Stablecoins
The first stablecoins were issued in 2014 in an attempt to combat the volatility associated with cryptos like Bitcoin. Today, the market capitalisation of these new digital currencies stands above £6.5 billion with Tether’s USDT leading the pack. Here we review stablecoins, with definitions explained and the respective merits and drawbacks detailed. We also explain how retail investors can start trading stablecoins.
Crypto Brokers
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OANDA offers trading on leading cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin. You can place trades in the app hassle-free and practice in the unlimited demo account. The broker offers guaranteed stop-loss orders to help protect you against crypto market volatility.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- ETH
- LTC
- BCH
- PAXG
- LINK
- UNI
- AAVE
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Cryptocurrency CFDs are available on 11 popular digital coins for those using the international entity. Bitcoin is available, alongside popular altcoins like Avalanch and Dogecoin. Spreads are floating and minimum lot sizes from 0.01 are available.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- ETH
- LTC
- XRP
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eToro leads the way in cryptocurrency trading, offering competitive spreads and a fixed 1% commission, plus their own wallet service. The broker offers a vast list of 95+ tokens which is continually being updated. Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest. This is a high-risk investment and you should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong. Take 2 mins to learn more
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- ETH
- BCH
- XRP
- DASH
- LTC
- ETC
- API3
- CRO
- SKL
- IMX
- ADA
- MIOTA
- XLM
- EOS
- NEO
- TRX
- ZEC
- BNB
- XTZ
- DOT
- MKR
- COMP
- LINK
- UNI
- YFI
- DOGE
- AAVE
- FIL
- ALGO
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Buy, hold and sell 16 crypto tokens including major players like BTC and ETH and lesser-known tokens such as LRC. Use a range of fiat currencies to buy the digital assets, including USD. Cryptos are stored in third-party wallets.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- ETH
- LTC
- BCH
- XRP
- DOGE
- UNI
- LINK
- XTZ
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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
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BlackBull Markets traders can speculate on 11 cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin, Litecoin and Ethereum with up to 1:5 leverage. The crypto tokens are traded in pairs with USD and the broker offers a transparent pricing schedule.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- ETH
- BCH
- LTC
- XRP
- DOGE
- ADA
- DOT
- LINK
- EOS
- XLM
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You can trade 16 well-known cryptos including Bitcoin, the majority paired with USD or EUR. Spreads are low, starting from 1.02 pips. You can also deposit instantly via crypto with minimum deposits from $20 and no fees.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- LTC
- ETH
- DSH
- XRP
- BCH
- NEO
- ZEC
- XMR
- ADA
- BNB
- SOL
- LUNA
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You can trade cryptos against cryptos, fiat currencies, and even metals like gold. This separates the broker from many alternatives that only offer cryptos paired with the USD. Additionally, with high leverage up to 1:20, Kwakol Markets is a top choice for crypto traders.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- BCH
- ETH
- LTC
- XRP
- BNB
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You can trade a handful of cryptos 24/7. However, the narrow selection of 4 tokens trails alternatives like Vantage with its 40+ tokens, while the spread from $28 on Bitcoin is significantly higher than the cheapest crypto brokers.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- ETH
- LTC
- XRP
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OspreyFX offers a decent selection of crypto coins paired with USD, including Bitcoin. 1:10 leverage is available with starting deposits from just $10 and support for Expert Advisors (EAs).
