Best Crypto Exchange in UAE and Dubai

If you’re in the UAE or Dubai and are interested in cryptocurrencies, the first step is to choose the right exchange. With so many options out there, it can feel a little overwhelming to find the best crypto exchange in UAE and Dubai. Additionally, you must create an account on a crypto exchange, as it is essential for buying, selling and trading digital assets safely. 

In the UAE, the choice of exchange is especially important due to specific regional needs such as compliance with local laws, Arabic support and compatibility with UAE bank accounts or payment systems. 

In this article, we’ll guide you through the best crypto trading platform in UAE and the key features to look for in an exchange before choosing one. 

Best Crypto Exchange in UAE

Here’s an overview of the nine best crypto exchanges in UAE that you can choose from:

Now, let’s discuss each of the best crypto exchange in UAE, so you can choose the one that best suits you. 

1. Binance

Binance was established in 2017 by Changpeng Zhao and is one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges. It offers a platform for buying, selling and trading multiple digital assets. This platform is perfect for both beginners and seasoned traders. Its user-friendly interface is the go-to feature for newcomers and advanced trading options and tools are for the more experienced users. 

There are over 350 cryptocurrencies on Binance which includes popular ones like Bitcoin, Ethereum and many other altcoins. As for the advanced trading options, Binance offers spot trading, margin trading with up to 10x leverage and futures trading with a leverage of up to 125x. 

Additionally, Binance Earn provides staking and savings programs which allows users to earn interest on their crypto holdings. You can also use the Binance Referral ID to make $100 in passive income. Now considering other features Binance offers a Trust Wallet for secure storage of digital assets. This platform also enables direct transactions between users with Peer-to-Peer (P2P) trading with various payment methods. 

Binance also offers a Binance Academy with multiple tutorials and articles to help users better understand cryptocurrency and even blockchain technology. For people always on the go, there are fully functional apps on iOS and Android. As for the trading fee, Binance charges 0.1% and 0.075% if you use BNB as fees. 

For users living in the UAE, Binance supports deposits through local bank transfers. The platform is totally compliant with international regulations and offers customer support in multiple languages. In April 2024, Binance obtained a license from Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) which allows the exchange to offer services to retail clients in the UAE. 

Pros

• Low trading fees with additional discounts.
• Advanced trading features and tools.
• Opportunities for passive income through staking and savings.
• High liquidity so trades are executed efficiently. 

Cons

• Facing regulatory challenges in certain jurisdictions.
• Limited options for fiat currency withdrawals.

2. eToro

This next best crypto exchange in UAE was founded in 2007 as a global trading platform mostly known for its social trading feature. eToro allows users to trade a variety of assets which includes cryptocurrencies, stocks, forex and commodities. This platform is ideal for beginners and casual investors interested in a user-friendly platform with social trading capabilities. 

It’s also suitable for those looking to diversify their investment portfolios across multiple asset classes. As for the social trading feature, it enables users to follow and copy the trades of experienced investors through its CopyTrader feature. This platform offers access to over 6,000 financial instruments. If you’re interested in stocks as well then you’ll be excited to know that you can trade stocks on eToro without paying any commissions. 

It also features an intuitive platform perfectly suitable for both web and mobile users. This platform operates under the oversight of multiple regulatory bodies which ensures a secure trading environment. Apart from all these incredible features, eToro offers a virtual portfolio with $100,000 to practice trading without financial risk. 

For UAE traders, eTori supports a variety of payment methods such as credit/debit cards and bank transfers. Its social trading features allow users in the UAE to learn from and interact with the global community of investors. This platform is also compliant with international regulations which is why people choose it for trading. 

In September 2024, eToro agreed to stop offering nearly all crypto tokens to U.S. customers as part of a settlement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The SEC alleged that eToro was operating as an unregistered broker. Apart from that the platform is legal everywhere else. 

Pros

• Innovative social trading features.
• Regulated by multiple financial authorities.
• Offers a demo account for practice trading.
• User-friendly platform suitable for beginners.

Cons

• Higher spreads compared to some other platforms.
• Limited advanced trading features for professional traders.

