| Updated: January 1, 2025Our team of expert traders tested several regulated and trustworthy crypto trading brokers and compiled a toplist with the best among them. Each crypto broker received a quality score based on several factors, including Trustpilot rating, regulation, fees and commissions, available trading platforms, customer service and more.
Fusion Markets74-89% of retail CFD accounts lose money- AxiThe vast majority of retail client accounts lose money
- FP Markets73.85% of retail investor accounts lose money
- Pepperstone75.5% of retail investor accounts lose money
- Global Prime74-89% of retail CFD accounts lose money
- XM Group72.82% of retail investor accounts lose money
With the official release of Bitcoin, the first cryptocurrency ever, back in 2009, the world of financial opportunities for traders and investors of all levels expanded immensely. The first Bitcoin transactions occurred on the New Liberty Exchange in late 2009 when traders paid under one cent ($0.00099) per coin. Over the next few years, Bitcoin’s price saw a dramatic rise and thousands of other digital coins appeared on the cryptocurrency trading scene. Bitcoin has dramatically increased in value, with its price reaching a whopping $98,438 in mid-November 2024.
Cryptocurrencies are virtual currencies, uniquely characterized by their decentralized nature. The transactions between two parties are carried out without third-party involvement of banking institutions and are recorded on a digital public ledger known as a blockchain.
Nowadays, many investors and traders seek avenues of cryptocurrency trading and the present publication focuses on its specifics. We also provide a listing of the 10 leading Crypto Trading Brokers.
How Cryptocurrency Trading Works for Traders and Brokers
The cryptocurrency market can be quite intimidating for novice traders due to the wide array of trading terms and notions, as well as the variety of processes involved. To help traders navigate the market more easily, we have broken down the process into seven distinct steps. Next, we look into trading from the brokers’ perspective and focus on how brokerage firms function and generate their profits.
How Cryptocurrency Trading Works for Traders
Here are the steps that traders need to take to start trading and investing in cryptocurrencies:
Overall, there are two approaches to trading cryptocurrencies – speculating on their short-term price fluctuation using Contracts for difference (CFDs) or buying physical digital assets on the spot, with expectations that their price will rise.
With the first approach, traders are merely speculating on price swings and do not own the underlying assets. Alternatively, traders can take ownership of the underlying digital asset, store it in a digital crypto wallet and eventually profit from selling it at a higher price in the future.
The crypto market works differently from other financial markets due to its decentralized nature. Cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile, meaning that their price can dramatically move up and down. Substantial fluctuations in the value of crypto assets can result from news, blockchain forks, and government intervention, among other factors.
Opening a trading account is probably the easiest step along the way. Traders can accomplish it in a matter of minutes, and all they need to provide is their personal and contact information.
What follows next is the verification of the newly-created account. This process usually takes up to 24 hours and is part of the mandatory requirements that regulated providers of online trading services are obliged to comply with. Other than that, traders should also fund their accounts, using a convenient banking method. Most brokers accept payment with debit and credit cards, bank transfers, online banking, and digital wallets like PayPal, Skrill, and Neteller.
In a hugely volatile market, such as the cryptocurrency one, traders should build and follow a sound strategy. As attractive as volatile trading markets can be, they are equally challenging. Traders have access to various risk management tools like stop loss orders, which may help minimize losses to a great extent.
To help you choose a crypto trading platform, we have compiled a list of leading global brokers. The majority of online brokers have incorporated the advanced and widely popular MetaTrader software, equipped with everything necessary for a seamless trading session.
In the final step in the crypto trading process, traders open, monitor, and close their positions. When trading cryptocurrency CFDs, there is no need to set up a crypto wallet because you do not own the digital assets. No matter which cryptocurrency you have chosen to trade with (Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, or XRP, for example), you need to decide the size of your position and select between opening a long or short position.
How Cryptocurrency Trading Works for Brokers
Online brokers offer cryptocurrency CFDs trading, which, as already mentioned, does not entail owning the relevant asset or storing it in a crypto wallet. Here is how online cryptocurrency brokers function and profit from the services they deliver, we can look into the following trading terms:
From deposit and withdrawal fees to account maintenance and inactivity fees, there may be some additional non-trading expenses charged by operators. These should be carefully checked in advance.