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- DASH
- EDO
- EOS
- ETH
- IOTA
- LTC
- NEO
- OMG
- SAN
- XMR
- XRP
- ZEC
- DOGE
- SHIB
- ADA
- SOL
- DOT
- AVA
- XLM
- TRON
- ETC
- BNB
- BCH
- BAT
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CloseOption traders can access high/low binary options on five major cryptos all paired with USD. Payouts of 40% are available due to digital assets' high market volatility, which compares well with rivals.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- BCH
- ETH
- LTC
- XBT
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Trade popular digital tokens against fiat currencies. Go long or short on Bitcoin and get 24/7 instant cashback when you trade in high volumes. However, traders looking for low-cap tokens should look at alternative brokers.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- ETH
- LTC
- XRP
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Errante clients can speculate on price movements of 26 crypto tokens, all paired with USD. CFDs allow for leveraged trading, but note that you will not directly own the assets traded.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- ETH
- LTC
- BCH
- XRP
- DASH
- EOS
- IOTA
- NEO
- OMG
- QTU
- TRX
- XMR
- ZEC
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Trade CFDs on BTC, ETH, LTC and XRP with 1:5 leverage, market execution and 0.01 micro lot trading. However, we weren't impressed with the narrow choice of cryptos with no emerging, smaller-cap tokens available.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- ETH
- LTC
- XRP
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You can access 25 cryptocurrencies paired with USD, including BTC/USD and ETH/USD as well as smaller tokens like DOTUSD. The broker doesn’t offer a crypto wallet or exchange, although you can deposit via Bitcoin, Ethereum or Tether with zero fees.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- ETH
- LTC
- BCH
- XRP
- DOT
- EOS
- LNK
- DOGE
- ADA
- XLM
- ATOM
- AAVE
- AVX
- BNB
- DASH
- ENJ
- FTM
- MATIC
- SNX
- WAVE
- XMR
- XTZ
- YFI
- SOL
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Trade tight-spread CFDs on BTC, LTC, ETH, DOGE, ADA and XRP paired with USD. This may be too small a range to satisfy many crypto traders, but it is a comparable offering to similar brokers.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- ADA
- ETH
- LTC
- DOG
- XRP
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An impressive selection of 35 crypto pairs are on offer, including BTC/USD and DOGE/USD. There is also high leverage up to 1:100 for experienced crypto traders, which is more than you will find at most competitors.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- DASH
- ETH
- LTC
- BCH
- XRP
- NEO
- IOTA
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Take positions on dozens of leading cryptocurrencies with low fees and 24/7 investing. Traders need just $1 to start speculating on popular tokens like Bitcoin. Clients can also buy cryptos instantly in a few straightforward steps.
Crypto Coins
- ALGO
- AVAX
- BAT
- BTC
- BCH
- ADA
- LINK
- ATOM
- CRO
- CRV
- MANA
- DOGE
- ETH
- ETC
- FTM
- LTC
- LRC
- MATIC
- REN
- SHIB
- SOL
- XLM
- SUSHI
- GRT
- UNI
- YFI
-
Traders can access CFDs on crypto assets through World Forex's dedicated W-CRYPTO accounts, which offer leveraged cryptocurrency trading with spreads from zero. We rate that you can trade on 10 cryptos paired with the USD and EUR, while crypto-crypto pairs are also available.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- DSH
- LTC
- ETH
- ZEC
- XRP
- BCH
- XMR
- EOS
- NEO
-
Trade leveraged CFDs on eight of the most popular cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin and Ripple, in pairs with USD, EUR and JPY. The wider variety of fiat pairs make this an attractive offering, even if there is only a mediocre selection of crypto tokens to trade them with.
Crypto Coins
- ADA
- BTC
- DOT
- EOS
- ETH
- LTC
- XLM
- XRP
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Trade popular crypto-fiat crosses with low spreads. Clients can speculate on short-term price fluctuations with powerful trading tools, low fees and reliable risk management features.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- BCH
- ETH
- LTC
- XRP
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Trade five crypto pairs via leveraged CFDs. This is too small a range to satisfy dedicated crypto traders, but the digital tokens do have the advantages of ultra-fast execution and pure direct market access.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- ETH
- LTC
- ADA
- XRP
-
Clients can trade a modest handful of cryptos including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin. Real-time quotes are available and fees are low. Commissions also drop if you trade digital currencies in high volumes.
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Invest in 100+ crypto tokens using 30+ fiat currencies. You can buy, sell and transfer cryptos on the iOS and Android app. We like that traders can also choose to round up leftover cash from card transactions in crypto and use their crypto balance to make card payments.
Crypto Coins
- ZRX
- 1INCH
- AAVE
- ALGO
- AMP
- ANKR
- BNT
- BAND
- BAT
- BTC
- BCH
- ADA
- CTSI
- CELO
- LINK
- CHL
- COMP
- ATOM
- CRV
- MANA
- DOGE
- ENJ
- EOS
- ETH
- FIL
- RLC
- ICP
- KEEP
- KNC
- LTC
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Traders can go long or short on popular cryptos like Bitcoin, Ethereum and Ripple paired with USD. Trading is available on the MT5 platform, which offers an excellent environment for short-term crypto strategies, with 21 chart timeframes and dozens of indicators.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- ETH
- LTC
- XRP
- XMR
- ZEC
- BCH
- DASH
-
Trade CFDs on 12 major cryptocurrencies including BTC and ETH in pairs with USD and with leverage up to 1:20. The dozen tokens on offer is very respectable for a CFD broker, though crypto traders looking for emerging tokens will prefer an exchange or dedicated crypto broker.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- BCH
- ETH
- LTC
- XRP
- BNB
- DOT
- EOS
- LINK
- UNI
- XTZ
- XLM
-
Invest in 10 popular cryptos such as Bitcoin and Ethereum. A choice of six crypto account base currencies are available plus a welcome bonus for new traders.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- BCH
- DASH
- ETH
- LTC
- USDC
- USDT
- XMR
- XRP
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With well over 1000 crypto assets available, Kucoin offers a great degree of flexibility. It is excellent to see an extensive range of tokens, as this allows traders to search for lesser-known tokens with a high upside. The crypto futures and perpetual swaps are also good additions to the roster, tradeable with 1:10 leverage.
