In this crypto CFD matchup, ActivTrades and InstaForex compete on regulation, access, and costs, testing how each aligns with different trader priorities.
ActivTrades edges InstaForex on overall score thanks to stronger regulation and fund protection.
Find out which crypto exchange best suits your trading profile.
Choose ActivTrades if…
Choose ActivTrades if you value FCA regulation with GBP 1,000,000 protection and no inactivity fee.
Choose InstaForex if…
Choose InstaForex if you want a $1 minimum deposit and 24/7 multilingual support.
Which exchange wins for each type of crypto trader, based on security, fees, coin selection, and editorial scoring.
ActivTrades wins with FCA regulation and FSCS protection for UK retail clients.
ActivTrades offers a low cost entry point for crypto CFDs.
| Criteria | ||
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 3.7/ 5 | 3.1/ 5 |
| Min Deposit | No minimum▼ lower | $1 |
| Spreads From | 0.5 pips▼ lower | 1 pips |
| Taker Fee | N/A | N/A |
| Inactivity Fee | None |
A closer look at the specific criteria each exchange meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | ActivTrades | InstaForex |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
ActivTrades rates 3.7/5 versus 3.1/5 for InstaForex. ActivTrades edges ahead on our composite score, though both exchanges meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
ActivTrades lists a lower spread from 0.5, compared with InstaForex's 1. 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 InstaForex requires at least $1. 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. InstaForex 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 InstaForex'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.
ActivTrades supports MetaTrader 4, ActivTrader, while InstaForex supports MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 4. ActivTrades has exclusive access to ActivTrader.
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.
ActivTrades offers more coins, listed at 10 versus InstaForex's 5.
ActivTrades wins for beginners due to $0 minimum deposit and FCA regulation.
Equally matched; neither offers DeFi or Web3 features.
| None |
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardPayPal | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerWebMoneyPerfect MoneyCrypto |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit card | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerWebMoneyPerfect MoneyCrypto |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | FCA CMVM SCB | FSC BVI CySEC |
|---|
| 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 3.1 / 5
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