So you’ve heard about Bitcoin, Ethereum and Dogecoin giving their investors some truly incredible returns. If you’re feeling major FOMO, here are some of the best cryptocurrency exchanges available for aspiring crypto-investors in Singapore.

Cryptocurrencies need no introduction. They’ve been all the hype over the past few years, with Bitcoin’s prices skyrocketing to S$144.297.22 per coin in May 2025. 

What’s more, cryptocurrency is starting to gain greater acceptance among financial institutions and merchants worldwide. Did you know that in El Salvador, Bitcoin is considered legal tender? Ditto for the Swiss canton of Zug, where tax payments can be made using Bitcoin or Ethereum.

However, before we dive into cryptocurrency exchanges, keep in mind that trading cryptocurrency isn’t for everyone. Cryptocurrencies are known for their extreme volatility, and traders will need a higher risk tolerance as compared to traditional assets like stocks or bonds.

Cryptocurrency is a digital or virtual currency that uses cryptography for security and operates independently of a central bank, government, or authority. It's built on a technology called blockchain, which is a decentralised public ledger that records all transactions across a network of computers. 

This decentralisation means no single entity controls the currency, and transactions are secure, transparent, and irreversible. The most well-known cryptocurrency is Bitcoin, but there are thousands of others, each with their own specific purpose and features.

» MORE: How to buy cryptocurrency in Singapore

Crypto mining and adding to the blockchain are fundamental processes that keep decentralised crypto networks secure and operational. Here's a breakdown:

1. Crypto mining

Crypto mining is the process by which new transactions are verified and added to the public ledger (the blockchain). It's called mining because it involves the creation of new cryptocurrency as a reward, similar to how miners extract precious metals.

Unconfirmed transactions enter a mempool and miners select groups known as candidate blocks, prioritising those with higher fees. Each candidate block requires solving a complex math puzzle that involves finding a nonce (a number that is used only once) to generate a valid hash. The first miner to do so earns the right to add the block to the blockchain.

2. Adding to the blockchain

The winning miner broadcasts their newly mined block to the rest of the network. Other computers participating in the network then verify the validity of this new block. 

If the block is verified by the majority of the network, it’s added to the end of the existing blockchain. Each new block contains a cryptographic link to the previous block, creating a continuous and immutable chain of records. This linking makes it extremely difficult to alter past transactions, as doing so would invalidate the hashes of all subsequent blocks.

» MORE: 9 best cryptocurrencies with market caps above $10 billion

Cryptocurrency offers several compelling benefits that stem from its underlying technology, particularly blockchain.

Decentralisation

There’s no single central authority, like a bank or government, controlling the cryptocurrency network. Instead, the network is distributed across countless computers worldwide, making it incredibly resilient to censorship, manipulation, and single points of failure. This peer-to-peer nature empowers individuals, giving them direct control over their assets without needing to trust intermediaries, fostering a more transparent and democratic financial system.

Encryption

At the heart of cryptocurrency is cryptography, the science of secure communication. This involves complex mathematical algorithms that secure transactions and control the creation of new currency units. 

For example, public-key cryptography uses a pair of keys – one public (like an account number) and one private (like a password) – to ensure that only the rightful owner can access and authorise transactions from their wallet. This strong encryption protects funds from unauthorised access and ensures the integrity and immutability of the blockchain.

Pseudonymity

While often misunderstood as complete anonymity, most cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin offer pseudonymity. This means transactions are recorded on the public blockchain, but they are linked to alphanumeric wallet addresses rather than directly to real-world identities. 

While it's possible for sophisticated analysis to link these addresses back to individuals in some cases, the inherent design provides a significant degree of privacy compared to traditional financial systems, where every transaction is directly tied to your personal information.

Firstly, you’ll need to open an account with a cryptocurrency exchange. Think of it as your online brokerage account that allows you to invest in stocks, bonds, ETFs, and more. From there, you’ll be able to trade any coin that the platform supports. This is the same as trading shares with your online brokerage account.

For certain cryptocurrency exchanges, you may also require a separate platform to help you transfer your SGD, such as Xfers, as not all exchanges accept direct deposits in SGD.

