Cardano is an established crypto token that aims to provide a secure, scalable and sustainable platform for smart contracts and other decentralized finance (DeFi) applications. In this article, we’ve explained all there is to know about this ambitious altcoin, including how to buy it, whether it is a good investment, and how to start trading. We’ve also listed some of the best brokers for trading Cardano.
Cardano Brokers & Exchanges
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- Crypto Spread: $12 (BTC)
- Platforms: MT4, MT5, TradingView, TradeLocker
- Min. deposit: $100
71.28% of retail traders lose money when trading CFDs -
- Crypto Spread: From 0.04%
- Platforms: MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, DupliTrade
- Min. deposit: $0
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- Crypto Spread: 17.3 (Bitcoin)
- Min. deposit: $0
- Regulator: ASIC, CySEC, FSA, FSCA, FSC, SCB, CMA-Kenya
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- Crypto Spread: 1.19 (BTC/USD) - during tests
- Platforms: MT5
- Min. deposit: $100
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- Crypto Spread: From 0 pip
- Platforms: MT4, MT5
- Min. deposit: $10
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- Crypto Spread: From 0.1
- Platforms: Web, MT4, MT5, cTrader
- Min. deposit: $10
Learn how we test brokers and why you can trust our ratings.
This is why we think these brokers are the best in this category in 2026:
- Eightcap 4.6/5 Eightcap’s crypto offering is best-in-class with 120+ crypto derivatives, surpassing that of almost every alternative. Testing also reveals Bitcoin spreads of 12 pips, coming in lower than most competitors. Add in convenient deposits and withdrawals in digital currencies, and Eightcap offers the complete package for serious crypto traders.
- Fusion Markets 4.6/5 Fusion Markets offers the best-known crypto tokens paired with USD, and up to 1:10 leverage depending on your location. Bitcoin spreads are competitive starting from 0.04%, while it shines for its top-notch charting tools in MT4, MT5, cTrader and TradingView.
- FP Markets 4.2/5 FP Markets supports CFDs on popular cryptos including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple, Bitcoin Cash, and Litecoin. Yet while you can speculate on price movements through CFDs, direct ownership of coins is not supported. FP Markets also doesn’t add up-and-coming tokens for crypto enthusiasts on the pulse.
- Bullwaves 3.9/5 Bullwaves offers range of 130+ crypto markets,including 10 crypto majors like BTC, 47 crypto minors, and 16 crypto-crypto pairs that we counted in the platform during testing. The web and desktop platforms also offer extensive charting features that will appeal to active crypto traders deploying short-term strategies.
- Ingot Brokers 4.3/5 You can access 25 cryptocurrencies paired with USD, including BTC/USD and ETH/USD as well as smaller tokens like DOTUSD. The broker doesn’t offer a crypto wallet or exchange, although you can deposit via Bitcoin, Ethereum or Tether with zero fees.
- LiteFinance 4.0/5 LiteFinance offers a growing selection of 70+ cryptocurrencies, mostly paired with USD. The list includes some lesser-known tokens with lower market capitalization. However, traders will not directly buy and own the crypto tokens they trade.
Community Sentiment
See how users rate these brokers based on the average customer ratings submitted on DayTrading.com, plus ratings from Trustpilot, the Apple App Store and Google Play.
| Broker | Our Users' Rating | Trustpilot Score | Trustpilot Reviews | iOS App Rating | Android App Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eightcap | 3909 | ||||
| Fusion Markets | 10051 | ||||
| FP Markets | 10354 | ||||
| Bullwaves | 674 | ||||
| Ingot Brokers | 56 | ||||
| LiteFinance | 683 |
Eightcap
Eightcap delivers in every area for day traders with a growing selection of charting platforms, education via Labs, and AI-powered tools. Now sporting 120+ crypto CFDs, it's also become a stand-out choice for crypto trading, winning our 'Best Crypto Broker' award two years in a row.
Christian Harris, Reviewer
Eightcap quick facts
- Coins
- BTC, ETH, LTC, BCH, XRP, XMR, DSH, EOS, XLM, ADA, TRX, DOGE, BNB, DOT, MATIC, VET, AXS, NEO, SOL, UNI, AAVE, KSM, THETA, CAKE, SUSHI, ATOM, XTZ, SNX, COMP, FLOW, EGLD, PUNDIX, RAY, ZIL, QTUM, BAND, OMG, FIDA, BADGER, NEAR and many more
- Crypto Mining
- ✘No
- Auto Market Maker
- ✘No
- Crypto Spread
- $12 (BTC)
- Crypto Lending
- ✘No
- Crypto Staking
- ✘No
- Platforms
- MT4, MT5, TradingView, TradeLocker
- Minimum Deposit
- $100
- Regulator
- FCA, ASIC, CySEC, FSC, SCB, FSA
- Account Currencies
- USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, SGD
Pros
- Eightcap added TradeLocker in 2026 for certain regions, marking it out as the best regulated TradeLocker broker, while still delivering Eightcap's ultra-fast execution and low fees for active traders on the charting software.
