Portugal has seen growing interest in cryptocurrency investing. To help new investors, here’s the outline of the best crypto exchanges in Portugal. We evaluate each platform across key criteria like regulation, fees, payment options, and asset variety to determine the leading choices for secure and seamless crypto trading.
Summary of 5 Best Crypto Exchanges in Portugal
In Portugal, experts recommend using exchanges regulated by Banco de Portugal for purchasing and trading Bitcoin and altcoins legally and securely. By depositing Euros (EUR) through bank transfers, debit/credit cards, Apple/Google Pay and more, individuals can access diverse digital assets.
For beginners starting their crypto journeys in Portugal, we have assessed the top platforms:
- Uphold – Best Overall Crypto Exchange in Portugal
- Bybit – Best for Security Measures
- Bitpanda – Ideal for Newbies [Easiest to Use]
- MEXC – Top Choice for Institutional Investors
- Gate.io – The Cheapest Exchange
Exchange | Fees | Payment Methods | Assets | Ease of Use | Security | Pros |
Uphold | 1% trading fee<br>1% spread | Bank transfer, cards, Apple/Google Pay | 250+ cryptos | Intuitive interface | Proof of reserves, PCI DSS Level 3, insurance | High staking rewards, excellent asset variety, good support |
Bybit | 0.01% maker, 0.06% taker | Bank transfer, cards | 1,000+ cryptos | Easy to navigate | Information encryption, DDoS protection | Derivatives trading, leverage, competitive pricing |
Bitpanda | 0.2% trading fee | Bank transfer, cards, PayPal | 3,000+ assets | Beginner-friendly | 2FA, offline storage | Regulated broker, multiple assets beyond crypto |
MEXC | 0.02% maker, 0.06% taker | Bank transfer, cards | 300+ cryptos | Customizable | Insurance, cold wallet storage | Up to 200x futures leverage, great liquidity, staking options |
Gate.io | 0.1%+ maker, 0.2%+ taker | Bank transfer, cards | 1,700+ cryptos | User dashboards, bots | Multi-signature encryption | Low fees, extensive niche assets, optimal for advanced traders |
Uphold
Rated as the top crypto exchange in Portugal, Uphold is renowned for its extensive selection of over 250 cryptocurrencies, lucrative staking rewards up to 25% APY, and full compliance with European regulations. Uphold offers a transparent and user-friendly platform for Portuguese crypto investors.
Best Features
- Over 250 cryptocurrencies available for trading and investing
- Trades fee of 1% and spread fee of 1%
- Free Euro deposits with card payments & bank transfers
- Staking rewards up to 25% APY on select cryptocurrencies
- Audited proof-of-reserves to ensure assets fully backed
- Intuitive web and mobile interfaces for seamless trading
- Full adherence to European regulatory guidelines
- Why we like it: As a Portugal-based exchange, Uphold understands the local market. It combines security, asset diversity, competitive fees and a smooth user experience.
Key Metrics
- 10+ million global user base across 150+ countries
- Up to $4 billion in trading volume per month
- Ranked among the top 20 cryptocurrency exchanges worldwide
- 4.7 out of 5-star app store rating reflecting user satisfaction
- 99.90% platform uptime and availability for uninterrupted access
- Level 3 PCI-DSS certification, assuring financial data security
Bybit
Emerging as a security-focused trading platform, Bybit accommodates both new and professional crypto traders in Portugal. It offers an intuitive interface alongside rigorous security measures, with over 1,000 trading pairs.
Best Features
- Maker fee of 0.01% and taker fee of 0.06%, ensuring low trading costs
- Bank transfers, debit/credit card deposits available in Euros
- Supports spot trading and derivatives (perpetual contracts up to 25x leverage)
- Trusted global platform with 10+ million registered users
- Comprehensive mobile apps to complement web-based trading
- Air-tight security protocols including DDoS protection
- Why we like it: Bybit strikes an effective balance between strong security, reasonable pricing, and ease of use – critical for Portuguese traders.
Key Metrics
- Consistently over $50 billion in monthly trading volumes
- Peak 1.2 million daily active users reflect engaged user base
- Over 98% uptime record, enabled by architectural enhancements
- Level 2 PCI-DSS certification for stringent data security
- Multi-signature cold wallet storage and fund insurance
Bitpanda
Overview
As a regulated broker in Portugal, Bitpanda provides a beginner-friendly and low-cost entry point to crypto trading and investing alongside other assets.
Best Features
- Trading fee of 0.20% with no deposit/withdrawal fees
- Diverse assets: over 3,000 cryptos plus stocks, ETFs and metals
- Regulated brokerage, in full compliance with local regulations
- Multiple Euro funding options including credit card and bank transfer
- User-friendly web/mobile platform tailored for first-time investors
- Wallet and staking functionalities for passive crypto income
- Why we like it: Bitpanda simplifies crypto investing for Portuguese newcomers under a regulated framework with reasonable pricing.
