Buying and selling cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin in Bulgaria can be an exciting venture, but it’s important to understand the regulatory landscape and your options. Bulgaria has taken a relatively positive stance toward digital assets, not restricting citizens from transacting or holding cryptocurrencies.
This article will provide an overview of Bulgaria’s regulations, some of the top crypto exchanges available to Bulgarians, and wallet options to safely store your coins. We’ll explain the basic process for purchasing Bitcoin and other digital assets in Bulgaria.
What you'll learn 👉
Crypto Regulations in Bulgaria
In Bulgaria, the cryptocurrency sector operates with minimal regulation, and acquiring a special license for crypto-related activities is not mandatory. The primary legislation governing crypto enterprises is the Measures Against Money Laundering Act (MAMLA), which aims to prevent money laundering and terrorist financing. This act aligns with the European Union’s anti-money laundering directives.
Key aspects of Bulgaria’s crypto regulations include:
Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Regulation: The Fifth Money Laundering Directive (5MLD), which expands upon the Fourth Money Laundering Directive (4MLD), has been incorporated into Bulgarian law through MAMLA.
Financial Services Regulation: Currently, cryptocurrencies are not covered under any specific Bulgarian financial services regulations.
No Special Crypto License Required: In Bulgaria, engaging in cryptocurrency transactions does not necessitate a special crypto license, as these are treated as financial assets.
Consumer Protection: In Bulgaria, the relationship between businesses and consumers is stringently regulated. Crypto companies must adhere to principles of honesty, completeness, clarity, and thoroughness in their information.
Taxation: Businesses are required to exercise due diligence, establish verification rules, and manage transactions that exceed 15,000 euros.
Bulgaria is viewed as a favorable location for crypto licensing due to its liberal stance towards crypto businesses, allowing them to flourish within the broader existing regulatory framework.
Easiest and cheapest ways to buy crypto in Bulgaria
No matter where they live, people always seek the easiest and cheapest way to buy bitcoin. Buying crypto in Bulgaria is a bit harder than in some other countries so we have compiled a list of exchanges where Bulgarian citizens can buy bitcoin.
👛 Ease of Use – Easy 👛 Fees – Average 👛 Verification – 1 Day 👛 Reputation – Trusted 👛 Supported fiat – EUR, USD, and 50+ more
Coinbase is widely considered one of the biggest cryptocurrency exchanges, especially in the US. It has over 60 million users which is a remarkable number.
It was founded back in 2012 by Brian Armstrong and Fred Ehrsam. Coinbase has users in over 100 countries. Coinbase’s headquarters are in San Francisco, California. The platform offers not only exchange-based services but also a wallet so it is a perfect place for all 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: $25 ⚡️ Trading fees: Fees vary ⚡️ Payment Methods: Bank Account, Debit Card, Credit Card, Wire Transfer, SEPA Transfer, ⚡️ Supported fiat: USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CAD, CNY & 50+ more
A variety of fiat currencies supported Over 100 cryptocurrencies supported A regulated and trustworthy company Large user base and widely popular Provides a Coinbase debit card
No future or margin trading Higher trading fees than main competitors have (Binance for instance)
👛 Ease of Use – Easy 👛 Fees – Low 👛 Verification – 1 day 👛 Reputation – Trusted 👛 Supported fiat – USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CAD + 20 more
With more than 10 million users and over 6 billion in daily trading volume, KuCoin is rightly in the top 5 crypto exchanges in the world. KuCoin is headquartered in Singapore and is also known as “The People’s Exchange.” KuCoin offers 500+ cryptocurrencies that you can buy, sell, and trade.
Their proprietary trading platform, meticulously crafted for both beginners and seasoned traders, is a testament to their commitment to user experience. One of the standout features is their profit-sharing initiative, where they generously distribute 50% of their trading fees to holders of their native token, KuCoin Shares (KCS).
Furthermore, with an expansive support for over 50 fiat currencies and innovative features such as futures trading, KuCoin ensures a seamless trading experience. Its global reach extends to more than 200 countries, with a particularly strong foothold in regions like Asia, the UK, US, Canada, and Australia.
⚡️ Deposit fees: Free ⚡️ Withdrawal fees: 0 – 16$ (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
180+ countries supported Over 10 million users worldwide Mobile app available for iOS and Android Wide range of cryptocurrencies available Low fees Many additional features
👛 Ease of Use – Easy 👛 Fees – Low 👛 Verification – 1 Day 👛 Reputation – Trusted 👛 Supported fiat – USD, EUR, GBP + more
eToro is a comprehensive trading platform that provides access to a variety of financial instruments, such as stocks, ETFs, cryptocurrencies, and CFDs. The platform charges a transparent 1% fee for cryptocurrency transactions, with no fees for ETFs and stocks, although ETFs may have their own internal costs.
eToro is based in Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel. Furthermore, eToro has offices in 4 more countries and is regulated in these countries by CySec (Cyprus), FCA (UK), ASIC (Australia), and FSAS (Seychelles). The has roughly around 17 million users worldwide and is available in around 100 countries. Retail Leverage, Pro Leverage, Customisable Leverage, Deleveraged Trading, Copy-Trading, Spot Trading, and Demo account are the main features of eToro. It supports more than 45 currency pairs.
