably the best crypto exchange in the UAE for this purpose.

First and foremost, you can buy a selection of crypto assets here with leverage of 1:5. This will subsequently amplify the value of your investment by a factor of five times. You can also trade crypto derivatives on margin here via futures with much higher levels of leverage on offer. Take note, funding fees are charged for as long as you keep a leveraged position open.

On the other hand, you can also use Kraken to invest in crypto in the UAE with fiat money. After making a deposit into your account via a bank wire, you can then buy crypto at just 0.26% per slide. Just like Crypto.com and Binance, Kraken offers lower fees when you trade higher amounts throughout the month.

What we also like about Kraken is that the exchange has a great reputation. The platform was first launched in 2011 and you will benefit from a wide range of internal security tools. This includes keeping 95% of all client digital funds in cold storage. Finally, you can also trade crypto here via the Kraken app for iOS and Android.

Cryptoassets are a highly volatile unregulated investment product. 

6. Coinmama – Simple Exchange to Buy Bitcoin and Ethereum With a Credit Card

Coinmama is home to a simple crypto exchange that enables you to buy digital currencies with a credit card. The platform was launched in 2015 and has since been used by more than 3 million people. Since reducing its asset library, Coinmama only gives you access to just two tokens – Bitcoin and Ethereum.

In order to buy your chosen token, you will need to open a Coinmama account and upload some ID. After that, it’s just a case of entering your credit card details and confirming the transaction. Interestingly, Coinmama does not offer a wallet. In fact, before you buy crypto here, you need to enter your private wallet address.

In doing so, Coinmama will automatically transfer the funds to your stated wallet address – so ensure that this is entered correctly. When it comes to fees, we should note that Coinmama is perhaps the most expensive crypto exchange in the market. First, you will be charged a spread of 2% above the market rate irrespective of which payment method you use.

This is also the case with the platform’s buy commission of 3.90% and 0.90% on sell orders. Moreover, you will also be charged a credit card fee of 5%. This is in addition to any fees that your credit card issuer charges. To reduce your fees, you might consider transferring funds via SWIFT. If the transaction amount is above $1,000, Coinmama charges nothing in fees.

7. BitOasis – UAE-Based Crypto Exchange With AED-Based Pairs

BitOasis – which is based in the UAE, specializes in offering crypto exchange services to Middle Eastern clients. The platform supports over 40 leading cryptocurrencies – which covers Bitcoin, Ethereum, metaverse tokens, DeFi coins, and more.

If you’re a beginner in this industry, the BitOasis Core platform will appeal to your skillset. It’s just a case of choosing which cryptocurrency you want to buy alongside your stake and confirming the order. Alternatively, experienced traders will prefer the BitOasis Pro platform – which comes packed with advanced tools and features.

BitOasis is perhaps the best Bitcoin exchange in the UAE for those wishing to trade digital currencies against AED. When it comes to fees, AED pairs attract a commission of 0.50%. This fee is reduced when you meet certain volume milestones throughout the month. On the other hand, if you trade crypto-cross pairs like ETH/BTC or SUSHI/USDT, you will pay a commission of 0.15%.

In terms of making a deposit, BitOasis supports debit/credit card payments and bank wires. The latter enables UAE residents to deposit funds fee-free. Debit/credit card payments – which require a minimum deposit of 300 AED, are charged at 4.5%. This is because the payment processor settles the payment in USD and then BitOasis will convert this to AED.

Cryptocurrency Exchanges Dubai & UAE Compared

The table below offers a summarized overview of the best crypto exchanges in the UAE that we reviewed above.

How to Choose the Best Cryptocurrency Exchange UAE for You

In order to select the best crypto exchange in the UAE – you’ll want to create a checklist of factors that are important to you.

For instance, in addition to exploring what commissions are applicable, be sure to assess what the minimum deposit is and whether any fees are charged on your preferred payment type.

In the sections below, we discuss the most pertinent metrics to consider when choosing the best Bitcoin exchange in the UAE for you.

Regulation

One of the main reasons why we found that eToro is the overall best crypto exchange in the UAE is that the platform is heavily regulated.

It holds licenses with several tier-one bodies – such as ASIC, the FCA, and CySEC. As such, you can deposit funds and trade crypto here safely.

Not all UAE and Dubai crypto exchanges are licensed though – so this is the first thing to check when choosing the best platform for you.

Tradable Cryptos

At one end of the spectrum, you have crypto exchanges like Coinmama – which support just two digital currencies – Bitcoin and Ethereum.