Crypto Coins
- ETH
- BTC
- VRA
- LUNA
- KCS
- XRP
- LTC
- ALGO
- TEL
- DOT
- ADA
- XMR
- AVAX
- FTM
- VET
- XLM
- LINK
- MATIC
- ONE
- TRX
- HBAR
- ICP
- CRO
- EOS
- DOGE
- WBTC
- ATOM
- XDC
- DAG
- COTI
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With just five crypto CFDs and trading only available 24/5 rather than the usual 24/7, Rock Global is not the best for dedicated crypto traders. However, there are some attractive spreads on offer from 0.62 for Litecoin and 1.24 for Ethereum.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- BCH
- LTC
- ETH
- XRP
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Pocket Option offers a modest crypto offering with 10+ digital currencies including Bitcoin and 65+ tokens if you deposit $1000. The integrated analytics feature in the platform is helpful for finding opportunities, while the daily signals service makes it straightforward to act on short-term crypto opportunities.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- ETH
- BCH
- LINK
- AAVE
- ALGO
- TLM
- ALPP
- ANT
- AVAX
- AXS
- BNB
- ADA
- CHZ
- COMP
- ATOM
- DASH
- MANA
- DGB
- DOGE
- ENJ
- EOS
- FIL
- GLMR
- ILV
- ICP
- KAVA
- LTC
- MKR
- MASK
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ForexChief’s range of 5 cryptocurrencies paired with USD is smaller than most competitors. In addition, the average BTCUSD spread of 30 pips is not the cheapest. That said, the broker does offer some useful crypto trading guides for beginners.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- BCH
- ETH
- LTC
- XRP
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Pacific Union offers leveraged cryptocurrency trading against the US Dollar. Spreads are tight and updated in real-time. Traders can analyze crypto markets using powerful trading software.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- BCH
- ETH
- LTC
- EOS
- XLM
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Nexo offers trading on an impressive suite of around 70 tokens, including Bitcoin. Digital assets can be bought, sold and swapped directly on the exchange or traded in over 500 pairs. Digital assets can also be used as collateral for fiat loans or used to generate passive income with the ‘smart staking’ tool or from interest earned via peer-to-peer loans.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- ETH
- NEXO
- USDT
- USDC
- AXS
- RUNE
- MATIC
- DOT
- APE
- AVAX
- KSM
- ATOM
- FTM
- NEAR
- BNB
- ADA
- SOL
- XRP
- LTC
- LINK
- BCH
- TRX
- XLM
- EOS
- PAXG
- UNI
- DOGE
- MANA
- SAND
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SuperForex offers cryptocurrency CFDs on 11 popular tokens including Bitcoin, Dash, Solana and Polkadot. 1:10 leverage is available for crypto assets and although this is a fairly limited selection of digital assets, it covers the most important tokens.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- ETH
- LTC
- ZEC
- DASH
- BCH
- XMR
- NEO
- EOS
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Make spot, future and leveraged trades on 120 cryptocurrencies via Pionex's proprietary platform with built-in trading bots and highly customizable automated trading options. On the negative side, the range of tokens is narrower than many alternatives.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- LTC
- ETH
- BUSD
- EOS
- BTT
- TRX
- NFT
- DOGE
- XRP
- HT
- ALICE
- FIL
- DOT
- JST
- AXS
- UNI
- AAVE
- WIN
- SUN
- CAKE
- LINK
- BAKE
- BCH
- ETC
- SNX
- TFUEL
- ADA
- PUNDIX
- ICP
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AdroFx offers just four crypto CFDs, while the typical Bitcoin spread of around 59 USD is considerably higher than the industry average, making it a poor option for serious cryptocurrency traders. This broker does not work as an exchange or wallet, meaning that only derivatives trading and not ownership of crypto assets are available.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- ETH
- LTC
- XRP
-
Trade CFDs with leverage up to 1:100 on 23 crypto pairs with USD including popular tokens like Bitcoin and Ether and lesser-known options like OMG. On the downside, crypto-only pairs are not offered.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- XRP
- LTC
- DASH
- ETH
- EOS
- NEO
- TRX
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Bitfinex offers clients trading on a superb range of crypto assets, including more than 180 tokens. Perpetual swap trading is supported in addition to spot, giving traders access to margin trading on crypto assets with up to 1:10 leverage.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- ETH
- USDT
- LTC
- XRP
- DOGE
- ETC
- EOS
- LINK
- BCHN
- DOT
- DASH
- IOTA
- SUSHI
- NEO
- ZEC
- UNI
- ADA
- OMG
- MDOGE
- BSV
- TRX
- XTZ
- SOL
- XLM
- YFI
- USDC
- ZRX
- FIL
- VET
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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.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- LTC
- ETH
- XRP
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Gemini offers a relatively small range of 110+ cryptocurrencies on its exchange, which is anchored by the native Gemini Dollar stablecoin, as well as perpetual swap derivatives. The powerful ActiveTrader platform is optimized for online trading, delivering a wide range of technical indicators and up to 7 time frames.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- ETH
- XRP
- ADA
- DOGE
- DOT
- BCH
- LTC
- UNI
- LINK
- FIL
- XLM
- WBTC
- EOS
- SOL
- AAV
- XTZ
- ATOM
- MKR
- DAI
- COMP
- ZEC
- ENJ
- GRT
- SNX
- BAT
- MANA
- YFI
- UMA
- ZRX
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Kraken is a specialized crypto exchange and supports more than 220 cryptocurrencies. These include all of the established tokens like Bitcoin as well as some altcoins. Traders can make trades on spot crypto markets with up to 1:5 leverage or on futures with up to 1:50. Fees are low and the platform is super easy to pick up.
