Best Crypto Exchanges in France

Best Cryptocurrency Exchanges in France

‍Choosing a trustworthy crypto exchange is essential for investors in France. We've thoroughly examined the 26 platforms available to French users, considering factors like compliance with the Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF), available cryptocurrencies, fee structures, and Euro deposit methods. Here is a comparison table of the 5 best options for French traders.

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1. Kraken

Kraken is an excellent choice for French investors, offering a comprehensive suite of trading options that includes spot, margin, and futures trading on over 280 digital assets. Home to over 10 million registered users across France and 180 other countries, the platform can be used in French and 8 other languages. It also facilitates Euro deposits from French bank accounts.

It offers modern trading tools like customisable order types, real-time analytics, and up to 5x leverage on margin trades. Kraken’s security measures are advanced, featuring cold storage for most assets and regular proof-of-reserves audits, providing complete transparency. It also offers staking rewards of up to 28% APY on 30 digital assets.

• ‍Fees: 0.016% maker fees and 0.026% taker fees.
• ‍Supported Assets: Over 280 cryptocurrencies.
• ‍Regulation & Licensing: Kraken operates under Payward Europe Solutions Limited and is registered as a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) in Europe.
• ‍EUR Deposit Methods: SEPA, bank transfers, debit cards and credit cards.

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2. Uphold

Uphold is offers a simple platform with a wide range of assets, including over 250 cryptos, plus 27 traditional currencies and 4 precious metals. It serves 10 million users across France and 150 other jurisdictions. One of its standout features is its staking services with returns up to 25% APY on 30 digital currencies. 

The platform's transparency is another key advantage, as it publishes its assets and liabilities every 30 seconds, ensuring customers have full visibility over their holdings. Uphold is compliant with major privacy regulations like GDPR. Additional features include a USD interest account with up to 4.9% APY, and the Optimus debit card, which allows users to spend crypto.

• ‍Fees: 1% trading fee and a 1% spread fee.
• ‍Supported Assets: Over 250 digital assets, 4 precious metals, and 27 fiat currencies.
• ‍Regulation & Licensing: Registered by the Republic of Lithuania and available in France.
• ‍EUR Deposit Methods: Bank transfers, SEPA, and credit or debit cards.

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3. Gate.io‍

Gate.io has the broadest selections of cryptocurrencies, with over 2,100 digital assets available for trading on spot and futures markets with 100x leverage. It provides users with extensive trading options, including spot, margin, perpetual contracts, and even unique products like dual-currency investment, quantitative trading strategies and AI-driven investment tools.

Based in Seychelles and available to 16 million users across 190 countries, including France, Gate.io provides a multilingual interface available in French. The platform provides features like automated trading bots, copy trading services, crypto loans and staking options. While it serves users globally, French traders should note that they are not directly licensed by the AMF.

• Fees: Maker fees start at 0.1%, and taker fees start at 0.2%.
• Supported Assets: 2,100+ cryptocurrencies.
• Regulation & Licensing: Not specifically licensed under France’s Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF), but remains accessible to French investors.
• EUR Deposit Methods: SEPA transfers, credit cards, debit cards, and Google Play.

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4. Bitpanda

Bitpanda is a multi-asset investment trading platform tailored for European investors, offering access to over 3,000 digital assets, including cryptocurrencies, stocks, ETFs, and commodities. As a highly regulated platform, Bitpanda is licensed by multiple European authorities, such as the Financial Market Authority (FMA), BaFin, AMF, and MiFID. 

The platform also features intuitive tools like savings plans for regular investing and staking options, offering up to 48% APY on 34 cryptocurrencies. Security is a priority, with protocols that include two-factor authentication and cold storage for digital assets. Bitpanda’s services are exclusively tailored to serve its European customer base.