3. Bybit

Bybit was established in 2018 and is headquartered in Dubai, UAE. It offers a platform on which users can trade various digital assets with a strong emphasis on derivatives trading. Bybit has rapidly grown to become one of the leading exchanges in the crypto industry. This exchange is also suitable for both beginners and advanced traders. 

As for trading features, Bybit offers perpetual contracts with leverage up to 100x on major crypto tokens and a variety of trading pairs for spot trading. It includes features like spot-loss, take-profit and advanced charting tools. Bybit allows users to practice trading strategies without any financial risk. It also offers a mobile app with fully functional trading features. 

Bybit offers powerful security protocols which include two-factor authentication and cold storage of funds. Because Bybit is headquartered in Dubai, it shows its commitment to the UAE market. The platform supports AED deposits and withdrawals and is compliant with local regulations. 

In April 2023, Bybit announced the opening of its global headquarters in Dubai which marks a significant step in its expansion and growth. Additionally in November 2024, Bybit launched the Gold and FX treasure Hunt competition which offers users a chance to win real gold rewards. Another good news is that you can get the Bybit sign up bonus if you’re new to the platform. 

Pros 

• High liquidity ensures efficient trade execution.
• Competitive trading fees.
• Advanced trading features suitable for professional traders.
• Strong security measures to protect user funds.

Cons

• Limited selection of cryptocurrencies compared to some other exchanges.
• Not available to users in certain countries due to regulatory restrictions.

4. Bitget

Next in line is Bitget which was founded in 2018. This exchange specializes in derivatives trading with various digital assets. It focuses mostly on providing innovative trading solutions. For professional traders seeking sophisticated trading options, this platform is perfect for them. In futures contract users can use a leverage of up to 100x on major cryptocurrencies. 

The best thing about Bitget is that it allows users to follow and copy the trades of experienced traders. If you’re thinking about the security features, the platform has strong security protocols which include two-factor authentication and even cold storage wallets to keep funds safe. There’s also a mobile app on both iOS and Android devices which traders can use to trade funds even while on vacation. 

There are over 550 cryptocurrencies on Bitget which you can use to have a diversified portfolio. Bitget supports AED deposits and withdrawals as well which facilitates seamless transactions for UAE residents. The platform’s compliance with international regulations make it a perfect choice for people living in the United Arab Emirates. 

In October 2024, Bitget announced a partnership with a leading blockchain analytics firm, Foresight Ventures, to improve its security measures and compliance protocols. This collaboration aims to provide users with a safer trading environment and to stick to global regulatory standards. 

Pros

• Innovative copy trading feature.
• Competitive trading fees.
• Advanced trading features suitable for professional traders.
• Strong security measures to protect user funds.

Cons

• Some users have reported delayed customer support responses.
• The platform may be overwhelming for complete beginners.

5. KuCoin

The foundation of KuCoin was laid in 2017. Its services are available all over the world and offer a range of digital assets for trading. It has gained popularity for its user-friendly interface and diverse cryptocurrency offerings. With access to over 400 cryptocurrencies, KuCoin is perfect for both beginners and advanced traders. 

The platform offers spot trading, margin trading and futures trading with leverage of up to 100x. KuCoin also provides opportunities to earn passive income through staking and lending programs. The platform uses strong security protocols which includes two-factor authentication and cold storage for funds to be kept offline away from cyber attackers. 

On KuCoin users can make deposits and withdraw funds in AED so that UAE residents can make transactions easily. In November 2024, KuCoin partnered with the Dubai Sports Council to sponsor the Open Padel Cup for Government Institutions which highlights its commitment to the UAE market. 

Additionally, KuCoin’s Managing Director, Alicia Kao emphasized that the company is dedicated to providing the best crypto education and offering security innovations at the Blockchain Life 2024 event in Dubai. 

Pros

• Advanced trading features suitable for professional traders.
• Opportunities for passive income through staking and lending.
• Strong security measures to protect user funds.
• 24/7 responsive customer support 

Cons

• Facing regulatory challenges in certain jurisdictions.
• Limited fiat currency withdrawal options.

6. CoinMENA

If you’re hearing the name CoinMENA for the first time, it’s because the platform is mostly focused on the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Another reason is that it was founded in 2019 and is still quite new. It’s a Bahrain-based cryptocurrency exchange licensed by the Central Bank of Bahrain. 

