Not all exchanges allow the deposit of MYR, which is why choosing the best crypto exchange in Malaysia can be challenging for those who believe this is a dealbreaker. Even though major platforms don’t support local payment methods or deposits in Malaysian ringgit (MYR), no one can argue that they offer some of the best features that make crypto investing and trading easier.
To make it easier for you, we’ve done the research and testing to find the top 10 Malaysian crypto exchanges. We’ll discuss each, explain how to choose the best option, and detail Malaysian crypto taxes. Let’s get started.
Webopedia is a leading information hub for cryptocurrency and technology. We do extensive research, see what the locals use, and try the platforms ourselves to ensure our reviews are as accurate as possible.
Bitunix is a crypto exchange specializing in derivatives trading. It was founded in 2022 by Aaron Lee with the goal of building a secure futures trading-focused platform suitable for novices and experienced traders. Headquartered in Saint Vincent, Bitunix is a regulated exchange with a Money Services Business (MSB) license with the US Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN).
Users can purchase crypto directly with seven fiat currencies using a debit or credit card. Alternatively, Bitunix has integrated third-party service providers that support buys with more currencies and payment methods, such as bank transfer and Revolut. Users also have access to a Peer-to-Peer marketplace for decentralized trading.
Bitunix offers 414 futures contracts with up to 125x leverage and 501 spot assets. It provides flexible crypto staking, dual-investment products, and copy trading. It also offers a crypto conversion tool and a recurring buy system. Fees are 0.08% / 0.1% (spot) and 0.02% / 0.06% (futures), which is reasonable compared to other crypto exchanges.
Bitunix is a reasonably well-equipped exchange catering to derivatives and spot traders. It boasts competitive fees and a good range of assets, but it lacks certain advanced features like trading bots and crypto loans. Thus, it’s best suited to spot and derivatives traders seeking a cheap platform, while those seeking a general feature set will likely prefer an alternative.
Regulated exchange
Offers a good selection of assets
Spot and futures trading with high leverage
Competitive trading fees
Lacks specific advanced features
The fiat on-ramp is restricted in countries like the UK
BTCC is a cryptocurrency futures trading platform founded in 2011 with offices worldwide. It’s a comprehensive platform covering both trading and investing. Users can purchase 395 assets on the spot market (BTC, major altcoins, and meme coins) and 376 USDT-denominated futures contracts, making BTCC versatile for traders.
Users can deposit funds via credit/debit card, Skrill, or Simple/MoonPay (third-party services that cover a wide range of payment methods and currencies). Alternatively, users can buy/sell USDT, BTC, SOL, or ETH directly with other users via the Peer-to-Peer (P2P) marketplace. Demo and copy trading cater to novices.
While BTCC is a fairly feature-rich trading platform, spot fees are high, starting at 0.3% (taker) / 0.2% (maker). Futures trading is much more competitively priced at 0.06% / 0.03%. With up to 500x leverage, BTCC is a solid choice for futures traders, but not investors.
Supports a reasonable selection of assets
Multiple options for buying/selling crypto
Demo and copy trading assist beginners
Supports a broad range of payment methods
High leverage limits
High trading fees
Unavailable in select regions
WEEX is a global crypto exchange founded in 2018 that serves more than 2 million users. It offers multiple trading options, including spot and futures markets. However, users are restricted to using crypto for payments and withdrawals, as they cannot buy with or deposit fiat currency. The exchange is registered as a Money Service Business in Canada and the US.
While WEEX is a relatively bare-bones exchange in terms of features, it hosts 971 cryptocurrencies and offers copy and demo trading functionality. It also has a rewards hub offering various trading and airdrop promotions. WEEX offers zero maker fees and 0.1% taker fees on most trading pairs. However, some are subject to a 0.1% maker order fee.
WEEX users can access up to 200x leverage on certain assets
Easy-to-navigate platform makes onboarding simpler
Free maker fees on many pairs (competitive fees otherwise)
Registered as a money service business
Copy and demo trading make WEEX suitable for beginners
No fiat currency support
Not many additional features outside of trading
BuyUcoin is a leading Indian crypto exchange operating since 2016, serving over 1 million users. It was founded by Atulya Bhatt, Devesh Aggrawal, and Shivam Thakral to provide a convenient way for Indians to invest and trade crypto. It’s registered with the Financial Intelligence Unit - India (FIU-IND) and is based in Delhi.
