This comparison pits a regulated CFD broker against a native crypto exchange, setting a tension between asset depth and Web3 capabilities.
Crypto.com is the editorial winner, scoring higher than ActivTrades (4.1 vs 3.7) on overall quality.
Find out which crypto exchange best suits your trading profile.
Choose ActivTrades if…
Choose ActivTrades if you want FCA-regulated crypto CFD exposure with strong client fund protection, negative balance protection, access via ActivTrader or MT4, a low entry point, and FSCS protection up to GBP 1,000,000 for UK retail clients.
Choose Crypto.com if…
Choose Crypto.com if you want a native crypto exchange with staking, DeFi access, proof of reserves, and a broad asset base accessible via a mobile app and a user-friendly trading experience under multiple regulators globally.
Which exchange wins for each type of crypto trader, based on security, fees, coin selection, and editorial scoring.
Crypto.com wins for security due to proof of reserves, segregated funds, and multi-regulator oversight.
| Criteria | ||
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 3.7/ 5 | 4.1/ 5 |
| Min Deposit | No minimum | No minimum |
| Spreads From | 0.5 pips | N/A |
| Taker Fee | N/A | 0.20% |
A closer look at the specific criteria each exchange meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | ActivTrades | Crypto.com |
|---|---|---|
| Security | ||
| Cold storage for assets | Fail | Pass |
| Proof of reserves published | Fail | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Fees | ||
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Pass | Pass |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Pass |
| Features | ||
| Staking available | Fail | Pass |
| DeFi integration | Fail | Pass |
| NFT trading | Fail | Pass |
| 500+ coins listed | Fail | Fail |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Fail |
The scores are close: ActivTrades rates 3.7/5 and Crypto.com rates 4.1/5. Crypto.com 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.
ActivTrades lists a spread from 0.5. Current spread data is not available for Crypto.com. Check both exchanges' full fee schedules, including maker/taker rates, for up-to-date pricing.
Neither ActivTrades nor Crypto.com requires a minimum deposit, making both accessible regardless of starting capital.
Both ActivTrades and Crypto.com hold licences from top-tier regulators, indicating a high standard of regulatory oversight. Check each exchange's specific regulatory bodies to confirm coverage in your jurisdiction.
For beginners, ActivTrades provides negative balance protection, capping losses at your deposit amount. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources on each exchange's site before deciding.
ActivTrades offers up to 2:1 on perpetual or margin products, versus Crypto.com's 10:1 cap. Margin and futures trading carry higher risk than spot crypto; confirm product availability and jurisdiction-specific limits on each exchange's website.
Crypto.com charges $0.2 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 Crypto.com supports Proprietary Web/Mobile. ActivTrades has exclusive access to MetaTrader 4 and ActivTrader. Crypto.com has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile.
Crypto.com offers staking while ActivTrades does not according to our data. Staking lets you earn passive yield on your crypto holdings directly through the exchange. Check Crypto.com's supported coins, lock-up terms, and estimated yields before committing.
In our data: Crypto.com has DeFi integration; Crypto.com supports NFT trading. DeFi and NFT features vary between platforms. Check each exchange's current Web3 integrations and supported chains before making a decision.
ActivTrades offers regulated crypto CFDs with a low entry point.
Crypto.com wins with a broad asset base and 250 coins available.
Crypto.com wins for DeFi and Web3 with DeFi access and staking.
Crypto.com wins for beginners due to an accessible app, onboarding features, and card ecosystem.
Crypto.com offers staking and yield-earning options while ActivTrades does not, making Crypto.com the better choice for holders who want to earn passive income on their crypto.
| N/A |
| N/A |
| Inactivity Fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free (crypto/bank); card up to 2.99% |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardPayPal | CryptoBank transferCredit cardDebit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit card | CryptoBank transferCredit cardDebit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Network fee only |
|---|
| Regulators | FCA CMVM SCB | FCA MAS AUSTRAC VARA |
|---|
| Cold Storage | No | Yes |
|---|
| Proof of Reserves | No | Yes |
|---|
| Staking | No | Yes |
|---|
| DeFi Integration | No | Yes |
|---|
| NFT Trading | No | Yes |
|---|
| 500+ Coins | No | No |
|---|
| P2P Trading | No | No |
|---|
| Crypto Earn / Savings | No | Yes |
|---|
| Token Launchpad | No | No |
|---|
| Active bonuses | None | 2 offers |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.7 / 5
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