Some online brokers charge commissions when providing traders with lower raw spreads. These commissions are usually fixed and are due when you open and close your positions. A $3 commission per side will result in additional trading expenses of $6 for the customer.
The spread is the difference between the buy and sell price of an asset, or the bid and ask price. The tighter the spread, the lower the cost. Much like the other financial instruments, spreads for frequently traded crypto pairs are lower compared to those for digital assets with a lower trading volume.
Spreads are related to liquidity and supply and demand for a particular asset. Highly liquid and commonly traded crypto assets tend to have the tightest spreads, provided there is not a substantial supply and demand imbalance.
Overnight fees, also known as financing rates or swaps, are charged when a trader holds a leveraged position for more than a single day. Since a leveraged position entails borrowing funds from the broker to trade, customers are supposed to pay or receive interest.
In the context of financial markets and crypto trading, leverage refers to using borrowed funds to gain greater market exposure. In other words, traders deposit just a portion of their trades, and the rest is borrowed from the broker they have registered an account with. Leverage enables traders to multiply their potential profits, but simultaneously magnifies risks, especially in the highly volatile crypto markets.
Financial regulatory authorities are appointed by governments or other bodies to monitor the operation and transparency of financial markets and the companies that are involved in financial activities. The main objective of these institutions is to ensure fair and safe trading conditions for customers, as well as prevent and investigate fraud. They also issue operating licenses to brokers and monitor for compliance with local regulatory requirements.
Top Ten Cryptocurrency Trading Brokers
The next section of the current publication is dedicated to a listing of 10 award-winning online brokers providing cryptocurrency trading. Of all trading assets they have included in their product offerings, we have concentrated on cryptocurrency trading, the related commissions, spreads, and leverage, as well as additional trading tools and features.
- 1. AvaTradeMin Deposit$100FeesNo deposit and withdrawal feesCommissionsNoneSpreadFrom 0.10% to 6% over-market spreadsLeverage EU1:2 (1:25 for professional traders)Leverage non-EU1:25CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 71% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
AvaTrade has been at the forefront of the online trading industry since 2006 and is one of the first brokers to service retail customers. Innovations and new technologies have always been among the company’s priorities. AvaTrade was also one of the pioneers of crypto trading.
As a highly regulated broker, AvaTrade has obtained the regulatory approval of the financial watchdogs in Europe, Japan, Australia, the UAE, South Africa, and the British Virgin Islands. Over the years, the company has managed to build a solid reputation and a network of more than 400,000 regular customers.
AvaTrade’s product offering features more than 1,000 trading instruments, including forex, stocks, commodities, indices, and cryptocurrencies. EU retail traders can take advantage of leverage of up to 1:2 when it comes to trading the highly volatile digital assets. Spreads vary across different cryptocurrencies, ranging from 0.10% over-market for Bitcoin to 6% over-market for Dash.
Customers face a choice from the MetaTrader 4 and 5 platforms, the proprietary WebTrader, AvaOptions, as well as the AvaTradeGO. Along with a cutting-edge trading platform, AvaTrade offers a wealth of trading resources. The company implements a proprietary risk management tool, called AvaProtect.
The minimum deposit at AvaTrade is $100, which makes it a particularly suitable option for novice traders. Aside from the fee-free transactions, the company does not charge any additional commissions.
- 2. eToroMin Deposit$50 ($1 for the US and $10 for the UK)FeesConversion fees for non-USD deposits and withdrawals;
A $5 fee on withdrawals;
A $10 monthly fee after 12 months of inactivity;
A $2 fee for transferring cryptocurrencies to the eToro Money walletCommissionsA 1% fee for buying and selling cryptocurrenciesSpreadFrom 1%Leverage EU1:2Leverage non-EU1:5Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest. This is a high-risk investment and you should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong. Take 2 mins to learn more. Cryptocurrency is offered by eToro USA LLC (“the MSB”) (NMLS: 1769299) and is not FDIC or SIPC insured. Investing involves risk.As one of the most popular social trading platforms, eToro has garnered the attention of 35 million customers worldwide. Clients of the brand have access to various trading tools on the advanced platform and can interact with other fellow traders and investors from around the world.
The innovative CopyTrader feature has been developed and popularized by eToro, revolutionizing the way people perceive trading. It allows inexperienced traders to replicate the positions of other registered users and hopefully profit from their expertise.