While users may find BuyUcoin somewhat basic, as it lacks tools like futures trading, crypto loans, or bots, it offers a solid selection of 239 cryptocurrencies. However, some are not available to purchase on BuyUcoin. The exchange offers a basic line chart and a TradingView integration for advanced users. It offers an easy-trade tool and a spot exchange.
Outside of typical exchange features, BuyUcoin provides Systematic Crypto Investment Plans (SCIP) that involve buying regularly over extended periods. It also offers an NFT marketplace and Bitcoin rebates for trading.
BuyUcoin is a strong choice for Indian crypto investors as it’s registered with FIU-IND. Trading fees are reasonable at 0.24%, so it’s a top crypto exchange for local enthusiasts, but international investors can find more feature-rich exchanges.
Reasonable trading fees
Registered with FIU-IND
Good selection of assets
TradingView for advanced charting
Built-in NFT marketplace
Doesn’t have advanced features
Can only trade spot, not derivatives
Kraken is one of the most popular exchanges worldwide and within Malaysia. It boasts a diverse feature set and best-in-class security. 24/7 surveillance by armed guards protects its key crypto infrastructure. It offers a reasonable 425 cryptocurrencies. While Kraken is not regulated in Malaysia, it holds licenses in many other countries.
Unfortunately, Kraken doesn't support MYR purchases, deposits, or withdrawals. However, Malaysian users can fund their accounts with USD via SWIFT or CUBIX, but may incur currency conversion fees. Unlike UK or USA users, Malaysians can access derivatives trading on Kraken. It also offers fixed/flexible staking and trading data for each asset.
Kraken is divided into two platforms. One is a beginner-focused platform with portfolio management tools and a simple order interface. The other is Kraken Pro, an advanced trading platform with an order book, profit tracker, and TradingView integration. Kraken charges 0.25% / 0.40% (spot) and 0.02% / 0.05%, making it a solid trading platform for Malaysians with crypto.
One of Malaysia's most secure exchanges
All features are available to Malaysian users
Traders in Malaysia can access Kraken derivatives
Can fund Kraken with USD in Malaysia
Caters to novice and experienced traders in Malaysia
No support for MYR deposits or purchases
Higher spot trading fees than other exchanges in Malaysia
YouHodler is another global exchange focused on simplicity. It's more feature-rich than Uphold and has licenses in multiple European jurisdictions, but it lacks SC approval. Investors will find it easy to fund Youhodler with USD (wire, Apple Pay, credit/debit card, AdvCash) or crypto, but there is no MYR support, which can result in your bank charging currency conversion charges.
Malaysian investors and traders can access 110 cryptocurrencies on YouHodler, the lowest of any platform on our list. However, it doesn't limit the features that users in Malaysia can access. They can use the crypto loans tool for temporary cashouts, the MultiHODL trading tool for crypto purchases, or the Turbocharge feature to amplify profits and losses via cascading loans.
Instead of a typical flat fee structure, YouHodler charges an hourly rollover fee that can vary but usually comes in at 0.02%. This makes the exchange suitable for short-term trades but expensive for holding extended positions. While it lacks MYR support and a diverse selection of assets, YouHodler's leverage-style trading system makes it attractive for Malaysian day traders.
Provides leverage to Malaysian traders
No restrictions on features in Malaysia
Offers multiple ways to deposit
Provides a simple interface and some advanced features
Crypto loans for temporary, untaxable cashouts in Malaysia
USD deposits can cause currency conversion fees
Fewer assets than other crypto exchanges in Malaysia
Founded in 2013 and based in London, CEX.IO is one of the earliest cryptocurrency exchanges. It operates globally, offering a secure platform for spot trading, margin trading, and staking.
The platform supports over 180 cryptocurrencies and allows users to deposit fiat in USD, EUR, and GBP. Payment methods include credit cards, bank transfers, PayPal, and Skrill. CEX.IO’s tiered fee system provides reduced fees for high-volume traders, making it a cost-effective choice for active users.
