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11 Best Crypto Trading Brokers and Platforms for 2024

Searching for the top forex broker or platform for trading crypto? Based on our hands-on analysis, we’ve identified the 11 best options tailored to various trading needs. Practical tips from our experts are included.

By:
Vladimir Zernov
Reviewed By:
Ola Alder
Updated: Apr 8, 2024

List of Top Crypto Trading Brokers & Platforms

Best brokers for US traders

eToro US - Best Overall in the US
24+ cryptocurrencies. Competitive trading fees. Intuitive, easy-to-use platform.

OANDA US - Best Trading Platform in the US
MT4, TradingView, Multicharts, OANDA Web, OANDA mobile platforms. No markup on spot cryptos. Access Paxos’s itBit crypto exchange. Cash rebates on Elite Trader program for forex.

Best brokers for international traders

Exness - Best Overall
35 cryptocurrencies. The broker accepts Bitcoin for deposit and withdrawal.

BDSwiss - Best MT4 Crypto Broker
26 cryptocurrencies. Strong educational & research support. A wide range of deposit and withdrawal options.

FXTM - Best for Professional Traders
Fast order execution speeds. Automated trading. Below-average trading commissions. Scalping permitted.

OCTA - Best for Beginners
Dedicated crypto section on the research page. 30 cryptocurrencies. Multiple platforms with advanced functionality. Accounts for professionals.

Capital.com - Best Educational Offering
140+ cryptocurrencies. Robust educational and research materials. Fast order execution speeds.

IC Markets - Best Low Spreads
Competitive fees. 20+ cryptocurrencies. A wide range of trading platforms.

Vantage - Best for Copy Trading
43 cryptocurrencies. Accepting crypto for withdrawal. Free VPS hosting and algorithmic trading. Copy trading and automated trading.

AvaTrade - Best Crypto Trading Platform
AvaTrade platform, MT4, MT5, AvaTradeGo mobile trading app, AvaSocial mobile app. 20 cryptocurrencies.

eToro - Best for Underlying Crypto Assets
79 underlying crypto coins and 14 CFDs. Offers social trading. Suitable for beginners.

Understanding Crypto CFD Trading

Crypto CFDs (Contracts for Difference) offer a unique way to trade cryptocurrencies without owning the underlying digital assets. This method involves a contract with a broker to trade the difference in a cryptocurrency’s price from when the contract is opened to when it is closed. It allows for trading on margin, enabling traders to open large positions with a relatively small capital outlay, and offers the flexibility to speculate on both rising and falling markets. However, this also means that gains and losses can be magnified, making understanding leverage and risk management crucial.

How did FX Empire choose the best crypto CFD brokers?

FXEmpire's Methodology

  • We focused on brokers that offer crypto trading.
  • We preferred brokers with a high number of available cryptocurrencies to trade.
  • We assessed if the fees for crypto are competitive in comparison with the industry average.
  • We listed brokers that got highly ranked compared to the industry in key areas, like trading platforms, tradable instruments, and others.

Our team of experts has identified brokers’ strengths and weaknesses using FX Empire’s comprehensive methodology. Here’s how we test.

Without further ado, let’s move to the selected brokers.

Best Overall

Exness

4.6
Start Trading
General Risk Warning: CFDs are leveraged products. Trading in CFDs carries a high level of risk thus may not be appropriate for all investors. The investment value can both increase and decrease and the investors may lose all their invested capital. Under no circumstances shall the Company have any liability to any person or entity for any loss or damage in whole or part caused by, resulting from, or relating to any transactions related to CFDs.
  • Min Deposit
    $0
  • Tradable Instruments
    233
  • Fees
    Medium

Exness has been in business since 2008, offering trading in forex, crypto, stocks, indices, metals, and commodities. The broker provides access to 35 cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Litecoin, and Ripple. Crypto (BTC, USDC, USDT) is available for deposit and withdrawal.

