With Ethereum remaining one of the most traded digital assets, finding a trusted exchange is more important than ever.
After testing a wide range of crypto exchanges, I focused on the things that actually impact users.
In this guide, I break down the best Ethereum exchanges available right now based on real performance, usability, and security.
The best Ethereum trading platforms in 2025
Below is my top-six list of Ethereum trading platforms, with a brief summary of each platform’s capabilities and features.
- Kraken: My top choice Kraken has comparatively high levels of security. I observed relatively low Bitcoin withdrawal fees and quick and helpful customer service. The exchange has sophisticated features, including margin trading.
- Coinbase: Popular exchange Coinbase offers more than 100 cryptocurrencies for trading. Again, reassuringly, it has a simple user interface and a low account minimum. It enables you to earn rewards while learning about cryptocurrency.
- eToro: eToro offers more than 5,000 assets, reassuringly low fees in a transparent fee structure, ready-made smart portfolios, and, crucially, intuitive and easy-to-use platforms
- OKX: Crypto traders appreciate OKX’s diverse system of structured products catering to traders with a variety of risk appetites
- Binance: Binance supports many of the most commonly traded cryptocurrencies and provides a crypto wallet for traders to store their electronic funds.
- Uphold: Leading Ethereum exchange with simple tools for beginners and 100% reserve model on user assets.
After discovering the best options for buying Ethereum, let’s take a closer look at each of them.
1. Kraken: A sophisticated and safe Ethereum exchange
When I put Kraken to the test, I could see why it still ranks as one of the best crypto exchanges available in 2025. From top-tier security to a clean interface and low trading costs, the platform does a lot right for both beginners and experienced traders.
The exchange includes spot trading, margin trading with up to 5x leverage, and futures contracts with up to 50x leverage through Kraken Pro. It also supports staking for Ethereum and other assets, with services now available again to users in most U.S. states.
While Kraken doesn’t offer a native wallet, it supports cold wallet integrations through trusted brands like Ledger and Trezor, which I personally prefer for long-term digital assets storage.

The platform is rich in educational tools, helping users understand Ethereum and how to trade crypto confidently. It also provides clear breakdowns of trading pairs and order types, including limit orders and stop orders, which are essential if you’re active in crypto markets.
Kraken’s fee structure follows a maker-taker model. At the entry level, maker fees are 0.25% and taker fees are 0.40%, though these decrease with higher trading volume, making it more cost-effective as you scale up. The app also works smoothly on both iOS and Android, and I found mobile trading to be just as reliable as desktop.
The site itself is easy to navigate and performs well, even with multiple trades running. I also appreciate that crypto holdings are protected with a strong mix of 2FA, cold storage, and regular audits.
Number of cryptos | 200+ |
Fiat deposit fees | N/A |
Fee to buy Ethereum | Fron 0.25% maker and 0.40% taker |
Proprietary wallet? | No (supports hardware wallets) |
Pros
- Offers margin trading and crypto futures through Kraken Pro
- Advanced tools and order types for experienced crypto traders
- Transparent and scalable fee structure
Cons:
- No proprietary wallet
- Higher maker-taker fees unless you increase volume
2. Coinbase: Easy to use, with low minimums and a native debit card
For beginners, I found Coinbase to be a good place to start investing in Ethereum in 2025. After trying it out again, I understood how it became the largest U.S. crypto exchange by trading volume, now with more than 108 million users in over 100 countries.
I liked its core feature, which is the ability to buy, sell, and trade over 240 digital assets. While Coinbase’s trading costs can be higher than some competitors, the overall experience still makes it one of the most popular platforms for crypto investing.

I was encouraged to find that Coinbase Card is still available. It lets users spend their crypto at any merchant that accepts Visa and offers up to 4% back in crypto rewards on purchases.
Coinbase has one of the lowest entry points among the best crypto exchanges, allowing users to start with as little as $1. Its Coinbase Earn feature also remains a nice touch, rewarding users with small amounts of crypto for watching videos and answering questions.
