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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- Coins: BCH, BTC, BTG, ETH, LTC, XRP, EOS, DASH
- Crypto Spread: BTC <1%, ETH 2%
- Min. deposit: $100
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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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- Platforms: MT4, MT5
- Min. deposit: $50
- Regulator: CySEC, AFM
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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: 114.37 (BTC)
- Platforms: Web Platform, MT4, MT5, TradingCentral
- Min. deposit: $200
Learn how we test brokers and why you can trust our ratings.
Here is a short summary of why we think each broker belongs in this top list:
- AvaTrade 4.9/5 Regulated in five continents, AvaTrade offers a secure way to access crypto markets. There's a growing range of digital currencies including Bitcoin, Ethereum and Ripple, plus more unusually, a crypto index for diversified exposure. You can also access competitive crypto spreads in the broker's three platforms as well as 1:2 leverage.
- 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.
- LiteForex Europe 3.7/5 LiteForex Europe is a CFD broker established in 2008 and authorized by the CySEC. The brokerage offers forex, commodities and indices via the MT4 and MT5 platforms. Spreads are ultra tight on ECN accounts and leverage is available up to 1:30 in line with EU regulations. LiteForex also offers a rich education centre for new day traders and social trading capabilities.
- 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.
- Markets.com 4.4/5 Markets.com’s crypto offering covers 30+ major coins, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin, with leverage options that vary by region but stay more conservative than on forex. Execution was generally smooth in our tests, though spreads were noticeably wider during high volatility, making it better for swing trades than ultra-short-term scalping.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AvaTrade | 13590 | ||||
| PrimeXBT | 418 | ||||
| LiteForex Europe | 685 | ||||
| Eightcap | 3909 | ||||
| XTB | 2946 | ||||
| Markets.com | 1256 |
AvaTrade
AvaTrade offers active traders everything they need: an intuitive WebTrader, powerful AvaProtect risk management, a smooth 5-minute sign-up process, and dependable support you can rely on in fast-moving markets.
Jemma Grist, Reviewer
AvaTrade quick facts
- Coins
- BCH, BTC, BTG, ETH, LTC, XRP, EOS, DASH
- Crypto Mining
- ✘No
- Auto Market Maker
- ✘No
- Crypto Spread
- BTC <1%, ETH 2%
- Crypto Lending
- ✘No
- Crypto Staking
- ✘No
- Platforms
- WebTrader, AvaTradeGO, AvaOptions, AvaFutures, MT4, MT5, AlgoTrader, TradingView, TradingCentral, DupliTrade
- Minimum Deposit
- $100
- Regulator
- ASIC, CySEC, FSCA, ISA, CBI, JFSA, BVI, FSRA/ADGM, AFM, CMA-Kenya, CIRO (via Friedberg Direct)
- Account Currencies
- USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, ZAR
- Leverage
- 1:30 (Retail) 1:400 (Pro)
AvaTrade Leverage Trading
Pros
- Years on, AvaTrade remains one of the few brokers offering a bespoke risk management tool, AvaProtect, that insures losses up to $1M for a fee and is easy to activate on the platform.
- Support at AvaTrade performed excellently during testing, with response times of 3 minutes and localized support in major trading jurisdictions, including the UK, Europe and the Middle East.
- The WebTrader excelled in our hands-on tests, sporting a user-friendly interface for beginners, complete with robust charting tools like 6 chart layouts and 60+ technical indicators.
Cons
- AvaTrade’s WebTrader has improved, but work is still needed in terms of customizability – frustratingly widgets like market watch and watchlists can’t be hidden, moved, or resized.
- While signing up is a breeze, AvaTrade lacks an ECN account like Pepperstone or IC Markets, which provides the raw spreads and ultra-fast execution many day traders are looking for.
- The AvaSocial app is good but not great – the look and feel, plus the navigation between finding strategy providers and account management needs upgrading to rival category leaders like eToro.
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
- Maker and taker fees of at 0.01% and 0.02%, respectively, for crypto futures contracts are highly competitive within the industry.
- Ultra-fast execution speeds, averaging 7.12ms, make PrimeXBT an excellent option for day traders looking to secure the best prices in volatile markets.
- 24/7 customer support, available via live chat, proved excellent during testing, while the extensive help centre is perfect for self-help.
Cons
- 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.
