In this comparison, AvaTrade and Deriv square off over crypto CFDs, regulation, and platform reach. The tension centers on security, asset depth, and cost structures.
AvaTrade edges Deriv on editorial score 3.9 to 3.4, and offers stronger regulation plus broader crypto access.
Which exchange wins for each type of crypto trader, based on security, fees, coin selection, and editorial scoring.
AvaTrade wins for security, with strong multi-jurisdiction regulation, compensation scheme, and negative balance protection.
| Criteria | ||
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 3.9/ 5 | 3.4/ 5 |
| Min Deposit | $100 | $5▼ lower |
| Spreads From | 0.9 pips | 0.5 pips▼ lower |
| Taker Fee | N/A | N/A |
| Inactivity Fee | $50/month (after 3 months) | None |
A closer look at the specific criteria each exchange meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | AvaTrade | Deriv |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Fail |
| Fees | ||
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Fail | Fail |
| Transparent pricing page | Fail | 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 | Fail |
AvaTrade rates 3.9/5 versus 3.4/5 for Deriv. AvaTrade edges ahead on our composite score, though both exchanges meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
Deriv lists a lower spread from 0.5, compared with AvaTrade's 0.9. 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.
Deriv has $5, while AvaTrade requires at least $100. This makes Deriv more accessible for traders looking to start with a smaller crypto investment.
AvaTrade holds top-tier regulation (FSCA, ASIC, MFSA), providing stronger investor protections. Deriv 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: Deriv requires a lower minimum deposit ($5), lowering the barrier to entry, and AvaTrade provides negative balance protection, capping losses at your deposit amount. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
AvaTrade offers up to 2:1 on perpetual or margin products, versus Deriv'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.
AvaTrade supports ZuluTrade, MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4, while Deriv supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, DXtrade. Both provide MetaTrader 5 and Proprietary Web/Mobile. AvaTrade has exclusive access to ZuluTrade and MetaTrader 4. Deriv has exclusive access to DXtrade.
AvaTrade wins for low fees due to fixed crypto CFD spreads.
AvaTrade wins for coin selection, listing 20 coins vs Deriv's 5.
Neither broker offers DeFi or Web3 features, so the field is equally matched.
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerFasaPayCrypto |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerFasaPayCrypto |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | FSCA ASIC MFSA CBI ADGM | FSC BVI LFSA MFSA VFSC |
|---|
| 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 3.4 / 5
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