Crypto Brokers

Crypto brokers connect UK traders with the $1 trillion digital asset market. The best cryptocurrency brokers offer a wide selection of coins with low fees, reliable platforms like MT4 or MT5, plus derivatives such as CFDs.

In this guide, we explain how crypto brokers work, from margin trading opportunities and UK regulations to the difference vs online exchanges. Our experts have also compiled a list of the safest cryptocurrency brokers in 2025.

Crypto Brokers UK

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    Traders can speculate on popular cryptos with commissions as low as 0.05% and high leverage up to 1:200. Additionally, the broker continues to improve its offering by introducing crypto futures as well as trading contests with real prizes.

    Crypto Coins

    • BTC
    • LTC
    • ETH
    • XRP
    • EOS
    • ADA
    • DOT
    • SOL
    • UNI
    • LINK
    • DOGE
    • BNB
    • ICP
    • SAND
    • more

    Crypto Spread Crypto Lending Platforms
    0.05% BTC, 0.05% ETH No Own
    Crypto Staking Minimum Deposit Regulator
    No $0
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    IC Markets offers 20+ cryptocurrencies which are tradable via CFDs, including lesser-known tokens such as Avalanche, Kusama and Uniswap. Commission-free trading is available, and experienced crypto traders can access high leverage up to 1:200 in the MetaTrader platforms.

    Crypto Coins

    • BTC
    • BCH
    • DOT
    • DSH
    • EMC
    • EOS
    • ETH
    • LNK
    • LTC
    • NMC
    • PPC
    • XLM
    • XRP
    • ADA
    • BNB
    • DOG
    • UNI
    • XTZ

    Crypto Spread Crypto Lending Platforms
    BTC 42.036 No MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, TradingCentral, DupliTrade, Quantower
    Crypto Staking Minimum Deposit Regulator
    No $200 ASIC, CySEC, FSA, CMA
  3. OKX

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    OKX continues to offer a superb selection of 400+ tokens including Bitcoin and Ripple. You can buy and sell tokens or trade cryptos on margin via derivatives, including perpetual swaps, options and futures. OKX stands out for its low fees, extensive range of tokens and speedy crypto transactions.

    Crypto Coins

    • BTC
    • XCH
    • ETH
    • OKB
    • OKT
    • LTC
    • DOT
    • ADA
    • DOGE
    • XRP
    • USDT
    • ICP
    • BCH
    • LINK
    • XLM
    • ETC
    • MATIC
    • THETA
    • UNI
    • TRX
    • EOS
    • FIL
    • XMR
    • NEO
    • USDC
    • AAVE
    • SHIB
    • LUNA
    • KSM
    • BSC
    (only showing top 30)

    Crypto Spread Crypto Lending Platforms
    Variable Yes AlgoTrader, Quantower
    Crypto Staking Minimum Deposit Regulator
    No 10 USDT VARA
  4. XTB

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    XTB offers an excellent selection of cryptos with more than 50 digital currencies. Spreads are tight starting from 0.22% on BTC and leverage reaches 1:5. The xStation platform also provides intra-crypto pairs like ETH/BTC and DSH/BTC. With the capability to trade cryptos 24/7, XTB ensures a secure environment with transparent accounts for cryptocurrency trading.

    Crypto Coins

    • ADA
    • BTC
    • BCH
    • DSH
    • EOS
    • ETH
    • IOTA
    • LTC
    • NEO
    • XRP
    • XLM
    • TRX
    • XEM
    • XLM
    • XMR
    • DOGE
    • BNB
    • LINK
    • UNI
    • DOT
    • XTZ

    Crypto Spread Crypto Lending Platforms
    0.22% No xStation
    Crypto Staking Minimum Deposit Regulator
    No $0 FCA, CySEC, KNF, DFSA, FSC, SCA, Bappebti
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    BitMEX continues to offer a highly competitive crypto trading environment, with cheap $1 contracts and leverage up to 1:100. The broker’s proprietary platform offers cutting-edge trading features, including a customizable order book, a depth chart and dozens of technical indicators.

    Crypto Coins

    • BCH
    • BTC
    • ETH
    • LTC
    • XRP
    • TRON
    • EOS
    • XMR
    • ADA
    • DOGE
    • BNB
    • DOT
    • SOL
    • SHIB
    • AVAX
    • GAL
    • NEAR
    • SUSHI
    • AXS

    Crypto Spread Crypto Lending Platforms
    -0.01% maker, 0.075% taker No BitMEX Web Platform, AlgoTrader, TradingView, Quantower
    Crypto Staking Minimum Deposit Regulator
    Yes $0.01 Republic of Seychelles
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    You can buy and sell 250+ crypto assets with fiat currencies or in crypto pairs using the straightforward mobile app or through Uphold's browser-based account homepage. This is significantly more than many rivals. You can also earn up to 16% APY by staking one or more out of 32 valid tokens, or send tokens to an external wallet.

