Two regulated CFD players clash on crypto coverage, pricing models, and platform depth, testing whether breadth or fixed spreads best serves crypto traders.
CMC Markets edges Trade Nation on editorial score due to broader regulation and larger crypto CFD range.
Find out which crypto exchange best suits your trading profile.
Choose CMC Markets if…
Choose CMC Markets if you want access to 100 crypto CFDs and multilingual support. You also get live chat 24/5.
Choose Trade Nation if…
Choose Trade Nation if you value fixed crypto spreads and zero minimum deposit under FCA and ASIC oversight.
Which exchange wins for each type of crypto trader, based on security, fees, coin selection, and editorial scoring.
CMC Markets wins for security, as it is regulated by FCA, ASIC, BaFin, FMA and DFSA, offering broader oversight.
| Criteria | ||
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 4.1/ 5 | 3.7/ 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) | None |
A closer look at the specific criteria each exchange meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | CMC Markets | Trade Nation |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Trade Nation rates 3.7/5. 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.
Trade Nation 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 Trade Nation requires a minimum deposit, making both accessible regardless of starting capital.
Both CMC Markets and Trade Nation 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 Trade Nation'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 Trade Nation supports Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile and MetaTrader 4. CMC Markets has exclusive access to ProRealTime.
CMC Markets wins for lower implied costs, reflected in the higher Fees & Spreads score.
CMC Markets wins for coin selection with 100 crypto CFDs versus 5.
Equally matched; both have zero minimum deposits and solid regulatory oversight.
Equally matched, as neither offers DeFi or Web3 features.
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit card | Bank transferCredit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| 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 3.7 / 5
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