Given how popular cryptocurrencies are right now, it's not surprising that individuals from all over the world want to join the crypto community. This is no different when it comes to Indians. So, if you’re looking for the best crypto exchange in India, you’ve come to the right place!
However, not all countries have the same regulations regarding crypto, which also means that not all popular crypto exchanges can be accessed in certain countries. When it comes to crypto trading in India, I will cover the most popular platforms in this article. However, if you want a sneak peek, do note that you can choose from such crypto giants as Binance, Kraken, or KuCoin.
Though, before looking into the most popular crypto exchanges India, I’ll also look over the whole crypto situation in the country, including the regulations related to it. Besides that, we'll go over the main criteria you should consider when choosing the top crypto exchange in India.
Here is the list of the crypto exchanges that will be covered in this article:
That being said, let’s take a look at the regulations India imposes on crypto.
Indian Crypto Regulations
So, before moving on to the list of “best crypto exchanges in India”, it's important to grasp the overall Indian cryptocurrency environment.
Looking back, one of the more noteworthy events in India took place in April 2018, when the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) banned financial institutions from providing banking services to crypto exchanges. Fortunately, in March 2022, the ban was lifted.
Now, while it was (and still is) legal to trade crypto in India, for a pretty long time, there were no regulations imposed on cryptocurrencies. However, when there are no regulations, there is a favorable environment for illegal activity to occur.
And this is exactly what started happening in India. The Enforcement Directorate and Income Tax Department investigated at least 10 cryptocurrency exchanges in 2022 for allegedly helping foreign companies use cryptocurrency to launder money.
That’s why on March 7, 2023, the crypto industry has been brought into the AML regulatory framework in India as well. This means that crypto exchanges in India must register with the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) and comply with any regulations imposed by the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
Besides that, crypto-related businesses must report any suspicious activity to FIU and employ Know Your Customer (KYC) verification procedures.
Another important change in the crypto industry in India happened on March 24, 2022, when new tax regulations towards cryptocurrencies and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) were introduced. Since then, Indians must pay a 30% Capital Gains Tax on all their crypto transactions, plus a surcharge and 4% cess, as well as a 1% Tax Deducted at Source (TDS). This applies to both buying and selling cryptocurrency, as well as gifting it.
So, naturally, all these changes towards crypto resulted in people searching for reliable and convenient crypto exchanges in India. Now, the question is, what makes an exchange the best crypto exchange in India?
Best Crypto Exchange in India: Evaluation Criteria
First things first, since I just discussed the regulations towards crypto in India, it’s pretty obvious that for an exchange to be dubbed as “the best crypto exchange in India,” it must comply with these regulations, right?
Now, do note that the registration with the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) applies to India-based exchanges only. However, there are many great global exchanges that can be legally used in India without being registered with FIU. How? The answer is simple – they still must comply with AML requirements, but they don’t have to answer to FIU to do that.
Moving to another point, you should definitely check if the exchange you plan to use supports Indian Rupee (INR) as a payment method. Any well-established exchange should provide users with an option of purchasing crypto using fiat. Others even have trading pairs with fiat currencies. Thus, if you are Indian, you’d probably want an exchange that supports your national currency.
That being said, what else should you look out for when searching for the top crypto exchanges in India? Well, you should definitely consider what kind of features it offers, especially if you’re aiming for global exchange. Sometimes, no matter how feature-packed an exchange might be, it could exclude certain countries from using some of its features.
Lastly, it’s always important to look into the fees imposed by the exchange. Whether you’re looking for the best crypto exchange in India, or any other country, for that matter. With all the taxes that you have to pay for your crypto transactions, you surely want to have as low fees as possible.
So, that’s pretty much it. With that in mind, let’s proceed to the top crypto exchanges in India.
1. Binance - Buy Crypto Using INR With 0% Fees
Ranks #1 out of 7 Crypto Exchanges
- + A very well-known crypto exchange platform
- + More than 500 different cryptos available
- + Two-factor authentication
- + P2P trading option
- + Emphasis on security and KYC
- + Supports fiat-crypto acquisitions
- - Might be a bit difficult for beginners
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Binance is one of the best crypto exchanges worldwide. With its region-specific Binance India platform, it also ranks as one of the best crypto exchanges in India. This is a given, though, due to its high trading volume and all of the features it offers.
