Two regulated CFD crypto players collide in a test of coin depth and platform strengths. The axis pits coin breadth against regulatory credibility, inviting closer scrutiny.
CMC Markets and IG are closely matched overall. The clearest differentiator is live chat availability and coin count, with CMC offering 24/5 live chat and 100 coins versus IG's broader regulation and 70 coins.
Find out which crypto exchange best suits your trading profile.
Choose CMC Markets if…
You should choose CMC Markets if you value 24/5 live chat and a 100-coin lineup. You should choose IG if you value stronger regulation, weekend markets, and TradingView access.
Choose IG if…
You should choose CMC Markets if you value 24/5 live chat and a 100-coin lineup. You should choose IG if you value stronger regulation, weekend markets, and TradingView access.
Which exchange wins for each type of crypto trader, based on security, fees, coin selection, and editorial scoring.
IG wins due to higher trust score and broad regulatory coverage.
| Criteria | ||
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 4.1/ 5 | 4.2/ 5 |
| Min Deposit | No minimum | No minimum |
| Spreads From | 0.7 pips | 0.6 pips▼ lower |
| Taker Fee | N/A | N/A |
| Inactivity Fee | £10/month (after 12 months)▼ lower | £12/month (after 24 months) |
A closer look at the specific criteria each exchange meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | CMC Markets | 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 | 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 | Fail |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
The scores are close: CMC Markets rates 4.1/5 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 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.
Neither CMC Markets nor IG requires a minimum deposit, making both accessible regardless of starting capital.
Both CMC Markets 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, both exchanges provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources on each exchange's site before deciding.
CMC Markets 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.
CMC Markets supports ProRealTime, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4, while IG supports ProRealTime, Proprietary Web/Mobile, TradingView, MetaTrader 4. Both provide ProRealTime and Proprietary Web/Mobile and MetaTrader 4. IG has exclusive access to TradingView.
IG wins for lower fee scoring.
IG wins for beginners due to no inactivity fee and strong regulation.
Equally matched; neither offers DeFi or Web3 features.
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardPayPal |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit card | Bank transferDebit cardPayPal |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | FCA ASIC DFSA FMA BaFin | 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 4.1 / 5
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