We tested the live spreads during the U.S. open when the crypto markets are most active. Our tests indicated that spreads for Bitcoin and Ethereum were low. The live Bitcoin spread at the time of testing was 20.96, while the spread for Ethereum was 2.75.

From our hands-on test, Exness offers its proprietary Trading Terminal platform, as well as MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5. The broker provides multiple deposit and withdrawal methods, including bank transfers, cryptocurrencies, credit cards, and e-wallets. Withdrawals are instant, 24/7.

The broker created a special Education portal that offers three courses: “How Trading Works”, “ How to Analyze”, and “Managing Risk”. There is also a Knowledge Base section that has over 30 in-depth articles on various topics. The Research section includes a real-time feed of market news and trading signals by Trading Central.

Pros
  • Instant withdrawals, 24/7.
  • Multiple account types.
  • Offers Virtual Private Server (VPS).
  • No inactivity fees.
  • No withdrawal fees.
  • No swap fees for most instruments.
Cons
  • Not available in Europe or the UK for retail clients.
  • Limited regulatory oversight for clients of offshore entities.
Exness Review

Best MT4 Crypto Broker

BDSwiss

4
Start Trading
Your capital is at risk
  • Min Deposit
    $10
  • Tradable Instruments
    223
  • Fees
    High

Founded in 2012, BDSwiss provides access to forex, indices, commodities, stocks, ETFs, and cryptocurrencies. The broker is regulated by FSC (Mauritius) and FSA (Seychelles).

BDSwiss clients have access to MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, as well as BDSwiss WebTrader and BDSwiss Mobile. The platforms come with the typical features, like regularly updated news feeds and free preprogrammed analytical tools. BDSwiss Forex MT4 platform is compatible with BDSwiss WebTrader and mobile apps, which boosts flexibility.

The broker also provides access to the popular third-party tools Trading Central and Autochartist. BDSwiss offers a VPS service, which is important for those using automated strategies.

Our tests showed that BDSwiss offered low spreads for some instruments, like Gold, DAX, and Apple. For example, spreads for Gold ranged from 22 pips to 23 pips, while spreads for DAX were 0.7 pips. Traders should note that BDSwiss has a high inactivity fee, so it’s a broker for active clients who are ready to place trades at least once in three months. The broker offers a high number of deposit and withdrawal options, which are available in multiple currencies.

Pros
  • A wide range of deposit and withdrawal options.
  • A solid stock offering in a StockPlus Account.
  • Strong educational & research support.
Cons
  • High trading fees for certain instruments.
BDSwiss Review

Best for Professional Traders

FXTM

4.3
Start Trading
Online Forex/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 Online Forex/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. It is the responsibility of the Client to ascertain whether he/she is permitted to use the services of Exinity Capital East Africa Ltd based on the legal requirements in his/her country of residence.
  • Min Deposit
    $500
  • Tradable Instruments
    593
  • Fees
    Medium

FXTM was founded in 2011. It is a Cyprus-based derivatives broker with multiple regulations, including by the FCA in the UK and FSC in Mauritius. The broker offers more than 1200 tradable instruments, including a dozen cryptocurrencies. Professional traders choose FXTM because of its superior execution performance coupled with below-average trading fees. And they can take advantage of both against an initial deposit of only $500.

Based on my measurements, FXTM’s average execution speeds fall below 80 milliseconds. This is sufficient for day trading and scalping because low-latency trading reduces the risk of negative slippage.

FXTM incorporates the renowned MetaTrader 5 platform, which can be useful to professional traders seeking even better execution performance. Via its Expert Advisors (EAs) feature, seasoned professionals can automate their trading strategies and gain even more favorable entries and exits.

Professional traders would appreciate the Advantage account, which features a $5 round-turn commission per traded lot and raw spreads from 0.0 pips. To test the competitiveness of the pricing mechanism, I executed a full-sized EURUSD trade. With a spread of 0.2 pips, the net cost of the trade reached 0.7 pips, which is better than the $8 industry average for ECN accounts.

