In this crypto CFD comparison, FBS and Pepperstone square off on regulatory oversight, platform breadth, and access. The axis of tension centers on safety, coin selection, and fee structure.
Pepperstone edges FBS on the editorial score, reflecting stronger regulation and broader platform coverage. Pepperstone offers MT4/MT5, cTrader, TradingView, and IRESS across its platform suite.
Find out which crypto exchange best suits your trading profile.
Choose FBS if…
Choose FBS if you prioritise a $1 minimum deposit. It supports MT4 and MT5 with crypto CFDs.
Choose Pepperstone if…
Choose Pepperstone if you want strong regulation and a broad platform suite. You gain access to MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView and IRESS.
Which exchange wins for each type of crypto trader, based on security, fees, coin selection, and editorial scoring.
Pepperstone has regulatory oversight from FCA/ASIC with segregated client funds.
Pepperstone has no inactivity fee, contributing to lower ongoing costs.
| Criteria | ||
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 3.4/ 5 | 4.0/ 5 |
| Min Deposit | $1 | No minimum▼ lower |
| Spreads From | 0 pips | 0 pips |
| Taker Fee | 20.00% | 7.00%▼ lower |
A closer look at the specific criteria each exchange meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | FBS | Pepperstone |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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 | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Fail |
Pepperstone rates 4/5 versus 3.4/5 for FBS. Pepperstone edges ahead on our composite score, though both exchanges meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
Both FBS and Pepperstone list the same spread figure of 0. Compare each exchange's full fee schedule, including maker/taker rates and any volume discounts, to evaluate total trading costs.
Pepperstone has no minimum deposit, while FBS requires at least $1. This makes Pepperstone more accessible for traders looking to start with a smaller crypto investment.
Pepperstone holds top-tier regulation (DFSA, FMA, FCA), providing stronger investor protections. FBS 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.
Pepperstone stands out for beginners: it has a lower entry point and provides negative balance protection, which caps losses at your deposited amount. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
FBS offers up to 2:1 on perpetual or margin products, versus Pepperstone'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.
Pepperstone charges $7 per trade, lower than FBS's $20 per trade. Lower commissions benefit active traders who execute many trades per day. 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.
FBS supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4, while Pepperstone supports cTrader, IRESS, MetaTrader 5, TradingView, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4. Pepperstone has exclusive access to cTrader and IRESS and TradingView.
Pepperstone 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.
Equally matched for DeFi and Web3 access.
| 2 pips |
| 0.7 pips▼ lower |
| Inactivity Fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerFasaPayPerfect Money | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardPayPalSkrill |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerFasaPayPerfect Money | Bank transferCredit cardPayPalSkrill |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | FSCA CySEC IFSC | DFSA FMA FCA ASIC BaFin 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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