Two regulated brokers face off over crypto access, platform power, and pricing. The tension lies in Swissquote's banking grade security versus Global Prime's execution focused crypto CFDs.
Swissquote edges Global Prime on editorial score (4.1 vs 3.7) due to stronger regulation and platform capabilities. Global Prime offers more competitive crypto pricing.
Find out which crypto exchange best suits your trading profile.
Choose Global Prime if…
Choose Global Prime if you value ASIC regulation and institutional grade execution. You benefit from a $200 minimum deposit and competitive crypto pricing.
Choose Swissquote if…
Choose Swissquote if you want real crypto purchases and custody under a FINMA regulated Swiss banking license. You access 20 coins and a platform mix including MT4, MT5 and proprietary Web/Mobile.
Which exchange wins for each type of crypto trader, based on security, fees, coin selection, and editorial scoring.
Swissquote wins with FINMA regulation and Swiss banking protection.
| Criteria | ||
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 3.7/ 5 | 4.1/ 5 |
| Min Deposit | $200▼ lower | $1,000 |
| Spreads From | 0 pips▼ lower | 1.7 pips |
| Taker Fee | 7.00% | N/A |
A closer look at the specific criteria each exchange meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Global Prime | 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 | Pass | 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 | Fail | Fail |
| Phone support | Fail | Pass |
The scores are close: Global Prime rates 3.7/5 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.
Global Prime lists a lower spread from 0, 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.
Global Prime has $200, while Swissquote requires at least $1000. This makes Global Prime more accessible for traders looking to start with a smaller crypto investment.
Both Global Prime 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: Global Prime requires a lower minimum deposit ($200), lowering the barrier to entry, and both exchanges provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
Global Prime 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.
Global Prime charges $7 per trade on commission-based accounts. Commission details for Swissquote are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing. 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.
Global Prime supports cTrader, MetaTrader 4, while Swissquote supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 4. Global Prime has exclusive access to cTrader. Swissquote has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5 and Proprietary Web/Mobile.
Global Prime 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.
Global Prime is best for low fees due to raw ECN spreads and low commissions.
Equally matched.
| 0.7 pips |
| N/A |
| Inactivity Fee | None | CHF 10/month (after 6 months) |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardPayPalSkrill | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit card | Bank transfer |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | ASIC VFSC | 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 3.7 / 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