Summary
Afghanistan’s cryptocurrency landscape operates without clear regulations, with Da Afghanistan Bank maintaining a cautious stance. The P2P trading market has gained significance due to limited traditional banking options. While the Afghan Afghani (AFN) has restricted support on crypto exchanges, international platforms facilitate trading through USD and stablecoins. For secure and reliable trading, here are best crypto exchanges in Afghanistan:
Best Crypto Exchanges in Afghanistan
The cryptocurrency market in Afghanistan presents unique challenges and opportunities. While the country lacks explicit cryptocurrency regulations, international exchanges have adapted their services to accommodate Afghan traders. Security, payment flexibility, and trading features are critical factors in selecting suitable platforms.
Afghan users primarily rely on P2P trading and international payment methods. The following analysis examines top exchanges based on accessibility, security measures, and trading capabilities for Afghan residents.
1. Binance
Users:
200m
Free Demo:
Mobile App:
Bonus:
$100
Cryptos:
400+
Leverage:
125x
Spot Fees:
0.1%
Futures Fees:
0.02%/0.05%
Pros
- Most comprehensive crypto exchange
- Most advanced features and products
- 24/7 customer support
- 400+ cryptocurrencies
- Reputable with over 200 million users
- Best liquidity
Cons
- Not beginner friendly
- Restricted in many regions due to regulations
- EU traders must use BNFCR for futures trading
Overview
Reaching over 200 million registered users in 2024, Binance is by far the largest crypto exchange in the world. The platform is incredibly comprehensive, offering crypto traders all the tools they need to make a profit in the crypto market.
With over 400 cryptocurrencies to trade, leverage of up to 125x, directly integrated charts from TradingView with tons of technical analysis tools, and many more features, Binance has secured its spot as one of the best crypto exchanges.
Binance offers a wide variety of products, including spot, margin, futures, and options trading, staking, lending, P2P, automated bot trading, copy trading, and even an NFT marketplace. It is safe to say that crypto geeks will find everything they are looking for on Binance.
The trading fees on Binance are very affordable. Binance charges 0.1% trading fees on the spot market (makers and takers alike), which is the industry standard. Where Binance excels is the futures market with fees of only 0.02% for makers and 0.05% for takers.
2. Bybit
Users:
40m
Free Demo:
Mobile App:
Bonus
$30,000
Cryptos:
600+
Leverage:
100x
Spot Fees:
0.1%
Futures Fees:
0.02%/0.055%
Pros
- Low fees
- 600+ supported crypto assets
- 100x leverage and deep liquidity
- Advanced order types and additional features
- Great 24/7 customer support
- Automated copy trading
Cons
- Regulatory uncertainty in Europe and USA
- May be confusing for beginners
- Cryptocurrency investments carry high risks
Overview
Bybit stands out as one of the most advanced crypto exchanges with deep liquidity and low fees. Bybit users can trade Spot, Futures, Options, NFTs, and even Inscriptions. Additionally, Bybit offers copy trading and bot trading to automate your income streams. Bybit copy trading is one of the best in the crypto industry.
Where Bybit excels is its derivatives platform with 320+ perpetual futures contracts and up to 100x leverage. With advanced order types such as TWAP or Iceberg orders, Bybit caters to experienced traders seeking the best options.
On the spot market, Bybit supports over 500 cryptos and up to 10x margin, making Bybit a versatile crypto exchange.
With low fees of 0.1% maker and 0.1% taker for spot trading and 0.02% maker and 0.055% taker for futures trading, Bybit has highly competitive fees. To top it all off, Bybit offers fee discounts based on your 30-day trading volume. The more you trade, the more you save.
3. MEXC
Users:
15m
Free Demo:
Mobile App:
Bonus
$20,000
Cryptos:
2400+
Leverage:
200x
Spot Fees:
0.02%
Futures Fees:
0%/0.02%
Pros
- Lowest Trading Fees
- 2000+ supported crypto assets
- 200x leverage and deep liquidity
- 24/7 customer support
- Best for altcoin and leverage trading
Cons
- Not available in the US
- Newly launched coins pose high risk
- May request KYC in the future
Overview
MEXC is known as the crypto exchange with the lowest fees. What makes MEXC stand out is its 0% maker fee offer, meaning you can trade without any fees. However, the spot and futures taker fees start at 0.02%. No crypto exchange can compete with the MEXC fee structure.
