Currently, there are no specific regulations dedicated exclusively to the sale of cryptocurrencies or tokens in Austria, which fall under the general umbrella of securities and commodities laws. Austrian financial authorities and policymakers maintain an open stance towards digital assets and emerging technologies, keeping a close watch on the evolution of blockchain, distributed ledger technology, and digital assets. Although not illegal, cryptocurrencies are not regulated or supervised by the Financial Market Authority (FMA) in Austria, leading the FMA to caution investors about the potential risks involved.
To support new business models that require authorization under Austrian financial services regulations, a regulatory sandbox was initiated by the FMA in 2020. However, starting from mid-2024, the issuance and provision of services related to crypto-assets will be subject to regulation at the EU level through the Markets in Crypto-assets Regulation (MiCA), which seeks to establish a comprehensive regulatory framework for crypto-assets.
Easiest and cheapest ways to buy crypto in Austria
Getting bitcoins in Austria is not an easy task as not all popular crypto exchanges are available to Austrian citizens. This is a current list of bitcoin exchanges that allow users from Austria to buy crypto. They all support buying crypto with credit/debit cards but some of them offer other payment methods as well.
👛 Ease of Use – Easy 👛 Fees – Low 👛 Verification – 1 Day 👛 Reputation – Trusted 👛 Supported fiat – USD, EUR, GBP + more
eToro is a versatile trading platform that provides users with access to various financial instruments, including stocks, ETFs, cryptocurrencies, and CFDs. The platform has a straightforward fee structure, charging a 1% fee for cryptocurrency transactions, with no fees for ETFs and stocks, although ETFs may have their own internal costs.
The platform supports more than 140 countries, with the US joining the list quite recently. However, there are still some restrictions for US citizens since they can currently only trade cryptos on eToro. Other users are allowed to trade Stock, Forex, Social Trading, CFDs, Index-Based Funds, Cryptos, Indices, and ETFs. As we mentioned, the most popular feature on the platform is copy trading. Users can “copy” trades from other investors and make the same trades in real-time.
⚡️ Deposit fees: Free ⚡️ Withdrawal fees: $5 ⚡️ Trading fees: 0.75 % – 4.9 % spread depending on the cryptocurrency ⚡️ Payment Methods: 15+ (MasterCard, Visa, EWallets, etc.) ⚡️ Supported fiat: USD, EUR, GBP, and 20+ more
Unique features such as Social Trading and “Virtual Hub” Simple interface Competitive fees The minimum trade amount is very low
There aren’t many supported cryptocurrencies American citizens can only trade cryptos on the platform
👛 Ease of Use – Easy 👛 Fees – Average 👛 Verification – 2-3 Days 👛 Reputation – Trusted 👛 Supported fiat – USD, EUR, GBP, JPY, CAD
Kraken stands as a premier cryptocurrency exchange that has been serving the crypto community since 2011. With its platform, users can buy, sell, and trade over 220 different digital assets, including but not limited to Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Cardano. One of Kraken’s most notable features is its unwavering commitment to security, ensuring that users’ assets are protected.
The platform is globally accessible, reaching over 190 countries, though there are a few exceptions like North Korea and New York state. Furthermore, Kraken offers a plethora of payment methods, from traditional credit cards to modern solutions like Apple Pay.
For those dealing in fiat, multiple currencies are accepted, with the U.S. dollar being a popular choice. Advanced traders will also find the platform accommodating, with tools tailored to their needs.
⚡️ Deposit fees: EUR SEPA Deposit (Free) – EEA countries only USD Bank Wire Deposit ($5 USD) – US onlyEUR Bank Wire Deposit (€10) – outside the US only USD Bank Wire Deposit ($10 USD) – outside US onlyJPY Bank deposit (Free, ¥5,000 deposit minimum) – Japan-only USD, Wire Deposit (Free) ⚡️ Withdrawal fees: Cryptocurrency: Fees vary, SEPA Withdrawal (€0.09) – EEA countries only USD Bank Wire Withdrawal ($5 USD) – US only USD Bank Wire Withdrawal ($60 USD) – outside US onlyEUR Bank Wire Withdrawal (€60) – outside US onlyJPY Bank withdrawal (¥20) – Japan onlyCAD EFT Withdrawal ($10 CAD) ⚡️ Trading fees: Maker: 0.16%Taker: 0.28% ⚡️ Payment Methods: Fedwire, Bank Transfer (SEPA), SWIFT, Wire Transfer, Etana Custody, Silvergate Exchange Network (SEN), FPS, CHAPS, and BACS, PayID, Osko ⚡️ Supported fiat: USD, EUR, GBP, JPY, CAD
170+ countries supported Never been hacked Mobile App (iOS and Android) Various payment methods A wide range of cryptocurrencies is available
Fees slightly above the industry average Limited customer support
Best Bitcoin Wallets in Austria
It is never a good idea to keep your coins on an exchange as that exposes you to numerous risks (exchange hacks, fund freezes by the exchange or some government regulatory body, etc). That is why you should use one of the wallets we list below to store your digital assets.
