Two non-native crypto CFD brokers are pitted against each other on regulation, security, and asset depth. The comparison weighs fund protection against leverage and platform features.
ActivTrades edges AMarkets on regulation, compensation, and risk protections, making it the clearer overall winner. AMarkets offers high crypto leverage but operates offshore with minimal investor protection.
Find out which crypto exchange best suits your trading profile.
Choose ActivTrades if…
Choose ActivTrades if you want FCA regulation with FSCS coverage and negative balance protection.
Choose AMarkets if…
Choose AMarkets if you want high leverage options for crypto and MT4/MT5 with copy trading.
Which exchange wins for each type of crypto trader, based on security, fees, coin selection, and editorial scoring.
ActivTrades wins for security due to FCA regulation, FSCS protection, and negative balance protection.
| Criteria | ||
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 3.7/ 5 | 3.3/ 5 |
| Min Deposit | No minimum▼ lower | $100 |
| Spreads From | 0.5 pips | 0 pips▼ lower |
| Taker Fee | N/A | 6.00% |
A closer look at the specific criteria each exchange meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | ActivTrades | AMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Security | ||
| Cold storage for assets | Fail | Fail |
| Proof of reserves published | Fail | Fail |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, etc.) | Pass | Fail |
| Fees | ||
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Pass | Fail |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Fail |
| Features | ||
| Staking available | Fail | Fail |
| DeFi integration | Fail | Fail |
| NFT trading | Fail | Fail |
| 500+ coins listed | Fail | Fail |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
The scores are close: ActivTrades rates 3.7/5 and AMarkets rates 3.3/5. ActivTrades has a marginal edge in our scoring, but the difference is small enough that your specific priorities — fees, platforms, or regulatory jurisdiction — should guide the final choice.
AMarkets lists a lower spread from 0, compared with ActivTrades's 0.5. Crypto trading costs are typically quoted as a percentage of the trade value; check each exchange's full fee schedule, as maker/taker rates and volume discounts vary.
ActivTrades has no minimum deposit, while AMarkets requires at least $100. This makes ActivTrades more accessible for traders looking to start with a smaller crypto investment.
ActivTrades holds top-tier regulation (FCA, CMVM, SCB), providing stronger investor protections. AMarkets may be regulated but does not hold top-tier status in our data. Verify regulatory status on each regulator's public register before depositing funds.
ActivTrades stands out for beginners: it has a lower entry point and provides negative balance protection, which caps losses at your deposited amount. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
ActivTrades offers up to 2:1 on perpetual or margin products, versus AMarkets's 2:1 cap. Margin and futures trading carry higher risk than spot crypto; confirm product availability and jurisdiction-specific limits on each exchange's website.
AMarkets charges $6 per trade on commission-based accounts. Commission details for ActivTrades are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing. Crypto fees are typically quoted as maker/taker rates rather than fixed per-trade commissions; check each exchange's fee schedule for volume-based discounts.
ActivTrades supports MetaTrader 4, ActivTrader, while AMarkets supports cTrader, MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 4. ActivTrades has exclusive access to ActivTrader. AMarkets has exclusive access to cTrader and MetaTrader 5.
ActivTrades scores better on fee criteria (no deposit fee, no inactivity fee). Always check both exchanges' current fee schedules, as maker/taker rates and withdrawal fees vary and are subject to change.
AMarkets offers low spreads on standard and ECN accounts, giving it a potential fee edge.
ActivTrades lists more coins than AMarkets, expanding altcoin exposure.
ActivTrades is more beginner-friendly due to a 0 minimum and FSCS protection.
Equally matched for DeFi and Web3 options since neither offers DeFi access.
| N/A |
| 0.6 pips |
| Inactivity Fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardPayPal | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerWebMoneyCrypto |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit card | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerWebMoneyCrypto |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | FCA CMVM SCB | SVGFSA |
|---|
| Cold Storage | No | No |
|---|
| Proof of Reserves | No | No |
|---|
| Staking | No | No |
|---|
| DeFi Integration | No | No |
|---|
| NFT Trading | No | No |
|---|
| 500+ Coins | No | No |
|---|
| P2P Trading | No | No |
|---|
| Crypto Earn / Savings | No | No |
|---|
| Token Launchpad | No | No |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.3 / 5
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