9 Best Crypto Exchanges In El Salvador

April 7, 2023
Blog

Choosing the best cryptocurrency exchange in El Salvador isn’t easy, given all the options out there and the different features each of them offers. As an avid crypto investor myself, I diligently keep up with the movements of the top exchanges in El Salvador, and have made my selections below based on years of research and personal experience.

Capital is the favorite among knowledgeable Salvadoran crypto investors, both for its high level of security and for its ease of use. Capital's fees are also extremely low, so if you’re looking for a secure, cost-effective way to buy and sell crypto in El Salvador, I can’t recommend Capital highly enough.

Here’s something you may not realize: the cryptocurrency exchange you choose matters. Your choice will impact how profitable your trades are, how easily you can buy and sell coins, and whether you can use it in El Salvador at all.

Fortunately, I've been investing in crypto for more than 9 years, and I frequently update my list of the top platforms below. So if you’re looking for a safe and secure crypto exchange that’s easy to use, supports the US dollar, and is compatible with the biggest financial institutions in El Salvador, you’ve come to the right place.

Here are my top picks for the best crypto exchanges El Salvador has to offer.

1. Capital – Best Overall

Zero Fees
Capital

Trading fees: 0%
Supports: 100+ coins
Customer support: Excellent

Trusted by millions.

★★★★★

Rated 4.9/5

Capital allows users to trade crypto alongside stocks, commodities, forex, market indices, ETFs and more—all without any trading fees. It supports 100+ cryptocurrencies, and users can trade with 2x leverage on crypto (up to 500x leverage on other assets).

Capital charges a tight spread ranging from 0.1% – 0.3% (depending on the asset), making the overall cost of using the platform (0% trading commissions + 0.1% – 0.3% spreads) very low. It has a fully functional desktop platform, a well-rated mobile app (4.7/5 on Android and iOS), and an excellent demo account where you can practice trading with real assets in real time.

Capital is licensed by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK, which means it’s a safe, secure platform. Every user receives a dedicated account manager they can reach by email or phone anytime, which is part of the reason Capital’s customer support team receives such positive reviews.

Deposits and withdrawals are always free with Capital, and you’ll never pay trading commissions regardless of whether you place spot orders or limit orders. Capital is ISO 27001 certified for meeting robust information security standards, making it an extremely safe platform to trade with.

The biggest drawback of Capital is that it can take several days to have your account verified since their verifications team is overwhelmed with signups right now. If you sign up using my referral link, though, you can skip the waitlist and start trading immediately.

I’ve personally used Capital for more than 4 years, and based on my experiences and those of millions of other users, I can’t recommend it highly enough. 

Features

  • Zero trading commissions
  • Tight spreads (0.1% – 0.3%) 
  • Supports 100+ cryptocurrencies
  • Allows up to 500x leverage (2x leverage on crypto)
  • Fully functional demo account for paper trading
  • Free deposits and withdrawals via debit/credit cards, bank transfer, POLi, PayPal, Apple Pay, etc.
  • Dedicated account manager you can reach at any time
  • Excellent desktop trading platform
  • Well-rated mobile app (4.7/5 on both Apple and Google)
  • Licensed by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC)
  • ISO 27001-certified for meeting extremely high information security standards

Cost

  • Trading fees: 0%
  • Spreads: 0.1% – 0.3%
  • Deposits & Withdrawals: Free

Signup Bonus

Skip the waitlist and have your account approved immediately by using my referral link below.

Best For

Investors looking for the best overall crypto trading experience with no trading commissions.

2. Crypto.com

Best For Altcoins
Crypto.com

Trading fees: 0.4%
Security: 95% cold storage
Signup bonus: $10

Trade with 10x leverage.

★★★★

Rated 4.3/5

Crypto.com is a major global player that brings a mature, proven exchange to experienced crypto investors. It supports 100+ cryptocurrencies, making it an ideal fit for anyone looking to invest in undiscovered altcoins before the masses.

Crypto.com offers some unique features that no other cryptocurrency exchange can match. Users can trade options and futures contracts, earn interest by staking their coins, and make trades with up to 10x leverage when they feel particularly confident in a coin.

Crypto.com also has invested an enormous amount of money into its platform's security, making trading with them extremely safe. The exchange is lightning quick (prices update dozens of times per second), which gives day traders an upper hand over the rest of the market.

