Searching for the top forex broker or platform for Bitcoin trading? Based on our hands-on analysis, we’ve identified the 6 best options tailored to various trading needs. Practical tips from our experts are included.
We carefully considered the needs of Bitcoin traders and focused on the points which benefit them the most.
Our team of experts has identified brokers’ strengths and weaknesses using FX Empire’s comprehensive methodology. Here’s how we test.
Exness is a large, well-established forex and CFD broker with a unique offering. The Limassol, Cyprus-based broker was founded in 2008 and offers access to trading in a wide range of CFDs on cryptocurrencies, stocks, indices, and commodities. While researching trust and stability signals I confirmed that Exness has an impressive 15 years of operating history and is regulated by multiple authorities, including top-tier CySEC and the UK FCA.
If you’re looking for a broker well adapted to trading Bitcoin, Exness could be for you. It provides access to a wide range of Bitcoin pairs, including Bitcoin against USD, ZAR, AUD, CNY, JPY, KRW, and THB. Exness also offers Bitcoin against silver, gold, and the altcoin Bitcoin Cash against the US Dollar (BCH/USD). The selection of Bitcoin-related pairs is exceptional, with a total of 34 cryptocurrency pairs to choose from.
Traders can be active in the cryptocurrency market 24/7, except during server maintenance. Exness’ clients can use Bitcoin for deposits and withdrawals, which are processed within 24 hours, a feature I have rarely seen offered among other CFD brokers.
Available leverage varies by cryptocurrency pair. In the case of BTC/USD, the maximum leverage is 1:400. Exness charges no swap fees on cryptocurrency positions. I recorded a spread of $26.6 in BTC/USD in my tests, slightly better than average.
I am always on the lookout for actionable and insightful research in my broker evaluations. Exness delivers in this area as traders can access crypto market analysis from award-winning research provider Trading Central via the client portal.
IC Markets launched in 2007 and has grown to become a market leader, providing access to trading in CFDs on crypto, forex, stocks, commodities, futures, and bonds. The Sydney, Australia-based broker caters to the needs of advanced traders with cutting-edge trading platforms, low-latency connectivity, and better-than-average liquidity.
IC Markets offers trading in 23 cryptocurrency CFDs, including BTC/USD and BCH/USD. In my hands-on tests, I recorded spreads in BTC/USD as low as $7.32, much better than the average for the industry. IC Markets offers leverage of 1:200 via MT4 and MT5 and 1:5 when using the cTrader platform.
A range of account types is available, including a Raw Spread account, which can cater to advanced Bitcoin traders. My assessment showed that IC Markets could be a great fit if you’re a serious trader looking for competitive crypto spreads and advanced platforms.
Established in 2014, BlackBull Markets is a multi-asset forex and CFDs broker based in New Zealand that offers high-quality tools and services to professional traders. It provides over 26,000 tradable instruments across currency pairs, commodities, share CFDs, indices, and futures contracts.
The instrument selection features 28 crypto CFDs, including Bitcoin, that can be traded at very competitive prices.
I deemed the broker’s ECN Institutional account best for high-volume professional traders. It features raw spreads from 0.0 pips and a $4 round-turn commission per traded lot, beating the industry average of $6. However, its minimum deposit requirement is $20,000. Professional traders can also obtain raw spreads directly from an exchange’s order books via BlackBull’s DMA trading.
From BlackBull’s wide selection of trading platforms, I assessed that TradingView and cTrader offer the most favorable conditions for experienced traders. TradingView has the most advanced charting capabilities in the industry, whereas cTrader has a professional coding environment where algo traders can construct sophisticated trading algorithms.
BlackBull Markets also provides free Virtual Private Server (VPS) hosting so that professional traders can achieve ultra-fast order execution speeds and guarantee stable internet connectivity.
AvaTrade was founded in 2006, making it an early mover in the forex and CFD industry. The Dublin-based broker has grown tremendously since then and now provides services to 400,000 traders globally. While investigating the trustworthiness and stability of AvaTrade, I confirmed that AvaTrade is extensively regulated by multiple agencies including ASIC and CySEC.
AvaTrade provides access to 18 cryptocurrency pairs, including BTC/USD, BTC/EUR, BTC/JPY, BTG/USD (Bitcoin gold), and BCH/USD (Bitcoin cash). I recorded the spread in BTC/USD at $45.82, the widest in our list. Under European (ESMA) regulation, the available leverage for trading CFDs on cryptocurrencies is 1:2, and at the offshore entity, AvaTrade offers 1:25 for crypto.
