Two CFD brokers square off over crypto exposure, regulation, and platform robustness. The comparison weighs trust, tools, and customer protections against accessibility and high-leverage features.
ThinkMarkets wins on editorial score, supported by stronger regulation, platform tools, and investor protections.
Find out which crypto exchange best suits your trading profile.
Choose FBS if…
Choose FBS if you prefer a very low barrier to entry with a $1 minimum deposit. It also targets markets with six crypto coins and offshore regulation, which can affect investor protections.
Choose ThinkMarkets if…
Choose ThinkMarkets if you want access to a broader crypto range and a more rigorous regulatory framework. It features no minimum deposit on standard accounts, top-tier regulators (FCA, ASIC, FSCA, JFSA) and a comprehensive protection setup, plus multiple trading platforms including ThinkTrader and TradingView.
Which exchange wins for each type of crypto trader, based on security, fees, coin selection, and editorial scoring.
ThinkMarkets wins for security due to FCA/ASIC/FSCA/JFSA regulation and client money protection.
| Criteria | ||
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 3.4/ 5 | 3.8/ 5 |
| Min Deposit | $1 | No minimum▼ lower |
| Spreads From | 0 pips▼ lower | 0.4 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 | ThinkMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
The scores are close: FBS rates 3.4/5 and ThinkMarkets rates 3.8/5. ThinkMarkets 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.
FBS lists a lower spread from 0, compared with ThinkMarkets's 0.4. 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.
ThinkMarkets has no minimum deposit, while FBS requires at least $1. This makes ThinkMarkets more accessible for traders looking to start with a smaller crypto investment.
ThinkMarkets holds top-tier regulation (FCA, FSCA, JFSA), 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.
ThinkMarkets 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 ThinkMarkets'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.
ThinkMarkets 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 ThinkMarkets supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, TradingView, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4. ThinkMarkets has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile and TradingView.
ThinkMarkets 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.
ThinkMarkets has a higher Fees & Spreads score (3.7 vs 3.4).
ThinkMarkets wins coin selection with 20+ coins versus 6 at FBS.
ThinkMarkets is better for beginners due to no minimum deposit and broader platform access.
Equally matched.
| 2 pips |
| 1.1 pips▼ lower |
| Inactivity Fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerFasaPayPerfect Money | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerFasaPayPerfect Money | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | FSCA CySEC IFSC | FCA FSCA JFSA 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 3.4 / 5
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