Cryptocurrency derivatives are fast becoming some of the most popular financial products. They allow investors to hedge spot trades, utilise leverage and speculate on market shifts. It’s perhaps unsurprising then that trading volumes have soared. In this article, we provide definitions and examples of the top cryptocurrency derivatives on the market. We also list the best exchanges and platforms alongside a guide to getting started for beginners.
Crypto Brokers in Bulgaria
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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 -
- 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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- Crypto Spread: Variable
- Crypto Lending
- Crypto Staking
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- Crypto Spread: 114.37 (BTC)
- Platforms: Web Platform, MT4, MT5, TradingCentral
- Min. deposit: $200
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- Crypto Spread: 0.22%
- Platforms: xStation
- Min. deposit: $0
75% of accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.
Learn how we test brokers and why you can trust our ratings.
Here is a short overview of each broker's pros and cons
- 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.
- 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.
- OKX 4.1/5 OKX continues to offer a superb selection of 400+ tokens including Bitcoin and Ripple. You can buy and sell tokens or trade cryptos on margin via derivatives, including perpetual swaps, options and futures. OKX stands out for its low fees, extensive range of tokens and speedy crypto transactions.
- 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.
- 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.
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 | 3908 | ||||
| AvaTrade | 13616 | ||||
| PrimeXBT | 415 | ||||
| OKX | 1770 | ||||
| Markets.com | 1258 | ||||
| XTB | 3026 |
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
- 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.
- With tight spreads from 0 pips, low commission fees, Eightcap provides cost-effective and flexible trading conditions that can accommodate an array of strategies, including day trading and scalping.
- 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.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
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
Pros
- 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.
- 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.
- AvaTrade launched AvaFutures to offer low-margin access to global markets, then expanded in 2025 as one of the first brokers to add CME’s Micro Grain Futures.
Cons
- 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.
- 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.
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
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.
- PrimeXBT has added opportunities with new tokens for exchanging and funding, including 1Inch, Aave, and Injective.
- 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.
Cons
- 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.
- Support response times and the choice of channels could be improved to provide active traders with quicker, more comprehensive assistance.
OKX
OKX is a top pick for crypto traders looking for emerging coins and crypto projects to invest in. Traders can also make use of the broker's copy trading service and automated bots.
William Berg, Reviewer
OKX quick facts
- Coins
- 1INCH, AAVE, ACA, ACE, ACH, ADA, AERGO, AEVO, AGLD, AIXBT, ALCX, ALGO, ALPHA, AMP, ANIME, APE, API3, APT, AR, ARB, ARG, ARKM, ARTY, ASTR, ATH, ATOM, AUCTION, AVAX, AXS, BABY, BABYDOGE, BADGER, BAL, BANANA, BAND, BAT, BCH, BERA, BICO, BIGTIME and many more
- Crypto Mining
- ✘No
- Auto Market Maker
- ✘No
- Crypto Spread
- Variable
- Crypto Lending
- ✔Yes
- Crypto Staking
- ✔Yes
- Platforms
- AlgoTrader, Quantower
- Minimum Deposit
- 10 USDT
- Regulator
- FinCEN, VARA
- Account Currencies
- USD, EUR, GBP, INR, JPY, SGD, RUB, AED, SAR
Pros
- Traders can access historical market data for spot and futures combining OHLC data, aggregate trades and trading history
- OKX has 50 million global clients and a license from the Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority
- In 2025, OKX secured a MiFID II license, enabling it to offer regulated derivatives products across Europe, providing peace of mind
Cons
- The broker's platform and features may be complex for novices
- In 2025 OKX agreed to pay over $500 million in penalties for violating AML laws in the US
- The quality of customer support was inconsistent based on testing
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
Pros
- Markets.com provides commission-free trading on most assets with spreads starting from around 0.6 pips on major forex pairs, making it cost-effective for casual traders.
- 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.
- 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.
Cons
- 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.
- 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.
- While CySEC and FSCA oversight is solid, the SVGFSA and BVIFSC entities offers 1:500 leverage under a light-touch framework, meaning protections like compensation schemes and strict conduct rules lag behind the strictest regulatory standards.
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
Pros
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Cons
- The demo account expires after just four weeks, a serious limitation for traders who wish to thoroughly test the xStation platform and practice short-term strategies before committing real funds.
- 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.
- 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.
Cryptocurrency Derivatives Explained
The term ‘cryptocurrency derivative’ is an umbrella for a collection of different financial contracts that derive their value from the crypto they are based upon. A crucial characteristic of a derivative contract is that investors don’t own the underlying crypto, meaning an investor can speculate on the future value of Bitcoin, for example, without actually buying BTC and holding it in a wallet. The terms of a contract vary depending on the type of derivative.
Cryptocurrency-Related Derivatives
Futures & Options
Futures and options are contracts that allow a party to purchase an asset at a set price in the future. In a futures contract, there is an obligation to purchase at the agreed price, whereas an options contract gives the holder the choice.
Futures and options can be valuable cryptocurrency derivatives securities since the price agreed in the contract might not match the market price at the time. For example, if I enter into a futures contract to buy Bitcoin (BTC) at $40,000 in one month’s time, yet when the contract expires the market price is now $50,000, I can make a profit by reselling the Bitcoin at the new market price.
CFDs
CFDs are contracts for the difference in price between the buy and sell points.
For example, if I open a long position on Bitcoin with the price of $20,000 and the price rises, I will profit from any rise – but if the value falls to below $20,000 I would begin to make a loss on the trade.
They enable cryptocurrency derivatives traders to speculate on movements in price without purchasing the underlying asset.