Crypto Coins
- AAVE
- ALGO
- ANT
- REP
- REPV2
- BAT
- BAL
- XBT
- BCH
- ADA
- LINK
- COMP
- ATOM
- CRV
- DAI
- DASH
- MANA
- XDG
- EWT
- EOS
- ETH
- ETC
- FIL
- FLOW
- GNO
- ICX
- KAVA
- KEEP
- KSM
- KNC
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M4Markets offers a decent range of 15 crypto CFDs paired with USD. Traders can get started with as little as $5 and enjoy zero commissions on crypto trades. Spreads on BTCUSD average around 14.1 which is competitive and in line with the top low-cost crypto brokers.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- ETH
- LTC
- XRP
- DOGE
- DASH
- XMR
- OMG
- NEO
- QTUM
- ZEC
- DOT
- SOL
- ETX
- AXS
-
Trade a selection of the top cryptos against the US Dollar, including Bitcoin, Polkadot and Stellar with 50% leverage. Traders also benefit from fast execution speeds of <20ms.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- LTC
- ETH
- XRP
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I found 5 crypto products at Tradeview: BTCUSD, ETHUSD, LTCUSD, XRPUSD and BTCJPY. Whilst this isn’t the widest range, beginners should have enough opportunities to explore the market. Plus, with STP/ECN execution, traders should be able to access relatively competitive prices.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- ETC
- LTC
- XRP
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Global Prime crypto CFDs cover a good range of 35 tokens with impressive commissions of 0.1% and leverage available in some jurisdictions. The tokens include Bitcoin, Ethereum and other popular choices as well as smaller tokens like Sandbox and Avalanche.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- BCH
- LTC
- ETH
- XRP
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Cryptocurrencies are available through the broker's Bahamas entity. Traders can access thousands of indicators to tailor their crypto trading strategies and there are no hidden charges.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- ETH
- LTC
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Over 10 of the most popular cryptos are available with leverage of 1:2. With just a $100 minimum deposit, traders can benefit from advanced crypto analysis tools.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- BCH
- DSH
- ETH
- LTC
- XRP
- DOT
- EOS
- LINK
- XLM
-
Traders can speculate on crypto prices in pairs with USD and CNY through binary options and CFDs. The range of digital currencies is fairly narrow vs alternatives but major tokens like Bitcoin are available.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- ETH
- QUANT
- UNI
- SOL
- BNB
- DOGE
- XRP
- XMR
- MATIC
- USDT
-
Trade five crypto CFDs with BTC, BCH, ETH, LTC and XRP paired with USD and leverage available up to 1:20. Digital currencies can be traded around the clock, including on weekends.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- LTC
- XRP
- ETH
-
Trade 16 of the most know cryptos, including Bitcoin and Ethereum. Digital currencies can be traded around the clock with no hidden fees. 1:10 leverage is also available on major tokens like BTC.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- ETH
- LTC
- BCH
- DOT
- EOS
- LINK
- XLM
- NEO
- ADA
- SOL
- XRP
- BNB
- XMR
- AVAX
- DOGE
-
SimpleFX’s strongest offering is its crypto trading environment, with a growing range of tokens, including Bitcoin and Ethereum paired with the USD. Its crypto-based accounts also ensure a smooth trading experience for crypto enthusiasts, while the bespoke staking service allows capital to be utilized for margin trading.
