Best Crypto Exchanges in Greece

Best Cryptocurrency Exchange Greece

We have assessed 31 cryptocurrency trading platforms available in Greece to identify the top choices for local investors. This evaluation focused on compliance with the Hellenic Capital Market Commission (HCMC), user experience, Greek interface, Euro deposit methods, supported cryptocurrencies, fee structures, and features. Presented below is a comparison table highlighting the top 5 exchanges for traders in Greece.

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1. eToro

eToro is the best investment platform in Greece, offering an expansive selection of more than 4,500 financial instruments. This selection features leading cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana, among other asset classes, including stocks, commodities and ETFs. This broad range empowers investors to diversify their portfolios efficiently through a single, comprehensively regulated platform.

It has a user-friendly interface, supports several Euro deposit methods, and provides multilingual support available in Greek. There are a varierty of features offered, which includes copy trading services, a demo account, an OTC desk and more. With a commitment to low commissions and competitive spreads at just 1%, eToro is an attractive option for local investors seeking an inclusive and affordable platform.

• Fees: eToro employs a variable spread fee model, generally around 1%.
• Supported Assets: Over 4,500 assets.
• Regulation & Licensing: eToro (Europe) Ltd, is regulated by the Cyprus Securities Exchange Commission (CySEC) under licence number 109/10. ‍
• EUR Deposit Methods: Bank transfers, SEPA, debit cards, and credit cards.

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2. Uphold

Uphold is a globally recognized and user-friendly cryptocurrency platform, serving over 150 countries with a user base exceeding 10 million. It presents a diverse range of over 250 digital assets, plus 27 traditional currencies and 4 precious metals, including Silver, Gold, Platinum and Palladium, positioning itself as a significant choice for Greek investors. A key feature of Uphold is its attractive staking options, where investors can earn up to 25% APY on 30 tokens.

It stands out for its transparency and trustworthiness, adhering to European regulatory standards and registering with leading financial authorities globally. This compliance enhances its reliability for Greek investors. Its commitment to openness is shown by audited proof-of-reserves, assuring that each digital asset is backed 1:1. The platform also offers a smooth trading experience across web, iOS, and Android interfaces.

• Fees: Trading activities come with a 1% fee, along with a 1% spread fee.
• Supported Assets: 250+ digital assets, 4 precious metals, and 27 fiat currencies.
• Regulation & Licensing: Uphold fully complies with European regulations, registered under the Republic of Lithuania.‍
• EUR Deposit Methods: Bank transfers, SEPA, Google Pay, Apple Pay, credit cards, and debit cards.

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3. Bybit

Bybit is a cryptocurrency trading platform serving over 30 million users across Greece and 160 other countries. It has a daily trading volume of over $23 billion, making it one of the most popular exchanges worldwide. The interface can be used in 30 languages, including Greek and English. There are over 1,100 digital currencies to trade across spot, options and futures markets with leverage options up to 100x supported.

It is one of the few platforms that regularly publishes its proof-of-reserves, which shows that all assets are held on a 1:1 basis and accessible at all times. In addition to trading, Bybit provides several features like an NFT marketplace, copy trading services, crypto loans, staking options, a demo account, a crypto card, trading bots and a Launchpad. This wide range of products and services gives Greek investors various investment options.

• Fees: Maker fees are set at 0.02%, while taker fees are at 0.055%.
• Supported Assets: Over 1,100 digital assets.
• Regulation & Licensing: Adheres to European regulatory standards (CySEC).‍
• EUR Deposit Methods: SEPA, bank transfers, debit cards, credit cards, Zen, Easybank, Google Pay, and Apple Pay.

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4. Gate.io

Gate.io is a leading cryptocurrency exchange in Greece, distinguished by its extensive altcoin selection. The platform boasts an impressive collection of over 1,700 cryptocurrencies, making it an ideal choice for investors interested in a broad selection of digital assets. It has the most diverse range of tokens to buy, sell, trade and stake globally. Thanks to its widespread availability, it can be used in Greek and 20 other languages.