Finally, funding your crypto exchange account with your credit or debit card might be possible, but be aware of the fees incurred. Alternatively, you may fund your crypto exchange account via PayNow or direct bank transfer. 

» MORE: Best crypto credit cards in Singapore

If you are looking to get started on crypto trading, the good news is that Singapore's financial landscape offers several options for doing so.

Gemini Exchange

• No. of cryptocurrencies traded: 70+

• Min. investment: S$1

• Transaction fee: 1.49%

Gemini Exchange supports over 40 cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin, and more. Although that figure appears much smaller than Binance, Gemini allows for cryptocurrencies to be traded against fiat monies. This removes a lot of the hassle involved with transfers and improves liquidity on your end.

However, Gemini’s fees and charges will require you to perform a bit of sleuthing because how much you pay depends on your fiat money of choice and platform used. If you’re transacting on Gemini’s mobile app in SGD, expect to pay anywhere from S$1.50 to 1.49% of your order amount per transaction.

Coinhako

• No. of cryptocurrencies traded: 60+

• Min. investment: S$0.50

• Transaction fee: 0.6%

Like Gemini, Coinhako allows for cryptocurrencies to be traded directly against fiat monies, namely SGD and USD. Being founded in Singapore means that Coinhako allows for seamless bank transfers, promising that it takes up to just one day for funds to show up in your account. Alternatively, you can use Xfers if you’d like to deposit cash into your Coinhako account within minutes. These deposit speeds allow users in Singapore to tap onto trading opportunities quickly.

In January 2021, Coinhako allowed users to purchase cryptocurrencies via debit or credit cards on the Visa or Mastercard network. This further improves the cryptocurrency exchange’s accessibility and brings it parallel with the best platforms in the market.

» Read full review

• No. of cryptocurrencies traded: 200+

• Min. investment: S$1

• Transaction fee: 0.5-0.6%

Coinbase's primary strength for new users is its incredibly intuitive and user-friendly interface. It simplifies the process of buying, selling, and managing cryptocurrencies, making it accessible even for those with no prior crypto experience. In addition, it offers comprehensive educational materials, including articles, guides, and a Coinbase Learn programme that rewards users with small amounts of crypto for completing lessons.

If your primary goal is to buy popular cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin or Ethereum and hold them for the long term, Coinbase's basic platform is efficient, though the fees can be higher for frequent, small transactions. For those who trade more frequently and with larger volumes, Coinbase's Advanced Trade platform offers a maker-taker fee structure that is significantly more competitive than the standard Coinbase interface.

» Read full review

Crypto.com

• No. of cryptocurrencies traded: 100+

• Min. investment: S$1.35

• Transaction fee: 0.2%

Crypto.com aims to be a comprehensive ecosystem for cryptocurrency users, offering a wide array of products and services. They support easy fiat deposits via bank transfers (e.g., PayNow/FAST), which is a major draw for beginners. It allows users to spend their cryptocurrencies (or top up with fiat) in real-world scenarios, earning crypto rewards on everyday purchases. This bridges the gap between traditional finance and crypto.

For more experienced and active traders, the Crypto.com Exchange offers a maker-taker fee structure that can be very competitive, especially for those with higher trading volumes or who stake CRO. It provides tools for technical analysis, various order types, and other features expected by active traders, though perhaps not as deep as some pure-play trading platforms.

Kraken

• No. of cryptocurrencies traded: 50+

• Min. investment: S$14

• Transaction fee: 1.5%

Kraken’s strength as a cryptocurrency exchange lies in its flexibility, especially for advanced investors. The usual spot trading is possible, but you can also trade a variety of cryptocurrency futures, including Bitcoin/USD, Ethereum/USD, Litecoin/USD, and more. Seasoned cryptocurrency traders will also appreciate that Kraken allows for margin trading.

Its Advanced Trade platform offers a professional-grade trading experience with low maker-taker fees that decrease with higher trading volume. This makes it very attractive for day traders, swing traders, and those who execute frequent or large trades.