Pros
  • Low-latency trading
  • Accessible accounts
  • Competitive trading costs
  • Suitable for scalping
Cons
  • No proprietary platform
FXTM Review

Best for Beginners

OCTA

4.3
Start Trading
Forex margin trading involves substantial risks.
  • Min Deposit
    $25
  • Tradable Instruments
    230
  • Fees
    Low

Headquartered in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, OCTA was founded back in 2011. The broker offers trading in forex, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies.

From our examination, the cryptocurrency offering includes 30 CFDs. Clients can trade main coins like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Polkadot, and Dogecoin. For cryptos, OCTA offers the maximum leverage of 1:25. Crypto deposits and withdrawals are available (BTC, USDT, LTC, DOGE, ETH).

We tested the live spreads during the U.S. open, when the crypto markets are most active. Our tests showed that spreads for Bitcoin and Ethereum were low. The live Bitcoin spread at the time of testing was 20.49, while the spread for Ethereum was 2.4.

The broker provides 24/7 customer support via live chat and email. Contacting support agents, we found them professional and provided timely answers to our questions.

We assessed that OCTA provides strong educational and research support, which is good for beginner traders. The broker offers multiple educational materials, including articles, videos, webinars, and a video course. These materials cover a wide range of topics from technical analysis to trading strategies.

Pros
  • A wide range of CFDs on cryptocurrencies.
  • No swap and inactivity fees.
  • Strong research and educational materials.
  • Free deposits and withdrawals.
Cons
  • The offshore entity is unregulated.
  • No phone support.
OCTA Review

Best Educational Offering

Capital.com

4.5
Start Trading
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 80.84% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
  • Min Deposit
    $20
  • Tradable Instruments
    4342
  • Fees
    Medium

Established in 2016, Capital.com is regulated by several top-tier authorities, including the FCA, ASIC, CySEC, as well as SCB and FSA Seychelles. The broker provides access to over 4,000 instruments, including currency pairs, commodities, stocks, indices, ETFs, and cryptocurrencies.

Capital.com’s cryptocurrency portfolio includes 141 varieties, featuring both USD pairs and cross pairs. Traders can engage with popular names like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple, Solana, and Dogecoin, as well as more exotic options. In our analysis, the live spread for Bitcoin was noted at 106, in contrast to Ethereum’s spread of 6. The tests indicated that Bitcoin spreads were high, while Ethereum spreads were moderate compared to the industry average.

Our research highlights Capital.com’s strong educational offering, which encompasses a mix of articles, trading courses, and videos. The courses are particularly beneficial for beginners, covering topics such as: “Introduction to Financial Markets”, “What are leverage and margin?”, “Derivatives and Understanding Risks of Trading”, “Financial Instruments”, and “The ABCs of Derivatives and CFDs”. Additionally, the broker has developed a proprietary mobile app, designed to help traders understand market dynamics more effectively.

Regarding trading platforms, clients have options to choose between the proprietary platform, TradingView, and MetaTrader 4. The broker’s research tools are comprehensive, encompassing calculators, an economic calendar, and extensive news and analysis.

Pros
  • Choice of professional-grade platforms.
  • Robust educational and research materials.
  • A wide range of tradable instruments.
  • Fast order execution speeds.
Cons
  • High swap rates.
Capital.com Review

Best Low Spreads

IC Markets

4.5
Start Trading
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. A Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) can be obtained either from this website or on request from our offices and should be considered before entering into a transaction with us. Raw Spread accounts offer spreads from 0.0 pips with a commission charge of USD $3.50 per 100k traded. Standard account offer spreads from 1 pips with no additional commission charges. Spreads on CFD indices start at 0.4 points. The information on this site is not directed at residents in any country or jurisdiction where such distribution or use would be contrary to local law or regulation.
  • Min Deposit
    $200
  • Tradable Instruments
    2251
  • Fees
    Low

Regulated by CySEC, ASIC, SCB, and the FSA of Seychelles, IC Markets provides access to more than 1700 financial CFD instruments. Clients can trade forex pairs, stocks, indices, commodities, and bonds. Traders also have access to 23 cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Ripple.