Operating since 2013 with a strong security record
Regulated in multiple jurisdictions
Competitive fees for high-volume traders
Margin trading and staking available
Multiple fiat currency support
Institutional services available
Higher fees for low-volume traders and card purchases
Geographic restrictions on certain features
Verification can be lengthy
Less competitive rates for staking than specialized platforms
Uniswap V2 is a decentralized exchange (DEX) operating on the Ethereum blockchain, launched in May 2020. It introduced significant improvements over its predecessor, such as direct ERC-20 to ERC-20 trading pairs, automated market maker (AMM) functionality, and flash swaps. Uniswap V2 allows anyone to provide liquidity to trading pools and earn a share of transaction fees, making it a popular choice for DeFi users.
The platform stands out for its security, transparency, and the ability to handle a vast number of trading pairs without relying on order books. But Uniswap V2 is subject to high Ethereum gas fees, especially during periods of network congestion, which can make trading expensive for smaller transactions. Some users also experience failed swaps due to low liquidity in certain pools, and the interface may be daunting for complete beginners.
Decentralized, non-custodial trading with no registration required
Supports a wide variety of ERC-20 tokens and pairs
Transparent and secure, with funds managed by smart contracts
Anyone can provide liquidity and earn fees
High gas fees on the Ethereum network, especially during peak times
Failed swaps are possible due to low liquidity in some pools
No customer support or recourse for failed transactions
May be complex for beginners unfamiliar with DeFi and self-custody
Coinone, founded in 2014, is one of South Korea’s leading cryptocurrency exchanges. It is praised for its intuitive interface, robust security (with no major hacks reported), and diverse offerings, including spot and margin trading, staking (Coinone Plus), and an advanced trading platform (Coinone Pro). Coinone charges a flat 0.20% trading fee and offers lower fees for new listings. Deposits are free, while withdrawal fees vary by coin.
Security is a notable strength, with the platform founded by a “white-hacker.” Yet, Coinone has faced some controversies, including legal issues involving executives accused of accepting bribes for coin listings. Some users also report dissatisfaction with customer service and fund management. Coinone is not regulated by a major international financial authority, which may be a concern for non-Korean users.
User-friendly interface and advanced trading features
Strong security record; no major hacks reported
Wide range of supported cryptocurrencies
Staking and margin trading are available
Past legal controversies involving management
Not regulated by strict international authorities
Some negative feedback on customer support
Primarily focused on the Korean market
Here at Webopedia, we’re committed to building an information hub for everything crypto and tech. We gather data from real users and base our reviews on a few key criteria:
Choosing the right exchange is paramount to your trading success. It will impact your safety, profitability, and overall experience.
There are many factors to consider, but we’ve broken down 10 of the most crucial:
In the following section, we explore these factors in detail, highlighting what to look for and why they’re essential.
The Securities Commission of Malaysia (SC) has taken steps to regulate cryptocurrency in the region. While crypto assets are not recognized as legal tender, they are considered securities, resulting in stringent regulatory requirements. The best crypto exchange in Malaysia will usually be SC-regulated as a Digital Asset Exchange (DAX).
Regulated cryptocurrency exchanges should be prioritized as they have superior protections, and local users have greater recourse in the event of controversy or insolvency. Moreover, exchanges that have spent time and money pursuing regulatory status generally focus on the user experience to a greater degree.
You should only consider platforms that support MYR purchases and payment methods like local bank transfer or Touch n Go, as they’ll be more efficient. It’s also worth looking to see which platforms support direct MYR deposits and which require you to interact with the P2P market.
It is critical to be able to deposit, withdraw, and pay with MYR. This will streamline the investing process, save money, and ensure you can cash out when required. If you have to jump through many hoops just to purchase crypto with your local currency, that platform is probably not worth using.
It can be challenging to determine which platforms excel regarding security, as jargon and technical terminology are common. However, a few things that are always worth looking out for include cold storage for user funds, proof of reserve audits, SSL encryption, anti-phishing codes, 2FA, withdrawal address allow listing, and client-company fund segregation.
When you use an exchange, you trust it with your personal information and funds. The platform must follow security best practices and ensure its users are safe on an account (2FA, address allowlisting, anti-phishing code) and platform (encryption, cold storage, proof-of-reserves) level.
