CEX comparison — where else you can buy crypto
In the previous lesson we covered NexoNexoA centralized exchange (CEX) for buying crypto with euros. Custodial — the exchange holds the keys.Read the lesson →. But it's not the only exchange out there. Here we'll compare the most popular exchanges that accept euros and work well for users in Lithuania and the wider EU.
A simple analogy
Exchanges are like stores. They all sell similar products, but each has its own prices, service, and rules. You pick the one that suits you best.
Main exchange comparison
| Exchange | Fees | SEPA | Card | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nexo | 0.5–1.5% | Free | 1.5–3.5% | Beginners |
| Kraken | 0.25–0.40% | Free | 3.75% | Experienced users, businesses |
| Binance | 0.10% | Free | 1.8% | Large amounts |
| Coinbase | 0.50–1.5% | Free | 3.99% | US residents |
| Crypto.com | 0.075–0.40% | Free | 2.99% | Card users |
| Revolut / Revolut X | 0–1.5% | Built-in | Built-in | Already have Revolut + DeFiDeFiDecentralized Finance — financial services without intermediaries, operating through smart contracts.Read the lesson → |
Each exchange in more detail
Nexo Nexo
Pros:
- Simple design — easy to understand
- 1 free crypto withdrawal per month
- Regulated in the EU
- Good mobile app
Cons:
- Fees higher than on professional exchanges
- Few trading tools
Fees:
| Operation | Cost |
|---|---|
| SEPASEPAA European banking system for cheap or free euro transfers between EU banks.Read the lesson → deposit | €0 |
| Purchase | ~0.5–1.5% |
| Withdrawal (1x/month) | 0 |
Best for: beginners who want simplicity.
Kraken Kraken
Pros:
- Low fees in Pro mode (0.25–0.40%)
- Operating since 2011 — a very old, trusted exchange
- Never been hacked
- Works well for business (UAB) accounts
Cons:
- Identity verification can take up to 3 days
- More complex than NexoNexoA centralized exchange (CEX) for buying crypto with euros. Custodial — the exchange holds the keys.Read the lesson →
Fees:
| Operation | Cost |
|---|---|
| SEPASEPAA European banking system for cheap or free euro transfers between EU banks.Read the lesson → deposit | €0 |
| Purchase (simple) | 0.9–1.5% |
| Purchase (Kraken Pro) | 0.25–0.40% |
| SOLSOLSolana's native token. Used to pay gas and as collateral.Read the lesson → withdrawal | ~0.01 SOLSOLSolana's native token. Used to pay gas and as collateral.Read the lesson → |
Important: use Kraken Pro!
Kraken has two modes. In the simple mode, fees run up to 1.5%. In Pro mode, they start at 0.25% (and drop further with trading volume). Always use Kraken Pro — it's the same site, just cheaper!
Best for: experienced users, large amounts, business (UAB) accounts.
Binance
Pros:
- Lowest fees in the world (0.10%)
- Widest selection of cryptocurrencies
- Very high liquidity (easy to buy and sell)
Cons:
- Complex design for beginners
- Rules and limits change from time to time
- Sometimes blocks withdrawals to DeFiDeFiDecentralized Finance — financial services without intermediaries, operating through smart contracts.Read the lesson → protocols
Fees:
Binance and Lithuania
Binance is available in Lithuania and accepts SEPASEPAA European banking system for cheap or free euro transfers between EU banks.Read the lesson → transfers. It's a good fit if you're buying large amounts (over €10,000) — its fees are the lowest.
Best for: large amounts, experienced users.
Coinbase
Pros:
- Publicly listed company (traded on a stock exchange)
- Very simple design
- Strong regulatory standing
Cons:
- High fees in the simple mode (up to 1.5%)
- More US-focused
Fees:
| Operation | Cost |
|---|---|
| SEPASEPAA European banking system for cheap or free euro transfers between EU banks.Read the lesson → deposit | €0 |
| Purchase (simple) | ~1.5% |
| Purchase (Advanced) | 0.05–0.60% |
Best for: US residents. For Europeans — only worthwhile with Advanced mode.
Crypto.com
Pros:
- Crypto card with cashback
- Good mobile app
- Supports many networks
Cons:
- Fees are average without discounts
- Complex tier system
Fees:
| Operation | Cost |
|---|---|
| SEPASEPAA European banking system for cheap or free euro transfers between EU banks.Read the lesson → deposit | €0 |
| Purchase (App) | 0.40% |
| Purchase (Exchange) | 0.075–0.40% |
Best for: anyone who wants a crypto card for everyday use.
