10 Best FCA-Regulated Crypto Exchanges in the UK for 2026

Why FCA Registration Matters in the UK

In the UK, any business offering crypto exchange or custody services to British users has to register with the Financial Conduct Authority under the Money Laundering Regulations. That registration is focused on one thing: anti-money-laundering and counter-terrorist-financing controls. It confirms the firm verifies customer identities, monitors transactions, and reports suspicious activity. It does not mean the FCA has vetted the platform’s financial health, and it does not bring crypto under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme or the Financial Ombudsman Service.

The bar is still meaningful. The FCA rejected or saw withdrawn the large majority of crypto registration applications between 2020 and 2024, so a registered firm has cleared a process that many could not. The UK is not part of the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA); it is building its own framework instead. A broader regime under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2023 was enacted in February 2026, with the FCA authorisation gateway opening on 30 September 2026 and the full regime going live on 25 October 2027. Until then, registration under the Money Laundering Regulations is the standard to look for.

Last verified: June 2026. FCA registration and warning-list status can change at any time. Always confirm an exchange’s current status on the FCA register of cryptoasset firms and the FCA Warning List before depositing funds. The section below links both official tools and shows how to use them.

1. Coinbase

Founded in 2012, Coinbase is one of the most widely used consumer exchanges, with UK services run through its registered entity CB Payments Ltd. Its clean interface and education tools make it a common starting point for new buyers.

• FCA-registered under the Money Laundering Regulations as of June 2026
• GBP deposits via Faster Payments and debit card
• Around 200 or more cryptoassets available to UK users
• Advanced Trade maker and taker fees from roughly 0.40% and 0.60%, with a simpler app priced via spread
• Custodial wallet with iOS and Android apps

2. eToro

Launched in 2007, eToro is a multi-asset platform whose UK arm, eToro (UK) Ltd, is an FCA-authorised investment firm and separately registered for crypto under the Money Laundering Regulations. It pairs real spot crypto with stocks and ETFs in one account.

• Crypto registered under the Money Laundering Regulations; the entity also holds FCA investment-firm authorisation, as of June 2026
• Real spot crypto alongside shares and ETFs
• GBP via Faster Payments, debit card, and PayPal or Skrill
• Crypto priced at around a 1% spread
• Copy-trading feature with web and mobile access

3. Kraken

Operating since 2011, Kraken is known for its security record and advanced trading tools, with UK spot trading provided through Payward Ltd. It suits users who want lower fees and a professional trading view.

• FCA-registered as a cryptoasset exchange and custodian wallet provider under the Money Laundering Regulations, as of June 2026
• Around 200 or more coins, with GBP via Faster Payments
• Kraken Pro maker and taker fees from roughly 0.25% and 0.40%, scaling lower with volume
• Publishes proof-of-reserves for custody
• Web platform plus a dedicated Kraken Pro app

4. Crypto.com

Founded in 2016, Crypto.com is an all-in-one app combining trading, a Visa card programme, and staking, with UK services run through Foris DAX UK Ltd. It leans toward mobile-first users who want trading and spending in one place.

• FCA-registered under the Money Laundering Regulations as of June 2026
• Around 250 or more coins available
• GBP via Faster Payments with no platform deposit fee, or card at roughly 1%
• Exchange maker and taker fees from about 0.25% and 0.50% at entry tiers
• App-first experience with a linked Visa card

5. Bitpanda

Austrian-founded in 2014, Bitpanda brought its broker model to UK retail in 2025 through Bitpanda Broker UK Ltd. It offers one of the widest asset selections available to UK users.

• FCA-registered under the Money Laundering Regulations as of June 2026
• More than 600 cryptoassets, plus staking and index products
• GBP via bank transfer, debit card, Apple Pay, and PayPal
• Spread-based pricing from around 0.99%, with trades from £1
• Custodial wallet with an app-first design

6. Gemini

Founded in 2014 by the Winklevoss twins, Gemini built its reputation on a compliance-first approach, with UK services through Gemini Intergalactic UK Ltd. Its ActiveTrader mode adds lower fees for frequent traders.

• FCA-registered under the Money Laundering Regulations as of June 2026
• Around 70 or more coins, with GBP via Faster Payments and card
• ActiveTrader maker and taker fees from low basis points up to roughly 0.40%
• Cold-storage custody for the majority of assets
• Web and mobile access

7. Revolut

UK fintech Revolut, founded in 2015, offers crypto inside its banking super-app and through a standalone exchange called Revolut X. Revolut Ltd is an FCA-authorised e-money institution and separately registered for crypto under the Money Laundering Regulations.

