Best Crypto Exchanges in New Zealand (NZ) to Buy Bitcoin (2024)

Suppose you are looking for a way to buy, sell, or trade cryptocurrencies in New Zealand. In that case, the first step you need to do is find a trustworthy and safest crypto platform. But how do you pick the best one among so many choices based on your needs?

This article will help you find the answer. We’ve evaluated and tested some of the best crypto exchanges in New Zealand according to various factors such as fees, features, security, user experience, and more.

Key Takeaways:

• MEXC, Swyftx, and OKX are the top crypto platforms for Kiwis, with high trading volume and good industry reputation.
• A User-friendly interface, a wide range of supported cryptos, competitive fees, and good customer support service are the top factors when evaluating a crypto exchange.

List of Best Crypto Exchanges In New Zealand (NZ)

These are our top picks for the best cryptocurrency exchanges in NZ:

1. MEXC: Best no-KYC New Zealand exchange
2. Swyftx NZ: Overall best crypto exchange NZ
3. OKX: Safest Bitcoin exchange in New Zealand
4. Binance: Best for high-volume traders
5. Bybit NZ: Best NZ crypto exchange for leverage trading
6. KuCoin: Top altcoin exchange for NZ traders
7. Bitget: Best for copy trading in New Zealand
8. Coinbase NZ: Best for crypto-to-crypto trading in NZ
9. Uphold: Top NZ platform for debit card purchases
10. Digital Surge: Best app to Buy Bitcoin in New Zealand

Best NZ Cryptocurrency Exchanges : Reviews

1. MEXC

MEXC is a no-KYC crypto platform for New Zealand customers that offers easy and fast trading of digital assets like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other coins. It is also a zero-fee crypto exchange. The exchange charges 0% spot maker and taker fees, 0% futures maker fee, and 0.01% taker fee. MEXC also has a VIP fee system that gives users lower fees based on their trading volume and MX token holdings.

This exchange is offering many products to suit different trading needs and risk levels, such as spot trading, margin trading, futures, perpetual contracts, leveraged ETFs, and options on MEXC. It also has new products such as NFT, DeFi, GameFi, and Metaverse zones that let users access the latest trends and opportunities in the crypto world.

Pros of MEXC

• MEXC has a top-notch security team that uses multiple layers of protection to safeguard user assets and data. 
• The platform has listed more than 1600 coins and tokens, including many shitcoins and new projects.
• You can trade in the spot market without paying any fees.
• MEXC has a simple interface and a mobile app for both Android and iOS devices.
• You can invest in different earning products such as staking, crypto loans, dual investment, etc.

Cons of MEXC

• No NZD fiat withdrawals.
• You may need KYC or ID verification to avoid security issues while using it.

2. Swyftx NZ

Swyftx is one of the best exchanges for New Zealand crypto investors. It supports more than 320 assets for trading and is licensed and regulated for crypto trading in NZ. It also has ISO27001 certification for information security and uses advanced technology and security frameworks to safeguard users’ assets and funds.

It offers competitive fees and spreads for crypto trading, with a tiered trading fee based on 30-day trading volume ranging from 0.1 to 0.6% for buy and sell orders. This crypto trading platform also has zero NZD deposit and withdrawal fees.

Swyftx allows users to buy crypto in minutes with fast NZD deposits by using bank transfers or credit/debit cards with a minimum deposit of $80 limit, and you can withdraw up to $10,000 daily. However, to deposit fiat currency or cryptocurrencies to your Swyftx account, you must complete KYC 1 verification.

Pros of Swyftx NZ

• Swyftx provides a simple and intuitive interface, a mobile app, and a demo account for beginners.
• With Swyftx, you can easily download your tax reports comprised of all your crypto transactions on the exchange.
• Swyftx allows you to set up recurring orders to automate your crypto investing and apply the dollar-cost averaging strategy.
• Swyftx NZ has a responsive and helpful customer support team that can be reached via email and live chat.

