Crypto Exchange Selector
Find the best crypto exchange for your needs in India. Answer a few questions to get personalized recommendations from the exchanges listed in the article.
Recommended Exchange
Buying and trading cryptocurrency in India isn’t just possible anymore-it’s mainstream. Over 100 million Indians now hold digital assets, and the number keeps growing. What changed? Clearer rules, better infrastructure, and exchanges that actually understand how Indians pay, think, and trade. If you’re looking for a crypto exchange that works in India, you don’t need to search overseas or risk unregulated platforms. Here’s the real list of exchanges that let Indian citizens trade legally, safely, and with real INR support.
CoinDCX: India’s First Crypto Unicorn
CoinDCX isn’t just another exchange. It’s the first Indian crypto company to hit unicorn status, and it shows. With over 200 cryptocurrencies available, it caters to everyone-from people buying their first Bitcoin to traders using 5x leverage on margin. The platform offers two modes: CoinDCX Go for beginners and CoinDCX Pro for advanced users. Spot trading fees start at 0%, and drop to 0.06% for higher volumes. You can deposit and withdraw INR using UPI, IMPS, NEFT, or RTGS-all within minutes. Security is tight: multi-signature wallets, insurance coverage for assets, and regular audits. Plus, their free learning platform, DCX Learn, helps new users understand crypto without getting lost in jargon.
WazirX: The People’s Choice
WazirX has over 15 million users in India, and for good reason. It’s fast, simple, and built for the local market. After being bought by Binance in 2019, it kept its Indian identity. You can trade 300+ coins, use P2P trading, or jump into futures-all with fees as low as 0.1%. Hold WRX tokens and get discounts. Deposits and withdrawals work through UPI, NetBanking, and IMPS. The app is smooth, customer support responds in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and other regional languages, and they regularly publish proof of reserves to show they’re not hiding funds. Even after regulatory pressure, WazirX stayed open and responsive. If you want reliability and local touch, this is it.
CoinSwitch: For the Casual Buyer
CoinSwitch started as a price aggregator-comparing rates across exchanges to find the best deal. Now, it’s a full exchange with a simple interface that feels like buying groceries. You get access to 250+ cryptocurrencies with a flat 0.04% trading fee. No confusing charts, no complex order types. Just pick a coin, enter the amount in INR, and hit buy. Payments go through UPI and bank transfers. It’s perfect if you’re not here to day trade. You’re here to hold Bitcoin, Ethereum, or maybe dip into Solana or Shiba Inu. CoinSwitch makes that feel easy. They also focus on compliance and education, so you’re not walking into this blind.
Binance India: Global Power, Local Touch
Binance is the world’s biggest crypto exchange. Its India branch, Binance India, isn’t a copy-it’s a tailored version. You get 350+ cryptocurrencies and over 1,590 trading pairs. Fees are 0.10% for spot trades. You can pay with UPI, bank transfers, or debit cards. It uses Binance’s global security systems: cold storage, two-factor authentication, and real-time monitoring. But unlike the global site, Binance India only supports INR deposits, follows Indian KYC rules, and doesn’t offer derivatives that aren’t allowed locally. If you want access to the full global market but need to stay within India’s rules, this is the bridge.
Mudrex: Invest, Don’t Just Trade
If you’re tired of watching charts and picking coins, Mudrex is your alternative. Instead of trading individual tokens, you buy pre-built portfolios called Coin Sets. Think of them like mutual funds for crypto. Want exposure to DeFi? Pick the DeFi Set. Interested in AI tokens? There’s a set for that. They offer 669 cryptocurrencies total, with a 0.25% trading fee. Payments work via UPI and bank transfers. Mudrex doesn’t push high-risk trading. It pushes smart, automated investing. It’s ideal for people who want to grow crypto holdings over time without spending hours researching. The platform is built for safety, simplicity, and long-term strategy.
ZebPay: The Veteran That Survived
ZebPay has been around since 2011. That’s longer than most crypto exchanges have existed. It’s seen bans, suspensions, and regulatory chaos-and still operates. Today, it supports 217 cryptocurrencies with spot trading fees between 0.15% and 0.25%. You can deposit INR using UPI, IMPS, NEFT, and RTGS. ZebPay also offers crypto lending, letting you earn interest on your holdings. Their app is clean, their customer service is reliable, and they’ve never shut down during regulatory crackdowns. If you value stability and longevity over flashy features, ZebPay is the quiet giant you can trust.
Paxful: Peer-to-Peer for the Unbanked
Paxful doesn’t run a traditional order book. It connects buyers and sellers directly. That means you can buy Bitcoin using UPI, Google Pay, Paytm, or even gift cards. You get access to just four coins: BTC, ETH, USDT, and USDC-but that’s all most people need. Buyers pay nothing in trading fees-sellers pay 1%. Minimum deposit is just $10 (around ₹800). KYC is required, but the process is straightforward. Paxful’s mobile apps work well on low-end phones, and they’ve even launched crypto education programs in India. If you’re in a small town, don’t have a bank account, or just want to buy crypto without linking your bank, Paxful is one of the few options that truly works.
