Best Bitcoin Trading Brokers in May 2026

Written by Emmanuel Ifeanyi

Emmanuel Ifeanyi

Emmanuel Ifeanyi Ekwomadu is a financial content writer specialised in Forex, Stock and Crypto trading. He is the person behind most of the brokers reviews that you will find on BestBrokers.com

, | Expert Editor Eugene Lee, CFA

Eugene Lee, CFA

Eugene Lee, CFA, is an investment strategist and quantitative researcher with over two decades of experience navigating global markets. Having worked on trading and portfolio management teams covering multi-billion dollar portfolios across equities, fixed income, and derivatives.

, | Updated: May 1, 2026

Bitcoin launched in January 2009 and continues to attract traders and investors worldwide due to its high price volatility. The original cryptocurrency is widely available for trading online, though the number of brokers offering it can make selection difficult. The following 9 Bitcoin trading brokers were selected based on several ranking factors, including Trustpilot score, regulation, fees for trading Bitcoin as a CFD, trade execution speed, deposit methods, and withdrawal speed.

1Plus500 US

Rating: 4.2 ⭐

This content applies only to Plus500 US and clients from the United States. Trading futures involves the risk of loss.

Top Rated

2eToro

Rating: 4.2 ⭐

50% of retail investor accounts lose money

3Fusion Markets

Rating: 4.8 ⭐

74-89% of retail's CFD accounts lose money

4FP Markets

Rating: 4.9 ⭐

73.33% of retail investor accounts lose money

5BlackBull Markets

Rating: 4.8 ⭐

Trading leveraged products is risky

6Eightcap

Rating: 4 ⭐

59.57% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.

7Pepperstone

Rating: 4.4 ⭐

72.9% of retail investor accounts lose money

8AvaTrade

Rating: 4.7 ⭐

57% of retail investor accounts lose money

9Swissquote

Rating: 3.7 ⭐

61% of retail investor accounts lose money

BestBrokers.com focuses on helping readers identify regulated Bitcoin brokers suited to their trading style and objectives. Each review is based on research covering regulation, trading fees, execution, and banking methods.

The team behind BestBrokers.com has analyzed Bitcoin brokers since the cryptocurrency’s early years. Reviews are revisited regularly to reflect changes in a broker’s offerings, regulatory status, or trading conditions.

Best Bitcoin Brokers

1. TRADE NOW READ REVIEW

   

   4.8/5
   1. Fusion Markets

   Regulated By

   FSA (Seychelles), ASIC (Australia), VFSC (Vanuatu)

   BTC Spreads/Fees

   BTC/USD: 20.65 avg, 14.24 min; BCH/USD: 2.78 avg, 2.6 min

   BTC Leverage

   1:2 (ASIC), 1:10 (VFSC, FSA)

   BTC Margin

   50% (ASIC), 10% (VFSC)

   Supported Altcoins

   Ethereum, Dogecoin, Solana, Cardano, Bitcoin Cash, Polkadot, Binance Coin, Avalanche, Polygon, Stellar, EOS, Chainlink

   Country Restrictions

   Russia, Congo, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Myanmar, North Korea, Ontario, New Zealand, Ukraine, Syria, Sudan, Japan, USA, Somalia, Palestine, Yemen, Spain
   Gleneagle Asset Management Limited (ABN 29 103 162 278) trading as Fusion Markets, is the issuer of the Fusion Markets Products described in this communication. Trading in Fusion Markets Products involves the potential for profit as well as the risk of loss which may vastly exceed the amount of your initial deposit and is not suitable for all investors. You should read all of these Financial Product Service Terms, the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and the Financial Services Guide (available on our website) carefully, consider your own financial situation, needs and objectives for investing in these Fusion Markets Products and obtain independent financial advice.

   Fusion Markets is an Australian brokerage that began offering trading services in 2019 (parent company Gleneagle Asset Management was incorporated in 2017). The Melbourne-based company operates with licenses from the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), the Vanuatu Financial Services Commission (VFSC), and the Financial Services Authority (FSA) of Seychelles, offering competitive trading conditions to retail customers worldwide. Clients have access to a range of 250 financial instruments, with commissions starting at $2.25 per side per standard lot on forex and metals.

   Retail Bitcoin traders can leverage their positions at maximum ratios of 1:2 or 1:10, depending on their country of residence. Spreads for Bitcoin against the US dollar average 20.65 pips, with no commissions on trades executed through classic accounts. The broker also supports trading on a range of altcoins, including Ethereum, Stellar, Cardano, Avalanche, Chainlink, Eos, Polygon, Polkadot, and Solana.

