Two CFD specialists clash over crypto coverage and regulation. CMC Markets emphasizes a crypto CFD range on its Next Generation platform, while Deriv highlights low entry costs and multi-asset flexibility.
CMC Markets tops the editorial score over Deriv, thanks to stronger regulation and a broader crypto CFD range.
Find out which crypto exchange best suits your trading profile.
Choose CMC Markets if…
Choose CMC Markets if you want strong FCA/ASIC regulation and access to 100 crypto CFDs.
Choose Deriv if…
Choose Deriv if you want a low $5 minimum deposit and MT5 plus DXtrade access.
Which exchange wins for each type of crypto trader, based on security, fees, coin selection, and editorial scoring.
CMC Markets wins for security due to top-tier regulation and negative balance protection.
| Criteria | ||
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 4.1/ 5 | 3.4/ 5 |
| Min Deposit | No minimum▼ lower | $5 |
| Spreads From | 0.7 pips | 0.5 pips▼ lower |
| Taker Fee | N/A | N/A |
| Inactivity Fee | £10/month (after 12 months) | None |
A closer look at the specific criteria each exchange meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | CMC Markets | 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 | Pass | 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 |
CMC Markets rates 4.1/5 versus 3.4/5 for Deriv. CMC Markets 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 CMC Markets's 0.7. 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.
CMC Markets has no minimum deposit, while Deriv requires at least $5. This makes CMC Markets more accessible for traders looking to start with a smaller crypto investment.
CMC Markets holds top-tier regulation (DFSA, FMA, FCA), 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.
CMC Markets stands out for beginners: it has a lower entry point and provides negative balance protection, which caps losses at your deposited amount. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
CMC Markets 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.
CMC Markets supports ProRealTime, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4, while Deriv supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, DXtrade. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile. CMC Markets has exclusive access to ProRealTime and MetaTrader 4. Deriv has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5 and DXtrade.
Deriv incurs no inactivity fee, unlike CMC's £10/month after 12 months.
Deriv is better for beginners thanks to a $5 minimum deposit.
Equally matched.
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerFasaPayCrypto |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit card | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerFasaPayCrypto |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | DFSA FMA FCA BaFin ASIC | 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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