IG vs ThinkMarkets Crypto Exchange Comparison
A head-to-head comparison of IG and ThinkMarkets across security, fees, coin selection, staking, and editorial scoring.
Score 4.2 / 5
IG offers a wide cryptocurrency CFD range - including weekend markets and overnight volatility indices - backed by its LSE-listed regulatory credibility, though spread-only pricing makes it less competitive for high-frequency crypto traders.
VS
Score 3.8 / 5
ThinkMarkets offers crypto CFDs on 20+ pairs via MT4, MT5, and ThinkTrader under FCA and ASIC regulation - a well-regulated mobile-first broker with a competitive crypto CFD offering for active traders.
Our Verdict
IG winsby 0.4 pts
IG edges ahead with a score of 4.2/5 vs ThinkMarkets's 3.8/5. A narrow margin, so review the breakdown below to see where each broker has a clear advantage.
Verdict by Trader Profile
Which exchange wins for each type of crypto trader, based on security, fees, coin selection, and editorial scoring.
Best for security
It's a tie
Both equally suited
Both exchanges show an equally strong security profile across cold storage, proof of reserves, and regulatory oversight.
Best for low fees
Recommended
ThinkMarkets has a lower fee profile: no deposit fee, no inactivity fee.
Best for beginners
Recommended
IG edges out ThinkMarkets with a higher editorial score (4.2/5 vs 3.8/5), indicating a stronger overall experience for new crypto traders.
Best for coin selection
Insufficient data
Data not yet available
Coin-selection data is not yet available for this pair. Check each exchange's supported assets page to compare the number of tradeable cryptocurrencies.
Best for DeFi & Web3
Insufficient data
Data not yet available
DeFi and NFT feature data is not yet available for this pair. Check each exchange's Web3 product pages directly.
IG vs ThinkMarkets: Side-by-Side Crypto Exchange Comparison
| Criteria |  IG |  ThinkMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial Score | 4.2/ 5 | 3.8/ 5 |
| Min. Deposit | No minimum | No minimum |
| Regulators | FCA ASIC DFSA CMVM BaFin Finansinspektionen Finanstilsynet FMA CBI Finanstilsynet KNF | FCA FSCA ASIC JFSA |
| 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 |
| Visit exchange | Visit IG | Visit ThinkMarkets |
IG vs ThinkMarkets Crypto Exchange Pros & Cons
Pros
- 70+ cryptocurrencies including weekend Bitcoin and Ethereum markets
- FCA-listed regulatory framework - significantly stronger than most crypto exchanges
- Available on IG's proprietary platform, ProRealTime charts, and MT4
- No deposit or withdrawal fee on standard funding methods
Cons
- Spread-only market maker pricing - wider than specialist crypto exchanges
- No real crypto ownership, staking, or self-custody
- No crypto-to-crypto pairs or DeFi access
- Overnight financing costs accumulate on held CFD positions
Pros
- ThinkTrader is one of the highest-rated mobile platforms in retail CFD trading
- FCA and ASIC regulated with FSCS and ASIC client money protection
- Crypto CFDs across MT4, MT5, and ThinkTrader with ThinkCopy social trading
- No minimum deposit on standard accounts
Cons
- CFDs only - no real crypto ownership, staking, or on-chain access
- Narrower coin selection (20+) than most competitors at this level
- ThinkCopy ecosystem smaller than eToro's or NAGA's social platforms
- ThinkZero account with tighter spreads requires a separate application
IG vs ThinkMarkets: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each exchange meets or misses within each scoring category.
1
IG
criteria win
2
ThinkMarkets
criteria wins
Highlighted rows show where the two exchanges differ
| Criteria | IG | ThinkMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Pass |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Fail |
| 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 | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
IG vs ThinkMarkets: Frequently Asked Questions
Based on our independent editorial scoring, IG ranks higher with a score of 4.2/5 vs 3.8/5 for ThinkMarkets. The best choice still depends on your individual needs — security, coin selection, fees, and staking offerings all matter.
IG and ThinkMarkets show a similar security profile in our data. Both should be evaluated on cold storage practices, proof of reserves, regulatory oversight, and whether client funds are held separately from operational funds.
ThinkMarkets has a lower fee profile, with no deposit fee and no inactivity fee. Always check each platform's trading fee schedule directly, as crypto exchange fees vary by asset, trading volume, and account tier.
Neither IG nor ThinkMarkets is listed as offering staking in our data. Check each exchange's website directly for the most up-to-date staking offerings, as this feature changes frequently.
Both IG and ThinkMarkets require a minimum deposit of no minimum to start trading.
For beginners: IG has a higher overall editorial score. Also consider each exchange's educational resources, customer support quality, and the simplicity of their user interface before deciding.
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