Best Crypto Exchange New Zealand – Top 5 Bitcoin Exchanges in 2021

Fact Checked by Gary McFarlane

Please note that we are not authorised to provide any investment advice. The content on this page is for information purposes only.

If you’re based in New Zealand and wish to buy, sell, or trade cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin – the process could not be easier. All you need to do is open an account with a trusted and low-cost exchange, deposit some funds, and that’s it – you’re good to go.

However, with dozens of popular cryptocurrency exchanges to choose from – knowing which platform to join can be a time-consuming task. In this guide, we help clear the mist by reviewing the best crypto exchanges in New Zealand for 2021.

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$500
Mobile AppYes
  • Trade stocks, indices, currencies, commodities, and cryptocurrencies
  • No hidden fees or expenses
  • Develop your financial knowledge, trading skills and investment expertise

Best Crypto Exchange New Zealand – Top 5 List

Below you will find a list of the best crypto exchanges in New Zealand for 2021.

  • Bitcoin Era – Overall Best Bitcoin Exchange New Zealand
  • Coinbase – Best Bitcoin Site for Beginners
  • OKEx – Recommended Exchange for Low Fees
  • Binance – Best New Zealand Crypto Exchange for Asset Diversity
  • Capital.com – 0% Commission Exchange Offering Leveraged Crypto CFDs

Below we review the above five Bitcoin exchanges in great detail.

Best Crypto Exchange New Zealand – Full Reviews

Before embarking on your Bitcoin trading journey – you will first need to choose a suitable New Zealand crypto exchange. There are dozens of options in the marketplace – so you need to do some homework before selecting a provider. For instance, you’ll need to explore what crypto markets the exchange offers, what fees it charges, and ultimately – how safe your money is.

1. Bitcoin Era – Overall Best Bitcoin Exchange New Zealand

Bitcoin era, a trading platform launched in 2019 claims it can generate daily profits for its members by executing automated transactions at the same time in a program that was built by a consortium of Fintech businesses. According to both their customers and their authors, Bitcoin Era is capable of doing trades at a fraction of a second faster than most algorithms, and at a fraction of a second faster than the average trading program.

Cryptocurrency trading platforms such as Bitcoin Era, which allows users to conduct automatic trades in the cryptocurrency exchanges, are becoming increasingly popular. This is accomplished through the use of a cryptocurrency robot, which the company claims has a success rate of more than 99% when trading. The first thing to observe is that this number is not backed up by any data and is extremely difficult to accept as accurate. You can benefit from automatic trading by visiting the Bitcoin Era website, but this degree of precision is impossible to achieve.

In addition to being free to use, the Bitcoin Era software and the brokers who are included in the auto trading platform are those who are both regulated and compliant, and who have contributed to the funding of this trading tool. However, to use the platform with one of the brokers, the user must have an initial capital of $250 to invest, which is the same amount required by the majority of popular robots.

The trading robot on the platform, on the other hand, is not restricted to a single trading strategy. Even though customers can just turn it on and allow it to trade according to the default algorithm, they can also set it manually to follow their redefined settings if they so like. For example, it is possible to instruct the robot to buy Bitcoin when the price falls to a specific level or to track the price of Ethereum and sell when the price reaches a specific level.

Pros

  • Fast and easy registration
  • Auto and manual mode available
  • Distinct customer service
  • User-friendly interface
  • No fees or hidden charges
  • Demo account available

Cons

  • No mobile app
  • No information about founders

2. Coinbase – Best Crypto Exchange New Zealand for Beginners

Buy MANA at Coinbase

If you’ve done a bit of research on crypto exchanges in New Zealand – then you might have heard of Coinbase. This is because Coinbase is one of the most established and well-known platforms in this industry. Not only is Coinbase heavily regulated and publicly listed on the NASDAQ exchange in the US – but it’s also home to over 56 million clients. Therefore, Coinbase is a trusted exchange that you can rely on to execute your cryptocurrency trades.

With that said, Coinbase is also renowned for being a super user-friendly crypto exchange that is ideal for beginners. You can easily get started with an account by providing some basic personal information and uploading a copy of your government-issued ID. Then, it’s just a case of making a deposit – which you can do with your NZ debit/credit card or bank account. In addition to Bitcoin, Coinbase offers a wide selection of alternative coins.

