With a boom in cryptocurrency, margin trading on this volatile asset provides new and potentially lucrative opportunities. In this tutorial, we explain how to trade crypto on margin plus offer tips for choosing the best exchanges and platforms. We also cover the pros and cons of crypto margin trading and a guide to getting started.
Crypto Margin Trading Platforms
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- Crypto Spread: 0.05% BTC, 0.05% ETH
- Platforms: PXTrader 2.0, MT5, TradingCentral
- Min. deposit: $0
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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: 0.22%
- Platforms: xStation
- Min. deposit: $0
75% of accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. -
- Crypto Spread: Variable
- Min. deposit: $50
- Regulator: FCA, ASIC, FSCA, VFSC, CIMA
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- Platforms: Desktop Platform, Mobile App
- Min. deposit: $0
- Regulator: SEC, FINRA, MAS, SFC, ASIC, CIRO, JFSA, SC
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- Crypto Spread: 12 average (Bitcoin)
- Min. deposit: $0
- Regulator: FMA, FSA
Learn how we test brokers and why you can trust our ratings.
Here is a summary of why we recommend these brokers in October 2026:
- PrimeXBT 4.2/5 Traders can speculate on popular cryptos with commissions as low as 0.05% and high leverage up to 1:200. Additionally, the broker continues to improve its offering by introducing Crypto Futures, with 101 new tokens added in 2025, as well as trading contests with real prizes.
- 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.
- XTB 4.8/5 XTB offers an excellent selection of cryptos with more than 50 digital currencies. Spreads are tight starting from 0.22% on BTC and leverage reaches 1:5. The xStation platform also provides intra-crypto pairs like ETH/BTC and DSH/BTC. With the capability to trade cryptos 24/7, XTB ensures a secure environment with transparent accounts for cryptocurrency day trading.
- Vantage 4.7/5 You can trade cryptos 24/7, including Bitcoin, with up to 1:200 leverage and zero overnight fees. Various risk management tools are also available, including price alerts and stop losses. The Vantage app also offers an excellent live news feed so you can keep track of the crypto market whilst on the go.
- Moomoo 3.2/5 Moomoo added spot crypto trading capabilities with 50+ tokens, including major names like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Dogecoin. It was also the first US broker to provide SEC-registered blockchain-native shares like Figure Technology Solutions’ FGRD and crypto IPO allocations such as BitGo.
- BlackBull 4.5/5 BlackBull excels for active traders interested in trading crypto. It has grown its selection of cryptocurrencies, now providing 27+ digital tokens, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Trump, with all cryptos paired with USD. But pricing is where it excels, with testing revealing average spreads of around 12 on BTC/USD - less than half that of competitors like Eightcap, plus there’s no commission, making it considerably cheaper than most crypto CFD brokers. BlackBull also offers separate well-presented crypto guides for beginner, intermediate and advanced traders. Up to 1:100 leverage is available on cryptos.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PrimeXBT | 418 | ||||
| Eightcap | 3909 | ||||
| XTB | 2946 | ||||
| Vantage | 15680 | ||||
| Moomoo | 740 | ||||
| BlackBull | 3517 |
PrimeXBT
PrimeXBT is suited to aspiring traders looking for crypto derivatives alongside traditional markets like forex and indices, all tradable on an intuitive, web-based platform. The copy trading solution is also ideal for hands-off traders with 5-star ratings and performance graphs to help you find traders that align with your preferences and risk appetite.
William Berg, Reviewer
PrimeXBT quick facts
- Coins
- BTC, LTC, ETH, XRP, EOS, ADA, DOT, SOL, UNI, LINK, DOGE, BNB, ICP, SAND, PAXG, andmore
- Crypto Mining
- ✘No
- Auto Market Maker
- ✘No
- Crypto Spread
- 0.05% BTC, 0.05% ETH
- Crypto Lending
- ✘No
- Crypto Staking
- ✘No
- Platforms
- PXTrader 2.0, MT5, TradingCentral
- Minimum Deposit
- $0
- Regulator
- FSCA, FSC, FSA, CNAD
- Account Currencies
- USD, EUR, GBP
- Leverage
- 1:1000
PrimeXBT Leverage Trading
Pros
- Ultra-fast execution speeds, averaging 7.12ms, make PrimeXBT an excellent option for day traders looking to secure the best prices in volatile markets.
