Find out which crypto exchange best suits your trading profile.
Choose if…
Choose AvaTrade if you want top-tier regulation, a compensation scheme, and access to a proprietary trading platform.
Choose if…
Choose InstaForex if you want a $1 minimum deposit and offshore-regulated access.
Which exchange wins for each type of crypto trader, based on security, fees, coin selection, and editorial scoring.
AvaTrade is better for security due to multi-jurisdictional regulation and compensation coverage.
| Criteria |  AvaTrade |  InstaForex |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 3.9/ 5 | 3.1/ 5 |
| Min Deposit | $100 | $1▼ lower |
| Spreads From | 0.9 pips▼ lower | 1 pips |
| 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 | InstaForex |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Pass |
AvaTrade rates 3.9/5 versus 3.1/5 for InstaForex. AvaTrade edges ahead on our composite score, though both exchanges meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
AvaTrade lists a lower spread from 0.9, compared with InstaForex's 1. 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.
InstaForex has $1, while AvaTrade requires at least $100. This makes InstaForex more accessible for traders looking to start with a smaller crypto investment.
AvaTrade holds top-tier regulation (FSCA, ASIC, MFSA), providing stronger investor protections. InstaForex 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: InstaForex requires a lower minimum deposit ($1), 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 InstaForex'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 InstaForex supports MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 4. AvaTrade has exclusive access to ZuluTrade and MetaTrader 5 and Proprietary Web/Mobile.
AvaTrade offers fixed crypto spreads, delivering cost certainty.
AvaTrade lists more coins, improving diversification.
InstaForex provides a $1 minimum deposit.
equally matched.
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerWebMoneyPerfect MoneyCrypto |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerWebMoneyPerfect MoneyCrypto |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | FSCA ASIC MFSA CBI ADGM | FSC BVI CySEC |
|---|
| 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 |
|---|
AvaTrade and InstaForex square off as CFD crypto brokers, weighing regulation, platform breadth, and capital access in a competitive landscape.
AvaTrade leads overall with a higher editorial score, reflecting stronger regulation and support compared with InstaForex.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.9 / 5
Score 3.1 / 5
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