 

To name a few, this includes everything from Ethereum Classic, Filecoin, and EOS to QuickSwap, Polkadot, and Tezos. Regardless of the digital currency that interests you, Coinbase charges a standard commission of 1.49% per slide. This means that you will pay this commission when you enter a trade and then again when you close it. If, however, you are planning to buy a cryptocurrency instantly via a debit/credit card purchase – the commission increases drastically to 3,99%. As such, although Coinbase is secure and easy to use – it’s also one of the most expensive.

When it comes to security controls, Coinbase keeps 98% of customer digital funds in ‘cold storage’. For those unaware of this term, this simply means that cryptocurrency assets are held offline – away from the threats of an external attack. Furthermore, you will need to set up two-factor authentication (2FA) when you create your Coinbase account. This ensures that nobody can access your account without your permission – not least because they would need to enter a unique code that is sent to your mobile phone.

coinbase review

Coinbase offers a range of other notable features that may interest you. For example, the Coinbase mobile app allows you to buy, sell, and trade digital tokens on the move. This is free to download and available on both iOS and Android devices. You then have the Coinbase debit card – which is issued by Visa. This can be used in-store, online, or at an ATM – and it allows you to spend your cryptocurrency tokens in the real world. Finally, Coinbase is also home to an extensive education department – which is ideal for newbies looking to learn how blockchain assets work.

Pros

  • One of the most popular cryptocurrency exchanges
  • More than 56 million users
  • Supports instant debit card purchases
  • Dozens of digital currencies to choose from
  • Institutional-grade security practices

Cons

  • Debit card deposits are expensive at 3.99%
  • You will pay a standard trading commission of 1.49%

3. OKEx – Recommended Exchange for Low Fees

OKEx homepage

OKEx is one of the best Bitcoin exchanges in New Zealand when it comes to fees and commissions. This is because the most you will be charged to trade digital tokens on the platform is just 0.10%. To put this into perspective, a $100 trade would amount to a commission of just $0.10. With that said, OKEx allows you to reduce this commission even further. In order to benefit from this, you will need to trade larger amounts or hold some OKB tokens – which is the crypto native to OKEx.

On top of offering a super-low pricing structure, OKEx is also one of the best crypto exchanges in New Zealand for market diversity. This is because the exchange offers hundreds of pairs. This covers cryptocurrencies of all shapes and sizes. For instance, you have large-cap tokens like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin, Litecoin, and EOS. You then have a full selection of Defi coins – which includes everything from AAVE, 1inch, and The Graph to Pickle Finance, Reserve Rights Token, and Synthetix Network.

OKEx review OKEx also allows you to buy and sell crypto assets that are linked to the non-fungible token (NFT) scene. This includes the likes of Efinity, MEME Coin, and Decentraland. In addition to its traditional crypto exchange services, OKEx is also home to a popular derivatives platform. In a nutshell, this allows you to trade complex products – such as options and futures, on margin. This means that you can amplify the size of your trade with leverage. Take care with crypto derivatives at OKEx though, as they are aimed at experienced traders.

Nevertheless, OKEx offers plenty of other features and tools that we like. For example, you will find a huge selection of technical indicators and chart drawing tools that allow you to perform in-depth analysis. OKEx also facilitates crypto loans on a P2P basis. For instance, if you wish to borrow funds, you can do so by putting some digital tokens up as collateral. On the other side of the transaction, you can earn interest on your idle crypto tokens – the funds being loaned out to borrowers.

