A guide to the best crypto exchanges in the UAE and Dubai 2026

_{Disclaimer: Crypto-assets are high-risk and volatile. Prices can fall sharply and you can lose all the money you invest, especially with leverage or derivatives. Crypto-assets are not covered by investor protection schemes.}

The UAE has two main crypto regulators. In Dubai, the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) lists 60 active virtual asset service providers on its public register, including Binance, OKX, Bybit, Crypto.com, Gate, BitOasis and Rain. In Abu Dhabi, the FSRA of ADGM licenses firms such as eToro, Sarwa and Rain Trading.

Fees vary more than most people expect. A regular user pays 0.10% to trade on Binance, but 0.60% as a taker on OKX’s UAE platform and up to 0.58% on BitOasis Pro for AED pairs. The way you move dirhams in and out can cost more than the trade itself.

This guide compares the best crypto exchanges in the UAE on licence, fees, AED funding and who each one suits. We checked every fee on the exchanges’ own websites.

Best crypto exchanges in the UAE: summary

• eToro: ADGM-regulated multi-asset platform for beginners and social trading. eToro offers welcome bonuses for UAE users.
• Sarwa: UAE investment app regulated in ADGM, with crypto next to US stocks and free AED transfers. It offers a welcome cash bonus.
• Binance: the largest exchange by volume, licensed by VARA, with a 0.10% spot fee for regular users.
• OKX: VARA-licensed exchange with AED deposits and AED trading pairs. Regular users on the UAE platform pay 0.40% maker and 0.60% taker.
• Bybit: Dubai-headquartered exchange with a CMA licence and a VARA licence for spot trading. Free AED bank deposits and four AED pairs. New users can claim welcome gifts with our Bybit referral code.
• Rain: regional exchange regulated by the FSRA in ADGM and by VARA, with 0% trading fees (the margin is in the price) and free local AED transfers.
• Crypto.com: app and exchange licensed by VARA, with fees that fall as your volume and CRO balance grow.
• Gate: exchange known for its long list of altcoins, licensed by VARA through Gate Technology FZE.
• BitOasis: one of the oldest regional exchanges, now part of CoinDCX, licensed by VARA as a broker-dealer, with 0% commission on its Lite platform.

Note: only use exchanges licensed in the UAE. Check a platform’s status on the regulators’ public registers, such as VARA, ADGM or DFSA, and on our broker warning list.

Our evaluation criteria

We looked at three things, with most weight on local regulation.

1. Local licence and its scope

We checked whether each exchange is licensed by a UAE authority: VARA in Dubai, the FSRA in ADGM or the DFSA in DIFC. We also checked what the licence covers. A VARA licence can cover exchange services, broker-dealer services, custody or lending, and BitOasis, for example, holds a broker-dealer licence only.

2. Safety of client assets

We looked at how each platform holds client assets: segregated accounts, cold storage and published proof-of-reserves reports. A platform that operates under a UAE licence must meet local rules on custody and anti-money laundering.

3. Total cost

We compared the total cost of using each platform, not only the headline trading fee:

• Maker and taker fees: makers place orders that wait in the order book, takers fill existing orders. Taker fees are usually higher.
• Spreads and built-in margins: “0% commission” platforms such as Rain, BitOasis Lite or Sarwa earn from the price they quote you.
• AED in and out: deposit and withdrawal fees on local bank transfers and cards, plus currency conversion if the account runs in USD.
• Network fees: the cost of sending crypto to an external wallet.

We also considered the range of products, the app and local support.

What are the best crypto exchanges in the UAE? (comparison)

Here are the key facts at a glance:

^{Fees checked on each exchange’s website on 7 November 2026}

The fee structures are quite different, so the next table breaks them down by type of cost.

^{Fees checked on each exchange’s website on 7 November 2026}

Now, each platform in detail.

1. eToro

• Minimum deposit: $100 (about AED 367)
• Crypto fee: 1% per position (Bronze, Silver and Gold members)
• Currency conversion fee: 0.75% via online banking. 820 pips (about 2.2%) via card or bank wire
• Regulator: FSRA (ADGM)
• Demo account: Yes ($100,000 virtual portfolio)
• Deposit methods: Bank transfer, online banking, debit and credit card, e-wallets
• Withdrawals: Bank transfer, card, e-wallets. $5 per withdrawal
• Withdraw to an external wallet: Partly: you first move the crypto to the eToro Money wallet, then send it on-chain

eToro is a multi-asset trading platform founded in 2007 and known for social trading. In the UAE it operates through eToro (ME) Limited, regulated by the FSRA in ADGM.

