Top Trading Platforms in NZ

Our team of Crypto experts has meticulously evaluated and compared more than 20 digital asset trading platforms accessible to New Zealand investors, to assist you in identifying the most secure and convenient option to purchase cryptocurrencies. The evaluation process for ranking these platforms took into account multiple factors such as regulatory compliance, security measures, available features, fees, and user experience.

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1. SwyftX

Swyftx is an Australian and New Zealand-native Cryptocurrency exchange that offers a simple and intuitive interface, making it accessible for both beginners and experienced traders. It is considered the best and most secure digital asset trading platform in New Zealand as it has been awarded the ISO27001 Standard Security Certificate. It is also the only exchange on this list that offers phone support for Kiwi investors.

• Fees: Deposits and withdrawals are free. Trading fee is 0.6%.
• Supported Cryptos: 310+ Cryptocurrencies.
• Regulation & Licensing: Regulated with AUSTRAC in Australia & NZ.
• Customer Support Options: 24/7 support via live chat, email, phone and social media.
• NZD Deposit Methods: PayID, POLi, Bank Transfer & Credit/Debit Card.

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2. OKX

OKX is a global Cryptocurrency exchange based in Seychelles but offers services to New Zealand residents and accepts multiple types of NZD payment methods. It offers a user-friendly interface and various features such as multiple order types, advanced trading tools and charts, staking and loan services and more. It also provides robust security measures including proof of reserves, which highlights users funds are held 1:1.

• Fees: Deposits & withdrawals are free. 0% maker fees & 0.2% taker fees with variable spreads depending on the token.
• Supported Cryptos: 340+ Cryptocurrencies.
• Regulation & Licensing: Regulated by Hong Kong & Maltese authorities and offers VFAA compliant trading services.
• Customer Support Options: 24/7 support via live chat, email and social media.
• NZD Deposit Methods: Bank Transfer, Debit Card, Credit Card, Wise, PayPal, SEPA, Skrill, Paysera, Zen & Apple Pay.

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3. Independent Reserve

Independent Reserve is an Australian Cryptocurrency trading platform that offers services to NZ residents and accepts NZD deposits. It provides a secure and regulated environment for users to manage their digital assets and has also obtained the ISO27001 Standard Security Certificate. It is the best platform for institutional level clients as it offers an OTC desk with personal account managers that can be reached by phone.

• Fees: Deposits and withdrawals are free. Trading fee is 0.5% but gets as low as 0.02% for users with high monthly trading volumes.
• Supported Cryptos: 30 Cryptocurrencies.
• Regulation & Licensing: Regulated by AUSTRAC in Australia & NZ.
• Customer Support Options: 24/7 support via live chat, email, social media and phone (for institutional clients).
• NZD Deposit Methods: PayID, Osko, Bank Transfer & SWIFT.

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4. Bybit

Bybit is the most popular derivatives trading platform in the world for many reasons including the fact its a Non-KYC exchange (does not require identity verification) and offers up to 100x leverage on futures contracts. It is a feature-rich exchange that offers multiple trading types (spot, futures, margin & options), 6 staking options, an NFT marketplace, loans and lending services plus much more.

• Fees: Deposits and withdrawals are free. The spot trading fee is 0.1% and the maker/taker rebate is 0.01%/0.06%.
• Supported Cryptos: 400+ Cryptocurrencies.
• Regulation & Licensing: Not regulated in any country (hence no KYC requirements).
• Customer Support Options: 24/7 support via live chat, email and social media.
• NZD Deposit Methods: Bank Transfer, Debit Card, Credit Card, Zen, Wise, Neteller & Skrill.

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5. Uphold

Uphold is one of the most reliable and trusted Crypto exchanges globally and is the only one to provide regularly audited proof of reserves, showing that they always hold users funds 1:1. Although they are supported in New Zealand and accepts NZD deposits, they do not support bank transfers. In addition to trading, users can stake over 30 tokens and spend all 250+ Cryptos with the Uphold Crypto Card.

• Fees: Free withdrawals and deposits on all methods except card deposits, which are subject to a 2.49% fee. Crypto trading fees vary between 0.8% - 1.2%.
• Supported Cryptos: 250+ Cryptocurrencies.
• Regulation & Licensing: Regulated by the FinCEN.
• Customer Support Options: 24/7 support via live chat, email, phone, and social media.
• NZD Deposit Methods: Credit/Debit Card, Google Pay & Apple Pay.

Is it legal to buy Crypto in New Zealand?

In New Zealand, investing in Cryptocurrencies is legal and is overseen by the Financial Markets Authority (FMA). The FMA has established guidelines for digital asset exchanges and service providers to follow to ensure the protection of investors and to prevent money laundering and other financial crimes.

Additionally, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand has issued statements recognising the potential benefits of Cryptocurrencies and has not placed any restrictions on their use or ownership. As long as individuals and businesses comply with these guidelines and regulations, they are free to invest in Crypto in New Zealand.

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Bottom Line

In conclusion, investing in Cryptocurrencies is legal in New Zealand, and there are several reputable and secure platforms available for Kiwi investors. When choosing an exchange, it's essential to consider factors such as fees, features, security, and customer support. The five exchanges listed in this guide, SwyftX, OKX, Independent Reserve, Bybit, and Uphold, are all legally operating in New Zealand and offer a range of services to meet the needs of various investors. As always, it's crucial to do your own research and invest wisely.