FXCM and Swissquote face off on regulation, asset breadth, and platform power. One leans on FCA/ASIC oversight, the other on FINMA supervision and real crypto access.
Swissquote edges FXCM on the editorial score, backed by FINMA regulation and broader coin selection.
Find out which crypto exchange best suits your trading profile.
Choose FXCM if…
Choose FXCM if you want a low minimum deposit and 24/5 live chat support.
Choose Swissquote if…
Choose Swissquote if you value FINMA oversight and a broader coin selection.
Which exchange wins for each type of crypto trader, based on security, fees, coin selection, and editorial scoring.
Swissquote wins for security with FINMA oversight and Swiss depositor protection.
FXCM is best for low fees due to a higher Fees & Spreads score.
| Criteria | ||
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 3.8/ 5 | 4.1/ 5 |
| Min Deposit | $50▼ lower | $1,000 |
| Spreads From | 0.4 pips▼ lower | 1.7 pips |
| Taker Fee | N/A | N/A |
| Inactivity Fee | $50/month (after 12 months) | CHF 10/month (after 6 months) |
A closer look at the specific criteria each exchange meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | FXCM | Swissquote |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Swissquote rates 4.1/5. Swissquote 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 Swissquote's 1.7. 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.
FXCM has $50, while Swissquote requires at least $1000. This makes FXCM more accessible for traders looking to start with a smaller crypto investment.
Both FXCM and Swissquote 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: FXCM requires a lower minimum deposit ($50), lowering the barrier to entry, 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 Swissquote'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 Swissquote supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile and MetaTrader 4. FXCM has exclusive access to ZuluTrade and NinjaTrader. Swissquote has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5.
Swissquote wins for coin selection with 20 coins vs FXCM’s 4.
Equally matched for DeFi and Web3 since neither offers DeFi access.
| 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 FINMA |
|---|
| 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
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