We may receive advertising compensation when you click certain products. Before jumping into this page, an important disclosure.
You'll need a Bitcoin wallet before you buy since some exchanges require one.
Don't have a wallet? Read our guide on the best Bitcoin & cryptocurrency wallets.
- Popular Exchanges to Buy Bitcoin & Crypto in Iceland
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eToro- Supports Bitcoin, Ethereum & 15 other coins
- Start trading fast; high limits
- Clean & easy trading interface
This ad promotes virtual cryptocurrency investing within the EU (by eToro Europe Ltd. and eToro UK Ltd.) & USA (by eToro USA LLC); which is highly volatile, unregulated in most EU countries, no EU protections & not supervised by the EU regulatory framework. Investments are subject to market risk, including the loss of principal.
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Coinmama- Works in almost all countries
- Highest limits for buying bitcoins with a credit card
- Reliable and trusted broker
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Coinbase- High liquidity and buying limits
- Easy way for newcomers to get bitcoins
- "Instant Buy" option available with debit card
CEX.io
Bitpanda 
Coinbase Pro Popular Buy Bitcoin Read Review
Coinbase's exchange, Coinbase Pro, is one of the largest Bitcoin exchanges in the United States. Users can fund their accounts via bank transfer, SEPA, or bank wire. Coinbase Pro offers good prices and low fees, but their confusing user interface may initially prove difficult to navigate.
We may receive compensation when you use Coinbase Pro. Please visit Coinbase Pro for its exact pricing terms.
- Some of the lowest fees available for US and EU customers
- Possible to buy bitcoins for 0% fees
- User interface is confusing for first time buyers
Kraken Buy Bitcoin Read Review
Founded mid-2011, Kraken is the one of the world's largest cryptocurrency exchanges, and the largest in Europe based on daily average trading volume. It is available in almost all countries. Deposits can be made via bank wire, SEPA, ACH and SWIFT.
- Very low 0.25% taker fee, falling to 0.1% with sufficient trading volume
- Very low maker fee, falling to 0% with sufficient trading volume
- Highly-rated for security and data protection
- Requires ID verification, so not private
LocalBitcoins Buy Bitcoin Read Review
LocalBitcoins is an escrow service which also helps to match bitcoin buyers and sellers. Users may advertise trades for whichever payment method they prefer.
Buying bitcoins via an in-person meeting, secured and facilitated by LocalBitcoins, may be one of the fastest and most private ways to buy bitcoins in any country, including the United States, Europe (besides Germany), UK, Singapore, Canada, Australia and many more.
We may receive compensation when you use LocalBitcoins. Please visit LocalBitcoins for its exact pricing terms.
- Can be private, fast and easy
- In-person trades require no personal information
- Purchases of bitcoin can be made quickly via cash deposit
- Beware of scams; always follow the rules!
- Harder to buy large amounts of bitcoins compared to large exchanges
- Slightly to significantly higher prices than regular exchanges; premium for higher privacy
Paymium Buy Bitcoin
Paymium was the first European Bitcoin exchange, founded in 2011. It provides a EUR/BTC exchange service, and complies with all relevent European Regulations. Customers can purchase bitcoins via SEPA, wire transfer, or credit card.
- Established and trusted exchange
- Mobile app available
- ID verification required for amounts over €2,500, so not private
Bity Buy Bitcoin
Bity is a Bitcoin exchange and ATM operator, based in Switzerland. Their 5 ATMs allow for a quick first purchase and only require phone verification for an initial buy limit of 1,000 EUR or CHF. Their online service accepts wire transfers, SOFORT and online bank transfers.
- Easy to start buying bitcoins after mobile phone verification
- Payment limit of up to €100,000 annually after intensive verification
- ID verification is required for most purchases, so not a private way to buy
- Low annual limit of only €4,000 without intensive verification
Bitstamp Buy Bitcoin
BitStamp is one of the world's largest and most well-known Bitcoin exchanges. Deposits can be made through bank transfer, SEPA transfer, international bank wire, and now even credit cards.
