ActivTrades vs Interactive Brokers Crypto Exchange Comparison
A head-to-head comparison of ActivTrades and Interactive Brokers across security, fees, coin selection, staking, and editorial scoring.
Score 3.7 / 5
ActivTrades offers crypto CFDs on Bitcoin, Ethereum, and a select range of major altcoins via ActivTrader and MT4, under FCA regulation with supplemental client fund insurance up to GBP 1,000,000 - a regulated low-cost entry point for crypto CFD exposure.
VS
Score 4 / 5
Interactive Brokers offers real cryptocurrency ownership (not CFDs) on Bitcoin, Ethereum, and select altcoins via its regulated IBKR platform - backed by SEC, FINRA, and FCA oversight, making it one of the safest regulated routes to crypto for sophisticated investors.
Our Verdict
Interactive Brokers winsby 0.3 pts
Interactive Brokers edges ahead with a score of 4/5 vs ActivTrades's 3.7/5. A narrow margin, so review the breakdown below to see where each broker has a clear advantage.
Verdict by Trader Profile
Which exchange wins for each type of crypto trader, based on security, fees, coin selection, and editorial scoring.
Best for security
It's a tie
Both equally suited
Both exchanges show an equally strong security profile across cold storage, proof of reserves, and regulatory oversight.
Best for low fees
It's a tie
Both equally suited
Both exchanges offer equivalent fee conditions — no deposit fee and no inactivity fee.
Best for beginners
Recommended
Interactive Brokers edges out ActivTrades with a higher editorial score (4/5 vs 3.7/5), indicating a stronger overall experience for new crypto traders.
Best for coin selection
Insufficient data
Data not yet available
Coin-selection data is not yet available for this pair. Check each exchange's supported assets page to compare the number of tradeable cryptocurrencies.
Best for DeFi & Web3
Insufficient data
Data not yet available
DeFi and NFT feature data is not yet available for this pair. Check each exchange's Web3 product pages directly.
ActivTrades vs Interactive Brokers: Side-by-Side Crypto Exchange Comparison
| Criteria |  ActivTrades |  Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial Score | 3.7/ 5 | 4.0/ 5 |
| Min. Deposit | No minimum | No minimum |
| Regulators | CMVM SCB FCA | CMF JFSA ASIC FSC AMF FINRA DFSA CMVM NFA SEC SFC IIROC FCA CBI CNB SEBI MFSA CNV |
| 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 |
| Visit exchange | Visit ActivTrades | Visit Interactive Brokers |
ActivTrades vs Interactive Brokers Crypto Exchange Pros & Cons
Pros
- FCA regulated with supplemental insurance up to GBP 1,000,000 per client - strongest fund protection among mid-tier brokers
- ActivTrader's volatility protection automatically cancels orders during extreme crypto market spikes
- Crypto CFDs available on ActivTrader and MT4 with no minimum deposit
- Negative balance protection and FSCS coverage for UK retail clients
Cons
- Limited coin selection (major tokens only - no altcoins or DeFi access)
- No real crypto ownership, staking, or on-chain withdrawals
- Crypto spreads not competitive vs ECN alternatives for active traders
- Less known outside Europe; limited coverage of Asian and US crypto markets
Pros
- Real crypto ownership (not CFDs) - Bitcoin, Ethereum, and major alts in your IBKR account
- SEC, FINRA, FCA, and ASIC regulated - strongest multi-jurisdictional framework available
- 0.12–0.18% transparent commission - no spread markup on underlying price
- Manage crypto alongside stocks, ETFs, bonds, and forex in a single platform
Cons
- Narrow selection (~9 coins) - no access to altcoins, DeFi, or NFTs
- No staking or crypto-to-crypto trading
- No self-custody wallet withdrawals
- US clients face 24/7 availability restrictions due to regulatory requirements
ActivTrades vs Interactive Brokers: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each exchange meets or misses within each scoring category.
1
ActivTrades
criteria win
0
Interactive Brokers
criteria wins
Highlighted rows show where the two exchanges differ
| Criteria | ActivTrades | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Pass |
| 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 | Fail |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
ActivTrades vs Interactive Brokers: Frequently Asked Questions
Based on our independent editorial scoring, Interactive Brokers ranks higher with a score of 4/5 vs 3.7/5 for ActivTrades. The best choice still depends on your individual needs — security, coin selection, fees, and staking offerings all matter.
ActivTrades and Interactive Brokers show a similar security profile in our data. Both should be evaluated on cold storage practices, proof of reserves, regulatory oversight, and whether client funds are held separately from operational funds.
ActivTrades and Interactive Brokers appear similar on fee criteria in our data. Compare each exchange's trading fee schedule directly, as crypto fees vary by asset, volume tier, and payment method.
Neither ActivTrades nor Interactive Brokers is listed as offering staking in our data. Check each exchange's website directly for the most up-to-date staking offerings, as this feature changes frequently.
Both ActivTrades and Interactive Brokers require a minimum deposit of no minimum to start trading.
For beginners: Interactive Brokers has a higher overall editorial score. Also consider each exchange's educational resources, customer support quality, and the simplicity of their user interface before deciding.
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