If you are a day trader seeking high leverage, MEXC may be one of your best options. With 200x leverage over 400 futures contracts and by far the lowest fees, MEXC is truly a day trading heaven.
Even if you are not interested in leverage trading, MEXC has you covered with over 2000 supported cryptocurrencies on the spot market. While MEXC offers tons of new altcoins, we recommend being cautious as the legitimacy of newly listed projects may be questionable.
All in all, MEXC is arguably the best option for high-frequency traders seeking low fees to get the best value for money.
4. KuCoin
Users:
30m
Free Demo:
Mobile App:
Bonus
$10,500
Cryptos:
800+
Leverage:
125x
Spot Fees:
0.1%
Futures Fees:
0.02%/0.06%
Pros
- Beginner friendly
- 800+ supported crypto assets
- 125x leverage and deep liquidity
- 20+ fiat currencies
- Great 24/7 customer support
Cons
- Lacks advanced features
- Not the best liquidity
- Regulatory issues in the US
- Variable spot fees
Overview
Kucoin focuses on offering the best spot trading experience. With over 800 supported cryptos on the spot market, Kucoin is one of the most versatile crypto exchanges when it comes to supported assets. You can trade popular cryptos such as Bitcoin or Ethereum but also less-known cryptos and even meme coins. If you are on the hunt for new and shiny coins that are not popular yet, Kucoin might be your best shop.
Spot fees on Kucoin are relatively average, ranging from 0.1% to 0.32% based on the liquidity of the asset. Futures trading on Kucoin starts at a maker fee of 0.02% and a taker fee of 0.06%.
Kucoin has integrated and ready-to-use crypto grid trading bots to automate your income. You can set up grid bots based on several parameters to trade for you 24/7.
5. OKX
Users:
50m
Free Demo:
Mobile App:
Bonus:
$10
Cryptos:
350+
Leverage:
100x
Spot Fees:
0.14%/0.1%
Futures Fees:
0.01%/0.06%
Pros
- Highly efficient trading platform
- 350+ assets
- Free demo trading
- Fiat supported
- 24/7 customer support
Cons
- Not available in the US
- Not beginner-friendly
- Limitations and restrictions in Europe
OXK Overview
OKX is the third largest crypto exchange sorted by daily derivatives volume. This is no surprise since OKX’s focus lies in offering a high-efficiency leverage trading experience. While the UI is not necessarily beginner-friendly, it is one of the fastest and most reliable platforms we have come across.
Over 300 coins are supported on OKXs spot market while 250 contracts are available for futures trading with up to 100x leverage. What makes OKX stand out is its extensive liquidity which are without a doubt at the top of the game.
With low futures fees starting at 0.02% maker and 0.05% taker, OKX ensures a cost efficient derivatives trading environment. Spot trading fees however are on the more expensive side starting at 0.14% for makers and 0.23% for takers.
You can easily deposit funds using your credit/debit card. Additionally, you can deposit and withdraw fiat using your personal bank account, making OKX a reliable platform for on- and off-ramp funds.
Is Crypto Legal and Regulated in Afghanistan?
Cryptocurrency regulation in Afghanistan exists in a complex legal environment. Da Afghanistan Bank (DAB), the central bank, maintains oversight of financial activities but has not established comprehensive cryptocurrency regulations.
The Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Center of Afghanistan (FinTRACA) monitors financial activities for potential risks and money laundering concerns. While cryptocurrency trading isn’t explicitly prohibited, the lack of regulatory framework creates operational challenges for businesses and traders.
Key regulatory aspects include:
- No specific licensing requirements for cryptocurrency exchanges
- Absence of formal guidelines for cryptocurrency businesses
- Limited integration with traditional banking systems
- Ongoing regulatory development potential
Is Crypto Taxable in Afghanistan?
The taxation framework for cryptocurrency in Afghanistan remains undefined. The Ministry of Finance has not issued specific cryptocurrency tax guidelines, creating uncertainty for traders and investors.
Current taxation considerations:
- Business income tax rates (0-20%) may apply to trading profits
- Capital gains taxation remains unclear for crypto assets
- Mining income lacks specific classification
- International transaction reporting requirements vary
Disclaimer:
Tax laws are subject to change, and individual circumstances may vary. It is strongly advised to consult with a qualified tax professional or financial advisor for personalized guidance on cryptocurrency taxation in Afghanistan.
How to Buy Crypto in Afghanistan
Acquiring cryptocurrency in Afghanistan requires careful consideration of available payment methods and exchange options. Binance provides comprehensive services for Afghan users, supporting multiple payment methods and maintaining robust security measures.
- Select a Crypto Exchange
- Verify payment method compatibility: Ensure the exchange supports your preferred payment options.
- Review KYC requirements: Understand the Know Your Customer (KYC) processes involved.
- Assess security features and track record: Evaluate the security protocols and the exchange’s history of safety.
- Compare trading fees and limits: Review the trading fees and withdrawal limits across various platforms.
- Complete Registration
- Submit required documentation: Provide the necessary identification to complete your registration.
- Enable two-factor authentication: Strengthen your account security by activating two-factor authentication.
- Verify contact information: Confirm your email and phone number are verified.
- Set up secure login protocols: Establish strong passwords and security questions for enhanced protection.
- Fund Your Account
- Utilize P2P trading platforms: Use peer-to-peer trading platforms to deposit funds.
- Consider credit card purchases: Explore the option of buying cryptocurrency with a credit card.
- Transfer existing crypto assets: Move any current cryptocurrency holdings to the exchange.
- Evaluate exchange rates and fees: Review the exchange rates and transaction costs before depositing.
- Select Cryptocurrencies
- Bitcoin (BTC) for value preservation: Choose Bitcoin for reliable value retention.
- Ethereum (ETH) for smart contract access: Use Ethereum to access smart contracts.
- USDT for stable value trading: Opt for Tether (USDT) to trade with a stable value.
- Alternative coins based on strategy: Explore additional cryptocurrencies depending on your trading strategy.
- Execute Trades
- Choose market or limit orders: Decide between market or limit orders based on your trading goals.
- Monitor market conditions: Keep an eye on market trends for informed decision-making.
- Consider trading pair liquidity: Evaluate the liquidity of trading pairs before executing trades.
- Review transaction fees: Check the transaction costs associated with your trades.
- Secure Your Assets
- Transfer to personal wallet: Move your purchased cryptocurrencies to a secure personal wallet.
- Implement security measures: Adopt best practices to protect your assets.
- Maintain backup recovery options: Ensure you have methods for account recovery.
- Regular security audits: Periodically assess your security measures to identify potential vulnerabilities.
Best Crypto Wallets in Afghanistan
Securing cryptocurrency assets demands dependable wallet solutions that balance security and ease of use. Afghan users should explore these options tailored to their unique requirements:
Hardware Wallets:
- Ledger – Offers top-tier security features alongside broad coin compatibility.
- Trezor – Features open-source security with a user-friendly interface.
Software Wallets:
- Trust Wallet – A mobile-oriented solution that integrates DeFi services.
- Exodus – Supports multiple currencies with an integrated exchange feature.
- MetaMask – Vital for engaging with DeFi and accessing the Ethereum ecosystem.
Bottom Line
For cryptocurrency trading in Afghanistan, Binance and Bybit emerge as the best crypto exchanges in Afghanistan. Binance leads with extensive P2P options and deep liquidity, while Bybit offers competitive fees and advanced trading features. Both platforms maintain robust security measures and provide comprehensive cryptocurrency support, establishing them as optimal choices for Afghan traders seeking reliable digital asset services.
