Crypto futures in the EU: six licensed exchanges compared, all capped at 10x

The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Cryptocurrency investments carry a high degree of risk. Always conduct your own research.As a retail trader in Germany, you can trade crypto futures legally on six exchanges with an EU licence, all capped at 10x leverage for retail clients. The comparison covers contract design, fees, collateral and what ESMA's February statement changes for you.Add as a preferred source on GoogleFollow on Google NewsAs a retail client in Germany, you can trade crypto futures legally on six large exchanges that hold an EU licence as an investment firm or trading venue: Kraken, Coinbase, OKX, Gemini, Robinhood and One Trading. All six cap retail leverage on Bitcoin at 10x. The differences lie in contract design, fees, the currency in which you post collateral and the regulator responsible for your money. This comparison reflects the position as of November 4, 2026. A crypto future is a derivatives contract on the price of a cryptocurrency: you use leverage to bet on rising or falling prices without buying the coins themselves. The most common form is the perpetual future, or perp, a ...