Crypto Coins
- ADA
- APE
- ARB
- AVA
- BCH
- BNB
- DASH
- DOT
- EOS
- ETC
- ETH
- FET
- FIL
- INJ
- LNK
- LTC
- MATIC
- NEO
- SOL
- TIA
- WAVE
- XTZ
- YFI
- ZEC
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A strong range of cryptocurrencies are available with 35+ tokens including popular assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum. You can also make convenient Bitcoin deposits within minutes, with no transfer fees.
Crypto Coins
- BCH
- BTC
- DASH
- EOS
- BIT
- ETP
- LTC
- BTC
- OMG
- ZEC
- USDT
- BCH
- ETP
- QTUM
- XMR
- DOT
- ETC
- IOS
- NEO
- SAN
- ZRX
- EDO
- ETH
- IOT
- NEO
- SAN
- XRP
- BTG
- EDO
- ETH
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Trade a small selection of CFDs on crypto tokens in USD pairs. While the selection of cryptocurrencies is very limited, the 1:5 maximum leverage is higher than many similar brokers, making this a decent option for forex traders to dip into if not for dedicated crypto traders.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- DSH
- ETH
- LTC
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FXTrading offers CFDs on 11 cryptocurrencies in 17 pairs, with six large cryptos including Bitcoin, Ethereum and Litecoin available to trade against USD or AUD. All other cryptos trade in USD pairs. Decent leverage of 1:10 or 1:20 is available depending on the crypto.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- ETH
- XRP
- ADA
- BCH
- BNB
- DOG
- DOT
- EOS
- LTC
- XLM
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EZ Invest offers a narrow selection of popular cryptos paired with the US Dollar and Euro. However crypto-Euro pairs are less common so the broker is a good fit if you want these products.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- ETH
- LTC
- XRP
- XMR
- DASH
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Trade 60+ cryptocurrencies in CFD pairs with USD, AUD, CHF, EUR, GBP and more, and access leverage up to 1:10. Crypto traders will pay a 0.5% commission.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- BCH
- DSH
- ETC
- ETH
- LTC
- XMR
- ZEC
- BAT
- EOS
- IOT
- NEO
- OMG
- BNB
- XLM
- TRX
-
Take positions on popular cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple, Bitcoin Cash, and Litecoin with leveraged CFDs. However, you cannot directly buy and own crypto tokens.
Crypto Coins
- ADA
- BCH
- BTC
- DOG
- DOT
- EOS
- ETH
- LNK
- LTX
- XRP
- SOL
- XLM
-
Trade 42 crypto CFDs including 10 crypto cross pairs and 32 fiat pairs with USD and EUR. This is a very competitive offering for a CFD broker that gives diverse and flexible trading options.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- BCH
- DSH
- EOS
- ETC
- ETH
- LTC
- XLM
- XMR
- XRP
- ZEC
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With 70+ cryptocurrencies available to trade via CFDs with tight spreads, low commissions and overnight swap fees, Libertex is a great option for crypto CFD traders. The list of crypto CFDs includes the usual major players like Bitcoin and a good variety of lesser-known cryptos such as Tezos.
Crypto Coins
- AAVE
- ADA
- ALGO
- APE
- APT
- ARB
- ATM
- AVA
- AXS
- BCH
- BNB
- BTC
- CAKE
- CHZ
- COMP
- DASH
- DOGE
- EGLD
- ENJ
- EOS
- ETC
- ETH
- FIL
- FLOW
- FTM
- GMT
- ICP
- IOT
- LNK
- LTC
-
FXOpen offers CFDs on 40 cryptocurrency pairs, including cross-pairs with BTC as well as pairs with various fiat currencies such as GBP, USD and JPY. Crypto CFDs are tradeable with leverage of 1:2. Only pro traders can access crypto derivatives in the UK.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- BCH
- ETH
- LTC
- ETC
- EOS
- DSH
- XRP
- IOT
- XMR
- NEO
-
CFD trading is available across a diverse selection of cryptocurrencies. This range includes not only leading cryptos like Bitcoin and Ethereum but also extends to smaller tokens such as Polkadot. These digital assets can be traded against a variety of global currencies, including the USD, JPY, and MXN, as well as precious metals like gold and silver, marking Hantec out from the majority of brokers who only offer cryptos paired with the USD.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- BCH
- XRP
- LTC
- ETH
-
Take positions on popular cryptos against the US Dollar. Traders can go long or short with decent leverage up to 1:5. Clients of Dukascopy are also protected to the tune of CHF 100'000 in the event of broker insolvency.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- ETH
- LTC
- BCH
- XLM
- DSH
- EOS
- TRX
- ADA
- UNI
- LNK
- MAT
- AVE
- MKR
- CMP
- ENJ
- YFI
- BAT
-
You can get exposure to micro Bitcoin futures through the CME Group’s centralized exchange, which is highly regulated by the US CFTC. Micro contracts allow you to trade a fractional size of one Bitcoin, giving you more risk control and order flexibility.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
-
Take positions on leading cryptos including Bitcoin, Ethereum and Ripple. Competitive spreads are available with no hidden fees and a stable trading platform.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- ETH
- LTC
- XRP
- BCH
-
There’s a modest range of 20 cryptocurrencies paired with USD available, with high leverage up to 1:400. You can also access a Bitcoin base currency account which offers a convenient way to hold and trade your crypto assets without the need for an exchange.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- XRP
- ETH
- LTC
- BCH
- XLM
- ADA
- ALG
- SOL
- UNI
- DOT
- LNK
- ZEC
- OMG
- MTC
- DSH
- DOG
- CHZ
- AVA
-
BinaryCent offers trading on a decent list of cryptocurrencies, including major tokens like Bitcoin. The broker also accepts crypto deposits and withdrawals, making it straightforward to fund, trade and manage your activities in digital currencies.
