There’s been a sharp uptick in the number of crypto exchanges available for Belgian residents. While this might seem great on the surface, it also means there’s an increasing number of subpar exchanges cropping up. This has caused a surge of residents looking for the best crypto exchange in Belgium.
Throughout this article, we’ll be reviewing the best Bitcoin exchanges in Belgium, taking a look at the country’s crypto regulation, and providing a comprehensive step-by-step guide covering exactly how to use the best Belgian Bitcoin exchange.
The Best Crypto Exchanges in Belgium for 2024
There are heaps of options out there, but finding the best cryptocurrency exchange in Belgium isn’t easy. However, the following consistently come out on top across core metrics (fees, support, features, etc).
- Crypto.com – Best Crypto Exchange for Staking
- Bitstamp – Classic Cryptocurrency Exchange
- Coinbase – Great Beginner Crypto Exchange
- Binance – Crypto Exchange with Tons of Assets
- Kraken – Highly Secure Crypto Exchange
- BitPanda – Native European Crypto Exchange
- Coinsmart – Educational Crypto Exchange
The Top Bitcoin Exchanges in Belgium Reviewed
Finding the best Belgium crypto exchanges doesn’t have to be a difficult process. We’ve done the leg-work and reviewed the top contenders.
1. Crypto.com – Best Crypto Exchange for Staking
After launching in 2016, Crypto.com has quickly grown to serve millions of users all across the globe. It comes equipped with a few nice crypto-focused features like the ability to stake crypto and earn interest.
Security on Crypto.com is good but not great. While the company does keep 100% of client funds locked away in cold storage and has a team dedicated to screening transactions, it was the target of a hack in early 2022 that led to an enormous $35 million loss.
The fee structure on Crypto.com is based on the amount of CRO (Crypto.com’s native token) held. However, as the fee reduction thresholds are quite high, the vast majority of users will be charged a trading fee of 0.4%.
The Crypto.com exchange has a ton of helpful trading features that can make life a lot easier. A plethora of order types, solid charting tools, and a well-organised interface are all handy. However, the main draw to Crypto.com is its excellent staking rates. For crypto, it’s possible to earn up 14% P.A. and stablecoins yield up to 10%, both well above the industry average.
Pros Cons
| Number of Cryptos | 250+ |
| Trading Fee | Up to 0.4% |
| Debit/Credit Card Fee | 2.99% |
| Minimum Deposit | $1 |
Cryptoassets are a highly volatile unregulated investment product. No UK or EU investor protection.
2. Bitstamp – Classic Cryptocurrency Exchange
Bitstamp has been around almost as long as Bitcoin itself. Since its 2011 launch, Bitstamp has managed to amass around 4 million active users. There aren’t too many unique features built into the platform but it’s clear Bitstamp has focused on refining its user experience.
Although trading fees on Bitstamp are quite low at just 0.5%, the platform is let down by its debit/credit card deposit fee which is currently well above standard at 5%.
Considering Bitstamp has been running for more than 10 years, it’s no surprise that it has solid security. Personal information is all encrypted to ensure no data leaks can take place and with 98% of assets held in cold storage, hackers have little reason to go after Bitstamp.
For on the go investors, Bitstmap’s mobile app is one the best on the market. It has a clean, intuitive interface and comes equipped with all the same features as the desktop site. 24/7 phone/email support is another area Bitstamp shines. Getting a prompt answer to a query can make all the difference when it comes to investing.
Bitstamp isn’t one of the biggest crypto exchanges, its refined feature-set means it’s still a solid choice.
Pros Cons
| Number of Cryptos | 73 |
| Trading Fee | 0.5% |
| Debit/Credit Card Fee | 5% |
| Minimum Deposit | $20 |
Cryptoassets are a highly volatile unregulated investment product. No UK or EU investor protection.
3. Coinbase – Great Beginner Crypto Exchange
With over 98 million users across 100+ countries, Coinbase is one of the biggest crypto exchanges in the world. Since its 2013 launch, Coinbase rose to prominence as a result of its focus on making crypto investing easy for everyone.
It should be no surprise that one of the best cryptocurrency exchanges in the industry has got great security. In addition to utilising cold storage and obscuring client data, Coinbase also carefully vets each project it adds to ensure clients won’t be left out of pocket due to a scam.
Fees on Coinbase have gotten better in recent months. Previously Coinbase & Coinbase Pro had two different fee structures that made things extremely confusing. However, they’ve done away with that model and made fees the same on both platforms. However, it’s worth noting that using Coinbase to instant buy crypto will still result in a rather large 3.99% credit/debit card fee.
Although Coinbase is touted as a beginner broker, it’s recently added its Pro feature set to the regular Coinbase platform. Thanks to this change, Coinbase is a far more attractive option than it once was.