Now, let’s talk about regulations. Is Binance India compliant with those? The short answer is yes, it is. Binance India follows all necessary AML regulations, including having a strict KYC process for verifying its users. This means that traders not only have to prove their identity, but their place of residence as well.
Another point that should be addressed is INR support. Fortunately, Binance India allows traders to buy crypto using INR through P2P trading (with 0% fees) or through third-party payment gateways, such as WazirX. Though, do note that there is no way to purchase crypto with INR using a debit / credit card, unless you do it through P2P trading.
However, you cannot deposit or withdraw INR into (or out of) your Binance account, as there are no trading pairs with this fiat currency.
What about features available for Indian Binance users? Luckily, it offers all of the features that are accessible to traders globally. And, let me tell you, there’s a lot of those! Apart from the fact that Binance India allows users to participate in spot trading with over 350 cryptocurrencies, they can also participate in margin, derivatives, and OTC Block trading, as well as swap farming.
In addition to that, there are many other features offered, including trading bots, the Binance Earn program, the NFT market, crypto loans, and so on, and so forth. So, basically, anything you might need for your trading journey, you will find on Binance India.
Lastly, talking about trading fees, they differ based on the trading method in question. However, they never go higher than 0.1%, which is a pretty competitive price compared to industry standards. Now, spot and futures trading fees are based on a tiered maker-taker model. The tier is determined by your 30-day trading volume and your BNB balance.
Besides, if you cover your trading fees using BNB, you’ll get 25% off spot trading fees and 10% off USD-M futures trading fees.
Overall, Binance surely is one of the best crypto exchanges in India due to its feature-packed platform, competitive fees, and the possibility of purchasing crypto using fiat with 0% fees.
2. Kraken - Great for Beginners
Ranks #2 out of 7 Crypto Exchanges
- + Secure and reliable
- + Low fees
- + A good amount of fiat currencies accepted
- - Not the most helpful customer service
If you’re a member of the crypto community (or trying to become one), you must have heard about Kraken. After all, it is one of the most popular exchanges in the world, especially for beginners. Though, it is also one of the best crypto exchanges in India.
While it is not regulated by FIU, Kraken still complies with all regulations related to Anti-Money Laundering (AML). This, of course, includes strict KYC procedures that require users to prove their identity and place of residence.
Now, speaking of INR, Kraken does have a disadvantage in this aspect, as it does not allow purchasing crypto using INR. However, you can purchase crypto with USD using your Visa / Mastercard or Google / Apple Pay. The minimum purchase you can make is $10, while the maximum is $5,000 per 7 days.
In terms of features, Indian users can access both the basic version of Kraken and the Pro version. The features included in these versions are spot, margin, futures, and OTC trading, as well as the Instant Buy feature, staking possibilities, and the NFT marketplace.
It is worth noting that Kraken is a great platform for beginners as it is very intuitive and not packed with millions of features (which could become a drawback for experienced traders looking for more advanced features, of course).
The fees associated with using Kraken's Instant Buy feature to purchase cryptocurrencies vary depending on the asset in question, how much you buy, and the payment method you use. For instance, a 3.75% + 25c surcharge is added to the main price when using credit / debit cards and Apple / Google Pay.
Spot trading fees, on the other hand, are based on the maker-taker model and vary depending on your monthly trading volume. Taker fees range from 0.26% to 0.1%, while maker fees range from 0.16% to 0%. As for margin trading, the base charge is 0.02% in addition to the rollover fee paid every four hours (0.02% as well).
All in all, even though it doesn’t support INR, Kraken can still be considered as one of the best crypto exchanges in India, especially for beginners.
3. KuCoin - The People’s Exchange
Ranks #3 out of 7 Crypto Exchanges
- + Strong security measures
- + Over 700 supported cryptocurrencies
- + A variety of trading and earning features
- + Competitive fees
- - Not available for US traders
- - Might be somewhat complicated for beginners
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KuCoin dubs itself as the “The People’s Exchange,” and, in fact, it is accessible in many countries around the world, including India. Since it is one of the leading exchanges in the world, it no doubt is also one of the best crypto exchanges in India. Besides, it puts a strong emphasis on establishing local communities, which you can see on the KuCoin India Twitter account.
Now, speaking of regulations, since KuCoin is a global exchange (not India-based), it is not overseen by any regulatory bodies in the country. Regardless, it still complies with the necessary AML regulations and keeps its users and their funds safe. Besides, it requires traders to go through a strict KYC process, which is an integral part of avoiding money laundering and other illicit activities.
