Real crypto or CFD – which do you choose on eToro?
On eToro you can buy cryptocurrencies in two ways, and they appear in the app as separate positions: a direct purchase (real crypto), where you own the coin yourself and can move it to your own wallet, or a CFD contract, which only tracks the price change and never gives you ownership of the cryptocurrency. The difference matters especially for taxes and transfer rights, so make the choice consciously and always check on the purchase screen which type of position you are opening.
The process for direct ownership (buying, holding, moving to a wallet) resembles buying on other exchanges, and it involves no CFD leverage and no derivative taxation.
How withdrawing euros from eToro usually works
eToro's main currency is the US dollar, so a withdrawal to a Finnish bank account usually involves currency conversion, and the rate used can include a margin over the market rate. A withdrawal typically takes several working days, which is slower than the 1–2 banking days of Finnish SEPA-based exchanges. Check the current fees and processing times on eToro's own website.
How to open an eToro account in Finland
eToro has a clear language menu and the whole process works in English. It is more international than at Finnish exchanges and does not require Finnish bank ID:
- Create an account with your email or a Google/Apple account on eToro's website.
- Verify your identity by uploading an identity document and proof of address. This is an international KYC process without Finnish bank identification, and the automated verification can often confirm your identity in the same session.
- Complete the investor profile questionnaire, a mandatory suitability assessment under EU rules.
- Make a deposit by card or bank transfer. A card deposit usually appears in your account immediately.
- Choose the buy or CFD view and open your first position – see above for which suits your goal.
eToro fees in Finland
eToro's pricing reflects its international nature: the trading fee is higher than at Finnish exchanges, and withdrawals also involve currency conversion.
| Event | Fee | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Trading (buy/sell) | 1.00% | Included in the price (spread-type) |
| Card deposit | €0 | Instant |
| Withdrawal to a bank account | €0 / $5 | Free from a EUR account; $5 from a USD account plus currency conversion |
| Inactivity fee | $10 / month | Charged if you don't log in for 12 months |
Note: eToro's price list is USD-based, which brings currency risk for a euro-based investor. Prices and fees can change, so always check the current price list on eToro's own website before trading.
Trading and withdrawal fees checked from eToro's price list on 5 October 2026.
eToro in brief
On eToro you can buy over 150 cryptocurrencies either directly or as CFDs, in an interface that feels familiar if you have traded shares before. The price is a higher trading fee and slower withdrawals than at Coinmotion or Northcrypto, which specialise purely in direct crypto ownership. The platform works best when you want crypto, shares and CFD trading in the same portfolio.
Security and custody
eToro (Europe) Ltd operates in the European Economic Area under the supervision of the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) and with a MiCA licence, and has been on the market since 2007, the longest of the platforms we compare. As an international player, its regulatory environment and the way it segregates client assets differ from Finnish exchanges. Keep this in mind if you plan to deposit larger amounts.
Is eToro safe and reliable?
eToro operates in international, listed markets, so its regulatory environment has more layers than that of Finnish exchanges:
- CySEC and MiCA licence: eToro (Europe) Ltd is supervised by CySEC and holds an EU-wide crypto-asset service licence, a stricter level of requirements than a mere national registration.
- Payment services and MiCA: EU supervisors have published guidance on how the Payment Services Directive and the MiCA Regulation fit together (in Finnish), which is relevant for multinational players like eToro.
- Long track record: since 2007, the longest of those we compare, covering both share and crypto services.
- International structure: eToro's EU company is supervised by CySEC in Cyprus. Crypto-assets are not covered by deposit guarantees or investor compensation schemes.
Who is eToro best for?
eToro is best when you want to combine crypto, shares and possibly CFD trading on one platform, and withdrawal speed or a slightly higher fee is not decisive. Because it works fully in English and does not require Finnish bank ID, it is also an easy starting point for internationals in Finland. If your goal is simply direct crypto ownership at the lowest possible cost, a specialised Finnish crypto exchange is often more cost-effective; always check on eToro's purchase screen which type of position you are opening.