Cons Swyftx NZ

• Swyftx does not offer advanced trading features, such as margin trading, futures, options, or leveraged tokens, which can limit the opportunities for more experienced traders.
• You may not find many new or low market-cap altcoins on the platform.

3. OKX

OKX is a global platform that serves over 100 countries, including NZ. It has a multilingual interface, including English, that makes it user-friendly and accessible for NZ customers. 

OKX supports various New Zealand Dollar (NZD) payment methods, including credit/debit cards and 3rd party wallets. You can effortlessly deposit funds from your NZD account on OKX without experiencing any issues or delays. The platform boasts a straightforward and user-friendly interface, offering various features such as limit orders, advanced trading charts, staking and lending, and more.

OKX also has a competitive fee structure, offering low trading fees (0.1%) and zero deposit and withdrawal fees. Additionally, you can also enjoy discounts and rewards by holding an OKB token.

Pros of OKX

• OKX offers various funding methods with NZD for users.
• OKX supports over 400 digital assets. You can also access a DeFi wallet and NFTs marketplace.
• OKX protects users’ crypto assets with high-level security measures, such as cold storage, 2FA, anti-phishing technology, multi-signature systems, and more.

Cons of OKX

• There are no direct NZD fiat-to-bank withdrawals for New Zealand users.
• The advanced products and services can be daunting for beginners.

4. Binance

Binance is the top crypto platform for day trading due to its high volume and liquidity. The exchange supports more than 350 coins and tokens. This exchange also lets you buy and sell crypto with NZD using the Binance Peer-to-peer (P2P) trading platform. You can select from various payment methods, such as prepaid cards, cash deposits, or e-wallets, and trade with verified local users without transaction fees.

Binance New Zealand has registered as a financial services provider (FSP). This crypto trading platform follows the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act (AML/CFT Act). The exchange provides various valuable resources for learning. One is Binance Academy, a free online platform offering articles, videos, and quizzes on various crypto topics.

Binance has a standard trading fee of 0.1% for regular users. However, you can get lower fees if you are a VIP user or use BNB (the native token of Binance) to pay for trading fees. This trading platform does not charge any fees for crypto deposits. However, depending on your selected crypto asset, you might have to pay network fees.

Pros of Binance

• Binance offers various deposit and withdrawal NZD methods to its users.
• You can access different crypto trading tools and features on the platform, such as futures, options, margins, and leveraged tokens.
• Binance delivers competitive trading fees, starting from 0.1% for spot trading and 0.02% for futures trading.
• The exchange has a safe and easy-to-use wallet that supports multiple cryptocurrencies, SegWit, and ERC20 addresses.

Cons of Binance

• Binance can be confusing and intimidating for beginners, especially if they want to use advanced trading tools and features.
• There are no direct bank account withdrawals for NZ investors.

5. Bybit NZ

Bybit is a full-fledged crypto trading platform that offers spot, futures, options, and perpetual contracts for Bitcoin and other major cryptocurrencies. It provides a reliable, safe, and secure trading environment for both beginners and advanced crypto traders. 

Bybit now has over 20 million users worldwide, with daily trading volumes exceeding $10 billion. With the high liquidity and the effective trading system that can handle over 100,000 trades/second, Bybit attracts many Kiwis who want to trade crypto efficiently and effectively.

This platform also offers a range of innovative products and services that make crypto trading more accessible to users in New Zealand. Suppose you’re a conservative investor and looking for long-term stable growth. In that case, you can stake your coins on Bybit Saving programs and earn up to 80% APY, or if you are an aggressive trader, you can join various trading competitions and promotions on Bybit and win attractive prizes along with your trading profit.

Pros of Bybit NZ

• Bybit has a dual-price mechanism that protects users from market manipulation and unfair liquidations by using standardized global prices for asset liquidations.
• With Bybit, you can trade with leverage of up to 100x for some specific cryptocurrencies.
• Bybit NZ has a user-friendly interface, and a mobile app provides a smooth and convenient trading experience.
• The trading fee is low (0.1% maker/taker) and also changes based on 30-day trading volume.
• Bybit supports more than 850 coins, including many altcoins and shitcoins on its platform for trading.