- Eightcap stands out with a selection of powerful trading tools and resources, including MT4 and MT5, and more recently the 100-million strong social trading network TradingView.
- After bolstering its roster in 2021, Eightcap offers one of the most extensive selections of cryptocurrency CFDs in the market, with crypto/fiat pairs, crypto/crypto pairs, plus crypto indices for broader exposure to the market.
Cons
- Despite a useful library of educational guides and e-books in Labs, Eightcap still trails IG’s comprehensive toolkit for aspiring traders with its dedicated IG Academy app and 18 course categories.
- Eightcap needs to continue bolstering its suite of 800+ instruments to match category leaders like Blackbull Markets with its 26,000+ assets, featuring a particularly weak selection of commodities.
- The demo account expires after 30 days and can only be extended upon request - a notable inconvenience compared to the likes of XM with its unlimited demo mode.
Fusion Markets
Fusion Markets is a standout option for forex traders looking for excellent pricing with spreads near zero, industry-low commissions and recently TradingView integration. It’s a particularly good broker for Australian traders where the company is headquartered and regulated by the ASIC.
Jemma Grist, Reviewer
Fusion Markets quick facts
- Coins
- BTC, BCH, ADA, ETH, LTC, EOS, XLM, DOT, LNK, AVAX, SOL, MATIC, DOGE, BNB
- Crypto Mining
- ✘No
- Auto Market Maker
- ✘No
- Crypto Spread
- From 0.04%
- Crypto Lending
- ✘No
- Crypto Staking
- ✘No
- Platforms
- MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, DupliTrade
- Minimum Deposit
- $0
- Regulator
- ASIC, VFSC, FSA
- Account Currencies
- USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, JPY, CHF, HKD, SGD
Pros
- Withdrawal processing times have been slashed to under an hour and can be processed 24/7, making it faster and easier for active traders to withdraw any gains.
- Average execution speeds of around 37 milliseconds are noticeably faster than many rivals and can help day traders secure optimal prices in fast-moving markets.
- Fusion Markets offers best-in-class support with very fast, friendly and helpful responses during tests and no frustrating automated chatbot to navigate.
Cons
- While the selection of currency pairs trumps most rivals, the broker's alternative investment offering is average with no stock CFDs beyond the US.
- Traders outside of Australia must sign up with weakly regulated global entities with limited safeguards, though in August 2026 they made negative balance protection available to all eligible accounts.
- The demo account expires after 30 days, limiting its potential as a useful trading tool alongside a real-money account.
FP Markets
FP Markets strikes an ideal balance between affordability and quality for active traders. They’ve managed to keep trading costs low while expanding their investment offering, charting tools, and research features, all while providing excellent support you can rely on for urgent trading queries.
Christian Harris, Reviewer
FP Markets quick facts
- Coins
- ADA, BCH, BTC, DOG, DOT, EOS, ETH, LNK, LTC, RPL, SOL, XLM
- Crypto Mining
- ✘No
- Auto Market Maker
- ✘No
- Crypto Spread
- 17.3 (Bitcoin)
- Crypto Lending
- ✘No
- Crypto Staking
- ✘No
- Platforms
- Iress, MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, AutoChartist, TradingCentral
- Minimum Deposit
- $0
- Regulator
- ASIC, CySEC, FSA, FSCA, FSC, SCB, CMA-Kenya
- Account Currencies
- USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, JPY, CHF, HKD, SGD
Pros
- FP Markets delivers fast and dependable support, available 24/5 with average response times of less than 1 minute during testing.
- FP Markets offers a superb selection of tradable assets, especially since expanding its suite of commodities and supporting over 10,000 stocks.
- With MetaTrader, cTrader, Iress and more recently TradingView, FP Markets is one of the most accommodating brokers in terms of platform choice.
Cons
- Although Traders Hub provides rich research, notably the Daily Report, Technical Report, Market Insights, and Fundamental Analysis, it needs to widen its daily content variety and keep its forex news updated to match category leaders like IG.