- One of the longest-running Bitcoin exchanges
- Very low 0.25% fee, falling to 0.1% with sufficient trading volume
- Good range of deposit and withdrawal options
- Deep liquidity promotes a price close to fair market rate
- Offers wide range of altcoins
- Has been hacked before, users should not store funds on the exchange for any period of time
- High 8% fee on small credit card purchases, falling to 5% with sufficient trading volume
- Geared towards traders; slightly confusing for first time buyers
Bitcoin ATMs Buy Bitcoin
You can use our Bitcoin ATM map to buy bitcoins with cash. Bitcoin ATMs can be a quick and easy way to buy bitcoins and they're also private. That convenience and privacy, however, comes with a price; most ATMs have fees of 5-10%.
- Our map makes it super easy to find a Bitcoin ATM near you
- Bitcoin ATMs often have 5-10% fees per purchase
Bitit Buy Bitcoin Read Review
Bitit lets you purchase bitcoin online with a 3DS-enabled credit/debit cards or with cash via Neosurf, Flexepin (coming soon) and Cashlib vouchers, available in over 150,000 local stores across Europe.
We may receive compensation when you use Bitit. Please visit Bitit for its exact pricing terms.
- Unique way of purchasing offers extra privacy over other methods
- 8% Neosurf fee is slightly better than Coinhouse's 10%
- Available in 50 countries
- €10,000 initial weekly Neosurf cash payment limit
- Bitcoin gift cards also available; more expensive than other options
- In-person buying methods offer more privacy but can be confusing
- Identity verification required for buying amounts over €25
- €500 initial weekly credit/debit card limit
itBit Buy Bitcoin Read Review
itBit is a global Bitcoin exchange, licensed with the New York State Department of Financial Services. It also operates a global OTC trading desk, making it easy for customers to buy large amounts (100 BTC and up) of bitcoin. It supports all US states besides Texas.
- OTC trading desk is one of the best ways to buy large amounts of bitcoins
- Deep liquidity promotes a price close to fair market rate
- Extremely low fees; 0% for market makers and 0.2% for market takers
- Fee on OTC brokering service is only 0.1%
- Limited payment options
- Geared towards traders; exchange interface may be confusing for first time buyers
- Requires ID verification, so not private
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Chapter 1
Bitcoin & Cryptocurrency Trading in Iceland
Since 1990, Iceland has made serious market reforms, and the economy has seen massive growth. The area of Bitcoin is no exception.
Iceland hosts the largest Bitcoin mining facilities in the world, due to its very high reliance on thermal energy sources. The Icelandic government doesn’t consider Bitcoin a currency, but it allows its citizens to own Bitcoin and mine it freely.
One of the easiest ways to buy Bitcoin in Iceland is through the cryptocurrency exchanges outlined above. There are several exchanges offering Bitcoin in Iceland, and you can easily select one based on your requirements and preferences using our guide. Different exchanges have different transaction fees, withdrawal limits, payment modes, and verification processes that need to be kept in mind before users select one.
Additionally, Bitcoin buyers need to keep in mind the fact that certain exchanges might require them to get a wallet of their own before they are able to buy the digital currency. Also, it is recommended to have a wallet of your own for security reasons, preferably a hardware wallet. If you don’t have a wallet, refer to our guide on the Best Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency Wallets to choose one.
COMPARISON
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Chapter 2
Top Bitcoin & Cryptocurrency Exchanges in Iceland
Iceland has access to many large Bitcoin and cryptocurrency exchanges.
Have a look at our favorites below:
- Popular Exchanges to Buy Bitcoin & Crypto in Iceland
- eToro
- Supports Bitcoin, Ethereum & 15 other coins
- Start trading fast; high limits
- Clean & easy trading interface
This ad promotes virtual cryptocurrency investing within the EU (by eToro Europe Ltd. and eToro UK Ltd.) & USA (by eToro USA LLC); which is highly volatile, unregulated in most EU countries, no EU protections & not supervised by the EU regulatory framework. Investments are subject to market risk, including the loss of principal.