Pros Cons
| Fees | Coinbase | Coinbase Pro |
| Number of Cryptos | 150+ | 150+ |
| Trading Fee | 0.04% to 0.60% taker fee and a 0% to 0.40% maker free | 0.04% to 0.60% taker fee and a 0% to 0.40% maker free |
| Debit/Credit Card Fee | 3.99% | 0% |
| Minimum Deposit | $50 | $50 |
Cryptoassets are a highly volatile unregulated investment product. No UK or EU investor protection.
4. Binance – Crypto Exchange with Tons of Assets
Binance is one of the most widely used crypto exchanges. It has over 600 assets available to trade and is trusted by over 90 million users. With a diverse range of features, solid client protection, and an innovative team, Binance is a definite contender for the best crypto exchange in Belgium.
Although Binance understandably refuses to divulge too much about its security features, clients are well protected. Everyone using Binance can manage account devices, set up 2FA, and whitelist withdrawal addresses.
Binance offers some of the lowest trading fees on the market but deposit fees can add up. While Binance charges 1.8% debit/credit card fees, this figure is exclusive of any additional fees levied by your card provider.
Outside of its excellent trading features (TradingView integration, various order types, solid charting tools), Binance is an innovative platform that’s constantly evolving. The Binance NFT marketplace has become a hub for ETH & BNB-based NFTs and its frequent community rewards make it an engaging platform to invest with.
As there are a ton of features hidden away in submenus, Binance does take a bit of getting used to. However, users can Switch to Binance Lite to enjoy a simplified investing experience. All in all, thanks to its huge range of assets and features, Binance is one of the top crypto exchanges in Belgium.
Pros Cons
| Number of Cryptos | 600+ |
| Trading Fee | 0.1% |
| Debit/Credit Card Fee | 1.8% + processor fees |
| Minimum Deposit | Variable based on deposit type |
Cryptoassets are a highly volatile unregulated investment product. No UK or EU investor protection.
5. Kraken – Highly Secure Crypto Exchange
Another of the best Belgium crypto exchanges, Kraken was founded in 2011 and serves over 9 million clients. It’s a good all-around Belgian crypto exchange with over 100 crypto-assets to choose from.
Fees on Kranen are reasonable but its plethora of security features is what really pushes the platform to new heights. With a bug bounty program and a team dedicated to attempting to hack Kraken, clients can rest assured that their funds remain safe. To communicate with clients, Kraken uses PGP signed & encrypted emails, helping to prevent phishing attacks.
Although it boasts 24/7 support and a good mobile app, like Bitstamp, Kraken doesn’t offer much in the way of unique features. However, its long, stellar track record and market-leading safety features make it one of the best Belgium crypto exchanges for the security conscious.
Pros Cons
| Number of Cryptos | 100+ |
| Trading Fee | 1.5% |
| Debit/Credit Card Fee | 3.75% + $0.25 |
| Minimum Deposit | $1 |
6. Bitpanda – Native European Crypto Exchange
On the hunt for the best crypto exchange in Belgium, it’s only fitting we discuss a Europe-based exchange. Since its 2014 launch, Bitpanda has grown to serve around 3.5 million investors. Despite being one of the smaller exchanges, Bitpanda is jam-packed with a ton of helpful features and investing tools.
While Bitpanda might not be the best crypto exchange in Belgium for all types of investors, for those looking to diversify and manage all of their assets in one place, it’s a good option. The only real drawback to Bitpanda is its high trading fees.
Pros Cons
| Number of Cryptos | 160 |
| Trading Fee | 1.5% |
| Debit/Credit Card Fee | Depends on Payment Processor |
| Minimum Deposit | $25 |
7. Coinsmart – Educational Crypto Exchange
Canada-based Coinsmart is attempting to build a reputation as a leading educational exchange. On top of its educational efforts, Coinsmart is a transparent and customer-focused exchange that makes a real effort for its clients.
As a publicly-traded company, Coinsmart is subject to regular audits making it nigh-impossible for them to hide any unscrupulous activities from the general public. Despite only offering 16 cryptos for trade, the platform is equipped with some decent trading tools but mostly misses key features like advanced charting capabilities.
When it comes to speed, Coinsmart is perhaps the best crypto exchange in Belgium. The Coinsmart guarantee ensures client accounts will always be credited the same day Coinsmart receives the deposit, if not, your deposit fee will be refunded.
Although Coinsmart does lack the number of assets offered by some of the best Bitcoin exchanges in Belgium, it’s a capable exchange for when quick deposits are a must.
