Cryptocurrency CFD Brokers
Written By
James Barra
Written By
James Barra
Edited By
Tobias Robinson
Edited By
Tobias Robinson
Fact Checked By
William Berg
Fact Checked By
William Berg
Updated
Jul 24, 2024
We test CFD Cryptocurrency brokers in this updated review for 2025.
Top 6 Crypto CFD Brokers
This is why we think these brokers are the best in this category in 2025:
- Interactive Brokers - IBKR lets you purchase and hold Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum, and Litecoin at competitive commission rates and without needing a crypto wallet. Additionally, there is a range of other diverse assets to explore, such as crypto indices like the NYSE Bitcoin Index, as well as futures contracts like the BAKKT Bitcoin Futures.
- UnitedPips - UnitedPips offers trading on four leading cryptos (Bitcoin, Ethereu, Litecoin, and Ripple) with high leverage up to 1:5. It also supports deposits and withdrawals in cryptos making it convenient for serious crypto enthusiasts.
- RedMars - RedMars offers 13 crypto CFDs, including the popular BTC/USD, ETH/USD, and LTC/USD. However, there's no option to buy the underlying cryptocurrency. As a comparison, eToro allows the underlying purchase of 44 cryptocurrencies with copy trading on digital currencies also supported.
- IQCent - IQCent offers 17 crypto pairs through its proprietary terminal, including Bitcoin, Ethereum and Litecoin. Leverage on crypto CFDs is capped at 1:10, whilst binary options payouts vary by token but remain competitive. OTC assets, for example, pay out up to 95%.
- Dukascopy - Dukascopy facilitates day trading on popular cryptos like Bitcoin against the US Dollar. You can go long or short with leverage up to 1:5. Unusually, clients of Dukascopy are also protected to the tune of CHF 100'000 in the event of brokerage insolvency.
- Capitalcore - Capitalcore allows traders to speculate on the price movements of just five cryptocurrencies through CFDs. Popular options like Bitcoin (BTC/USD), Ethereum (ETH/USD), and Litecoin (LTC/USD) are available. However, unlike competitors like eToro, you cannot purchase the underlying crypto directly.
Cryptocurrency CFD Brokers Comparison
| Broker | Minimum Deposit | Leverage | Platforms | Coins | Crypto Spread |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interactive Brokers | $0 | 1:50 | Trader Workstation (TWS), IBKR Desktop, GlobalTrader, Mobile, Client Portal, AlgoTrader, OmniTrader, TradingView, eSignal, TradingCentral, ProRealTime, Quantower | 4 | 0.12%-0.18% |
| UnitedPips | $10 | 1:1000 | UniTrader | 4 | 500 |
| RedMars | €250 | 1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro) | MT5 | 13 | 65 |
| IQCent | $250 | 1:500 | Online Platform, TradingView | 12 | Variable |
| Dukascopy | $100 | 1:200 | JForex, MT4, MT5 | 18 | 0.1 |
| Capitalcore | $10 | 1:2000 | WebTrader, Pro | 5 | $45 |
Interactive Brokers
"Interactive Brokers is one of the best brokers for advanced day traders, providing powerful charting platforms, real-time data, and customizable layouts, notably through the new IBKR Desktop application. Its superb pricing and advanced order options also make it highly attractive for day traders, while its diverse range of equities is still among the best in the industry."
Christian Harris, Reviewer
Interactive Brokers Quick Facts
| FTSE Spread | 0.005% (£1 Min) |
|---|---|
| GBPUSD Spread | 0.08-0.20 bps x trade value |
| Stocks Spread | 0.003 |
| Leverage | 1:50 |
| Regulator | FCA, SEC, FINRA, CFTC, CBI, CIRO, SFC, MAS, MNB, FINMA, AFM |
| Platforms | Trader Workstation (TWS), IBKR Desktop, GlobalTrader, Mobile, Client Portal, AlgoTrader, OmniTrader, TradingView, eSignal, TradingCentral, ProRealTime, Quantower |
| Coins | BTC, LTC, ETH, XRP |
| Crypto Mining | No |
| Auto Market Maker | No |
| Crypto Spread | 0.12%-0.18% |
| Crypto Lending | No |
| Crypto Staking | No |
| Minimum Deposit | $0 |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, INR, JPY, SEK, NOK, DKK, CHF, AED, HUF |
Pros
- There's a vast library of free or paid third-party research subscriptions catering to all types of traders, plus you can enjoy commission reimbursements from IBKR if you subscribe to Toggle AI.
- The new IBKR Desktop platform takes the best of TWS while adding bespoke tools like Option Lattice and Screeners with MultiSort to create a genuinely impressive trading experience for day traders at every level.
