This comparison pits a native crypto derivatives engine against a regulated CFD broker. The tension centers on security, asset depth, and cost structures across platforms.
Find out which crypto exchange best suits your trading profile.
Choose if…
Choose ActivTrades if you want FCA regulation with FSCS protection up to GBP 1,000,000. You access crypto CFDs on ActivTrader and MT4 with no minimum deposit.
Choose if…
Choose Deribit if you want a native crypto derivatives platform with deep options and low maker taker fees.
Which exchange wins for each type of crypto trader, based on security, fees, coin selection, and editorial scoring.
| Criteria | ||
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 3.7/ 5 | 4.3/ 5 |
| Min Deposit | No minimum | No minimum |
| Spreads From | 0.5 pips | N/A |
| Taker Fee | N/A | 0.04% |
A closer look at the specific criteria each exchange meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | ActivTrades | Deribit |
|---|---|---|
| Security | ||
| Cold storage for assets | Fail | Pass |
| Proof of reserves published | Fail | Fail |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Fail |
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, etc.) | Pass | Fail |
| Fees | ||
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Pass | Pass |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Pass |
| 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 | Fail |
Deribit rates 4.3/5 versus 3.7/5 for ActivTrades. Deribit edges ahead on our composite score, though both exchanges meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
ActivTrades lists a spread from 0.5. Current spread data is not available for Deribit. Check both exchanges' full fee schedules, including maker/taker rates, for up-to-date pricing.
Neither ActivTrades nor Deribit requires a minimum deposit, making both accessible regardless of starting capital.
ActivTrades holds top-tier regulation (CMVM, FCA, SCB), providing stronger investor protections. Deribit 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.
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 Deribit's 100:1 cap. Margin and futures trading carry higher risk than spot crypto; confirm product availability and jurisdiction-specific limits on each exchange's website.
Deribit charges $0.04 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 ActivTrader, MetaTrader 4, while Deribit supports Deribit. ActivTrades has exclusive access to ActivTrader and MetaTrader 4. Deribit has exclusive access to Deribit.
ActivTrades wins for security due to FCA regulation and FSCS coverage up to GBP 1,000,000.
ActivTrades is better for beginners due to accessible entry and regulatory protection.
Equally matched; neither offers DeFi access or staking.
| N/A |
| N/A |
| Inactivity Fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardPayPal | Crypto |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit card | Crypto |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Network fee only |
|---|
| Regulators | CMVM FCA SCB | — |
|---|
| Cold Storage | No | Yes |
|---|
| 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 |
|---|
| Active bonuses | None | 2 offers |
|---|
Deribit emerges as the higher editorial-scored broker overall compared with ActivTrades. Its stronger Fees & Spreads and Platforms & Tools drive the edge.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.7 / 5
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