Best Cryptocurrency Exchanges In NZ For 2022
Updated: Aug 10th, 2022
There are several crypto exchanges to use for buying digital assets. It can be a difficult task for beginners to find an exchange that's the right fit. We have reviewed over 100 crypto platforms to find the best crypto exchanges in New Zealand to help you make an informed decision. Our methodology included creating an account, depositing funds and buying crypto to experience the full features of each crypto exchange.
Based on our reviews, these are the best cryptocurrency exchanges for NZ:
- Swyftx (best crypto exchange for NZ overall)
- Digital Surge (best NZ crypto exchange for beginners)
- Binance (best for trading altcoins)
- Easy Crypto (best non-custodial crypto exchange)
- Coinbase (best for debit card)
- Independent Reserve (best for NZD deposits)
- ZebPay (best NZ exchange for mobile app)
1. Swyftx - Best Overall Cryptocurrency Exchange NZ
Swyftx is a popular cryptocurrency exchange in NZ with over 550,000 registered users and growing. The platform provides a safe and reliable place for individuals in New Zealand to buy, sell and swap more than 320 digital currencies. The desktop website and mobile app have been modernized for beginners and experienced crypto investors alike. As a welcome bonus, Swyftx has a $20 Bitcoin referral bonus for those that create an account and complete the account verification process. The promotion is available for users who sign-up using our link.
The onboarding process is simple and is undoubtedly one of the best ways to buy Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies using NZD. There is a wide variety of methods to transfer funds to an exchange account. Customers can rapidly deposit up to $50,000 worth of NZ using a bank transfer, OSKO, POLi payment and PayID through a bank account. There are zero fees to deposit and withdraw NZD to a bank account.
Swyftx is our best option to trade top exchange due to its variety of crypto features that makes the overall buying and selling process a breeze. Moreover, there are rapid deposits and withdrawals, portfolio tracking, recurring orders, low transaction fees, demo mode and price alerts. There are even tax reporting tools to simplify taxation obligations each year and dollar-cost averaging tools to build a portfolio automatically. The exchange has also introduced Swyftx Earn which allows its users to store funds within a secure wallet for staking to earn passive rewards. The funds are not locked in and can be withdrawn at any time.
The trading experience is modern, fresh and fully customizable that can be tailored to suit each investor to monitor their portfolio and place traders. There is also the ability to toggle dark mode on the desktop and mobile application plus a demo account to trade digital currencies risk-free.
Swyftx comparison to other exchanges in NZ.As for the trading fees, Swyftx has a competitive fee structure for buying and selling crypto. The fee is a flat 0.6% per transaction in addition to a spread. This is where Swyftx is superior to other exchanges in New Zealand. The average spread is 1.7%. Compared to an industry average spread of 4%, the overall fees are one of the cheapest in NZ. very reasonable. Combined with its beginner-friendly mobile app, a wide range of supported coins and NZD payment options, and a variety of features, Swyftx is the best exchange overall in New Zealand.
2. Digital Surge - Best NZ Exchange For Beginners
Digital Surge is an exchange that has over 300 cryptocurrencies that can be bought and sold on a modern and sophisticated platform. Designed for ease of use and beginners, Digital Surge is an excellent crypto exchange to get started with digital assets. The exchange caters to NZ residents and allows an account to be funded with AUD funds using ANZ Bank via PayID and POLI payments. While there is no direct NZD option available, the simplicity of the exchange is the reason for its inclusion in this list of the best exchanges for New Zealand. Moreover, there is a Digital Surge referral code that credits new customers with a $20 Bitcoin bonus.
Compared to Swyftx which can be a little overwhelming for first-time crypto investors with its abundance of features, Digital Surge has a sleek, modern and elegant user interface. There is a simple portfolio viewer to show the overall investment performance on desktop or mobile devices. This is a strength of the Digital Surge platform as its ease of use makes
Digital Surge's advantage compared to alternate exchanges lies in its trading fees. The trading fee of 0.5% is very competitive with spreads as low as 0.4% per transaction. There are no fiat currency deposit or withdrawal fees which can be processed near-immediately. This means investors can obtain more crypto with the same amount of NZD by paying fewer fees.
