This article will analyze the Best Crypto Futures Exchanges in Europe, focusing on exchanges that integrate regulation with security and sophisticated trading infrastructure.
The exchanges considered in this article include Binance, Bybit, OKX, KuCoin, MEXC, Kraken, Coinbase Advanced, Bitget, Gate.io, and the Crypto.com Exchange. All of these exchanges offer traders reliable access, competitive fees, and compliance with Europe’s developing MiCA regulations.
What is Crypto Futures Exchanges?
A crypto futures exchange sells contracts to investors for future prices on cryptocurrencies.
While traditional trading sells or buys cryptocurrencies directly, futures trading allows for speculation on price movement without controlling the asset. Such exchanges sell perpetual contracts without an expiration date, or dated futures contracts, with leverage ranging between 10x and 125x.
Due to its leveraged nature, futures contracts are considered risky. Futures contracts are sold to hedge against risk and/or to speculate on price movements for profit.
In order to comply with the MiCA framework in Europe, crypto futures exchanges operate with transparency for security and contract fulfillment.
How To Choose Crypto Futures Exchanges in Europe
Regulations & Licenses
Opt for exchanges that undergo the MiCA licensing process or operate under EU regulations (like AMF of France or CySEC of Cyprus). This covers your bases for the law.
Trading Fees
Standard taker/maker fees fall in the range of 0.02%–0.05%. MEXC is an example of an exchange with no maker fees. Frequent traders should use platforms with low fees.
Leverage
Leverage differs on exchanges. The regulated exchange Coinbase Advanced has a 25x limit, while MEXC and Binance offer 500x. Choose according to your risk preference.
Asset Range
Exchanges that offer 1,000+ assets (like Gate.io and KuCoin) may be compared to regulated exchanges that offer fewer asset pairs (like Kraken and Coinbase Advanced).
Safety & Security
Audits for Proof of Reserves, funds insured like Binance SAFU & Bitget Protection Fund, and certifications for compliance like ISO & SOC2 are highly sought after as markets are heavily impacted by a lack of confidence.
User-Friendliness
Trading interfaces like Bybit or Bitget that offer copy trading are suited for beginner traders. Advanced traders would benefit greatly from the proprietary tools offered by OKX and Binance.
Availability by Country
Exchanges need to be checked to determine if your country of origin in the EU supports them.
Key Point & Best Crypto Futures Exchanges in Europe
- KuCoin – Wide range of futures pairs with competitive fees.
- MEXC – High liquidity and frequent promotional bonuses.
- Binance – Largest global exchange with advanced futures tools.
- Bybit – Popular for derivatives trading and user‑friendly interface.
- OKX – Strong futures market with innovative trading features.
- Kraken – Regulated platform offering secure futures trading.
- Coinbase Advanced – Trusted US brand with advanced futures options.
- Bitget – Known for copy trading and diverse futures contracts.
- Gate.io – Extensive futures selection with deep liquidity.
- Crypto.com Exchange – Integrated ecosystem with futures and rewards.
10 Best Crypto Futures Exchanges in Europe
1. KuCoin
Established in 2017, KuCoin now has over 45 million users in over 200 countries. It has 0.02% maker and 0.06% taker futures trading fees and offers 100x leverage. KuCoin has a MiCA license in Austria and is compliant by being registered with AUSTRAC in Australia.
There are over 1,000 digital assets available to trade on the KuCoin platform, and it has many useful features such as trading bots and staking. With even more security certifications, KuCoin has made a reputation for being one of the better trading platforms in Europe.
It is one of the top crypto futures exchanges in Europe, having even more unique features a user would expect from one of the top exchanges. Also, being one of the more secure platforms internationally, KuCoin has many high level, security certifications. KuCoin also has a high level of liquidity.
KuCoin Key Features
- Established in 2017 and supported in 200+ countries.
- Futures fees: 0.02% maker / 0.06% taker.
- Futures access for 1,000+ assets and 100x leverage.
- Licensed under MiCA (Austria), and AUSTRAC.