- While primarily geared towards experienced traders, IBKR has made moves to broaden its appeal in recent years, reducing its minimum deposit from $10,000 to $0.
Cons
- IBKR provides a wide range of research tools, but their distribution across trading platforms and the web-based 'Account Management' page lacks consistency, leading to a confusing user experience.
- TWS’s learning curve is steep, and beginners may find it challenging to navigate the platform and understand all the features. Plus500's web platform is much better suited to new traders.
- You can only have one active session per account, so you can’t have your desktop program and mobile app running simultaneously, making for a sometimes frustrating trading experience.
UnitedPips
"UnitedPips is ideal for traders seeking leveraged trading opportunities, the security of fixed spreads, and the flexibility to deposit, withdraw, and trade cryptocurrencies - all in one sleek TradingView-powered platform."
UnitedPips Quick Facts
| Bonus Offer | 40% Deposit Bonus |
|---|---|
| FTSE Spread | NA |
| GBPUSD Spread | 1.3 |
| Stocks Spread | NA |
| Leverage | 1:1000 |
| Regulator | IFSA |
| Platforms | UniTrader |
| Coins | BTC, ETH, LTC, XRP |
| Crypto Mining | No |
| Auto Market Maker | No |
| Crypto Spread | 500 |
| Crypto Lending | No |
| Crypto Staking | No |
| Minimum Deposit | $10 |
| Account Currencies | USD |
Pros
- Although being handed off mid-chat due to shift changes during testing was frustrating, customer support is generally good with quick, helpful responses, and 24/7 support via phone and email for regional teams is a definite advantage.
- UnitedPips offers impressive leverage up to 1:1000 with zero swap fees or commissions, which can enhance potential returns for day traders and swing traders looking to control prominent positions with less capital.
- UnitedPips’ platform performs well, with an intuitive design that will appeal to beginners, while the TradingView integration delivers powerful charting tools without overwhelming users, making it straightforward to execute trades efficiently.
Cons
- UnitedPips' selection of tradable instruments is still minimal, comprising a bare minimum selection of forex, metals and crypto. There are no equities, indices or ETFs, which may be a drawback for experienced traders looking for diverse opportunities.
- UnitedPips lacks comprehensive research, while the educational content for beginner traders is woeful. Compared to brokers like eToro, which offers tutorials, webinars, and advanced courses, UnitedPips offers minimal resources to help new traders understand key concepts.
- Unlike brokers such as IG, UnitedPips is an offshore broker not regulated by any 'green tier' financial authorities, raising concerns for traders seeking assurance and protection under well-established regulatory frameworks.
RedMars
"RedMars is the best fit for experienced day traders familiar with the MetaTrader 5 platform and based in the EU, where the broker is authorized by the CySEC. However, the threadbare education and research tools make it unsuitable for beginners."
RedMars Quick Facts
| FTSE Spread | 15 |
|---|---|
| GBPUSD Spread | 0.7 |
| Stocks Spread | Variable |
| Leverage | 1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro) |
| Regulator | CySEC, AFM |
| Platforms | MT5 |
| Coins | BTC, ETH, LTC, XRP, XLM, DOT, ZEC, XMR, QTM, NEO, EOS, BCH, DSH |
| Crypto Mining | No |
| Auto Market Maker | No |
| Crypto Spread | 65 |
| Crypto Lending | No |
| Crypto Staking | No |
| Minimum Deposit | €250 |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR |
Pros
- Clients in the EU, in particular, can trade with peace of mind knowing RedMars is authorized by the CySEC with up to €20K compensation available through the ICF in the event of bankruptcy
- The broker is one of a limited number of firms to offer an account specially designed for VIPs with premium support and invites to exclusive events
- RedMars offers one of the best platforms for day trading, MT5, hosting 21 timeframes, dozens of analytical tools, flexible templates and algo trading
Cons
- The no-frills trading environment offers little beyond the basics, with no Islamic account, PAMM account or copy trading.