While Coinbase is a strong option, users looking for broader trading opportunities can explore Non-Coinbase exchanges. That said, Coinbase still provides a range of trading platforms: the main site is beginner-friendly, while Coinbase Advanced Trade offers more sophisticated tools like limit orders and variable maker/taker fees. There’s also Coinbase One, a subscription option with no-fee trading up to a set monthly limit.
Number of cryptos | 240+ |
Fiat deposit fees | Free (ACH), 3.99% for cards or PayPal |
Fee to buy Ethereum | From 0.40% maker and 0.60% taker |
Proprietary wallet? | Yes – available as a separate mobile app |
Pros
- No fees for local bank transfers
- High-quality proprietary wallet
- One of the lowest minimum balance requirements among top exchanges
Cons:
- Higher taker fees when buying with card or PayPal
- 35% commission on staking rewards
According to my analysis, eToro is the next best crypto exchange for Ethereum in 2025. It is worth considering for both new and experienced traders.
In addition to finding it one of the best Ethereum exchanges for beginners, I also appreciated the simplicity with which eToro enables users to buy and sell a selection of assets, including a growing list of digital assets.
The eToro exchange is a multi-asset investment platform that allows users to invest in crypto trading, ETFs, and stocks from one place. It also offers various extra functions.
Note that U.S. customers are currently limited to Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Bitcoin Cash due to regulatory changes.

Depending on how active you plan to be, eToro could also be a good starting point for Ethereum investors, not least because they won’t be charged fees on stock and ETF trades.
Instead, the platform earns income from flat trading costs such as a $5 withdrawal fee, inactivity charges, and crypto trading fees.
As well as offering built-in educational resources, eToro includes a community newsfeed and social features where users can share strategies or follow others.
Its CopyTrader tool even lets you copy the trades of top-performing investors automatically, and that’s something I found genuinely helpful for learning from more advanced trading strategies.
Number of cryptos | 130+ (Only 3 for U.S.-based users) |
Fiat deposit fees | N/A |
Fee to buy Ethereum | 1% commission |
Proprietary wallet? | Yes – iOS and Android only |
Pros
- Best-in-class proprietary wallet
- One of the most popular mobile apps for crypto
- Market-leading educational and social tools
Cons:
- Relatively small selection of cryptocurrencies for U.S. users
Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest. This is a high-risk investment and you should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong.
4. OKX: Great features, including demo accounts and trading bots
Although OKX is currently the world’s second-largest crypto derivatives trading exchange by trading volume, its own CEO Star Xu has said the goal was never to list everything, but to focus on transparency and strong technology.
The exchange, which now offers more than 400 tradeable digital assets, charges relatively low fees for both spot and futures contracts, and still supports copy trading. And that’s something I found helpful for tracking the moves of experienced traders.

Getting started is simple. OKX provides demo accounts where you can test crypto trading strategies using virtual funds. There are also trading bots available, including DCA and grid bots, which can execute trades around the clock and help automate your portfolio management.
The OKX Wallet is another plus. It works across desktop, mobile, and browser extension, and supports more than 130 blockchains. It’s one of the most flexible wallets I’ve tested on any crypto exchange.
As for fees, OKX uses a tiered fee structure. Regular users pay maker fees starting at 0.08% and taker fees at 0.10%, which decrease as your trading activity increases. This makes OKX a strong pick for anyone interested in advanced trading with a scalable cost model.
Number of cryptos | 400+ |
Fiat deposit fees | Around 2.49% for debit/credit cards |
Fee to buy Ethereum | From 0.08% maker and 0.10% taker |
Proprietary wallet? | Yes – Desktop, mobile, browser extension |
Pros
- Competitive maker-taker fees
- Built-in wallet with wide blockchain support
- Automated bots and demo trading accounts
Cons:
- Fiat deposit fees can be higher depending on the method
Besides being one of the best exchanges to buy Ethereum, OKX is also one of the best platforms to find the following coins with great potential. If you want to stay up to date, take a look at our updated guide with the new OKX listings. |
5. Binance: P2P trading and a built-in coin wallet
I was pleased to find that Binance, an Ethereum exchange, provides a wide range of crypto trading features, including spot trading, margin, futures, P2P, and various order types like stop-limit and market orders.
