Two multi-asset brokers, CMC Markets and Swissquote, square off in crypto CFDs. The tension centers on asset breadth versus platform depth.
CMC Markets and Swissquote are closely matched overall for crypto CFDs; the clearest differentiator is coin selection, with CMC offering 100 coins versus Swissquote's 20.
Find out which crypto exchange best suits your trading profile.
Choose CMC Markets if…
Choose CMC Markets for a broad 100-coin crypto CFD range and 24/5 live chat.
Choose Swissquote if…
Choose Swissquote for real crypto purchases and custody under FINMA regulation with Swiss depositor protection.
Which exchange wins for each type of crypto trader, based on security, fees, coin selection, and editorial scoring.
Swissquote has FINMA licensing and Swiss depositor protection, strengthening security.
CMC Markets offers comparatively lower costs than Swissquote's premium spreads.
| Criteria | ||
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 4.1/ 5 | 4.1/ 5 |
| Min Deposit | No minimum▼ lower | $1,000 |
| Spreads From | 0.7 pips▼ lower | 1.7 pips |
| Taker Fee | N/A | N/A |
| Inactivity Fee | £10/month (after 12 months) | CHF 10/month (after 6 months) |
A closer look at the specific criteria each exchange meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | CMC Markets | Swissquote |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
CMC Markets and Swissquote share the same editorial score of 4.1/5. One concrete differentiator: CMC Markets requires a lower minimum deposit.
CMC Markets lists a lower spread from 0.7, compared with Swissquote's 1.7. 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 Swissquote requires at least $1000. This makes CMC Markets more accessible for traders looking to start with a smaller crypto investment.
Both CMC Markets and Swissquote 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 Swissquote'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 Swissquote supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile and MetaTrader 4. CMC Markets has exclusive access to ProRealTime. Swissquote has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5.
CMC Markets provides a broader coin selection with 100 coins.
Equally matched; neither offers DeFi integration or staking.
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit card | Bank transfer |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | DFSA FMA FCA BaFin ASIC | DFSA FCA FINMA |
|---|
| 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
Score 4.1 / 5
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