Best Crypto Exchanges in Norway

Best Cryptocurrency Exchanges in Norway

To help Norwegian investors find the best cryptocurrency exchange, our experts conducted an in-depth review of over 20 platforms. This analysis assessed factors like compliance with the Norwegian Financial Supervisory Authority (Finanstilsynet), deposit support for Norwegian Krone (NOK), competitive fee structures, asset diversity, and overall usability.

Here are the top five exchanges for Norwegian investors, each offering advantages in fees, features, asset variety and user experience.

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1. Kraken

Kraken ranks as the top crypto exchange for investors in Norway, particularly for high-net-worth and institutional clients. Offering over 290 cryptocurrencies, Kraken supports spot trading and features a dedicated OTC desk. Kraken Pro, the platform’s advanced trading app, offers deep liquidity, multiple order types, and futures contracts with up to 5x leverage for sophisticated strategies.

A key differentiator for Kraken is its commitment to security and transparency. It was one of the first exchanges to implement publicly auditable proof-of-reserves, ensuring full 1:1 asset backing for customer funds. Kraken also features staking options for popular assets like ETH and SOL, an NFT marketplace, and the Kraken Wallet for secure and convenient asset storage.

• Fees: Maker fees start at 0.16%, while taker fees are 0.26%.
• Supported Assets: 290+ cryptocurrencies.
• Regulation & Licensing: Registered as a VASP across Europe and regulated by various authorities, including the OAM, BoS, FCA, CBI, and is available in Norway.
• Deposit Methods: Bank transfer, SEPA, IBAN, PayPal, credit/debit card, and SWIFT.

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2. Bybit

Bybit is Norway's leading platform for derivatives traders, providing access to over 1,500 cryptocurrencies for spot trading and more than 400 futures contracts with leverage of up to 200x. Built for serious traders, Bybit offers best-in-class liquidity with over $50 billion in daily trader volume and offers sophisticated markets like options and pre-market futures trading.

Bybit’s “Earn” program offers flexible staking options across major tokens like ETH, USDT, SOL, and BTC, with smaller tokens delivering up to 300% APY. The Bybit Card enhances benefits, granting up to 10% cashback on spending and exclusive VIP perks. Meanwhile, the integrated Web3 wallet and NFT marketplace provide direct access to DeFi and NFT trading.

• Fees: Spot trading fees start at 0.1%.
• Supported Assets: 1,500+ cryptocurrencies.
• Regulation & Licensing: Regulated by CySEC in Europe and is accessible in over 160 countries, including Norway.
• Deposit Methods: SEPA, cards, VIPPS, bank transfers, Google Pay, Apple Pay, Wise, IBAN, and more.

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3. Coinbase

Coinbase is the preferred platform for security-focused investors in Norway, renowned for its regulatory compliance and as the only NASDAQ-listed crypto exchange. This status ensures rigorous oversight, making Coinbase ideal for users prioritizing transparency. The platform supports over 200 assets, along with staking, a DeFi wallet, and institutional-grade services.

However, Coinbase’s premium service comes with higher costs. Standard trades include a spread generally above 1%, which can impact active traders. For more frequent users, Coinbase Advanced offers a better option, replacing the spread with lower fees, starting at 0.2% for takers and 0.1% for makers, and pro tools like TradingView charts and advanced order types.

• Fees: Standard trades have a spread over 1%. Coinbase Advanced starts at 0.2% taker and 0.1% maker fees.
• Supported Assets: 200+ cryptocurrencies.
• Regulation & Licensing: Publicly traded, licensed across Europe including Norway.
• Deposit Methods: Bank transfer, IBAN, SEPA, Apple Pay, credit and debit cards.

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4. NBX (Norweigan Block Exchange)

NBX (Norwegian Block Exchange) is Norway’s leading crypto exchange, catering specifically to the Nordic market with seamless access to major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Cardano. Supporting deposits in NOK, SEK, DKK, and EUR, NBX is fully licensed under the Financial Supervisory Authority of Norway (Finanstilsynet), ensuring compliance and security.

In terms of staking, NBX only offers support for Cardano (ADA), which is a pretty major downside of the platform. However, the NBX Visa Card offers up to 4% Bitcoin cashback on purchases, allowing users to grow their holdings. High-volume investors can access NBX’s OTC desk for direct liquidity and personalized support on large trades.