Forex and CFD fees are competitive, and eToro offers complimentary stock and ETF trading. Available in numerous countries, eToro has a list of blocked countries, including Afghanistan, Belarus, and China. The platform supports trading in over 30 cryptocurrencies in the US and nearly 80 internationally, with popular options like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Dogecoin. A 0.1% fee is charged for crypto-to-crypto conversions. eToro’s user-friendly mobile app and social trading feature, which allows users to replicate the trades of successful traders, are notable highlights.
⚡️ 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
The longevity on the crypto market Low fees Various exciting features User-friendly interface
Lack of stocks and other investment options Not available in all states in the US Inactivity fee
The exchange has been becoming increasingly popular throughout Europe with a very well-designed and easy-to-use platform.
⚡️ Deposit fees: Free ⚡️ Withdrawal fees: Vary from coin to coin ⚡️ Trading fees: 0.05% – 0.10% ⚡️ Payment Methods: Bank Transfer, Credit Card, Debit Card, Cryptocurrency Neteller Bank Transfer (SEPA), SOFORT ⚡️ Supported fiat: USD, EUR, CHF, GBP
1+ million customers Variety of payments and withdrawal methods Variety of supported fiat currencies
No insurances and no staking Fees medium
Best Bitcoin Wallets in Bulgaria
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.
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
Founded in 2011, Bitstamp has carved its niche as a leading cryptocurrency exchange. It takes pride in being the most enduring crypto exchange, recognized for its minimal fees, dependable operations, and straightforward user experience. While Bitstamp’s offerings span across over 100 countries, certain services might be limited based on the region.
The exchange’s leadership comprises seven experts with profound knowledge in both the traditional and modern decentralized financial sectors. Bitstamp provides support for a diverse range of over 80 digital currencies, including the widely used Tether (USDT).
Yet, exchanges like Coinbase offer an even broader array, with over 150 digital assets. In terms of global reach, the Bitstamp app is accessible in numerous countries, from Argentina to the Bahamas. For European Union residents, the platform also allows prompt crypto acquisitions using 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
A simple interface where you can buy crypto with just a few clicks Dedicated Customer Support Competitive fees Easy-to-use
Hacked in 2015 No margin or leverage trading The staking program has restrictions
👛 Ease of Use – Easy 👛 Fees – High 👛 Verification – 1 Day 👛 Reputation – Trusted 👛 Supported fiat – USD, EUR, GBP, RUB
Founded in 2013 in London, UK, and with over 4 million users, Cex.io is among the oldest cryptocurrency exchange platforms on the market. On Cex.io, you can buy, sell, trade, and store over 100 cryptocurrencies.
This centralized exchange supports fiat to crypto purchases, margin trading, spot trading, staking, lending, leverage, and savings. It has more than 100 cryptocurrencies available for trade and over 220 trading pairs. Today, Cex.io is available in more than 180 countries around the globe (including the U.S.). Cex.io applies AML and KYC policies, and it is registered with The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN).
👛 Ease of Use – Medium 👛 Fees – Low 👛 Verification – 1 Day 👛 Reputation – Trusted 👛 Supported fiat – USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, RUB
Binance was launched back in July of 2017 and very quickly became the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume with more than $1 billion on a daily basis.
There are various reasons why Binance became so popular so quickly with the main ones being a professional attitude, friendly and transparent CEO, low trading fees, and the large number of cryptocurrencies supported by the platform. In fact, the number of cryptocurrencies supported is over 350 and Binance is supported in over 60 countries. The founder of the exchange is Changpeng Zhao. Binance’s headquarters are unknown.
⚡️ 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
The largest cryptocurrency platform Various advanced services and features Low fees and high liquidity A large number of cryptocurrencies supported
Not fully registered Hacked in 2019
Frequently asked questions about buying Bitcoin in Bulgaria
Which Bitcoin wallet is available in Bulgaria❓
You can use Ledger, Exodus, or Coinbase Wallet in Bulgaria.
Is Bitcoin legal in Bulgaria❓
Cryptocurrencies are not defined as financial instruments or electronic money, so no license is required to do business with them. In Bulgaria, as in the EU, they are treated in the same way as income from the sale of financial assets – they are taxable.
Is Binance in Bulgaria❓
Yes, Binance is available in Bulgaria.
Is there any Bitcoin ATM in Bulgaria❓
Yes, The Bitcoin ATM device is located in Mall Markovo Tepe ground floor, next to the southern entrance.
How much Bitcoin does Bulgaria have❓
Bulgaria holds 1.017% of total available bitcoin supplies after law enforcement in the country confiscated over 200,000 BTC from cybercriminals in 2017. Since then, however, it has been unclear what exactly happened to these billions of dollars in stocks.
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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