   Registered customers can trade Bitcoin via established platforms, including MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, as well as TradingView and cTrader. Fusion Markets has no minimum deposit requirement, letting customers start trading Bitcoin at any account size. Margin requirements for Bitcoin trades vary with lot size. Clients can determine the minimum margin needed to open and maintain a position using Fusion Markets’ free trading calculators.

2. TRADE NOW READ REVIEW

   

   4.9/5
   2. FP Markets

   Regulated By

   CySEC (Cyprus), ASIC (Australia), FSA (Seychelles), FSCA (South Africa), SCB (Bahamas), FSCM (Mauritius), CMA (Kenya)

   BTC Spreads/Fees

   BTC/USD: 19.21 pips, BCH/USD: 1.46 pips

   BTC Leverage

   1:2 for retail and professional accounts (EU)

   BTC Margin

   50% for retail clients, 20% for professional clients

   Supported Altcoins

   Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum, Litecoin, EOS, Ripple, Cardano, Stellar, Solana, Chainlink, Polkadot, Dogecoin

   Country Restrictions

   Russia, USA, Afghanistan, Liberia, Palestine, Myanmar, Somalia, Iran, Cuba, Iraq, Yemen, Syria, Sudan, Libya
   Risk Warning: CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 73.33% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

   FP Markets is an Australian brokerage founded in 2005 with competitive pricing and a broad product lineup. The company serves customers across multiple jurisdictions and holds licenses from the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), ASIC, the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) of South Africa, and offshore authorities in Mauritius and Seychelles. Over 10,000 products are available for trading at FP Markets, including a dozen or so cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash.

   Registered clients can trade Bitcoin via third-party platforms like MT5 and MT4 without the need for cryptocurrency wallets. Bitcoin is only available as a Contract for Difference (CFD) — FP Markets does not offer spot exchange services. Customers can monitor the Bitcoin market through live price streams and customizable alerts.

   New Bitcoin traders can build their knowledge through detailed guides in the education section. The broker advertises average spreads of 19.21 for BTC/USD and charges no commissions on standard accounts. Retail cryptocurrency traders in Australia and the EU face leverage caps of 1:2, while professional traders in those jurisdictions can access ratios of 1:5. Clients in other regions can access leverage of up to 1:50 on Bitcoin positions.

3. TRADE NOW READ REVIEW

   

   4.8/5
   3. BlackBull Markets

   Regulated By:

   FMA (New Zealand), FSA (Seychelles)

   BTC Spreads/Fees:

   Floating spreads: 270.10 for BTC/USD

   BTC Leverage:

   1:100 for all clients

   BTC Margin:

   1%

   Supported Altcoins:

   Ethereum, Solana, Cardano, Ripple, Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash, Official Trump, Fetch.ai, Injective, Nakamoto, Avalanche, Illuvium, Pyth, Polygon, Polkadot, and more

   Country Restrictions:

   Canada, USA, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, Syria, Belarus, Philippines, Panama, Kenya, Algeria, Iraq, Libya, Nigeria, Ukraine, and OFAC-sanctioned countries
   Trading foreign exchange on margin carries a high level of risk and may not be suitable for all investors. The high degree of leverage can work against you as well as for you. Before deciding to trade foreign exchange, you should carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite. The possibility exists that you could sustain a loss of some or all of your initial investment and, therefore, you should not invest money you cannot afford to lose. You should make yourself aware of all the risks associated with foreign exchange trading and seek advice from an independent financial advisor if you have any questions or concerns as to how a loss would affect your lifestyle.

   BlackBull Markets is a New Zealand-based broker founded in 2014, offering Forex and 26,000 other CFD instruments at competitive conditions. The broker’s Cryptocurrencies category covers over 20 popular digital assets, including Bitcoin.

   To speculate on the price of Bitcoin, clients can trade the BTC/USD pair on MT4, MT5, cTrader, and TradingView through a BlackBull account. Under the entity licensed by the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) of New Zealand, maximum leverage on BTC/USD is 1:100 with a 1% margin requirement.

   BlackBull offers floating spreads on BTC/USD, which update continuously with shifting market conditions. Relative to peer brokers, BlackBull’s pricing on crypto CFDs is competitive.

