Best Crypto Exchanges in 2025: A Complete Guide

Nowadays, the range of crypto platforms is vast, and the choices for investors have grown. For investors, it is therefore more important than ever to know what to look out for. Think, for example, of security, reliability, regulation, fees, user-friendliness, and the range of cryptocurrencies and functionalities.
Are you looking for the best crypto exchange in Europe in 2025? In this complete guide, we compare several crypto platforms, and we look at where the company originates from, when it was founded, what the platform excels at, what features and costs it offers, but also their limitations. Please note that this comparison was last updated in October 2025 and focuses on the EU/EEA offering of the featured platforms.
1. Finst
Finst has been active since 2023 as a provider of a simple, secure, and transparent crypto platform. In a few years only, Finst has become one of the largest crypto platforms in The Netherlands.
With over a decade of experience in the European investment landscape, Finst’s founders played a key role in DEGIRO’s success, helping shape new standards in online investing and growing the platform into one of Europe’s leading stock trading companies.
With that experience, they recognized many of the same problems in the crypto market as in the traditional financial world: high fees and hidden costs, limited transparency, and a lack of trust and security.
Our mission is therefore clear: to create a new kind of investment platform that raises the standard in terms of transparency, ease of use, and security. That is how Finst was born.
Regulation
Finst B.V. is officially licensed under the European MiCA regulation (Markets in Crypto-Assets) and supervised by the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM). This license allows Finst to offer crypto-asset services across the entire European Economic Area (EEA). The MiCA license confirms that Finst meets the highest European standards for security, transparency, and consumer protection.
Security
At Finst, protecting the assets and privacy of our clients is our main priority. Here’s how we keep our clients and their assets safe:
- Finst B.V. is headquartered in Amsterdam and authorized as a provider of crypto-asset services by the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM).
- Finst was the first Dutch crypto platform to receive an independent Proof of Reserves (PoR) from Audit Now, which ensures that all clients' assets are kept on a 1:1 basis.
- Our clients' digital assets are stored using Fireblocks, which makes use of MPC technology for maximum security.
- All clients' assets are segregated from Finst in a bankruptcy-remote entity. This means that no matter what happens to Finst, your assets remain safe at all times.
In a market where security is central and where bankruptcies and hacks have occurred in the past, this is the level of safety and transparency that investors need.
Ultra-low and transparent Fees
The cost of trading crypto is crucial for investors. While with some crypto platforms you might face surprises, such as added costs in the spread or other hidden charges, at Finst we offer ultra-low trading fees with full transparency:
- 0.15% fixed fee per transaction, for every coin, token, or order size.
- No added spread or hidden costs. The price you see is the best price available on the market, ensuring best-execution.
- Free deposits and withdrawals in euros.
- Dynamic withdrawal fees that cover network and service costs. The amount depends on blockchain activity.
- No minimum order amount, meaning you can start with less than one euro.
Trading Functionalities
In addition to ultra-low costs and maximum security, Finst also includes functionalities for both beginner and experienced investors:
- Auto-Invest (DCA), allowing you to automatically invest at fixed intervals.
- Best-execution with deep liquidity and advanced order types.
- Crypto Bundles, making it easy to build a diversified portfolio.
- Some of the highest flexible staking rewards in Europe, with no lockups and no minimum amount. This allows you to sell or withdraw your cryptocurrencies at any time even when they are staked.
- Desktop and mobile platform allowing you to trade anyway you like
Cryptocurrency coverage
At Finst, you can trade 340+ cryptocurrencies in EUR, which can all be swapped against each other. Whether you want to buy Bitcoin or Ethereum, meme coins, or other altcoins - our offering is one of the most extensive in Europe.
We’ve listed everything clearly below for you:
Finst
2. Kraken vs. Finst
Kraken is an American company and one of the oldest exchanges, having built a strong reputation for security and reliability. It was founded in 2011 in San Francisco, United States. The platform focuses on both beginners and professional traders. The interface can be slightly more complex for some beginners compared to other platforms.
Comparison between Finst and Kraken
Kraken is one of the oldest crypto exchanges, but due to higher trading fees, it can be less attractive if you are conscious about costs. Finst offers the same safety and reliability but makes crypto investing simple, transparent, and affordable with a fixed fee of 0.15% per order. Both platforms offer a wide range of cryptocurrencies available in euro. Staking rewards at Finst are significantly higher than at Kraken, while providing full flexibility. Therefore, many clients choose Finst as a cost-effective and user-friendly alternative to Kraken.
3. Bitvavo vs. Finst
Bitvavo is a Dutch crypto exchange founded in 2017 in Amsterdam. The platform quickly grew into one of the most popular exchanges in the Netherlands thanks to its user-friendly interface and relatively low fees.