Other Notable Exchanges
- Unocoin: One of India’s earliest exchanges. Offers 90+ coins with fees between 0.4% and 0.7%. Good for long-term holders who prefer a conservative approach.
- Bitbns: Supports 148+ cryptocurrencies with 0.25% fees. Includes P2P trading and staking. Popular among younger traders.
- Giottus: Offers 314+ coins with fees from 0% to 0.25%. Strong focus on security and compliance. Good for users who want variety without complexity.
What to Look for in an Indian Crypto Exchange
Not all exchanges are built the same. Here’s what actually matters in India in 2025:
- INR Support: Can you deposit and withdraw rupees easily? If not, walk away.
- UPI and Bank Integration: UPI is king. If an exchange doesn’t support it, it’s not optimized for India.
- KYC Process: It should be fast and clear. If it takes more than 15 minutes or asks for odd documents, be cautious.
- Fees: Spot trading fees under 0.1% are standard. Anything above 0.3% is expensive unless you’re getting extra features.
- Security: Look for cold storage, two-factor authentication, and proof of reserves. Avoid exchanges that don’t publish these.
- Customer Support: Can you reach someone in Hindi or Tamil? If the only support is email in English, you’ll struggle.
What’s Not Allowed
Some platforms still try to operate in India without following local rules. Avoid any exchange that:
- Doesn’t require KYC
- Accepts credit cards for crypto purchases (often blocked by Indian banks)
- Offers unregulated derivatives or leveraged trading beyond 5x
- Has no Indian phone number or local support
- Requires you to use a VPN to access their site
These aren’t just risky-they’re against Indian financial guidelines. Stick to the exchanges listed above. They’ve all cleared the legal hurdles and built real infrastructure for Indian users.
Which One Should You Choose?
It depends on what you want:
- Beginner, want to buy and hold: CoinSwitch or Mudrex
- Active trader, want low fees and high liquidity: CoinDCX Pro or WazirX
- Want global coins, trust big names: Binance India
- No bank account, use UPI/Paytm: Paxful
- Prefer stability, long-term player: ZebPay
There’s no single ‘best’ exchange. The best one is the one that matches your needs. Start with one, learn how it works, then expand if you need more.
Can I buy Bitcoin in India legally?
Yes, buying Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies is legal in India. There’s no ban on owning or trading crypto. The government taxes crypto gains at 30% and requires exchanges to follow KYC and AML rules. As long as you use a licensed exchange and report your taxes, you’re fully compliant.
Which exchange has the lowest fees in India?
CoinDCX offers spot trading fees as low as 0%, especially for users with high trading volumes. CoinSwitch charges 0.04%, and Giottus has a 0% fee tier too. WazirX and Binance India charge 0.1%, which is still competitive. Always check if there are discounts for using the exchange’s native token-WRX on WazirX or DCX tokens on CoinDCX can reduce fees further.
Can I use UPI to buy crypto?
Yes, every major exchange serving Indian users supports UPI. It’s the fastest and most popular way to deposit INR. You can link your PhonePe, Google Pay, or Paytm UPI ID directly to your exchange account. Withdrawals to UPI are also instant in most cases.
Are Indian crypto exchanges safe?
The top exchanges in India are among the safest in the world. They use cold storage for 90%+ of assets, require two-factor authentication, and publish proof of reserves monthly. Some, like CoinDCX and ZebPay, even insure user funds. While no system is 100% hack-proof, these platforms have far stronger security than most banks or traditional brokers.
Do I need to pay tax on crypto profits in India?
Yes. India taxes crypto gains at 30%, with no deductions allowed. A 1% TDS (Tax Deducted at Source) is also applied on every trade. Exchanges automatically deduct this, but you still need to report your total gains when filing your income tax return. Keep records of all buys and sells-your exchange will provide a statement, but it’s your responsibility to file correctly.
What happens if a crypto exchange shuts down in India?
If an exchange shuts down, your funds are at risk unless they’re held in your own wallet. That’s why it’s smart to withdraw large holdings to a personal wallet like Ledger or Trust Wallet after trading. Most regulated exchanges in India now offer easy withdrawal options and don’t lock funds. Avoid keeping large amounts on any exchange longer than needed.
Can I trade crypto on my phone in India?
Absolutely. All the major exchanges have well-designed Android and iOS apps. WazirX, CoinDCX, CoinSwitch, and ZebPay all rank high on app stores for usability and speed. You can buy, sell, track prices, and even set up recurring buys-all from your phone. Many users in smaller cities rely on mobile apps because they don’t have easy access to desktops.
India’s crypto scene isn’t going away. It’s growing, maturing, and becoming more user-friendly every year. The exchanges listed here are the ones that have passed the real test: serving millions of Indian users with speed, safety, and simplicity. Pick one that fits your style, start small, and learn as you go.