Overall, Crypto.com is a solid exchange for investors looking to cash in on brand-new altcoins.

Features

  • Average trading fees (0.4%)
  • Supports 100+ cryptocurrencies
  • Allows up to 10x leverage
  • Trade crypto derivatives (futures and options contracts)
  • Earn daily interest by staking your coins
  • Purchase newly-listed coins at up to 50% off
  • Free deposits from all cryptocurrencies

Cost

  • Account Opening: Free
  • Trading Fees: 0.4%

Best For

Investors looking to buy altcoins and other new crypto assets before they go mainstream.

Start trading in the next 6 minutes

Capital is the only fully regulated investing platform that allows users to trade with zero commissions. Join 1+ million thoughtful investors on our #1-rated trading platform of 2023.

Click below to skip the waitlist and open your free account. Offer closes October 32, 2024.
SKIP THE WAITLIST
Offer ends October 32, 2024.

3. Bit2Me

Bit2Me is a highly regulated crypto exchange based in Alicante, Spain. Bit2Me is part of a very select group of crypto exchanges: it offers FDIC insurance for up to €250,000, through its partnership with the largest banks in Spain, like ING Direct, Abanca, Caja Popular, and Bankinter.

Bit2Me supports over 70 of the largest cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Dash, Ethereum, and Litecoin. It allows fiat-to-crypto purchases so it’s ideal for new investors looking to buy their first crypto, and assets are kept offline in cold storage, for added security. 

As a new Bit2Me user, you'll receive a €5 bonus after your first purchase, and with its referral program, you can earn up to $1,000 by inviting friends and family.

Features

  • Bit2Me Card
  • Supports 70 cryptocurrencies
  • Compliance with IBAN payment protocols
  • Supports fiat-to-crypto trades
  • Educational programs for new investors
  • Insured and your assets are stored in cold storage
  • ATMs available across Europe
  • API Integration and real-time alerts

Cost

  • Trading Fees: 0.95%
  • Debit/Credit Card Deposit: From 1.99% to 4.99%
  • Maker’s Fees: From 0.16% to 0.0% (based on volume)
  • Taker’s Fees: From 0.26% to 0.1% (based on volume)
  • Bank Wire Deposit: Free
  • TIKEBIT Deposit: Free
  • SEPA Account Withdrawal: Free

Signup Bonus

€5 signup bonus

Best For

Investors looking to invest in their first crypto and looking for a secure platform.

5. SpectroCoin

SpectroCoin was launched in 2013 and is one of the oldest crypto exchanges. It supports 49 of the biggest cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin (BTC), Polygon (MATIC), and Polkadot (POL). It also supports 14 of the biggest payment methods, including SEPA, Skrill, and Neteller.

SpectroCoin doesn’t charge any fees for makers – in fact, makers get paid up to 0.1% for listing their crypto in the market. Taker’s, on the other hand, pay a flat 0.1% fee for every trade. Depositing crypto is completely free, and withdrawing incurs only network fees (0.0005 BTC for Bitcoin). 

SpectroCoin supports collateralized loans with competitive APR (8.55% for BTC) and up to 75% LTV. That means you can consider other investments without ever losing your long position on crypto assets. They also released a crypto debit card, which can be topped up with fiat or crypto and is accepted anywhere Visa is.

One of SpectroCoin’s downsides is its strong ties with the BNK token – holding the tokens is a must if you want to access lower trading fees and lower APR on loans. Their fiat deposit/withdrawal fees can also be very high, going up to 5.5% depending on the payment method. 

Features

  • Supports 49 cryptocurrencies
  • SpectroCoin Visa Debit Card
  • Crypto loans using your crypto as collateral (8.55% APR for BTC)
  • Get paid for increasing liquidity in the market
  • Up to 75% LTV on crypto loans
  • Available in Android (3.7/5 rating) and iOS (2.9/5 rating) 

Cost

  • Maker’s Fees: From 0% to -0.1% (based on BNK holdings)
  • Taker’s Fees: 0.1%
  • Deposit Fees (Crypto): Free
  • Withdrawal Fee (Crypto): Depends on the cryptocurrency (0.0005 BTC for Bitcoin)
  • Deposit Fees (Fiat): Up to 5.5% (depending on the method)
  • Withdrawal Fee (Fiat): Up to 5.5% (depending on the method)

Best For

Investors who can take advantage of collateralized loans.

