82% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
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82% of retail CFD accounts lose money.

10 Best Cryptocurrency Brokers in 2024

Open Account 82% of retail CFD accounts lose money.
By Alice Leetham - Updated 25 January 2024
Plus500
Fact checked by: Richard Stutely
While all our writers independently research and evaluate every product that we write about, this post may contain references to products from our partners that we may earn commission from. This in no way affects how we evaluate them. Find out more about how we test and how we fund this site.

On this page, we’re going to look at some of the best crypto brokers in depth with regard to important aspects like fees, security, and features. By the end, you should be well-equipped to decide which crypto broker best meets your needs.

Cryptocurrency brokers act as an intermediary between traders and the market, providing an accessible way to enter the crypto world and choose cryptocurrency to invest in, where there is potential for significant profits. There are many crypto brokers available, all with different pros and cons.

Top Crypto Brokers - Our Top 3 Picks

Looking for a quick answer? Here are our top 3 recommended crypto brokers to use for buying and selling cryptocurrency.

1
Min Deposit
$ 100
User Score
5
CFDs on BTC, ETH, LTC, NEO, XRP, IOTA, EOS, BAB, ADA, TRX, XMR
No need to open a crypto exchange account or use a special wallet
Regulated Broker - FCA, ASIC, CySEC (license number 250/14)
Visit Site
Description:
Plus500 is a leading provider of Contracts for Difference (CFDs), delivering Leveraged trading on +2,000 financial instruments, including Forex, Commodities, Indices, Shares, Options and Cryptocurrencies. CySEC license number (#250/14)
Payment Methods:
Bank Transfer, Debit Card, PayPal, Credit Card, Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Trustly, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Discover, Bank Transfer: SEPA, Bank Transfer: FPS, skrill
Full Regulations:
ASIC, FCA, FSA, MAS, CySEC #250/14
82% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
2
Min Deposit
$ 10
User Score
4.95
Up to $240 bonus!
Build a diversified portfolio with crypto, stocks, and ETFs — all in one place.
Trade on the world's leading social trading and investing platform
Open Account
Description:
eToro offers a wide range of cryptos, such as Bitcoin, XRP and others, alongside crypto/fiat and crypto/crypto pairs. eToro users can connect with, learn from, and copy or get copied by other users.
Payment Methods:
Bank Transfer, Debit Card, PayPal, Credit Card, Wire Transfer
Full Regulations:
CySEC, FCA
3
Min Deposit
$ 0
Promotion
User Score
4.8
Get insights from millions of investors, creators, and analysts
Build your portfolio of stocks, ETFs, and crypto–all in one place
No minimum deposit
Visit Site
Description:
Public is an investing platform that allows you to invest stocks, ETFs, crypto, and alternative assets like fine art and collectibles—all in one place.
Payment Methods:
Debit Card, Wire Transfer, Check, Bank Wire
Full Regulations:
Cryptocurrency execution and custody services are provided by Apex Crypto LLC (NMLS ID 1828849) through a software licensing agreement between Apex Crypto LLC and Public Crypto LLC. Crypto trading on Public platforms is served by Public Crypto LLC and offered through APEX Crypto. Please ensure that you fully understand the risks involved before trading.

The Best Cryptocurrency Brokers in 2024

  1. eToro – Best Overall Crypto Broker

  2. Binance – Best Crypto Broker for Low Fees

  3. Coinbase – Best Cryptocurrency Broker for Beginners

  4. Bitpanda – Best Broker for Buying Crypto Securely

  5. Capital.com – Best Broker for Trading Crypto CFDs

  6. Skilling – Best Broker for Trading Crypto with Leverage

  7. Bitstamp – Best Bitcoin Broker for Customer Support

  8. OKX – Best Crypto Broker for Advanced Traders

  9. Kucoin – Best Broker for Choice of Cryptocurrencies

  10. Coinmama – Best Crypto Broker for High Spending Limits

Top 10 Crypto Brokers Quickly Compared

Regulation

Min. deposit

Trading fees

No. of coins

eToro

FCA, CySEC

$10

1% + spread

70+

Binance

AMF

$50

0.1% or less

600+

Coinbase

FCA, most US states

$50

Up to 0.6% + spread

150+

Bitpanda

AMF, BDE

$25

1.49% premium

199+

Capital.com

FCA, CySEC, ASIC

$20

Floating spreads

491+ pairs

Skilling

CySEC, FSA

$100

Various spreads

55+

Bitstamp

CSSF

$10

0.5% or less

75+

OKX

VARA

$10

0.1% or less

343+

KuCoin

None

$5

0.3% or less

700+

Coinmama

FinCEN

$30

Up to 5%

15+

10 Top Crypto Brokers Reviewed

1. eToro – Best Overall Crypto Broker

eToro homepage

eToro’s reliability and innovative features make it our top choice of cryptocurrency brokers. It’s one of the more trusted cryptocurrency trading platforms, with strong regulation and top-tier security practices such as cold storage for crypto.

