This content is for educational purposes only and is not financial advice. bunq doesn't give trading advice. Always do your own research or consult a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. Cryptocurrency investments come with risks, including the potential loss of the principal invested. Prices can fluctuate significantly. bunq Crypto is powered by our partner Kraken.

A crypto exchange is a platform where you buy, sell, and trade cryptocurrency. It matches buyers with sellers, sets prices through supply and demand, and often provides wallet-style storage so you can hold assets without managing keys yourself.

How exchanges work

Most retail users access centralized exchanges (CEXs): regulated companies that hold customer assets in custody, process orders on internal systems, and offer straightforward apps. You deposit funds, euros via fiat-to-crypto conversion or crypto from another wallet, then place buy or sell orders.

Decentralized exchanges (DEXs) run on blockchain smart contracts instead. You connect a self-custody wallet and trade peer-to-peer through liquidity pools. DEXs offer more control but require more technical knowledge and carry different risks.

Choosing an exchange

Look for strong security practices, clear fees, supported assets, and regulatory compliance in your region. Custody matters: understand whether the platform holds your crypto and what protections apply if something goes wrong.

Exchanges and bunq

bunq partners with Kraken, an established crypto exchange, so you can trade in the bunq app without opening a separate account. Buy from as little as €1, track your portfolio next to your Bank Accounts, and complete identity verification once for a secure setup.

Explore bunq Crypto to get started.

Frequently asked questions

Is my crypto safe on an exchange?

Reputable exchanges invest heavily in security, but holding crypto on any platform carries risk, including hacks or insolvency. Understand the provider's track record and whether you want long-term holdings in self-custody instead.

What's the difference between an exchange and a broker?

Exchanges often provide a marketplace with order books; brokers may fill your order from their own inventory at a quoted price. For most bunq users, the distinction is handled behind the scenes, you see a simple buy/sell experience in the app.

Do I need a separate exchange account with bunq?

No. Crypto trading in bunq runs through our Kraken partnership, one app for banking and crypto.