The platform also supports crypto donations through Binance Charity, which continues to fund global projects.
Binance offers some of the lowest fees in the industry, starting at 0.10% for both maker and taker fees. Users can reduce their trading costs even further by paying with BNB.
The exchange now supports around 410 cryptocurrencies, giving access to everything from Bitcoin and Ethereum to smaller digital assets and stablecoins.

Security remains a major focus. The $1 billion Secure Asset Fund for Users (SAFU) acts as an emergency insurance fund to protect users in case of hacks or serious breaches, which is a feature not found in many crypto exchanges.
I also liked its P2P feature, which connects buyers and sellers directly and allows fiat payments with local options. Just note that the in-person cash trading option, known as the P2P Cash Zone, was removed in March 2025.
Users can toggle between a beginner-friendly interface and an advanced trading platform, which includes deeper charting tools and order types that will appeal to experienced traders.
Binance also provides a built-in Web3 wallet, accessible through its mobile app. The wallet supports multiple chains and lets users store and manage a wide range of tokens securely.
Number of cryptos | 410+ |
Fiat deposit fees | Varies by method |
Fee to buy Ethereum | From 0.10% maker and 0.10% taker |
Proprietary wallet? | Yes – via mobile Web3 wallet |
Pros
- Huge variety of cryptoassets and advanced trading features
- Among the best crypto exchanges by global trading volume
- Built-in wallet and strong security backing through SAFU
Cons:
- Legal controversies around compliance and money laundering
6. Uphold: Excellent Ethereum exchange for beginners
Uphold is a popular Ethereum exchange that could be an excellent choice for beginners who want to start exploring crypto trading. The platform lets users open an account within minutes and begin investing with as little as $1.
Those who prefer to use a mobile app have access to a native iOS and Android version, which mirrors the functionality of the Uphold website. This makes it easy to manage trades, set up recurring purchases, or apply a dollar-cost averaging strategy directly from your phone.

I also liked how easy it was to diversify. You can trade across more than 250 digital assets, including crypto, fiat currencies, and even precious metals. There’s no need to transfer crypto between platforms, which adds convenience and reduces transaction costs.
Another feature worth noting is Uphold’s curated baskets. These group assets together into themes like AI, the Metaverse, or the “Big Three”: BTC, ETH, and XRP. With one click, you can gain exposure to entire sectors instead of trading individual coins.
Number of cryptos | 250+ |
Fiat deposit fees | Varies by method |
Fee to buy Ethereum | Between 1.4% and 1.6% |
Proprietary wallet? | Yes – iOS and Android |
Pros
- Over 250 cryptocurrencies, metals, and fiat currencies
- Ideal for beginners exploring crypto exchanges
- Themed investment baskets for diversified exposure
Cons:
- Trading fees are higher than what you’ll find on most other platforms
What is Ethereum?
Ethereum functions as a decentralized blockchain platform, forming a peer-to-peer network for executing and validating application code, known as smart contracts.
It is a system built on blockchain technology that operates without a central authority or intermediary. On such platforms, data is stored across a network of computers, or nodes, and transactions are verified and recorded through a consensus mechanism agreed upon by the network participants. These smart contracts enable participants to engage in transactions without relying on a central authority.
Transaction data is immutable, verifiable, and distributed securely across the network, granting participants complete ownership and transparency. Users operate Ethereum through self-created accounts, with transaction initiation requiring signature authentication and the expenditure of Ether, Ethereum’s native cryptocurrency, to cover processing costs.
Is Ethereum a good investment?