Crypto Coins
- ZEC
- XRP
- XMR
- SAN
- OMG
- LTC
- BTC
- IOT
- ETH
- ETC
- EOS
- DSH
-
Spreadex offers spread betting on Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ether, Litecoin and Ripple in pairs with USD, allowing traders to make leveraged bets on crypto price movements through a derivative contract without owning the digital assets.
Crypto Coins
- BCH
- BTC
- ETH
- LTC
- XRP
-
Trade popular crypto CFDs with leverage up to 1:30 and utilize convenient crypto funding in Bitcoin, Ethereum or other altcoins. You can also enjoy fully flexible, 24/7 crypto trading at home or on the go. Cryptos are paired with USD and CNY.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
-
Pepperstone continues to prove itself as one of the most trusted crypto brokers. Although its selection of digital tokens is average, you can trade popular cryptos like Bitcoin and altcoins like Ripple with up to 1:10 leverage, while its crypto indices provide a holistic view of the digital currency markets not found on most trading platforms.
Crypto Coins
- BCH
- BTC
- ETH
- LTC
- DASH
- ADA
- LINK
- DOGE
- EOS
- DOT
- XRP
- XLM
- XTZ
- UNI
- BNB
-
With some 18,000 digital assets available to trade, Coinbase is one of the leading exchanges in the crypto world with a wider selection of tokens than most alternatives. Traders access crypto markets through a powerful platform and can enjoy margin trading in some jurisdictions. Maker and taker fees are low and there are no hidden account charges.
Crypto Coins
- BCH
- BTC
- ETH
- LTC
- XRP
- IOTA
- NEO
- EOS
- XMR
- FIL
- WBTC
- SHIB
- BNB
-
Fusion Markets offers the best-known crypto tokens paired with USD, and up to 1:10 leverage depending on your location. Bitcoin spreads are competitive starting from 0.04%, while it shines for its top-notch charting tools in MT4, MT5, cTrader and TradingView.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- BCH
- ADA
- ETH
- LTC
- EOS
- XLM
- DOT
- LNK
- AVAX
- SOL
- MATIC
- DOGE
- BNB
-
Focus Option clients can trade binary options on an extensive list of 80+ cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin and Ethereum plus smaller altcoins like Tron and 0x. Crypto CFDs are also available through the broker's mobile app with high leverage.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- ETH
- XRP
- USDT
- BTC
- LTC
- ADA
- AAVE
- ATOM
- DOGE
- KSM
- CRO
- THETA
- LINK
- YFI
- YCC
- MATIC
- RUNE
- SOL
- MANA
- MIOTA
- XMONEY
- XMR
- SUSHI
- BAT
-
The broker offers a strong selection of 30 popular cryptos paired with fiat currencies, other tokens and metals. The high leverage up to 1:200 will serve experienced crypto traders, whilst the zero-commission pricing structure will appeal to beginners.
Crypto Coins
- BCH
- BNB
- BTC
- LTC
- OMG
- FTT
- BTC
- BCH
- DOG
- LTC
- XLM
- AAVE
- COMP
- LRC
- MKR
- SUSHI
- UNI
- BAT
- CRV
- ENJ
- LNK
- MANA
- MATIC
- SAND
- XRP
- LNK
- XRP
- KSM
- AVAX
- ETH
-
Go long or short on popular cryptos against the USD and EUR
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- LTC
- ETH
- XRP
- SOL
- BNB
-
FXCC offers 8 of the most popular cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum and Litecoin. High leverage up to 1:10 is available on BTC and 1:5 on other cryptos. There are no restrictions on crypto trading strategies with Expert Advisors (EAs) also permitted.