- Traders can now use crypto balances (BTC, ETH, USDT, USDC) as margin to trade traditional financial markets, without needing to convert funds into fiat currency first.
- PrimeXBT seriously bolstered its suite of Crypto Futures in 2025, now offering over 200 tokens spanning AI, NFTs, Metaverse, Layer 1 &2, and more.
Cons
- Although there's a wide selection of educational articles, including covering charting analysis for short-term strategies, there lacks more engaging and interactive resources like videos and quizzes.
- Support response times and the choice of channels could be improved to provide active traders with quicker, more comprehensive assistance.
- Despite improvements like 7 metal additions, the around 350+ instruments still trails competitors, notably OKX with its 400+ assets.
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
- Leverage
- 1:30
Eightcap Leverage Trading
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.
- Having excelled across all key areas for day traders, Eightcap outperformed every competitor to win our 'Best Overall Broker' award for 2024, also securing our 'Best Crypto Broker' title for 2025 and 'Best TradingView Broker' for 2025.
- Eightcap Challenges, the broker's prop trading firm, is multi-regulated, removing the third-party risks we commonly see with white-label prop firms, and its tailoring its funded accounts to crypto traders with around 150 crypto pairs, plus it's integrated into the TradingView interface.
Cons
- In spite of an increasing variety of tools, Eightcap doesn't offer industry favorites like Autochartist or Trading Central, which offer cutting-edge charting analytics, live news, and market insights for short-term traders.
- 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.
- 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.
XTB
XTB stands out as a top choice for new day traders with the terrific xStation platform, low trading costs, no minimum deposit, and excellent educational tools, many of which are seamlessly integrated into the platform.
Christian Harris, Reviewer
XTB quick facts
- Coins
- ADA, BTC, BCH, DSH, EOS, ETH, IOTA, LTC, NEO, XRP, XLM, TRX, XEM, XLM, XMR, DOGE, BNB, LINK, UNI, DOT, XTZ
- Crypto Mining
- ✘No
- Auto Market Maker
- ✘No
- Crypto Spread
- 0.22%
- Crypto Lending
- ✘No
- Crypto Staking
- ✘No
- Platforms
- xStation
- Minimum Deposit
- $0
- Regulator
- FCA, CySEC, KNF, DFSA, FSC, SCA, CMF, Bappebti
- Account Currencies
- USD, EUR, GBP
- Leverage
- 1:30
XTB Leverage Trading
Pros
- First-class 24/5 customer support is available, including a friendly live chat with response times of under two minutes during testing.
- With an excellent range of educational materials, including training videos and articles integrated into the platform, XTB supports traders at all levels.
- XTB has improved its assets and markets offering further in 2026 with options trading in Spain and Germany, spot cryptos in some regions, and Investment Plans 2.0 with more pre-built plans covering sectors like Defence, a more intuitive interface, and greater flexibility to combine single stocks and ETFs into individual plans.
Cons
- XTB does not offer a raw spread account, which is becoming increasingly common among competitors like Pepperstone, and may disappoint day traders looking for the tightest spreads.
- XTB discontinued support for MT4, limiting traders to its proprietary platform, xStation, potentially deterring advanced day traders familiar with the MetaTrader suite.
- The research tools at XTB are good but could be great if they went beyond in-house features with access to leading third-party tools such as Autochartist, Trading Central and TipRanks.
Vantage
Vantage remains an excellent option for CFD traders seeking a tightly-regulated broker with access to the reliable MetaTrader platforms. The fast sign-up process and $50 minimum deposit make it very straightforward to start day trading quickly.
