CMC Markets vs Interactive Brokers: Side-by-Side Crypto Exchange Comparison
| Criteria |  CMC Markets |  Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 4.1/ 5 | 4.0/ 5 |
| Min Deposit | No minimum | No minimum |
| Spreads From | 0.7 pips | 0.2 pips▼ lower |
| Taker Fee | N/A | 2.00% |
Find out which crypto exchange best suits your trading profile.
Choose if…
Choose CMC Markets if you want a broad selection of 100+ crypto CFDs and FCA/ASIC regulation.
Choose if…
Choose Interactive Brokers if you want real crypto ownership and transparent 0.12–0.18% commissions.
Which exchange wins for each type of crypto trader, based on security, fees, coin selection, and editorial scoring.
Equally matched; both offer strong regulation across multiple jurisdictions.
| Criteria | CMC Markets | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 4.1/ 5 | 4.0/ 5 |
| Min Deposit | No minimum | No minimum |
| Spreads From | 0.7 pips | 0.2 pips▼ lower |
| Taker Fee | N/A | 2.00% |
A closer look at the specific criteria each exchange meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | CMC Markets | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Pass |
| 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 Interactive Brokers rates 4/5. 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.
Interactive Brokers lists a lower spread from 0.2, 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 Interactive Brokers requires a minimum deposit, making both accessible regardless of starting capital.
Both CMC Markets and Interactive Brokers 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 Interactive Brokers's 1:1 cap. Margin and futures trading carry higher risk than spot crypto; confirm product availability and jurisdiction-specific limits on each exchange's website.
Interactive Brokers charges $2 per trade on commission-based accounts. Commission details for CMC Markets 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.
CMC Markets supports ProRealTime, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4, while Interactive Brokers supports Proprietary Web/Mobile. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile. CMC Markets has exclusive access to ProRealTime and MetaTrader 4.
Interactive Brokers 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.
Interactive Brokers wins for low fees with transparent 0.12–0.18% commissions and no spread markup.
CMC Markets wins for coin selection with 100+ crypto CFDs compared with IBKR's 9 coins.
Equally matched; both offer zero minimum deposits and accessible platforms.
Equally matched.
| N/A |
| 0.4 pips |
| Inactivity Fee | £10/month (after 12 months) | None |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card | Bank transferACH |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit card | Bank transferACH |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | First withdrawal/month free |
|---|
| Regulators | DFSA FMA FCA ASIC BaFin | DFSA FCA CNB CMVM CNV |
|---|
| 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 |
|---|
This comparison contrasts two regulated players in crypto trading with different asset breadth and fee models. The tension centers on ownership versus CFDs and inactivity costs.
CMC Markets and Interactive Brokers remain closely matched, with the clearest differentiator being inactivity fees; CMC imposes £10/month after 12 months, while Interactive Brokers does not.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 4.1 / 5
Score 4 / 5
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