Two CFD crypto brokers go head to head on regulation, coin selection, and pricing. AvaTrade offers fixed spreads and multiple platforms, while IG boasts extensive assets and strong oversight.
IG edges AvaTrade on the editorial score due to stronger trust/regulation and a larger coin universe. AvaTrade remains compelling for fixed crypto CFDs and broad platform access, but IG's regulatory pedigree gives it the edge.
Find out which crypto exchange best suits your trading profile.
Which exchange wins for each type of crypto trader, based on security, fees, coin selection, and editorial scoring.
IG wins for security due to stronger regulatory oversight and listed status.
Equally matched on fees given lack of explicit competitive figures.
| Criteria | ||
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 3.9/ 5 | 4.2/ 5 |
| Min Deposit | $100 | No minimum▼ lower |
| Spreads From | 0.9 pips | 0.6 pips▼ lower |
| Taker Fee | N/A | N/A |
| Inactivity Fee | $50/month (after 3 months) | £12/month (after 24 months) |
A closer look at the specific criteria each exchange meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | AvaTrade | 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 | 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 | Fail |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
The scores are close: AvaTrade rates 3.9/5 and IG rates 4.2/5. IG 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.
IG lists a lower spread from 0.6, 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.
IG has no minimum deposit, while AvaTrade requires at least $100. This makes IG more accessible for traders looking to start with a smaller crypto investment.
Both AvaTrade and IG 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, two factors stand out: IG has no minimum deposit, removing the capital barrier entirely, and both exchanges provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
AvaTrade offers up to 2:1 on perpetual or margin products, versus IG'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 IG supports ProRealTime, Proprietary Web/Mobile, TradingView, MetaTrader 4. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile and MetaTrader 4. AvaTrade has exclusive access to ZuluTrade and MetaTrader 5. IG has exclusive access to ProRealTime and TradingView.
Equally matched; neither offers DeFi or Web3 features.
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardPayPal |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller | Bank transferDebit cardPayPal |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | ASIC FSCA MFSA CBI ADGM | FCA ASIC DFSA FMA CMVM BaFin Finanstilsynet Finanstilsynet Finansinspektionen CBI NFA 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 |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.9 / 5
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