Jemma Grist, Reviewer
Vantage quick facts
- Coins
- ADA, AVA, BTC, DOG, EOS, ETH, LTC, NEO, SHB, SOL, TRX, UNI, XRP, more
- Crypto Mining
- ✘No
- Auto Market Maker
- ✘No
- Crypto Spread
- Variable
- Crypto Lending
- ✘No
- Crypto Staking
- ✘No
- Platforms
- ProTrader, MT4, MT5, TradingView, TradingCentral, DupliTrade
- Minimum Deposit
- $50
- Regulator
- FCA, ASIC, FSCA, VFSC, CIMA
- Account Currencies
- USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, JPY, HKD, SGD, PLN
- Leverage
- 1:500
Vantage Leverage Trading
Pros
- The ECN accounts are very competitive with spreads from 0.0 pips and a $1.50 commission per side (Pro ECN account)
- There are no short-term strategy restrictions with hedging and scalping permitted
- There’s an excellent suite of day trading software, including the award-winning platforms MT4 and MT5
Cons
- It's a shame that some clients will need to register with the offshore entity, which offers less regulatory protection
- The average execution speeds of 100ms to 250ms are slower than alternatives based on tests
- A steep $10,000 deposit is needed for the best trading conditions, which include the $1.50 commission per side
Moomoo
Moomoo remains an excellent choice for new and intermediate stock traders who want to build a diverse investment portfolio. What really stands out is the broker's user-friendly app and the low trading fees.
Jemma Grist, Reviewer
Moomoo quick facts
- Coins
- BTC, ETH, SOL, XRP, DOGE, LTC, UNI, SHIB, AAVE, AVAX, BCH, BONK, ADA, DOT, LINK, COMP, OP, MATIC, ARB, CRV, WIF, ETC, PEPE, XLM, XTZ, TRUMP, HBAR, SUI, NEAR, RENDER, TIA, FET, ALGO, ATOM, SEI, FIL, INJ, LDO, GRT, ONDO and many more
- Crypto Mining
- ✘No
- Auto Market Maker
- ✘No
- Crypto Spread
- 0.49% per spot Bitcoin trade (US), 0.3% to 0.39% (Singapore)
- Crypto Lending
- ✘No
- Crypto Staking
- ✘No
- Platforms
- Desktop Platform, Mobile App
- Minimum Deposit
- $0
- Regulator
- SEC, FINRA, MAS, SFC, ASIC, CIRO, JFSA, SC
- Account Currencies
- USD, CAD, AUD, JPY, MYR, HKD, SGD, CNY
- Leverage
- 1:2
Moomoo Leverage Trading
Pros
- Moomoo's analytics and insights are impressive and detailed compared to other brands
- The Moomoo AI assistant, found in the desktop software and app, provides genuinely useful market insights to inform active traders
- Moomoo is a Member of FINRA and the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC), adding another level of security for prospective clients
Cons
- Moomoo has faced multiple regulatory penalties in recent years, including fines and orders in 2026 that stopped it temporarily accepting some Japanese and Chinese clients
- The account range is narrow compared to other brokerages in its class with no managed portfolios or robo-advisor solutions
- There is no negative balance protection, which is a common safety feature at top-tier-regulated brokers
BlackBull
After improving its trading infrastructure with Equinix servers in London, reducing latency for traders, BlackBull is an obvious choice if you want to day trade stock CFDs with ECN pricing. With competitive spreads and no commission on a growing roster of digital tokens paired with USD, BlackBull also works for active crypto traders.
Christian Harris, Reviewer
BlackBull quick facts
- Coins
- BTC, ETH, SOL, XLM, XRP, BCH, ADA, SUI, TRUMP, LNK, DOT, DOGE, AAVE, AXS, HED, LTC, TRX, UNI, PYTH, ARB, BNB, AVAX, NEAR, ILV, ATM, INJ, POLY
- Crypto Mining
- ✘No
- Auto Market Maker
- ✘No
- Crypto Spread
- 12 average (Bitcoin)
- Crypto Lending
- ✘No
- Crypto Staking
- ✘No
- Platforms
- BlackBull Invest, BlackBull CopyTrader, MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, AutoChartist
- Minimum Deposit
- $0
- Regulator
- FMA, FSA
- Account Currencies
- USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, JPY, ZAR, SGD
- Leverage
- 1:500
BlackBull Leverage Trading
Pros
- After partnering with ZuluTrade and Myfxbook, alongside improvements to its own CopyTrader, and finally enabling cTrader Copy, BlackBull offers one of the most comprehensive copy trading experiences we've seen.
