Saxo Bank and XTB square off in the regulated CFD crypto space, weighing asset depth, platform quality, and service features across two distinct execution and support models.
XTB is the overall winner, with a higher editorial score of 4.2 versus 3.9 and a broader crypto offering. Saxo Bank remains strong on regulation and platform quality.
Find out which crypto exchange best suits your trading profile.
Which exchange wins for each type of crypto trader, based on security, fees, coin selection, and editorial scoring.
Saxo Bank wins for security, backed by a Danish banking licence and audited public accounts.
XTB offers competitive spreads on major crypto pairs while Saxo's classic spreads are wider.
| Criteria | ||
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 3.9/ 5 | 4.2/ 5 |
| Min Deposit | No minimum | No minimum |
| Spreads From | 0.6 pips▼ lower | 0.8 pips |
| Taker Fee | N/A | N/A |
| Inactivity Fee | $100/quarter (low-balance accounts) | €10/month (after 12 months)▼ lower |
A closer look at the specific criteria each exchange meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Saxo Bank | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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 | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Fail |
The scores are close: Saxo Bank rates 3.9/5 and XTB rates 4.2/5. XTB 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.
Saxo Bank lists a lower spread from 0.6, compared with XTB's 0.8. 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.
Neither Saxo Bank nor XTB requires a minimum deposit, making both accessible regardless of starting capital.
Both Saxo Bank and XTB 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, both exchanges provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources on each exchange's site before deciding.
Saxo Bank offers up to 2:1 on perpetual or margin products, versus XTB'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.
Saxo Bank supports SaxoTraderGO, Proprietary Web/Mobile, while XTB supports xStation 5, MetaTrader 4. Saxo Bank has exclusive access to SaxoTraderGO and Proprietary Web/Mobile. XTB has exclusive access to xStation 5 and MetaTrader 4.
Equally matched on DeFi and Web3 since neither offers DeFi features.
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transfer | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | FCA ASIC JFSA MAS DFSA FINMA Finanstilsynet ACPR CNMV Finanstilsynet MFSA SFC Finansinspektionen CBI KNF CMA FSC | FCA CySEC KNF |
|---|
| 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 3.9 / 5
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