As for INR support, Indian traders can purchase crypto using the fiat currency through the “Fast Trade” feature. However, they can only do it through third-party payment channels like Banxa or BTC Direct, which can get pretty expensive considering the fees they charge. Besides that, you can also purchase crypto using INR through the P2P trading feature. Though you can only buy USDT, BTC, ETH, KCS, and USDC.
Talking about KuCoin’s features, Indian traders can participate in spot, margin, and derivatives trading, as well as access various earning programs, a learning hub, trading bots, API services, and so much more. Besides, it offers over 700 crypto assets, which is a lot! So, basically, KuCoin provides users with almost anything they might need, making it one of the top crypto exchanges in India.
Now, in terms of fees, KuCoin uses a tiered maker-taker pricing structure for spot and futures trading. Your tier can change depending on your 30-day spot / futures trading volume or KCS (KuCoin native token) holdings.
Spot trading fees for makers range from 0.1% to -0.005% (yes, you get a rebate from the exchange), while for takers, they go from 0.1% to 0.025%. In terms of trading futures, maker fees go from 0.02% to -0.015%, while taker fees go from 0.06% to 0.03%. Additionally, note that you can receive a 20% discount if you cover your spot trading fees using KSC tokens.
So, as you can see, with the variety of features and competitive fees, KuCoin surely deserves a spot on this “best crypto exchanges in India” list.
Did you know?
Compare Crypto Exchanges Side by Side With Others
All Crypto Exchanges may look similar to you but they're NOT all the same!
4. Bybit - Derivatives Trading at Its Finest
Ranks #4 out of 7 Crypto Exchanges
- + Very low trading fees
- + Exceptional functionality
- + Mobile trading app
- + Helpful customer support
- + Up to 100x leverage
- - Might have a steep learning curve
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Bybit is one of the biggest Singapore-based derivatives exchanges, which is accessible in many countries across the globe, including India. Based on many user reviews, it could definitely be said that Bybit is worth being on this "best crypto exchange in India" list.
In terms of regulations, Bybit is considered to be in the grey area when it comes to that (in many countries, not only India). What I mean by that is that it is not registered with India’s FIU (or most other regulatory bodies worldwide). However, it does comply with AML regulations and puts a lot of effort into securing the platform from involvement in any illegal acts.
For one, it requires its users to pass a strict KYC process. Besides that, it employs multi-factor authentication methods and keeps its client funds in a multi-sig cold storage. Speaking of cold storage, if you want to keep your funds extremely safe, make sure to get a hardware wallet. Ledger Nano X and Trezor Model T are some of the best ones in the industry.
Getting back to Bybit, talking about INR support, the exchange allows users to purchase crypto using INR through P2P trading, bank transfers, or UPI. However, you cannot deposit or withdraw INR into (or from) your Bybit account, and there are no trading pairs with this asset.
Now, in terms of features offered by Bybit for its Indian users, it does not restrict any of those. In other words, every feature that is available globally is also available for Indian users.
Of course, the major feature Bybit is known for is derivatives trading with up to 100x leverage. However, it also offers spot and margin trading, as well as copy trading, trading bots, loans, earning programs, a crypto debit card, and even a launchpad.
It's also noteworthy that Bybit values its community highly and frequently organizes exclusive events. For instance, the exchange launched an event in May 2023 that was open only to traders from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and India. The event gave them the chance to win some eye-catching prizes while trading.
The last thing left to discuss is trading fees. Both spot and derivatives trading on Bybit are charged using a tier-based maker-taker fee structure. Your asset balance, BIT holdings, monthly trade volume, and average net borrowing each month determine your tier. Fees range from 0.1% to 0.005% for spot trading and from 0.06% to 0% for futures trading.
Overall, Bybit is definitely one of the top crypto exchanges in India, especially when it comes to derivatives trading.
5. Huobi - Some of the Lowest Fees in India
Ranks #5 out of 7 Crypto Exchanges
- + Very low fees
- + User-friendly interface
- + Most crypto assets are stored offline
- + 24/7 customer support
- - Only crypto assets available to be exchanged
Huobi Global is yet another leading cryptocurrency exchange that is praised by traders all over the world. Indian traders are among those, of course, which is why Huobi can be considered as one of the best crypto exchanges in India.