    Crypto Coins

    • BTC
    • BTCO
    • AAVE
    • ALCX
    • DYDX
    • INH
    • XYO
    • API3
    • GHST
    • LSK
    • AUDIO
    • GLMR
    • NMR
    • CAKE
    • GODS
    • REQ
    • CHR
    • TRB
    • DAO
    • ROOK
    • XRP
    • ETH
    • BAT
    • ADA
    • ALGO
    • ATOM
    • AVAX
    • AXS
    • BCH
    • BAL
    (only showing top 30)

    Crypto Spread Crypto Lending Platforms
    Up to 1.5% No Desktop Platform, Mobile App
    Crypto Staking Minimum Deposit Regulator
    Yes $0
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    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%.

    Crypto Coins

    • BTC
    • ETH
    • LTC
    • ETC
    • DOGE
    • MATIC
    • QNT
    • SOL
    • XRP
    • USDT
    • XMR
    • BNB

    Crypto Spread Crypto Lending Platforms
    Variable No Online Platform, TradingView
    Crypto Staking Minimum Deposit Regulator
    No $250 IFMRRC
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    BlackBull supports short-term trading on 11 cryptos including Bitcoin and Ethereum with up to 1:5 leverage. Digital tokens are paired with USD, while the broker’s ‘Daily Opportunities’ excel for their excellent insights into emerging trends in the cryptocurrency space.

    Crypto Coins

    • BTC
    • ETH
    • XRP
    • LTC
    • ADA
    • POLY
    • XFET
    • XINJ
    • XNAKA
    • XAX
    • XCOTI

    Crypto Spread Crypto Lending Platforms
    245 No BlackBull Invest, BlackBull CopyTrader, MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, AutoChartist
    Crypto Staking Minimum Deposit Regulator
    No $0 FMA, FSA
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    InstaTrade offers a modest selection of around 12 cryptos against the USD, tradable via CFDs. Fees are low, especially for major assets like BTC/USD with spreads from 0. There's also a dedicated cryptocurrency blog with useful technical insights to support short-term trading decisions.

    Crypto Coins

    • BTC
    • ETH
    • XRP
    • LTC
    • SOL
    • UNI
    • DOGE
    • BCH
    • FIL
    • ADA
    • DOT
    • LINK

    Crypto Spread Crypto Lending Platforms
    0 No InstaTrade Gear, MT4
    Crypto Staking Minimum Deposit Regulator
    No $1 BVI FSC
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    You can trade over 20 of the most popular cryptos with leverage up to 1:200 seven days a week, although direct trading of the underlying asset like purchasing Bitcoin or Ethereum is not facilitated. The selection of tokens also trails Eightcap, which picked up our 'Best Crypto Broker' award, offering 100+ crypto derivatives.

    Crypto Coins

    • BTC
    • ETH
    • DSH
    • LTC
    • BCH
    • XRP
    • EOS
    • EMC
    • NMC
    • PPC
    • DOT
    • XLM
    • LINK
    • DOGE
    • XTZ
    • UNI
    • ADA
    • BNB
    • AVAX
    • LUNA
    • MATIC
    • GLMR
    • KSM

    Crypto Spread Crypto Lending Platforms
    Floating No MT4, MT5, cTrader, AutoChartist, TradingCentral
    Crypto Staking Minimum Deposit Regulator
    No $200 FSC

How Crypto Brokers Works

Cryptocurrencies are a type of digital asset that are usually bought and sold on a blockchain – a decentralised public ledger that records transactions across a network of computers. Crypto assets are known today for their eye-watering returns on investment – the original cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, went from being worth pennies at its inception to an all-time high above $69,000 (£51,000) in November 2021.

But they are also known for being risky investments, both because of their extreme price volatility and the prevalence of scams and collapsed projects in this largely unregulated world.

At the most basic level, crypto brokers act as mediators between retail traders and cryptocurrency markets. They serve as a channel through which retail traders can purchase digital assets, or they may offer derivative products such as CFD crypto trading, that allow investors to speculate on token prices without actually owning and storing the coins themselves.

Crypto Brokers Vs Exchanges

At the outset, the only way to acquire cryptocurrencies was to mine them or reach an agreement with a seller and conduct a peer-to-peer transfer. Crypto exchanges solved this problem by creating an online marketplace where orders could be placed and filled, allowing for real-time transactions in the same vein as a traditional stock exchange.