3. Binance - Best Option For Altcoin Trading
Binance is the largest crypto trading platform with more than 600 digital assets and 1,664 trading pairs. The popular platform for trading crypto has seen a meteoric rise since being founded in 2017 to become one of the most widely used and top altcoin platforms that is demonstrated with having the highest trading volume in the world at the time of writing. The exchange supports NZ customers to buy, trade and sell cryptocurrencies using New Zealand Dollars. The available payment options for NZ include credit/debit card, cash balance or through a third-party Simplex.
Earning interest on Binance Earn.The benefit of buying crypto with Binance is the wide range of financial services that can be used after purchase. Binance Earn allows users to securely store their assets on the exchange to earn passive income. Generous yields can be earned through staking or mining pools, and saving accounts to earn interest on crypto or liquidity mining. For example, New Zealanders can deposit or purchase crypto directly on the exchange and earn up to 5% APY on Bitcoin, 5.2% APY on Ethereum and 13.47% APY on Solana.
Binance makes our pick for the top exchanges for crypto in NZ is the low fees. To buy and sell crypto, the fees are between 0% and 0.1% which is one of the cheapest rates compared to other exchanges. The trading fee can be further reduced by 25% for staking the platform's native BNB token or increasing the trading volume over a 30-day period. Moreover, the exchange has removed fees on a selection of BTC trading pairs. The zero fee crypto feature is ideal for Bitcoin investors and traders alike within NZ.
While the selection of NZD deposit options is quite limited, the wide range of coins to purchase and low fees make Binance one of the best cryptocurrency platforms in NZ. Moreover, the Binance App is second to none in terms of advanced trading, monitoring a crypto portfolio and placing trades.
4. Easy Crypto - Best Non-Custodial Crypto Platform
Easy Crypto is a wholly-owned and operated crypto exchange in New Zealand that provides an online service for Kiwis to buy and sell cryptocurrency. The exchange provides a quick and easy way to convert NZD to Bitcoin or other crypto-assets. The exchange has been designed for beginners to get involved with cryptocurrencies with its modern, easy-to-use and simple platform. Some of the top features include dollar-cost-averaging, crypto swaps, guaranteed orders and NZD deposit methods.
The benefit of Easy Crypto is the support for local deposit methods to fund an account directly with New Zealand dollars. While other exchanges only support AUD deposits through an Australian bank, Easy Crypto allows Account2Account, POLi Pay and bank transfers. These methods of funding an account with NZD can be performed through supported banks such as ANZ, ASB, BNZ, KiwiBank and Westpac.
Easy Crypto is one of the safest crypto exchanges in New Zealand due to the non-custodial nature of the platform. This means that the website does not store any customer assets. For example, when buying Ethereum on the exchange, the ETH is sent directly to a nominated software or hardware wallet. This is advantageous for security reasons as it eliminates the potential for the funds to be lost in an exchange hack. The downside is that there are limited products and services offered by Easy Crypto. For instance, there is no staking, lending and borrowing, advanced trading and liquidity farming as a result.
When it comes to the fees, Easy Crypto uses a spread system. As the platform is not a typical crypto exchange account with an order book, it is essentially a broker that offers crypto with a premium on top. This means the spot price can be higher compared to exchanges, in addition to a spread fee. For example, the price to buy Bitcoin is $29,785 on Binance compared to $30,335 on Easy Crypto. Moreover, the exchange has recently increased the default trading fee from 1% per order to a trading fee of 1.35% which is above the market.
5. Coinbase - Good Option For Buying Crypto With Debit Card
Coinbase is the most used and widely regarded as the best crypto exchange in the world for beginners. For residents in New Zealand, the exchange is available to buy, trade and sell cryptocurrency using a bank account transfer, credit or debit card. Coinbase offers a secure wallet to store your newly purchased cryptocurrencies so you can buy and sell popular digital currencies and keep track of them all in one place.