When selecting the best crypto exchange in Malaysia, you should review its fees. For global exchanges, you should aim for transaction fees of roughly 0.1%. However, local Malaysian exchanges are more costly, so fees of around 0.5% are typical. P2P platforms seldom charge buyers, but sellers list orders at a premium compared to the spot price.
If you pay no attention to fees during the exchange selection process, you could be left using an expensive platform that eats away at your holdings. Although a 1% fee doesn’t seem too high, you lose 10x more money than a platform offering transaction fees of 0.1%. Across multiple purchases, these costs can add up, making choosing a low-fee exchange critical.
Liquidity is the measure of assets available to purchase on a platform. On order book-based exchanges like Binance, liquidity is determined by the quantity of buy/sell positions and the platform’s reserves. For P2P marketplaces, liquidity is the number of buy/sell offers from users. Popular, highly active exchanges generally have the best liquidity.
Considering liquidity is vital when selecting the best crypto exchange in Malaysia, as it will impact the maximum order size you can place without affecting the asset’s price. Trading platforms with high liquidity typically offer greater opportunities and cheaper prices.
The quality of trading software is a crucial but often overlooked factor. You should choose a platform offering modern, powerful trading software. TradingView is the industry standard and is integrated into many leading exchanges. However, any trading interface offering ample charting tools and technical indicators for in-depth analysis is suitable.
Having access to robust, well-featured trading software makes it easier to find potential opportunities and conduct accurate analysis. A platform offering fast order execution is also beneficial, as it helps traders capture the best prices. Below 200 milliseconds is reasonable, but below 100 is ideal.
When deciding on a crypto platform in Malaysia, you must consider the quality of its customer service. Aim for a platform with a comprehensive support center, a chatbot for simple questions, and some live support for more complex issues. Aim for near-instant live chat reply times, but anything under 2 hours is good.
Having access to effective, efficient, and prompt support is essential. If you can’t get a quick response to a pressing question or help with an important issue, you could be left stressed, annoyed, or even out of pocket.
| Exchange Name | Support Response Time |
| Youhodler | 30 Seconds (Live Chat) |
| Uphold | 16 Hours (Email Ticket) |
| Bitfinex | 30 Seconds (Live Chat) |
| MEXC | 5 Minutes (Live Chat) |
| Probit Global | 30 Seconds (Live Chat) |
| Poloniex | 3 Minutes (Live Chat) |
| OKX | Immediate (Live Chat) |
| Kraken | 30 Seconds (Live Chat) |
| Bitget | 30 Seconds (Live Chat) |
| Kucoin | 30 Seconds (Live Chat) |
The quantity of crypto assets is a key factor to consider when choosing a Malaysian trading platform. Ideally, look for an exchange offering 100+ assets. But, more important than the number is the specific assets. Choose a platform that provides the assets you’re interested in or think you might want later.
The amount of cryptocurrencies you can access will directly affect your trading opportunities. Moreover, if you’re forced to split your holdings between multiple exchanges, it can make portfolio management confusing and inefficient, taking your focus away from the market.
Our research found that Perbadanan Putrajaya (PPj) runs the Perbadanan Insurans Deposit Malaysia (PIDM) policy, which protects depositors for up to RM 250,000 stored within member banks. However, local exchanges Luno, Hata, and Tokenize state they do not offer insurance, so it’s likely that users are not protected.
Some exchanges offer deposit or balance protection that protects users in case of a bank failure (but not theft). Insurance provides peace of mind and makes storing crypto or cash on a crypto app in Malaysia safer. However, you only keep the necessary funds in an exchange; anything else should be withdrawn to a crypto wallet or bank account for safekeeping.
When analyzing a crypto platform in Malaysia, reviewing its track record is essential. Watch out for whether the platform has been hacked, resulting in the loss of user funds, as these exchanges should be avoided. Similarly, if a platform has a history of treating users poorly, seizing funds, or offering a subpar experience, you can find a better option.