- BlackBulls’s research is superb, especially the daily ‘Trading Opportunities’ articles that break down complex market movements into easy-to-understand insights, making it simpler to capitalize on emerging trends.
- With two ECN-powered accounts (Standard and Prime), plus Prime+ - an active trader rewards program offering trading rebates - BlackBull accommodates beginners through to high-volume active traders.
Cons
- Unlike most top brokers, BlackBull charges an irritating $5 withdrawal fee, which can detract from the overall cost-effectiveness, especially for active traders who frequently move funds.
- Despite a growing selection of 2,180+ assets, including additions to its Asia Pacific indices, they are mainly stocks with an average selection of currency pairs and indices.
- Although the Education Hub now features improvements like webinars and tutorials, the courses we’ve explored need more focus on explaining the wider economic factors influencing prices.
What Is Crypto Margin Trading?
Crypto margin trading is the practice of using leverage to multiply the results of a trade. The amount a trader has deposited in their account is known as the margin.
A broker offering margin trading will provide traders with a leverage quote, this is usually displayed as either a ratio (e.g 1:2) or a multiple (e.g 2x), meaning that for every 1 base crypto coin, the results of a trade are multiplied by 2.
To enable traders to open larger positions, the broker allows them to borrow capital. This will need to be paid back in full, but the profits can be retained by the trader.
For example, if your leverage is 1:2 and you deposit $1,000, you can open positions with a total value of $2000.
If you use this to purchase Ethereum and the price moves 5%, you’ll have $2,100 worth of ETH.
If you close your trade there and return the $1,000 borrowed, you’re left with $1,100, having made a $100 profit.
If you’d placed the same trade in your spot account, you’d have made a $50 profit.
It’s important to note that profits are amplified, but equally, so are losses. Plus, your borrowed amount will still need to be returned. Therefore, margin trading on cryptos should only be utilised by knowledgeable investors.
Some of the top crypto exchanges offer crypto margin trading, including Kraken and Crypto.com.
What Is A Margin Call?
If the price of the asset held on margin drops in value significantly, a broker will issue a margin call. This means that traders will have to prove that they can return the amount borrowed, by depositing more funds.
The account will usually be suspended from opening new trades until this has been completed, or the asset rises in value again.
A margin call is designed to protect traders from losing more than they can afford.
For example, if you’re trading $1,000 on margin with 5x leverage and the value of ETH drops 17.5%, the value of the asset you hold is now worth $4,125.
Your operating loss is -$875. Since you’ve only deposited $1,000, you’re in danger of losing more than your initial deposit amount if the value slips further. At this point, a margin call may be issued.
Pros Of Crypto Margin Trading
- Lower capital requirements – Some Bitcoin trading strategies that require large amounts of capital. For example, scalping is the practice of executing short and sharp trades to collect small profits regularly. Crypto margin trading allows traders to maximise the results of each trade and means profits can accumulate quickly.
- 24/7 margin trading – Unlike the forex and commodities markets, crypto can be traded 24/7. If you’re a weekend trader, this means you can take advantage of margin trading outside of usual operating hours.
Cons Of Crypto Margin Trading
- Losses are amplified – While crypto trading on margin can mean increased profits, it also means that any losses are multiplied. Losses can exceed the deposit amount, so the risk involved is significantly larger when compared with trading on a cash account. Traders should consider whether they can afford the risk.
- Interest on borrowed crypto – While traders keep all the profits from their trades, some exchanges charge interest on the borrowed amount. The rate varies based on the cryptocurrency and the length of time capital is borrowed.
