Summary
Cryptocurrency trading is legal in Moldova, though the market operates with limited regulation. The National Bank of Moldova (NBM) oversees financial activities but has not established comprehensive crypto regulations. Popular payment methods include bank transfers and credit cards, with most major crypto exchanges supporting MDL (Moldovan Leu) transactions. For accessing the best crypto exchanges in Moldova, here are our top recommendations:
Best Crypto Exchanges in Moldova
Moldova’s cryptocurrency market continues to develop, with increasing adoption among local investors. When selecting a cryptocurrency exchange in Moldova, key considerations include support for MDL transactions, available payment methods, and compliance with local regulations. Bank transfers and credit card payments remain the primary methods for Moldovan users to purchase cryptocurrencies.
1. Kraken
Users:
10m
Free Demo:
Mobile App:
Bonus:
None
Cryptos:
220+
Leverage:
100x
Spot Fees:
0.25%/0.4%
Futures Fees:
0.02%/0.05%
Pros
- Very beginner-friendly
- Low futures trading fees
- Free demo trading
- Fiat supported
- 24/7 customer support
- Fully regulated
Cons
- High spot trading fees
- Lacks advanced features
- Poor liquidity for futures trading
- Complicated Demo trading
Kraken Overview
Kraken stands out as one of the most beginner-friendly crypto exchanges. With an easy to understand UI, simple features, and a straightforward approach, Kraken has onboarded over 10 million users to its platform from all around the world.
Spot traders can access over 220 cryptocurrencies for buying and selling. For traders seeking more buying power, Kraken offers a leverage trading platform with up to 50x leverage on selected assets such as BTC.
In terms of fees, Kraken has a different approach for spot and futures trading. While spot trading fees are relatively high (0.25% maker and 0.4% taker), the futures fees are very low (0.02% maker and 0.05% taker). Based on your 30-day trading volume, you can obtain additional fee discounts.
What we love about Kraken is its comprehensive fiat support. You can deposit funds using your credit card or bank transfer. Once you are done trading, you can withdraw fiat currencies such as EUR or USD back to your personal bank account to lock in your profits.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
Is Crypto Legal and Regulated in Moldova?
Cryptocurrency remains legal in Moldova, operating within a developing regulatory framework. The National Bank of Moldova (NBM) maintains oversight of financial activities but has not implemented comprehensive cryptocurrency regulations. The National Commission for Financial Markets (NCFM) provides additional supervision of financial activities.
In 2020, Moldova’s government initiated steps toward creating a regulatory sandbox for fintech and cryptocurrency companies through the Moldova Digital Innovation Technology Park. This initiative aims to promote technological development while maintaining financial security standards.
While specific cryptocurrency regulations are still in development, Moldova follows anti-money laundering (AML) guidelines aligned with EU standards. Cryptocurrency exchanges operating in Moldova must register with relevant authorities and implement Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures.
Is Crypto Taxable in Moldova?
Cryptocurrency taxation in Moldova follows general income tax principles, as specific crypto tax regulations are still emerging. Income generated from cryptocurrency trading is subject to personal income tax at a rate of 12%. Capital gains from cryptocurrency investments are treated similarly to traditional investment gains.
The State Tax Service of Moldova requires reporting of cryptocurrency gains on annual tax returns. Mining income is classified as self-employment income and taxed accordingly. Businesses dealing with cryptocurrencies must pay corporate tax at 12% on profits.
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 Moldova.
How to Buy Crypto in Moldova
Purchasing cryptocurrency in Moldova has become increasingly accessible through international exchanges. Kraken stands out as our top recommendation for Moldovan users, offering a secure and compliant platform with support for multiple payment methods.
- Choose a Cryptocurrency Exchange: Research and compare platforms that support MDL, focusing on their payment options and KYC requirements.
- Complete Your Registration: Create an account and verify your identity in line with local regulations.
- Fund Your Account: Add funds through a bank transfer, which is the most common method in Moldova, or use credit cards and SEPA transfers.
- Select Your Cryptocurrencies: Pick from well-known options like Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), or stablecoins such as USDT.
- Execute Your Trades: Execute your buy or sell orders at the current market price, or set limit orders to trade at your desired price.
- Ensure Secure Storage: After acquiring your cryptocurrencies, move them to a personal wallet for added protection against exchange vulnerabilities.
Best Crypto Wallets in Moldova
For users in Moldova, choosing a secure cryptocurrency wallet is vital. Hardware wallets offer the best protection for long-term asset storage.
Here are some top hardware wallet options:
- Ledger – A leading choice known for its robust security features.
- Trezor – Offers a user-friendly experience without compromising on security.
For those who prefer mobile or desktop solutions, consider these software wallets:
- Trust Wallet – A mobile-focused wallet that supports a wide range of cryptocurrencies.
- Exodus – A desktop wallet that includes built-in exchange capabilities for easy trading.
- MetaMask – An essential tool for engaging with decentralized finance (DeFi) applications.
Bottom Line
For accessing the best crypto exchanges in Moldova, Kraken emerges as the top choice, offering a balanced combination of security, payment options, and regulatory compliance. Binance stands as a strong alternative, providing extensive trading pairs and competitive fees. Both platforms support MDL transactions and offer comprehensive trading tools suitable for Moldovan users. These exchanges maintain high security standards, implement proper KYC procedures, and provide reliable customer support in English, making them ideal for both novice and experienced traders in Moldova.