IC Markets fees are very competitive and exceed the industry average. Our analysis indicated that the broker’s spreads are tight, and there is no inactivity fee. We tested the live spreads during the U.S. open, when the crypto markets are most active. The spreads for both Bitcoin and Ethereum were low. The live Bitcoin spread at the time of testing was 5.3, while the spread for Ethereum was 2.8.

IC Markets offers multiple methods for deposits and withdrawals. Funds can be deposited in a wide range of currencies including AUD, USD, JPY, EUR, NZD, SGD, GBP, CAD, HKD, CHF, and RMB. Crypto deposits and withdrawals are not available.

IC Markets provides access to the popular MetaTrader 4 and 5, as well as the in-house cTrader platform. Broker’s clients will also benefit from the strong research support, which includes in-house research and third-party tools like Trading Central and AutoChartist.

Pros
  • Low trading fees.
  • Lots of tools and platforms available.
  • Strong educational and research support.
Cons
  • The broker’s offering may be overwhelming for beginners.
IC Markets Review

Best for Copy Trading

Vantage

4.5
Start Trading
Trading derivatives carries significant risks. It is not suitable for all investors and if you are a professional client, you could lose substantially more than your initial investment. When acquiring our derivative products, you have no entitlement, right or obligation to the underlying financial assets. Past performance is no indication of future performance and tax laws are subject to change. The information on this website is general in nature and doesn't take into account your personal objectives, financial circumstances, or needs. Accordingly, before acting on the advice, you should consider whether the advice is suitable for you having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs. We encourage you to seek independent advice if necessary. Please read our legal documents and ensure that you fully understand the risks before you make any trading decisions.
  • Min Deposit
    $50
  • Tradable Instruments
    935
  • Fees
    Low

Founded in 2009, the broker offers trading in forex, indices, commodities, shares, and cryptocurrencies. The broker’s entities are regulated by ASIC and FSCA. Vantage also has an unregulated entity registered in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

The broker provides access to 43 cryptocurrencies, including popular coins like Bitcoin, Polkadot, Dogecoin, and Cardano. We tested the live spreads during the U.S. open, when the crypto markets are most active. Our tests showed that spreads for Bitcoin and Ethereum were low: the live Bitcoin spread at the time of testing was 12.42, while the spread for Ethereum was 2.59.

The broker offers the highly popular MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms. Advanced traders will benefit from access to free VPS hosting and algorithmic trading via these platforms.

Vantage provides access to copy trading via its Social Trading Account. The broker has a tiered system for signal providers. The growth of their income depends on the popularity of their trading signals.

Also, Vantage offers the popular FX copy trade service AutoTrade which allows copy trades from more than 90,000 forex traders. The AutoTrade account connects to a unique MT4 trading account, specifically for AutoTrading.

ZuluTrade is another social trading platform available to Vantage clients and could be connected to the Vantage MT4 trading account. The broker also offers DupliTrade which is available for clients who have a minimum of $2000 on their Vantage account.

Pros
  • 43 cryptocurrencies.
  • Free forex VPS hosting.
  • An in-house copy trading system via Vantage Mobile App.
Cons
  • Users must navigate chatbot questions before reaching a human agent.
  • Crypto deposits and withdrawals are not available.
Vantage Review

Best Crypto Trading Platform

AvaTrade

4.6
Start Trading
Trading CFDs and FX Options entail risk and could result in the loss of your capital.
  • Min Deposit
    $100
  • Tradable Instruments
    853
  • Fees
    Medium

Founded in 2006, AvaTrade is regulated by as many as eight regulators around the world, including ASIC, Japan’s FSA, and CySEC. The broker provides access to more than 1250 instruments in forex, stocks, indices, commodities, cryptocurrencies, and FX options.