Coinbase makes this list of the best crypto exchanges for its simplicity and is designed for beginners to get started with digital coins such as Bitcoin and Ethereum. The sign-up, verification and link to payment process take only a few minutes to complete. Customers can then use a highly intuitive and elegant user interface on the online website. Moreover, Coinbase offers one of the best apps for crypto on Android and iOS devices.
Coinbase supports 46 digital coins on its platform to buy, trade and sell. In comparison to other platforms above, the number of available assets is quite limited. Users on the Coinbase platform can trade well-known coins such as BTC, ETH, ATOM, XRP, LTC, BCH, DAI, EOS, LINK, XLM and others.
A great feature of Coinbase is the learning section to educate on blockchain projects offered by the platform such as BAND, MKR, COMP, XLM, ALGO, XTZ, DAI and others. Customers that complete the short quiz at the end of each module receive free crypto. Coinbase is also one of the safest cryptocurrency exchanges with no reported hacks or compromises of the security systems and wallets resulting in any loss of funds due to criminal activity.
A major drawback of Coinbase is the fees. The starting fee for buy and sell orders is 0.5% and gradually reduces thereafter with higher trading volumes. Compared to its competitors in the industry, the fee is quite expensive for beginners and low-volume traders and are good alternatives to Coinbase with lower fees.
6. Independent Reserve - Best For NZD Deposit Methods
Independent Reserve is a popular NZ cryptocurrency exchange for investors and traders with competitive fees and support for traditional fiat currencies. Users can fund an account directly with New Zealand Dollar (NZD) using SWIFT. Moreover, the exchange allows the buying and selling of 24 assets in total which include the major cryptocurrencies and popular DeFi tokens.
Since the exchange's launch in 2013, Independent Reserve has gained the trust of over 200,000 individuals and 8,000 SMSF accounts to obtain cryptocurrencies. The exchange is suited to high net-worth individuals and institutions that can obtain a buy crypto fee as low as 0.05% per trade. However, for most New Zealand investors the fees start at 0.5% which is still very competitive in the industry.
Independent Reserve is a great option for security. The exchange has an immaculate record for safety and has never been hacked or compromised. Customer funds are stored in offline wallets to minimize the risk of theft and accounts have a number of security measures available to them, including Two Factor Authentication to prevent fraudulent access. Independent Reserve also offers an insurance fund for premium members which is not offered by other exchanges in New Zealand.
Overall, Independent Reserve is one of the best exchanges for high-net worth investors that can access lower fees. The user interface is a little difficult to navigate and there is no mobile trading app which is a disadvantage.
7. Zebpay - Best NZ Exchange For Mobile App
Zebpay is a digital currency exchange that provides a means for users to convert fiat currency into cryptocurrency. Buyers and sellers have access to the major cryptocurrency assets on the platform. ZebPay supports 163 different countries all across the world including New Zealand through a simple to use desktop and mobile app for trading crypto.
The benefit of using Zebpay in NZ is to access the low fees of 0.4% per transaction. The fees are very competitive in the industry which means that investors can obtain more crypto for their money. The user interface is basic, simple and easy to use which streamlines the buying process.
This comparison guide provides an overview of the top cryptocurrency exchanges in New Zealand to buy, trade, store and sell Bitcoin and other altcoins.
