Buy Bitcoin in Belgium
Bitpanda
Bitpanda
Bitpanda is a Bitcoin broker based in Europe.
They have high payment limits and low fees across their wide range of payment methods.
Bitpanda offers customers the option to buy bitcoins with credit card, debit card, SOFORT, Skrill, NETELLER, giropay, eps, SEPA, and Online Bank Transfer.
Recently added margin trading and combined order book, for a more efficient trading experience.
- Some of the lowest fees for buying bitcoins with credit/debit card
- Reliable and trusted broker
- Fees aren't shown openly on the site but instead included in the buying price
Kraken
Kraken
Founded mid-2011, Kraken is the one of the world's largest cryptocurrency exchanges, and the largest in Europe based on daily average trading volume. It is available in almost all countries.
Deposits can be made via bank wire, SEPA, ACH and SWIFT. Users can buy bitcoin, ethereum, dogecoin and dozens of other coins.
- Very low 0.25% taker fee, falling to 0.1% with sufficient trading volume
- Very low maker fee, falling to 0% with sufficient trading volume
- Highly-rated for security and data protection
- Requires ID verification, so not private
Coinbase
Coinbase
Coinbase is the world's largest Bitcoin (BTC) broker. They represent an easy and fast way for new users to purchase bitcoins. Coinbase supports customers in over 30 countries, including the United States, Europe, UK, Singapore, and Canada.
Customers in the above-mentioned countries can purchase bitcoins by debit card, bank transfer, SEPA transfer, and more.
Get $5 in free bitcoin after you sign up on Coinbase and make your first trade.
- Trusted exchange with 100 million+ users
- Based in the USA; with a free wallet included
- App available on Apple App Store & Play Store
- Easy to use but fees can be high
- Coinbase may track how and where you spend your bitcoins
Coinbase Advanced
Coinbase Advanced
Coinbase's exchange, Coinbase Advanced Trader (formerly called Coinbase Pro), is one of the largest Bitcoin exchanges in the United States. Users can fund their accounts via bank transfer, SEPA, or bank wire. Coinbase Advanced Trader offers good prices and low fees, but its confusing user interface may initially prove difficult to navigate.
Visit Coinbase Advanced's Website- Some of the lowest fees available for US and EU customers
- Possible to buy bitcoins for 0% fees
- The user interface is confusing for first-time buyers
Bity
Bity
Bity is a Bitcoin exchange and ATM operator, based in Switzerland. Their 5 ATMs allow for a quick first purchase and only require phone verification for an initial buy limit of 1,000 EUR or CHF. Their online service accepts wire transfers, SOFORT and online bank transfers.
- Easy to start buying bitcoins after mobile phone verification
- Payment limit of up to €100,000 annually after intensive verification
- ID verification is required for most purchases, so not a private way to buy
- Low annual limit of only €4,000 without intensive verification
Bitcoin ATMs
Bitcoin ATMs
You can use our Bitcoin ATM map to buy bitcoins with cash. Bitcoin ATMs can be a quick and easy way to buy bitcoins and they're also private. That convenience and privacy, however, comes with a price; most ATMs have fees of 5-10%.
Visit Bitcoin ATMs's Website- Our map makes it super easy to find a Bitcoin ATM near you
- Bitcoin ATMs often have 5-10% fees per purchase
Bitfinex
Bitfinex
Hong Kong-based Bitfinex has long been one of the largest USD Bitcoin exchanges in the world. Bitfinex accounts may be funded by bank wire only, their fee on accepting such transfers is low at only 0.1%.
In August 2016, however, it was hacked and lost around 30% of its users funds. While Bitfinex can be helpful for buying large amounts of bitcoins, it is probably best to not use the exchange until it fully compensates affected users.
- Very low fees even for low volume buyers; 0.1% for market makers and 0.2% for market takers
- One of the best ways to buy large amounts of bitcoins
- Allows lending of fiat or bitcoin to margin traders at interest (but this is risky in light of the hack)
- Very deep liquidity promotes a price close to fair market rate
- Supports several altcoins
- Was recently hacked and has yet to fully compensate all users for their loss
- Geared towards traders; possibly quite confusing for first time buyers
- Single payment option
Bitstamp
Bitstamp
Bitstamp is one of the world's largest and most well-known Bitcoin & crypto exchanges. Deposits can be made through bank transfer, SEPA transfer, international bank wire, and now even credit cards.
- One of the longest-running Bitcoin exchanges
- Very low 0.25% fee, falling to 0.1% with sufficient trading volume
- Offers wide range of altcoins
- High 8% fee on small credit card purchases, falling to 5% with sufficient trading volume
Bitcoin & Cryptocurrency Trading in Belgium
Belgium has a very developed economy with high per capita GDP(1) and a recent study by Triple A shows that 2.36% of the population of Belgium owns crypto.(2)
The country boasts a very strong tech sector and scientific institutions that are well respected globally.
There used to be no additional requirements for crypto exchanges to operate in Belgium.
But as of May 2022, the Financial Services and Markets Authority (FSMA), the country’s financial regulator, will require entities that provide exchange services to register and comply with financial and information requests. This includes a capital requirement of €50,000 and shareholder identities along with information of those in control of the platform. Entities have until September 2022 to register and will be given “provisional authorization” while reviews of registrations are performed.(3)
Currently, there are several major exchanges that operate in Belgium and time will tell if this changes based of the new requirements for operation.
As is common in Europe for most other forms of income, taxes on cryptocurrency gains is quite high.
All this means that you absolutely can buy Bitcoin if you live or work in Belgium!
And one of the easiest ways to do that is through cryptocurrency exchanges, such as the ones outlined above. There are several exchanges offering Bitcoin in Belgium, and you can easily select one based on your requirements and preferences using our guide. Different exchanges have different transaction fees, withdrawal limits, payment modes, and verification processes that need to be kept in mind before users select one.
Additionally, Bitcoin buyers need to keep in mind the fact that certain exchanges might require them to get a wallet of their own before they are able to buy the digital currency. Also, it is recommended to have a wallet of your own for security reasons, preferably a hardware wallet.
Another way to buy Bitcoins in Belgium is through automated teller machines (ATMs). As of November 2022, there are over 40 ATMs in the country. These ATMs allow users to instantly purchase and sell cryptocurrency using cash, however most of them require at least a phone number, so they aren't totally private.
Exchange Hacks and Crypto Scams in Belgium
Cryptocurrency Scam List
The Belgian Financial Services and Markets Authority has issued a list of known scam sites that have victimized Belgian citizens.(4)
The sites on this list are all basically running the same simple scam. They all claim to sell cryptocurrency such as Bitcoin or Monero and direct users to send them fiat money in exchange for these currencies. Once the money is sent, the scammers just walk away and never send you your crypto.
The list is regularly updated so check back any time you find a new site you are thinking of giving your money to.
FAQ
Q: Does Coinbase work in Belgium?
Bank Deposit, PayPal, 3D Secure Credit Card, Debit Card, and Credit Card.