Features

• Crypto sits next to stocks, ETFs and commodities in one account.
• CopyTrader lets you follow and copy other investors’ portfolios, a useful way for beginners to learn.
• Staking on selected coins, with rewards paid automatically.

Fees and commissions

Bronze, Silver and Gold members pay a flat 1% per position on crypto trades, built into the price. Platinum, Platinum+ and Diamond members pay less, from 0.10% to 0.95% depending on volume. Selling crypto for fiat from the eToro wallet costs 0.6% to 1%.

The other cost is currency conversion. Depositing AED through online banking costs 0.75%, while cards and bank wires cost 820 pips, about 2.2%. Withdrawals cost $5, and there is no inactivity fee.

Pros

• Regulated in the UAE by the FSRA (ADGM)
• Crypto, stocks, ETFs and commodities in one account
• Staking rewards on selected coins

Cons

• 1% per trade is high next to exchange fees of 0.10%
• AED conversion is expensive by card or wire (about 2.2%)
• Not every coin can be moved off the platform

Read our full eToro review.

2. Sarwa

• Minimum deposit: $500 account minimum (Sarwa Trade)
• Crypto fee: No commission. Prices include a 1.5% spread
• Currency conversion fee: None on AED deposits by local transfer
• Regulator: FSRA (ADGM)
• Demo account: No
• Deposit and withdrawal methods: Local UAE bank transfer (AED), international transfer (USD)

Sarwa is a UAE investment platform regulated by the FSRA in ADGM. It is not a pure crypto exchange: crypto sits in the same app as US stocks, ETFs, options, robo-advisor portfolios and Sarwa Save.

Features

• Buy and sell major coins such as BTC and ETH in fractional amounts, funded by free AED transfers.
• US stocks and ETFs from $1 or 0.25% per trade, plus robo-advisor portfolios, including halal options.
• Sarwa Save, a cash account with an estimated return of up to 3.8% before its 0.5% annual fee (variable).

Fees and commissions

Sarwa charges no commission on crypto, but its help centre says prices include a 1.5% spread. On a $1,000 purchase, that is about $15 inside the price. AED deposits and withdrawals by local bank transfer are free, and there are no custody or inactivity fees.

Pros

• Regulated in the UAE by the FSRA (ADGM)
• Free AED deposits and withdrawals
• Crypto, stocks, ETFs and robo-investing in one app
• Halal investment options

Cons

• A 1.5% spread is far above exchange fees of 0.10%
• Smaller crypto range than global exchanges
• No demo account

Read our Sarwa review.

3. Binance

• Minimum deposit: None stated
• Spot fee: 0.10% maker / 0.10% taker (0.075% paying with BNB)
• Regulator: VARA (Binance FZE, licence VL/24/04/001)
• Deposit and withdrawal methods: P2P in AED, bank transfer, card, crypto
• Withdraw to an external wallet: Yes

Binance is the world’s largest crypto exchange by trading volume. In Dubai it operates through Binance FZE, licensed by VARA.

Features

• One of the widest coin lists of any exchange, from Bitcoin to small-cap tokens.
• Staking, savings products and a Web3 wallet for decentralised apps.
• A peer-to-peer (P2P) market to buy and sell crypto for AED directly with other users.

Fees and commissions

Regular users pay 0.10% as maker or taker on spot trades. Paying fees with BNB cuts this by 25% to 0.075%, and higher 30-day volumes lower it further. Crypto withdrawals pay a network fee that depends on the coin and how busy the network is.

Pros

• Low 0.10% standard spot fee
• Very wide choice of coins
• Deep liquidity on major pairs

Cons

• The interface can overwhelm beginners
• Support can be slow at busy times

4. OKX

• Minimum deposit: None stated
• Spot fee (UAE platform): 0.40% maker / 0.60% taker for regular users. 0% to 0.05% on stablecoin pairs
• Regulator: VARA (OKX Middle East Fintech FZE, licence VL/23/12/003)
• Deposit and withdrawal methods: AED bank transfer, crypto
• Withdraw to an external wallet: Yes

OKX serves UAE users through OKX Middle East Fintech FZE, licensed by VARA for exchange, broker-dealer, lending and investment services. Its UAE platform lists fees in AED and supports AED deposits, withdrawals and trading pairs such as BTC/AED.

Features

• Direct AED deposits and withdrawals by bank transfer.
• AED trading pairs, so you can buy Bitcoin without converting to USDT first.
• A built-in Web3 wallet and regular proof-of-reserves reports.

Fees and commissions

On the UAE platform, regular users pay 0.40% maker and 0.60% taker on spot pairs. The rate falls through nine VIP tiers, set by assets held or 30-day volume, down to 0% maker and 0.15% taker. Stablecoin pairs such as USDC/USDT cost 0% to 0.05%.