In evaluating AvaTrade’s copy trading tools I was impressed that clients have the choice of using three leading platforms: AvaSocial, DupliTrade, and Capitalise.ai. Also, this broker can cater to automated trading via MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5. A virtual private server (VPS) allows crypto traders to run their Expert Advisors (EAs) around the clock. Crypto research and analysis are also available to traders via award-winning provider Trading Central.
Sydney, Australia-based FP Markets was founded in 2005 and has entities regulated by top-tier CySEC and ASIC. With over 800 instruments across cryptocurrencies, stocks, indices, forex, and commodities, traders can work with a broad range of markets.
FP Markets offers mobile trading via the MT4 and MT5 apps and its proprietary FP Markets mobile app. I found it easy to navigate the FP Markets app and assessed that it is both intuitive and feature-rich. While on the move, traders can access the crypto market, conduct market analysis, fund their accounts, and access 24/7 customer service.
Bitcoin (BTC/USD) and Bitcoin Cash (BCH/USD) are among the 12 cryptocurrency CFDs offered by FP Markets. In my live tests, I recorded spreads of $11.41 in BTC/USD, much better than the average for the industry. The available leverage for Bitcoin is 1:50. Deposit and withdrawal via Bitcoin are possible in some regions.
Founded in 2008, Plus500 is one of a handful of global brokers listed on the London Stock Exchange. In 2022, Plus500 US launched its proprietary Futures Trading App for US residents. During our live test, I was impressed by the number of futures markets available. This includes instruments covering forex, commodities, energy, equity indices, agriculture, and crypto futures.
The app offers Micro Bitcoin and Micro Ether futures contracts. Micro Bitcoin has a low day margin of $100, and Micro Ether is only $20. Micro contract commissions start at a competitive $0.49 per contract, with zero platform, routing, deposit, withdrawal, and inactivity fees.
The app is a breeze to use and is tailored toward beginner traders, but there are some advanced tools, such as various technical indicators. The Plus500 Futures Academy is an excellent resource for beginner traders willing to learn more about futures trading strategies. The combination of written articles and videos is high-quality and in-depth.
Consider the following questions when searching for a Bitcoin CFD broker.
When you trade Bitcoin as an underlying asset, you’re engaging in direct ownership of the cryptocurrency. This means you buy and sell the actual Bitcoin, requiring a digital wallet for storage. Your transactions are conducted on cryptocurrency exchanges, and the trading hours may be bound to the exchange’s operating hours, though many operate 24/7.
On the other hand, trading Bitcoin CFDs does not involve owning the actual cryptocurrency. Instead, it’s about speculating on the price movement of Bitcoin. This eliminates the need for a digital wallet and concerns about its security. CFDs are traded through broker platforms, not traditional cryptocurrency exchanges, and often allow for more flexible trading hours, including 24/7 trading in some cases.
CFD trading is usually more regulated, and it often allows the use of leverage, which can amplify both profits and losses. In Bitcoin CFD trading, your profits or losses are based on the difference in the price of Bitcoin between when the CFD contract is opened and closed.
Find out Best crypto trading forex brokers.
Take into account the regulatory status of the broker. CFD brokers regulated by top-tier financial authorities must undergo audits, meet capital requirements, and provide segregated accounts and negative balance protection. A compensation fund is sometimes available in the event of broker insolvency.
You can search the regulator’s website to confirm the broker’s status and check for any disciplinary action. The broker’s size and operating history are also worth considering. You can usually find these on the company’s LinkedIn page.
Read more about Best regulated forex brokers.
An intuitive, easy-to-navigate platform will allow you to launch into the trading world with minimal hitches. The most user-friendly platforms are typically browser-based platforms created by the broker.
Look for useful features such as watchlists, trading from the chart, search, news, and a customizable interface. The MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms have advanced features like backtesting, automated trading, and a wide range of order types – but are less user-friendly.
Read more about best MT4 brokers and best MT5 brokers.
Also, check on the availability of a good, broker-designed (proprietary) mobile app. It brings convenience, accessibility, and real-time information to traders, allowing them to monitor markets, execute trades, and manage their portfolios on the go.
Check out our dedicated guide on Best forex trading platforms.
Working with a broker that keeps costs such as the spread to a minimum can make the difference between profit and loss at the end of the day. For example, a spread of $20 (2,000 pips) or less in Bitcoin is competitive and makes it much less expensive to enter and exit positions in the market. This is a crucial point for day traders. Inactivity fees and fees for withdrawing funds are other areas to keep an eye on when considering a broker.