- FP Markets trails the best MetaTrader brokers, despite offering a Trader's Toolbox on MT4, just 130 instruments are available, limiting opportunities for serious traders, especially compared to Pepperstone with its 1,300 assets.
- While pricing in the Raw account is excellent, spreads in the Standard account trail the cheapest brokers with a 1.1-pip average spread on the EUR/USD compared to the 0.8-pip average at IC Markets.
Bullwaves
Bullwaves may appeal to aspiring day traders looking for the MetaTrader charting platforms with a growing suite of research tools, including AI-powered market analysis. However, the limited track record and weak regulatory credentials raise questions about its reliability.
Christian Harris, Reviewer
Bullwaves quick facts
- Coins
- BTC, ADA, ALG, ATM, AVA, AXS, BAT, BCH, CAK, CRV, DOG, DOT, DSH, ETC, ETH, FIL, INC, IOT, LNK, LTC, NEO, NER, ONE, SAN, SHB, SOL, SUS, TON, TRX, UNI, VEC, XLM, XMR, XRP, XTZ, ZEC, BNB, AAV, ALI, ANK and many more
- Crypto Mining
- ✘No
- Auto Market Maker
- ✘No
- Crypto Spread
- 1.19 (BTC/USD) - during tests
- Crypto Lending
- ✘No
- Crypto Staking
- ✘No
- Platforms
- MT5
- Minimum Deposit
- $100
- Regulator
- FSA
- Account Currencies
- USD, EUR, GBP
Pros
- Bullwaves has upgraded its market offering with global equities, soft commodities, cryptos, and ETFs, as well as tripling the selection of FX assets.
- Bullwaves now offers copy trading, allowing users to replicate the moves of traders across 900+ strategies with thin spreads from 0.01 pips.
- MT5 is supported (MT4 has been discontinued), giving day traders a leading charting platform with excellent backtesting capabilities.
Cons
- Bullwaves has limited education tools, reducing its appeal for beginners, especially compared to category leaders like IG that provide structured courses and interactive elements.
- Day traders and scalpers will likely prefer the VIP or ECN accounts, but these require significantly higher starting deposits ($3,000 and $5,000) compared to many brokers offering similar trading conditions with lower entry barriers.
- Customer support performed poorly during our initial tests with no 24/7 chat support as advertised, and no response to our email queries, though it performed much better in our latest round of tests with most queries getting answers same-day.
Ingot Brokers
Ingot Brokers is a good choice for day traders looking for a no-frills broker with a wide range of instruments. Experienced traders will appreciate access to the advanced MT5 platform, although beginners may be disappointed in the lack of educational resources.
William Berg, Reviewer
Ingot Brokers quick facts
- Coins
- BTC, ETH, LTC, BCH, XRP, DOT, EOS, LNK, DOGE, ADA, XLM, ATOM, AAVE, AVX, BNB, DASH, ENJ, FTM, MATIC, SNX, WAVE, XMR, XTZ, YFI, SOL
- Crypto Mining
- ✘No
- Auto Market Maker
- ✘No
- Crypto Spread
- From 0 pip
- Crypto Lending
- ✘No
- Crypto Staking
- ✘No
- Platforms
- MT4, MT5
- Minimum Deposit
- $10
- Regulator
- ASIC, CySEC, JSC, FSA, CMA-Kenya
- Account Currencies
- USD, EUR, GBP, AUD
Pros
- Ingot Brokers offers a copy trading service with passive income opportunities for experienced strategy providers
- Traders can access the market-leading MT4 and MT5 platforms, collectively offering dozens of advanced technical indicators and charting tools for detailed analysis
- Multiple free payment methods are available, including bank transfers and crypto payments
Cons
- The range of 30+ currency pairs is below the industry average and won’t be sufficient for serious forex traders
- The ECN account offers fewer assets than the other account types
- Despite improvements in the Resources Hub, the broker’s education and market research still trail many competitors
LiteFinance
LiteFinance will suit traders seeking a long-standing broker to trade forex, stocks, commodities, indices, cryptocurrencies, and newer assets like equity perpetuals. The social trading system will also suit investors looking to learn from seasoned traders, though careful risk controls are required when copy trading.