- Very popular for trading bots, staking, and security audits.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Wide range of futures pairs | Not licensed in all EU countries |
| Competitive fees (0.02% maker) | Past security incidents raise caution |
| Advanced trading bots & staking | Customer support can be slow |
| Global reach (200+ countries) | Complex interface for beginners |
| Strong security certifications | Limited fiat deposit options |
2. MEXC
Launched in 2018 and based in Singapore with registration in Seychelles, MEXC has 40 million users in over 170 countries. MEXC offers 0.00% maker fees and 0.02% taker fees on futures contracts, with leverage of 500x available. With 880+ contracts and over 3,000 available spot pairs, it is one of the most diverse exchanges.
MEXC also has licenses in India (FIU-IND), Brazil (BCB), and the UAE (VARA). With Proof of Reserves audits and good liquidity, MEXC is one of the Best Crypto Futures Exchanges in Europe for high-leverage trading.
MEXC Key Features
- Established in 2018 with Singapore headquarters.
- Futures fees: 0.00% maker / 0.02% taker.
- Leverage up to 500x.
- Licensed in India, Brazil, UAE.
- Futures access for 880+ perpetual contracts with ease of use.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Zero maker fees | Limited regulatory footprint in EU |
| High leverage (up to 500x) | Risky for inexperienced traders |
| Large selection of perpetual contracts | Interface less polished than rivals |
| Frequent promotions & bonuses | Limited fiat on‑ramps |
| Strong liquidity | Licensing varies by country |
3. Binance
The largest crypto exchange in the world, Binance was created in 2017 by Changpeng Zhao and has over 210 million users. Binance’s futures trading begins at 0.02% for the maker fee and 0.05% for the taker fee with leverage up to 125x.
Binance’s regulation spans France, Dubai, Australia, and El Salvador. It is restricted in the United States and Canada. Binance also has over 651 futures trading pairs and offers many advanced options like futures trading, leveraged tokens, and staking.
Binance combines regulatory concerns, deep liquidity, and the insurance fund of SAFU with a billion dollars and proof of reserve audits to continue being the best crypto exchange in Europe.
Binance Key Features
- Established in 2017 and the biggest global exchange.
- Futures fees: 0.02% maker / 0.05% taker.
- Futures leverage of 125x and 651+ pairs.
- Licensed in France, Dubai, Australia, El Salvador.
- Popular for options, leveraged tokens, SAFU insurance fund.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Largest global exchange | Regulatory scrutiny in EU & US |
| Deep liquidity & advanced tools | Complex fee tiers |
| SAFU insurance fund | Restricted in some countries |
| Wide range of futures pairs | Overwhelming for beginners |
| Licensed in multiple jurisdictions | Customer service inconsistencies |
4. Bybit
Founded in 2018, Dubai-based Bybit is led by Chief Executive Officer Ben Zhou. Bybit’s daily trading volume surpasses $20 billion along with its user count over 80 million. With 0.02% maker and 0.055% taker fees, Bybit leverages futures trading by 100x.
Bybit is licensed by Vietnam’s VARA and Europe’s MiCA, showing compliance in Europe. Bybit also has copy trading, bots, options, and 400+ cryptocurrencies.
Due to its derivatives liquidity, Bybit is among the Best Crypto Futures Exchanges in Europe. Bybit is used by advanced traders because of its competitive fees coupled with deep trading markets.
Bybit Key Features
- Established in 2018 with Dubai headquarters.
- Futures fees: 0.02% maker / 0.055% taker.
- Leverage up to 100x and 400+ assets.
- Licensed under VARA (Dubai) and MiCA (EU).
- Offers copy trading, bots, and great derivatives liquidity.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| User‑friendly interface | Limited fiat support |
| Strong derivatives liquidity | Regulatory uncertainty in some EU states |
| Copy trading & bots | Higher taker fees (0.055%) |
| Licensed under VARA & MiCA | Smaller asset range vs Binance |
| Advanced risk management tools | Not available in US |
5. OKX
OKX, which was founded by Star Xu in 2017, is headquartered in Seychelles and has a customer base which is over 50 million and spans to over 180 countries.
The fees for futures are 0.02% for the maker and 0.05% for the taker, and leverage is available up to 125x. OKX applies for licenses in France, Japan, and the UAE, and Australia. It was the first global exchange to obtain a MiCA license in Europe.