Revolut / Revolut X
Revolut — updated information (2025)
Revolut now SUPPORTS crypto withdrawals to external wallets! SOLSOLSolana's native token. Used to pay gas and as collateral.Read the lesson →, ETH, BTC, USDCUSDCA USD stablecoin issued by Circle. Regulated, audited monthly. Our primary stablecoin and loan asset in the Kamino/Aave strategies.Read the lesson →, and 30+ tokens can be sent to Jupiter WalletJupiter WalletThe main Solana wallet used in this course. Holds SOL, USDC and SPL tokens, with a built-in swap feature. MetaMask is used for the Ethereum side.Read the lesson → or MetaMaskMetaMaskAn Ethereum/EVM wallet. Used with Aave, Uniswap and Arbitrum.Read the lesson →. Revolut X — a professional exchange with 400+ trading pairs. It holds an EU MiCAMiCAThe EU crypto-asset regulation (Markets in Crypto-Assets). licence — a regulated platform with 65+ million users.
Pros:
- Most Lithuanians already have an account — no extra KYCKYCKnow Your Customer — the identity-verification process on exchanges. Requires a passport or ID.Read the lesson → needed
- Crypto withdrawal supported — SOLSOLSolana's native token. Used to pay gas and as collateral.Read the lesson →, ETH, BTC, USDCUSDCA USD stablecoin issued by Circle. Regulated, audited monthly. Our primary stablecoin and loan asset in the Kamino/Aave strategies.Read the lesson →, and 30+ tokens
- Revolut X — a professional exchange with 400+ pairs
- StakingStakingLocking up tokens to help secure a network, in exchange for rewards (Solana roughly 6-7% APY).Read the lesson →: SOLSOLSolana's native token. Used to pay gas and as collateral.Read the lesson → and ETH (APYAPYAnnual Percentage Yield — the annual interest rate WITH compounding. Always higher than the equivalent APR.Read the lesson → varies — check the Revolut app)
- EU MiCAMiCAThe EU crypto-asset regulation (Markets in Crypto-Assets). licence
- Can buy from €1
Cons:
- Withdrawal fees: ~€1 (SOLSOLSolana's native token. Used to pay gas and as collateral.Read the lesson →), ~€3 (ETH) + network fee
- Revolut X is still growing — fewer features than Binance
Fees:
| Operation | Cost |
|---|---|
| SEPASEPAA European banking system for cheap or free euro transfers between EU banks.Read the lesson → deposit | Built-in (€0) |
| Purchase (app) | 0–1.5% |
| Purchase (Revolut X) | Lower fees |
| SOLSOLSolana's native token. Used to pay gas and as collateral.Read the lesson → withdrawal | ~€1 + network fee |
| ETH withdrawal | ~€3 + network fee |
Best for: anyone who already has a Revolut account and wants to get started with DeFiDeFiDecentralized Finance — financial services without intermediaries, operating through smart contracts.Read the lesson → quickly.
What should you pick? Quick summary
| Your situation | Which exchange to pick |
|---|---|
| Beginner from Lithuania | Nexo |
| Experienced, large amounts | Binance |
| Business (UAB) | Kraken |
| US resident | Coinbase |
| Want a crypto card | Crypto.com |
| Already have Revolut + want DeFiDeFiDecentralized Finance — financial services without intermediaries, operating through smart contracts.Read the lesson → | Revolut / Revolut X |
Exchange hygiene — 5 skills you'll master
A centralized exchange holds your crypto on your behalf — so a few simple habits are what turn you into someone who manages risk, instead of worrying about it:
- Funds sit on the exchange → after buying, you move larger amounts to your own wallet (you'll do this in later lessons)
- Someone tries to log into your account → you enable 2FA2FATwo-factor authentication (password plus a code from an app). Use an app, not SMS. with Google Authenticator (not SMS) — logging in without your phone becomes impossible
- One password leaks → you use a different password for every exchange, so one breach doesn't unlock everything
- A fake (phishing) site → you type the address by hand and check it before logging in — after a few times you'll spot a fake site in a second
Every risk has a fix. You don't fear it — you learn to manage it.
A multi-exchange strategy
Experienced users often use several exchanges:
- Nexo — for everyday purchases, simple use
- Binance — for large amounts, thanks to low fees
- Kraken — for a business (UAB) account
Once you have several exchanges, you're no longer dependent on just one — if one has issues or changes its rules, you simply switch to an alternative without losing momentum.
Next step
You've picked an exchange and bought SOLSOLSolana's native token. Used to pay gas and as collateral.Read the lesson → or ETH. Next step — creating a crypto wallet. If you bought SOLSOLSolana's native token. Used to pay gas and as collateral.Read the lesson → — the next lesson covers Jupiter WalletJupiter WalletThe main Solana wallet used in this course. Holds SOL, USDC and SPL tokens, with a built-in swap feature. MetaMask is used for the Ethereum side.Read the lesson →. If ETH — MetaMask.
Experienced users always keep a backup exchange. This exploration task takes about 15 minutes — nothing to buy, just facts to compare.
Only visit official exchange websites — type the address by hand, not through promotional links. This is an exploration task; there's nothing to buy.
This is learning, not investing — use only small amounts you treat as tuition.
You just compared two exchanges' real fees and built a plan B — most people stick to one exchange and never check whether they're overpaying.