AvaTrade offers 20 cryptocurrencies. The list includes popular names like Ethereum and Solana, as well as smaller cryptos like MIOTA and NEO. We tested the live spreads during the U.S. open, when the crypto markets are most active. Our research indicated that spreads for Bitcoin were medium, while spreads for Ethereum were high. The live Bitcoin spread at the time of testing was 46.04, while the spread for Ethereum was 14.12.

From our live testing, we found that AvaTrade offers a wide range of trading platforms: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, AvaTrade Web platform, as well as AvaTrade Go and AVASocial mobile apps.

The Proprietary AvaTrade Web platform is designed to trade markets as quickly and simply as possible, so it is easy to use even for beginner traders. The platform provides clean and responsive charts and gives access to different markets, positions, and indicators, so users can manage their whole account from the web platform.

The broker’s in-house AvaTrade Go mobile platform is simple to use and provides access to useful technical tools and features. The AvaSocial mobile app suits clients who are interested in copying the best practices of experienced trades.

Pros
  • Multiple account types.
  • 1,250+ instruments in forex, stocks, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies.
  • Easy-to-use web and mobile trading platform.
  • Advanced traders have access to MT4 and MT5.
Cons
  • No alerts on the web platform.
  • Crypto deposits and withdrawals are not available.
AvaTrade Review

Best for Underlying Crypto Assets

eToro

4.3
Start Trading
eToro is a multi-asset investment platform. The value of your investments may go up or down. Your capital is at risk
  • Min Deposit
    $50
  • Tradable Instruments
    3705
  • Fees
    High

A pioneer in copy trading, eToro was founded in 2007. Regulated by multiple top-tier regulators, eToro provides access to more than 2000 financial instruments, including stocks, cryptocurrencies, ETFs, indices, forex, and commodities.

The broker’s cryptocurrency offering is rich as it provides access to 79 underlying crypto coins and 14 CFDs. CFD is a contract for differences, which means that you do not own the underlying asset. Traders can trade with the most popular coins like Bitcoin and Ethereum, as well as more exotic options like Zcash and Chiliz. eToro does not provide crypto deposits and withdrawals.

We tested the live spreads during the U.S. open, when the crypto markets are most active. We tested spreads for Bitcoin and Ethereum and found that they were high. The live Bitcoin spread at the time of testing was 472.87, while the spread for Ethereum was 33.79.

eToro’s clients will also enjoy strong educational and research support. Clients who meet certain deposit levels (the system is tiered) have access to additional tools like live webinars, weekly market analysis, and research from the third-party provider Trading Central. The broker’s educational offering includes courses, guides, videos, webinars, and podcasts.

Pros
  • 79 crypto coins and 14 CFDs on crypto.
  • Well-rounded education offering.
  • Super user-friendly platform.
  • A leader in copy trading.
  • Free insurance in certain regions.
Cons
  • Limited research for clients with account balance of less than $5,000.
  • Wide spreads in some instruments.
  • Withdrawal fee.
  • Account balance of at least $5000 is required for chat and phone support.
eToro Review

Best Overall in the US

eToro US

4.3
Start Trading
  • Min Deposit
    $10
  • Tradable Instruments
    0
  • Fees
    Low
eToro US Review

Best Trading Platform in the US

OANDA US

4.3
Start Trading
OANDA corporation is a member of NFA and is subject to NFA's regulatory oversight and examinations. However, you should be aware that NFA does not have regulatory oversight authority over underlying or spot virtual currency products or transactions or virtual currency exchanges, custodians, or markets.
  • Min Deposit
    $0
  • Tradable Instruments
    77
  • Fees
    Medium

Founded in 1996, OANDA US is regulated by the CFTC/NFA and has global entities licensed by Tier-1 authorities. It offers access to forex, crypto, and metal markets from various feature-rich trading platforms.