• Fees: 1.49% trading fee for cryptocurrencies; zero fees for deposits and withdrawals.
• Supported Assets: 3,000+ cryptocurrencies, stocks, ETFs, and commodities.
• Regulation & Licensing: Bitpanda receives AMF Registration and is now regulated in France.
• EUR Deposit Methods: SEPA transfers, credit cards, debit cards, SOFORT, and bank transfers.

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5. KuCoin

KuCoin supports over 700 cryptocurrencies for spot, margin, and futures trading and offers several staking programs, including Savings, Staking, Simple Earn, KCS bonus and Structured products. The earn feature allows users to get rewards on 200 digital assets with both fixed and flexible terms. It also offers unique tools such as the KuCoin Trading Bot and a demo account.

It serves a global audience, with over 30 million users across 200 countries, and supports 24/7 customer service to address any issues promptly. The platform can also be used in French and 30 other languages. KuCoin’s additional features include a lending and borrowing service, NFT trading, copy trading, KuCard and an OTC desk.

• Fees: Competitive fees start at 0.1% for both maker and taker trades.
• Supported Assets: 700+ cryptocurrencies.
• Regulation & Licensing: Operates under international standards and is available in France.
• EUR Deposit Methods: Credit or debit cards.

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Is Crypto Regulated in France?

Yes, crypto is regulated by the Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF) and the Autorité de Contrôle Prudentiel et de Résolution (ACPR). France is gearing up for the new EU-wide MiCA regulation, set to fully kick in by January 2025. MiCA will replace France's current rules from the PACTE law, requiring licensing for crypto service providers and covering trading and market abuse.

The AMF is actively preparing to transition to the MiCA framework. In collaboration with industry stakeholders, the AMF is adapting its regulations to align with the new European standards. This includes aligning capital requirements and documentation processes for crypto-asset service providers (CASPs) and offering guidance on conflicts of interest and custody policies.

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How is Crypto Taxed in France?

France's crypto tax framework is established with clear guidelines for individuals and businesses. Gains from the sale of cryptocurrencies are typically treated as capital gains, subject to a flat tax rate of 30%, which includes both income tax and social contributions. This applies to retail investors who occasionally trade digital assets. 

However, those who engage in frequent trading may be classified as professional traders, and their gains could be taxed under the progressive income tax system, which ranges from 0% to 4.5%, depending on income levels.

All crypto transactions, whether trading or mining, must be reported to the Direction Générale des Finances Publiques (DGFiP) to ensure compliance with French tax laws. The government has been clear that transparency is key in the evolving digital asset space.

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How to Buy Bitcoin in France

Investing in Bitcoin in France is straightforward when using a crypto exchange regulated by the Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF). Follow these steps to get started:

1. Create an Account: Choose an exchange that supports Euro deposits and complies with French regulations. Sign up by providing your personal details, completing the identity verification process, and submitting your ID and proof of address.
2. Deposit EUR: After your account is verified, head to the deposit section, select EUR, and specify the amount you want to invest. Most exchanges in France support payment methods like SEPA bank transfers, credit/debit cards, or even instant payment options.
3. Find Bitcoin: Go to the trading section and search for Bitcoin (BTC). You’ll be able to see the current EUR/BTC exchange rate. You can either place a market order to buy Bitcoin at the current rate or set a limit order to buy at your preferred price.
4. Complete Your Purchase: Review the details of your order, including the amount of Bitcoin you're buying and any associated fees. Once you’re satisfied, click ‘buy’ to execute the trade.

After completing the purchase, your Bitcoin will appear in your exchange wallet. To enhance security, consider transferring your coins to a private wallet where you control the keys.

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Bottom Line

France's crypto market is growing with nearly 20% of the population involved in digital assets. For French investors, top exchanges like Kraken, Uphold, Bitpanda, Gate.io, and KuCoin offer a range of features, from advanced trading tools to staking rewards and multi-asset portfolios. Each platform caters to various trading styles and goals.

With the Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF) overseeing regulatory compliance, selecting a licensed and reputable exchange is recommended for security.