Two CFD brokers vie for crypto traders on regulation, fees, and platform reach. The tension centers on oversight, compensation schemes, and pricing clarity.
Tickmill edges out FBS on the editorial score due to stronger regulation, compensation coverage, and transparent pricing.
Find out which crypto exchange best suits your trading profile.
Choose FBS if…
Choose FBS if you want a $1 minimum deposit to start trading quickly. You can access MT4 and MT5 with automated crypto trading support for faster execution. You also benefit from 24/7 multilingual chat support that helps you trade in Asian markets.
Choose Tickmill if…
Choose Tickmill if you prioritise regulated trading with FCA, CySEC, and FSCA oversight. You also benefit from one of the lowest ECN commissions in the market, at around $2 per lot round-turn. You gain transparent pricing, and MT4/MT5 with automated trading options to run strategies.
Which exchange wins for each type of crypto trader, based on security, fees, coin selection, and editorial scoring.
Tickmill provides stronger security with FCA/CySEC/FSCA oversight and compensation schemes.
| Criteria | ||
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 3.4/ 5 | 3.9/ 5 |
| Min Deposit | $1▼ lower | $100 |
| Spreads From | 0 pips | 0 pips |
| Taker Fee | 20.00% | 6.00%▼ lower |
A closer look at the specific criteria each exchange meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | FBS | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Fail |
| 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 | Fail |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
Tickmill rates 3.9/5 versus 3.4/5 for FBS. Tickmill edges ahead on our composite score, though both exchanges meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
Both FBS and Tickmill 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.
FBS has $1, while Tickmill requires at least $100. This makes FBS more accessible for traders looking to start with a smaller crypto investment.
Tickmill holds top-tier regulation (FCA, FSCA, CySEC), 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.
For beginners, two factors stand out: FBS requires a lower minimum deposit ($1), lowering the barrier to entry, and Tickmill provides negative balance protection, capping losses at your deposit amount. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
FBS offers up to 2:1 on perpetual or margin products, versus Tickmill'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.
Tickmill charges $6 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 Tickmill supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4.
Tickmill offers low ECN commissions; FBS pricing is not transparent.
FBS offers a $1 minimum deposit with multilingual support; Tickmill requires higher deposits.
DeFi and Web3 features are equally matched, as neither offers DeFi access or integration.
| 2 pips |
| 0.6 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 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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