Whether Ethereum (or any other cryptocurrency or asset) is a good investment depends on a variety of factors including your financial situation, investment goals, risk tolerance and market conditions.
While long-term Ethereum price predictions can be enticing, and the token is considered one of the best tokens on Ethereum network, it remains subject to high volatility offering both significant opportunities
However, like other cryptocurrencies, Ethereum is also known for its price volatility, which can present both opportunities and risks for investors.
Some people believe in the long-term potential of Ethereum due to its utility in smart contracts, decentralized applications (DApps), and its role in the broader blockchain ecosystem.
However, it’s crucial to remember that investing in cryptocurrencies carries inherent risks, including regulatory uncertainty, technological vulnerabilities, and market fluctuations.
Safety tips for buying Ethereum
- Research and education: Take the time to understand what Ethereum is, how it works, and its potential risks and benefits.
- Choose a reputable exchange: Select a reputable and trustworthy cryptocurrency exchange to buy Ethereum.
- Security measures: Ensure that the exchange you choose implements security measures such as two-factor authentication (2FA), encryption, and cold storage for storing funds.
- Beware of phishing and scams: Be cautious of phishing attempts and fraudulent schemes.
- Use secure wallets: Consider using a hardware wallet or a reputable software wallet to store your Ethereum securely.
- Diversification: Avoid putting all your investment funds into a single asset.
- Risk management: Only invest money that you can afford to lose. Cryptocurrency markets are highly volatile, and prices can fluctuate significantly in a short period.
- Stay informed: Stay informed about market trends, regulatory developments, and security threats related to Ethereum and the broader cryptocurrency industry.
- Regularly monitor your investments: Regularly monitor your Ethereum investments and be prepared to adjust your strategy based on changing market conditions and your investment goals.
- Seek professional advice: Consider seeking advice from a financial advisor or investment professional.
How to buy Ethereum in 2025?
Getting started with Ethereum is easier than ever, but it helps to know the steps before jumping in.
To keep things simple, I’ll walk you through the process using one of the best crypto exchanges I’ve used for buying and selling digital assets: Kraken.
Here’s how to go from zero to owning ETH in just a few minutes.
1. Create your account
Go to Kraken’s website or app and sign up. You’ll need to enter your name, email address, and create a password.
Once submitted, you’ll get an email with a verification link. Just click it to activate your account.
2. Verify your identity
Kraken, like most regulated crypto exchanges, will ask you to complete identity verification. This means uploading a valid ID and sometimes a proof of address.
It only takes a few minutes and unlocks full access to crypto trading features.
3. Add funds to your account
Once verified, head to the funding section. Kraken supports bank transfers, credit and debit cards, and sometimes other local payment methods, depending on your country.
Fees can vary, so check the available options before you deposit.
4. Buy Ethereum
Type “ETH” into the search bar, choose Ethereum, and enter the amount you want to buy.
Before placing your order, you’ll see a preview showing the full breakdown, including trading fees. If everything looks good, confirm the purchase, and you will immediately receive your ETH into your exchange’s wallet.
How to find the best ETH exchange for you
Your decision as to the best Ethereum exchange will depend on a variety of factors including your location and experience as well as your approach to fees.
1. Features
When selecting an Ethereum exchange, it’s essential to consider several features to ensure the platform meets your trading needs and provides a secure environment. These include:
- Trading tools and features: Look for exchanges that offer advanced trading tools such as charting tools, technical analysis indicators, order types (market, limit, stop-loss, etc.), and customizable trading dashboards to cater to different trading strategies and preferences.
- Supported trading pairs: Ensure that the exchange supports the Ethereum trading pairs you’re interested in. Besides ETH/fiat pairs, look for a variety of ETH/crypto pairs to diversify your trading options.
- Customer support: Reliable customer support is crucial for resolving issues promptly and addressing inquiries or concerns.
- Ease of use: My Ethereum exchange of choice, Kraken, has a well-earned reputation for being straightforward to use by novice investors entering the crypto world for the first time.
