8 Best Crypto Exchanges in Saudi Arabia

We analyzed 50+ leading crypto exchanges to help Saudi users find the best fit for their trading style. Each platform was reviewed side-by-side using a consistent scorecard focused on what matters locally: strong regulatory standing, real SAR deposit/withdraw access through Quick Buy or P2P, and high security standards like 2FA, cold storage, and proof-of-reserves transparency.

We then tested desktop and mobile trading to compare tools and usability, checked coin selection, and measured liquidity and execution quality under real market conditions. Fees were scored on clarity and competitiveness across trading and funding, while support speed and Arabic experience (full UI, Arabic help, and KYC with local documents) were treated as core requirements. Education and market insights were used as tie-breakers for beginner friendliness.

How FXEmpire Chose the Best Crypto Platforms in Saudi Arabia

• Regulatory Compliance: We prioritized platforms that are licensed and regulated by leading financial authorities in the US, UK, or EU, ensuring each platform complies with global financial regulations and maintains high operating standards.
• SAR Support & Local Banking Integration: We looked for exchanges offering direct Saudi Riyal (SAR) support for deposits and withdrawals, either via Quick Buy/Sell services or P2P trading, to offer seamless funding without currency conversion fees.
• Security & Transparency: We evaluated the security measures available on each platform, looking for features like 2FA, cold storage of assets, and transparent Proof of Reserves to ensure solvency.
• Trading Tools & Interface: We tested the trading experience on both desktop and mobile platforms, favoring those that offer TradingView integration, advanced conditional order types, and technical analysis tools, all while maintaining an easy to navigate interface.
• Crypto Selection: We compared the supported coins on each platform, favoring those that offer a wider selection of tokens that include major coins and niche altcoins, allowing for greater diversification and appealing to a wider range of traders.
• Liquidity & Order Execution: We analyzed order book depth, trading volume, and order execution on each exchange, looking for platforms that offer rapid execution with minimal slippage, even during periods of extra volatility.
• Low & Transparent Fees: We compared maker/taker fees, deposit fees, and hidden costs, ranking platforms highly for offering clear, transparent fee structures with no surprise fees.
• Customer Support & Response Time: We tested the customer support on each exchange, looking for fast, helpful support via a range of channels, including live chat and email.
• Arabic Language & Regional Accessibility: We prioritized exchanges with full native Arabic language support, customer support in Arabic, and support for local documents during KYC verification.
• Educational Resources & Market Insights: We looked for exchanges that offer a range of educational resources, tutorials, and market analysis, helping users make informed investment choices and develop a better understanding of crypto markets.

Best Crypto Exchanges in Saudi Arabia Comparison Table

How to Choose the Best Crypto Exchange for Traders in Saudi Arabia?

What is the current state of crypto regulation in Saudi Arabia?

Crypto is not legal, nor is it considered legal tender in Saudi Arabia, however there are no penalties for individuals buying, selling or trading crypto. Banks and licensed financial institutions are banned from offering crypto services or integrating with foreign crypto exchanges to facilitate deposits and withdrawals.

The Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) and Capital Market Authority (CMA) has issued several warnings to the public about virtual assets and cryptocurrencies, reiterating that they are not recognized as legal tender and are not regulated within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This also means there are no crypto exchanges that are licensed by SAMA to operate domestically.

Any foreign exchange used by individuals in Saudi Arabia is at their own risk, with no formal oversight by the Saudi authorities. Individuals owning or trading crypto isn’t criminalised, however, there is no recourse or support from Saudi authorities if an exchange is hacked or freezes your assets.

What crypto taxes do I have to pay in Saudi Arabia?

Saudi Arabia has no Personal Income Tax or Capital Gains Tax for individuals, meaning any profits from buying, selling, trading, staking, or airdrops are completely tax-free. Saudi Arabia also has no government body for individuals to report taxes, meaning your crypto activity is kept private from a government and tax perspective.

What crypto products are available in Saudi Arabia?

Access to crypto products will depend on the foreign crypto exchange used, many of which don’t have geographical restrictions on Saudi residents using their core products. Commonly available products include:

• Spot Trading: buying and selling crypto at current market prices.
• Margin Trading: borrowing funds to buy and sell larger amounts of crypto at current market prices.
• Futures Trading: buying and selling futures contracts instead of actual tokens, giving users the ability to control much larger positions with fewer assets compared to margin trading.
• Options Trading: buying and selling derivative contracts instead of actual tokens, giving users the right to buy or sell an asset at a specific price at the time of expiry.
• Staking/Earn Products: staking or locking up a given token for a specified period of time in order to receive staking rewards or yield.

Do exchanges allow staking, savings, or “earn” products for users in Saudi Arabia?

Yes, almost all major foreign crypto exchanges offer passive income or “earn” products that allow users to stake or lock up their assets to earn returns passively. However, given that the SAMA does not regulate crypto platforms in Saudi Arabia, all assets are staked or locked at the user’s own risk.

What are the main SAR payment methods for crypto exchanges?

What security features should I look for when choosing a crypto exchange?

Security is vital when choosing a crypto exchange to trust with your assets, here are a list of key security features to look out for:

• Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Any form of 2FA is the bare minimum, however we suggest prioritizing platforms that support 2FA with Google or Microsoft Authenticator.
• Cold Storage: The majority, if not almost all user assets should be held in offline, multi-signature, cold wallets.
• Proof of Reserves: Cryptographic proof that the exchange is solvent and holds enough assets in reserve to cover all user deposits.
• Transparent Security Audits: Regularly published reports from reputable third-party firms that thoroughly evaluate security practices and test security measures on the exchange.
• Insurance Coverage/Protection Fund: Many exchanges offer either third-party insurance coverage or a self-insurance fund with assets set aside to act as insurance in case of any unforeseen circumstances.
• Withdrawal Whitelists: The ability to restrict crypto withdrawals to a list of pre-approved wallets only.
• Anti-Phishing Codes: A unique, user-set code that appears in all emails from the exchange, letting you quickly identify scam emails and phishing attempts.

Is P2P trading allowed in Saudi Arabia, and which platforms have strong SAR P2P markets?

P2P is available in Saudi Arabia, and it is a popular on-ramping method given the ban on banking integration with crypto platforms. Top platforms like OKX, Bybit, and Bitget all offer comprehensive P2P trading platforms with a range of verified merchants that support a wide range of local payment methods.

What are typical trading fees (spot, margin, futures), on major platforms in KSA?

What scams or fake platforms are common in Saudi Arabia, and how can I avoid them?

There are a wide range of scams targeting users in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East, common scams include:

• Fake Exchange Apps: Scammers creating fake versions of OKX or Bybit and using them to get customer login details. We recommend ONLY downloading apps from official app stores or the official exchange website.
• Promise of Guaranteed Returns: Ponzi schemes on Whatsapp and Telegram promising users high, fixed daily returns. It’s important to remember that in crypto there are no guaranteed returns.
• Pump & Dump Scams: Whatsapp and Telegram groups that promote niche, low-cap tokens to their users, only for the token to dump once they have convinced members to buy.
• Social Media Impersonation: Fake accounts on X (Twitter) and Instagram impersonating crypto influencers and offering “giveaways” or “free support” for users.