Two established brokers in crypto CFDs face off, testing regulation, platform depth, and entry costs. The scene centers on security, asset breadth, and pricing transparency.
FXCM edges Alpari International on editorial score, thanks to stronger Trust & Regulation and Platforms ratings. Alpari offers a very low deposit but weaker compensation scheme and offshore oversight.
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 of $5. MT4/MT5 access provides full EA support and crypto charting, aligning with Alpari's long-standing multi-asset trading heritage, and it keeps entry costs minimal.
Choose FXCM if…
Choose FXCM if you value formal regulation with FCA and ASIC and FSCS protection. You also gain access to the Trading Station platform and professional tools for advanced charting, and that combination supports quantitative analysis and a scalable trading workflow.
Which exchange wins for each type of crypto trader, based on security, fees, coin selection, and editorial scoring.
FXCM wins for security, due to FCA/ASIC regulation and FSCS protection.
| Criteria | ||
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 3.4/ 5 | 3.8/ 5 |
| Min Deposit | $5▼ lower | $50 |
| Spreads From | 0 pips▼ lower | 0.4 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 | FXCM |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
The scores are close: Alpari International rates 3.4/5 and FXCM rates 3.8/5. FXCM 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.
Alpari International lists a lower spread from 0, compared with FXCM's 0.4. 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.
Alpari International has $5, while FXCM requires at least $50. This makes Alpari International more accessible for traders looking to start with a smaller crypto investment.
FXCM holds top-tier regulation (FCA, ASIC), 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.
For beginners, two factors stand out: Alpari International requires a lower minimum deposit ($5), lowering the barrier to entry, and FXCM provides negative balance protection, capping losses at your deposit amount. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
Alpari International offers up to 2:1 on perpetual or margin products, versus FXCM'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 FXCM 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 FXCM supports ZuluTrade, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4, NinjaTrader. Both provide MetaTrader 4. Alpari International has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5. FXCM has exclusive access to ZuluTrade and Proprietary Web/Mobile and NinjaTrader.
FXCM has transparent pricing and clearer fee disclosure.
Equally matched; neither offers DeFi, NFT trading, or DeFi integrations.
| 0.6 pips |
| N/A |
| Inactivity Fee | None | $50/month (after 12 months) |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerWebMoneyCrypto | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrill |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerWebMoneyCrypto | Bank transferCredit cardSkrill |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free for first per month |
|---|
| Regulators | FSC FSCA | 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 |
|---|
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Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.4 / 5
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