Two contrasting crypto brokers meet in this comparison. IG offers regulated CFD access with extensive oversight, while Pionex emphasizes native trading and built-in bots.
Find out which crypto exchange best suits your trading profile.
Choose if…
Choose IG if you value strong regulatory oversight and weekend crypto CFDs.
Choose if…
Choose Pionex if you want a native exchange with 300+ coins and built-in automation.
Which exchange wins for each type of crypto trader, based on security, fees, coin selection, and editorial scoring.
| Criteria | ||
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 4.2/ 5 | 4.0/ 5 |
| Min Deposit | No minimum | No minimum |
| Spreads From | 0.6 pips | N/A |
| Taker Fee | N/A | 0.05% |
A closer look at the specific criteria each exchange meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | IG | Pionex |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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 | Pass | Fail |
The scores are close: IG rates 4.2/5 and Pionex rates 4/5. 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 Pionex. Check both exchanges' full fee schedules, including maker/taker rates, for up-to-date pricing.
Neither IG nor Pionex requires a minimum deposit, making both accessible regardless of starting capital.
IG holds top-tier regulation (ASIC, FCA, DFSA), providing stronger investor protections. Pionex 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 Pionex's 5:1 cap. Margin and futures trading carry higher risk than spot crypto; confirm product availability and jurisdiction-specific limits on each exchange's website.
Pionex charges $0.05 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 Pionex supports Proprietary Web/Mobile. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile. IG has exclusive access to TradingView and MetaTrader 4 and ProRealTime.
Pionex 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.
IG wins for security with top-tier regulation and segregated client funds.
IG is better for beginners due to strong regulation and broad platform support.
Equally matched.
| N/A |
| N/A |
| Inactivity Fee | £12/month (after 24 months) | None |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardPayPal | CryptoBank transferCredit cardDebit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferDebit cardPayPal | CryptoBank transfer |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Network fee only |
|---|
| Regulators | ASIC FCA DFSA KNF Finansinspektionen CBI CMVM BaFin Finanstilsynet NFA FMA Finanstilsynet | MAS |
|---|
| Cold Storage | No | Yes |
|---|
| 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 |
|---|
| Active bonuses | None | 2 offers |
|---|
IG outperforms Pionex on editorial score and regulatory stature, delivering stronger trust for IG investors.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 4 / 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