Crypto Coins
- BTC
- BCH
- ETH
- LTC
- XMR
- ZEC
- DAS
- XRP
-
Non-UK FxPro traders can access CFDs on 28 popular cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin and Ethereum as well as smaller tokens like Tron. Algo traders can also make use of trading bots and custom indicators within the third-party platforms.
Crypto Coins
- BAT
- BCH
- BTC
- DOG
- DOT
- DSH
- EOS
- ETC
- ETH
- IOT
- LNK
- LTC
- NEO
- XLM
- XMR
- XRP
- ZEC
-
Binance is one of the world's largest crypto exchanges. There is a vast range of products available including Binance Pool, Staking and an NFT Marketplace.
Crypto Coins
- DOGE
- VET
- USDT
- BTC
- BNB
- ETH
- VTHO
- ADA
- ONE
- SOL
- NEO
- LINK
- XLM
- NANO
- LTC
- BUSD
- HBAR
- ALGO
- MANA
- ZIL
- ENJ
- BCH
- MATIC
- EGLD
- HNT
- EOS
- QTUM
- RVN
- DAI
- IOTA
What Is A Stablecoin?
Stablecoins are digital currencies pegged to assets with low levels of volatility, such as fiat money like GBP, commodities like gold, or other cryptos like Ripple (XRP). They are essentially a hybrid coin that balances the benefits of cryptos, such as secure money transfer and blockchain technology, with the price stability associated with precious metals, for example.
How Do Stablecoins Work?
There are several types of stablecoins, those pegged to established assets and those that aren’t, known as seigniorage-style. Stablecoins pegged to an asset like gold and are subject to the same price movements, market risks, and regulatory requirements. The purpose of a seigniorage-style mechanism is to use algorithms to control the supply of a coin much like the World Bank printing and destroying money.
Currency-Backed Stablecoins
Fiat-backed stablecoins are tied to a currency, such as the GBP. A third party will hold a reserve of the currency and peg it to crypto, with the stability and value aligned to the cost of maintaining the currency reserve, including any legal requirements such as compliance audits. Stablecoins can be pegged to one currency or multiple, with the US Dollar, Euro, Yen and Yuan the most common. The ratio of the stablecoin vs traditional currency is fixed and reflects the market supply of the crypto.
Currency-backed stablecoins are the most popular type with leading assets including Tether (USDT), USD Coin (USDC), and Gemini Dollar (GUSD). But whilst USDT is the largest by market share, the Bitfinex exchange who facilitated trading in the asset came under public scrutiny after being unable to provide audits for their reserves.
Commodity-Backed Stablecoins
Commodity-backed stablecoins are tied to physical assets such as energy and precious metals, with gold the most frequently used. Because a digital currency is pegged to the value of the commodity, its price may fall if demand for silver drops, for example. Stablecoins are redeemable at the conversion rate to take possession of the asset and can be pegged to more than one commodity.
Crypto-Backed Stablecoins
Crypto-backed stablecoins use smart contracts via blockchain technology while currency-backed stablecoins are validated off the blockchain. Since cryptocurrencies have a history of volatility, if there is a sudden price crash the smart contract may be liquidated. As a result, it’s worth paying off the debt on the smart contract in the event the value of the crypto drops.
There are limited regulations or monetary policy requirements to adhere to with cryptocurrency-backed stablecoins which are often stored on decentralised exchange indexes. Organisations typically over-collateralise and store more of the pegged digital currency to protect against market fluctuations. However, this can be easier to audit as a company’s collateral balance can be checked on the blockchain.
Seigniorage-Style
Non-backed stablecoins do not use a reserve but operate like central banks by increasing or decreasing the supply of a coin to maintain price stability. This is achieved by using algorithms and smart contracts which manage the supply ratio. If the price of the stablecoin surpasses the value of the fiat currency it tracks; more tradable coins will be released driving down the price. The opposite will take place should the price of the stablecoin fall.
Best Stablecoins In 2024
Topping the list of the best 5 stablecoins in 2024 is:
- Tether (USDT) – The best-known stablecoin is pegged to gold, fiat currency and cash equivalents
- True USD (TUSD) – The leading coin is backed by the US Dollar and is among the most liquid options on the market. The company behind the asset, TrustToken, also offers TrueGBP, which is pegged to the Pound Sterling
- Paxos Standard (PAX) – The stablecoin seeks 1:1 parity with the US Dollar
- USD Coin (USDC) – Backed by crypto heavyweight Coinbase, the world’s largest Bitcoin broker has released its own popular stablecoin
- Binance USD (BUSD) – Another of the top 10 crypto exchanges, Binance’s stablecoin is pegged to the US Dollar at a 1:1 ratio
How To Start Trading Stablecoins
Choose An Exchange
Stablecoins are available to trade on key cryptocurrency exchanges, with examples including Coinbase, Binance, Exodus, Kraken and, Crypto.com. Each exchange provides a list of tradable coins and any fees for UK traders. We recommend opting for a provider with good user reviews and a decent range of assets compared with rankings.