- Coinmama
- Works in almost all countries
- Highest limits for buying bitcoins with a credit card
- Reliable and trusted broker
- Coinbase
- High liquidity and buying limits
- Easy way for newcomers to get bitcoins
- "Instant Buy" option available with debit card
-
Chapter 3
Best Bitcoin Wallets for Iceland
There are three main types of Bitcoin wallet and all of them are supported in Iceland:
- Software (desktop or mobile - iOS and Android wallets
- Hardware wallet
- Cold-storage (paper or steel wallets, the latter of which are used to backup your main wallet.
Best for Security
Ledger Nano X
Secure storage for any cryptocurrency
Visit WebsiteThe Ledger Nano X is the newest crypto hardware wallet, and is very easy to use. It connects to iOS, Android & desktop computers.
Temporary Wallet
Atomic Wallet
Best for storing crypto for short period of time
Learn MoreAtomic wallet is a multicurrency mobile wallet with a beautiful interface and easy to use features.
Best for Desktop
Electrum
Simple yet powerful desktop wallet
Learn MoreElectrum is a Bitcoin-only wallet that has been around since 2011. It's easy to use, but has advanced features.
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Chapter 4
Exchange Hacks and Crypto Scams in Iceland
As of January of 2021, we could find no exchange hacks or significant scams affecting Iceland or its citizens. We will update this page if/when any news of scams or exchange hacks occur in Iceland.
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Chapter 5
Bitcoin Mining in Iceland
Iceland became the first nation to use more electricity for Bitcoin mining than any other practical application back in 2018, shortly after Bitcoin's price run.
Back when Bitcoin mining was profitable nearly anywhere, it seemed like a gold rush - anyone with mining hardware could make a profit.
And thanks to Iceland's volcanoes, the country has an abundance of geothermal and hydroelectric plants that provided the mining facilities with seemingly infinite energy.
However, Bitcoin's price has retraced even further since 2018, and mining difficulty has increased. Given Iceland's average electricity cost of $0.12 per kWh, it's no longer profitable for the average person.
Even using the Antminer S19 - one of the latest models from Bitmain - isn't good enough to turn a profit. According to our mining profitability calculator, the S19 would lose more than $1,600 per year in Iceland.
Bitcoin mining is only profitable in countries with dirt-cheap electricity, like China, India, and Kuwait to name a few. Otherwise, you'll most likely pay more in electricity than the value of the Bitcoin you acquire.
Couple that with the substantial upfront cost to invest in mining hardware and the time it takes to get going, it's easy to see why 99% of people don't mine Bitcoin anymore.
If you live in Iceland and want Bitcoin, buying it directly from an exchange is the best option.
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Chapter 6
FAQ
Does Coinbase work in Iceland?
Citizens of Iceland can convert, buy, and sell cryptocurrencies with fiat. Supported payment methods are:
- Bank Deposit
- PayPal
- Debit Card
- Credit Card
Where Can I Find a Bitcoin ATM in Iceland?
At this time, there are no Bitcoin ATMs in Iceland.
What is the price of Bitcoin in Iceland?
The current price of Bitcoin in Iceland is ISK4,459,354.12, however this amount changes every minute, so always check the value on your local exchange.
How do I cash out of Bitcoin in Iceland?
Any exchange with a Icelandic króna trading pair will allow you to sell your Bitcoin for fiat currency. Bitpanda has ISK trading pairs for many popular coins.
As of January of 2021, there are unfortunately no Bitcoin ATMs in Iceland.
Local Bitcoins is another option. Here, you can buy and sell Bitcoin for a wide range of payment methods, from gift cards to bank transfers. Local Bitcoins is a peer-to-peer (P2P) exchange, where you buy and sell with another individual. This does introduce a degree of risk, though by ensuring that you conduct all business on the platform, make use of its escrow services, and only trade with users who have a good reputation, you'll minimize any potential problems.
You could also use a service like eGifter to sell your Bitcoin for gift cards.