Now, while Huobi is not registered with FIU, as it is a global exchange, it still complies with all necessary requirements regarding AML. So, obviously, it requires its users to pass the KYC process, and it constantly monitors the platform for any illicit activity.
What about INR support? Well, it’s intact! You can purchase crypto with INR using your credit / debit card, third-party payment gateways, or through P2P trading. Of course, do note that fees for each method differ.
Talking about Huobi’s features, the platform provides its Indian traders with the same features it provides traders from other countries. This includes spot, margin, and derivatives trading, as well as acces to various earning programs and other features, like trading bots. Besides, to make the Indian Huobi community more engaged, it sometimes creates exclusive trading contests.
What Huobi itself tends to highlight is that it has one of the lowest trading fees in India. It has a basic trading fee of 0.099%, a native token reduction fee of 0.07%, and an asset balance holding fee of 0.055%. However, do note that you have to pass the Indian KYC verification process to access these India-exclusive trading fees.
So, overall, you can clearly see that Huobi definitely deserves to be titled as one of the best crypto exchanges in India, especially for traders looking for the lowest fees on the market.
6. CoinDCX - Withdraw and Deposit INR for Free
Ranks #6 out of 7 Crypto Exchanges
- + Zero fees for INR deposits and withdrawals
- + Registered with the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU)
- + VC funding channel
- + Instant purchases
- - INR is the only supported fiat currency
- - Limited leverage capabilities
Now, an exchange that can be found on many “best crypto exchange in India” lists is CoinDCX. This is not surprising, as it is an India-based exchange, and one of the largest ones in the country, for that matter.
In terms of compliance with regulations, in March 2023, right around the time new crypto regulations in India took place, CoinDCX registered with the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) in order to comply with all necessary AML regulations.
Speaking of INR, CoinDCX supports both buying and selling crypto using INR, as well as depositing / withdrawing INR into / from your CoinDCX account. You can do that using UPI, IMPS, bank transfers, and so on. Besides, the minimal amount when purchasing crypto using INR is ₹10.
What about the features offered by the exchange? For one, it provides users with spot, margin, and futures trading. Apart from that, it also offers various earning possibilities and a learning platform. As for the supported cryptocurrencies, you can trade over 100 different assets.
Lastly, talking about CoinDCX fees, spot and margin trading imposes a tiered maker-taker fee structure based on trading volume. Both maker and taker fees go from 0.5% to 0.15%. As for withdrawal fees, crypto withdrawal costs differ based on the cryptocurrency in question, while there are no INR withdrawal or deposit fees.
That’s pretty much it. As you can see, CoinDCX is a pretty great crypto trading India option.
7. WazirX - A Beginner-Friendly Indian Exchange
Ranks #7 out of 7 Crypto Exchanges
- + Beginner-friendly user interface
- + Quick order execution
- + Over 230 supported cryptocurrencies
- - Relatively high fees
WazirX claims to be “India’s most trusted” cryptocurrency exchange. As a matter of fact, it is present on many "best crypto exchanges in India" lists, which means that traders do enjoy using this platform. Besides, do note that Binance has partnered with WazirX to allow its users to purchase crypto with INR.
Since WazirX is an India-based exchange, in March 2023, it registered under the Virtual Assets Service Provider (VASP) category with the FIU. Thus, you can be sure that the exchange is compliant with all necessary regulations.
In terms of INR support, WazirX features a huge variety of trading pairs with INR that allow users to buy or sell such crypto assets as USDT, BTC, TRX, SHIB, ETH, and many more. Besides that, you can both deposit and withdraw INR from (and into) your WazirX account.
You can withdraw INR to any bank account that is registered in the same name as the one you provided through KYC. Do note, though, that the bank account must support IMPS and NEFT modes.
As for the features offered by the exchange, it provides traders with spot and P2P trading. Speaking of crypto assets offered, it allows users to trade over 200 top cryptocurrencies. Overall, the WazirX exchange is very simple to use, so it’s great for beginners. Of course, this means that it might lack some features for more experienced traders.
Lastly, considering fees, there is a maker-taker fee structure in place when it comes to trading. However, both makers and takers have the same fee, 0.2%. As for P2P trading, there are no fees for buying and selling crypto. Deposit and withdrawal fees, on the other hand, differ based on the asset in question.
Overall, WazirX deserves a spot on this "best crypto exchange in India" list as one of the best choices for beginners.