Read more about best lowest spread forex brokers.
Leverage is one of the most appealing features of CFD trading and it can work in your favor when used wisely. Beware of using excessive leverage, even if it is tempting. It’s thrilling to control a large position in the market. But when markets are moving fast, and you are holding a highly leveraged position, there is a high risk of losing money. Accounts can get wiped out in seconds.
Leverage for trading cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin varies at CFD brokers, depending on where you reside. For example, if you are trading with a broker entity regulated in the EU, the maximum leverage for crypto is 1:2. An offshore broker may offer up to 1:400.
Explore Best forex brokers with high leverage.
Having solid support on hand is essential. Check the hours of availability, for example, whether help is on hand 24/7 or only during business hours. Chat support is the most convenient, so look for an easy-to-access chat window built into the broker platform. In the case of a platform outage, it is also important to be able to contact support via phone.
Avoiding Bitcoin scams when trading Bitcoin CFDs requires a combination of vigilance, knowledge, and careful selection of trading platforms. Here are some strategies to help safeguard your investments:
In selecting the best CFD brokers for trading Bitcoin, we used the results of our advanced proprietary methodology. All of the brokers listed were among the leaders in our tests.
FXEmpire has been reviewing brokers since 2010 and has pioneered the in-depth evaluation of CFD brokers. Our process has taken years to refine and involved hundreds of reviews. We’ve gone to a granular level – with over 250 data points in our analysis of each broker – so you can feel confident in selecting the right platform. To provide the most comprehensive view, we break down the brokers according to nine different categories:
Our broker reviews clarify complex areas like regulatory status, ensuring you understand the safety and benefits of your funds. All top brokers listed have at least one entity licensed by a top-tier regulator.
We collect data through live testing, research, detailed questionnaires, and broker demonstrations, opening accounts with each broker to test standard services, spreads, overnight swap fees, and account costs. Our comparative analysis assesses brokers’ competitiveness within the industry. We’ve mastered trading platforms to highlight their key features and usability for you.
FXEmpire maintains strict editorial integrity, basing scores on objective, measurable criteria to avoid bias. Our review process is independent and rigorously follows a strict protocol, with facts thoroughly verified and continually updated.
For this best brokers page, we evaluated Bitcoin and Bitcoin-related CFDs availability, cryptocurrency leverage, trading software, broker regulations, reliability, trading costs, account types for cryptocurrency trading, and research and market analysis related to Bitcoin.
The team of forex and CFD writers and editors at FXEmpire is composed of trading industry professionals and seasoned financial journalists. Our writers have been published on leading financial websites such as Investopedia and Forbes. In addition, they all have extensive trading experience.
Dan Blystone began his career in the trading industry in 1998 on the floor of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Later Dan gained insight into the forex industry during his time as a Series 3 licenced futures and forex broker. He also traded at a couple of different prop trading firms in Chicago. Dan is well-equipped to recommend the best forex brokers due to his extensive experience and understanding of the brokerage industry.
Jitan Solanki is a professional trader, market analyst, and educator. He day trades major currency and index markets and focuses on swing trading US equities and commodities. A qualified Market Technician, Jitan also works with trader education and brokerage companies on various projects. These include market analysis, live trading events, and broker reviews. As an experienced trader and educator, Jitan brings all his qualities in action when reviewing and recommending brokers.
Having been a retail trader since 2013, Plamen has gained an in-depth understanding of the challenges that novice traders face today. His expertise is swing trading and day trading with a heavy emphasis on psychological and fundamental analysis. Plamen’s favourite trading instruments include FX majors and gold. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Economics and International Relations. Plamen's broad experience has equipped him with the expertise to recommend the best forex brokers.
In more than 15 years of trading in the financial markets, Vladimir dealt with a wide range of brokers and financial instruments. His career as a day-trader at a proprietary trading firm goes back to 2007. Later, Vladimir turned to longer time frames and became an independent trader and analyst managing his own portfolio. Using his experience, he helps traders find the best broker in his reviews.
Dan Blystone began his career in the trading industry in 1998 on the floor of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Later Dan gained insight into the forex industry during his time as a Series 3 licenced futures and forex broker. He also traded at a couple of different prop trading firms in Chicago. Dan is well-equipped to recommend the best forex brokers due to his extensive experience and understanding of the brokerage industry.
At FXEmpire, we strive to provide unbiased, thorough and accurate broker reviews by industry experts to help our users make smarter financial decisions.