Two FCA-regulated CFD brokers collide over crypto exposure, platform ecosystems, and pricing clarity. The outcome hinges on where they differ most, coin coverage and pricing transparency.
ActivTrades and ThinkMarkets are closely matched overall, with coin selection as the clearest differentiator.
Find out which crypto exchange best suits your trading profile.
Choose ActivTrades if…
Choose ActivTrades if you value FCA regulation with up to GBP 1,000,000 fund protection and crypto CFDs via ActivTrader or MT4 with no minimum deposit.
Choose ThinkMarkets if…
Choose ThinkMarkets if you want a mobile-first experience with ThinkTrader and MT4/MT5 plus no minimum deposit on standard accounts.
Which exchange wins for each type of crypto trader, based on security, fees, coin selection, and editorial scoring.
ActivTrades wins on UK fund protection up to GBP 1,000,000 and FSCS coverage.
| Criteria | ||
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 3.7/ 5 | 3.8/ 5 |
| Min Deposit | No minimum | No minimum |
| Spreads From | 0.5 pips | 0.4 pips▼ lower |
| Taker Fee | N/A | 7.00% |
A closer look at the specific criteria each exchange meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | ActivTrades | ThinkMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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 ThinkMarkets rates 3.8/5. ThinkMarkets 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.
ThinkMarkets lists a lower spread from 0.4, 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.
Neither ActivTrades nor ThinkMarkets requires a minimum deposit, making both accessible regardless of starting capital.
Both ActivTrades and ThinkMarkets 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, both exchanges provide negative balance protection. 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 ThinkMarkets'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.
ThinkMarkets charges $7 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 ThinkMarkets supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, TradingView, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 4. ActivTrades has exclusive access to ActivTrader. ThinkMarkets has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5 and Proprietary Web/Mobile and TradingView.
ThinkMarkets offers ThinkZero with tighter spreads.
ThinkMarkets lists 20 crypto pairs, ActivTrades lists 10.
ThinkMarkets is more beginner-friendly due to a no minimum deposit and a highly rated mobile platform.
Neither broker offers DeFi or on-chain features.
| N/A |
| 1.1 pips |
| Inactivity Fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardPayPal | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit card | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | FCA CMVM SCB | FSCA JFSA FCA ASIC |
|---|
| 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 3.7 / 5
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