You can find out which cryptocurrencies are trending and surging in the Discover section, add them to your watchlist to set price alerts, and learn more about them in the News, Research, and Stats tabs.

What makes eToro special is that it is a social investing platform—you can connect with other users, share ideas, and access collective wisdom. What’s more, the unique CopyTrader feature lets you pick a trader based on their profits or risk appetite and replicate all their trades automatically.

Although there are charts and tools to aid those who want to do fundamental or technical analysis, eToro is also suitable for beginners. The platform has a very clear design, and it’s easy to purchase cryptocurrencies with just a couple of clicks.

You can choose from over 70 cryptocurrencies to invest in and create smart portfolios with thematic investment strategies. It’s easy to diversify your portfolio on your trading journey as eToro also provides access to stocks, indices, and ETFs.

eToro has a wider choice of payment options than many online brokers and competitors, and all deposits are free. You will need to deposit at least $10 to get started, and $10 is also the minimum trade size. The withdrawal fee is $5, and the trading fees are competitive at 1% plus the spread. Read our full eToro review here.

Pros

  • Easy to use

  • Multi-asset platform

  • Free deposits

  • Secure and regulated

  • Copy trading

  • Wide range of payment options

  • Demo account

  • Mobile app

Cons

  • Smaller range of coins than many competitors

  • Not available in quite a lot of countries

2. Binance – Best Crypto Broker for Low FeesBinance homepage

Binance is one of the top crypto brokerage platforms available when it comes to competitive fees. You can trade for fees of just 0.1%, or less if you’re in a higher loyalty tier. All crypto deposits are free, and some methods of fiat deposit and withdrawal are also free.

There is plenty on Binance to satisfy advanced traders, from customizable advanced charting tools to technical indicators. Experienced users can also participate in leverage trading and take advantage of trading derivatives such as futures contracts and options.

If you’re new to crypto trades, however, you can bypass all the advanced features by using Binance Convert to swap cryptocurrencies with a couple of clicks. There’s also plenty of material in the Binance Academy if you want to educate yourself on crypto topics.

Once you’ve made a purchase, you can grow your holdings with Binance’s various interest-bearing services, including savings accounts, staking, and liquidity farming. With over 600 digital currencies available, you should be able to invest in whatever you want, while Launchpad gives you the chance to be an early investor in new projects.

The identity verification process is fairly fast, and you’ll need to make a minimum deposit of at least $50. After that, you can purchase as little as $10 of your chosen cryptocurrency. Read our full Binance review here.

Pros

  • Choose from over 600 cryptocurrencies

  • Lowest fees on the market

  • Tools for technical analysis

  • Convert feature for easy swaps

  • Trade with leverage and access derivatives

  • Earn interest on your crypto

  • Educational resources

  • Mobile app

Cons

  • Regulatory issues in some areas

  • Higher minimum deposit than some competitors

  • Limited payment methods in some regions

3. Coinbase – Best Crypto Broker for Beginners

Coinbase homepage

Coinbase is the top cryptocurrency broker if you’re just starting your crypto journey. The platform is designed to be easy to navigate, and the buying process is fast and simple. It also provides some of the lowest buying limits, enabling you to invest for as little as $2.

You can see your portfolio and past cryptocurrency trades performance displayed in your dashboard, and if there are any cryptocurrencies you want to keep up to date with, you can add them to your watchlist.

There are plenty of educational materials on the platform to help you develop your understanding of crypto and trading topics. Coinbase’s regular learn and earn campaigns even give you the opportunity to get some free crypto while you learn.

Coinbase’s recurring buys feature makes it easy to implement a dollar-cost averaging strategy by setting up regular automatic purchases. If you want to do some more advanced trading, the Coinbase Pro exchange gives you access to charts, indicators, and more advanced order types.

The platform is regulated and employs industry-leading security practices such as offline wallet storage and crypto insurance. The trading fees are pretty competitive at 0.6% plus spread, and Coinbase recommends a minimum deposit of $50. Read our full Coinbase review here.

Pros

  • Very easy to use

  • Clear layout

  • 150+ cryptocurrencies

  • Purchase as little as $2

  • Educational resources

  • Earn free crypto

  • Recurring buys feature

  • Regulated

  • Strong security

  • Mobile app

Cons

  • The minimum deposit is higher than some competitors

  • Some payment methods carry high fees

4. Bitpanda – Best Broker for Buying Crypto Securely

Bitpanada homepage

Bitpanda is one of the safest crypto platforms for making purchases. It uses offline storage, is fully licensed and regulated, and is in compliance with anti-money laundering regulations. The platform also has an excellent rating on Trustpilot.