6. Coinbase

Coinbase is an American cryptocurrency exchange that was originally founded in 2012. It’s based in San Francisco and it’s one of the oldest cryptocurrency exchanges in the world. It’s also the second-largest crypto exchange in the world, the first being Binance.

Coinbase was designed to be one of the easiest places to buy, sell, and trade cryptocurrency, and it serves retail investors, businesses, and institutions alike. The sign-up process is quick, and after you create your account, you will gain access to your personal online wallet.

Originally, Coinbase only supported Bitcoin, but it now supports over 100 of the biggest cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Cardano, Ethereum, and Litecoin. As a new user, you will receive a $10 bonus, and trading fees range from $0.99 to $2.99 for trades below $200 and from 1.49% to 3.99% for trades over $200.

Features

  • Supports 100+ cryptocurrencies
  • Coinbase Pro, access to research tools and graphs
  • Coinbase Earn, earn crypto for free by watching tutorials
  • Manage your crypto from your phone with the Coinbase Wallet app
  • Secure platform, Biometric auth, 2FA and access to Secure Enclave
  • User-friendly for both beginners and advanced traders
  • Earn rewards by staking certain coins

Cost

  • Account Opening: Free
  • Purchase Fees (Below $200): Flat fee, from $0.99 to $2.99 per transaction.
  • Purchase Fees (Over $200): 1.49% (US banks), 3.99% (Debit Card and PayPal)
  • Credit Transaction: 2% 
  • Bank Account:1.49%
  • Wire Transfers: From $10 to $25
  • ACH Transfer: Free

Signup Bonus

$10 signup bonus

Best For

New investors looking for an easy-to-use platform or for veteran investors looking for advanced research tools.

Start trading in the next 6 minutes

Capital is the only fully regulated investing platform that allows users to trade with zero commissions. Join 1+ million thoughtful investors on our #1-rated trading platform of 2023.

Click below to skip the waitlist and open your free account. Offer closes October 32, 2024.
SKIP THE WAITLIST
Offer ends October 32, 2024.

7. Bybit

Bybit is a crypto exchange with a wide range of trading tools, and it is one of the few exchanges that offers access to crypto derivatives, such as futures. Its trading fees start at 0.1%, and withdrawal fees vary depending on the cryptocurrency.

Bybit supports 15 of the largest cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum, and Litecoin. Additionally, it stores 100% of your funds in cold storage, and reviews each withdrawal request to prevent unauthorized transactions. 

As a new Bybit user you’ll receive a $40 bonus after funding your account. You also have the option to place up to 100x leverage on your crypto trades.

Features

  • Advanced trading options
  • Supports 15 cryptocurrencies
  • 100x leverage on crypto
  • Access to charts and data
  • Demo account and test-net environment
  • Educational resources
  • 24/7 multilingual customer support available 
  • Instant account verification

Cost

  • Account Opening: Free
  • Trading Fees: From 0.1% to 1.0%
  • Withdrawal Fees: Depends on the currency
  • Derivatives Fees: From 0.01% to 0.06%
  • Maker’s Rebate: 0.025%
  • Taker’s Fees: 0.075%

Signup Bonus

None

Best For

Knowledgeable investors looking for crypto trading, top-level security and derivatives.

8. Binance

Binance is an international cryptocurrency exchange that currently serves as the world’s largest crypto trading platform by volume of daily trading. It began operations in 2017 and is now headquartered in the Cayman Islands.

Binance was founded in Hong Kong but later moved its headquarters overseas due to increased government intervention in cryptocurrencies. It has several notable characteristics, including powerful charting tools, access to DeFi yield farming through Binance Earn, and the Binance Visa Card.