The OANDA web and mobile trading platforms are excellent. Built-in trading tools include market depth, order book flow, position ratios, news aggregator, and trading signals from Autochartist. Algorithmic traders can utilize the MT4 platform, while social traders have access to trade directly from TradingView.

The OANDA web and mobile platforms have spot crypto prices directly quoted from Paxos’s itBit exchange. While no leverage is available on the eight cryptocurrency pairs, up to 1:50 is available on its 68 forex pairs. There is also no markup for the spot crypto pairs available from the OANDA trading platforms.

Pros
  • Feature-rich OANDA web and mobile app
  • Crypto pricing from Paxos itBit exchange
  • No markup on crypto quotes
  • 5 trading platforms
Cons
  • No leverage on crypto trading
OANDA US Review

How To Choose The Best Crypto Trading Broker?

Use our guide to choose the best crypto trading broker for your needs.

What is the difference between trading crypto CFDs and buying crypto?

Trading crypto with a CFD broker allows traders to speculate on the price of an asset, such as a cryptocurrency, without actually owning the underlying asset. This means that traders can make a profit or loss based on the price movement (up or down) of the asset without having to buy or sell the actual cryptocurrency.

Additionally, trading crypto CFDs allows traders to make large trades with small amounts of capital by using leverage. However, it is important to note that this also means that the risk of losing money is higher, as leverage can amplify losses as well as gains.

Read more about Best CFD brokers.

How to choose a safe crypto broker?

The process of choosing a broker begins with learning where your potential broker is regulated. Cryptocurrencies are an emerging asset class, so some brokers would offer them only through their offshore entities.

In addition to the location of the regulator, traders should focus on important protection options like negative balance protection, segregated funds, and the compensation fund which will cover your back if the broker has financial problems.

Read more about Best regulated forex brokers.

What fees should you focus on when choosing the broker?

Typically, brokers charge spreads, commissions, swap/rollover fees, and inactivity fees.

The spread is the difference between the bid and the ask price. The higher the spread, the more you pay for the trade. We consider spreads below 1 pip for EUR/USD and 3 pips for GBP/JPY to be low. In crypto, we considered spreads below $40 for Bitcoin and $3 for Ethereum to be low.

A commission is a fixed cost of entering the trade. Usually, accounts that charge commissions offer low spreads. Commissions below $3 are considered to be low for forex pairs and gold.

A swap/rollover fee is charged when you hold a leveraged position overnight. Traders should pay extra attention to these fees if they plan to use swing trading strategies, which involve holding positions for several days or even weeks. For forex pairs, a swap rate below 0.5 pips is viewed as a good result.

An inactivity fee is a fee that is charged by the broker if your account is dormant. In this case, a certain amount of money is charged monthly. An inactivity fee below $10 is considered to be low.

Read more about Best lowest spread forex brokers.

How to choose the right account for crypto CFD trading?

As a cryptocurrency trader, you should understand the difference between various types of accounts.

  • Demo accounts are used for practice without risking real money. Such accounts should be used by novice traders making their first steps in markets.
  • Spread-based accounts typically charge spreads and swap/rollover fees. These accounts are usually a good choice for traders whose trading volume is expected to be relatively modest.
  • Commissions-based accounts charge commissions in addition to spreads and swap/rollover fees. Usually, spreads are tight in such accounts. These accounts are suitable for traders whose trading volume is expected to be high.
  • On Islamic accounts, swap/rollover fees are not charged to ensure compliance with Sharia law.
  • Professional accounts usually have a high minimum deposit and offer access to high leverage that most professional traders are looking for.

Read more about Best forex demo accounts and Best Islamic accounts.

How to choose a crypto CFD trading platform?

Typically, most brokers provide access to MetaTrader4 and/or MetaTrader5. Those are sophisticated platforms with a variety of tools tailored mainly for experienced traders, hence, beginners may have to spend some time learning the ropes.