But, which bitcoin wallet is available in this country?
The safest option is a hardware wallet like Nano X but ZenGo is also a good choice, especially for newcomers.
👛 Ease of Use – Medium 👛 Fees – Low 👛 Verification – 1 Day 👛 Reputation – Trusted 👛 Supported fiat – USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, RUB
Binance is widely considered the largest cryptocurrency exchange in the world. It was launched in July of 2017 and in a short period of time became the exchange with the largest trading volume with more than $10 billion on a daily basis.
How did Binance become so big so quickly? There are various reasons – low trading fees, professional attitude, the large number of cryptocurrencies supported by the platform, and friendly and transparent CEO. Some of the features available on Binance are Earn (locked and fixed savings, DeFi staking, and yield farming), Pool (join their mining and staking pools and earn rewards for keeping your chosen blockchains safe), Liquid swap, Liquidity pools, Automated trading bots, spot trading, futures and margin trading, and P2P trading.
⚡️ Deposit fees: Free ⚡️ Withdrawal fees: Vary from crypto to crypto ⚡️ Trading fees: 0.1% ⚡️ Payment Methods: Debit Card, Credit Card, SWIFT, Bank Transfer (SEPA), and more ⚡️ Supported fiat: USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, RUB, and 15+ more
High liquidity It supports a large number of crypto assets Widely considered the largest crypto platform Various advanced features and services One of the lowest fees among top exchanges
Not available in the US Not fully registered Hacked in 2019
Safello’s services are available in 32 European countries – both EU member states and countries outside the union. Safello is completely compliant with EU and Swedish law to ensure reliable service customers. Safello does not charge commission. Instead, it uses a “spread model”, meaning all fees (banking, forex fees, etc.) and commissions are included in the buying and selling price.
⚡️ Deposit fees: Depending on the membership ⚡️ Withdrawal fees: 0.00021 BTC ⚡️ Trading fees: 2.5% ⚡️ Payment Methods: Credit Card, Debit Card, Bank Transfer, Bank Transfer (SEPA), Swish Handelsbanken Direkt, Bankgirot iDEAL ⚡️ Supported fiat: SEK, NOK, DKK, GBP, CZK, CHF, HUF, EUR
Helpful Interface Regulated exchange No hidden fees Allows fiat currency trading.
Requires KYC verification It supports only Bitcoin
👛 Ease of Use – Easy 👛 Fees – Low 👛 Verification – 1 Day 👛 Reputation – Trusted 👛 Supported fiat – USD, GBP, EUR + more
Uphold is a crypto exchange that has been in the game since 2015. The headquarters of the company is in NY, the US. It offers its users a multi-functional exchange of different assets, other than just buying and selling cryptocurrencies.
Uphold offers a beginner-friendly interface. The main focus (and the main differences compared to its competitors) is on trading directly between asset classes with fixed payments, offering a future where all users have access to financial services, thanks to Uphold’s unique “Anything-to-Anything” trading experience.