Bitpanda is a multi-asset platform, providing access to nearly 200 cryptocurrencies, as well as crypto indices and traditional online brokers instruments such as stocks, metals, and ETFs. What makes Bitpanda stand out is the fact that users can make direct swaps between different classes of assets.

The platform’s customer support is held in particularly high regard, and users can find explanations of how to navigate the platform in the Helpdesk. There is also the Bitpanda Academy, where you can find a range of educational resources on trading cryptocurrencies.

It’s possible to set up recurring purchases on the crypto markets with a savings plan, and you can manage your account from anywhere with the mobile app. There is also a Bitpanda Card that lets you spend your crypto.

Signing up and completing the verification process should take you a few minutes, and then you will have a choice of payment methods to use to make a deposit of at least $25. You can buy a minimum of $1.50 or €1 worth of cryptocurrency, and the prices quoted include a 1.49% premium. Read our full Bitpanda review here.

Pros

  • Regulated

  • Secure

  • Rated excellent on Trustpilot

  • Almost 200 cryptocurrencies

  • Easy to use

  • Swap between different asset classes

  • Low minimum trade size

  • Variety of deposit methods

  • Educational resources

  • Mobile app

Cons

  • Fees for crypto deposits

  • Not available in most places outside of Europe

  • Only email support is available

5. Capital.com – Best Broker for CFD TradingCapital.com Homepage

Capital.com should be your first choice if you want to trade crypto contracts for difference. CFDs enable you to gain exposure to crypto and profit from cryptocurrency price movements without the need to own and custody the underlying assets.

There are more than 6,000 assets available for CFD trading on Capital.com. These include about 500 cryptocurrency pairs and traditional financial instruments like stocks, commodities, indices, and forex.

CFDs are high-risk instruments, but Capital.com provides negative balance protection and other risk management tools, as well as a virtual account where you can practice your direct cryptocurrency trading risk-free. On top of this, beginners can take advantage of the Investmate app for financial education and access trading guides and online courses.

You can trade CFDs with up to 30x leverage on Capital.com, and there are plenty of advanced trading tools and advanced trading features to satisfy experienced traders. These include more than 70 technical indicators, price alerts, client sentiment, and AI-powered post-trade analysis.

Creating and verifying your account should take a few minutes, and you will need to deposit at least $20, which can be done through a variety of payment methods. Crypto CFDs have floating spreads, and the overnight fees vary, but there are no deposit fees, withdrawal fees, or commissions.

Pros

  • Trade crypto CFDs with ease

  • Hundreds of cryptocurrency trading pairs

  • Secure and regulated

  • No commission or fees for deposits or withdrawals

  • Swift order execution

  • Risk management tools

  • Virtual trading account

  • Free financial education

  • Mobile app

Cons

  • CFDs are high risk

  • Crypto CFDs unavailable in the UK

  • Not the tightest spreads available

6. Skilling – Best Broker for Trading Crypto with LeverageSkilling homepage

Leveraged trading provides the opportunity to magnify profits—although it can also magnify losses. Skilling leads the way when it comes to trading crypto with leverage as it offers some of the highest available crypto leverage trading of 50:1.

There are over 50 cryptocurrency CFDs available on Skilling, but the platform also offers CFDs on hundreds of other instruments, such as shares, indices, commodities, and forex. As a fully regulated platform, Skilling provides strong security, as well as customer support via email, phone, or live chat.

You can choose the trading platform that best meets your needs. Skilling Trader caters to all levels, including beginners, thanks to its user-friendly and intuitive trading experience. Meanwhile, cTrader is designed for those with more experience in crypto trading, providing algorithmic trading, more indicators, and advanced risk management and order functionality.

Skilling is available in most countries but not in the US at present. There is a good choice of payment methods, and although Neteller and Skrill deposits carry a fee, other methods are free to use.

You will have to deposit at least $100 to get started with Skilling. Trades are commission-free, and the cryptocurrency trading platform provides competitive spreads starting from 0.1 pips. You can find out the exact costs by checking the page for a given cryptocurrency. Read our full Skilling review here.

Pros

  • Offers higher crypto leverage than competitors

  • Multi-asset platform

  • Strong customer support

  • Tools for advanced traders

  • Fully regulated

  • Virtual trading available

  • Multiple deposit options

  • Mobile app

Cons

  • The minimum deposit is high

  • Unavailable in the US

Sign up with Skilling now 82% of retail CFD accounts lose money.

7. Bitstamp – Best Bitcoin Broker for Customer SupportBitstamp homepage

If you want to be supported through your crypto journey, then Bitstamp could be just the platform you need. Support is available by phone and email 24/7, and Bitstamp also provides a free Crypto Pulse report if you want to read about global trends and market insights about digital currencies.