Opening a crypto CFD position on eToro
Note: this section describes opening a CFD position, a derivative tied to price changes, not direct ownership of the cryptocurrency. If you want to own the cryptocurrency yourself, choose the "Buy" view instead of the CFD view when purchasing. CFD trading can involve leverage and carries high risk.
- Log in and make sure your account has sufficient funds.
- Search for and select the cryptocurrency. The selection is the widest of the services compared, over 150 cryptocurrencies.
- Enter the position size and confirm the order. A market order is usually executed within a few seconds.
- The position appears in your portfolio immediately. Its value follows the price of the underlying asset without you owning the cryptocurrency directly.
Closing a CFD position on eToro
- Open your portfolio and select the position to close.
- Enter the amount to close and confirm.
- The result (profit or loss) stays in your eToro account in US dollars.
- Request a withdrawal to your bank account. Processing can take several working days, and currency conversion has its own cost. Check the current withdrawal fee and processing time in eToro's help pages.
eToro: pros and cons
- Over 150 cryptocurrencies, available directly or as CFDs
- Crypto, shares and other investment products in the same portfolio
- CySEC-supervised (MiCA), longest track record (since 2007)
- Familiar, share-trading style interface in English
- Highest trading fee (1.00%) of the exchanges compared
- Slowest withdrawals because of currency conversion
- USD-based price list brings currency risk
- Inactivity fee on a long-unused account
eToro user experiences 2026
eToro is a widely used international platform, so there is plenty of public user feedback. Recurring themes:
- Positive: the breadth of the selection and the ability to combine share and crypto investing in one view are often mentioned as strengths.
- Critical: withdrawal speed and the inactivity fee come up repeatedly as criticism.
How eToro crypto CFDs are taxed in Finland
A crypto CFD position opened on eToro is a derivative, and its tax treatment in Finland differs from direct crypto ownership:
| Product | Tax consequence |
|---|---|
| Direct crypto ownership, sold for euros | Capital gain or loss, capital income tax 30% / 34% |
| Crypto CFD (derivative) | Gains are capital income, but losses cannot be deducted at all (Verohallinto) |
| Currency conversion on withdrawal | Not a separate taxable event in itself, but it affects the acquisition and sale prices in euros |
Always check at the time of purchase whether you opened direct ownership or a CFD position, as they are taxed differently. This is not tax advice; see our guide to crypto taxes in Finland.
eToro in Finland: frequently asked questions
Why do eToro withdrawals take longer than at Finnish exchanges?
The difference comes from eToro being a USD-based, international platform. A withdrawal to a Finnish euro account therefore goes through currency conversion and international payment systems, while Finnish exchanges use direct SEPA transfers in the same currency, which is structurally faster.
Can losses from eToro CFDs be deducted in Finnish taxation?
No. According to the Finnish Tax Administration, gains from CFD contracts are taxed as capital income, but losses are not taken into account at all, neither as capital losses nor as deductible expenses. Each trade is treated separately, so you can lose capital and still owe tax on profitable trades. Source: Verohallinto, crypto-assets.
What is CopyTrader, and should I use it for crypto?
CopyTrader is an eToro feature that automatically copies the trades of another user you choose into your own portfolio with an amount you set. It does not remove risk, since a copied portfolio can lose just as well as your own; it hands decision-making to another investor, which is worth understanding before you use it.
Do I need a separate wallet for crypto on eToro?
Not if you hold positions within the platform: both CFD and direct ownership positions are managed in eToro's own interface. Some directly owned coins can also be moved to eToro's separate wallet app, but CFD positions can never be moved to an external wallet because they are not real ownership.
Does eToro have a demo account?
Yes, eToro offers a demo account with virtual money, so you can get to know the interface and order types without real risk before funding a real account.
Is eToro legal and regulated in Finland?
Yes. Customers in the European region are served by eToro (Europe) Ltd, which is supervised by CySEC in Cyprus under the EU's MiCA framework. This is different from Finnish national supervision but gives the service an EU-level regulatory framework.
This review is based on the service's public information and the editorial team's assessment and is not investment advice. The eToro links on this page are partner links.
