Two seasoned players clash on model and scope: Bitfinex leans on deep liquidity and on-site trading tools, while IG emphasizes regulation and broad crypto CFDs.
Find out which crypto exchange best suits your trading profile.
Choose if…
Choose Bitfinex if you want a native exchange with broad coin coverage and no inactivity fees. You benefit from deep liquidity, advanced order types, and a mature API used by quantitative traders seeking high customization and automation.
Choose if…
Choose IG if you value a regulated crypto CFD framework, phone support, and compensation protections. You also access over 70 cryptocurrencies, weekend trading, and a suite of advanced charting tools, which suits traders seeking stability and comprehensive research.
Which exchange wins for each type of crypto trader, based on security, fees, coin selection, and editorial scoring.
| Criteria | ||
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 3.9/ 5 | 4.2/ 5 |
| Min Deposit | No minimum | No minimum |
| Spreads From | N/A | 0.6 pips |
| Taker Fee | 0.20% | N/A |
A closer look at the specific criteria each exchange meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Bitfinex | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Security | ||
| Cold storage for assets | Pass | Fail |
| Proof of reserves published | Fail | Fail |
| Segregated client funds | Fail | Pass |
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, etc.) | Fail | Pass |
| Fees | ||
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Pass | Fail |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | 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 | Fail | Fail |
| Phone support | Fail | Pass |
The scores are close: Bitfinex 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 spread from 0.6. Current spread data is not available for Bitfinex. Check both exchanges' full fee schedules, including maker/taker rates, for up-to-date pricing.
Neither Bitfinex nor IG requires a minimum deposit, making both accessible regardless of starting capital.
IG holds top-tier regulation (ASIC, FCA, DFSA), providing stronger investor protections. Bitfinex 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, IG provides negative balance protection, capping losses at your deposit amount. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources on each exchange's site before deciding.
Bitfinex offers up to 10:1 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.
Bitfinex charges $0.2 per trade on commission-based accounts. Commission details for IG 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.
Bitfinex supports Proprietary Web/Mobile, while IG supports Proprietary Web/Mobile, TradingView, MetaTrader 4, ProRealTime. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile. IG has exclusive access to TradingView and MetaTrader 4 and ProRealTime.
Bitfinex scores better on fee criteria (no deposit fee, no inactivity fee). Always check both exchanges' current fee schedules, as maker/taker rates and withdrawal fees vary and are subject to change.
IG wins for security with multiple top-tier regulators and a compensation scheme.
Bitfinex offers a deeper coin selection with around 200 coins.
IG is better for beginners due to regulated oversight and accessible support.
Equally matched for DeFi and Web3 as neither offers DeFi access.
| N/A |
| N/A |
| Inactivity Fee | None | £12/month (after 24 months) |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | CryptoBank transfer | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardPayPal |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | CryptoBank transfer | Bank transferDebit cardPayPal |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Network fee for crypto; $20 minimum for wire | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | — | ASIC FCA DFSA KNF Finansinspektionen CBI CMVM BaFin Finanstilsynet NFA FMA Finanstilsynet |
|---|
| Cold Storage | Yes | 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 |
|---|
| Active bonuses | 2 offers | None |
|---|
IG edges Bitfinex overall due to stronger regulation and protections, reflected in the higher editorial score.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.9 / 5
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