Customers of the brand have many options to diversify their trading portfolios, share their ideas, and explore new strategies. The user-friendly proprietary platform has been developed in such a way that even novice traders can adapt easily to the specifics of trading digital assets.
Cryptocurrency spreads vary per instrument, but usually start from 1%. Some of the top-traded crypto assets available on the eToro platform include BTC, ETH, LTC, DASH, and ADA, among others. Traders can follow each coin’s trends with the help of advanced tools and charts.
They have access to the latest market research and news concerning cryptocurrency trading. To protect their investments, customers of the brand can use the Stop Loss and Take Profit orders, and thus manage successfully the trading risks they take. Negative balance protection and leverage of up to 1:2 are available to retail clients from Europe, Australia, and the UK.
- 3. AdmiralsMin Deposit$100FeesFree deposits and withdrawals;
Monthly inactivity fee of $10 after 12 months of no logging in
0.3% currency conversion feeCommissionsNone for cryptocurrency CFDsSpread0.3% for BTC/USD and ETH/USDLeverage EU1:2 (1:20 for professional traders)Leverage non-EU1:2 (1:20 for professional traders)CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 81% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.Established in 2001, Admirals has its headquarters in the United Kingdom and operates in compliance with the regulations of renowned financial watchdogs such as the CySEC, the FCA, the ASIC, and the FSCS, among others.
To start trading with this broker, customers must deposit at least $100. Admirals makes use of the widely-popular MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms, along with the MetaTrader Supreme Edition.
The company’s portfolio includes more than 8,000 financial instruments. Crypto trading is a much sought-after option, as the broker has an offering of more than 15 cryptocurrency pairs. The most traded cryptocurrencies at Admirals include Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple, Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash, Cardano, Dogecoin, and Solana.
Trading cryptocurrency crosses is also an option, as customers may choose between BCH/BTC, DSH/BTC, EOS/BTC, and ETC/BTC, among others.
A look at the company’s spreads on cryptocurrency trading shows that they start from 0.3% for popular pairs like BTC/USD and ETH/USD. As for the maximum allowable leverage for retail accounts, it is 1:2 but professionals have access to higher leverage ratios of 1:20.
In terms of educational resources and analytical tools, Admirals has a lot to offer. Besides extensive information on trading terms, concepts, and strategies, Admirals also delivers webinars, seminars, and different tutorials to its customers.
- 4. PepperstoneMin Deposit$/€0 (a $/€500 recommended minimum)FeesNo deposit and withdrawal fees;
No account maintenance and inactivity feesCommissionsNone for standard accountsSpreadFrom 17 pips for BTC/USD and 3 pips for ETH/USDLeverage EU1:2Leverage non-EU1:20CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 74.4% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.Since its launch in 2010, Pepperstone has evolved into a high-end provider of online trading services, offering an intuitive proprietary platform for forex, shares, index, commodity, and cryptocurrency trading.
Pepperstone’s cryptocurrency trading portfolio includes more than 20 different assets to choose from, each with a specific spread. The broker charges no commissions on crypto trades. Minimum spreads vary per instrument, starting from 17 pips for BTC/USD. As for the non-trading expenses, they have been reduced to a minimum, as the broker does not charge account inactivity fees.
What traders are supposed to do to start trading is open their accounts and verify them. There are no minimum deposit requirements but the broker recommends starting with at least $/€500. Customer money is kept separately from the company’s funds, giving traders extra peace of mind.
Pepperstone offers negative balance protection, ensuring traders never lose more than their deposits. Customers of the brand can choose between the popular MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms, as well as cTrader and TradingView. As far as the available account types are concerned, traders can select from a Standard and Razor account. While the pricing of Standard accounts is spread-based, Razor accounts incur commissions of $3 per side per standard lot but offer lower spreads.
The payment methods that can be used to fund the trading account are comprehensive and include card payments, bank transfers, Skrill, Neteller, Paypal, and Union Pay, among others.
- 5. Markets.comMin Deposit$100FeesNo deposit and withdrawal fees;
Currency conversion fees may be applicableCommissionsNoneSpread98.52 for BTC; 3.50 for ETH for the web platformLeverage EU1:2Leverage non-EU1:2CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 79.9% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.Markets.com is a viable option for traders looking for a comprehensive and dependable online platform with a wide range of account options and trading features. Established in 2008, Markets.com has been globally recognized for its secure trading environment and great variety of more than 3,700 markets tradable through CFDs.