Open An Account
Once traders have decided on an exchange they will need to open a live trading account. Some crypto exchanges permit signing up without KYC documentation, however, most will need identity documents to be approved, including Coinbase. This helps to reduce the risks posed by fraud and money laundering.
Deposit Funds
Before you can start buying and selling stablecoins, you will need to deposit funds. This can usually be done via traditional depositing methods such as Mastercard or e-money transfers. Traders can protect their Stablecoin portfolio by investing in a hardware wallet such as those seen on the XRP Ledger, though it’s worth doing your own comparison of providers before investing. Crypto wallets help protect a user’s private keys (transaction data codes) from hackers.
Research
Stablecoins are becoming an increasingly popular investment vehicle leading to a growth in the volume of information available online. Popular research articles include ‘Stablecoins: A Brave New World’, ‘Stablecoins: The Quest for a Low- Volatility Cryptocurrency’, and ‘Stablecoins: Use Cases and, Stablecoins for Dummies.’ Prospective investors can also make use of online lists that publish data on popular assets, including CoinMarketCap.
Pros Of Stablecoins
Reasons to start buying and selling stablecoins include:
- Crypto technology – Retains the secure nature of cryptocurrencies by executing transactions on the blockchain
- Online information – Traders can educate themselves with the wealth of free online articles and reports
- Hybrid asset class – A medium of exchange that bridges the gap between fiat currency and altcoins
- Earn interest – Interest rates on stablecoins are typically greater than high-yield savings accounts
- Less volatile – Stablecoins offer a safer alternative to day trading erratic cryptos like Bitcoin
Cons Of Stablecoins
There are also some drawbacks to buying, lending and selling stablecoins:
- Unclear tax policies – Charges and taxes may apply when trading stablecoins
- Complex setup – The novel nature and differences of this emerging crypto class may deter investors new to altcoins
- Centralisation – The central influence of fiat or commodity-backed stablecoins arguably contradicts the decentralised nature of cryptocurrencies
- Profit potential – The stable nature of these coins means reduced price swings and trading volumes which may limit the profit a day trader could generate, for example. Instead, investing in stablecoins is likely a longer-term game
- Transparency – As highlighted by the Tether lawsuit, some companies issuing and selling stablecoins may be untrustworthy. This lack of transparency can affect the value of coins and impact investor confidence
- Global market regulation – The world, including the UK, is still grappling to introduce rules and regulations to monitor the use of cryptocurrencies. Aside from differing rules, it’s difficult to predict what the future holds for cryptos and stablecoin stock which makes it challenging to forecast their future value. Keep an eye on news announcements from the likes of Rishi Sunak, Chancellor of the Exchequer, who has been involved in potential crypto risks and regulations.
Final Word On Stablecoins
Despite some challenges, trading stablecoins is on the rise. They are emerging as a prominent class of cryptocurrencies that aim to bring stability to a hugely volatile marketplace while retaining the flexibility and underlying technology behind altcoins. Several exchanges offer the best stablecoins in 2024, with Coinbase topping our list of recommended brokers.
FAQ
How Do Stablecoins Work?
A stablecoin is a crypto whose market value is tied to an external asset. These assets can be a currency (fiat), commodity (gold), or another digital currency (Bitcoin). The most common stablecoins are USD-backed coins. A reserve of the asset is held by the issuing company.
Are Stablecoins Safe?
Stablecoins retain the same level of security as other cryptos by using blockchain technology but are more stable because they’re tied to a robust reserve asset like gold. The reserve is held by a third party meaning some stablecoins retain an element of decentralisation.
Are Stablecoins Taxable?
The tax treatment of stablecoins and cryptos varies from country to country. In the UK, for example, gains from crypto trading are usually subject to capital gains tax. It could be worth seeking professional tax guidance before you start buying and staking stablecoins.
Are Stablecoins Decentralized?
It is debatable as to what extent stablecoins are decentralized. It can be argued that because the digital currencies are pegged to assets controlled by central banks and governments, such as fiat currency, they are not decentralised. With that said, they can still sit on a decentralised blockchain ledger. As a result, it’s more accurate to say they retain some decentralised qualities but are less so than pure cryptos like Bitcoin (BTC), Stellar (XLM), or Ethereum (ETH).