Two established CFD brokers face off over crypto reach, regulation, and platforms. The tension centers on asset depth versus regulatory protections, inviting readers to see who edges ahead.
CMC Markets outperforms Alpari International on the editorial score and regulation, with 100+ crypto CFDs and a compensation scheme.
Find out which crypto exchange best suits your trading profile.
Choose Alpari International if…
Choose Alpari International if you want a very low minimum deposit and MT4/MT5 with a long track record.
Choose CMC Markets if…
Choose CMC Markets if you want 100+ crypto CFDs, strong regulation, and the Next Generation platform.
Which exchange wins for each type of crypto trader, based on security, fees, coin selection, and editorial scoring.
CMC Markets wins for security due to top-tier regulators and a compensation scheme.
| Criteria | ||
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 3.4/ 5 | 4.1/ 5 |
| Min Deposit | $5 | No minimum▼ lower |
| Spreads From | 0 pips▼ lower | 0.7 pips |
| Taker Fee | 6.00% | N/A |
A closer look at the specific criteria each exchange meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Alpari International | 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.) | Fail | Pass |
| Fees | ||
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Fail | 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 |
CMC Markets rates 4.1/5 versus 3.4/5 for Alpari International. CMC Markets edges ahead on our composite score, though both exchanges meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
Alpari International lists a lower spread from 0, 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.
CMC Markets has no minimum deposit, while Alpari International requires at least $5. This makes CMC Markets more accessible for traders looking to start with a smaller crypto investment.
CMC Markets holds top-tier regulation (DFSA, FMA, FCA), providing stronger investor protections. Alpari International 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.
CMC Markets 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.
Alpari International 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.
Alpari International 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.
Alpari International supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4, while CMC Markets supports ProRealTime, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 4. Alpari International has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5. CMC Markets has exclusive access to ProRealTime and Proprietary Web/Mobile.
CMC Markets offers competitive variable spreads; Alpari provides no published pricing.
Alpari International is best for beginners due to the very low minimum deposit.
Equally matched.
| 0.6 pips |
| N/A |
| Inactivity Fee | None | £10/month (after 12 months) |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerWebMoneyCrypto | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerWebMoneyCrypto | Bank transferCredit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | FSC FSCA | DFSA FMA FCA BaFin 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 |
|---|
Alpari InternationalvsPepperstone
Alpari InternationalvsAxi
Alpari InternationalvsIG
Alpari InternationalvsTrade Nation
Alpari InternationalvsHFM
Alpari InternationalvsAdmirals
Alpari InternationalvsThinkMarkets
Alpari InternationalvsCrypto.com
Alpari InternationalvsInteractive Brokers
Alpari InternationalvsBitstamp
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.4 / 5
Personalised recommendation
Answer 6 quick questions and we’ll match you with the brokers that best fit your trading style, experience level, and country.
Find my broker