Comparison between Finst and Bitvavo
Both Finst and Bitvavo are Dutch MiCA-licensed crypto exchanges known for reliability and user-friendliness, but Finst clearly stands out as the best exchange platform in 2025 for investors focused on cost efficiency, transparency, security, and crypto coverage. Security-wise, both operate under AFM supervision, but Finst goes a step further as the first Dutch platform with an independent Proof of Reserves audit and full asset segregation via Fireblocks, while Bitvavo provides Proof of Reserves for only 13 of its crypto-assets. With a fixed trading fee of just 0.15% and no added spread, Finst is considerably more affordable than Bitvavo’s 0.25%, plus potential extra spread for price guarantee orders. Finst also offers access to over 115,000 trading pairs, far surpassing Bitvavo’s ~400. Moreover, Finst’s flexible staking rewards rank among the highest in Europe, with no lock-up periods or minimum amounts. Combined with a higher Trustpilot score (4.0 vs 3.8) and a clear focus on simplicity and safety, Finst provides a more transparent, cost-effective, and complete crypto investing experience than Bitvavo.
4. Coinbase vs. Finst
Coinbase is an American crypto platform listed on the Nasdaq stock exchange. Because of this listing, the company is required to maintain strict transparency and regular audits, which makes it a trusted brand.
Coinbase is known for its ease of use: as a beginner, you can make your first purchase within minutes. Additionally, it offers a 'Learn & Earn' section where users can earn rewards. One of the downsides of Coinbase is its relatively high transaction fees, especially for smaller orders that include flat fees. Coinbase also charges costs in the spreads for simple purchase functions.
Comparison between Finst and Coinbase
Both Finst and Coinbase are MiCA-licensed exchanges known for their reliability and ease of use, but Finst clearly stands out as the best exchange platform in 2025 for investors seeking transparency, cost efficiency and flexible staking options. While Coinbase benefits from strong brand recognition as a publicly listed U.S. company, its trading fees of 1.49% plus an average 1% spread make it significantly more expensive than Finst’s transparent 0.15% fixed rate with no hidden costs. Security-wise, both ensure client asset segregation and 1:1 backing, but Finst goes further with an independent Proof of Reserves audit and full asset protection through Fireblocks, whereas Coinbase has faced a data breach in May 2025. In terms of crypto coverage, Finst provides access to over 115,000 trading pairs, far exceeding Coinbase’s ~470 trading pairs. Finst also offers some of the highest flexible staking rewards in Europe without lock-up periods or minimum amounts, compared to Coinbase’s limited and locked staking options. The key difference lies in transparency, pricing and flexible staking options, making Finst the more cost-effective, secure, and complete choice for long-term crypto investors compared to Coinbase.
5. Revolut vs. Finst
Revolut is a fintech app founded in 2015 in London. It was developed as a payment and banking app but now also allows investing in stocks, metals, and crypto. Therefore, crypto is not central to their core business.
Comparison between Finst and Revolut
Revolut is a well-known fintech app offering a broad range of financial services: from banking and payments to stock and metal investing, with crypto as one of its many features. Finst, on the other hand, focuses entirely on crypto investing and is designed for users who value transparency, security, and low costs. While both platforms are MiCA-licensed, Finst’s crypto-first approach allows it to offer deeper specialization and stronger transparency, including full asset segregation and an independent Proof of Reserves audit, something Revolut does not provide due to its custodial setup. In terms of costs, Finst’s 0.15% fixed trading fee with no added spread is far more affordable than Revolut’s 0.99–1.99% fees plus ~1.11% added spread, which can quickly add up for frequent investors. Finst also offers access to 340+ cryptocurrencies and flexible staking without lock-ups or minimums, while Revolut’s staking options remain limited. With its clear focus on crypto, Finst stands out as the best exchange platform in 2025 for investors seeking a regulated, transparent, and cost-efficient way to build their crypto portfolio.
6. OKX EU vs. Finst
OKX was founded in 2013 in Hong Kong but has since grown into an international exchange with its headquarters now located in Malta. The platform offers a wide range of spot and derivatives trading and provides advanced tools.
Comparison between Finst and OKX EU
While OKX EU offers advanced trading features and flexibility, Finst clearly stands out as the best exchange platform in 2025 for investors focused on transparency, cost efficiency, and simplicity. With a fixed 0.15% trading fee and no hidden spreads, Finst is more affordable than OKX’s 0.35% fee. Finst also provides access to over 340+ cryptocurrencies and more than 115,000 trading pairs, compared to OKX’s limited ~72 assets. Combined with a higher Trustpilot score (4.0 vs 2.6) and flexible staking without lock-ups or minimums, Finst delivers a more accessible, cost-effective, and trustworthy crypto investing experience than OKX EU.
7. Binance vs. Finst
Binance was founded in 2017 by Changpeng Zhao (CZ) in China and has since become one of the largest players in the global crypto market. Although it currently does not have a European headquarters or license, Binance continues to serve users worldwide and remains one of the most active exchanges in terms of trading volume and product offerings.