2. Fees
When choosing an Ethereum exchange, it is important to consider various fees that may apply. These fees can significantly impact your trading or investment returns. For example, my chosen favorite, Kraken, offers clear and transparent fees.
Here are some key considerations when it comes to understanding the fees on your chosen exchange.
- Trading fees: Most exchanges charge a fee for executing trades. This fee is usually a percentage of the total trade amount or a fixed amount per trade.
- Deposit and withdrawal fees: Some exchanges may charge fees for depositing or withdrawing Ethereum or other cryptocurrencies.
- Exchange rate spreads: Exchange rate spreads refer to the difference between the buying and selling prices of Ethereum on an exchange.
- Withdrawal limits and fees: Exchanges often impose withdrawal limits and may charge additional fees for withdrawals above certain thresholds.
- Margin trading fees: If the exchange offers margin trading, there may be additional fees associated with borrowing funds or leveraging your trades.
- Inactivity fees: Some exchanges may charge fees for accounts that remain inactive for a certain period of time.
- Subscription or Membership Fees: Certain exchanges offer premium services or membership tiers that come with additional features or lower fees.
- Security and Insurance Fees: While not directly related to trading, some exchanges may charge fees for additional security measures or insurance to protect user funds.
3. Security and regulation
As with fees and features, security should be a top priority for prospective crypto investors. Look for exchanges that implement robust security measures, such as:
- Cold storage: This keeps the majority of cryptocurrencies offline, away from potential hackers.
- Two-factor authentication (2FA): Enabling 2FA adds an extra layer of security to user accounts by requiring a second form of verification, typically a temporary code sent to a mobile device or generated by an authenticator app.
- Secure sockets layer (SSL): SSL encryption ensures that communication between your browser and the exchange’s servers remains private and secure, protecting against man-in-the-middle attacks.
- DDoS protection: Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks can disrupt exchange operations by overwhelming servers with traffic. Robust DDoS protection mechanisms are crucial for ensuring the availability of the exchange platform.
- Regulatory compliance: Local jurisdiction compliance Choose exchanges that comply with relevant regulations and adhere to best practices for Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) procedures. Regulatory compliance helps protect users and fosters trust in the platform.
- Licensing requirements: You should ensure the exchanges comply with licensing requirements in your jurisdiction.
- Data protection regulations: This includes safeguarding users’ personal information
- Securities regulations: In some cases, tokens traded on Ethereum exchanges may be classified as securities, subjecting the exchange to securities regulations.
My verdict on the best Ethereum exchanges available in 2025
From the web of available Ethereum platforms, I have chosen my top six, catering to ease of use for beginners, depth of functionality for the sophisticated user, and, of course, the all-important fee structure. In summary, I found that Kraken comes out on top by offering leading security features as well as a user-friendly interface.
The other five contenders – Binance, eToro, OKX, and Coinbase – all presented us with degrees of excellence in these fields of criteria. However, Kraken came out as my favorite as an all-rounder and a dependable platform from which to trade cryptocurrency. It also offers various extra functions.
Whether you’re leaning toward a CEX or DEX, Kraken delivers a consistent and secure experience while also offering margin trading and additional built-in features. It’s particularly well-suited for beginners, offering an impressive suite of educational resources alongside its robust infrastructure and long-standing industry reputation.
FAQs
What platform is best for Ethereum?
While the best Ethereum exchange may vary depending on each individual’s preferences and intentions, I found that Kraken offered the most well-rounded service for trading Ethereum, in addition to other cryptocurrencies and securities.
Which is the safest crypto exchange?
All of the best crypto exchanges I reviewed offered great safety features and regulation. However, with a wide range of security features and 100% Proof of Reserves also on offer, Kraken is a great option for anyone prioritizing safety on their crypto investment journey.
What is the largest exchange for Ethereum?
With more than $18bn dollars in 24-hour trade volume, Binance is by far the biggest cryptocurrency exchange on the market, beating its closest competitor by nearly 100%