Some brokers have also developed in-house trading platforms. Usually, such platforms are focused on the needs of different levels of traders. They are easy to navigate and simple to use.

Check out our dedicated guide on Best forex trading platforms.

The choice of trading platform depends on personal preferences and trading experience. Beginner traders will be better off starting with a simple platform or a mobile app, while advanced traders will likely choose MT4/MT5.

Read more about Best MetaTrader 4 brokers and Best MetaTrader 5 brokers.

What leverage is available for cryptocurrency traders?

Leverage allows traders to use borrowed funds to increase their profits. The higher the leverage, the higher your potential profits are. However, leverage is a double-edged sword, and using high leverage also boosts your potential losses. Thus, beginners will be better off starting with low levels of leverage to avoid outsized losses.

The maximum potential leverage that the broker can offer is determined by the regulator. Top-tier regulators usually limit the leverage to 1:30. Offshore regulators may allow the broker to offer leverage of up to 1:3000.

To get access to higher leverage, traders should open accounts with entities that are regulated by offshore regulators and offer fewer protections.

Explore Best forex brokers with high leverage.

What to avoid when choosing a crypto trading broker?

Here are the five must-do things when selecting a crypto trading broker:

  • To check the broker’s regulations, protections, and level of transparency. 
  • To consider broker’s fees, including spreads, commissions, and swap rates.
  • To choose the account type that suits your needs and trading experience.
  • To explore a list of offered instruments before starting trading. 
  • To interact with the support team when opening an account with the broker.

How to avoid crypto trading scams?

To avoid forex and crypto scams, traders should first check the broker’s regulations. If the broker is regulated by top-tier regulators, you are mostly protected. An unregulated broker is the most suspicious one by definition. In addition to regulations, check the following red flags:

  • The broker offers a big cash bonus for opening the account.
  • The broker heavily promotes automatic trades and/or trading signals from unknown sources.
  • The broker promises profits and cites unrealistic success rates.
  • There is no information about the company and its employees.
  • The broker stated address is not suitable for a serious company (too small, strange location).
  • The support team does not respond or responds rarely.
  • Clients report issues with funds withdrawals.

Our Methodology

FX Empire has been reviewing brokers since 2010 and has developed an in-depth review program of CFD brokers. We have more than a decade of experience testing brokers and abide by strict guidelines for editorial integrity. Our review process follows a thorough protocol that results in a score that is based on objective criteria and measurable data. As a result of our work, we publish a comprehensive and unbiased review, which is meant to help traders choose the broker that suits their needs.

To choose the best broker for you, we rate brokers across nine categories and calculate a score that reflects their performance. The categories include

  • Trust and Stability
  • Fees
  • Platform and Tools
  • Tradable Instruments
  • Account Types
  • Deposit and Withdrawal
  • Research
  • Customer Support
  • Education

We open accounts, test platforms, measure spreads, and chat with support teams to collect as much data as we can for each broker. In total, we examine brokers according to over 250 data points.

Each category receives a rating from one star (weak) to five stars (excellent). The broker’s total score depends on its performance in each of these nine categories.

We highlight each broker’s strengths and weaknesses, explain regulatory details, and share the results of our live tests of brokers’ fees, customer support, and trading platforms. To learn more about our review process, click here.

For this guide, we prioritized a comprehensive crypto trading offering, a wide selection of cryptocurrencies, and a strong emphasis on trustworthiness and security. Additionally, we sought brokers with competitive fees and user-friendly, feature-rich platforms, ensuring both cost-effectiveness and ease of use for traders at all levels.

Meet our Writers

The team of forex and CFD writers and editors at FX Empire is composed of trading industry professionals and seasoned financial journalists. Our authors have been published on leading financial websites such as Investopedia and Forbes. In addition, they all have extensive trading experience.

Get to Know Our Authors

Dan BlystoneBroker Analyst

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 SolankiBroker Analyst

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.