4. TRADE NOW READ REVIEW

   

   4.2/5
   4. Plus500

   Regulated by

   ASIC, FMA, CySEC, MAS, FCA, ISA, FSCA, EFSA, DFSA, JFSA, SCB, SCA (UAE), FSA (Seychelles)

   BTC Spreads/Fees

   0.15% over-market for BTC/USD, 1.93% over-market for BCH/USD

   BTC Leverage

   1:2 for retail customers in the EU and Australia, 1:20 for professionals

   BTC Margin

   50% initial margin and 25% maintenance margin for BTC/USD

   Supported Altcoins

   Ethereum, Litecoin, Solana, VeChain, Chainlink, Uniswap, Axie Infinity, Polkadot, Polygon, Bitcoin Cash, NEO, EOS, IOTA, Stellar, Filecoin, Toncoin

   Country Restrictions

   Canada, Syria, Iran, Cuba, Russia, Belgium, Iraq, Yemen, and more
   CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 80% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

   Plus500 is a major broker for crypto and Bitcoin CFD trading. The brokerage is regulated across multiple jurisdictions and reports over 30 million registered clients, with more than 82 million opened positions as of 2020. Plus500 supports cryptocurrency trading through its proprietary mobile and desktop platforms.

   Clients can trade widely-held decentralized currencies, including Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Solana, Polkadot, Ethereum, Litecoin, and Cardano. Retail account holders can access crypto leverage of up to 1:2, while professional traders can use 1:5. Bitcoin traders can manage positions with stop loss, guaranteed stop, and trailing stop orders, among others.

   Spreads for Bitcoin trading start at 0.15% over the market, though they are dynamic and shift with market conditions. Rollover funding fees apply to leveraged positions held overnight. BTC/USD buy trades incur rollover charges of -0.06227%, while sell positions are charged -0.01649% on average. For BTC/USD positions, Plus500 requires a 50% initial margin and a 25% maintenance margin. Live-account clients can fund their balances via PayPal, Skrill, Google Pay, Apple Pay, Mastercard, Visa, and direct bank transfers.

5. TRADE NOW READ REVIEW

   

   4.3/5
   5. PrimeXBT

   Regulated By

   FCIS (Lithuania), FSC (Mauritius), CNAD (El Salvador), FSCA (South Africa), FSA (Seychelles)

   BTC Spreads/Fees

   0.05% fee on Bitcoin CFDs, maker fee of 0.01% and taker fee of 0.015% to 0.045% for Bitcoin futures based on volume

   BTC Leverage

   Up to 1:400 (BTC futures); up to 1:100 on BTC CFDs

   BTC Margin

   0.25% with 1:400 leverage

   Supported Altcoins

   30+, including Litecoin, Ethereum, Ripple, EOS, Cardano, Polkadot, Solana, Uniswap, Chainlink, Dogecoin, Binance Coin, Shiba Inu, and more

   Country Restrictions

   USA, Japan, Canada, Cuba, Israel, Iran, New Zealand, Russia, Myanmar, Puerto Rico, Syria, Sudan, and more
   Risk warning: Before engaging with this website and the services made available through it, you should read all relevant Terms & Conditions, policies, and accompanying documentation which govern the Terms of Use of all PrimeXBT products and services. Crypto Futures and CFDs products are complex financial instruments which come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. These products are not suitable for all investors. You should consider whether you understand how leveraged products work and whether you can afford to take the inherently high risk of losing your money. Virtual Assets are volatile and their value may fluctuate, which can lead to potential gains or significant losses. Returns or profits may be subject to capital gains tax. If you do not understand the risks involved, or if you have any questions regarding the PrimeXBT products, you should seek independent financial and/or legal advice if necessary.

   PrimeXBT is a crypto-native trading platform offering CFD and futures trading on Bitcoin and other popular cryptocurrencies. Founded in 2018, the broker operates under authorizations from regulatory bodies in South Africa, Seychelles, Mauritius, El Salvador, and Lithuania.

   Traders who want to buy Bitcoin but do not own a crypto wallet can purchase it through the PrimeXBT exchange platform using fiat methods such as Neteller, Skrill, and Visa and Mastercard debit and credit cards. Purchased cryptocurrencies are held in the PrimeXBT wallet, which each customer creates upon registering with the broker.

   Investing in Bitcoin is straightforward for PrimeXBT clients. The platform supports crypto futures alongside CFDs on Bitcoin and other popular cryptocurrencies. Bitcoin futures carry a maker fee of 0.01% and taker fees between 0.015% and 0.045%. Futures traders can access leverage as high as 1:400. Clients who trade Bitcoin through CFDs pay a 0.05% surcharge.