Comparison between Finst and Binance
While Binance remains the world’s largest crypto exchange with a vast selection of coins and trading options, Finst clearly stands out as the best exchange platform in 2025 for investors prioritizing regulation, transparency, and reliability. Unlike Binance, which has no headquarters or MiCA license in Europe, Finst is fully MiCA-licensed and authorized by the Dutch AFM, offering users clear regulatory protection and full asset transparency. Although Binance offers slightly lower exchange fees (0.10%), its ~0.50% spread on instant purchases and additional €1 deposit and withdrawal fees make it more expensive in practice than Finst’s simple 0.15% fixed fee with no hidden costs. Additionally, Finst’s flexible staking without lock-ups, higher Trustpilot score (4.0 vs 1.5) make it the more secure and transparent choice for European investors, proving that regulation and clarity matter more than scale when choosing the best exchange platform.
8. Bybit EU vs. Finst
Bybit was founded in 2018 and now operates its European headquarters in Vienna. In Europe, the platform is best known for its meme coins and fast execution, attracting traders who prioritize speed and variety in their crypto transactions.
Comparison between Finst and Bybit EU
While Bybit EU is known for its focus on meme coins and fast execution, Finst clearly stands out as the best exchange platform in 2025 for investors who value regulation, transparency, and reliability. Both platforms are MiCA-licensed, but Finst’s regulation under the Dutch AFM and its independent Proof of Reserves audit offer a higher level of security and trust, especially relevant after Bybit’s cold wallet breach in February 2025 (~$1.5 billion). In addition, Finst’s 0.15% fixed fee with no added spread makes it more affordable than Bybit’s 0.20% fee plus ~2.5% spread on instant purchases. Finst also provides access to over 340+ cryptocurrencies and ~115,000+ trading pairs, compared to Bybit’s limited ~70 assets and 77 pairs. With flexible staking (no lock-ups or minimums) and a higher Trustpilot rating (4.0 vs 3.4), Finst delivers a safer, more transparent, and cost-effective investing experience than Bybit EU.
9. Bitpanda vs. Finst
Bitpanda is a fintech company founded in 2014 in Vienna. It originally started as a crypto broker but later expanded into stocks, ETFs, and precious metals. The platform is known for its broad investment options.
Comparison between Finst and Bitpanda
While Bitpanda is known for its broad investment offering including crypto, stocks, and precious metals, Finst clearly stands out as the best exchange platform in 2025 for investors focused purely on transparent, low-cost crypto investing. Both platforms hold a MiCA license, but Finst’s regulation under the Dutch AFM and its independent Proof of Reserves audit provide stronger transparency and reassurance than Bitpanda’s standard security measures. In terms of costs, Finst’s 0.15% fixed fee with no added spread is much lower than Bitpanda’s 0.99% fee plus an added ~1.49% spread, making Finst considerably more cost-efficient. While Bitpanda supports more assets (~650+), Finst offers over 340+ cryptocurrencies and an impressive ~115,000+ trading pairs, enabling greater diversification at minimal cost. Both platforms offer flexible staking, but Finst’s no-minimum, no lock-up structure provides more freedom for investors. Finst's strong focus on simplicity, regulation, and transparent pricing, provides a safer, more affordable, and more investor-friendly experience than Bitpanda.
Final thoughts
After comparing the most popular crypto exchanges in Europe for 2025, it’s clear that Finst stands out as the best exchange platform for investors who value low costs, transparency, and regulatory security.
While platforms such as Kraken and Coinbase have long histories and strong global reputations, they come with significantly higher fees and, in some cases, limited flexibility. Bitvavo and Bitpanda are user-friendly but include added spreads or higher transaction costs that can make active investing more expensive over time. Exchanges like OKX EU and Bybit EU focus primarily on advanced traders, yet they offer fewer assets and have experienced challenges with transparency or security, such as Bybit’s February 2025 cold wallet breach. Binance, despite being the largest exchange worldwide, still lacks both a European license and headquarters, which limits its regulatory protection. Revolut, while offering crypto alongside its banking and investing features, remains a general-purpose fintech app, meaning crypto is just one of many services rather than its core focus.
In contrast, Finst combines the security of full asset segregation and an independent Proof of Reserves audit with ultra-low, transparent fees of 0.15%, no hidden spreads, and free euro deposits and withdrawals. Its MiCA license under the Dutch AFM ensures that users trade within one of the most secure and transparent frameworks in Europe. With over 340+ cryptocurrencies, ~115,000+ trading pairs, and some of the highest flexible staking rewards in Europe, Finst offers both breadth and accessibility that few competitors can match.
For those seeking a reliable, regulated, and cost-effective crypto platform, Finst proves to be the most balanced and future-proof choice, setting a new European standard for what a best crypto exchange should be in 2025 and beyond.