The cryptocurrency trading platform has high liquidity and some of the best uptime in the industry, which ensures that order execution is fast and reliable when users purchase any of the 75 cryptocurrencies available on Bitstamp.

Traders with more experience will appreciate the range of powerful APIs available on the platform, as well as the analytical tools, real-time data streaming, advanced order types, and algorithmic strategies.

Bitstamp keeps 98% of its digital assets in offline cold wallet storage as part of its industry-leading security practices. It also provides transaction confirmations, address whitelisting, and strong encryption of personal information.

You can manage your account from anywhere with the mobile app and make instant card purchases in almost every country for a 5% fee. Registering and verifying your account is a straightforward process, and most deposit methods are free.

The smallest amount of cryptocurrency you can buy is $10 worth, and the trading fees are up to 0.5%, while the fee for withdrawals depends on the coin.

Pros

  • Access phone and email support 24/7

  • Intuitive to use

  • Fast and seamless order execution

  • Strong security

  • Advanced tools for trading

  • Most deposit methods are free

  • Mobile app

Cons

  • Instant card purchases carry a high fee

  • Fewer cryptocurrencies than many competitors

8. OKX – Best Crypto Broker for Advanced TradersOKX homepage

More experienced traders will appreciate the multiple advanced features OKX has to offer. There are different order types available for spot trading, along with technical indicators and customizable charts. You can also find out about new and trending cryptocurrencies in the opportunities section.

The Convert feature makes it simple for beginners to swap between a wide range of cryptocurrencies without fees or spread, while advanced traders can use leverage and access derivatives, including options, futures, and perpetual swaps.

There is a trading bot that enables users to easily execute advanced strategies with recurring buys, smart portfolios, and arbitrage orders. Users can also access powerful APIs, multi-leg structures, and RFQ for large-sized spots through block trading.

There are over 340 cryptocurrencies available to trade on OKX, and once you’ve made a purchase, you can grow your investment with interest-bearing services, such as staking, savings accounts, dual investment, flash deals, fixed income, and DeFi.

If you want to learn more about crypto and trading, OKX provides articles, tutorials, and industry analysis for educational purposes. Users’ assets are well protected as the platform stores most of them offline with emergency backups and uses a semi-offline multi-signature mechanism for its online storage.

Setting up an OKX account is a fast process, and the platform supports a number of payment methods. The minimum deposit is $10, and the minimum order size varies according to the cryptocurrency traded. The fees for spot trading are very competitive at up to 0.1%.

Pros

  • Trade 340+ cryptocurrencies

  • Charts and advanced tools

  • Leverage

  • Crypto derivatives

  • Access advanced strategies with the trading bot

  • Assets held securely

  • Trading fees are low

  • Range of payment methods

  • Mobile app

Cons

  • Unavailable in the US

  • There are limits on withdrawals

9. KuCoin – Best Broker for Choice of CryptocurrenciesKucoin homepage

If you’re looking for new and obscure cryptocurrencies, KuCoin could be the platform for you. Its vast range of more than 700 coins includes many that aren’t available on any other major platforms.

For a simple experience, beginners can use the Fast Trade feature for quick crypto purchases or use Convert to easily swap between cryptocurrencies. There are also customizable charts available for spot trading, along with tools and indicators.

Those who want the chance to increase their profits can take advantage of margin trading, and there is a range of ways to trade futures contracts. If you don’t have time to stay on top of the market, you could also benefit from KuCoin’s trading bot.

There is a token launch platform, as well as a multitude of ways to grow your holdings in KuCoin Earn. These include staking, savings accounts, crypto lending, and higher-yield promotions.

Customer support is on hand 24/7 and the blog provides plenty of educational resources on crypto and blockchain. You can also access in-depth market analysis and research with KuCoin Labs.

KuCoin has a minimum deposit of $5 and accepts dozens of payment methods. There is a 3.8% fee for card payments, and the trading fees are up to 0.3%, depending on the coin. Read our full KuCoin review here.

Pros

  • 700+ cryptocurrencies offered

  • Margin trading

  • Crypto derivatives

  • Multiple ways to earn interest

  • Covers 200+ countries

  • Trading bot

  • 70+ payment methods

  • Trading fees are low

  • Mobile app

Cons

  • Isn’t licensed in the US

  • It may seem complicated to beginners

10. Coinmama – Best Crypto Broker for High Spending Limits

Coinmama homepage

Coinmama is a great platform if you want to purchase a large amount of cryptocurrency. You can use your bank account to buy as much as $30,000 in a single transaction, which is higher than most competitors.

You can usually receive your crypto within 10 minutes and pay for it with a range of methods, such as bank card, SWIFT, SEPA, Google Pay, Apple Pay, or Skrill. The platform doesn’t store payment information, and it is non-custodial, so you will be in complete control of your funds and coins.