- With just 300 instruments, RedMars offers a narrow trading environment, particularly compared to category leaders like BlackBull Markets which offers 26,000 assets
- RedMars falls short for newer traders, with little in the way of education, no beginner-friendly platform, a steep minimum deposit, and inadequate support during testing
IQCent
"IQCent will appeal to day traders looking for a straightforward binary options and CFD trading platform with low fees, a range of accounts, and copy trading. Getting started takes less than 1 minute and a $250 deposit. "
Jemma Grist, Reviewer
IQCent Quick Facts
| Bonus Offer | 20% to 200% Deposit Bonus |
|---|---|
| FTSE Spread | 1.4 |
| GBPUSD Spread | 0.8 |
| Stocks Spread | N/A |
| Leverage | 1:500 |
| Regulator | IFMRRC |
| Platforms | Online Platform, TradingView |
| Coins | BTC, ETH, LTC, ETC, DOGE, MATIC, QNT, SOL, XRP, USDT, XMR, BNB |
| Crypto Mining | No |
| Auto Market Maker | No |
| Crypto Spread | Variable |
| Crypto Lending | No |
| Crypto Staking | No |
| Minimum Deposit | $250 |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR |
Pros
- CFD trading fees are competitive based on tests, including 0.7 pips on major forex pairs such as EUR/USD
- There's an accessible $0.01 minimum stake for new day traders with a small budget
- The proprietary terminal offers TradingView-powered charts which deliver dozens of technical indicators and studies
Cons
- The broker is not overseen by a respected regulator, though this is common among binary options firms
- IQCent charges a punitive $10 monthly inactivity fee if you fail to place at least 1 trade per month
- There's no automated trading support for algo traders
Dukascopy
"If you’re an experienced trader, Dukascopy provides the tools you need: JForex for algorithmic strategies, competitive spreads from 0.1 pips, leverage up to 1:200, and the peace of mind of using a Swiss-regulated bank and broker."
Dukascopy Quick Facts
| Bonus Offer | 10% Equity Bonus |
|---|---|
| FTSE Spread | 100 |
| GBPUSD Spread | 0.1 |
| Stocks Spread | 0.1 |
| Leverage | 1:200 |
| Regulator | FINMA, JFSA, FCMC |
| Platforms | JForex, MT4, MT5 |
| Coins | ADA, AVE, BAT, BCH, BTC, CMP, DSH, ENJ, EOS, ETH, LNK, LTC, MAT, MKR, TRX, UNI, XLM, YFI |
| Crypto Mining | No |
| Auto Market Maker | No |
| Crypto Spread | 0.1 |
| Crypto Lending | No |
| Crypto Staking | No |
| Minimum Deposit | $100 |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, JPY, ZAR, TRY, SEK, NOK, DKK, CHF, HKD, SGD, PLN, CZK, AED, SAR, HUF, MXN |
Pros
- The proprietary JForex platform is highly advanced, offering tools for algorithmic trading, extensive charting, and access to deep liquidity for short-term traders.
- Dukascopy offers tight spreads starting from 0.1 pips, leverage up to 1:200 (depending on the jurisdiction), and volume-based commissions that reward high-frequency traders.
- Dukascopy features some of the best research we’ve seen, even a professional TV studio in Geneva covering financial news, market analysis, and daily insights from professionals.
Cons
- Dukascopy's withdrawal fees are higher than most competitors we’ve tested, particularly for bank wire transfers, which may deter traders who require frequent access to their funds.
- Some account types, such as the MT4/MT5 accounts, require a higher minimum deposit of $1,000, which may not be ideal for traders with smaller budgets.
- While Dukascopy provides some educational resources and 24/7 support, the complexity of its platforms and tools required extensive testing and may overwhelm newer traders.
Capitalcore
"The major selling points of Capitalcore are its high leverage options up to 1:2000 and zero commission or swap fees. However, its weak regulatory oversight from the IFSA and non-existent education place it far behind the top brokers."
Capitalcore Quick Facts
| Bonus Offer | 40% Deposit Bonus up to $2,500 |
|---|---|
| FTSE Spread | 25 |
| GBPUSD Spread | 0.5 |
| Stocks Spread | 1.5 (Apple) |
| Leverage | 1:2000 |
| Regulator | IFSA |
| Platforms | WebTrader, Pro |
| Coins | BTC, ETH, BCH, XRP, LTC |
| Crypto Mining | No |
| Auto Market Maker | No |
| Crypto Spread | $45 |
| Crypto Lending | No |
| Crypto Staking | No |
| Minimum Deposit | $10 |
| Account Currencies | USD |
Pros
- Capitalcore is one of the only brokers to charge zero swap fees, which may appeal to Islamic traders looking to comply with Islamic Finance.
- The support team are available 24/7 and responded within minutes during testing with helpful responses.
- The Capitalcore platform provides comprehensive charting tools and a wide range of 150+ technical indicators, ideal for detailed market analysis.
Cons
- Capitalcore’s threadbare education and research seriously trail category leaders like IG, making it less suitable for aspiring traders.
- Capitalcore is not regulated by major financial authorities and has an unproven reputation, raising concerns about the safety of client funds.
- The web platform was inconsistent during testing, with occasional technical glitches that meant the trading platform wouldn’t load.