Can you now buy crypto with LHV?

Yes. Under its MiCA licence, LHV offers crypto buying, selling and custody directly in the LHV mobile and internet bank (terms valid from 17.04.2026). LHV does not run its own exchange — it forwards orders to partners (Bitstamp, Coinbase). The transaction fee is 0.5% and the minimum buy is 20 euros.

How high is the LHV crypto fee compared with an exchange?

LHV charges 0.5% per transaction. On specialised MiCA exchanges the fee is significantly lower: Bybit 0.02 to 0.055%, Binance 0.1%, Bitvavo 0.15 to 0.25%. On a 1000 euro buy that means about 5 euros at LHV versus about 0.55 euros at Bybit — nearly a tenfold difference.

Is LHV crypto suitable for long-term holding?

LHV holds the assets on your behalf (custody) — you do not have the private key, similar to holding on an exchange. For long-term holding of larger amounts a hardware wallet (Ledger, Trezor) is safer, because the key is under your control. The rule applies to banks too: "not your keys, not your coins".

Can you earn interest on LHV crypto (staking)?

No, LHV currently offers only buying, selling and custody — not staking or other yield services. For passive income (staking, lending) you need to use exchanges (Bybit Earn, Binance Earn) or DeFi. See our staking guide.

How is crypto bought through LHV taxed?

Crypto income is taxed in Estonia at 22% income tax (from 2025), calculated using the FIFO method — regardless of whether you bought at LHV or on an exchange. Selling, swapping and paying for goods are taxable events. From 2026 service providers report transactions under DAC8.

LHV Launches Crypto Service — What It Means for Estonian Investors

News 18 June 2026 · 5 min read

Estonia's largest bank, LHV, has obtained a crypto-asset services licence under the MiCA regulation and now offers crypto buying, selling and custody directly in its mobile and internet bank. LHV is one of the first Estonian financial service providers (alongside Lightyear) to hold this right. What does it actually mean for the everyday investor — and is it the best way to buy crypto?

What changed?

LHV customers can now buy crypto in a familiar banking environment without opening a separate exchange account. The facts:

• Service: crypto buying, selling and custody in the LHV app; terms valid from 17.04.2026.
• Transaction fee 0.5% per transaction; minimum buy 20 €, minimum sell 10 €, maximum 100,000 € per transaction.
• LHV does not run its own exchange — it forwards orders to partners (Bitstamp, Coinbase).
• The selection is limited ("other crypto-assets" in MiCA terms); staking and DeFi are not offered.

LHV vs a crypto exchange — an honest comparison

Criterion	LHV	MiCA exchange (Bybit/Bitvavo)
Transaction fee	0.5%	0.02–0.25%
Coin selection	Limited	200–1000+
Staking / yield	No	Yes (Earn)
Self-custody (own key)	No (LHV holds)	Can withdraw to a wallet
Convenience for beginners	High (in the bank)	Separate account + KYC

LHV's strength is convenience and banking trust — buying a small amount in a familiar app with a couple of clicks. The price for that is a higher fee, a narrower selection and the bank holding your assets. For an active buyer or a larger portfolio, lower fees and the staking option outweigh that.

What should you do?

Want the lowest fees and a wide selection?

At a 0.5% fee, a specialised MiCA exchange is the clear winner. Bybit (maker 0.02%) and Bitvavo (Estonian ID card, free EUR withdrawals) are the best options for Estonian users.

Open a Bybit account Compare exchanges

Holding a larger amount for the long term?

Whether you buy at LHV or on an exchange, the assets are held by someone else until you move them to your own wallet. A hardware wallet keeps the private key offline.

Buy Ledger Choose a wallet

Want to earn on your crypto (LHV does not offer this)?

Staking and Earn products provide passive income (ETH ~3–4%, SOL ~7%). LHV does not offer them — use an exchange's Earn or see our staking guide.

Read about staking

No escaping tax: gains are taxed at 22% income tax (FIFO) regardless of where you buy, and from 2026 service providers report transactions under DAC8. See our crypto taxation guide.

Buy crypto with the lowest fees

Bybit maker 0.02% / taker 0.055% — many times cheaper than 0.5%. MiCA-licensed, SEPA in euros.

Open a Bybit account

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