OKX has a usership of over 350 cryptocurrencies and over 600 trading pairs. It also has a strong Web3 wallet integration.
Because of Proof of Reserves audits and a $700M risk fund, OKX is one of the Best Crypto Futures Exchanges in Europe. It also has advanced access to derivatives and DeFi.
OKX Key Features
- Established in 2017 with headquarters in Seychelles.
- Futures fees: 0.02% maker / 0.05% taker.
- Leverage up to 125x with 600+ pairs.
- Licensed in France, Japan, UAE, Australia.
- Popular for Web3 Wallet integration, and a $700M risk fund.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Licensed in multiple EU countries | Complex for beginners |
| Web3 wallet integration | Limited fiat deposit options |
| Large futures selection | Customer support delays |
| Strong Proof of Reserves | Regulatory changes may affect access |
| $700M risk fund | Some advanced tools hard to master |
6. Kraken
Established in 2011 in San Francisco, Kraken was one of the oldest crypto exchanges. Futures fees start from 0.02% for makers and 0.05% for takers while spot fees are 0.16% and 0.26% respectively. Kraken has high regulations as it is licensed under CySEC (Cyprus), FCA (UK), FINTRAC (Canada), JFSA (Japan), and MiCA (Ireland).
It has support for 250+ crypto currencies with spot, margin, and futures trading available. Kraken is one of the Best Crypto Futures Exchanges in Europe with Proof of Reserves, ISO certifications, and a bank charter from Wyoming, and a security-first approach.
Kraken Key Features
- Founded in 2011, HQ San Francisco.
- Futures fees: 0.02% maker / 0.05% taker.
- Licensed under CySEC, FCA, FINTRAC, JFSA, MiCA.
- Supports 250+ cryptocurrencies.
- Known for Proof of Reserves & Wyoming bank charter.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Highly regulated (CySEC, FCA, MiCA) | Higher spot fees vs rivals |
| Strong security & Proof of Reserves | Limited futures pairs |
| Long‑standing reputation (since 2011) | Interface less modern |
| Bank charter in Wyoming | Lower leverage (vs Binance/MEXC) |
| Trusted by institutions | Slower onboarding process |
7. Coinbase Advanced
Coinbase was founded in 2012 and is a public U.S. company with over 100 million global users. Derivatives Exchange was launched in 2026 and is CFTC-regulated with licensing under MiCA for the European Market. Futures fees are 0.02% – 0.10% with 25x leverage in Europe.
With 150+ supported assets and segregated custody with JPMorgan, custody offerings are at an institutional-grade level of safety. Strong compliance and transparency have earned Coinbase Advanced a top place among futures exchanges in Europe with regulated derivatives trading.
Coinbase Advanced Key Features
- Established in 2012, went public in the U.S. in 2021.
- Futures fees are between 0.02%–0.10%; 25x leverage.
- Licensed by the CFTC (U.S.) & MiCA (EU).
- Offers 150+ assets with institutional custody.
- Adequate compliance with segregated JPMorgan custody.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Publicly listed & regulated | Higher fees (up to 0.10%) |
| Strong compliance under MiCA | Limited leverage (25x) |
| Institutional custody with JPMorgan | Smaller futures selection |
| Transparent Proof of Reserves | Restricted in some EU regions |
| Beginner‑friendly interface | Less competitive for pro traders |
8. Bitget
Launched in 2018 and based in Seychelles, Bitget has over 35 million users spanning across over 100 countries. Bitget’s futures leverage can reach 125x. Fees are set to 0.02% maker and 0.06% taker. Bitget also provides copy trading and has over 150,000 verified copy traders.
Bitget holds a couple of licenses but has yet to be fully approved under MiCA in Europe. Bitget has a Protection Fund of over $300M and conducts monthly Proof of Reserves audits. For the retail trader looking for a platform to copy trade, Bitget has some of the Best Crypto Futures Exchanges in Europe.
Bitget Key Features
- Established in 2018 and headquartered in the Seychelles.
- Futures fees: 0.02% maker / 0.06% taker.
- 125x leverage and 35M+ users.
- Known for copy trading with 150k+ users.