6. TRADE NOW READ REVIEW

   

   4.4/5
   6. Pepperstone

   Regulated By

   CySEC (Cyprus), FCA (UK), ASIC (Australia), DFSA (United Arab Emirates), BaFin (Germany), CMA (Kenya), SCB (Bahamas), FSA (Seychelles)

   BTC Spreads and Fees

   Average spreads: BTC/USD - 25.24, ETH/USD - 2.00, LTC/USD - 4.5, BTC/EUR - 124.69, BTC/GBP - 142.87, BTC/AUD - 282.22

   BTC Leverage

   1:2 for the EU and Australia; 1:10 for professional and retail customers at the SCB division

   BTC Margin

   50% for EU and Australia, 10% for SCB retail customers

   Supported Altcoins

   Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum, Litecoin, Cardano, Chainlink, Dogecoin, Polkadot, Ripple, Stellar, Uniswap, Binance, Eos, Ava, Solana, Tezos, Compound, Polygon, Ethereum Classic, Moonbeam, Kusama, Crypto10, Crypto20, and Crypto30 Index

   Country Restrictions

   Belgium, USA, Spain, Japan, South Korea, Syria, Yemen, Canada, Tunisia, Myanmar, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Iran, Puerto Rico, Belarus, Argentina, New Zealand, Libya, Liberia, and more
   CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 72.2% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

   Pepperstone is a multi-regulated broker with over 750,000 clients across more than 160 jurisdictions. The company is licensed by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) of the UK, CySEC, ASIC, the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), Germany’s BaFin, and Kenya’s Capital Markets Authority (CMA). It maintains registered offices in London, Dubai, Kenya, Melbourne, Düsseldorf, Cyprus, and the Bahamas, offering retail clients over 1,470 tradable instruments. This range includes more than 30 minor and major crypto coins tradable in pairs against fiat currencies such as USD, GBP, EUR, and AUD.

   Bitcoin traders can access CFDs on BTC/USD, BTC/GBP, BTC/EUR, and BTC/AUD with competitive pricing. Clients can also gain exposure to cryptocurrency indices such as Crypto10, Crypto20, and Crypto30. Pepperstone provides 1:2 crypto leverage to retail clients in Australia and the EU. Clients onboarded through the Bahamas-regulated entity can access 1:10 leverage on cryptocurrencies.

   Pepperstone charges no commissions on crypto CFD trades. Average Bitcoin spreads range from 14.00 to 282.22, with exact values varying by pair. Pepperstone supports cryptocurrency trading through MT4, MT5, cTrader, and TradingView, and has no minimum deposit requirement.

7. TRADE NOW READ REVIEW

   

   4.2/5
   7. eToro

   Regulated by

   ASIC, FCA, DFSA, AMF, CySEC, SEC, FSRA, GFSC, MFSA, FINRA, FSA (Seychelles), OAM, DNB (registration)

   BTC Spreads/Fees

   1% transaction fee charged for either buying or selling crypto; 1% trading fee on crypto CFD orders

   BTC Leverage

   1:2 for retail accounts under ESMA and ASIC regulations; 1:5 (Pro and FSA traders)

   BTC Margin

   50% for retail accounts, 20% for professional accounts

   Supported Altcoins

   145 coins, including Ether, Bitcoin Cash, Dash, Litecoin, Ripple, Ethereum Classic, Cardano, IOTA, Stellar, EOS, NEO, Tronix, Binance Coin, Tezos, Zcash, Polkadot, Dai, Chainlink, Compound, Dogecoin, Uniswap, Filecoin, Algorand, Cosmos, Spark, Polygon, Solana, Shiba, Celo, Synthetic, and more

   Country Restrictions

   Japan, Canada, China, Cuba, Crimea, Egypt, Hong Kong, Indonesia, India, Macau, Kenya, New Zealand, Montenegro, Nigeria, Niger, Russia, Panama, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Ukraine, South Africa, Turkey, Tanzania, Liberia, the Bahamas, Albania, Curacao, Moldova, and more
   CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 46% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

   Founded in 2007, eToro is an Israel-based fintech company offering trading across multiple asset classes and widely known for its social trading services. The broker holds authorizations from the FCA, ASIC, CySEC, the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA), the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). Clients can access a broad range of instruments, including over 50 commodities, 6,500 stocks, 62 fiat pairs, 36 indices, and 760+ ETFs.