Features

  • Wide array of supported cryptocurrencies (300+)
  • Wide array of supported fiat currencies (50+)
  • Binance Earn allows users to stake coins and earn interest on their crypto holdings
  • Earn up to 8% back in BNB on every transaction made with a Binance Visa Card
  • Get access to lower fees by transacting in Binance's native currency Binance Coin (BNB)

Cost

  • Crypto deposit fees: Free
  • Fiat deposit fees: From 0% to 3.5%
  • Crypto withdrawal fees: From 0% to 2,5%
  • Taker fees: From 0.04 to 0.1%
  • Maker fees: From 0.02 to 0.1%
  • Futures trading maker fees: 0.02%
  • Futures trading taker fees: 0.04%
  • Instant buy/sell trade fees: 0.5%
  • Debit/credit card purchases: 4.5%

Best For

Investors looking for a secure, internationally-recognized exchange.

9. Kraken

Founded in 2011, Kraken supports 87+ cryptocurrency assets and various order types (including stop loss and stop-limit orders). As a US-based exchange, Kraken has to meet extremely demanding security protocols, making it a highly secure exchange.

Intermediate and Pro users can trade futures contracts and use up to 5x leverage on 30+ cryptocurrencies. It keeps 95% of its crypto holdings offline in cold storage and has a Global Settings Lock (GSL) and Master Key system that blocks unauthorized changes to your account, even if your password and 2FA are compromised.

Kraken's fees range from 0.16% for makers to 0.26% for takers and decrease if you've traded more than $50,000 in the previous 30 days. It provides price data for digital assets to the Bloomberg Terminal and is accessible in more than 175 countries, making it one of the most international crypto exchanges worldwide.

Kraken offers a staking platform on 17 assets (including the US dollar). However, at a maximum APY of 23%, it pays lower interest than some other staking providers (e.g., just 0.25% APY on Bitcoin).

Features

  • Supports 87+ cryptocurrencies
  • 95% cold storage policy
  • Well-rated mobile app (4.7/5 on iOS, 4.2/5 on Android)
  • 24/7 live chat and email support
  • Cryptowatch and custom alerts make tracking the entire market easy
  • 24/7 customer support via phone, live chat, and email
  • Deposit methods include bank transfers (PayID), wire transfers, OSKO, Apple Pay, Google Pay, SWIFT, SEPA, and cryptocurrency

Cost

  • Maker fees: 0.16%
  • Taker fees: 0.26%
  • Crypto credit card purchases: 3.75% + â‚¬0.25
  • ACH crypto purchases: 1.5%

Best For

Cryptocurrency investors looking for crypto exchanges with a wide array of supported altcoins and stablecoins.

Why you should trust me

  • Experienced
    I bought my first cryptocurrency (Bitcoin) in 2013, bought Ethereum in 2017, and have held active accounts with at least 5 exchanges since 2018.
  • Unbiased
    All of my selections are supported by multiple data points, including crypto thought leaders, security experts, and Trustpilot reviews.
  • Deep Research
    My team and I spent more than 20 hours researching exchanges before choosing our top picks, and we update them almost daily as the industry continues to change.

What To Look For In A Great Salvadoran Crypto Exchange

I consider many different factors in my search for the best Salvadoran crypto exchange. Here are just a few of the more prominent ones:

  • Supported coins: The best Salvadoran crypto exchanges support a wide variety of coins—at least 20 or 30—including all the major coins like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Dogecoin. Platforms that add new coins regularly tend to be more customer-focused overall, making this a strong indicator of a forward-thinking exchange.
  • User interface: Choosing a platform with an easy-to-use trading interface is important, especially for beginners. If you're a seasoned crypto investor, you'll also want to look out for exchanges that offer more advanced features like advanced order types and transaction exports for tax purposes.
  • Fees: All crypto exchanges charge fees (both in the form of trading commissions and bid-ask spreads), and they can vary by a wide margin. I've specifically chosen low-fee platforms here to help you maximize your profits.
  • Regulation: It's much safer to trade with a well-regulated exchange than an unregulated one, especially when markets aren't moving in your favor. Depositors' insurance is another safeguard offered by some exchanges, which keeps your assets safe even if the platform itself faces liquidity issues.
  • Deposit & withdrawal options: The exchange you choose should offer a variety of payment methods (bank transfers, debit/credit cards, PayPal, etc.) to ensure you can easily transfer funds in and out of your account. The more options you have, the better.
  • Security: Look for an exchange that strictly enforces multiple layers of security, such as two-factor authentication and at least 95% cold storage. Additional security measures like daily offsite backups, third-party security audits, and email confirmations on transactions make your account even more secure.
  • Customer support: The best crypto exchanges pride themselves on having well-trained, responsive support teams who can help users through any problems that come up. I pay particular attention to the channels each exchange offers support through, response times, the thoroughness and helpfulness of their responses, and user feedback on the customer support they've received.