CoinMENA is designed for traders living in the MENA region which also includes the UAE. Similar to other exchanges, this one is also suitable for both beginners and experienced traders. You can also access a range of educational materials on the platform to help users make informed decisions. 

The exchange’s focus on the MENA region and its regulatory compliance makes it a strong choice for UAE users seeking a secure and locally regulated platform. In October 2024, CoinMENA announced the addition of new cryptocurrencies to its platform which expands its offerings to meet the growing demand in the region. The exchange also launched a referral program which allows users to earn rewards by inviting friends to join the platform. 

Another thing that makes CoinMENA attractive is that it is Sharia compliant so that Muslime users can easily and safely trade cryptocurrencies. Most deposit fees are free on the platform but for card deposit it is 3.5%. As for the transaction fees, it is fixed at 0.75% for all of the trades. 

Pros

• Offers competitive fees based on trade volume. 
• Trusted website with Sharia compliance. 
• Referral programs that allow users to earn bonuses. 
• An OTC desk for more personalized and private service. 

Cons

• Relatively higher fees as compared to other exchanges.
• Only offer access to around 21 cryptocurrencies. 

7. Kraken

Kraken was founded in 2011 as a US-based cryptocurrency exchange well-known for its security features and a variety of supported assets. The platform offers access to 120 cryptocurrencies which includes all the popular ones and even the emerging tokens. 

One of the standout features of the exchange are its advanced trading tools which include spot trading, margin trading and futures trading with leverage up to 5x, which is actually lower than what most exchanges offer. However, Kraken offers a Pro platform for advanced traders with lower trading fees and is also available to anyone who has a Kraken account but it’s not recommended for newbies as it can be intimidating for them. 

The Pro platform includes detailed asset information such as active charts and a view of open orders. The maker fees on the platform ranges from 0.00% and 0.25% and as for taker fees, it ranges from 0.10% to 0.40%. It depends totally on the volume of trades you are making on the platform. Don’t forget to use Kraken Referral to make some extra bucks while trading. 

Remember, always enable 2FA as there have been reports where users were hacked and their holdings were gone in an instant. By using the Kraken dashboard, you can manage your approval levels, enable 2FA and manage API keys. In 2023, Kraken was sued by the SEC for operating as an unregistered platform. As of November 2024, a federal judge has denied Kraken’s request to dismiss the lawsuit filed by SEC and is set to move forward at the earliest. 

Pros 

• Simple and intuitive user interface.
• High liquidity for easier trade execution.
• Kraken Pro with advanced tools for experienced traders. 

Cons

• Higher fees with the simple Kraken platform.
• Some users have reported that their accounts were hacked.

8. Coinbase

The next best crypto exchange in the UAE is Coinbase which was established in 2012 and was created as a platform to help anyone who wants to buy and sell cryptocurrency with ease, doesn’t matter which part of the world they’re in. Coinbase has a $330 billion-dollar asset base which helped it become one of the biggest exchanges worldwide. 

This platform is designed for users of all experience levels. Beginners appreciate its ease of use while the experienced ones try to benefit as much as possible from features like real-time market data, advanced charting tools and staking opportunities. Over 250 cryptocurrencies are available on the platform with passive income opportunities.

Users can also participate in “Learn and Earn” programs to earn more crypto rewards. Another best feature about the platform is that it offers a native NFT marketplace for creating, trading and collecting NFTs. As for the security features apart from the usual 2FA and cold storage, Coinbase uses advanced cryptographic security for online funds. 

While Coinbase does not support AED transactions directly, it can still be used by UAE residents for trading in other global currencies. Coinbase is all ready to expand into the Middle East region which is a great news for traders living in the UAE. It also means that Coinbase might also support AED in the future. 

Coinbase also has an Advanced Trade platform which replaced the Coinbase pro version. It’s best for high-volume traders only and offers much more advanced tools for technical analysis. For more incentives, check out Coinbase bonus to earn income by completing specific tasks. 

Pros

• Easy-to-use interface for beginners.
• Offers a wide range of cryptocurrencies.
• Features a built-in NFT marketplace.
• Provides staking and passive income opportunities.

Cons

• Relatively high transaction fees.
• Limited customer service and slow response times.

