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Which French cryptocurrency exchange platform should you choose for confident investing?
Looking for a French cryptocurrency exchange platform to buy or sell cryptocurrencies? You've come to the right place. In this article, we'll compare the main French players.
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French cryptocurrency platforms in the spotlight
In France, several providers (DASPs) offer solutions for converting your euros into crypto-assets . These include Deskoin, Meria, Coinhouse, and Paymium, each with its own specific features: number of cryptocurrencies offered, fee , customer service, and the availability of advanced .
In this guide, you'll find a comprehensive comparison to help you choose the French cryptocurrency platform best suited to your needs. We'll also look at what Bitstack and StackinSat (specializing exclusively in Bitcoin) have to offer, and then we'll discuss international competitors who may, in some cases, offer more options.
Why choose a French platform?
Many investors are turning to a French crypto platform because these players are required to comply with French regulations , notably through the PSAN registration granted by the AMF (Autorité des Marchés Financiers), but also for the possibility of having customer support in French.
Comparison of the main French cryptocurrency exchange platforms
We will now detail the offerings of Deskoin, Meria, Coinhouse, and Paymium, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses . We will focus on:
- The number of cryptocurrencies available
- Purchase and withdrawal fees
- Customer service and user reviews
- Other related criteria (security, accessibility, etc.)
Furthermore, you will find below a summary table to view everything at a glance.
French cryptocurrency platform: Deskoin, over 100 cryptocurrencies, clear pricing
Deskoin is a French-based platform with over 110 crypto-assets , placing it among the leaders in its category among French exchanges. Registered as a Digital Asset Service Provider (DASP), it offers a -friendly with two options: direct buying/selling and crypto-to-crypto trading.
Number of cryptocurrencies
With a catalog of approximately 110 tokens (including Bitcoin, Ethereum , Tron, Polygon , Chainlink ltc of major cryptocurrencies . It therefore includes assets with lower market capitalization, which will appeal to investors seeking diversification.
Platform fees
of 1.49% + €1.50 for buying or selling in euros (EUR ⇔ crypto) cryptocurrency-to-cryptocurrency exchanges , the fee is 0.99% + €1.50 . Withdrawals in euros via SEPA transfer incur a fee of €1.49 . The price displayed during the transaction clearly indicates the amount you will pay. It's a fairly simple model for beginners.
Customer service and reviews
On Trustpilot, Deskoin has a good rating (around 4.1) and approximately 200 reviews. Users generally praise the simplicity and speed of transactions. Customer support is considered responsive in most reviews. Deskoin focuses on buying and selling cryptocurrencies, avoiding the complexity of a full order book or limit orders. This clearly positions it as an accessible and secure service with a relatively large catalog compared to other French platforms.
French cryptocurrency platform: Meria, the French platform for buying and staking
Meria , formerly known as Just Mining, offers a range of services from spot purchases to staking and lending options 50 digital assets available for purchase, a respectable number for a French company.
Number of cryptocurrencies
Although Meria does not offer as many ltc coins ltc Deskoin, this selection is sufficient for an average investor who wants to cover blue chips and some promising cryptocurrencies.
Fees and withdrawals
Meria charges between 0.99% and 2.39% (or even more for some services) depending on the asset and the deposit method (bank card or bank transfer). For Bitcoin, Ethereum , and USDC , the lowest fees are 0.99% for bank transfers. Cryptocurrency withdrawals incur blockchain (network) fees and a potential surcharge depending on the cryptocurrency. For euro withdrawals, Meria charges 1.24% starting at €100.
Customer support and user feedback
With a rating of around 4.4 based on over 500 reviews, Meria is appreciated for its responsive French-speaking customer service and technical support. New clients particularly value having a French-based operator who can answer their questions by email or phone. The platform focuses primarily on providing easy access to a wide range of crypto investments, including staking .
French cryptocurrency platform : Coinhouse
Coinhouse , formerly known as "La Maison du Bitcoin," is a key player in the French crypto scene. Founded in 2014, the company quickly established itself as a one-stop shop for buying Bitcoin , Ethereum Ethereum and other ltc . With its PSAN registration and teams based in Paris, Coinhouse has built a strong relationship of trust with the French-speaking community.
Number of cryptocurrencies
Coinhouse lists more than 50 digital assets , including most of the major blockchains: Bitcoin, Ethereum , Litecoin , Solana , Avalanche , Cardano , Polkadot , etc. The selection is somewhat similar to that of Meria.
Platform fees
The basic fees for cryptocurrency purchases generally range from 0.99% to 2.49% (or even 3.49% for bank card payments). They also offer Premium or Platinum accounts, which reduce these fees if you pay a monthly subscription and trade significant volumes. Euro withdrawals can incur a commission of approximately 1.49% . Crypto withdrawal fees include network charges and may sometimes include an additional margin, particularly for less liquid ltc
Customer support and tools
Coinhouse offers responsive customer support, accessible via live chat , email, or phone appointments for Premium/Platinum plans. Over 2,000 reviews on Trustpilot (with a rating of approximately 4.6) are overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the helpfulness and user-friendly approach . Coinhouse's interface is designed for simplicity, while still allowing users to place limit orders through a more advanced "trading" section.
French cryptocurrency platform : Paymium, the pioneer
Paymium is a French marketplace founded in 2011, heavily focused on Bitcoin . Historically, it was the first platform in the world to allow the purchase of BTC with euros, which gives it longevity in the ecosystem.