The history of a platform can reveal a lot about how it treats users and handles issues. If an exchange has regularly sided against users or done things against their best interests, the poor treatment is likely to continue. However, a platform that respects its users and goes above and beyond to ensure an excellent experience will typically go out of its way to assist clients.
| Exchange Name | Hacked? |
| Youhodler | No. YouHodler has not been hacked in a platform-wide crypto theft, but it did suffer a major data breach in 2019 that exposed sensitive user information. |
| Uphold | No |
| Bitfinex | Yes. Bitfinex was hacked in August 2016 when hackers stole approximately 119,756 bitcoins worth about $72 million at the time. |
| MEXC | No. But in April 2025, a malicious third-party package targeted MEXC trading API users to steal tokens and API keys |
| Probit Global | No |
| Poloniex | No |
| OKX | No. But, recently, there have been security breaches affecting user accounts and funds, including multimillion-dollar thefts via SIM swap attacks and vulnerabilities exploited by hackers. |
| Kraken | Yes. In June 2024, Kraken exchange was hacked when security researchers exploited a critical zero-day vulnerability to steal $3 million from the exchange’s treasury. |
| Bitget | No. They recently faced incidents, including a $20 million market manipulation and exposure to external security breaches. |
| Kucoin | Yes. Hacked in September 2020, resulting in the theft of over $280 million in cryptocurrencies from its hot wallets, though most stolen funds were later recovered |
Having access to mobile crypto apps is critical. They make it easier to manage your portfolio, track trades, and generally improve efficiency.
The top crypto exchanges usually offer well-designed crypto apps, but some exchanges omit them to save on development costs. These are some reasons why it’s crucial to have access to a mobile exchange:
After finding the best crypto exchange in Malaysia, you must learn how to open an account. We’ve broken the process down into a simple step-by-step guide:
To create an account, you must provide an email address and password. Make sure you use a strong password unique to your account. Some platforms may also require you to choose a username.
Once you’ve created your account, you’ll need to verify it by opening the confirmation link sent to the email you provided.
Regulated exchanges like Luno require users to complete Know-Your-Customer (KYC) verification. The process requires uploading a photo ID (passport, driving license, or national ID card) and typically takes between 10 minutes and 24 hours to be confirmed.
Next, you should take time to enhance your account security. Set up 2FA using a dedicated authenticator app like Authy. Using SMS 2FA can leave you open to SIM swap attacks. You should also download the exchange’s mobile app and set up biometric (fingerprint or face ID) entry. Setting up your anti-phishing code for secure communications is also advised.
Now that your account is set up and secure, you have to fund it. You can deposit MYR or crypto directly to the exchange. Alternatively, conduct a P2P or one-click purchase to buy crypto with MYR, which can then be used to fund a spot exchange.
If you’d like to deposit crypto but aren’t sure how, we have a guide detailing how to send Bitcoin to another wallet. While the guide is Bitcoin-specific, the process is essentially the same for any crypto. It covers transaction fees, processing times, and risks to be aware of when sending crypto, along with other helpful tips.
We have another guide that goes in-depth on how to buy crypto. It covers key aspects of the process, like things to look out for when depositing funds, different ways to buy crypto, and how to secure your assets after purchasing.
Malaysia is lenient on its crypto taxation, but there are a few rules to be aware of:
To file your crypto taxes, follow these steps:
Now that we’ve covered the key points regarding how to choose the best crypto exchange in Malaysia, we’ve just got a couple of extra tips to keep in mind:
You should take care to hold crypto securely. To keep your assets safe, withdraw them from an exchange to an external wallet (ideally a hardware wallet). Our guide details the importance of self-custody and the risks of using exchanges for long-term storage.
You should also learn about crypto technology and study market data to stay updated with the industry. It’s helpful to follow projects you invest in. Doing so helps you stay informed of changes that could impact your investment.
Malaysia is somewhat crypto-friendly. The country doesn’t recognize crypto as legal tender and requires all exchanges to obtain a license from the SC. Despite having fairly strict rules surrounding crypto exchange services, individuals can transact freely, and crypto is relatively popular amongst Malaysian investors.
The Securities Commission of Malaysia has banned Binance from operating in the country. The regulator even blocked Binance’s investment in the Malaysian MX Global exchange. Binance does not offer any support for MYR purchases and blocks Malaysian IP addresses.