Top Crypto-Friendly Banks - UK

In the ever-evolving financial landscape of the UK, the synergy between traditional banking and the burgeoning world of cryptocurrencies is more relevant now than ever. As cryptocurrency transactions become increasingly mainstream, a select group of forward-thinking banks are paving the way, embracing the change and facilitating easier transactions with crypto exchanges.

In the UK, crypto now sits inside a tighter regulatory framework, but banks still treat it as high risk, especially around fraud and AML. A crypto‑friendly institution in 2026 is one that:​

• Allows bank transfers and/or debit‑card payments to reputable, usually FCA‑registered exchanges, often with limits and extra checks.​
• Allows fiat withdrawals from exchanges back into your account, again subject to monitoring and occasional delays.​
• For some providers, offers in‑app crypto trading or specialist banking for crypto businesses.​

Most UK banks block or discourage credit‑card purchases of crypto, and many explicitly cap crypto‑related payments or block specific exchanges like Binance. Reminder: Always do your own research before committing.

Revolut

Revolut (an e‑money institution, not a traditional UK bank) allows most UK retail customers to buy, sell and hold a range of cryptocurrencies directly in the app, with assets held by third‑party custodians and some tokens available for on‑chain withdrawal. UK business customers have faced additional restrictions on new crypto purchases since 2024 due to FCA rules, so Revolut is most attractive for retail users rather than companies.

Royal Bank of Scotland

Royal Bank of Scotland, part of NatWest Group, generally allows some payments to established, FCA‑registered crypto exchanges, but it has become more cautious and may cap or block transactions it flags as risky. As with many UK banks, payments to Binance and other higher‑risk platforms are often restricted or blocked following FCA warnings, so customers should expect limits, enhanced checks and possible declines rather than a completely “crypto‑friendly” experience.

Monzo Bank

Monzo is crypto‑tolerant for everyday users: you cannot buy crypto in the app, but you can usually send money to FCA‑registered exchanges using Faster Payments or your debit card. Monzo applies a strict £5,000 rolling 30‑day limit on crypto‑related payments and blocks some exchanges (including Binance), reflecting its focus on fraud and AML risk management.

Wirex

Wirex bridges fiat and crypto by providing multi‑currency accounts, cards and crypto rewards, enabling everyday spending of digital assets. It operates as a fintech/e‑money platform rather than a traditional bank, so protections and regulation differ from a FSCS‑covered current account at a UK clearing bank.

Lloyds Banking Group

Lloyds permits many customers to pay FCA‑registered crypto exchanges using their current account or debit card, while generally blocking or discouraging credit‑card crypto purchases. Expect tighter monitoring, ad‑hoc blocks and potential limits, especially for large or repeated payments and for exchanges the bank views as higher risk. ​

Greengage

Greengage is a digital merchant‑banking‑style provider focused on SMEs and digital assets firms, offering e‑money accounts and related services tailored to companies in and around the crypto industry rather than retail users.

Xace

Xace is a specialist payment provider targeting high‑risk sectors like iGaming, e‑sports and some crypto businesses, offering accounts where mainstream banks are reluctant to onboard. Its fee structure and risk focus make it more suitable for genuinely high‑risk enterprises than for typical retail customers.

Cashaa

Cashaa concentrates on banking access for crypto and Web3 businesses, including support for Bitcoin and other digital asset flows, fiat conversion and accounts for exchanges, brokers and related firms. It is not a standard UK retail current account provider and is best viewed as a B2B banking solution for crypto companies.

Orounda

Orounda, based in Edinburgh, offers payment and account solutions (including SWIFT and SEPA) for higher‑risk and crypto‑adjacent businesses, effectively acting as a specialised PSP/EMI rather than a branch‑on‑the‑high‑street bank.

Barclays

Barclays took an increasingly conservative stance on crypto. From June 27, 2025, it blocks cryptocurrency purchases made with Barclaycard credit cards and has restricted many debit‑card payments to crypto exchanges, citing volatility and fraud risk. Some bank transfers to FCA‑registered exchanges may still go through, but Barclays can block or question transactions on a payment‑by‑payment basis, so it should no longer be considered a leading “crypto‑friendly” option for retail customers.

Here at Pony, we offer bespoke design services for the blockchain space, including branding, product UX & UI, and website design for ambitious blockchain companies.

updated as of January 2026