This broker carries licenses from 5 global financial institutions, including the ASIC, CySEC, and the FCA.
There are no fees on deposits and withdrawals. As a zero-commission broker, Markets.com profits solely from spreads. They differ for each crypto asset and start from 98.52 pips for Bitcoin. The maximum allowed leverage for crypto CFDs is 1:2 for most accepted countries but professional traders have access to higher ratios.
Aside from the custom-built, user-friendly trading platform, Web Trader, Markets.com also supports the MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms. A sufficient selection of educational resources, analysis instruments, and banking solutions increase Market.com’s ranking and make it even more compelling.
- 6. easyMarketsMin Deposit$25FeesNo deposit and withdrawal feesCommissionsNoneSpreadFrom 85 pips for BTC/USD and 6 pips for ETH/USD via WebTrader and MT4Leverage EU1:2Leverage non-EU1:100 (1:400 for MT5)CFDs and Options are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 61% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs and Options work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
EasyMarkets is a reputable, regulated broker that has been operating for more than 20 years. The company’s goal has always been to provide customers with the most cutting-edge products, trading instruments, and services.
By opening an account with easyMarkets, traders gain exposure to CFDs for major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple, Litecoin, and many more. The broker guarantees no slippage, as trades are executed at the prices customers see, so surprises due to spread changes during volatility are highly unlikely. Furthermore, spreads are fixed for WebTrader and MT4 accounts but vary for MT5.
The free guaranteed stop loss is yet another standard feature of the easyMarkets platform. Negative balance protection is available to customers from all accepted countries.
The crypto portfolio of easyMarkets comprises 20 cryptocurrencies traded against the US dollar, with fixed spreads of 85 pips for BTC/USD and 6 pips for ETH/USD. As for the maximum allowed leverage, it is set to 1:2 for EU customers. Clients from other jurisdictions can use higher leverage, ranging from 1:100 to 1:400, depending on the platform and the cryptocurrency. The crypto trading offering of this online broker is constantly expanding, so traders are most likely to find the asset they would like to trade with.
The widely popular MT4 and MT5 platforms are available for traders of all levels. They also have access to markets on the go thanks to the feature-rich easyMarkets app available for both iOS and Android devices.
- 7. FP MarketsMin Deposit$50 (AU$100)FeesNo deposit and withdrawal feesCommissionsNone for crypto CFDsSpreadAverage spreads from 21.28 pips for BTC/USD and 4.72 for ETH/USDLeverage EU1:2Leverage non-EU1:50CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 74.34% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
FP Markets is yet another leading provider of cryptocurrency CFDs, enabling traders to make the most of this exciting asset class. Established in 2005, the operator is well-equipped when it comes to trading tools, educational resources, and convenient functionalities for a seamless trading experience.
The top 5 most traded cryptos on the market – Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple, Bitcoin Cash, and Litecoin, along with other popular digital assets can be safely traded on FP Markets. This variety gives traders the opportunity to diversify their trading portfolios without setting up a digital crypto wallet.
FP Markets supports the world’s most popular trading platforms, MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5. The software offers plenty of technical indicators, a customizable interface, Expert Advisors, and a host of other exciting trading features. Automated trading, along with technical indicators and charts, and other tools make the trading process a breeze.
Taking a leveraged position while trading cryptocurrency CFDs is possible, with maximum ratios of 1:2 for EU customers and 1:50 for other countries. The broker offers average spreads of 21.28 pips for BTC/USD but the spreads can be higher or lower depending on the cryptocurrencies you trade.
FP Markets also offers social trading, enabling customers to locate, follow and copy the positions of successful traders automatically. This makes trading a profitable source of passive income without the need for in-depth market research.
- 8. PrimeXBTMin Deposit$1 for crypto CFD tradingFeesVariable inactivity fees
No deposit fees
Withdrawal fees, when applicable, vary based on currencyCommissionsA 0.05% trading fee for crypto CFDsSpreadFrom 0.1 pipsLeverage EU1:2Leverage non-EU1:100PrimeXBT products are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. These products are not suitable for all investors. You should consider whether you understand how these products work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.PrimeXBT was established in 2018 and since the very beginning, the company has been growing and upgrading its services. It currently has a global presence, reaching 1+ million customers from over 150 countries. This broker offers an all-inclusive service when it comes to trading cryptocurrencies.
