Two CFD brokers, Deriv and Skilling, square off in crypto CFD trading. The tension focuses on regulation depth, coin selection, and platform experience.
Skilling edges Deriv on the editorial score, driven by stronger regulation and customer support.
Find out which crypto exchange best suits your trading profile.
Which exchange wins for each type of crypto trader, based on security, fees, coin selection, and editorial scoring.
Skilling wins for security due to CySEC/FCA/FSCA regulation and investor protection.
| Criteria | ||
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 3.4/ 5 | 3.7/ 5 |
| Min Deposit | $5▼ lower | $50 |
| Spreads From | 0.5 pips▼ lower | 0.7 pips |
| Taker Fee | N/A | N/A |
| Inactivity Fee | None |
A closer look at the specific criteria each exchange meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Deriv | Skilling |
|---|---|---|
| Security | ||
| Cold storage for assets | Fail | Fail |
| Proof of reserves published | Fail | Fail |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, etc.) | Fail | Pass |
| Fees | ||
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Fail | Pass |
| Transparent pricing page | Fail | Fail |
| 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 | Fail | Fail |
The scores are close: Deriv rates 3.4/5 and Skilling rates 3.7/5. Skilling 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.
Deriv lists a lower spread from 0.5, compared with Skilling'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.
Deriv has $5, while Skilling requires at least $50. This makes Deriv more accessible for traders looking to start with a smaller crypto investment.
Skilling holds top-tier regulation (FCA, FSCA, CySEC), providing stronger investor protections. Deriv may be regulated but does not hold top-tier status in our data. Verify regulatory status on each regulator's public register before depositing funds.
For beginners, two factors stand out: Deriv requires a lower minimum deposit ($5), lowering the barrier to entry, and Skilling provides negative balance protection, capping losses at your deposit amount. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
Deriv offers up to 2:1 on perpetual or margin products, versus Skilling'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.
Deriv supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, DXtrade, while Skilling supports cTrader, Skilling Trader, MetaTrader 4. Deriv has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5 and Proprietary Web/Mobile and DXtrade. Skilling has exclusive access to cTrader and Skilling Trader and MetaTrader 4.
Skilling 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.
Skilling leads on fees and spreads per the editorial scores.
Equally matched; neither offers DeFi access or Web3 features.
| $10/month (after 90 days) |
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerFasaPayCrypto | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerFasaPayCrypto | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | FSC BVI LFSA MFSA VFSC | FCA FSCA CySEC |
|---|
| 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 3.4 / 5
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