Admiralsvs
CMC MarketsCrypto Exchange Comparison
In this crypto CFD showdown, Admirals and CMC Markets sit side by side on regulation and multi-asset scope, but their platform choices and fee policies diverge.
Our Verdict
CMC Markets winsby 0.2 pts
Admirals and CMC Markets remain closely matched, with the clearest differentiator being Admirals' no inactivity fee versus CMC's £10/month after 12 months of inactivity.
No commercial relationship. The verdict and scores are entirely editorial. No payment influences this comparison.
Key Differences
- 1Coin selection depth differs: Admirals lists 30 crypto CFDs, CMC Markets offers 100+.
- 2Inactivity fee policy: Admirals has no inactivity fee, CMC charges £10/month after 12 months.
- 3Pricing transparency: Admirals lacks transparent pricing, while CMC Markets provides it.
Who should choose Admirals vs CMC Markets?
Find out which crypto exchange best suits your trading profile.
Choose Admirals if…
Choose Admirals if you want zero inactivity fees and MT4/MT5 crypto CFDs.
Choose CMC Markets if…
Choose CMC Markets if you want 100+ crypto CFDs and a proprietary Next Generation platform.
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
CMC Markets is best for security due to broad regulator set including BaFin, FMA, and DFSA.
Best for low fees
Recommended
Admirals offers comparatively lower fees for crypto CFDs.
Admirals vs CMC Markets: Side-by-Side Crypto Exchange Comparison
| Criteria |  Admirals |  CMC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 3.9/ 5 | 4.1/ 5 |
| Min Deposit | No minimum | No minimum |
| Spreads From | 0.5 pips▼ lower | 0.7 pips |
| Taker Fee | 6.00% | N/A |
Admirals vs CMC Markets Crypto Exchange Pros & Cons
Pros
- 30+ crypto CFDs on MT4 and MT5 under FCA, CySEC, and ASIC regulation
- MetaTrader Supreme Edition plugin adds enhanced charting and sentiment tools
- No minimum deposit; FSCS protection up to GBP 85,000 for UK retail clients
- Broad multi-asset offering, crypto alongside forex, equities, ETFs, and commodities
Cons
- CFDs only, no real crypto ownership, staking, or on-chain access
Admirals vs CMC Markets: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each exchange meets or misses within each scoring category.
1
Admirals
criteria win
1
CMC Markets
criteria win
Highlighted rows show where the two exchanges differ
| Criteria | Admirals | CMC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Fail |
| Transparent pricing page | Fail | 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 | Pass |
Admirals vs CMC Markets: Frequently Asked Questions
The scores are close: Admirals rates 3.9/5 and CMC Markets rates 4.1/5. CMC Markets 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.
Admirals lists a lower spread from 0.5, compared with CMC Markets's 0.7. 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 Admirals nor CMC Markets requires a minimum deposit, making both accessible regardless of starting capital.
Both Admirals and CMC Markets 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.
Admirals offers up to 2:1 on perpetual or margin products, versus CMC Markets'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.
Admirals charges $6 per trade on commission-based accounts. Commission details for CMC Markets 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.
Admirals supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4, while CMC Markets supports ProRealTime, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 4. Admirals has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5. CMC Markets has exclusive access to ProRealTime and Proprietary Web/Mobile.
Admirals 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.