This means that in order to diversify your portfolio and invest in other tokens, you will need to open an account with another exchange.

The likes of eToro, Crypto.com, and Binance, however, give you access to a huge number of markets – which is ideal for diversification.

Sign-Up Offers

Top crypto exchanges in the UAE offer a sign-up bonus to those registering an account for the very first time. Although bonuses are always nice to have, this shouldn’t be your overarching motivation to join a crypto exchange.

After all, in most cases, you will need to meet certain trading requirements before you can cash the bonus out.

Fees

The best crypto exchanges in the UAE offer low deposit fees and commissions. eToro, for instance, will charge you just 0.5% to deposit funds with a debit or credit card.

Coinmama and BitOasis, on the other hand, charge 5% and 4.5% for the same transaction. Coinmama will also charge you a 3.90% buy commission and a spread of 2%.

As such, you must have a firm grasp of what fees and commissions apply before you open an account with a crypto exchange.

Tools & Features

We also found that top crypto exchanges in the UAE offer a suite of tools and features.

Crypto.com, for instance, came out as the best crypto exchange for interest accounts and pre-paid debit cards. The same exchange also offers an NFT marketplace and even crypto loans.

Then you have eToro, which allows you to copy an experienced crypto trader like-for-like. eToro also offers smart portfolios that allow you to invest in a professionally managed basket of crypto assets.

In contrast, Coinmama offers a bare basics service, insofar that you are required to enter your wallet address when you buy crypto. This means that as soon as the transaction is processed, Coinmama will automatically send the tokens to your wallet.

Payment Methods

All of the top crypto exchanges in the UAE that we reviewed today accept bank wire transfers. Although this payment option is typically the cheapest when it comes to fees, you might have to wait a number of working days before the funds arrive.

Instead, if you want to buy cryptocurrency instantly, top crypto exchanges in the UAE eToro and Crypto.com also support debit/credit cards. The former also accepts several e-wallets, including PayPal.

Customer Service

The best crypto exchanges in the UAE offer customer service via a live chat feature – which allows you to speak with a member of the support team in real-time. Avoid exchanges that only offer support via email.

How to Use a Crypto Exchange in UAE

If you’re looking to buy crypto right now – the guide below will walk you through the set-up process with eToro. In less than five minutes you will be able to deposit funds and invest in digital currencies at industry-leading fees.

Step 1: Open an Account

On the eToro homepage, click ‘Join Now’ to being the account opening process. Fill in the registration form – which requires your personal information and contact details.  

Choose a username and password and confirm your mobile number via the code that eToro sends to your phone via SMS.

Step 2: Upload ID

Next, you’ll need to complete your eToro investment profile by uploading a clear copy of your ID.

This can be a passport or driver’s license that is valid.

Step 3: Deposit Money

You will need to make a deposit of at least $50 before you can buy crypto at eToro. Choose from a debit or credit card, Paypal, Skrill, or any other supported e-wallet to have your deposit processed instantly.

If you don’t mind waiting a few days for the funds to arrive, you can also opt for a bank wire.

Step 4: Search for Crypto 

Assuming that you already know which digital currency you wish to buy for your eToro portfolio, type the name of the crypto into the search bar.  

To see which crypto projects are hot right now, you can also click on the ‘Discover’ button. When you see the digital currency that you want to buy, click ‘Trade’.  

Step 5: Buy Crypto 

When you see an order box appear like in the image below, type in the total amount that you wish to invest. This needs to be stated in US dollars. 

At eToro, the minimum crypto investment is $10. To confirm your investment, click ‘Open Trade’. 

Are Crypto Exchanges Legal in UAE?

In a nutshell, yes – crypto exchanges are legal in the UAE. In fact, residents of the UAE have plenty of options to choose from in this respect.

Crucially, it appears that government authorities are exploring ways for the UAE to become the global hub for all things crypto and blockchain. Just make sure that you are using an exchange that is regulated.

Conclusion

This comparison guide has reviewed the best cryptocurrency exchanges in the United Arab Emirates and Dubai for 2022. Overall, we found that eToro is the clear winner in this industry for its low fees and a strong commitment to regulation.

We also like that eToro charges just 0.5% on debit/credit card deposits and you only need to fund your account with $50 to get started. For beginners to cryptocurrency, eToro offers professionally managed crypto portfolios.

Cryptoassets are a highly volatile unregulated investment product.

Frequently Asked Questions on Crypto Exchanges