OKEx review

The yields on offer will ultimately depend on the respective digital currency that you wish to loan out. Nevertheless, to give an idea of what is on offer, both Ethereum and Tether yield over 14% per year. If you’re seeking even higher returns and are prepared to take on more risk – the likes of VELO and Tokenlon yield 120% and 47% respectively. Most crypto interest-bearing opportunities on the OKEx platform come in the shape of flexible and fixed terms. The latter will, of course, yield a higher rate of interest

Pros

  • Trusted crypto exchange with over 20 million users
  • More than 400+ digital currency pairs
  • Buy and sell cryptocurrencies with a debit/credit card or bank transfer
  • Low commissions that start from 0.1%
  • Fully-fledged mobile app on Android and iOS
  • Great reputation and highly secure

Cons

  • Debit/credit card fees could be more competitive
  • Derivative products are too complex for beginners

4. Binance – Best Bitcoin Site in New Zealand for Asset Diversity

Binance

Binance needs no introduction in the world of cryptocurrency trading. This top-rated exchange – which was launched in 2017 and facilitates billions of dollars of trading volume seven days a week – now boasts a user-base of over 100 million clients. The process of opening an account takes minutes and if you are planning to deposit and withdraw funds in crypto – you do not need to supply any personal information (limits apply).

On the other hand, if you wish to buy cryptocurrency directly with your NZ debit or credit card – you can do this at Binance after completing a quick KYC process. This simply requires you to upload a copy of your passport or driver’s license and take a selfie. Regardless of how you decide to fund your Binance account, you will have access to hundreds of cryptocurrency pairs. This is inclusive of both fiat and crypto-cross pairs – so you’ve got plenty of trading opportunities at your fingertips.

binance review

The former will include the likes of BTC/EUR, BTC/AUD, and ETH/AUD. The latter allows you to trade the exchange rate between two competing digital assets. For instance, you can trade everything from ETH/BTC, LTC/BNB, and DOGE/BTC. Binance also offers some of the lowest fees we have seen in the crypto exchange arena. In a similar nature to OKEx, commissions start at just 0.10%. Once again, this fee can be reduced further by trading larger amounts or holding BNB tokens – which is the crypto asset native to the Binance exchange.

What we also like about Binance is that it offers cryptocurrency derivatives. As we mentioned earlier, these products are complex financial instruments that are suited for experienced traders. Nevertheless, this includes futures and options on Bitcoin and other leading cryptocurrencies. You can also trade digital tokens on margin to boost the size of your position. Traders in New Zealand also like the crypto savings accounts offered by Binance – which come in the shape of flexible and fixed terms.

binance review

To give you an idea of the yields available, you can get 5% on Pancakeswap and 4.53% on DAI. If you’re prepared to lock your digital tokens up for a longer period of time, even higher yields are on offer. For example, you can get a very competitive 7% yield on BItcoin – which is based on a 90-day term. The yield on Pancakeswap increases significantly to 20% when you lock the tokens for 15 days. Additionally, if you’re looking to liquidate some of your crypto holdings into cash – Binance offers a loan service. The amount offered is based on the size of your collateral.

Pros

  • Facilitates billions of dollars in daily trading volume
  • Supports hundreds of digital asset pairs
  • Near-instant deposits via debit/credit cards and local bank transfers
  • Trading commission starts at just 0.1% per slide
  • Offers crypto savings accounts
  • Ideal for both beginners and experienced traders alike

Cons

  • Not all supported cryptocurrencies can be purchased with a debit/credit card
  • No e-wallet deposits or withdrawals

5. Capital.com – 0% Commission Exchange Offering Leveraged Crypto CFDs

Capital.com

The next entry on our list of the best crypto exchanges in New Zealand is Capital.com. This platform is different from the other exchanges we have discussed thus far – insofar that Capital.com is a CFD (Contracts-for-Differences) broker. For those unaware, CFDs allow you to trade financial instruments without owning the underlying asset. This is especially ideal in the world of cryptocurrency trading for several reasons. 

For example, Capital.com allows you to trade digital currency CFDs with leverage. For instance, if stake $100 on Bitcoin with leverage of 1:5 – you are amplifying your position to $500. Capital.com also gives you the opportunity to profit from both rising and falling cryptocurrency markets. This is because all crypto assets on the platform come with the option of going long or short. The former means that you will make money in the event the cryptocurrency goes down in value.

Capital.com review

What we also like about Capital.com is that it allows you to trade without paying any commission. Instead, you simply need to cover the spread – which is typically very competitive. In terms of supported markets, Capital.com is home to over 200 digital currency pairs. This covers both fiat-to-crypto and crypto-cross pairs. The former includes everything from BTC/USD and ETH/USD to DOGE/USD and BTC/AUD. The platform also offers heaps of Defi coins markets – which is great for speculating on up-and-coming projects.