In the world of cryptos, this is a useful advantage since there is no requirement to hold tokens in e-wallets.
High-profile crypto exchange hacks have meant that protecting your tokens from theft is vital. With CFDs, traders can benefit from the same market movements, but with reduced security issues. CFDs also allow traders to short the crypto market and speculate on decreases in the value of tokens, unlike the spot market.
Perpetual Swaps
Perpetual swap markets cover cryptocurrency derivatives that are similar to futures contracts, but with no expiry date. They are perpetual, in that they can be held indefinitely without an obligation to buy/sell.
The lack of an expiry date means that a contract price could easily diverge from the spot market price. The funding rate prevents this from happening by introducing a fee or rebate for holding a position, depending on whether they’re long or short. For example, if the perpetual swap contract is trading above the price of spot currency, the funding rate would be positive.
This means long position holders would have to pay short position holders, which encourages the opening of short positions and discourages long positions. When more short positions are opened, this will drive the price down to become more in line with the spot price. The same works in the opposite direction if the perpetual swap is below the spot value. Short traders would pay long, and the price of the swap would rise.
Market Analysis
The market for cryptocurrency derivatives is booming. A recent report by the Carnegie Mellon University of Bitmex, one of the largest exchanges in the industry, found that on average, volumes traded in the cryptocurrency derivatives market exceed that of the spot market by a factor of five.
It’s easy to see why they’re so popular. Cryptocurrency derivatives can be used to hedge against price movements in the spot market. So for every spot trade, there’s a multitude of derivatives that can complement and decrease the risk of downside. But, this is true of fiat derivatives too, so what makes crypto so special? The Carnegie Mellon study revealed that crypto traders tend to be active 24 hours a day, regardless of the timezone they’re in. Wall Street tends to trade between 9:30 am and 4:00 pm EST while crypto derivatives are being traded long into the night.
There are also fewer hoops to jump through when you’re looking to trade crypto. Many exchanges do not require identity checks (Know Your Customer or KYC checks). This means anyone with an email address and cash can trade, opening the market up to a larger customer base.
The 24-hour, unrestricted nature of blockchain has created a billowing derivatives market – and the action is unlikely to stop anytime soon.
Regulation
In the UK, the FCA has banned cryptocurrency derivatives, stating the volatility of the underlying asset as the reason. Despite this, buying and selling the underlying asset, the crypto tokens themselves, is still legal.
Many of the top cryptocurrency exchanges restrict derivatives trading for US citizens, in particular, Bitmex. Many of the top brokers have cited regulation as the reason for restrictions.
In Europe, there’s a lack of clarity about where cryptocurrencies sit in the current MiFID II regulation. However, it’s understood that trading on derivatives is acceptable and many of the biggest exchanges do accept European traders. The same is true of Canada, Australia, and beyond.
How To Start Trading Cryptocurrency Derivatives
To start trading cryptocurrency derivatives, you’ll first need to select a platform. Some of the top Bitcoin exchanges that offer derivatives include Bitmex. Kraken also has a separate platform that offers futures and options trading on cryptos.
When looking for the best exchanges, it’s important to consider the following factors:
- Leverage – In the case of Bitcoin, some of the exchanges above offer leverage up to 100x your initial deposit. For tokens with a lower market cap, leverage is usually less. Consider how much leverage you’ll require for your trading strategy. Remember that trading on margin increases the risk involved, which can result in losses beyond your deposit amount.
- Simulated trading – Many of the top exchanges offer the option to practice with a simulator or demo account. This can be a useful starting point for those new to trading cryptos.
- Security – When trading anything crypto related, it’s always important to consider the security of your investments. Look for an exchange that has never been hacked or prioritises the safety of client funds. Always ensure you have 2FA enabled on any account you hold, where possible.
- Regulation – Crypto derivative exchanges are not always held to the same standard of regulation as fiat currency brokers and they may not be registered with the same licensing bodies. Despite this, there are some indications that an exchange is legitimate. Look for those registered with the AUSTRAC in Australia, FINTRAC in Canada, or the FSA in Japan, for example.
Final Word
Trading crypto derivatives is increasingly popular – and it’s easy to see why. The ability to hedge, utilise leverage and trade 24/7 can be beneficial to a trading strategy. But globally, regulation is tightening due to the volatility of the crypto market itself. The next few years will be crucial for understanding the longevity of these financial assets.
FAQ
What Are Cryptocurrency Derivatives?
Cryptocurrency derivatives are financial contracts that derive their value from the cryptocurrency they are based on, such as Bitcoin. They allow traders to profit from price movements without owning the underlying asset. Examples of cryptocurrency derivatives include CFDs, futures and options.
Why Have The FCA Banned Cryptocurrency Derivatives?
The FCA has banned cryptocurrency derivatives for UK retail traders, due to the volatility of the market and the fact that a reliable valuation of a token’s price cannot easily be determined. Despite this, crypto trading on the spot market is still permitted.
Where Can I Trade Cryptocurrency Derivatives?
There are many brokers and exchanges globally that offer cryptocurrency derivatives trading. Some of the top brokers include Bitmex.
Why Would I Want To Trade Cryptocurrency Derivatives?
There are lots of reasons why crypto derivatives can be beneficial to your trading strategy. In particular, derivatives allow you to go long or short on a trade. In the spot market, you can only profit if the price goes up. However, when you open a short position using a derivative, you’ll profit from a decrease in price, allowing you to hedge your bets and manage risk.
Do I Need An E-Wallet For Cryptocurrency Derivatives Trading?
No – you don’t need to store your crypto derivatives in an e-wallet, unlike spot cryptocurrency. This is because a derivative is a contract with the exchange and there is no underlying asset to store.