Crypto exchanges are the most popular way to buy digital assets today, and some including market leader Binance offer derivative products, decentralised finance support and other features. However, the downside of exchanges is that they come with inherent risk – crypto assets are largely unregulated, any assets you have on an exchange are no longer in your custody, and if the exchange fails you risk losing everything. Even some of the largest exchanges – such as FTX in 2022 – have been led to ruin by poor management or unscrupulous practices, leaving clients with losses worth many millions of pounds.

Online brokers are generally a safer way to get involved in the crypto market, since many are overseen by reputable regulators and have a track record of offering legitimate investing products to aspiring traders. Any broker regulated by the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), for example, is legally obligated to segregate clients’ funds in a separate bank account and provide negative balance protection, among other measures designed to lower the risk of clients losing their funds.

Additionally, crypto brokers in the UK usually offer a long list of other tradable instruments in various asset classes, from stocks to forex and commodities. This means they are less exposed to the volatility of the crypto market, and less likely to collapse if there is a drastic crash or an unexpected rally.

The availability of derivative products at crypto brokerage firms is another big advantage for traders. With products like CFDs, spread betting and binary options, retail traders can speculate on price movements without the hassle involved in actually buying, storing and selling digital assets.

Although regulated brokers in the UK are not permitted to offer margin on cryptocurrency derivatives, it is available from some crypto brokers in different regulatory jurisdictions, including the European Union and United States.

How To Compare Cryptocurrency Brokers

Choosing the right broker gives traders the best chance to capitalise on crypto’s profit potential. Every trader has their own needs and preferences, but there are some general points to consider when comparing the best crypto brokers:

Range Of Coins

Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin and other well-known tokens are now offered by a variety of online brokers, but traders who are clued up on crypto investing may want a brokerage with more choice.

Generally, brokers will only offer a coin or token that is reasonably well established, so it is unlikely you will be able to trade the latest meme coins before they go on a big run. However, there are some crypto brokers that will support a wider range of digital assets, including Cardano, Dogecoin, Polkadot and more.

Crypto brokers with most coins - PrimeXBT

Crypto Tokens – PrimeXBT

Also look out for the different asset classes offered by crypto brokers – they will often offer stocks, forex, commodities, and ETFs among others. Importantly, this means more opportunities to build a diverse investment portfolio.

Trading Vehicles

One of the most important things to consider in a crypto broker is the investing products that will be available to you. Retail traders will often have a choice between a few derivatives:

  • CFDsContracts for difference, or CFDs, are an agreement between broker and customer that allows the trader to bet on the price movement of an asset. If the trader’s prediction comes through, they will earn the difference between the asset’s price at the start and end of the contract; if the price moves against them they will need to pay the difference.
  • Spread bettingTraders can use spread betting to speculate on whether crypto prices will rise or fall in a similar way to CFDs. The profit (or loss) is determined by the extent that the spread moves past the token’s price when the contract begins. Profits from spread betting are also usually free from tax in the UK.
  • Binary optionsThese derivatives are popular among retail traders because they are simple – the contract’s length, price, potential loss and profit are all determined before the contract begins, and the trader only needs to correctly guess whether the cryptocurrency’s price will go up or down.

Bear in mind that since the FCA’s 2021 ban on margin trading cryptocurrencies, brokers in the UK are less likely to offer all of these products. However, if you are registered with a broker in some EU countries or elsewhere, you should be able to trade crypto derivatives through popular brokers without restrictions.

Fees

Traders should consider a broker’s pricing structure to get an idea of how much they will need to pay per trade.

Crypto brokers will often charge a commission per trade – eToro, for example, charges 1% for crypto trades, though there are also brokers with a lower percentage or 0% commissions.

Another way crypto brokers earn is through the spread – essentially, they pay traders less for an asset than they sell it for. Cryptocurrency brokers may earn both from a spread and commission fees, or they may advertise as a no-commission brokerage and earn solely from the spread.

Crypto brokers with lowest fees - Plus500

BTC/USD CFD Fees – Plus500

It is also worth checking the top crypto brokers for details on any additional charges for deposits and withdrawals, account maintenance, and inactivity.

Importantly, the best crypto brokers will be transparent about pricing, so be wary if their fee schedule is hidden or if it does not include key information.

Platforms

Some crypto brokers have proprietary platforms that work through a browser or app, others allow traders to use third-party software such as TradingView, MetaTrader 4 (MT4), or MetaTrader 5 (MT5).

Beginners may wish to start with a simple browser-based platform, but many traders prefer the power and flexibility of a platform like MT4, which is home to customisable charts and graphs, plus a suite of technical indicators and order types.

Also check that the broker’s desktop platform is available on mobile and tablet devices, with mobile-optimised features and seamless integration.

