In this crypto CFD showdown, CMC Markets and FXCM square off on depth of assets, platform power, and regulatory footing.
CMC Markets edges FXCM on editorial score due to 100+ crypto CFDs and a Next Generation platform.
Find out which crypto exchange best suits your trading profile.
Choose CMC Markets if…
Choose CMC Markets if you want to start with $0 and trade 100+ crypto CFDs on a Next Generation platform.
Choose FXCM if…
Choose FXCM if you want a $50 minimum deposit and access Trading Station with professional quantitative tools and NinjaTrader support.
Which exchange wins for each type of crypto trader, based on security, fees, coin selection, and editorial scoring.
CMC Markets is stronger for security because it is regulated by FCA, ASIC, BaFin, FMA, and DFSA.
| Criteria | ||
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 4.1/ 5 | 3.8/ 5 |
| Min Deposit | No minimum▼ lower | $50 |
| Spreads From | 0.7 pips | 0.4 pips▼ lower |
| Taker Fee | N/A | N/A |
| Inactivity Fee | £10/month (after 12 months)▼ lower |
A closer look at the specific criteria each exchange meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | CMC Markets | FXCM |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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 | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
The scores are close: CMC Markets rates 4.1/5 and FXCM rates 3.8/5. CMC Markets 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.
FXCM lists a lower spread from 0.4, 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 FXCM requires at least $50. This makes CMC Markets more accessible for traders looking to start with a smaller crypto investment.
Both CMC Markets and FXCM 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: CMC Markets 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.
CMC Markets offers up to 2:1 on perpetual or margin products, versus FXCM'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 FXCM supports ZuluTrade, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4, NinjaTrader. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile and MetaTrader 4. CMC Markets has exclusive access to ProRealTime. FXCM has exclusive access to ZuluTrade and NinjaTrader.
CMC Markets offers more competitive spreads than FXCM on entry-level accounts.
CMC Markets leads in coin selection with 100 crypto CFDs compared with FXCM's 4.
CMC Markets offers $0 minimum to start, aiding new investors.
Equally matched since neither offers DeFi or Web3 features.
| $50/month (after 12 months) |
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrill |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit card | Bank transferCredit cardSkrill |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free for first per month |
|---|
| Regulators | FCA ASIC DFSA FMA BaFin | FCA ASIC |
|---|
| 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 3.8 / 5
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