Exhibiting a significant 24-hour trading volume surpassing $5 billion and a global user base of over 14 million, Gate.io serves a large portion of the international crypto world. The platform engages users with unique features like trading bots, copy trading, a startup feature, plus staking, lending and borrowing services. There are also multiple order types supported with spot, derivatives and options markets available. 

• Fees: Maker orders from 0.1% and taker orders at 0.2%.
• Supported Assets: Over 1,700 digital assets.
• Regulation & Licensing: Based offshore in the Seychelles, it’s not directly licensed in Greece but remains accessible to users.‍
• EUR Deposit Methods: Bank transfers, debit cards, credit cards, PayPal, and more.

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5. OKX

OKX features a broad range of more than 300 cryptocurrencies and offers additional sophisticated trading instruments, such as futures, options, and margin trading with up to 50x leverage available on select contracts. Its OKX wallet uniquely enables users to seamlessly switch between centralized and decentralized financial services, incorporating popular DeFi platforms like AAVE and Uniswap.

Not only is OKX user-friendly, but it also places a significant emphasis on robust security measures. While it originally hails from Seychelles and complies with its local regulations, it is available to Greek investors. The platform is especially attractive to institutional investors and DeFi users, given its comprehensive API options and embedded web3 compatibility. There is also an NFT marketplace, giving users access to popular projects like BAYC and Crypto Punks.

• Fees: 0.1% for maker orders, a 0.2% fee for taker orders, and a standard 0.1% fee for spot trading.
• Supported Assets: Over 300 cryptocurrencies.
• Regulation & Licensing: Based in Seychelles and available in Greece.‍
• EUR Deposit Methods: Bank transfers and credit or debit cards.

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Is Crypto Regulated in Greece?

The Hellenic Capital Market Commission (HCMC) oversees cryptocurrency activities in Greece. However, there isn't a specific regulatory framework dedicated solely to digital currencies. They aren’t classified as MiFID financial instruments or standard financial products, despite their growing role in the global economy. This leaves cryptocurrencies outside the traditional financial regulatory scope in Greece.

Law 4734/2020, which integrates the EU’s Fifth Anti-Money Laundering Directive (5AMLD) into Greek legislation, targets the risks of money laundering and terrorist financing linked to cryptocurrencies. This law mandates that providers offering exchange services between digital and fiat currencies, as well as custodian wallet providers, register with the HCMC. Still, this registration isn’t equivalent to a licensing process and doesn't guarantee regulatory compliance for investors.

The HCMC holds the power to reject such registrations without explanation, a practice that raises questions about its compatibility with EU principles, including those outlined in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, which safeguards the freedom to engage in economic activity and competitive practices.

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How is Crypto Taxed in Greece?

‍In Greece, the taxation of cryptocurrency transactions isn't clearly defined by law. The Independent Public Revenues Authority (IPRA) suggested in its 2019 strategic plan to tax income from cryptocurrency transactions as portfolio investment income, but no further details have been provided in subsequent strategic plans.

For income from crypto transactions, it's expected to be taxed as capital gains. According to the Greek Income Tax Code (Law 4172/2013), capital gains are the difference between the buying and selling prices, including any related costs. The tax rate is 15% for individuals and follows the corporate tax rate for businesses.

Moreover, following the EU Court of Justice’s ruling in the Skatteverket v David Hedqvist case, exchange services between traditional and digital currencies are likely VAT-exempt in Greece.

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Bottom Line

Cryptocurrency investment in Greece is on the rise, supported by platforms like eToro, Uphold, Bybit, Gate.io, and OKX. These exchanges offer diverse assets, user-friendly interfaces, and multiple Euro deposit methods. While the HCMC oversees regulatory compliance, a specific framework for crypto is still lacking, and taxation guidelines remain unclear. However, existing laws and EU directives help manage financial crime risks.