Tobias Robinson, Reviewer
LiteFinance quick facts
- Coins
- AAV, ADA, ALG, ALI, ATO, AVX, AXS, BCH, BNB, BTC, BTG, COM, DGE, DOT, DSH, ENJ, EOS, ETH, FIL, ICP, ILV, ITA, KAV, LNK, LTC, LUN, MKR, MNA, MTC, NEA, NEO, OMG, QTM, SIA, SND, SOL, STX, THT, TRX, UNI and many more
- Crypto Mining
- ✘No
- Auto Market Maker
- ✘No
- Crypto Spread
- From 0.1
- Crypto Lending
- ✘No
- Crypto Staking
- ✘No
- Platforms
- Web, MT4, MT5, cTrader
- Minimum Deposit
- $10
- Regulator
- FSC
- Account Currencies
- USD, EUR
Pros
- Decent suite of extra tools and features including a VPS
- Fast and reliable customer support based on testing
- Good range of forex pairs
Cons
- Wide spreads on the Classic account
- Not overseen by any top-tier regulator
- Some complaints online about difficulties withdrawing funds
What Is Cardano?
Cardano is a cryptocurrency with the ticker symbol ADA, named after the mathematicians Gerlado Cardano and Ada Lovelace. Just like other cryptos, it uses blockchain technology to record transaction history.
Founder, Charles Hoskinson, was one of the original creators of Ethereum (ETH) but left the project following a disagreement with co-founder Vitalik Buterin over venture capital investment.
Cardano’s Initial Coin Offering (ICO) ran from September 2015 to January 2017, raising approximately $62 million across four funding stages. The mainnet officially launched on September 27, 2017, with an initial market cap of approximately $600 million. ADA exploded in value in the coming years to reach a market cap in the billions, but like other crypto tokens Cardano is highly volatile and has undergone severe price fluctuations since its launch.
Similar to Ethereum, Cardano’s aim is to run smart contracts which can be developed using the programming language, Javascript. ADA itself is written in Haskell.
Cardano has no official owner. It is a decentralized currency meaning every ADA holder has a stake in the Cardano network. It does not have a white paper, unlike most other altcoins, but instead is the first crypto to be peer-reviewed. It is steered by the Cardano Foundation, an independent Swiss not-for-profit organization that oversees the advancement of the protocol.
The Cardano Foundation set out its mission statement, with the core aim to increase adoption of the network. Cardano is a limited supply coin with a max of 45 billion ADA.
How Cardano Works
Cardano works by using a two-layer system. The first layer is called the Cardano Settlement Layer (CSL) which processes transactions in the ADA cryptocurrency. The second layer is known as the Control Layer, which is used to process the smart contracts.
Underpinning all of this is the Ouroboros algorithm, developed by Input Output Global (IOG) based on peer-reviewed academic research. It is Ouroboros that uses the proof-of-stake protocol to mine coins. This means that rather than everyone mining new blocks all the time, the network elects a few nodes to mine the next block. For this reason, ADA is known as a 3rd generation cryptocurrency.
How To Start Trading Cardano
To start trading Cardano, you’ll need to select a trading broker that offers crypto. Popular platforms listing ADA include eToro and Coinbase. There are a number of brokers that offer CFDs on cryptos which have benefits over owning the underlying asset, such as negating the requirement for an e-wallet to store your funds and are therefore the preferred choice for some traders. It’s worth shopping around for the best fees and features. Check our list for the most reliable Cardano brokers.
Regulated brokers are subject to Know Your Customer (KYC) identity checks. So you’ll often need to provide a form of ID and a photograph before you can trade any substantial amount. Once you’ve been verified, you can purchase Cardano through most payment methods, including wire transfer and credit/debit card.
Broker functionality is also vital. If you’re looking to start day trading Cardano, you’ll need a charting platform that suits your trading style and timeframes, as well as useful research tools and other features you want to use, such as copy or auto trading.
We’ve found TradingView to be a superb platform for day-trading Cardano (ADA), because it integrates research tools, strategy testing and social trading features on an attractive and easy-to-use platform. However many brokers for trading ADA use the time-tested MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms, and these are still options I rate highly.
Jemma GristAuthorCardano & Regulators
Like other crypto tokens, Cardano has historically existed in something of a grey area for regulators, with the entire crypto sector largely unregulated during its early years.
This has led to some restrictions and some lack of clarity for trading ADA. In the UK, for example, contracts for difference (CFDs) are not available for ADA and other crypto tokens since a 2020 ban by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Meanwhile, crypto exchanges have tended to exist in a regulatory grey area without strong regulatory oversight, though traders will find well regulated crypto brokers on the market.
The legal status of Cardano started to clear up as global regulators caught up with the burgeoning investment in crypto. The US Congress’ 2025 CLARITY act, for example, provided a clearer definition of ADA and other cryptocurrencies as “digital commodities“; in the same year, laws in Pakistan and Vietnam began to lay out regulatory frameworks for trading cryptocurrencies including Cardano.
