Cryptocurrency CFD Brokers
Written By
James Barra
Written By
James Barra
Edited By
Tobias Robinson
Edited By
Tobias Robinson
Fact Checked By
William Berg
Fact Checked By
William Berg
Updated
Jul 24, 2024
We test CFD Cryptocurrency brokers in this updated review for 2026.
Top 6 Crypto CFD Brokers
Learn how we test brokers and why you can trust our ratings.
Here is a short overview of each broker's pros and cons
- Interactive Brokers - IBKR lets you purchase and hold Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum, and Litecoin at competitive commission rates and without needing a crypto wallet. Additionally, there is a range of other diverse assets to explore, such as crypto indices like the NYSE Bitcoin Index, as well as futures contracts like the BAKKT Bitcoin Futures.
- xChief - xChief’s range of 5 cryptocurrencies paired with USD is smaller than most competitors. In addition, the average BTCUSD spread of 30 pips is not the cheapest. That said, the broker does offer some useful crypto trading guides for beginners.
- Focus Markets - Focus Markets has clearly been built for crypto traders, offering an impressive 90+ derivatives, including major tokens like Bitcoin, Ethereum and Ripple. With high leverage, a commission-free trading account and fast execution on MT5, it delivers a reliable environment for active crypto traders.
- InstaTrade - InstaTrade offers a modest selection of around 12 cryptos against the USD, tradable via CFDs. Fees are low, especially for major assets like BTC/USD with spreads from 0. There's also a dedicated cryptocurrency blog with useful technical insights to support short-term trading decisions.
- Exness - Exness provides a selection of popular crypto-fiat pairs with zero swap fees and no commissions on Standard accounts, accessible via desktop and mobile apps. Crypto deposits are available in certain regions, and reduced Bitcoin spreads have enhanced its appeal for active traders.
- IC Markets - IC Markets offers 20+ cryptocurrencies which are tradable via CFDs, including lesser-known tokens such as Avalanche, Kusama and Uniswap. Commission-free trading is available, and experienced crypto traders can access high leverage up to 1:200 in the MetaTrader platforms.
Cryptocurrency CFD Brokers Comparison
| Broker | Minimum Deposit | Leverage | Platforms | Coins | Crypto Spread |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interactive Brokers | $0 | 1:50 | Trader Workstation (TWS), IBKR Desktop, GlobalTrader, Mobile, Client Portal, AlgoTrader, OmniTrader, TradingView, eSignal, TradingCentral, ProRealTime, Quantower | 4 | 0.12%-0.18% |
| xChief | $10 | 1:1000 | MT4, MT5 | 5 | Variable |
| Focus Markets | $100 | 1:500 | MT5 | 4 | Variable |
| InstaTrade | $1 | 1:1000 | InstaTrade Gear, MT4 | 12 | - |
| Exness | Varies based on the payment system | 1:Unlimited | Exness Trade App, Exness Terminal, MT4, MT5, TradingCentral | 2 | Floating |
| IC Markets | $200 | 1:30 (ASIC & CySEC), 1:500 (FSA), 1:1000 (Global) | MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, TradingCentral, DupliTrade, Quantower | 18 | BTC 42.036 |
Interactive Brokers
"Interactive Brokers is one of the best brokers for advanced day traders, providing powerful charting platforms, real-time data, and customizable layouts, notably through the new IBKR Desktop application. Its superb pricing and advanced order options also make it highly attractive for day traders, while its diverse range of equities is still among the best in the industry."
Christian Harris, Reviewer
Interactive Brokers Quick Facts
| FTSE Spread | 0.005% (£1 Min) |
|---|---|
| GBPUSD Spread | 0.08-0.20 bps x trade value |
| Stocks Spread | 0.003 |
| Leverage | 1:50 |
| Regulator | FCA, SEC, FINRA, CFTC, CBI, CIRO, SFC, MAS, MNB, FINMA, AFM |
| Platforms | Trader Workstation (TWS), IBKR Desktop, GlobalTrader, Mobile, Client Portal, AlgoTrader, OmniTrader, TradingView, eSignal, TradingCentral, ProRealTime, Quantower |
| Coins | BTC, LTC, ETH, XRP |
| Crypto Mining | No |
| Auto Market Maker | No |
| Crypto Spread | 0.12%-0.18% |
| Crypto Lending | No |
| Crypto Staking | No |
| Minimum Deposit | $0 |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, INR, JPY, SEK, NOK, DKK, CHF, AED, HUF |
Pros
- With low commissions, tight spreads and a transparent fee structure, IBKR delivers a cost-effective environment for short-term traders.
- The TWS platform has clearly been built for intermediate and advanced traders and comes with over 100 order types and a reliable real-time market data feed that rarely goes offline.
