What is Crypto Exchange?
Crypto exchanges are convenient tools wrapped up in a simple-to-understand interface. They are online platforms that enable you to carry out any operations with crypto assets anytime and anywhere. Cryptocurrency exchanges give you more control over your money and transactions than traditional banks do. Besides, they offer more privacy because of how transactions work on the blockchain.
Here is what such a practical platform can do:
- Help your search for other crypto traders. Across the internet, it's not always easy to find people with similar interests. Let alone those who want to sell you exactly the same cryptocurrency that you want to buy. On the other hand, crypto exchanges are special platforms that unite people interested in crypto trading. They provide crypto users with opportunities to instantly find what they need.
- Simplify investment. Some cryptocurrency exchanges offer tools and features that can help users analyze and predict currency growth. If you’re not an expert, such tools can improve your decision-making and help preserve and increase your finances.
- Store your funds in a secure place. If you're afraid to lose your assets, a crypto exchange can give you a wallet protected by a unique password and two-factor identification tools.
- Provide easy and round-the-clock swapping of fiat to crypto or crypto to crypto exchange. While banks may close at the exact moment you need to exchange one currency for another, crypto trading platforms work 24/7.
All things considered, a crypto exchange resembles a digital marketplace, where participants can buy and sell different digital assets, hoping for them to grow in value, aiming to use them in international business or to create another source of savings in conditions of economic instability.
The Best Crypto Exchange, Spain: How to Select
Choosing a crypto trading platform depends on what you're aiming for. If you're dealing with big trades, go for a stable exchange with high liquidity. If you're into riding the ups and downs of prices, pick one with lots of diverse currencies. Then again, probably all new crypto users want their crypto trading platform to have a simple and intuitive dashboard and tutorials as well as helpful customer support. As for experienced traders and investors, they most likely appreciate more advanced tools like charts or diagrams. Besides, many users will like additional services like opportunities for staking (receiving rewards for owning certain cryptocurrencies) and lending to earn interest. However, all participants in the crypto market will agree that the platform should be safe, affordable, and convenient.
In the section below, we'll talk about what makes a trading platform great and check out some popular exchanges in Spain.
Best Crypto Exchanges in Spain | |||
Exchange | Available coins | Trading Fees | Account Funding |
Binance | 350+ coins | 0.10% per trade | SEPA transfer, cards, crypto |
Uphold | 250+ coins | 0.9%-1.2% spread | credit card, bank transfer, PayPal |
Bit2Me | 180+ coins | 0.95% per trade | cards, SEPA transfer, Bizum, crypto |
Coinbase | 200+ coins | 0.50% per trade + spread | cards, SEPA transfer, PayPal, crypto |
Kraken | 220+ coins | 0.16% maker/0.26% taker | cards, SEPA transfer, crypto deposit |
Bitpanda | 100+ coins | 0.10% to 0.15% spread | cards, SEPA transfer, SOFORT, crypto |
Platform's Safety
Lacking protective measures provided by the platform is a deal-breaker for most of the users. That's because if the protection is weak, your funds are in danger. Hackers may break into the system and steer clear of all funds. To avoid this, it’s essential to pay attention to such aspects as verification and two-factor authentication. If the platform demands it, it’s already the first layer of security. The subsequent ones are storing most of the users’ money in cold storage, applying encryption to conceal personal data, and undergoing regular security checks.
Moreover, it’s crucial to find out if the platform operates under European financial laws. Compliance with regulatory requirements plays a huge role in stimulating the exchange to uphold high standards of security.
Offered Cryptos
The number of coins the platform offers for trade may be a fundamental issue for some crypto users. Besides checking whether the platform has all the desired coins, it’s also important to consider how easy it is to convert your euros to a variety of coins. This means that the platform requires additional steps to convert fiat into rarer coins. Sometimes, if there are not enough trading pairs, you might have to first convert your fiat into Bitcoin or Ethereum and only then to other cryptocurrencies.
We suggest taking the approach akin to browsing a supermarket for the product you need. While certain exchanges offer a few common coins, other exchanges provide access to hundreds of different coins.
So, if diversity is essential for your purpose, focus on platforms with selections that go beyond the basics.
Transactional Volume
High transactional volume is usually a telltale marker of high liquidity and trust of the crypto users wanting to trade on the platform. It’s like picking a busy restaurant. However, in contrast to potentially high prices in such restaurants, crypto exchanges with large trading volumes tend to offer simpler buying and selling with minimum prolongations and price fluctuations. Opt for exchanges with a strong user base to enjoy optimal pricing and quick deals.
Operational Costs
Cryptocurrency exchanges charge fees for their services. Some impose on users only trading fees (fee per transaction); others differentiate between maker and taker fees. Cryptocurrency exchanges can make you pay for withdrawals of money or even for making a deposit. You're an active trader; these fees quickly add up, so price is a key measurement for many traders. Thus, before making your choice, you can compare commissions across several exchanges, incorporate the fees and fee structures, and learn whether they provide discounts for high individual trading volumes or other conditions to reduce your costs.
Payment Gateways
When you use crypto exchanges, you want to swap euros for crypto to be as easy and fast as possible. It’s not uncommon that the successful outcome of the deal depends on how quickly you’re able to pay or sell. That's why exploring what ways to fund your account is an essential step. On top of that, crypto trading platforms may accept only crypto payments or other niche or inconvenient methods. For instance, if you prefer to pay with a credit card, you should know that many exchanges charge higher fees for this payment method, so it makes sense to find the one that doesn’t.
On the other hand, top-rated crypto exchanges usually implement versatile payment options, from SEPA bank transfers and cards to PayPal.
Exchange Image
At the end of the day, reputation matters. A crypto exchange’s image reflects the user experience, its reliability, and transparency. Before you choose a specific crypto exchange, you’d need to do some research on its track record. If crypto users generally rate it well, it’s less likely you will find yourself in an unpleasant situation.
Conclusion
If you’re going to trade crypto, it’s very hard to do it without a crypto exchange. But finding a good one may be a problematic issue. To simplify your choice, it’s advisable to set clear parameters for your ideal crypto trading platform. If you only enter the world of crypto, the platform should be beginner-friendly, offering educational materials to guide you through the process and help you assess the risk. For more well-versed investors, proficient tools, rare coins, and mobile apps that are always at hand may be the priority.
Nevertheless, everyone's on the same page when it comes to the importance of protective measures to safeguard your funds from mishandling, thefts, or scams, as well as for affordable fees and convenient payment options.