- 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.
LiteForex Europe
LiteForex is a good option for active day traders with variable spreads from 0.0 pips, daily analysis and high-quality training guides. The forex copy system also lets you duplicate the positions of experienced traders.
William Berg, Reviewer
LiteForex Europe quick facts
- Crypto Mining
- ✘No
- Auto Market Maker
- ✘No
- Crypto Lending
- ✘No
- Crypto Staking
- ✘No
- Platforms
- MT4, MT5
- Minimum Deposit
- $50
- Regulator
- CySEC, AFM
- Account Currencies
- USD, EUR, GBP, CHF
- Leverage
- 1:30
LiteForex Europe Leverage Trading
Pros
- LiteForex has been established for 15+ years and is regulated by a trusted regulator, CySEC
- There's a comprehensive analytics portal by Claws&Horns, which offers video reviews, expert insights and short-term trading signals
- Fast ECN execution model with low spreads from 0.0 pips
Cons
- Fees are fairly high, with spreads starting from 2.0 pips in the Classic account and $10 forex commissions in the ECN account
- There are limited funding methods compared to other top day trading brokers
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.
- 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.
- 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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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
- Opening an XTB account is a hassle-free, entirely online process that takes just a few minutes, making the entry into day trading smooth for new traders.
- First-class 24/5 customer support is available, including a friendly live chat with response times of under two minutes during testing.
- The xStation platform continues to impress with its user-friendly interface and intuitive features, including customizable news feeds, sentiment heatmaps, and trader calculator, reducing the learning curve for newer traders.
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.
- Not being able to adjust the default leverage level of XTB products is frustrating, as manual adjustment can significantly mitigate trade risk, especially in forex and CFD trading.
- Trading fees are competitive with average spreads of around 1 pip on the EUR/USD but still trail the cheapest brokers like IC Markets, plus there's an inactivity fee after 12 months.
Markets.com
Markets.com is best suited to retail investors who trade frequently but don’t want to calculate commissions, thanks to its spread-only pricing (EUR/USD around 1.3 pips). It especially appeals to short-term traders who value fast execution, flexible asset choice spanning 2,200+ instruments and proprietary tools like hedge fund confidence indices and insider trade alerts.
Christian Harris, Reviewer
Markets.com quick facts
- Coins
- XLM, PENGU, BTC, XTZ, SNX, YFI, TRX, HLP, HIVE, VAULTA, CRV, RSR, BAT, AAVE, VANA, VIRTUAL, XRP, DOGE, LTC, SKY, XMR, ADA, BCH, DASH, AVAX, BGB, PI, ETH, WLFI, TON, ZRX, SOL, DOT, LINK, UNI
- Crypto Mining
- ✘No
- Auto Market Maker
- ✘No
- Crypto Spread
- 114.37 (BTC)
- Crypto Lending
- ✘No
- Crypto Staking
- ✘No
- Platforms
- Web Platform, MT4, MT5, TradingCentral
- Minimum Deposit
- $200
- Regulator
- ASIC, CySEC, FSCA, BVI FSC
- Account Currencies
- USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, ZAR, SEK, NOK, DKK, CHF, PLN, CZK
- Leverage
- 1:30
Markets.com Leverage Trading
Pros
- Markets.com’s Hedge Fund Confidence and Insider Trading tools pulls SEC filings into the dashboard within 24 hours of disclosure, helping to spot fund moves and C-suite buys before most retail newsfeeds updated.
- Switching between the proprietary web platform (great for alerts and quick analysis) and MT5 (strong for algorithmic EAs) was smooth in our tests; positions synced across desktop, web, and mobile without gaps or re-quotes.
- Within the 2,200+ CFDs, Markets.com offers thematic baskets like the Warren Buffett Blend and Cannabis Blend, which behaved like ready-made mini-ETFs during testing, saving the work of balancing weights manually.
Cons
- The proprietary web platform felt a bit basic once we pushed into advanced charting with fewer drawing/indicator options than full TradingView or MetaTrader.
- During sign-up, we hit unclear account type explanations and got stuck in an email verification loop that locked us out for an hour - way less streamlined than other brokers we’ve tested.
- Inactivity charges kick in after just 3 months, while variable spreads are wider than top ECN brokers during testing, which may deter day traders and high-frequency traders.
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.