Capital.com offers three different trading platforms – all of which can be accessed through the same account. This is inclusive of the main Capital.com website, MetaTrader4 (MT4), and a mobile app that is compatible with iOS and Android devices. There is also an app dedicated exclusively to educational content – namely ‘InvestMate’. The platform also offers regular webinars – which are great for extracting trading knowledge from experienced investors.

Capital.com review

Most importantly, Capital.com is heavily regulated – so you can trade cryptocurrencies without needing to worry about the safety of your funds. In particular,  the CFD broker is authorized and regulated by the FCA and CySEC. You only need to meet a minimum deposit of $20 to get started at Catpial.com – with supported payment methods include debit/credit cards and e-wallets. The minimum jumps up to $250 should you wish to fund your account via bank wire. There are no fees to deposit or withdraw funds – regardless of the payment type.

Pros

  • Top-rated CFD broker
  • Regulated by the FCA and CySEC
  • Minimum deposit just $20 (debit/credit cards and e-wallets)
  • 0% commission on all markets
  • Tight spreads and no deposit/withdrawal fees
  • Thousands of financial markets supported
  • Great for beginners

Cons

  • Advanced traders might find the platform too basic
  • Minimum deposit of $250 on bank transfers

How to Find Crypto Exchanges New Zealand

Now that we have reviewed the best crypto exchanges in New Zealand – you have likely decided which provider is most suitable for your needs. However, if you’re still unsure – this section will discuss some of the most important metrics to consider when searching for the best Bitcoin exchange in New Zealand for your investment goals. 

Regulation

You might be surprised to learn that most cryptocurrency exchanges are unregulated. This is because there is still a lack of stringent legislation in the world of digital currencies – so exchanges are able to offer trading services without a financial body licensing them. Crucially, if you choose a Bitcoin exchange that isn’t regulated – your capital is at risk.

  • After all, you only need to look at the case of Cryptopia – a New Zealand exchange that was hacked in 2019.
  • The perpetrators were able to steal the crypto-equivalent of $24 million – with many users of the now-defunct exchanges never receiving their funds back.
  • This is why we think that Bitcoin Era is by far the best Bitcoin exchange in New Zealand – as the platform is regulated in the same way as a traditional stockbroker.

Crypto Markets

There are more than 11,000 cryptocurrencies listed on CoinMarketCap – which is testimony to how sizable this trading marketplace has become. However, the specific cryptocurrency markets that you will have access to will vary from exchange to exchange. For example, some platforms only offer a small number of coins – most of which are centered on large-cap tokens such as Bitcoin, XRP, and Ethereum.

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Trading Tools

It’s worth thinking about whether you seek access to specific trading tools when searching for the best crypto exchange in New Zealand. These tools will help you achieve your digital currency trading goals in a more streamlined manner.

Some of the trading tools we came across when reviewing the best Bitcoin exchanges in New Zealand are discussed below:

Charting Tools

The most effective way of making money in the cryptocurrency trading sphere is by performing regular research. If you prefer to trade via a short-term strategy (e.g. swing/day trading), then you’ll want to use an exchange that gives you access to charting tools.

This should include the likes of:

  • Technical indicators  – such as the MACD or Stochastic Oscillator
  • Customizable charting screens
  • Live order book and market depth data
  • Multiple pricing timeframes (from 1-minute to 1-month)
  • Drawing tools

The above charting tools will enable you to look for historical pricing trends and thus – help you determine which way the cryptocurrency markets are likely to go in the very near future.

Fees and Commissions

It’s imperative that you spend some time understanding the pricing structure employed by your chosen exchange. It goes without saying that the best Bitcoin exchanges in New Zealand will allow you to trade in a low-cost environment. Fees can vary by quite a distance – so below we’ve outlined the main charges to look out for when selecting a crypto exchange.

Payment Fees

Fees charged on deposits and withdrawals are typically based on your chosen payment type. For example, if you’re funding your account with crypto – then you likely won’t need to pay any deposit fees. This is often, but not always, the case with NZ bank transfers, too.