| Exchange | Crypto Assets | Trading Fees | Rating | Promotion | Website | Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Swyftx | 320+ | 0.6% | Rating    | $20 Bitcoin for creating a verified account | Visit Swyftx | Swyftx Review |
 Digital Surge | 300+ | 0.5% | Rating | $10 Bitcoin for creating a verified account | Visit Digital Surge | Digital Surge Review |
 Binance NZ | 600+ | 0.1% | Rating | 20% off trading fees | Visit Binance NZ | Binance NZ Review |
  Easy Crypto | 150+ | 1.35% | Rating | $10 bonus after first purchase | Visit Easy Crypto | Easy Crypto Review |
 Coinbase NZ | 250+ | 0.5% + 3.99% | Rating | None available at this time | Visit Coinbase NZ | Coinbase NZ Review |
 Independent Reserve | 26 | 0.5% | Rating | $10 BTC for creating a verified account | Visit Independen... | Independent Reserve Review |
  Zebpay | 7 | 0.4% | Rating | None available at this time | Visit Zebpay | Zebpay Review |
The NZ Government does not consider Bitcoin or crypto illegal however it is not deemed as legal tender in New Zealand. Investors can buy and sell digital assets on exchanges if proper anti-fraud measures are adhered to. It is currently legal to purchase crypto in NZ, however, customers should always check with a financial advisor before making an investment.
When selecting a crypto exchange, it is important to ensure the platform supports your preferred deposit method. To convert NZD into BTC, the most common deposit methods are:
- Credit Card / Debit Card
- Bank account or bank transfer (EFT)
- Cash deposit
- PayPal
Using a credit/debit card to purchase Bitcoin on platforms such as Coinbase and Swyftx are the fastest ways to own the asset, however, incur slightly higher fees. Bank account transfer is a reliable method which can take 1 to 3 days to complete the transaction.
Storing cryptocurrency using a New Zealand Bitcoin or cryptocurrency exchange is risky for several reasons. The most obvious vulnerability is the risk associated with online scams and hackers. As the security of the asset is left to the exchange, the investor has no control over the security of their investment.
In our opinion, the best way to store cryptocurrency assets such as Bitcoin, Ethereum and Litecoin is using a reputable cryptocurrency hardware wallet that is kept under the possession of the investor. Some of the most popular Bitcoin and cryptocurrency hardware wallets are the Ledger Nano X, TREZOR T and CoolWallet Pro.
Using a digital hardware wallet provides an airlock between internet-connected devices and the asset. The private keys give access rights to the cryptocurrency (send, transfer and receive) is kept in the wallet. Even if the hardware wallet is damaged, lost or stolen, the funds can be recovered using several backup options.
For complete peace of mind, buying a Bitcoin hardware wallet is a small price to pay.
Finding a low fee cryptocurrency exchange is a popular requirement for beginners and experienced investors. One of the top-rated crypto exchanges with the lowest fees is Binance, with costs between 0% and 0.1% for all buy and sell orders. Competitor exchanges can charge trading fees up to 1% per transaction which can add up in the long run.
One of the best ways to buy crypto in New Zealand is by using a bank transfer. Exchanges such as Easy Crypto and Independent allow funding using a bank transfer, POLi Payments and Account2Account. It is the most popular and cost-effective method available with low fees, fast transaction time and higher daily limits.
Credit cards are commonly used to make purchases online, so it's no surprise that it's a popular method to buy crypto. Not all exchanges available in NZ provide this deposit method so residents will need to use a global crypto exchange such as Binance, Coinbase, eToro, Changelly and ChangeNOW. The fees are slightly higher than other payment methods.
To conclude our article on the best NZ cryptocurrency exchanges, the above exchanges are some of the best places to get started with crypto-assets based on trustworthiness, supported assets, deposit methods, safety, fees and customer support. For more information on how we rated and compared each cryptocurrency exchange, read our full exchange review methodology process.
Updated Aug 8th, 2022
Best Crypto Exchanges Australia: 2022 Reviewed & ComparedWe reviewed and compared fees, security, and features of crypto exchanges in Australia to help you find the best exchanges to fit your needs.
Kevin GrovesKevin started in the cryptocurrency space in 2016 and began investing in Bitcoin before exclusively trading digital currencies on various brokers, exchanges and trading platforms. In 2019, he started HedgewithCrypto to publish informative guides about Bitcoin and share his experiences with using a variety of crypto exchanges around the world.
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