Two established brokers square off over crypto CFDs, pitting FXCM's platform vigor and FCA/ASIC oversight against Saxo Bank's Danish licence and broader platform ecosystem.
FXCM and Saxo Bank are closely matched overall; Saxo Bank offers a broader coin selection.
Which exchange wins for each type of crypto trader, based on security, fees, coin selection, and editorial scoring.
Saxo Bank wins for security with a Danish banking licence and audited public accounts.
Saxo Bank is better for low fees, with classic tier spreads, while FXCM charges higher entry-level spreads.
| Criteria | ||
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 3.8/ 5 | 3.9/ 5 |
| Min Deposit | $50 | No minimum▼ lower |
| Spreads From | 0.4 pips▼ lower | 0.6 pips |
| Taker Fee | N/A | N/A |
| Inactivity Fee | $50/month (after 12 months)▼ lower |
A closer look at the specific criteria each exchange meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | FXCM | Saxo Bank |
|---|---|---|
| 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: FXCM rates 3.8/5 and Saxo Bank rates 3.9/5. Saxo Bank 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.
FXCM lists a lower spread from 0.4, compared with Saxo Bank's 0.6. 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.
Saxo Bank has no minimum deposit, while FXCM requires at least $50. This makes Saxo Bank more accessible for traders looking to start with a smaller crypto investment.
Both FXCM and Saxo Bank 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, two factors stand out: Saxo Bank has no minimum deposit, removing the capital barrier entirely, and both exchanges provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
FXCM offers up to 2:1 on perpetual or margin products, versus Saxo Bank'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.
FXCM supports ZuluTrade, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4, NinjaTrader, while Saxo Bank supports Proprietary Web/Mobile. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile. FXCM has exclusive access to ZuluTrade and MetaTrader 4 and NinjaTrader.
Saxo Bank wins for coin selection with 20 listed crypto CFDs versus FXCM's 4.
Equally matched for DeFi and Web3, as neither offers DeFi access.
| $100/quarter (low-balance accounts) |
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrill | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrill | Bank transfer |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free for first per month | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | FCA ASIC | DFSA FCA ASIC FINMA Finanstilsynet Finanstilsynet MFSA Finansinspektionen CBI KNF CMA FSC |
|---|
| 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 3.8 / 5
Personalised recommendation
Answer 6 quick questions and we’ll match you with the brokers that best fit your trading style, experience level, and country.
Find my broker