9. Rain

Rain is another Bahrain-based cryptocurrency exchange similar to CoinMENA and was established in 2017. It is the very first crypto exchange to be regulated in the Middle East. With licensing from the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB), Rain is a trusted platform for buying, selling, and storing cryptocurrencies. Currently, Rain is offering services to over 250,000 users all across the MENA region. 

This exchange is ideal for users in the Middle East looking for a regulated platform with local fiat support including AED and totally compliant with Islamic finance principles. Rain uses proprietary cold storage technology to keep the users’ funds safe. It supports over 70 cryptocurrencies. 

The Pro version of Rain exchange is perfect for advanced traders with features like detailed charting, multiple order types and rapid execution speeds. It also offers a private and secure way for individuals and institutions to make large trades via OTC trading desk. Users can also explore the Rain learn platform to know more about cryptocurrency and the latest market trends. 

Rain’s local support for AED deposits and withdrawals, along with its compliance with regional regulations, makes it a top choice for users in the UAE. As of 2024, Rain has increased its OTC trading capabilities by introducing services for institutional clients like liquidity management and risk assessment tools. 

Pros

• Regulated by the Central Bank of Bahrain.
• Supports local fiat currencies, including AED.
• Offers Sharia-compliant trading options.
• Advanced tools for high-volume traders via Rain Pro.

Cons

• Limited availability in regions outside the Middle East.
• Higher trading fees compared to global exchanges like Binance.

Factors for Choosing the Best Crypto Exchange in UAE

If you want to choose the best crypto exchange in UAE, then there are a few factors that you need to consider before moving forward. These include: 

Regulatory Compliance

Regulatory compliance should be your utmost priority whenever you’re looking for a crypto exchange. If the platform is licensed it means that it adheres to local and international laws and offers a secure, transparent trading ecosystem. 

Exchanges regulated by authorities like Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) or the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) are excellent choices for people living in the UAE. Regulatory oversight also means that your funds are kept secure so you can have peace of mind at all times. 

Trading Fees

As a trader, trading fees have a significant impact on profitability especially if you’re a newbie. Exchanges like Binance only charge 0.1% of the trades. Other platforms, such as Coinbase, charge a higher fee and justify it by offering additional services like education and advanced tools. 

Review the fee structure before jumping to a conclusion. The things to look at are maker and taker fees, withdrawal charges and deposit fees. 

Security Measures

After regulatory oversight, security measures are next in line in terms of priority. The platform you are looking for should offer 2FA, cold storage of funds and encryption protocols for keeping the user data safe. 

Additionally, if an exchange offers insurance for funds lost due to hacks is an added advantage that must always be considered. Always check the exchange’s security features before signing up. Also check out our tips on how to keep your crypto secure. 

Payment Methods

Exchanges operating in the UAE should ideally support local payments options such as AED deposits and withdrawals via bank transfer. Platforms like Rain and CoinMENA offer services specially in the Middle East. This means that their payment methods are customized as per their audience’s needs. It’s always nice to have multiple payment options to make funding easier. 

Accessibility in the UAE

For traders in the UAE, it’s important to choose an exchange that offers services specifically to that region. As discussed before, Rain and CoinMENA are two of the best local exchanges that are regulated by the Middle Eastern authorities. 

These exchanges offer AED support and Sharia-compliant trading. Global exchanges with localized features, like Binance’s partnership with VARA, are also excellent choices. Just make sure the exchange you’re thinking of choosing has all these features packed in one. 

Reputation

The reputation of an exchange can speak volumes about its reliability and user experience. Look for platforms that are established and have a long history of providing the best crypto trading services. Look at reviews on Trustpilot and other review websites to make sure you’re making the right choice. 

Summing Up

Choosing the best crypto exchange in UAE and Dubai can be overwhelming for anyone. However, it all comes down to what you need from the platform. As a beginner, you can go for platforms like Binance and KuCoin which offer low fees and tons of great trading options. Similarly, if your priority is local compliance then you can go for Rain and CoinMENA which provide secure and Sharia-compliant trading options. 

Remember, it’s important to select a regulated exchange to ensure safety and compliance with the UAE laws. You can start by researching the different features offered by the platform, read user reviews and test their apps to see which one you can use with the best efficiency. In the end, be safe as crypto trading carries risk and invest wisely. 

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