Pros Cons
| Number of Cryptos | 16 |
| Trading Fee | 0.2% |
| Debit/Credit Card Fee | Up to 6% |
| Minimum Deposit | $100 |
The Best Belgium Crypto Exchanges Compared
When reading reviews, it can be difficult to decipher which platform is the best crypto exchange in Belgium. However, using this handy table it’s easy to see how each platform stacks up against one another.
Number of Cryptos
Trading Fee
Debit/Credit Card Fee
Minimum Deposit
Crypto.com
250+
Up to 0.4%
2.99%
$1
Bitstamp
73
0.5%
5%
$20
Coinbase
150+
0.04% to 0.50% taker fee and a 0% to 0.50% maker free
0%
$50
Binance
600+
0.1%
1.8% + processor fees
Variable based on deposit type
Kraken
100+
1.5%
3.75% + $0.25
$1
Bitpanda
160+
1.5%
Depends on Payment Processor
$25
Coinsmart
16
0.2%
Up to 6%
$100
How to Choose the Best Belgium Cryptocurrency Exchange for You
When you’re trying to find the best Belgian crypto exchange, there are a few things that are important to look out for.
Regulation
When choosing the best crypto exchange in Belgium, it’s important to watch out for any brokers in a regulatory grey area. While you might not run into any trouble using an unregulated broker if something awry (insolvency, a hack, etc) there’s very little recourse.
Because of this, it’s wise to only trade using regulated brokers as you’ll be far more protected. Additionally, unregulated brokers could face pressure from government regulators to cease operations in a certain country, potentially leading to assets getting stuck on an exchange.
Tradable Cryptos
Before dubbing a certain platform the best crypto exchange in Belgium, it’s important to take a look at how many cryptos they offer. While it’s unlikely you’ll be investing in dozens of different cryptocurrencies, it’s always nice to have options.
Additionally, it can be a good idea to check and see if a platform supports any additional asset classes.
Sign Up Offers
Everyone loves a good deal. When selecting a crypto exchange, it’s worth checking to see if any platforms have a sign-up bonus. While these bonuses are mostly only worth a couple of dollars, some can be far more lucrative. Either way, it never hurts to have a look.
Fees
For a platform to be considered the best crypto exchange in Belgium, it’s got to have some pretty competitive fees. Over the long-term, lower fees can result in hundreds if not thousands in savings.
It’s worth checking the trading fees (sometimes called maker/taker fees) as well as any fees associated with your preferred payment method.
Tools & Features
At the core of every exchange lies its features. While most good exchanges will offer some basic order types, charting tools, and educational material, the best crypto exchange in Belgium needs to go above and beyond when it comes to offering useful features.
When deciding which platform you prefer, it’s wise to think about what tools might be needed in the future and compare them to the offerings of each exchange.
Payment Methods
To buy crypto, you’ll need a way of paying for it. Therefore, you should always make sure an exchange has a few different payment options as it’s not uncommon for a particular payment method to go offline for some time due to upgrades or bugs.
Customer Service
Customer service is crucial to having a positive investing experience. When using a platform with slow customer service, getting the answer to an important question can be like pulling hens’ teeth. So to prevent any annoyance, it’s always good to read a few of the exchange’s customer service reviews.
Are Crypto Exchanges Legal in Belgium?
Before registering with the best crypto exchange in Belgium, it’s worth familiarising yourself with the local regulations.
Up until May 2022, cryptocurrency was unregulated in Belgium. However, a sharp increase in the number of Belgian investors led to the country providing some guidance. As of May 1, 2022, any platform operating in Belgium that wants to offer cryptocurrency exchange services must register with the Financial Services and Markets Authority (FMSA).
However, any platforms that were operating in Belgium prior to this change, have until July 1 to notify the FSMA of their activities and until September 1 to officially apply for registration. Failure to do either could result in an exchange being fined or forced to cease operation.
Belgian citizens that wish to invest in crypto-assets are completely free to do so, but the government of Belgium does not consider crypto legal tender.
Crypto Tax in Belgium
Unlike a few other countries, crypto tax in Belgium is pretty straightforward. Profit from cryptocurrency is treated as miscellaneous income and you will have to pay tax on any earnings.
For tax purposes, the Special Tax Inspectorate (STI) in Belgium generally treats income/gains resulting from the sale of cryptocurrency as “miscellaneous income” subject to tax.
Conclusion
Throughout this guide, we’ve covered some of the best platforms to buy crypto in Belgium, explored regulations, and discussed how to differentiate good exchanges from the brokers.
After reviewing the top crypto exchanges, Crypto.com has come out on top. It’s regulated, offers a massive variety of assets, low fees, and a ton of helpful features to help new investors get started on the right track.
Cryptoasset investing is highly volatile and unregulated in some EU countries. No consumer protection. Tax on profits may apply.