Admirals vs IG Crypto Exchange Comparison
A head-to-head comparison of Admirals and IG across security, fees, coin selection, staking, and editorial scoring.
Score 3.9 / 5
Admirals offers crypto CFDs on 30+ pairs via MT4 and MT5 under FCA, CySEC, and ASIC regulation - a well-regulated multi-platform option for traders seeking cryptocurrency CFD exposure alongside a broad multi-asset offering.
VS
Our Verdict
IG winsby 0.3 pts
IG edges ahead with a score of 4.2/5 vs Admirals's 3.9/5. 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
Recommended
Admirals has a lower fee profile: no deposit fee, no inactivity fee.
Best for beginners
Recommended
IG edges out Admirals with a higher editorial score (4.2/5 vs 3.9/5), 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.
Admirals vs IG: Side-by-Side Crypto Exchange Comparison
| Criteria |  Admirals |  IG |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial Score | 3.9/ 5 | 4.2/ 5 |
| Min. Deposit | No minimum | No minimum |
| Regulators | FCA ASIC CySEC KNF | FCA ASIC DFSA CMVM BaFin Finansinspektionen Finanstilsynet FMA CBI Finanstilsynet KNF |
| 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 Admirals | Visit IG |
Admirals vs IG 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
- MetaTrader only - no proprietary platform beyond the Supreme Edition plugin
- Narrower coin selection (30+) compared to eToro or Capital.com
- Spreads can widen during thin overnight crypto markets
Pros
- 70+ cryptocurrencies including weekend Bitcoin and Ethereum markets
- FCA-listed regulatory framework - significantly stronger than most crypto exchanges
- Available on IG's proprietary platform, ProRealTime charts, and MT4
- No deposit or withdrawal fee on standard funding methods
Cons
- Spread-only market maker pricing - wider than specialist crypto exchanges
- No real crypto ownership, staking, or self-custody
- No crypto-to-crypto pairs or DeFi access
- Overnight financing costs accumulate on held CFD positions
Admirals vs IG: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each exchange meets or misses within each scoring category.
2
Admirals
criteria wins
1
IG
criteria win
Highlighted rows show where the two exchanges differ
| Criteria | Admirals | IG |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Fail |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
Admirals vs IG: Frequently Asked Questions
Based on our independent editorial scoring, IG ranks higher with a score of 4.2/5 vs 3.9/5 for Admirals. The best choice still depends on your individual needs — security, coin selection, fees, and staking offerings all matter.
Admirals and IG 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.
Admirals has a lower fee profile, with no deposit fee and no inactivity fee. Always check each platform's trading fee schedule directly, as crypto exchange fees vary by asset, trading volume, and account tier.
Neither Admirals nor IG 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 Admirals and IG require a minimum deposit of no minimum to start trading.
For beginners: IG 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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