- Has $300M Protection Fund & Proof of Reserves audits.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Copy trading with 150k+ traders | Pending full MiCA approval |
| Competitive fees (0.02% maker) | Smaller global footprint |
| $300M Protection Fund | Limited fiat support |
| Proof of Reserves audits | Risky leverage (125x) |
| User‑friendly for retail traders | Not ideal for institutions |
9. Gate.io
Founded in 2013 as Bter.com, Gate.io was rebranded in 2017 and is located in the Cayman Islands. It has 0.015% maker and 0.05% taker fees for Futures, with 100x leverage. It has a variety of 1,400 Cryptocurrencies, and is licensed under MiCA (Malta), with more licenses under their belt in Hong Kong, Dubai, Japan, and Australia.
Gate.io is recognized for its token listings and GateChain. It provides Proof of Reserves audits and a $500M investor protection fund. Due to these reasons, it caters to altcoin traders and is among the Best Crypto Futures Exchanges in Europe.
Gate.io Key Features
- Established in 2013 and rebranded in 2017.
- Futures fees: 0.015% maker / 0.05% taker.
- 100x leverage and 1,400+ assets.
- Licensed by MiCA (Malta) and other regions.
- Offers early token listings & GateChain blockchain.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Early token listings | Complex interface |
| Large asset support (1,400+) | Licensing varies by region |
| Licensed under MiCA (Malta) | Higher taker fees (0.05%) |
| GateChain blockchain ecosystem | Limited fiat gateways |
| Strong investor protection fund | Overwhelming for beginners |
10. Crypto.com Exchange
Crypto.com is a Singapore-founded and based exchange that has since spread its operations to over 90 countries with over 100 Million customers as of 2023.
Crypto.com has Futures trading fees of 0.05% to 0.30%, with a trading leverage of over 10x. Crypto.com is licensed with the MFSA, CySEC, and AMF and VARA.
Crypto.com has 429+ cryptoassets, and combines Visa cards, staking, and DeFi services. Crypto.com also offers a full range of services with ISO certifications, SOC 2 compliance, and Proof of reserves. It is among the Best Crypto Futures Exchanges in Europe.
Crypto.com Exchange Key Features
- Established in 2016 and headquartered in Singapore.
- Futures fees are between 0.05%–0.30% (10x leverage).
- Licensed by MFSA, CySEC, AMF, VARA.
- Offers 429+ assets with Visa card integration.
- Noted for ISO certifications, strong compliance & Proof of Reserves.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Licensed in multiple EU states | Higher fees (0.05%–0.30%) |
| Integrated Visa card ecosystem | Lower leverage (10x) |
| Strong ISO & SOC2 compliance | Limited futures selection |
| Supports 429+ assets | Customer support issues |
| Proof of Reserves transparency | Complex KYC process |
Conclusion
Europe’s crypto futures trading market is rich, competitive, and becoming more standardized with regulating systems like MiCA. Platforms like Binance, Bybit, and OKX have the most market activity with futures tools.
Kraken and Coinbase Advanced build an institutional client base because of their compliance. KuCoin, MEXC, and Bitget attract retail clients by having low fees, copy trading, and other trading tools. Gate.io and Crypto.com both have innovative products and further trading services.
The Best Crypto Futures Exchanges in Europe optimize security, offer many assets, and have fair licensing and low fees. Users need to evaluate which characteristics are most important to them, such as compliance, security, leverage, liquidity, or integration within the trading frameworks.
FAQ
What are crypto futures exchanges?
Crypto futures exchanges allow traders to speculate on the future price of cryptocurrencies using leveraged contracts, without owning the underlying asset.
Which are the top crypto futures exchanges in Europe?
Leading platforms include Binance, Bybit, OKX, KuCoin, MEXC, Kraken, Coinbase Advanced, Bitget, Gate.io, and Crypto.com Exchange.
Are crypto futures exchanges regulated in Europe?
Yes. Under the MiCA framework, exchanges must comply with EU licensing and transparency rules to operate legally.
What fees do European crypto futures exchanges charge?
Fees vary: most charge 0.02% maker and 0.05% taker, while some like MEXC offer zero maker fees.