   The company caters to crypto traders with a choice of 145 decentralized currencies. Beyond Bitcoin, clients can trade major crypto assets such as Litecoin, Solana, Ripple, Ether, Stellar, Dogecoin, Algorand, Cronos, Uniswap, and Polygon. Trading more than a hundred crypto crosses is also available at eToro.

   eToro combines several crypto services into a single platform. Customers have access to a crypto wallet (eToro Money), a trading platform, and a crypto exchange. Professional and institutional traders can buy and sell cryptocurrencies through eToroX, the broker’s proprietary exchange software. The eToro Money wallet is not available to clients in certain jurisdictions, including Egypt, Qatar, Jordan, Estonia, Minnesota, and New York.

   The eToro Money wallet lets users store, receive, and transfer decentralized currencies via private on-chain addresses. eToro also facilitates Bitcoin trading on margin through CFDs, with retail leverage caps of 1:2 (1:5 for professionals).

8. TRADE NOW READ REVIEW

   

   3.7/5
   8. Swissquote

   Regulated by

   FINMA (Switzerland), FCA (United Kingdom), MAS (Singapore), SFC (Hong Kong), MFSA (Malta), DFSA (Dubai), FSCA (South Africa), CSSF (Luxembourg), CySEC (Cyprus)

   BTC Spreads/Fees

   Commissions for crypto trading range from 0.5% to 1% based on volume; $10 fees for withdrawals from crypto wallets; BTC/USD spreads from 71 to 101 pts

   BTC Leverage

   1:2 for retail customers

   BTC Margin

   50% for retail customers

   Supported Altcoins

   40+, including Litecoin, Ether, Ripple, Chainlink, Bitcoin Cash, EOS, Stellar, Ethereum Classic, Tezos, Ox, Cardano, Augur, Uniswap, Cosmos, Filecoin, Algorand, Aave, Compound, Dai (Maker), Dogecoin, Polkadot, Solana, Avalanche, Polygon

   Country Restrictions

   Lacks authorization from the regulatory bodies of Russia, Canada, Italy, Germany, USA, Japan, Turkey
   CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 53.33% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

   Operating since 1996, Swissquote is a financial services provider based in Gland, Switzerland. It started as an investment bank and has since expanded its services, now offering retail trading across asset classes including forex, commodities, stocks, indices, and virtual currencies.

   The company is publicly listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange and maintains registered offices in financial hubs including Hong Kong, London, Luxembourg, Cyprus, Singapore, and Dubai. Clients at Swissquote can access over 400 fiat instruments and derivative products.

   Swissquote’s crypto offering extends beyond Bitcoin to 41 cryptocurrencies, including Ether, Ripple, Litecoin, Cardano, Dogecoin, Dash, Avalanche, and Solana. Customers can trade and exchange them against fiat currencies. Crypto lending and staking services are also available, with staking rewards of up to 13.98%, 3.2%, and 6.24% for Polkadot, Ether, and Solana respectively.

   In addition to derivative products, clients can hold real cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin in their Swissquote wallets.

   Experienced investors can access more complex products such as Exchange-Traded Products (ETPs), ETFs, mini-futures, and other cryptocurrency derivatives. Clients can also invest in baskets of digital coins. One example is the Swissquote Multi Crypto Active 2.0 basket, which combines multiple cryptocurrencies including BTC, ETH, XLM, LTC, ADA, and DOT.

9. TRADE NOW READ REVIEW

   

   4.7/5
   9. AvaTrade

   Regulated by

   FCA (United Kingdom), ISA (Israel), ASIC (Australia), CySEC (EEA), FSCA (South Africa), FSC (British Virgin Islands), FSA (Japan), CBI (Ireland), FSRA (Abu Dhabi)

   BTC Spreads/Fees

   0.10% over-market for BTC/USD, 0.12% for BTC/EUR and BTC/JPY, 0.08% for BCH/USD mini futures

   BTC Leverage

   1:2 for retail clients, 1:100 for professionals

   BTC Margin

   50% on retail accounts, 1% on professional accounts

   Supported Altcoins

   15+, including Ripple, Litecoin, Ether, Stellar, Dash, Bitcoin Cash, Solana, Polygon, Shiba Inu, IOTA, NEO, Dogecoin, EOS, Uniswap, Chainlink

   Country Restrictions

   USA, New Zealand, Belgium, Cuba, Syria, Iran, Belarus, Russia, Yemen, