Summary
Cryptocurrency is legal in Croatia, regulated by the Croatian Financial Services Supervisory Agency (HANFA). Popular payment methods include bank transfers and credit cards. Many crypto exchanges support trading in Croatian Kuna (HRK). Key laws include Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) regulations. Here are the top crypto exchanges for Croatian users:
Best Crypto Exchanges in Croatia
When choosing a crypto exchange in Croatia, it’s essential to consider factors such as supported cryptocurrencies, trading fees, deposit methods, and regulatory compliance. Croatian users benefit from platforms that offer local currency support (HRK) and preferred payment methods like bank transfers and credit cards. Let’s examine the top exchanges available to Croatian crypto enthusiasts:
1. 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.
2. Uphold
Users:
3m
Free Demo:
Mobile App:
Bonus:
None
Cryptos:
200+
Leverage:
Not Supported
Spot Fees:
1.4%
Futures Fees:
Not Supported
Pros
- Beginner-friendly exchange
- Fully regulated and licensed in the US
- Great customer support
- Comprehensive fiat deposit methods
- Passive income products
Cons
- Lacks advanced features
- Very high spot trading fees
- Poor liquidity
- No futures trading offered
Uphold Overview
Uphold is a versatile crypto trading platform that allows users to trade a wide range of assets, including cryptocurrencies, precious metals, fiat currencies, and U.S. equities. The platform provides access to over 250 digital currencies and allows users to trade in fiat currencies and precious metals.
What makes Uphold special is its Cross-Asset Trading feature. Users can trade directly between different asset classes (e.g., BTC to gold) without first converting to a fiat currency.
Trading fees vary depending on the type of asset that you are trading. However, Upholding fees are very high compared to industry standards.
Users have access to crypto staking, generating yields of up to 13% of your initial asset deposit.
Additionally, Uphold offers a trading interface appealing to beginners who want to buy and hold crypto assets. It doesn’t provide advanced trading tools and isn’t suitable for day trading, making it less ideal for experienced traders.
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. Coinbase
Users:
100m
Free Demo:
Mobile App:
Bonus:
$10
Cryptos:
250+
Leverage:
5x
Spot Fees:
0.4%/0.6%
Futures Fees:
0.02%/0.05%
Pros
- Most beginner-friendly exchange
- Fully regulated and licensed
- Great customer support
- Reputable with over 100 million users
- Comprehensive fiat deposit methods
- Great wallet for on-chain access
Cons
- Lacks advanced features
- Very high spot trading fees
- Poor liquidity
Coinbase Overview
Coinbase is one of the largest and most well-known cryptocurrency exchanges for buying cryptos.The platform currently has a user community of over 100 million users worldwide. What makes Coinbase special is its user-friendly interface. The platform is designed to be easy to use, making it accessible for beginners. Coinbase offers a clean and intuitive interface for buying, selling, and managing cryptocurrencies.
Crypto traders have access to over 250 cryptos for active trading. One downside of Coinbase is the fee structure. When you place an order at the market price that gets filled immediately, you are considered a taker and will pay a fee of 0.60%, which is very expensive.
Another thing about Coinbase is that it offers a wide range of crypto services. These include wallets, NFT, crypto staking, Coinbase cards, and many more to help improve the overall trading experience on the platform. One of our favorite features is the Coinbase wallet.
It is suitable for beginners but also offers advanced trading tools including real-time charts, technical indicators, and many more for advanced traders.
5. BingX
Users:
23m
Free Demo:
Mobile App:
Bonus
$6,200
Cryptos:
840+
Leverage:
125x
Spot Fees:
0.1%
Futures Fees:
0.02%/0.06%
Pros
- No KYC required
- 800+ assets (even stocks and forex)
- Up to 200x leverage
- Fiat supported
- Advanced order types
Cons
- Not available in the US
- No bot trading
- Traditional markets are B-Book
Overview
Founded in 2018, BingX is a derivatives exchange based in Singapore. The exchange has risen to global standards and now has offices in other major regions such as the EU, Canada, Hong Kong, and others. BingX currently boasts a user base of 10 million registered customers worldwide and is present in over 100 countries.
With an easy-to-navigate platform, BingX offers users 800+ cryptocurrencies, stocks, and forex to trade, with a smooth interface for trading spot or futures. BingX currently has a daily trading volume of $489 million for spot and $7 billion for futures.
Users of BingX can trade with flexibility and benefit from sophisticated trading tools such as order books, charts, and market data.
Trading fees on BingX are very affordable, starting at 0.02% and 0.05% maker and taker for futures trading, and 0.1% maker and taker for spot trading.
Is Crypto Legal and Regulated in Croatia?
Cryptocurrency is legal in Croatia, operating within a regulatory framework. The Croatian Financial Services Supervisory Agency (HANFA) oversees crypto activities and has issued guidelines for market participants. Croatia aligns its crypto regulations with European Union (EU) directives, including the Fifth Anti-Money Laundering Directive (AMLD5).
The Croatian National Bank (HNB) does not consider cryptocurrencies as legal tender but recognizes them as a form of property. Crypto exchanges and service providers must register with HANFA and comply with Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) regulations.
Croatia’s Tax Administration has issued guidance on the taxation of cryptocurrencies, treating them as financial assets. While crypto trading is legal, the government requires exchanges to implement strict KYC procedures and report suspicious transactions to authorities, in line with EU regulations.
Is Crypto Taxable in Croatia?
Cryptocurrency is subject to taxation in Croatia, with specific regulations in place. The Croatian Tax Administration considers crypto gains as capital gains and applies relevant tax rates. As of 2024, the capital gains tax rate on crypto profits is 10%, which is applied to the profit made from selling or exchanging cryptocurrencies.
Individuals are required to report their crypto transactions and pay taxes on their gains. The tax is calculated on the difference between the purchase price and the selling price of the cryptocurrency. If an individual holds the cryptocurrency for more than two years before selling, the gains may be tax-exempt under certain conditions.
Mining income is also taxable and may be subject to income tax. The tax rate depends on the individual’s total income and can range from 20% to 30%. Crypto-to-crypto transactions are considered taxable events, and individuals must calculate the gain or loss based on the fair market value of the cryptocurrencies at the time of the transaction.
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 Croatia.
How to Buy Crypto in Croatia
Purchasing cryptocurrency in Croatia has become increasingly accessible. We recommend using Bybit for its extensive selection of cryptocurrencies and competitive fees. Whether you’re interested in buying Bitcoin, Ethereum, or other digital assets, follow these steps to start your crypto journey:
- Select a Crypto Exchange: Opt for a trusted platform like Bybit that caters to Croatian users. Ensure they provide your preferred payment methods and comply with local KYC regulations.
- Sign Up and Verify Identity: Sign up on the selected exchange and complete the KYC process by submitting the required identification documents to meet Croatia’s regulatory standards.
- Deposit Funds: Fund your account with Croatian Kuna (HRK). Common deposit options in Croatia include SEPA bank transfers, credit or debit cards, and occasionally local payment solutions.
- Select Cryptocurrency: Pick the digital asset you wish to invest in, with popular choices like Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and stablecoins such as Tether (USDT) or USD Coin (USDC).
- Execute Trade: Place either a market or limit order for the crypto you want to buy. Double-check all transaction details, including fees, before confirming your purchase.
- Store Funds Securely: After purchasing, you can either keep your cryptocurrency on the exchange or transfer it to a personal wallet for better security.
By following these guidelines, residents of Croatia can securely and efficiently venture into cryptocurrency investing while staying compliant with local regulations.
Best Crypto Wallets in Croatia
Selecting a secure crypto wallet is crucial for Croatian users to safeguard their digital assets. Here are some top wallet options available:
-
- Ledger: A top hardware wallet provider offering cold storage devices like the Nano X and Nano S Plus, designed to protect a broad range of cryptocurrencies offline, making them ideal for securing long-term holdings.
- Trezor: Known for its trusted models like the Trezor One and Trezor Model T, this hardware wallet supports a wide array of cryptocurrencies while offering an excellent balance between security and ease of use, with seamless integration into various platforms.
- Trust Wallet: A widely-used mobile wallet supporting multiple blockchains. It boasts an easy-to-use interface and a built-in DApp browser, making it a perfect choice for both newcomers and experienced users who prefer managing assets via mobile.
- Exodus: A highly intuitive desktop and mobile wallet, Exodus combines ease of use with a built-in exchange feature. It supports a large selection of cryptocurrencies and includes portfolio tracking, making it a go-to wallet for users who value simplicity and design.
- MetaMask: A versatile wallet for Ethereum and ERC-20 tokens, available as a browser extension and mobile app. MetaMask is crucial for interacting with decentralized applications (DApps) and DeFi protocols, favored by users deeply engaged in the Ethereum network.
For Croatian users choosing a crypto wallet, important considerations include security, supported assets, and user-friendliness. Hardware wallets like Ledger and Trezor provide robust security for long-term storage, while software options such as Trust Wallet and MetaMask offer greater convenience for everyday transactions and DApp usage. Always download wallets from official sources and follow best practices for key management and backup to keep your assets safe.
Bottom Line
For Croatian crypto enthusiasts seeking the best crypto exchanges in Croatia, we recommend Bybit as the top choice, offering a wide range of assets and competitive fees. Uphold follows closely as a solid alternative, providing a user-friendly platform and multi-asset trading options. Both exchanges support HRK transactions and comply with local regulations, ensuring a secure and efficient crypto trading experience for Croatian users.
