Short answer
The best Revolut alternative for crypto depends on what you want to do. If you want to
buy quickly with your card and send it straight to your wallet — a
crypto ramp is more convenient. If you want
active trading with an order book and charts — an exchange like Kraken, Coinbase or Binance is the right choice.
Why people look for Revolut alternatives for crypto
Revolut is an excellent digital banking app — but its crypto feature has important limitations that many users only discover after their first transaction.
Custody: Revolut holds the
private keys for you — you don’t truly own the crypto until you withdraw it to a wallet where only you hold the private keys.
Blocked withdrawals: Revolut can block withdrawals for compliance reasons, without notice.
Hidden fees: Revolut’s spread on crypto transactions can reach up to 9.5% — without being explicitly shown as a fee.
Limited features: There’s no order book, no advanced trading, and you can’t use real
staking or
DeFi.
Limited selection: Revolut lists a few dozen
cryptocurrencies compared to the hundreds available on dedicated exchanges.
Revolut vs alternatives — quick comparison
| Platform | Best for | Crypto transfer to external wallet | Account required |
|---|
| Abarai | Quick purchase, direct send to wallet | ✓ Yes | No ID for small amounts |
| Kraken | Active trading, investing, MiCA licensed | NO | Yes (KYC required) |
| Coinbase | Beginners, regulated exchange | NO | Yes (KYC) |
| Binance | Advanced users, high volume, 350+ coins | NO | Yes (KYC) |
| Revolut | Banking + basic crypto | NO | Yes |
1. Abarai — for simple purchases and self-custody
Abarai is a crypto ramp compliant with MiCA, available in Romania and over 160 countries. Unlike Revolut, Abarai never holds users’ cryptocurrencies — every customer receives their crypto directly in their own external wallet.
✓ Compared to Revolut
Non-custodial — you hold the keys
Transfer to an external wallet
Transparent, lower fees
Phone support in Romanian
✗ Limitations
No active trading or order book
Online only, no ATM
Good fit if: you want to buy Bitcoin, Ethereum or USDC with your card and send it straight to your own wallet or someone else’s — with no extra withdrawal step.
2. Kraken — for active trading, MiCA authorized
Kraken is one of the oldest and most respected exchanges in the world, active since 2011. It is fully authorized under MiCA regulation in the EU and offers a full trading platform for serious users.
✓ Compared to Revolut
750+ cryptocurrencies available
Spot, futures, margin trading
Lower trading fees (0.16%)
Real staking, not simulated
✗ Limitations
Full KYC required
Complex interface for beginners
Funds held in Kraken’s custody until withdrawal
Good fit if: you trade actively, need advanced tools, or want access to many trading pairs. See our Kraken vs Binance comparison.
3. Coinbase — for beginners who want a classic exchange
Coinbase is the best-known exchange in the US, listed on NASDAQ and regulated in the EU. It offers a friendlier interface than Binance or Kraken, with a focus on simplicity — closer to the Revolut experience, but with full exchange functionality.
✓ Compared to Revolut
Full exchange, not just a banking add-on
Less restrictive withdrawals
Intuitive interface for beginners
Solid, transparent reputation
✗ Limitations
Higher fees than Kraken/Binance
Full KYC required
Custodial funds until withdrawal
Good fit if: you’re coming from Revolut and want a real exchange but with a gentler learning curve.
4. Binance — for advanced users
Binance is the largest exchange in the world by volume. It offers virtually every crypto trading tool — spot, futures, margin, staking, launchpad, P2P. It’s chosen by active traders who need maximum liquidity and access to a very large number of coins.
✓ Compared to Revolut
350+ cryptocurrencies available
Very low trading fees (0.1%)
Every trading tool that exists
Highest global liquidity
✗ Limitations
Complex interface, overwhelming for beginners
History of issues with regulators
Full KYC required
Good fit if: you’re an active trader, want access to futures and advanced tools, or trade high volumes. Not recommended as a first platform for someone coming from Revolut.
Note! At the time of writing, Binance has not obtained a license to operate in the EU, and therefore in Romania
Which alternative to choose based on your needs
| If you want to… | Choose |
|---|
| Buy crypto quickly with your card, straight to your wallet | Abarai |
| Send crypto to someone in another country | Abarai |
| Trade actively with an order book | Kraken or Coinbase |
| Need futures or leverage | Kraken or Binance |
| Are a beginner and want a classic exchange | Coinbase |
| Want maximum volume and every possible tool | Binance |
Many people use both types of platforms — a crypto ramp for simple purchases straight to a wallet, and an exchange when they need advanced tools. You don’t have to pick just one.
Already have crypto on Revolut and want to move it? Read our complete guide on
withdrawing crypto from Revolut — with detailed steps and the most common issues.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the best Revolut alternative for crypto in Romania?
It depends on what you want to do. For quick card purchases and direct transfer of crypto or money — Abarai. For active trading with advanced tools — Kraken or Coinbase. For advanced users who need volume and full features — Binance.
Can I transfer crypto from Revolut to Abarai?
Not directly — Abarai is a purchase ramp, not an exchange. But you can withdraw crypto from Revolut to your own
personal wallet, and for future purchases use Abarai directly, which sends crypto straight to your wallet with no extra step.
Revolut or Abarai — which has lower fees?
Abarai has lower fees (from 1% to 5.5% compared to Revolut’s spread of up to 9.5%). Revolut is more convenient if you already use the app for banking and want to occasionally buy small amounts. Also, Revolut stores your crypto for you, while Abarai lets you buy directly into your own external wallet.
Which crypto platforms are MiCA authorized in Romania?
Abarai and Kraken operate legally in the EU after July 1, 2026. Coinbase is authorized in the EU. Binance has not yet obtained the right to operate in the EU. Always check the current authorization status on
MiCA regulation.
What’s the difference between a crypto ramp and an exchange?
A crypto ramp (Abarai) converts fiat money into crypto and sends it straight to your wallet — simple, fast, no trading account needed. An exchange (Kraken, Coinbase, Binance) is a full trading platform with an order book, charts and multiple pairs — funds stay in the platform’s custody.