Conclusions
That’s it! Now you know the top 7 best crypto exchanges in India. Which one is the best crypto trading India option for you only depends on your preferences. While it’s often hard to choose, you do know now what kind of features you should look out for.
Whether you choose Binance, Kraken, KuCoin, or any other crypto exchange India, you should always consider regulation compliance, INR support, feature variety, and fees. The exchange that checks all these boxes will surely be worth the title of one of the top crypto exchanges in India.
By the way, once you choose an exchange that is best for you, you should also think about getting a reliable and secure crypto wallet. If you ask me, a hardware wallet is your best choice as it will keep your funds securely offline. Some of the best crypto wallets for Indians include Ledger Nano X and Trezor Model T.
Other Crypto Exchanges in This Category
Here are other crypto exchanges related to the category but not as favored by BitDegree readers yet. In my personal opinion, today there are much more optimal crypto exchanges in the list with the higher rating that I'd recommend for the same price range or less.
Zebpay - Trade, Lend, and Borrow Crypto
- + No fees for fiat deposits and withdrawals
- + Has a convenient mobile application
- + Lending services available
- - No passive earning possibilities
Zebpay is an India-based exchange that often appears in many "best crypto exchange in India" lists. Since it was launched in 2015, it is one of the oldest exchanges in India.
As for regulations, Zebpay fully complies with Indian AML requirements, which means that users must pass the KYC process to access all features on the platform. This includes verifying your identity and providing proof of residence.
Speaking of INR support, the exchange offers a variety of INR-crypto trading pairs that allow users to purchase or sell such crypto assets as BTC, ETH, and many others. Besides that, you can deposit and withdraw INR completely for free using IMPS, NEFT, RTGS, and net banking.
Now, what about the features offered by the Zebpay crypto exchange? For one, it provides users with Open Order Book and OTC trading. Then, it also offers a Quick Trade feature, lending services, and a learning platform. Additionally, note that it supports over 150 cryptocurrencies.
Talking about fees, Zebpay doesn’t charge any fees on crypto-crypto trading. However, it does charge 0.5% on the trades made through the Quick Trade feature, as well as 0.4% on all transactions made for Corporate & Trust Funds. Besides, do note users who are not active for over a month, must pay a 0.0001 BTC membership fee.
Overall, Zebpay is an exchange that many Indian traders rate as one of the top crypto exchanges in India.
Unocoin - An Indian Crypto Veteran
- + Lots of investment and trading programs
- + Membership clubs
- + Free optimized BTC withdrawals
- - Narrow geographical availability
- - Inadequate documentation and customer support
- - Lack of regulation and security
Unocoin is one of the first crypto exchanges in India, which was co-founded in 2013 by Sunny Ray, Kraken’s former Head of Global Business Development. Many Indians claim Unocoin to be one of the best crypto exchanges in India.
The Unocoin crypto exchange follows a strict AML and KYC policy, which means that all users on the exchange must verify their identity and prove their residence. Thus, Unocoin is compliant with Indian regulations regarding AML. However, as of May 2023, there is no information on whether it has registered with FIU (or plans to).
What about the INR support? It surely is pretty extensive. For one, users can purchase crypto using INR through the instant buy feature. Secondly, they can buy and sell crypto through INR-crypto trading pairs. In addition to that, they can also deposit and withdraw INR easily from / into their bank accounts. So, as you can see, Unocoin has full INR support.
Speaking of features, users can buy, sell, and trade over 80 crypto assets, including BTC, ETH, LTC, and so on. Besides that, the exchange offers a referral program, which provides traders with a way to earn crypto by inviting new members to the platform. Additionally, it offers lending and API services.
The last thing left to discuss is fees. When buying or selling Bitcoin, Unocoin charges a fee of 0.5%. Besides, when sending Bitcoin to another Unocoin user or receiving BTC, there are no fees. However, when sending BTC to a Bitcoin address, the fees range from 0.0005 to 0.0009 BTC.
As for crypto-crypto trading, there is a maker fee of 0.2% and a taker fee of 0.3% + an additional network fee that differs with each asset. However, crypto deposits are free. Additionally, do note that inactive users have to pay a monthly custodial fee of 0.0001 BTC.
All in all, Unocoin is dubbed by many as "one of the best crypto exchanges in India". After all, it is one of the pioneers in the crypto trading India industry.
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