There is a customer service team available if you have any questions, and Coinmama serves 188 different countries. You can also learn more about cryptocurrency with articles in the academy.

It’s quick and easy to buy 15 of the most popular coins on Coinmama, making it suitable for beginners. The platform may not satisfy experienced users, however, as there are no charts or tools for technical analysis.

It only takes a few minutes to create an account and make a purchase, thanks to the fast-track verification process. For most payment methods, the minimum order size is $30, but it is $250 for SWIFT and $500 for Fedwire.

There’s a 5% fee for paying with a bank card, Google Pay, or Apple Pay, a 2.5% fee when using Skrill, and other payment methods are free. Read our full Coinmama review here.

Pros

  • Higher spending limit than competitors

  • Full control of your funds and assets

  • Easy to use

  • Available in 188 different countries

  • Fast-track verification process

  • Choice of payment options

Cons

  • Some payment methods carry high fees

  • Choice of coins is very limited

  • No features for advanced trading

  • No mobile app

Pros and Cons of Using Cryptocurrency Brokers

Pros

  • Easier for traders as the broker takes care of all the complexity of trading cryptos.
  • Fiat options for payments make it easy for newcomers to use.
  • Contracts allow for making profits without actually buying cryptocurrencies.
  • Leveraged trading.
  • Almost instant trades as only contracts are bought and sold, not the underlying cryptocurrencies.

Cons

  • A premium on buying makes cryptos expensive.
  • Limited crypto options than exchanges.
  • Leveraging could lead to massive losses.

What Is a Cryptocurrency Broker?

A cryptocurrency broker is a platform where you can buy and sell cryptocurrencies and often make swaps between different coins. It acts as an intermediary between the user and the market, simplifying the cryptocurrency trading process.

Users can make a deposit or send a payment through a variety of methods, and the broker takes care of everything else. Brokers may offer the trading of derivatives such as CFDs rather than the underlying asset cryptocurrency.

How Do Cryptocurrency Brokers Work & What Do They Do?

To start using a cryptocurrency broker, you will need to complete the registration process. You may only need an email address and password to create an account, but regulated brokers will have Know Your Customer requirements, which means you’ll need to verify your identity before you can start trading.

To complete this process, you will need to provide further information, such as your full name, date of birth, address, and contact information. You will need to submit an image of a photo ID such as a driver’s license or passport to verify your identity, and you may also be asked for a document such as a utility bill or bank statement to verify your address.

Different brokers offer different types of financial services. On some broker platforms, you can buy cryptocurrencies at prices set by the broker. You simply specify which coin you want to buy and how much of it, and then the broker will fill the order for you and deliver your coins to a private crypto wallet or your web wallet on the platform.

Other brokers offer the trading of derivatives such as contracts for difference, which allow you to speculate on the difference between the current and future price of a cryptocurrency. A CFD is a contract between you and your broker and allows you to profit from the cryptocurrency price movements without actually owning it.

This means you don’t need to worry about storing your virtual currency or keeping it secure, but you can also lose money if the price doesn’t move in the way you expect.

Bitcoin Brokers typically generate their revenue from the spread, which is the difference between the ask (buy) and bid (sell) prices of a cryptocurrency. The broker may charge a commission on trades as well, while there may also be other costs, such as deposit, withdrawal, overnight, account management, and inactivity fees.

Different Types of Crypto Broker Trading Strategies

There are a number of different ways you can trade cryptocurrencies on your broker platform. We’re going to discuss a few popular trading strategies in more detail below.

Long and short positions

A trader takes a long position when they believe the value of a cryptocurrency will rise in the future or a short position when they believe it will fall. In practical terms, taking a long position simply means buying a cryptocurrency or digital asset. If the price does rise, they will be able to sell their coins at a profit later.

Taking a short position, on the other hand, generally involves selling coins that you don’t actually own. Traders can use a margin account to borrow cryptocurrency from their broker to sell. If the price falls as expected, the trader can make a profit by buying the coins at a lower price to pay back the broker. If the price rises, however, they will make a loss.

There are plenty of tools you can use to help you decide whether and when to go long or short. These include trading bots, signals, news, and advanced technical instruments such as indicators like moving averages, relative strength index, Fibonacci retracement, and support and resistance levels.

Swing traders open positions that last days or even weeks, while day traders open and close trades within the same day. Scalping involves opening positions for just minutes or even seconds.

CFDs

Contracts for difference are a type of derivative product that lets traders speculate on the price of cryptocurrencies without actually owning the underlying digital asset. The buyer of the CFD is bound by the contract to pay the seller the difference between the current value of the cryptocurrency and its value at the end of the contract.

Trading CFDs brings benefits such as simple execution and not having to custody any coins. You can also use leverage to magnify the potential profits of CFD trading, but this will also magnify any losses. CFDs are complex, high-risk instruments, so they should only be traded by people who know what they are doing. Some countries don’t allow CFDs or place restrictions on trading them.