Key Metrics
- Over 3.5 million users across Europe
- Approaching $1 billion in funds under management
- Ranked Europe’s fastest-growing tech firms by the FT
- 99.5% platform uptime and availability record
- Secured partnership with Global Digital Finance promoting compliance
MEXC
Providing high leverage futures trading up to 200x, MEXC accommodates advanced crypto traders in Portugal seeking exposure beyond just spot markets.
Best Features
- 300+ crypto asset options, popular DeFi tokens added regularly
- Up to 200x futures leverage catering to advanced trading strategies
- Competitive fees starting at 0.020% maker & 0.060% taker
- $2 billion+ daily trading volumes highlight liquidity depth
- Options, margin trading, staking functionalities expand offerings
- Rigorous security protocols including multi-signature cold storage wallets
- Why we like it: MEXC provides Portuguese traders the features to implement advanced and highly customizable trading strategies.
Key Metrics
- $800+ billion in cumulative trading volume showcases maturity
- 7+ million users with steady growth over 4+ years of operations
- Consistently high futures contract and spot market liquidity
- Level 3 Microservices Architecture for stability & availability
- Customizable user dashboard, pricing alerts, other utilities
Gate.io
Gate.io accommodates seasoned crypto traders in Portugal seeking exposure to niche altcoins and DeFi gems, offering over 1,700+ crypto assets.
Best Features
- Vast altcoin selection with over 1,700+ cryptocurrency options
- Spot trading fees as low as 0.1%, decreasing based on volume tiers
- Additional features including crypto loans, portfolios, and more
- Customizable interfaces, trading bots, events cater to varied preferences
- Multiple language options available, including Portuguese
- Why we like it: Gate.io provides Portuguese traders access to the largest variety of both mainstream and niche crypto assets.
Key Metrics
- Approaching 600 altcoin pairs with high liquidity
- Peak daily trading volume over $4 billion
- 10+ million global user base
- VIP promotional offers including fee reductions
- Consistently high ratings across app stores
How Cryptocurrencies are Regulated in Portugal
While Portugal does not have a fully comprehensive regulatory framework tailored specifically to cryptocurrencies, crypto-assets and related services face certain regulations and legal provisions. These include:
- Registration requirements for VASPs including crypto exchanges under the national AML law
- Potential application of securities regulations for certain crypto-assets by the Portuguese Securities Market Commission
- Relevance of existing legal frameworks like contract law and consumer protection based on crypto offering specifics
Additionally, the 2023 Portuguese budget introduced new tax guidelines for crypto-assets:
- 28% Personal Income Tax on crypto capital gains for assets held under 1 year
- Tax exemption for capital gains from crypto-assets held over 1 year
- Other provisions like a 10% tax on crypto donations
How to Purchase Cryptocurrency in Portugal
For investors new to digital asset investing, follow these steps for seamless purchases:
- Select a secure Portuguese exchange like Uphold
- Complete registration and verification processes
- Fund your account via bank transfer or card payment
- Browse available assets and complete your purchase order
- Withdraw to an external wallet for optimal security
Given recent tax changes, it’s essential to record crypto purchase dates and prices for tax calculations. Reputable exchanges provide downloadable reports to support tax filings.
Conclusion
Through our extensive evaluations, platforms like Uphold, Bybit, Bitpanda, MEXC and Gate.io emerge as the leading crypto exchanges in Portugal. Their adherence to local regulations, reasonable fees, security provisions and extensive features create a robust environment for Portuguese crypto investors.
As global adoption accelerates, Portugal’s crypto landscape will continue evolving. Yet by selecting exchanges aligned with local guidelines, new investors can confidently access this burgeoning asset class. Staying up-to-date and choosing the right platform is key to navigating Portugal’s promising crypto investment outlook.
For crypto enthusiasts in other emerging markets like the UAE, check out our guide on the best crypto exchanges in the UAE for an evaluation tailored to that region. Those in Africa’s biggest economy can also explore Nigeria’s top platforms in our review of the best crypto exchanges in Nigeria. And if you’re based in Morocco, our team has assembled a breakdown of the top exchanges for Moroccan crypto traders here.
FAQs
What is the most beginner-friendly crypto exchange in Portugal?
Bitpanda is the easiest exchange for crypto-investing newcomers in Portugal. It offers a simple user interface, multiple Euro deposit options, and a regulated framework that provides peace of mind.
Which Portuguese exchange has the lowest fees?
Gate.io provides some of the most competitive fees of leading Portugal-accessible platforms, with maker fees as low as 0.1% and taker fees starting at 0.2%. These decreases are based on 30-day trading volumes.
What exchange is best for staking rewards in Portugal?
Uphold stands out with its high crypto staking rewards of up to 25% APY on selected assets. Combined with Uphold’s transparency, asset selection and regulatory standing, it’s a top choice for Portuguese staking.