Regulation

The UK is home to several reputable crypto brokers which are regulated by the FCA. However, since the regulator banned crypto derivatives for the retail market in 2021, the choice is fairly limited for non-professional traders.

UK investors who want to benefit from a cryptocurrency broker may be able to set up an account with a brokerage based abroad. Trusted foreign regulators include Cyprus’s CySEC, Australia’s ASIC, plus the SEC and FINRA in the United States.

Payment Methods

The payment methods accepted by a broker can make a big difference as certain methods can be expensive, slow or otherwise impractical. Most brokers accept debit/credit card payments and bank transfers, but there are many that accept PayPal and other e-wallets.

The top crypto brokers also offer deposits and withdrawals via popular digital assets like Bitcoin, Ethereum and Tether. This can make it easier to both fund and trade in your favoured cryptocurrencies.

Also take note of any minimum deposit requirements. The best crypto brokers in the UK will offer a low minimum deposit of <£200 for beginners.

Security

Make sure that your crypto broker uses up-to-date security measures. Good safety features to look for include secure protocols on their website and payment gateway, two-factor authentication and voice/face recognition on their mobile app.

Legitimacy and reliability is a key difference between many crypto brokers and exchanges. While high-profile exchanges have been plagued with accusations of financial mismanagement and even fraud, major crypto brokers typically have a long track record of serving retail clients with robust accounting processes and third-party audits.

Customer Support

A quick and responsive customer support department can be the difference between a good and a great online broker.

Ideally, your cryptocurrency broker should have a live chat function available 24/7 and a phone hotline. Additionally, many leading crypto brokers now offer customer support through popular social media channels.

Additional Tools

Copy trading, in particular, can be a good way for rookie or time-poor traders to benefit from the expertise of experienced investors.

Crypto brokers such as PrimeXBT offer this service, which allows you to search out and select a trader whose profile and strategy match your requirements. Invest your chosen amount in the trader and automatically mirror their trades in your own account.

Other useful tools include support for automated algorithms and bots, signals, advanced charts and market analysis.

Educational Resources

Some crypto brokers provide beginner-friendly educational resources, including blogs, videos and even live seminars.

These are invaluable to newer traders as they provide a good framework to learn the fundamental facets of investing in cryptocurrencies, including technical analysis and risk management.

Bottom Line On Crypto Brokers

Crypto brokers are a great way for British traders to invest in cryptocurrency markets while mitigating some of the biggest risks of other avenues, such as exchanges. As well as allowing traders to speculate on leading coins and tokens, they also offer educational resources, benefits such as social investing, and margin on derivative products.

Use our ranking of the best crypto brokers for UK traders to get started.

FAQ

What Are Crypto Brokers?

Crypto brokers allow traders to speculate on the price movements of popular cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin. Some brokers will simply act as middlemen, purchasing and holding tokens for traders who place orders. Others also offer derivative products like CFDs, which allow traders to speculate on the price movements of cryptocurrencies without buying them.

What Are The Best Crypto Brokers?

The question of which crypto broker is best depends on how you want to trade, which platforms you prefer and a range of other factors. Some traders will look for crypto brokers that offer the most coins and tokens, while others will want to trade a specific cryptocurrency with the lowest fees.

In Britain, online brokers are somewhat limited by government regulations banning crypto derivatives for the retail market, but IC Markets provides one of the most popular crypto brokerage services to UK clients. The best crypto brokers regulated in Australia, parts of Europe and the US also offer leverage trading to retail clients, and they may allow UK traders to register.

Use our cryptocurrency brokers list to compare the top operators that accept traders from the UK.

How Do Cryptocurrency Brokers Work?

Online crypto brokers often act as mediators between registered traders and digital currency markets. Traders place orders for cryptocurrencies and the broker will purchase and store them safely for clients.

Many of the biggest crypto brokers also offer CFDs and other derivative products that allow traders to speculate on price movements without actually buying and storing the underlying coins.

Are Crypto Brokers Regulated In The UK?

The best crypto brokers are regulated, reliable and legit, with oversight from organisations like the FCA, CySEC, and ASIC. This means clients of major crypto brokers can rest assured their funds will be relatively safe from the kind of scandals and bankruptcies that have plagued crypto exchanges.

Always carefully research a crypto broker online by checking for its regulatory oversight, as well as reading reviews and user comments, before signing up.

What Are The Largest Crypto Brokers?

In the UK, some of the largest crypto brokers that accept retail clients include XTB and Plus500. Many of the other big brokers in the UK limit their cryptocurrency derivatives to professional traders due to FCA regulations. However, crypto derivatives are available from some of the biggest online brokers in different jurisdictions around the world, including the EU, USA and Australia.