Number of cryptocurrencies
Unlike Deskoin or Meria, Paymium only offers seven cryptocurrencies : Bitcoin, Ethereum , Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum Classic, Litecoin , Basic Attention Token, and DAI. This limited selection is suitable for those who want to focus on BTC and a few major cryptocurrencies. However, those seeking diversification will find it restrictive.
Maker/taker fees and structure
Paymium differentiates itself with a tiered fee structure that decreases based on your trading volume over 30 days and the order type (maker or taker). The taker fee starts at 0.6% , and the maker fee at 0.4% . As your trading volume increases, you can see the fees drop to 0%. For market brokerage purchases, the standard commission is around 1.49% . Bank withdrawals cost €0.99 BTC withdrawals are free (Paymium covers the network fees). As for the spread , Paymium operates like an exchange with a real-time order book, so the spread is zero or near-zero depending on the liquidity of the currency pair being traded.
Comparative table:
| Criteria | Deskoin | Meria | Coinhouse | Paymium |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of cryptocurrencies | +110 | ~50 | +50 | 7 |
| Purchase fees (EUR ⇔ Crypto) | 1,49% + 1,5€ | 0.99% to 2.39% (depending on the asset) | 0.99% to 2.49% (or even 3.49% CB) | Market order: 1.49% Maker/Taker: 0.4% – 0.6% |
| EUR withdrawal fees | 1,49€ | Starting from 1.24% (≥ €100) | 1,49% | 0,99€ |
| Customer support & reviews | Rating ~4.1 Reactive in French | Rating ~4.4 staking /lending services | Rated ~4.6 Premium Support | Rating ~4.3 Premier exchange BTC FR |
French cryptocurrency platforms: Bitstack and StackinSat, Bitcoin (BTC) only
Two initiatives deserve a spotlight : Bitstack and StackinSat . These two French-made services specifically target users who only want to invest in Bitcoin . They therefore do not offer other cryptocurrencies.
Bitstack's concept involves rounding up each of your daily purchases to the next highest amount and investing the difference in BTC . StackinSat, on the other hand, focuses on DCA ), an automated Bitcoin savings plan. Neither of these options will suit those looking to diversify their investments, but they appeal to die-hard fans of the original blockchain .
A market largely dominated by international platforms
Although Deskoin, Meria, Coinhouse, and Paymium are well-known in France, it must be acknowledged that many investors ultimately turn to global giants, particularly for reasons of additional services, pricing, and extensive product catalogs. Indeed:
- The number of listedltcis significantly higher, exceeding several hundred.
- competitive fees (often around 0.1 to 0.5%) encourage active traders to prefer these international platforms.
- Additional options (staking) are often more developed there.
For investing in cryptocurrencies, we recommend OKX.
OKX offers:
- Strict regulatory compliance, OKX being one of the first platforms to have held the European license ( MiCA ). It is on the AMF whitelist.
- A dual interface: a simplified application for beginners and an advanced platform offering tiered pricing based on volume.
- Very competitive fees on the market: 1% on the simplified platform and a maximum of 0.35% on the advanced platform .
- Access to several hundred cryptocurrencies to potentially diversify your portfolio in addition to Bitcoin.
- Additional services such as staking to generate returns on these cryptocurrencies.
OKX has one of the most comprehensive offerings on the market. We are not affiliated with them but use their referral link.
More information about the rewards can be found here.
In return, some of these platforms do not always offer French-language support, but they generally apply more competitive fees thanks to a much higher trading volume. They remain subject to European regulations, notably through the PSAN (Digital Asset Service Provider) license and the MiCAframework, which allows them to operate legally in France.
Should we favor a French cryptocurrency platform?
The answer depends on your investor profile and expectations:
- Are you looking for simplicity, a service in French and a platform regulated in France? Deskoin, Meria, Coinhouse or Paymium offer a secure environment with local support, which can be an advantage for beginners or those who prefer a more personal approach.
- Looking for access to hundreds of crypto assets at reduced fees? Platforms like Binance , Gemini, or Bitvavo may be more suitable, offering a wider range of options and more competitive fees.
You have several options : keep your BTC and ETH on a French cryptocurrency platform known for its stability, and speculate on other tokens through a foreign exchange. The important thing is to consider market volatility secure your assets as much as possible, for example by placing your cryptocurrencies in an wallet (or cold storage ) when you don't need to trade them.
Points to consider and best practices
- Learn about taxation: in France, French crypto platforms often make declarations easier, but don't forget to declare your gains as capital gains .
Conclusion: Where to buy cryptocurrencies in France?
Choosing the best French cryptocurrency platform depends on your investor profile and the scope of your blockchain ambitions . If you prioritize simplicity, a legal framework, and access to customer support , Deskoin, Meria, Coinhouse, and Paymium offer clear and secure interfaces with generally high user satisfaction rates. Each adopts a distinct positioning, with a greater or lesser focus on a multitude of ltc (Deskoin), staking (Meria), a premium experience (Coinhouse), or a traditional order book (Paymium).
Alongside this, Bitstack and StackinSat fulfill a specific need : the gradual purchase of Bitcoin without worrying about other cryptocurrencies. A minimalist approach to discovering decentralized finance .
Nevertheless, you will notice that French platforms still suffer from a lack of competitiveness compared to giants like Binance , Coinbase , Kraken , Bitvavo or OKX . The major international players dominate in terms of trading volumes lower fees .
However, when it comes to transparency , user- friendliness (documentation in French, accessible support, PSAN), and access security, French solutions hold their own: they primarily target a local audience concerned about regulations . It's up to you to decide what your priorities are.
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Yoann
Trained as an engineer, I quickly became interested in the field of finance. Convinced that decentralized finance has a bright future, I am participating in its democratization by developing Crypternon.