- IBKR is one of the most respected and trusted brokerages and is regulated by top-tier authorities, so you can have confidence in the integrity and security of your trading account.
Cons
- Support can be slow and frustrating based on tests, so you might find it challenging to reach customer service representatives promptly or encounter delays in resolving issues.
- TWS’s learning curve is steep, and beginners may find it challenging to navigate the platform and understand all the features. Plus500's web platform is much better suited to new traders.
- You can only have one active session per account, so you can’t have your desktop program and mobile app running simultaneously, making for a sometimes frustrating trading experience.
xChief
"xChief continues to prove popular with investors looking to trade highly leveraged CFDs on the popular MetaTrader platforms. The broker's rebate scheme and investment accounts will particularly appeal to seasoned traders. However, the lack of top-tier regulatory oversight is a major drawback."
xChief Quick Facts
| FTSE Spread | 70 |
|---|---|
| GBPUSD Spread | 0.9 |
| Stocks Spread | 50 |
| Leverage | 1:1000 |
| Regulator | ASIC |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5 |
| Coins | BTC, BCH, ETH, LTC, XRP |
| Crypto Mining | No |
| Auto Market Maker | No |
| Crypto Spread | Variable |
| Crypto Lending | No |
| Crypto Staking | No |
| Minimum Deposit | $10 |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, JPY, CHF |
Pros
- Traders can access a copy trading solution via the MetaQuotes Signals service
- The low minimum deposit of $10 will appeal to beginners, as well as the beginners’ guides in the Library
- xChief delivers a high-quality day trading environment via the MT4 and MT5 platforms, with market-leading charts, indicators and tools
Cons
- xChief is an offshore broker with weak regulatory oversight from the VFSC, so traders will receive limited safeguards
- Fees and minimums are imposed on most withdrawal methods, including a €60 minimum for SWIFT bank transfers
- The total range of 150+ assets is much lower than most competitors who typically offer hundreds
Focus Markets
"Focus Markets is perfect for experienced traders familiar with MetaTrader 5, offering flexible crypto transactions (USDT and BTC) and access to over 90 cryptocurrencies for seamless speculation, deposits, and withdrawals."
Focus Markets Quick Facts
| FTSE Spread | 1.2 |
|---|---|
| GBPUSD Spread | 0.0 |
| Stocks Spread | Variable |
| Leverage | 1:500 |
| Regulator | ASIC, SVGFSA |
| Platforms | MT5 |
| Coins | BTC, ETH, XRP, LTC |
| Crypto Mining | No |
| Auto Market Maker | No |
| Crypto Spread | Variable |
| Crypto Lending | No |
| Crypto Staking | No |
| Minimum Deposit | $100 |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, JPY, SGD |
Pros
- While its meagre four commodities won’t meet the needs of some serious traders interested in softs and metals, Focus Markets offers a huge suite of 90+ cryptos, providing short-term opportunities on high-reward, high-risk assets.
- Focus Markets is regulated by ASIC – one of the most respected regulatory bodies in the financial industry with robust safeguards like negative balance protection, ensuring you can’t lose more than your balance in volatile markets.
- Focus Markets excelled in the deposit and withdrawal category during testing, offering more base currencies than most competitors, including USD, CAD and EUR - and a range of traditional and popular crypto payment options, including BTC and USDT.
Cons
- Regulatory protection is a location lottery at Focus Markets – Australian traders benefit from strong ASIC oversight, but those using the SVGFSA-registered entity face limited recourse options in disputes.
- Focus Markets’ 24/5 support lacks direct phone help and unresponsive live chat, while email replies took a full business day during our latest tests. This slow support is a major drawback for active traders who need quick resolutions.
- Focus Markets still has a long way to go to compete with the best brokers - with virtually zero research tools and education, plus limited value-add features like VPS hosting, copy trading and swap-free accounts.
InstaTrade
"Although InstaTrade offers active trading on a comprehensive platform, it stands out with its fairly unique Fixed Income Structured Product (FISP), providing passive investment opportunities with up to 50% returns in 6 months if conditions are met. "
InstaTrade Quick Facts
| FTSE Spread | 660 |
|---|---|
| GBPUSD Spread | 0.2 |
| Stocks Spread | 8 (Apple Inc) |
| Leverage | 1:1000 |
| Regulator | BVI FSC |
| Platforms | InstaTrade Gear, MT4 |
| Coins | BTC, ETH, XRP, LTC, SOL, UNI, DOGE, BCH, FIL, ADA, DOT, LINK |
| Crypto Mining | No |
| Auto Market Maker | No |
| Crypto Lending | No |
| Crypto Staking | No |
| Minimum Deposit | $1 |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, RUB |
Pros
- Despite an average investment offering of around 300 assets, InstaTrade offers a particularly strong suite of currency pairs, catering to advanced traders seeking opportunities in volatile exotics.