• Crypto registered under the Money Laundering Regulations; the entity holds FCA e-money authorisation, as of June 2026
• In-app trading plus a standalone Revolut X exchange
• Dozens of tokens in the main app; Revolut X advertises more than 300
• Main-app fees tiered from 1.49% down to 0.29%; Revolut X at 0% maker and 0.09% taker
• App-only, funded from an in-app GBP balance

8. Uphold

Founded in 2015, Uphold is a multi-asset platform that lets UK users hold crypto alongside precious metals and several fiat currencies, with services through Uphold Europe Ltd. Its “anything-to-anything” trading model is its main differentiator.

• FCA-registered under the Money Laundering Regulations as of June 2026
• Around 250 or more cryptoassets, plus precious metals and multiple fiat currencies
• GBP via Faster Payments at no cost, card, and Open Banking
• Spread-based pricing of roughly 1.4% to 1.6% on major coins
• Custodial wallet, web and app, with a UK Mastercard

9. CoinJar

Australian-founded in 2013, CoinJar has a long-standing UK presence through CoinJar UK Ltd and was among the first cohort of firms on the FCA cryptoasset register. Its flat-fee exchange option appeals to cost-conscious traders.

• FCA-registered under the Money Laundering Regulations as of June 2026
• Around 60 or more coins, with GBP via Faster Payments at no cost and card
• Instant Buy at roughly 2% on card, or CoinJar Exchange GBP pairs at 0.10% flat
• Cold and multi-signature custody for the majority of funds
• Web and mobile access

10. Bitstamp

Operating since 2011, Bitstamp is one of the longest-running exchanges and now operates as part of Robinhood following a 2025 acquisition, with UK services through Bitstamp UK Ltd. It offers a curated coin list and a track record stretching back over a decade.

• FCA-registered under the Money Laundering Regulations as of June 2026
• Around 100 or more curated coins
• GBP via Faster Payments at no cost; card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and PayPal for instant buys
• Maker and taker fees from roughly 0.30% and 0.40%, scaling down with volume
• Majority cold-storage custody, with web and app access

A Note on Full FCA Authorisation

Every platform above holds registration under the Money Laundering Regulations, which is the current standard for consumer exchanges. One UK venue goes further: Archax, founded in 2018, holds full FCA authorisation under the Financial Services and Markets Act and operates a regulated multilateral trading facility for tokenised securities and real-world assets, alongside spot crypto in major coins. It is institutional-first rather than a mainstream retail app, so most individual buyers will not use it day to day, but it is worth knowing as the only UK crypto and securities exchange currently holding full authorisation rather than registration alone. That distinction previews where the wider market is heading once the new regime takes effect in 2027.

How to Check if a UK Crypto Exchange Is FCA-Registered

Registration status is public, and checking it yourself takes a minute. Because firms can be added, removed, or flagged at any time, this is the most reliable way to confirm a platform’s standing rather than relying on a list that may age.

Last verified: June 2026. Lists like this one can fall out of date, so treat the two official tools below as the source of truth before you commit any funds.

• Search the firm’s exact legal entity name on the FCA register of cryptoasset firms. Note that the brand name and the registered entity often differ, for example a well-known app may be registered under a separate company name.
• Cross-check the brand and any unfamiliar domain against the FCA Warning List, which names firms operating without permission and clone sites that imitate legitimate ones.
• Confirm the website domain matches the one shown on the FCA record, since scammers often copy a registered firm’s name on a lookalike address.
• Remember that registration covers anti-money-laundering only. It does not add FSCS or Financial Ombudsman protection to your crypto holdings.

How to Choose a UK Crypto Exchange

Start with registration, then weigh the practical details. Confirm the platform is on the FCA register, then compare GBP deposit methods, the total fee you pay including any spread, the range of coins you actually want, and how custody and security are handled. Beginners often value a simple app and clear pricing, while active traders tend to prioritise low maker and taker fees and a professional trading view. Keep in mind that crypto remains high risk and is not covered by the compensation schemes that protect bank deposits, so only commit funds you can afford to lose.

If you are based in the European Union rather than the UK, a different framework applies. The EU regulates crypto platforms under MiCA, and you can see the equivalent regulated options in our guide to the best MiCA-licensed crypto exchanges in Europe. Wherever you are, the same habit applies: verify a platform’s current regulatory status before you deposit.

Watch: The Best FCA-Regulated UK Crypto Exchanges

Prefer to watch? Here is the full list in under three minutes, plus how to check any platform on the FCA register.