Cons of Bybit NZ

• Bybit does not support NZD fiat trading markets.
• It does not support NZD withdrawals to your bank account.

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6. Kucoin

KuCoin is a global altcoin cryptocurrency exchange available for NZ traders. This exchange supports over 50 fiat currencies, including NZD, and over 700 cryptocurrencies. Kucoin offers a wide range of trading and investment products, such as spot, margin trading, bots, copy trading, etc. This exchange also has a dedicated security team and a proof of reserves system that ensures the safety of your assets and accounts. 

One of the advantages of using KuCoin in New Zealand is that it supports the New Zealand dollar (NZD) as one of its fiat currencies, which means you can easily buy crypto with NZD through KuCoin’s P2P market or credit/debit card fiat channels. Kucoin also has a trading fee of 0.1% maker/taker, similar to other exchanges like Bybit and Binance.

Pros of Kucoin

• Kucoin offers a wide range of trading products, such as margin, spot, and futures, as well as a peer-to-peer platform and an NFT platform.
• You can earn interest on your crypto with various options, such as staking, lending, and mining pools.
• KuCoin provides free trading bots that can assist you in automating your trading strategies.
• This trading platform charges low trading fees of 0.1%, which can be further lowered by 20% if you use KCS (KuCoin’s native coin) to pay trading fees.

Cons of Kucoin

• Kucoin does not support direct NZD withdrawals, so you must rely on a third-party service or another exchange to convert your fiat currency to crypto.
• This exchange has very low liquidity for new coins listed on the platform, which results in significant price slippage while buying (for market order).

7. Bitget

Bitget is a platform for trading crypto derivatives. This exchange has over 20 million users from over 200 countries, including New Zealand.

Similarly to other exchanges in this list, Bitget utilizes many different security measures to protect users’ funds, such as cold storage, multi-signature wallets, SSL encryption, and anti-DDoS protection.

Bitget is offering three deposit options for New Zealand traders. The simplest way to purchase Bitcoin is through a debit or credit card. Bitget accommodates both Visa and Mastercard transactions. You can also use P2P deposits and withdrawals with zero fees. Another option is to purchase crypto from trusted third-party providers. These include Mercuryo, Xanpool, and Banxa.

Pros of Bitget

• Bitget provides low trading fees for spot and futures markets.
• Bitget offers all advanced features, such as leverage trading, auto-investing, APIs, and cross-chain staking.
• Bitget supports more than 550 cryptocurrencies with high liquidity ($10 Billion daily trading volume).

Cons of Bitget

• This exchange is not regulated or licensed by any authority in New Zealand.
• Bitget only allows crypto withdrawals. Users who want to cash out fiat money (NZD) may need to use other services or third-party payment platforms.

8. Coinbase NZ

Coinbase is a US-based crypto trading platform. This exchange has many users worldwide and lets you buy, sell, store, and manage many coins, like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Dogecoin. Coinbase also offers advanced trading tools, like a crypto wallet app, NFT marketplace, and rewards and education programs.

However, NZ customers cannot use NZD to trade crypto on Coinbase. It does not support bank account, credit card, or debit card purchases. You can only do crypto-to-crypto trading and use a hosted non-custodial Coinbase wallet.

Pros of Coinbase NZ

• Coinbase is very simple and convenient to use for both newbies.
• The exchange is highly secure and keeps 98% of its users’ money in offline cold wallets.
• It is a highly licensed and regulated crypto exchange in the US.
• Coinbase supports over 250 crypto coins and many trading pairs with BTC and ETH.

Cons of Coinbase NZ

• Coinbase charges higher fees than other crypto platforms, from 0% to 3.99%, depending on the transaction and payment method. The trading fees are also 0.4% maker and 0.6% taker, which is very high.
• There are no instant deposit and withdrawal methods for New Zealand traders.