Futures

Futures are another type of derivative product that enables traders to bet on the future value of a cryptocurrency. A futures contract is an agreement to buy or sell a fixed amount of cryptocurrency at a predetermined price on an agreed date in the future. Futures can be used for speculation or hedging.

Leverage is generally used when trading futures, meaning you don’t need to put up the full value of the contract in order to open the trade. Leverage can amplify losses as well as gains, however, so futures should only be traded by those with the necessary experience.

1
Min Deposit
$ 100
User Score
5
CFDs on BTC, ETH, LTC, NEO, XRP, IOTA, EOS, BAB, ADA, TRX, XMR
No need to open a crypto exchange account or use a special wallet
Regulated Broker - FCA, ASIC, CySEC (license number 250/14)
Visit Site
Description:
Plus500 is a leading provider of Contracts for Difference (CFDs), delivering Leveraged trading on +2,000 financial instruments, including Forex, Commodities, Indices, Shares, Options and Cryptocurrencies. CySEC license number (#250/14)
Payment Methods:
Bank Transfer, Debit Card, PayPal, Credit Card, Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Trustly, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Discover, Bank Transfer: SEPA, Bank Transfer: FPS, skrill
Full Regulations:
ASIC, FCA, FSA, MAS, CySEC #250/14
82% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
2
Min Deposit
$ 10
User Score
4.95
Up to $240 bonus!
Build a diversified portfolio with crypto, stocks, and ETFs — all in one place.
Trade on the world's leading social trading and investing platform
Open Account
Description:
eToro offers a wide range of cryptos, such as Bitcoin, XRP and others, alongside crypto/fiat and crypto/crypto pairs. eToro users can connect with, learn from, and copy or get copied by other users.
Payment Methods:
Bank Transfer, Debit Card, PayPal, Credit Card, Wire Transfer
Full Regulations:
CySEC, FCA
3
Min Deposit
$ 0
Promotion
User Score
4.8
Get insights from millions of investors, creators, and analysts
Build your portfolio of stocks, ETFs, and crypto–all in one place
No minimum deposit
Visit Site
Description:
Public is an investing platform that allows you to invest stocks, ETFs, crypto, and alternative assets like fine art and collectibles—all in one place.
Payment Methods:
Debit Card, Wire Transfer, Check, Bank Wire
Full Regulations:
Cryptocurrency execution and custody services are provided by Apex Crypto LLC (NMLS ID 1828849) through a software licensing agreement between Apex Crypto LLC and Public Crypto LLC. Crypto trading on Public platforms is served by Public Crypto LLC and offered through APEX Crypto. Please ensure that you fully understand the risks involved before trading.

Cryptocurrency Brokers vs Crypto Exchanges

The line between brokers and exchanges has become somewhat blurred as crypto platforms are often referred to as both terms interchangeably, and some platforms offer both exchange and broker services. There is a difference, however, as will be explained below.

Cryptocurrency Brokers

When you use a broker, you don’t trade directly with other traders as the broker acts as an intermediary between you and the market. The prices quoted are set by the broker, though they will likely be similar to the rest of the market.

The difference between the buy and sell prices is called spread, and this is typically how brokers generate revenue, though they may also make money by charging other fees such as commissions on trades.

Brokers may allow you to initiate cryptocurrency trading without having the funds needed to pay for it in your account as settlement is more flexible on broker platforms. When it comes to cryptocurrencies, a number of brokers don’t provide trading of the coins to themselves but offer derivatives such as CFDs that let users speculate on the price of the underlying cryptocurrency.

Cryptocurrency Exchanges

Unlike on a brokerage platform, cryptocurrencies are exchanged between individual traders on a cryptocurrency exchange. Exchanges may offer fiat to crypto trading pairs and/or crypto to crypto trading pairs. When a user wants to buy a coin, they create a buy order. This order is put into an order book where it will be matched with a suitable sell order from another user.

The cryptocurrency exchange will charge trading fees known as maker and taker fees for facilitating this process, and the equilibrium price on an exchange is set by the balance between buy and sell action. Trades can be settled instantly when the cryptocurrency exchange has sufficient liquidity.

Key Things to Consider When Choosing a Cryptocurrency Broker

Type of Trading Available

If you want to conduct a particular type of trading, this may narrow down which cryptocurrency brokers you can use. For example, if you want to buy and hold crypto, you will need a platform that facilitates the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies. This is the case for most of the platforms on this page, though a couple of them only deal in derivatives.

Trading futures can be done on some platforms that offer futures alongside the trading of actual cryptocurrencies. These include BinanceKuCoin, and OKX. If you would prefer to trade CFDs, you will need to choose a CFD broker platform, such as Capital.com or Skilling.

