IG and Phemex face off in a clash of regulation versus native crypto trading. The tension centers on credibility, coin depth, and fee models.
Find out which crypto exchange best suits your trading profile.
Choose if…
Choose IG if you want strong regulatory oversight and trusted custody. You gain a zero minimum deposit, broad platform support, and a regulated framework that underpins crypto CFD trading.
Choose if…
Choose Phemex if you prefer a native crypto exchange with deep liquidity and a large coin catalog. You access 300+ trading pairs, zero maker fees on spot with a premium membership, and fast execution via a 300,000 TPS matching engine.
Which exchange wins for each type of crypto trader, based on security, fees, coin selection, and editorial scoring.
| Criteria | ||
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 4.2/ 5 | 3.9/ 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 | Phemex |
|---|---|---|
| Security | ||
| Cold storage for assets | Fail | Pass |
| Proof of reserves published | Fail | Pass |
| 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 | Fail |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Fail | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Fail |
The scores are close: IG rates 4.2/5 and Phemex rates 3.9/5. IG 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.
IG lists a spread from 0.6. Current spread data is not available for Phemex. Check both exchanges' full fee schedules, including maker/taker rates, for up-to-date pricing.
Neither IG nor Phemex requires a minimum deposit, making both accessible regardless of starting capital.
IG holds top-tier regulation (ASIC, FCA, DFSA), providing stronger investor protections. Phemex 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 Phemex's 100:1 cap. Margin and futures trading carry higher risk than spot crypto; confirm product availability and jurisdiction-specific limits on each exchange's website.
Phemex 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 Proprietary Web/Mobile, TradingView, MetaTrader 4, ProRealTime, while Phemex supports Proprietary Web/Mobile. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile. IG has exclusive access to TradingView and MetaTrader 4 and ProRealTime.
Phemex 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.
Phemex 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 Phemex's supported coins, lock-up terms, and estimated yields before committing.
IG wins for security due to top-tier regulators and segregated funds.
IG wins for beginners due to zero min deposit and regulated framework.
Phemex offers staking and yield-earning options while IG does not, making Phemex the better choice for holders who want to earn passive income on their crypto.
Equally matched; neither offers DeFi access.
| N/A |
| N/A |
| Inactivity Fee | £12/month (after 24 months) | None |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardPayPal | CryptoCredit cardDebit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferDebit cardPayPal | Crypto |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Network fee only |
|---|
| Regulators | ASIC FCA DFSA KNF Finansinspektionen CBI CMVM BaFin Finanstilsynet NFA FMA Finanstilsynet | — |
|---|
| Cold Storage | No | Yes |
|---|
| Proof of Reserves | No | Yes |
|---|
| Staking | No | Yes |
|---|
| 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 |
|---|
| Active bonuses | None | 2 offers |
|---|
IG has the higher editorial score and stronger regulatory framework, giving it the edge over Phemex; Phemex offers more coins but lacks regulation.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.9 / 5
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