9. Uphold

Uphold is a global platform that lets users trade crypto, fiat, and metals. It operates in 184+ countries, including NZ, and enables you to trade 27 national currencies, 4 precious metals (gold, silver, platinum, and palladium), and more than 260 cryptocurrencies (including BTC, ETH, XRP, XDC, DAG, ADS, CSPR, and QNT). This trading platform follows the rules of FinCEN (US), FCA (UK), and FCIS (Lithuania). It shows all its assets and debts in real time and keeps high-security standards.

Uphold has a simple interface that works on web, iOS, and Android devices. Users can also set up regular transactions, place limit orders, and use unique features like the Anything-to-Anything trading experience and the Uphold Card.

Anything-to-Anything means that you can switch any asset with another one on Uphold. For example, you can change from Bitcoin to XRP, Euro to Gold, and Tesla to Silver. It is a simple and unique way of trading different asset classes.

Pros of Uphold

• You can exchange crypto with other assets like foreign currency and commodities.
• Uphold is highly regulated and registered with various financial companies.
• Uphold shows proof of reserves that are audited regularly.
• Uphold allows the staking of 30 crypto coins with high-earning options.

Cons of Uphold

• It does not accept bank transfers from New Zealand, so you must use a credit or debit card to fund your account.
• The platform does not offer advanced trading features like margin trading, futures, or options.

10. Digital Surge

Digital Surge is a popular Australian crypto exchange also available in New Zealand. To protect the users’ funds, Digital Surge keeps your assets and data secure with top-notch security features, such as cold storage, encryption, 2FA, and anti-money laundering policies. It is also registered with AUSTRAC and follows the relevant rules in Australia and New Zealand. 

This exchange charges a 0.5% fee for buying or selling crypto. However, you will get free fees for NZD and AUD deposits, withdrawals, and transfers to other Digital Surge users. This exchange offers payment methods to their users, such as bank transfer, POLi, PayID, and Osko. You can also use your credit or debit card to buy crypto with a 3.5% fee.

Currently, Digital Surge supports over 320 coins for trading, such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Ripple, Cardano, Polkadot, Dogecoin, and many others. You can also switch between different coins quickly with the instant exchange feature.

Pros of Digital Surge

• Digital Surge offers advanced features like dollar-cost averaging, limit orders, price alerts, and portfolio management to optimize your trading strategies.
• This exchange supports API tax integration to crypto tax tracker apps.
• You can easily trade Bitcoin and crypto with your Self Managed Super Fund (SMSF).

Cons of Digital Surge

• The trading fee of 0.5% is very high compared to other New Zealand crypto exchanges.
• There is no access to any DeFi products or NFT markets.

Best NZ Crypto Exchanges In 2023 Compared

This is a comprehensive that used to compare crypto exchanges and platforms on fees, supported coins, NZD supported and our rating for these exchanges.

Characteristics of the best crypto exchanges in New Zealand

Security

Security is crucial when choosing a crypto exchange, as you want to protect your funds and personal information from hackers and scammers.

The crypto exchange should have strong encryption, two-factor authentication, cold storage, anti-money laundering policies, and regular audits. You should also check the exchange’s hacks, breaches, and customer complaints history to see how effectively the exchange dealt with the problems in the past.

Fees

Fees are the costs of using a cryptocurrency exchange, such as trading, deposit, withdrawal, and other fees. Fees vary depending on the exchange, transaction type, and payment method.

You should compare the fees of different exchanges and choose the one that offers the best value for your needs. You should also be aware of any hidden fees or charges that may apply.

Regulation

Regulation is a crypto exchange’s legal status and oversight in a given jurisdiction. A regulated cryptocurrency exchange must comply with the laws and rules such as licensing, reporting, taxation, and consumer protection. Suppose the crypto exchange you choose is not regulated in New Zealand. In that case, you should consider other exchanges. The more regulated the crypto exchange is, the safer your funds are.

A regulated exchange can offer more security, transparency, and legitimacy than an unregulated one. However, regulation may also limit the availability, accessibility, and innovation of some crypto services.

