Best Crypto Trading Apps In The UK (Febuary 2026)

What Is the Best Crypto App for Beginners in the UK?

eToro is often considered the best for beginners due to its simple interface, FCA regulation, and copy trading features. It’s easy to use and ideal for first-time investors looking to start with confidence. If you’re also comparing exchanges rather than just apps, see our best Coinbase alternatives in the UK for more options.

Will HMRC Know If I Sell Crypto?

Yes. UK crypto platforms must share transaction data with HMRC under new 2026 reporting rules. They collect your National Insurance number and report your trading activity. Keep records of all your transactions — you’ll need them for your tax return if you’ve made gains above the annual exempt amount.

What Is the Most Trustworthy Crypto App?

Coinbase or Kraken — both are FCA-registered, have been operating for over a decade, and allow you to withdraw your crypto. Coinbase is also listed on NASDAQ, which means additional regulatory scrutiny and transparency requirements.

Which Crypto Is Best in the UK?

For beginners, Bitcoin remains the safest option. It’s the most liquid, has the longest track record, and is available on every platform. Ethereum is a reasonable second choice. Beyond that, you’re speculating — do your own research and never invest more than you can afford to lose.

How Is Crypto Taxed in the UK in 2026?

You’ll pay Capital Gains Tax (CGT) on profits above the annual exempt amount, which is £3,000 for 2025/26. That’s significantly lower than the old £12,300 threshold. Every time you sell, swap, or spend crypto, it’s a taxable event — and yes, trading one crypto for another counts. You don’t pay tax when you simply buy or hold. If your total gains stay under £3,000, there’s nothing to report. Above that, you’ll pay 18% (basic rate) or 24% (higher rate). Keep detailed records of every transaction — date, amount, price at the time — because HMRC expects you to self-report on your tax return.

Can I Hold Crypto in an ISA or SIPP?

Not directly. HMRC doesn’t allow cryptocurrency to be held inside a Stocks and Shares ISA or SIPP. Some platforms like IG and eToro offer crypto ETPs (Exchange Traded Products) that track crypto prices, and these can sometimes be held in an ISA — but you wouldn’t own the underlying coins. If tax-efficient crypto exposure matters to you, it’s worth looking into crypto ETPs listed on recognised exchanges, though availability in UK ISAs is still limited as of early 2026.

Is Staking Available on UK Crypto Apps?

It depends on the platform. Kraken suspended staking for UK users in 2023 following regulatory pressure, and it hasn’t been restored as of January 2026. Coinbase also paused UK staking rewards. Bitpanda does offer staking on select coins, but the rates aren’t as competitive as dedicated DeFi protocols. If staking income is your priority, you’d need to withdraw your coins to a non-custodial wallet and stake directly on-chain — which means you’ll need to understand validator selection and smart contract risks.

How Do I Transfer Crypto Between Apps?

You’ll need both apps to support withdrawals and deposits of the same coin on the same network. Open the receiving app and copy your wallet deposit address for the specific coin (e.g., BTC). Then go to the sending app, select withdraw, paste the address, and confirm. Double-check the network — sending BTC on the wrong network means losing your funds permanently. Transaction times vary: Bitcoin typically takes 10–30 minutes, while Ethereum can be faster. Expect to pay a network fee on each transfer. You can’t transfer from IG at all, and eToro transfers are limited to certain coins via the eToro Money app.

What Happens to My Crypto If an FCA-Registered Exchange Goes Bust?

FCA registration doesn’t protect your crypto holdings. It means the platform has met anti-money-laundering standards — that’s it. If an exchange collapses, your coins could be locked in insolvency proceedings, as FTX users discovered in 2022. FSCS covers your cash deposits (up to £120,000) but explicitly excludes cryptocurrency. The safest approach is to withdraw coins you’re holding long-term to your own hardware wallet. That way, even if the exchange disappears overnight, your crypto’s sitting safely in cold storage under your control.

What Are the New 2026 HMRC Reporting Rules for Crypto?

From 2026, UK crypto platforms are required to collect and report user transaction data directly to HMRC. They’ll share your National Insurance number, transaction volumes, and trading activity. This means HMRC won’t just rely on self-reporting any more — they’ll have independent records to cross-reference against your tax return. If you’ve been trading without declaring gains, now’s the time to get your records in order. Use a crypto tax tool like Koinly or CoinTracker to generate a transaction summary, and consider speaking to an accountant who specialises in crypto if your situation is complex.