• Fees: Trading fees start at 0.7% with 1% spreads.
• Supported Assets: 30+ cryptocurrencies, including BTC, ETH, ADA, SOL, and DOT.
• Regulation & Licensing: Regulated by Finanstilsynet (Financial Supervisory Authority of Norway).
• Deposit Methods: Bank transfer, SEPA, credit/debit cards, Apple Pay.

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5. Uphold

Uphold is the most beginner-friendly platform for Norwegian users. It supports over 300 cryptocurrencies, commodities like gold and silver, and multiple fiat currencies. Its simple buy-sell interface allows quick transactions, while the AutoPilot feature enables automated, recurring crypto purchases. Uphold's transparent fee structure shows all costs upfront, ensuring no hidden charges.

Founded in 2014, Uphold is one of Europe’s oldest investment platforms, now serving over 10 million users. Notable features include a staking service offering up to 25% APY on 30 assets, and the unique "Anything-to-Anything" tool, which allows instant swaps across crypto, fiat, and metals. This means you can swap assets like Bitcoin or ETH for Gold or Silver with ease!

• Fees: 1% trading fee plus a 1% spread.
• Supported Assets: 300+ cryptocurrencies, 27 fiat currencies, 4 precious metals.
• Regulation & Licensing: Regulated by the Republic of Lithuania and the FCA, available in 150+ countries.
• Deposit Methods: SEPA, bank transfer, credit/debit cards, Google Pay, Apple Pay.

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Is Crypto Regulated in Norway?

In Norway, cryptocurrency regulation is overseen by the Financial Supervisory Authority (Finanstilsynet), requiring exchanges and custodial wallet providers to register and comply with anti-money laundering (AML) laws. These regulations mandate customer ID verification, transaction monitoring, and reporting of suspicious activities, creating a compliance framework for crypto businesses.

Cryptocurrencies are not legal tender in Norway, but are allowed for payments and classified as virtual assets. Aside from AML requirements for exchanges and custodians, there’s no specific licensing for the broader crypto sector, allowing flexibility. However, adherence to general financial standards remains essential as EU regulations are integrated.

In May 2023, Norges Bank pushed for a stronger regulatory approach, suggesting that the EU’s Market in Crypto Assets (MiCA) framework might be insufficient for Norway's needs. Although MiCA is expected to be implemented by 2025, Norway is independently assessing how to best align with EU standards while potentially adding layers to protect the local financial system.

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Is Crypto Taxed in Norway?

In Norway, cryptocurrency is taxed as a capital asset, with gains from sales, exchanges, and mining subject to a flat capital gains tax rate of 22%. Unlike some jurisdictions, Norway does not offer a reduced tax rate for long-term crypto holdings, meaning this rate applies regardless of the holding period.

Cryptocurrency assets are also included in wealth tax calculations. Investors must report the market value of their crypto holdings as of December 31 each year, with wealth tax rates starting at 1% on net wealth above NOK 1.7 million and rising to 1.1% for wealth exceeding NOK 20 million.

The Norwegian Tax Administration (Skatteetaten) provides guidelines to ensure accurate reporting. Detailed records of all crypto transactions are essential for compliance, as failure to report can lead to significant penalties.

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How to Buy Bitcoin in Norway

Investors in Norway can buy Bitcoin easily through regulated exchanges that accept NOK deposits. Here’s a quick guide to get you started:

1. Create an Account: Register on a licensed exchange, providing your name, email, and a government-issued ID for verification. Ensure the exchange complies with Norway’s Financial Supervisory Authority (Finanstilsynet) regulations.
2. Deposit NOK: Go to the deposit section, enter your desired amount in NOK, and choose your payment method. Many exchanges accept bank transfers, VIPPS, SEPA, credit cards, and debit cards.
3. Find Bitcoin (BTC): In the trading section, search for Bitcoin (BTC), select the NOK/BTC pair, and enter the amount you want to purchase.
4. Complete the Purchase: Review the transaction details and confirm. Once the transaction is processed, your Bitcoin will be added to your account.

This guide ensures a secure and compliant process for Norwegian investors to buy Bitcoin on a trusted exchange.

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Bottom Line

Norwegian investors have a great range of crypto exchanges to choose from, each offering unique advantages in features, security, and usability. Kraken and Coinbase are ideal for those seeking regulatory assurance, with strong compliance, albeit at slightly higher fees.

Choosing an exchange that supports NOK deposits and adheres to Norway's guidelines makes trading and tax reporting straightforward, allowing investors to confidently balance convenience and compliance.