- InstaTrade TV, consisting of video interviews and valuable market insights spanning equities, cryptos and more, helps identify opportunities and inform short-term trades.
- InstaTrade delivers an excellent suite of charting tools for day traders with its web trader comprising 250+ indicators, 11 chart types and a user-friendly design.
Cons
- InstaTrade’s growing educational tools provide valuable information for aspiring traders, but still trail category leaders like eToro with no structured course based on experience level.
- InstaTrade is registered in the offshore jurisdiction of the British Virgin Islands, resulting in limited regulatory safeguards for retail investors.
- InstaTrade sports one of the most cluttered websites and client cabinets in the industry, potentially overwhelming new traders, especially compared to XTB’s intuitive trading journey and resources.
Exness
"After slashing its spreads, improving its execution speeds and support trading on over 100 currency pairs with more than 40 account currencies to choose from, Exness is a fantastic option for active forex traders looking to minimize trading costs."
Exness Quick Facts
| FTSE Spread | 15.2 |
|---|---|
| GBPUSD Spread | 0.0 |
| Stocks Spread | 0.5 (Apple Inc.) |
| Leverage | 1:Unlimited |
| Regulator | FCA, FSCA, CMA, FSA, CBCS, BVIFSC, FSC, JSC |
| Platforms | Exness Trade App, Exness Terminal, MT4, MT5, TradingCentral |
| Coins | BTC, ETH |
| Crypto Mining | No |
| Auto Market Maker | No |
| Crypto Spread | Floating |
| Crypto Lending | No |
| Crypto Staking | No |
| Minimum Deposit | Varies based on the payment system |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, INR, JPY, ZAR, MYR, IDR, CHF, HKD, SGD, AED, SAR, HUF, BRL, NGN, THB, VND, UAH, KWD, QAR, KRW, MXN, KES, CNY |
Pros
- Excellent range of account types for all experience levels, including Cent, Pro plus the introduction of Raw Spread, ideal for day traders.
- Fast and dependable 24/7 multilingual customer support via telephone, email and live chat based on hands-on tests.
- Exness Terminal offers a streamlined experience for beginners with dynamic charts while setting up watchlists is a breeze.
Cons
- Retail trading services are unavailable in certain jurisdictions, such as the US, UK and EU, limiting accessibility compared to top-tier brokers like Interactive Brokers.
- Apart from a mediocre blog, educational resources are woeful, especially compared to category leaders like IG which provide a more complete trading journey for newer traders.
- MetaTrader 4 and 5 are supported, but TradingView and cTrader still aren’t despite rising demand from active traders and integration at alternatives like Pepperstone.
IC Markets
"IC Markets offers superior pricing, exceptionally fast execution and seamless deposits. The introduction of advanced charting platforms, notably TradingView, and the Raw Trader Plus account, ensures it remains a top choice for intermediate to advanced day traders."
IC Markets Quick Facts
| FTSE Spread | 1.0 |
|---|---|
| GBPUSD Spread | 0.23 |
| Stocks Spread | 0.02 |
| Leverage | 1:30 (ASIC & CySEC), 1:500 (FSA), 1:1000 (Global) |
| Regulator | ASIC, CySEC, CMA, FSA |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, TradingCentral, DupliTrade, Quantower |
| Coins | BTC, BCH, DOT, DSH, EMC, EOS, ETH, LNK, LTC, NMC, PPC, XLM, XRP, ADA, BNB, DOG, UNI, XTZ |
| Crypto Mining | No |
| Auto Market Maker | No |
| Crypto Spread | BTC 42.036 |
| Crypto Lending | No |
| Crypto Staking | No |
| Minimum Deposit | $200 |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, JPY, CHF, HKD, SGD |
Pros
- As a tightly regulated and widely respected broker, IC Markets prioritizes client security and transparency, helping to ensure a reliable trading experience globally.
- You have access to over 2,250 CFDs across various markets, including forex, commodities, indices, stocks, bonds, and cryptocurrencies, allowing for diversified trading strategies.
- IC Markets secured DayTrading.com's 'Best MT4/MT5 Broker' in 2025 for its seamless, industry-leading MetaTrader integration, refined over years to maximize the platform experience.
Cons
- Interest isn't paid on unused cash, an increasingly popular feature found at alternatives like Interactive Brokers.
- There are fees for certain withdrawal methods, including a $20 wire charge, which can eat into profits, especially for frequent withdrawals.
- Despite four industry-leading third-party platforms, there is no proprietary software or trading app built with new traders in mind.