In addition to the great diversity of crypto trading tools, PrimeXBT allows customers from select jurisdictions to trade with maximum leverage of 1:100. The company has won multiple awards for the excellence of its services, including the title of Best Cryptocurrency Broker at the 2024 ADVFN International Financial Awards.
Furthermore, the trading platform offers copy trading services, which enable customers to duplicate the positions of experienced traders and invest less time and effort in their new endeavor.
Seasoned traders will not be disappointed by the platform either. PrimeXBT offers some advanced trading features, allowing them to increase their profits. The “turbo” feature, for example, enables customers to make short-term price predictions. There are also some advanced technical analysis instruments and charting tools, helping traders make informed decisions and manage their investments cleverly.Leveraged trading is capped at 1:2 for EU customers. Besides BTC/USD, traders will find other crypto assets to trade in such as ADA/USD, ETH/USD, LTC/BTC, SOL/USD, and XRP/USD, among others.
- 9. Capital.comMin Deposit$20 ($50 for wire transfers)FeesNo deposit and withdrawal fees
A $10 monthly inactivity feeCommissionsNone for cryptocurrency tradingSpread50 pips for BTC/USD and 1.75 pips for ETH/USDLeverage EU1:2Leverage non-EU1:100CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 83.45% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.Capital.com offers a safe trading environment, plenty of advanced tools and lightning-fast order execution. Among the five asset classes that the platform offers, crypto trading is a widely popular choice for clients of the brokerage.
As a company enjoying worldwide popularity, Capital.com is licensed and regulated by multiple financial watchdogs. The company complies with the high standards of security and transparency of ASIC in Australia, the FCA in the United Kingdom, and CySEC in Cyprus, among other regulators.
Unlike many of its competitors, Capital.com does not charge additional fees for withdrawals. Free educational resources, dynamic charts, and indicators are at the disposal of the broker’s clients. Capital.com profits mainly from spreads but these differ across the available cryptocurrencies. Spreads for Bitcoin against the US dollar are around 50 pips, while those for ETH/USD are considerably lower at 1.75 pips.
Cryptocurrencies are possibly the most exciting asset class to trade at Capital.com, providing exposure to many digital assets, with Bitcoin at the forefront. Since Capital.com offers CFD trading, customers can speculate on the price movements of crypto assets without actually buying and holding them in crypto wallets. Crypto CFD trading allows clients to use maximum leverage of 1:2 (EU) or 1:100.
- 10. IC MarketsMin Deposit$200FeesNo deposit and withdrawal fees;
No account inactivity feesCommissionsNone for cryptocurrency tradesSpreadFrom 1.85 pips for BTC/USD (6.46 pips on average) and 2.31 pips for ETH/USD (2.97 pips on average)Leverage EU1:2Leverage non-EU1:5 (cTrader, TradingView); 1:200 (MT5, MT4)Trading Derivatives carries a high level of risk to your capital and you should only trade with money you can afford to lose. Trading Derivatives may not be suitable for all investors, so please ensure that you fully understand the risks involved and seek independent advice if necessary.IC Markets delivers everything necessary for a flawless trading experience, with a product range of more than 2,250 tradable markets, tight spreads, and fast order execution. Traders also have the option to engage in automated trading.
The trading portfolio of IC Markets comprises 60+ forex products, more than 1800 stocks, bonds, commodities, and indices. Those interested in trading cryptocurrencies will find a total of 23 digital currencies to trade with.
IC Markets supports four third-party trading platforms, namely MT4, MT5, cTrader, and TradingView. The IC Markets app is available for a free download on the App Store and Google Play, so trading on the go is a breeze.
Deposits to trading accounts are instantly processed and withdrawals are executed in a fast and hassle-free manner. Traders can choose between bank cards, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, and wire transfers, among other funding options. Account opening and funding are easily and quickly accomplished but a free demo account is also at the disposal of customers.
IC Markets is licensed and monitored by several financial regulators, including the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission, the Financial Services Authority (Seychelles), and the Securities Commission of the Bahamas. As per the provisions of the relevant regulator, every office of the company operates in strict observance of anti-money laundering practices and the safe storage of customers’ funds.