⚡️ Deposit fees: Free ⚡️ Withdrawal fees: Free ⚡️ Trading fees: Based on spreads ⚡️ Service fees: 1% – 3% ⚡️ Payment Methods: Debit/Credit Cards, Bank Transfer (SEPA), SWIFT, ACH Transfer, Wire Transfer, Crypto Conversion, etc. ⚡️ Supported fiat: USD, GBP, EUR, and 15+ more
Offers a beginner-friendly interface Various advanced features Unique “Anything-to-anything” trading service Low fees It is regulated by the US laws
Customer support can be better Various trading limitations A less organized educational section (compared to its competitors)
👛 Ease of Use – Easy 👛 Fees – Low 👛 Verification – 1 Day 👛 Reputation – Trusted 👛 Supported fiat – USD, EUR, GBP
Bitstamp, established in 2011, stands as one of the most reputable cryptocurrency exchanges globally. With its inception, it has set a benchmark as the longest-operating crypto exchange, known for its affordable charges, unwavering reliability, and user-friendly interface. The platform extends its services to more than 100 nations, though some functionalities may be limited in specific regions.
A team of seven seasoned professionals, well-versed in both conventional and decentralized finance, spearheads Bitstamp. The exchange boasts support for over 80 digital currencies, including renowned coins and stablecoins like Tether (USDT). On the other hand, platforms like Coinbase have a broader spectrum, supporting over 150 cryptocurrencies.
When it comes to global accessibility, the Bitstamp application is operational in countries ranging from Albania to Bahrain. Additionally, for those in the European Union, Bitstamp facilitates immediate cryptocurrency purchases via credit and debit cards.
⚡️ Deposit fees: 0 – 5 % ⚡️ Withdrawal fees: Sepa – 3 EUR, ACH – Free, Credit cards – 5%, International wire – 0.1%, and crypto – depends on the asset (0.0005 BTC) ⚡️ Trading fees: 0 – 0.5 % ⚡️ Payment Methods: Credit/Debit Card, ACH Transfer, SEPA, USD Wallet, Faster Payments, and International Wire. ⚡️ Supported fiat: USD, EUR, GBP
24/7 Phone Customer Support Low fees The mobile app is highly rated Security on a high level
A small selection of cryptos is available Just 2 cryptocurrencies are available for staking Limited educational content for beginner traders
👛 Ease of Use – Easy 👛 Fees – Average 👛 Verification – 1 Day 👛 Reputation – Trusted 👛 Supported fiat – EUR, USD, and 50+ more
If we want to mention the biggest cryptocurrency exchanges in the world, Coinbase is most likely the first name that comes to our mind. Coinbase is a very powerful crypto platform, especially in the US.
In total, it has over 60 million users around the world which is a remarkable number. The headquarters of Coinbase is in San Francisco, California. Coinbase is not only a typical exchange, but it also offers a cryptocurrency wallet, so we can safely say it is a suitable place for crypto investors.
⚡️ Deposit fees: Credit/Debit Card: 3.99%SEPA: €0U.S Bank Transfer: 1.49% (the US $0.15 min.)Coinbase USD wallet: 1.49%ACH Transfer USD: $0 Wire Transfer USD: $10 ⚡️ Withdrawal fees: SEPA: €0.15U.S Bank Transfer: 1.49% (US $0.15 min.) Coinbase USD wallet: 1.49%Wire Transfer USD: $25 ⚡️ Trading fees: Fees vary ⚡️ Payment Methods: Bank Account, Debit Card, Credit Card, Wire Transfer, SEPA Transfer ⚡️ Supported fiat: USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CAD, CNY & 50+ more
Very large user base and extremely popular Debit card available A variety of fiat currencies supported Over 100 cryptocurrencies supported
👛 Ease of Use – Easy 👛 Fees – High 👛 Verification – 1 Day 👛 Reputation – Trusted 👛 Supported fiat – USD, EUR, GBP, RUB
Cex.io is one of the oldest exchanges in the crypto world. It was launched in 2013 as a Bitcoin exchange and cloud mining provider, but today it is a global multi-functional crypto platform with over 4 million users.
CEX.IO is a regulated global cryptocurrency exchange that offers a range of services including spot trading, margin trading, staking, leverage, lending, and savings. The platform supports over 100 digital currencies and tokens and is available in almost all countries and 48 states in the US. It is suitable for both experienced traders and beginners, but may be overwhelming for those new to crypto due to the number of products and services offered. CEX.IO has over 4 million users and is known for its regulatory compliance, but it has lower liquidity compared to some other leading exchanges. It is important to note that cryptocurrency exchanges are not members of the Securities Investor Protection Corp. (SIPC), so investors using a custodial exchange could potentially lose their funds as unsecured creditors.
