This comparison pits a regulated CFD broker against a native crypto exchange, highlighting regulatory scope, platform breadth, and fee structures as the decisive axes.
Find out which crypto exchange best suits your trading profile.
Choose if…
Choose IG if you value strong regulation and a trusted platform.
Choose if…
Choose MEXC if you want an extensive coin universe and low maker fees.
Which exchange wins for each type of crypto trader, based on security, fees, coin selection, and editorial scoring.
| Criteria | ||
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 4.2/ 5 | 3.6/ 5 |
| Min Deposit | No minimum | No minimum |
| Spreads From | 0.6 pips | N/A |
| Taker Fee | N/A | 0.10% |
A closer look at the specific criteria each exchange meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | IG | MEXC |
|---|---|---|
| Security | ||
| Cold storage for assets | Fail | Pass |
| Proof of reserves published | Fail | Fail |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Fail |
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, etc.) | Pass | Fail |
| Fees | ||
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Fail | Pass |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Pass |
| Features | ||
| Staking available | Fail | Pass |
| DeFi integration | Fail | Fail |
| NFT trading | Fail | Fail |
| 500+ coins listed | Fail | Pass |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Fail | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Fail |
IG rates 4.2/5 versus 3.6/5 for MEXC. IG edges ahead on our composite score, though both exchanges meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
IG lists a spread from 0.6. Current spread data is not available for MEXC. Check both exchanges' full fee schedules, including maker/taker rates, for up-to-date pricing.
Neither IG nor MEXC requires a minimum deposit, making both accessible regardless of starting capital.
IG holds top-tier regulation (ASIC, Finansinspektionen, FCA), providing stronger investor protections. MEXC 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, IG provides negative balance protection, capping losses at your deposit amount. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources on each exchange's site before deciding.
IG offers up to 2:1 on perpetual or margin products, versus MEXC's 200:1 cap. Margin and futures trading carry higher risk than spot crypto; confirm product availability and jurisdiction-specific limits on each exchange's website.
MEXC charges $0.1 per trade on commission-based accounts. Commission details for IG 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.
IG supports ProRealTime, Proprietary Web/Mobile, TradingView, MetaTrader 4, while MEXC supports MEXC. IG has exclusive access to ProRealTime and Proprietary Web/Mobile and TradingView and MetaTrader 4. MEXC has exclusive access to MEXC.
MEXC 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.
MEXC offers staking while IG does not according to our data. Staking lets you earn passive yield on your crypto holdings directly through the exchange. Check MEXC's supported coins, lock-up terms, and estimated yields before committing.
MEXC lists 500+ coins while IG does not meet this threshold in our data. For traders who want access to many altcoins, MEXC has the broader selection. Confirm specific coin availability for your region on each exchange's website.
IG wins for security thanks to top-tier regulation and funds segregation.
IG is best for beginners due to strong regulation and trusted platforms.
MEXC offers staking and yield-earning options while IG does not, making MEXC the better choice for holders who want to earn passive income on their crypto.
| N/A |
| N/A |
| Inactivity Fee | £12/month (after 24 months) | None |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardPayPal | CryptoP2PCredit cardDebit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferDebit cardPayPal | CryptoP2P |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Network fee only |
|---|
| Regulators | ASIC Finansinspektionen FCA CMVM DFSA KNF CBI BaFin Finanstilsynet NFA FMA Finanstilsynet | — |
|---|
| Cold Storage | No | Yes |
|---|
| Proof of Reserves | No | No |
|---|
| Staking | No | Yes |
|---|
| DeFi Integration | No | No |
|---|
| NFT Trading | No | No |
|---|
| 500+ Coins | No | Yes |
|---|
| P2P Trading | No | Yes |
|---|
| Crypto Earn / Savings | No | Yes |
|---|
| Token Launchpad | No | Yes |
|---|
| Active bonuses | None | 2 offers |
|---|
IG is the editorial winner, supported by its higher score and a strong regulatory framework, while MEXC trails on regulation and overall score despite its vast coin universe.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.6 / 5
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