That makes OKX dearer than Binance or Bybit for small traders: a AED 10,000 market order costs AED 60 at 0.60%, against AED 10 at 0.10%.

Pros

• Direct AED deposits, withdrawals and trading pairs
• Regular proof-of-reserves reports
• Built-in Web3 wallet

Cons

• 0.60% taker fee for regular users is high for a large exchange
• Fewer learning resources for beginners

5. Bybit

• Minimum deposit: AED 100 per AED bank transfer
• Spot fee: 0.10% maker / 0.10% taker (non-VIP)
• Regulators: CMA (UAE mainland) and VARA (spot exchange services in Dubai)
• Deposit methods: AED bank transfer from a personal UAE account in your own name, crypto
• Withdrawal methods: AED bank transfer (AED 25 each), crypto with network fee
• Withdraw to an external wallet: Yes

Bybit is a crypto exchange founded in 2018, with its global headquarters in Dubai. In October 2025, it became the first crypto exchange to receive a full Virtual Asset Platform Operator licence from the UAE’s Securities and Commodities Authority, now the Capital Market Authority (CMA). The licence covers trading, brokerage, custody and fiat conversion.

In October 2026, its Dubai entity, Bybit Fintech FZE, also received a VARA licence for exchange services (reference VL/26/10/003 on the VARA public register). The VARA licence covers spot trading only.

Features

• AED deposits and withdrawals from a personal UAE bank account in your own name. Deposits are free, each withdrawal costs AED 25 and the minimum is AED 100 per transaction.
• Four AED pairs: USDT/AED, BTC/AED, ETH/AED and SOL/AED.
• Up to 100 USDT in welcome gifts with referral code 127839, mostly as fee vouchers for derivatives.

Fees and commissions

Non-VIP users pay 0.10% as maker or taker on spot crypto pairs, and VIP tiers pay less. AED deposits are free, AED withdrawals cost AED 25, and crypto withdrawals pay a network fee.

Pros

• Licensed by the federal CMA and by VARA
• Free AED deposits and direct AED pairs
• Flat 0.10% spot fee for regular users

Cons

• The VARA licence covers spot trading only
• AED withdrawals cost AED 25 each, the same as BitOasis, while Sarwa and Rain charge nothing

6. Rain

• Minimum deposit: None stated
• Trading fee: 0% (Rain’s margin is included in the quoted price)
• Regulators: FSRA (ADGM) for Rain Trading Limited, VARA for Rain MENA FZE (licence VL/26/10/001)
• Deposit and withdrawal methods: AED bank transfer from a UAE account, same day
• Withdraw to an external wallet: Yes, with a dynamic network fee

Rain has been trading since 2019 and says it has served more than 2 million customers. UAE users are served by Rain Trading Limited, licensed by the FSRA in ADGM, and the group also holds a VARA licence in Dubai. It is headquartered in the UAE.

Features

• A simple app to buy and sell Bitcoin, Ethereum and hundreds of other assets at a quoted price in AED.
• Same-day AED deposits and withdrawals with a UAE bank account.
• Support in Arabic and English, around the clock, plus an OTC desk for large trades.

Fees and commissions

Rain’s UAE fee page says it charges 0% trading fees, but the price you are quoted includes a margin set by Rain, so the real cost sits in the price. Deposits are free, and there are no bank charges on local AED withdrawals. Sending crypto to an external wallet pays a dynamic network fee, and there is no storage fee.

Pros

• Licensed in ADGM and by VARA
• No fees on AED deposits or local withdrawals
• Simple app with 24/7 support in Arabic and English

Cons

• The margin in the price is not published, so you cannot compare it directly with a 0.10% exchange fee
• No order book for advanced traders

7. Crypto.com

• Minimum deposit: None stated
• Exchange fees: 0.25% maker / 0.50% taker at Level 1. 0% maker / 0.44% taker with 50,000+ CRO
• Regulator: VARA (Foris DAX Middle East FZE, licence VL/23/10/003)
• Deposit methods: Bank transfer, card and crypto (options depend on your country)
• Withdraw to an external wallet: Yes

Crypto.com combines a mobile app for simple buying and selling with a separate exchange for active traders. In Dubai it operates through Foris DAX Middle East FZE, licensed by VARA.

Features

• The Crypto.com app for quick buys, recurring purchases and price alerts.
• The Crypto.com Exchange for spot, margin and perpetual futures trading.
• Fee cuts and rewards for holding CRO, the platform’s own token.