At the other end of the scale, payments in the form of debit and credit cards can be costly – with exchanges charging in the region of 3-5% of the transaction amount. For instance, Coinbase charges 3.99% for the pleasure of buying digital tokens with Visa or MasterCard.

Trading Commission

Virtually all crypto exchanges in New Zealand charge a commission – as this will form the backbone of the platform’s revenue model. Once again, the specific fee will vary considerably depending on which exchange you sign up with.

bext exchanges nz

For example, both OKEx and Binance charge a tiny commission of just 0.10% per slide, while at Coinbase, this stands at 1.49%.

Spreads / Mark-Up

The spread – often referred to as a ‘mark-up’ by crypto exchanges, can be assessed by calculating the difference between the buy and sell price of the crypto market you wish to trade. The former is the price that the markets are prepared to pay for the asset and the latter is the level at which sellers are happy to accept. Naturally, the wider the spread, the more you are indirectly paying to enter or exit the market.

Deposit and Withdrawal Methods

You will need to add some capital to your chosen crypto exchange before you can start trading.

  • If you’re somewhat new to the world of digital asset trading then you likely do not have any tokens to hand.
  • If this is the case, you will need to choose a New Zealand Bitcoin exchange that supports fiat currency deposits.
  • This will enable you to fund your account with a debit/credit card or bank transfer.

When it comes to withdrawals, you can either transfer your purchased digital assets to a private wallet or if supported – cash out NZ dollars to your original payment method.

How to Get Started With the Best Bitcoin Exchange New Zealand

By reading our guide up to this point, you should know now which crypto exchange you wish to use to buy, sell, and trade digital tokens in New Zealand. If this is your first time using an online exchange – then this section is for you.

Within it – we walk you through the process of opening an account and depositing funds with Bitcoin Era – which we found to be the best Bitcoin exchange in New Zealand.

Step 1: Bitcoin Era Registration

 

Create a Bitcoin Era account by going to the official website and clicking on the button that says “create a free account.” Fill in your personal information, such as your name, email address, and phone number, and then click on “Register now.” You will be connected to an authorized broker who is licensed to conduct business in your jurisdiction. You will be required to input further information such as your net worth, your address, and your previous trading experience.

Step 2: Deposit

The next stage necessitates the payment of a deposit. The smallest sum that can be accepted is $250. There are a plethora of payment methods that are supported for this purpose, as you will see. As a result, choose the most appropriate method for your situation. Most time, the deposit will appear in your account immediately, but sometimes, it may take some time to appear. It usually depends on your selected payment method.

Step 3: Demo account

Demo accounts are optional, however, we encourage that you use one as one of your first methods to avoid the possibility of losing money. What exactly is it about? It is a demo mode, which allows you to explore the platform and make trades with imaginary money to learn more about Bitcoin Era and the broker. It operates in a manner that is very similar to that of real-time trading operations in a live trading session. This is something we encourage you to attempt so that you can become familiar with the numerous operations that you can perform on the trading platform and then start trading for real money once you have been comfortable with everything.

Step 4: Trade for Real with Bitcoin Era Chart

If you are sure you have familiarized yourself with the platform, you are ready to trade. Now, you should decide whether you want to just turn it on and allow it to trade automatically according to its pre-programmed settings, or whether you want to set your own rules in the form of trade parameters.

Best New Zealand Crypto Exchanges – Conclusion

This guide has reviewed the very best Bitcoin exchanges in New Zealand. Our reviews focused on a number of key metrics that we think you should consider before choosing an exchange for your financial goals. Taking all of this into account, we concluded by noting that Bitcoin Era is the best crypto exchange in New Zealand. 

Bitcoin Era – Best Crypto Exchange New Zealand

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About Kane Pepi PRO INVESTOR

Kane Pepi writes for several high profile publications such as InsideBitcoins, the Motely Fool, and Learnbonds. Based in Malta, Kane is extremely skilled at complex subjects related to financial matters - including a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, a Master’s Degree in Financial Crime, and actively engaged in Doctorate Degree research, for the money laundering threats of the blockchain economy.