Reputation is high Longevity on the crypto market Over 4 million users Advanced features such as spot trading, margin trading, staking as a service, crypto loans, and savings accounts
Extensive Verification Process to Increase Purchasing Limits
👛 Ease of Use – Easy 👛 Fees – Low 👛 Verification – 1 day 👛 Reputation – Trusted 👛 Supported fiat – USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CAD + 20 more
KuCoin, founded in 2017, has carved a niche for itself. Operating out of Hong Kong, this exchange is celebrated for its vast array of over 600 cryptocurrencies, ensuring that both mainstream and emerging coins are accessible to traders
Their in-house trading platform, renowned for its user-friendly design, caters to both novices and experts, providing a seamless trading journey. A unique feature that sets KuCoin apart is its profit-sharing model, where holders of KuCoin Shares (KCS) are rewarded with 50% of the platform’s trading fees. In addition to its extensive crypto offerings, KuCoin supports a whopping 50 fiat currencies, further simplifying the trading process.
With advanced trading options like futures and margin trading, it’s no wonder that KuCoin has a presence in 200+ countries, with a significant user base in Asia, the UK, US, Canada, and Australia.
⚡️ Deposit fees: Free ⚡️ Withdrawal fees: 0 – 16$ (average) ⚡️ Trading fees: 0 – 0.1 % ⚡️ Payment Methods: Debit and Credit card, Apple and Google Pay ⚡️ Supported fiat: USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CAD + 20 more
Wide range of coins Low fees Mobile App (Android and iOS) No forced KYC 10+ M users Innovative and quick to add new features
👛 Ease of Use – Easy 👛 Fees – Low 👛 Verification – 1 Day 👛 Reputation – Trusted 👛 Supported fiat – CAD
CoinSmart is a crypto exchange that was launched back in 2018 by Justin Hartzman and Jeremy Koven. The main purpose of launching the exchange was to make crypto more accessible to the common person in all parts of the world.
CoinSmart is based in Toronto, Canada. CoinSmart offers two types of trades to its users – single trade and double trade. Single trade is a trade with any crypto against fiat currency or BTC. The fee for a single trade is 0.2%. Double trade is a trade of two cryptos (other than BTC). CoinSmart does not support advanced crypto features such as staking, lending, borrowing, or margin trading.
⚡️ Deposit fees: 0 – 6 % ⚡️ Withdrawal fees: 1% ($15 Minimum) ⚡️ Trading fees: 0.20% for a single trade and 0.40% for double trade ⚡️ Payment Methods: Interac E-transfer, Bank draft, SEPA, Wire transfer, Credit card, Debit card, Simplex, and Crypto assets ⚡️ Supported fiat: CAD
It is regulated The user-friendly, simple-to-use interface Easy and fast deposit and withdrawal process Customer support is on a decent level
A low number of supported cryptocurrencies No advanced features such as staking, lending, borrowing, or margin trading Not available in the US
Luno serves upcoming markets that lack local cryptocurrency exchanges and as such has a strong presence in presence in South Africa, Singapore, Nigeria, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
Beginner-friendly crypto trading Offers interest on crypto savings Secure storage
Not available for U.S. customers Small selection of cryptocurrencies
Frequently asked questions about buying Bitcoin in Austria
Is Bitcoin legal in Austria❓
While Austrian law does not prohibit cryptocurrencies, the FMA has warned investors of the risks of cryptocurrencies, stating that virtual currencies like Bitcoin and trading platforms for such instruments are neither regulated nor supervised by the FMA.
Is Coinbase allowed in Austria❓
Yes, Coinbase is available in Austria.
Is there Bitcoin ATM in Austria❓
Yes, there are over 100 Bitcoin ATMs in Austria.
Is Luno available in Austria❓
Yes, Luno is available in Austria.
Is Bitcoin taxed in Austria❓
§ 27(3) of the Austrian Income Tax Act stipulates whether the crypto assets are deemed an interest-bearing investment. The gained interest, as well as realized changes in value, are in this case subject to the special tax rate of 27.5% in accordance with § 27a(1) of the Austrian Income Tax Act.
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As the Head of Content at Captainaltcoin, I bring years of experience in the crypto industry. With a strong belief in the potential of the web3 market since 2017, I'm passionate about sharing valuable insights and knowledge.
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