Fees and commissions

On the Exchange, Level 1 users (under $10,000 of 30-day volume) pay 0.25% maker and 0.50% taker. Fees fall as volume rises, to 0.10% / 0.20% from $250,000. Holding 50,000 CRO or more on the Exchange cuts the Level 1 rate to 0% maker and 0.44% taker. App purchases and card payments are priced in the app, so check the quote before you confirm.

Pros

• VARA-licensed app and exchange
• Fee cuts through volume and CRO
• Easy app for beginners

Cons

• Complex fee structure across app and exchange
• 0.50% taker fee at the entry level

8. Gate

• Minimum deposit: None stated
• Spot fee: 0.10% maker / 0.10% taker at VIP0 (0.09% paying with GT)
• Futures fee: 0.02% maker / 0.05% taker on USDT perpetuals at VIP0
• Regulator: VARA (Gate Technology FZE, licence VL/25/04/007)
• Withdraw to an external wallet: Yes

Gate has operated since 2013 and is popular with traders looking for new or less common altcoins. Its Dubai subsidiary, Gate Technology FZE, is licensed by VARA.

Features

• Thousands of coins, often listed earlier than on larger exchanges.
• Spot, margin and perpetual futures trading.
• Copy trading and a marketplace for trading bots.

Fees and commissions

Gate’s fee page lists 0.10% maker and taker on spot at VIP0, or 0.09% if you pay with GT, its own token. USDT perpetual futures cost 0.02% maker and 0.05% taker at VIP0. Both fall with 30-day volume as you move up from VIP0 to VIP16.

Pros

• Very large altcoin selection
• Low 0.10% spot fee
• Copy trading and bot marketplace

Cons

• Thin liquidity on some small altcoins
• Few UAE-specific features and limited local support

9. BitOasis

• Minimum deposit: AED 100 first buy
• Trading fees: Lite: 0% commission. Pro: 0.38% maker / 0.58% taker on AED pairs, 0.10% / 0.18% on crypto pairs
• Regulator: VARA (BitOasis Technologies FZE, licence VL/2024/11/001, broker-dealer services)
• Deposit methods: AED bank transfer and Easy Funding (free), card (from 3.99%)
• Withdrawal methods: AED bank transfer (AED 25 below AED 25,000, AED 65 above), crypto with network fee
• Withdraw to an external wallet: Yes

BitOasis has served the region since 2016 and is now part of CoinDCX. Its UAE entity, BitOasis Technologies FZE, is licensed by VARA for broker-dealer services. Client fiat is held in segregated bank accounts, and BitOasis publishes proof of reserves every quarter.

Features

• Lite: one all-in price and a buy button, with recurring orders and price alerts, across 60+ assets quoted in dirhams.
• Pro: order book, depth charts and limit, stop and OCO orders, with maker-taker pricing.
• VIP: nine levels with fee discounts of up to 95% for traders above USD 25,000 a month.

Fees and commissions

Lite charges 0% commission: the price on screen is what you pay. On Pro, AED pairs such as BTC/AED cost 0.38% maker and 0.58% taker at the retail level, while crypto pairs such as BTC/USDT cost 0.10% / 0.18%.

AED bank deposits and Easy Funding are free, card deposits start at 3.99%, and AED withdrawals cost AED 25 below AED 25,000 and AED 65 above.

Pros

• Built for UAE users, with dirham pricing and support from Dubai
• Free AED bank deposits
• Quarterly proof of reserves

Cons

• Pro fees on AED pairs (0.58% taker) are high
• Smaller coin range than global exchanges
• AED 25 per AED withdrawal

Which UAE crypto exchange should you use?

It depends on how you trade and how you move dirhams.

• Lowest trading fees: Binance, Bybit and Gate charge 0.10% on spot for regular users. Bybit adds free AED deposits and AED pairs.
• Simple and local: Rain charges nothing on AED deposits or local withdrawals, and BitOasis Lite has no commission. In both, the cost sits in the price.
• Crypto next to stocks: eToro (1% per trade) and Sarwa (1.5% spread) suit investors who want crypto as a small part of a wider portfolio, in an ADGM-regulated account.
• AED pairs on a large exchange: OKX supports AED directly, but its 0.60% taker fee makes it better for larger accounts that reach the VIP tiers.
• Altcoins: Gate has the widest list.

Many UAE investors combine two platforms: a local one such as Rain or BitOasis for AED in and out, and a low-fee exchange for trading.

⚠️ Risk warning: crypto-assets are volatile and are not covered by any government guarantee or investor protection scheme. Platform failures or regulatory changes can lead to loss of funds or access. Only use exchanges licensed in the UAE and check fees, spreads and AED costs before you trade. Nothing in this guide is financial or legal advice.