In Summary

Choosing the best cryptocurrency exchange in El Salvador isn’t easy, given all the options out there and the different features each of them offers. As an avid crypto investor myself, I diligently keep up with the movements of the top exchanges in El Salvador, and have made my selections below based on years of research and personal experience.

Capital is the favorite among knowledgeable Salvadoran crypto investors, both for its high level of security and for its ease of use. Capital's fees are also extremely low, so if you’re looking for a secure, cost-effective way to buy and sell crypto in El Salvador, I can’t recommend Capital highly enough.

Best Crypto Exchange El Salvador FAQs

Which Salvadoran crypto exchange has the lowest fees?

The Salvadoran crypto exchange with the lowest fees is generally Capital, depending on the specific crypto assets you're trading. In most cases, Capital will be the cheapest option.

What’s the best crypto wallet in El Salvador?

The best crypto wallet is the Ledger Nano S hardware wallet. It is the best way to keep your private keys secure and, more importantly, offline. All Ledger wallets are certified by the French National Agency of Security and are among the safest and most cost-efficient wallets out there, and they support 1,200+ crypto assets, coins, and tokens.

What’s the best altcoin exchange in El Salvador?

The best altcoin exchange in El Salvador is Capital. They support a wide variety of cryptocurrencies and regularly add more of the altcoins Salvadoran investors are looking for.

What is the safest crypto wallet in El Salvador?

The Ledger Nano S is the safest wallet available today. All Ledger wallets far exceed industry standards for security: they use tamper-resistant Certified Secure Element (SE) with Common Criteria (CC) EAL5+ chips on their nanodevices, which means your private key stays on the secure chip. It also has a proprietary operating system called Blockchain Open Ledger Operating System (BOLOS) that's successfully undergone audits from the French National Agency of Security, many other government agencies, as well as regular audits from independent security organizations. 

What’s the safest crypto exchange in El Salvador?

The safest cryptocurrency exchange in El Salvador is Capital. They strictly enforce bank-level security protocols, run on servers in secure locations around the world, and undergo frequent financial and security audits to ensure all of their users’ assets are completely safe. They also have some of the lowest fees of any platform in El Salvador and are known for being a reputable, trustworthy exchange.

How Can I Sell Bitcoin In El Salvador?

There are several different ways to sell Bitcoin in El Salvador, though the easiest is to sell it directly from the crypto wallet or exchange that you’re holding it on. Remember to be cautious whenever you transfer coins between wallets, since blockchain transactions are irreversible.

What crypto exchange is best for beginners in El Salvador?

The best crypto exchange for beginners in El Salvador is Capital. They're ideal for beginners because they verify accounts instantly, have easy-to-use trading platforms, and provide great customer support in case you need any help along the way.

Is cryptocurrency legal in El Salvador?

Yes, cryptocurrency is legal in El Salvador, and you can buy, sell and use crypto without breaking the law. However, cryptocurrency is not currently considered legal tender in El Salvador, which means the Salvadoran government and Salvadoran businesses are not legally obligated to accept it as payment for goods and services.

What’s the best crypto app in El Salvador?

The best crypto app in El Salvador is Capital. Its mobile app is very easy to use, has a nice, modern interface, and has very good ratings and reviews on both the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store. If you live in a country like Equatorial Guinea or Egypt instead, you’ll have to double-check to ensure you can get the Capital app in your local app store.

What is the best crypto exchange for day trading in El Salvador?

The best crypto exchange for day trading in El Salvador is Capital, since it has low trading fees, tight spreads, and its prices update multiple times per second, giving day traders an upper hand over the rest of the market.

Can the Salvadoran government track cryptocurrency?

Yes. Just like in places like China, India, Hong Kong and Germany, the Salvadoran tax authorities can track cryptocurrency trades and transactions—and not only when your digital assets interact with real-world institutions like banks. Some exchanges in El Salvador are required by law to provide the government with information about their users’ transactions, including purchase price, purchase date, sale value, and all associated KYC data. If your tax returns don’t match the data the government receives from these exchanges, you may receive a fine.

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