Cryptocurrencies Available

If there are particular cryptocurrencies that you want to trade or invest in, you’ll need to find out whether they are offered by the platform you are considering using. Binance and KuCoin have the largest selection of coins and various digital assets available, making them a great choice for people looking to buy new or obscure coins.

Other platforms may have a smaller selection of coins but offer more desirable features or user experience, making them preferable for those who only want to purchase the more popular cryptocurrencies.

You should be able to ascertain the available coin selection on each platform’s website. You might also want to find out which trading pairs are offered for your desired coins. Some platforms may only offer crypto to crypto trading pairs, while others may provide fiat to crypto pairs.

Regulation and Reputation

When taking the leap into crypto trading, it is best to find a broker that has built up a strong reputation for reliability over a number of years, like eToro. Platforms with a large user base and many satisfied customers are likely to be the best.

Sending money to an unregulated broker can be risky as they won’t necessarily have high-security standards, and you are unlikely to have any recourse if they lose your money. The safest way to trade crypto is, therefore, to do so on a regulated brokerage platform that complies with industry best security practices. You can check a platform’s website to find out which regulatory bodies if any, it is governed by such as Cyprus Securities, Australian Securities, or the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority.

Security and Safety

If you’re going to be trusting a Bitcoin broker with your funds and personal information, the very least you should expect is that it will keep them safe. As crypto platforms hold a significant amount of valuable assets, they are an attractive target for hackers. You should therefore look for a platform that ensures its assets and stores them offline.

The safest platforms will also protect your account and personal details through methods such as encryption, address whitelisting, and two-factor authentication. Regulated platforms like the ones listed on this page are the most likely to take these security measures.

User Experience and Features

The best platform for user experience and features comes down to personal preference. A new investor just getting into crypto and digital currencies may prefer a simple platform without all the bells and whistles that make it easy to buy and trade cryptocurrencies. An experienced trader, on the other hand, will likely already be adept at navigating complex trading platforms and prefer a broker with advanced tools and features.

If you want to undertake any kind of technical analysis, you will need to pick a broker that provides charting tools and indicators. Other features you may wish to check for include copy trading, recurring buys, staking, savings accounts, trading bots, and a mobile app.

Fees

You don’t want to be hit with any hidden costs, so make sure you check the small print to ascertain which fees you can expect to pay. Many crypto broker platforms use a spread between the bid and ask prices, and the size of the spread varies from one platform to the next. You may also be charged a commission or trading fee on each transaction that you make.

Most platforms charge a fee for deposits or withdrawals or both, and the size of the fee may depend on which payment method you choose. Other possible costs that you should be aware of include inactivity, account management, and overnight fees.

Geographical Availability

A cryptocurrency broker obviously needs to provide services in your country if you’re going to be able to use it. The list of countries that a platform serves should be available on its website. Certain types of trading, such as CFDs or futures, may be banned or have restrictions in some countries, which could affect which services a platform offers in which countries.

Payment Methods

If there is a specific payment method you want to use, this may affect your choice of crypto broker. Bank transfers and credit/debit cards are widely accepted, such as buying Bitcoin with American Express, so they can be used on most platforms. Other payment methods can be used on some platforms. eToro, for example, accepts PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, and Trustly, among other methods, and all can be used to make free deposits.

On some platforms, you will find that the accepted payment methods vary for different countries and may carry different fees, so this could be worth investigating before signing up.

Should You Use a Broker to Buy and Sell Cryptocurrency?

This will depend on your overall investment goals. Although crypto brokers are more beginner-friendly, the variety of crypto available from brokers can sometimes be limited when compared to other investing platforms such as cryptocurrency exchanges.

Brokers are a good option for most popular crypto coins, such as Ethereum and Bitcoin, but they do have their limitations when it comes to trading the current altcoin trends.

A balance needs to be struck between your needs of ease of use and convenience and the variety of trading options that are available.

What is one of the most important things to look out for when choosing a crypto platform to sign up to?

"The number one question the average trader should ask is - are your assets safe? Exchanges are infrastructure projects that compete on technical expertise. Hence it is important to start with a wallet you can trust on a platform that values security."
Charmyn Ho
Head of Crypto Insights at Bybit

How to Trade Cryptocurrency With a Broker

It’s fairly straightforward to get started with a cryptocurrency broker. You can trade on eToro by following these simple steps.