Reputation

Reputation is a crypto exchange’s public perception and trustworthiness based on its track record, customer reviews, media coverage, and industry recognition.

A reputable cryptocurrency exchange should have a large and loyal customer base, positive feedback, good customer service, and a strong brand image. It would be best to avoid crypto exchanges with poor ratings, negative reviews, scandals, or lawsuits.

Customer Support

Customer support is the quality and responsiveness of a crypto exchange’s service team when dealing with customer inquiries, issues, or complaints.

It should have a dedicated and professional customer support team that can be reached through various channels, such as email, phone, chat, or social media. You should also check the exchange’s FAQ section, help center, or blog for helpful information and guides.

Liquidity

Liquidity is the ease and speed of buying and selling cryptocurrencies on an exchange without affecting the market price.

A high-liquidity crypto platform should have a large volume of trades, a wide range of trading pairs, a deep order book, and low spreads. Liquidity affects the efficiency, convenience, and profitability of your trading activities.

User-friendly & trading tools

Ease of use and functionality refers to how simple and convenient it is to use a cryptocurrency exchange and its various features. It must have a clear and intuitive interface. Also, look for platforms with different trading tools to diversify your portfolio.

Payment methods

Payment methods are depositing or withdrawing fiat money or cryptocurrencies on a crypto exchange. Some standard payment methods are bank transfer, credit card, debit card, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, Payoneer, etc. 

Suppose you are choosing a cryptocurrency exchange that does not have a fiat-on-ramp. In that case, you must have another exchange or payment provider (like MoonPay) for crypto-to-crypto trading.

Conclusion

Cryptocurrencies and blockchain are welcomed and supported by the New Zealand government. They have made digital assets a type of property and have given clear rules on how to tax them. Kiwi investors and traders can choose from many crypto exchanges such as MEXC, Swyftx, Binance, and OKX.

You can buy Bitcoin easily, trade many altcoins, or earn high returns on your crypto assets. But you need to compare each exchange’s features, fees, security, and reputation. You also need to know the risks and challenges in the crypto industry, such as price changes, hacks, frauds, and regulation changes.

FAQs

Is New Zealand crypto friendly?

Yes, New Zealand is a crypto-friendly country. According to the Inland Revenue Department (IRD), digital assets are treated as property for tax purposes, which means that any income or gains derived from trading or investing in crypto are subject to income tax or capital gains tax. You must also keep records of your transactions and report them to the IRD annually.

Where to buy Bitcoin & crypto in NZ?

You can buy crypto and Bitcoin& crypto in NZ by using many platforms such as MEXC, Swyftx, Binance, and Kucoin. You also have many other options to purchase Bitcoin and other digital currencies in New Zealand, such as decentralized trading platforms, brokers, peer-to-peer networks, and ATMs.

What is the best crypto exchange in New Zealand?

MEXC is the best crypto exchange in New Zealand. First, it has over 1600 cryptocurrencies you can buy, sell, trade, and swap with low fees and tight spreads. Second, it has a user-friendly and intuitive platform that works on both web and mobile devices, with advanced features such as charts, alerts, recurring orders, and portfolio tracking.

What is the best way to buy crypto in New Zealand?

The best ways to buy crypto in New Zealand are 

• Fiat-to-crypto exchange that accepts NZD or other fiat currencies
• Crypto-to-crypto exchange that allows you to swap one coin for another 
• Crypto Broker service that simplifies the buying process and offers competitive rates
• Peer-to-peer platform that connects you with other buyers and sellers directly, 
• Crypto ATM that lets you buy crypto with cash or a card.

Is Binance available in NZ?

Yes, Binance is available in NZ, as it is one of the largest and most popular global crypto exchanges that operates in over 180 countries and regions. You just need to create the exchange account, complete the KYC verification, and start trading immediately.

Can I use Coinbase in New Zealand?

Yes, you can use Coinbase exchange in New Zealand, but it does not support NZD fiat deposits. You can only perform crypto-to-crypto trading.