- Negative balance protection – In the world of forex, margin trading has been around a while. Therefore, most brokers are subject to regulation that aims to protect retail investors. In the EU, regulated forex brokers must provide negative balance protection, for example. This means that traders are prevented from losing more than their deposit amount when trading on margin. This level of protection is not generally available in the crypto industry, leaving altcoin margin traders exposed to significant risk.
- Regulatory challenges – Leveraged crypto trading has been barred outright or severely restricted in some jurisdictions due to its volatility and high risk. For example, measures introduced by the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) in 2018 limited leverage to 1:2, while the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority barred leveraged crypto derivatives for retail traders in 2020.
- Limited trading pairs – Not all crypto margin trading platforms offer leverage on all pairs, sometimes it’s only available on one or two. This limits traders’ scope for utilising an arbitrage strategy.
How To Start Crypto Margin Trading
To start crypto margin trading, you’ll first need to select a broker or an exchange that provides the service. Some of the best crypto exchanges that offer margin trading include Kraken. Then sign up to an account and complete any KYC checks – this usually involves inputting proof of identity and some personal information. Next, visit your settings. There will usually be an option to switch your account from spot to margin trading. In some cases, you’ll then need to transfer tokens to your margin account.
Choosing A Crypto Margin Trading Broker
- Leverage offered – Take a look a what leverage a broker is offering to understand how much you can trade. Note that higher leverage isn’t necessarily better – crypto assets tend to be highly volatile, meaning that even leverage of 1:2 can bring tidy profits, while high leverage will expose you to very serious risk if a trade goes the wrong way.
- Fees – The fee structure for margin trading varies per broker. Some operate by allowing traders to borrow tokens as leverage. In this instance, interest is usually charged on the borrowed amount. Kraken, on the other hand, charges an opening and closing fee on the spot value of the trade. A rollover fee is applied based on how long the position is held. Look for a broker whose fee structure you’re comfortable with. Also, taxes will usually need to be paid on any gains, in line with rules in your jurisdiction.
- Demo accounts – Since Bitcoin margin trading involves an increased level of risk, traders must have the opportunity to practice their strategies using signals beforehand. A trading simulator and online courses allow clients to trial strategies before using real money. Profit calculators are also useful to help predict the outcome of a trade and can replace the manual spreadsheet you’ve previously worked with.
Final Word On Crypto Margin Trading
Now we’ve explained the ins and outs of crypto margin trading, you’ve hopefully got the understanding to get started. Bitcoin and other cryptos are highly volatile markets and while trading on margin can mean huge upside, retail investors should also be aware of the risks involved. It’s possible this asset could suffer from increased regulation in the future, but for now, it represents an exciting opportunity for traders.
FAQ
How Does Bitcoin Margin Trading Work?
Crypto margin trading means investors can multiply the results of their Bitcoin trade by utilising leverage. Leverage is the number of times you can multiply the results, it is either written as a ratio (e.g 1:3) or a multiple (e.g 3x). Leverage allows traders to borrow funds from their broker. In this way, a trader can execute much larger positions than their deposit amount and can amplify profits.
Are There Many Crypto Exchanges That Allow Margin Trading?
The top crypto margin trading exchanges that allow margin trading include Kraken, but there are more to choose from. However, availability does vary by location. Some popular exchanges, including eToro and Coinbase, have suspended crypto margin trading at times due to volatility in the market.
Is Crypto Margin Trading Legal In The USA?
The US has taken steps towards crypto margin trading on CFTC‑registered exchanges following 2025 regulatory changes that lifted prior restrictions on spot margin.
Will A Crypto Margin Call Go Away?
A margin call will cease once your account has been deposited with sufficient funds or the asset has increased in value. A margin call is designed to protect a trader from losses that exceed their deposit amount.
Can I Trade Crypto On Margin?
Yes, some of the top Bitcoin exchanges now offer trading on margin, with the opportunity to multiply the results of any trade. Whilst the practice is restricted in some jurisdictions, it is available in Australia, India, and Canada, to name just a few.