Plamen StoyanovBroker Analyst

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.

Vladimir ZernovBroker Analyst

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.

FAQ

Crypto CFD (Contract for Difference) trading is a method of trading cryptocurrencies that allows traders to speculate on the price movements of various digital assets without owning the underlying assets. When cryptocurrency assets are structured as CFDs, the trader speculates with the underlying price, which is quoted against some other fiat currency. This means that traders do not buy or sell the actual cryptocurrency, but instead enter into a contract with a broker to exchange the difference in price between the opening and closing positions. In a crypto CFD trade, the trader speculates on whether the price of a cryptocurrency will rise or fall and enters into a contract with a broker, generating profits or losses based on whether the price action goes in their expected direction.
Contracts for Difference (CFDs) are financial derivatives allowing the trader to speculate with the price of the underlying without owning it. Their advantage is that you can gain immediate entry into the market and generate huge profits (but also incur substantial losses) within a relatively short period of time. This is made possible by the leverage with which CFDs can be traded.
To purchase actual cryptocurrency assets (don’t confuse with crypto CFDs), you should choose a cryptocurrency exchange, create an account, deposit funds using various payment methods, buy the cryptocurrency of choice by placing an order on the exchange, and store the cryptocurrency in a secure wallet.
Owning cryptocurrency provides you with direct ownership of the asset, while CFD trading on cryptocurrencies allows you to speculate on price movements without owning the asset, with the potential to profit from both rising and falling markets.
Brokers serve the role of financial intermediaries, providing traders and investors access to the market. In the case of crypto CFD trading, brokers provide traders with the liquidity and leverage needed to execute their orders.
You have to pay attention to broker’s trustworthiness and transparency as well as fees and platforms. Moreover, crypto traders should consider a broker’s execution speeds. Crypto CFDs are among the most volatile assets, amplifying the risk of negative slippage. That is why traders need to look for brokers with a ‘best execution policy’, ensuring order filling under the most favorable conditions.
The main difference between a crypto CFD broker and a crypto exchange is that a crypto CFD broker offers derivatives trading, while a crypto exchange allows you to buy, sell, and trade actual cryptocurrencies.
Yes, you can. Some brokers offer CENT accounts, allowing traders to execute very small positions. However, traders need to keep in mind that crypto CFDs are very volatile assets, and even small changes in the price action can lead to considerable changes in the underlying margin. In other words, the risks of gaining too much market exposure are multiplied when the account balance is smaller.
Our research indicated that EightCap provides access to more than 100 cryptocurrencies, offering traders access to major and minor crypto pairs.
Our tests showed that AvaTrade and Exness have the best platforms for trading crypto CFDs. They support fast order execution and have plenty of technical indicators and drawing tools – both essential for crypto trading.
Yes, crypto trading is available on MetaTrader 4&5. However, a broker is needed to connect you to the market and to provide liquidity and leverage.
From our research, OCTA provides the best platform for trading crypto CFDs for beginners. It is highly intuitive and efficient so that even novice traders can find their way around.
Libertex stands out as a premier platform for trading cryptocurrency CFDs, particularly for professional traders. Beyond its extensive suite of analytical tools, the platform provides access to market sentiment indicators. These tools are essential for gaining a comprehensive understanding of market dynamics.
For trading crypto CFDs, you need a broker which supplies the liquidity and leverage. While for trading crypto underlying assets, you don’t need a broker. You can use centralized or decentralized crypto exchanges, as well as p2p services.
You do not need a crypto wallet for trading crypto CFDs, because you just speculate on the price movement but you don’t own the underlying asset. A crypto wallet is a good option for long-term holders of digital currency tokens. It accommodates value investing in crypto assets and also serves as a payment method.
Our tests showed that IC Markets has the lowest fees. It offers a combination of commission-free trading and floating spreads below the industry average.

About the Author

Vladimir ZernovBroker Analyst

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.

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