1. Open an account

Click the “Join Now” button at the top to access the registration form. You can sign up through Google or Facebook. Otherwise, a username, email address, and password are required, and you will need to accept the terms and conditions before clicking “Create Account”.eToro open account

2. Verify your account

You will receive an email with a verification link that you will need to click, after which you will be prompted to provide your full name, date of birth, and phone number to complete your profile. You may also need to verify your identity by submitting a photo ID. You will then be asked some questions about your investing experience.eToro verify account

3. Make a deposit

Click on the button marked “Deposit Funds” and type in an amount. You can select your local currency and a preferred payment method from the dropdown lists and provide any payment details required for your chosen method of payment. Now hit the “Deposit” button to transfer the funds.eToro make deposit

4. Start trading

You can explore cryptocurrencies in the Discover tab or use the search box to look for a specific coin. Click the “Trade” button next to your chosen cryptocurrency and use trade to buy now or Order to create a limit order. To buy now, just choose the amount you wish to purchase and tap “Open Trade”.etoro open trade

How to use a Bitcoin Broker

Using a Bitcoin broker is a very straightforward task. You simply need to select a broker to sign up with, make your first deposit and then purchase the cryptocurrency coins that you’re interested in at the price which the platform gives you.

Do You Need a Broker to Buy Bitcoin?

It is highly advised that you use a trusted and regulated broker to purchase your Bitcoin. Using regulated brokers will help to protect you against crypto scams. You should never buy Bitcoin from a platform that is not regulated, or directly with a person.

Final Thoughts on Crypto Brokers

If you want to trade or buy cryptocurrency, there are lots of aspects to consider when it comes to selecting the right broker. Some of them are a matter of personal preference for things like features and choice of coins, while factors such as your location and the type of trading you want to do may also affect which platforms are available to you.

Our research suggests that eToro is the best cryptocurrency broker overall as it ticks all the important boxes. These include strong security, regulation, free deposits, and user-friendliness, not to mention its unique features such as copy trading.

Frequently Asked Questions

I'm an amateur trader. Is a cryptocurrency broker right for me?
Yes. Many brokers cater to new traders and provide automated options to simplify trading.
What is a margin call?
If your contract is incurring losses, it will eventually lead to a value where the broker will ask you to deposit more in the contract or risk liquidation. Each broker has its own margin requirement.
Can I go bankrupt with trading with a broker?
Normally, brokers liquidate your positions with a margin call and don’t let your balance go below zero. It is best to discuss this with your broker before starting to trade.
What’s the difference between futures and perpetuals?
Futures are time-bound contracts that expire on maturity. Perpetuals are a variation of futures but without any expiration date.
What is a short position?
A contract used to speculate that a cryptocurrency will fall in value is called a short position.
My broker is giving me the option to buy crypto derivatives. Is it a broker or an exchange?
Today, many trading platforms offer both exchange and broker services.
My broker is closed on the weekend, how will it affect my contracts?
Ask your broker if they have any mechanism in place for this. Some brokers do not offer any protection against weekend price swings, making contracts riskier.
Do brokers offer 24/7 trading?
Since the crypto markets never sleep, most brokers offer trading round the clock, on all days. Some brokers will even offer a mobile app so that you can trade on the go.
Which cryptocurrency broker is the safest?
We believe eToro is one of the safest cryptocurrency brokers as it is regulated, stores crypto offline, and provides free insurance. A number of other brokers on this page offer similarly strong security.
Which is the best cryptocurrency broker for trading altcoins?
The best cryptocurrency broker for trading altcoins is KuCoin or Binance, as they have the widest selection of altcoins and offer a range of tools and features for advanced trading.
Do I need a broker to buy cryptocurrency?
A regulated broker or exchange is the safest and easiest way to buy cryptocurrency, but you can also buy crypto on a peer-to-peer marketplace, and some cryptocurrencies are available from crypto ATMs.
What crypto broker has the lowest fees?
Binance has the lowest trading fees at 0.1% or less, as well as free fiat deposits and withdrawals for certain methods. All deposit methods are free on eToro.
How do I choose a crypto broker?
You should consider aspects such as security, regulation, features, fees, and user-friendliness, all of which are discussed on this page. Which broker you should use will depend on your priorities.
Are crypto brokers safe?
Regulated crypto brokers are the safest to use for trading as they are required to meet certain security standards. The safest brokers use offline storage, encryption, and insurance.
Who is the biggest crypto broker?
Binance is the largest crypto broker for spot trading according to the daily trading volume and liquidity. However, Coinbase has more verified users, according to the platform website.
How do I know if a Bitcoin broker is regulated?
You can normally locate regulatory information in the bottom-most section of the broker site’s homepage.
Can Bitcoin trading be done round-the-clock?
Yes, you can trade Bitcoin at any time of the day or night, using Bitcoin broker platforms and apps.
Is it possible to buy Bitcoin without broker?
Yes, you can buy Bitcoin from any well-known crypto exchanges as well as Bitcoin brokers.
How can I minimise my trading risk on the Bitcoin broker platform?
Invest in different promising cryptocurrencies, instead of just one. Use features like stop loss, negative balance protection, and take profit for risk minimisation.
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