Pros Of Trading Cardano
- Development – ADA is undergoing constant development to resolve issues that restrict ETH and BTC. The ‘Goguen’ roadmap details vast plans for improvement with the aim of adding the ability to build decentralized applications (DAPPS). This has included the addition of a multi-currency ledger, Native Tokens and NFT marketplace functionality. A 2018 memorandum of understanding with the government in Ethiopia explored the possibility of deploying ADA for use in the coffee and agritech sectors, illustrating the potential use cases of this crypto token.
- Scaleable – Because Cardano uses a POS chain, it is much more scalable than other coins. With Bitcoin, all holders are mining the crypto all the time, making it incredibly resource intensive. The ADA network is different because it nominates a holder to mine during an epoch slot (a period of time). If the holder does not show up or mine, someone else will be reelected instead. ADA owners can increase the likelihood of being nominated to mine by adding their share to a stake pool. In this way, ADA is more environmentally friendly and scalable than competitors.
- The internet of blockchains – Currently, cryptocurrency is limited because while there are numerous coins available, they require an intermediate broker to allow you to exchange them. ADA has released a multi-currency ledger as part of the Goguen update which will allow you to store multiple currencies on one blockchain. This means that exchanging Litecoin (LTC) for Polkadot (DOT) will soon be possible on the Cardano network, making the crypto market as decentralised as possible.
- Governance – Cardano’s fresh take on project governance puts the power in the hands of ADA holders. Individuals with a stake in ADA can vote on the future of the platform. Ideas go through funding rounds as part of Project Catalyst. ADA holders can vote on ideas such as the ability to earn staking rewards from your ADA holdings while also generating yield from DeFi protocols or new blockchain explorers. In this way, Cardano curates an ecosystem where the robustness of the network is put front and centre.
Cons Of Trading Cardano
- Capability – Despite ambitious development plans, Cardano has yet to release many capabilities. Ethereum already has smart contracts, the main focus of ADA’s development. There’s a lot of hype about Cardano being better than the rest, but much of this progress has yet to materialise.
- Traction – Some investors would say that the low price means room to grow. But Cardano has consistently underperformed compared to the top cryptocurrencies by market cap, and newer tokens like Solana (SOL) have amassed huge numbers of users while ADA has remained a relatively small-time player.
Security
Cardano is provably secure, meaning that it has been mathematically proven. This security is guaranteed as long as 51% of the stake is held by honest participants, which are achieved through random leadership selection. However, its reliance on this fact means that it is technically not immune to 51% attacks, like the one that left Ethereum Classic vulnerable in early 2019.
If this happened, the blockchain would have to be forked, which risks losing ledger information. Despite this, an attack of this scale is unlikely. Currently, a 51% stake in ADA would require over $20bn in capital, making it an expensive game for hackers to undertake.
Final Word On Trading Cardano
In conclusion, Cardano is a cryptocurrency with serious ambition. Its aim to resolve the faults that plague Bitcoin and Ethereum make it an attractive proposition for investors. With NFTs, Native Tokens and the so-called ‘internet of crypto’ all in the development pipeline, there’s a lot to be excited about. But it still has some way to go to match the adoption of the top tokens like BTC. Plus, the development of functionality has been slow. So, is Cardano a good investment for traders? That remains to be seen.
FAQ
Is Cardano Better Than Bitcoin?
Cardano developers have worked to overcome many of Bitcoin’s biggest faults. In particular, its proof-of-stake blockchain means reduced environmental impact vs BTC. The altcoin’s ambitions are vast, with smart contracts, native tokens and multi-currency ledgers in the pipeline. But, its market cap is much lower than Bitcoin, suggesting that adoption is not yet sufficiently strong to push it into the top tier.
What Is A Cardano Staking Pool?
A staking pool is a collection of Cardano holders that join together with the aim of being selected to stake the network. Staking is the process of validating transactions on the ADA blockchain. Those that do so can earn a return on their investment and so staking pools help coin holders maximise their returns.
Why Is The Cardano Ticker Symbol ADA?
Cardano’s founders named the ticker symbol after the mathematician Ada Lovelace. Lovelace is widely regarded as the first person to publish an algorithm that intended to be carried out by a machine.
Who Is The Founder Of Cardano?
Cardano was founded by Charles Hoskinson. Hoskinson was one of the co-founders of Ethereum but left following a disagreement about venture capital.
Is Cardano Decentralized?
Yes, Cardano is the world’s most decentralized cryptocurrency with over 21.75 billion ADA staked on the network which represents 69 per cent of its total circulating supply.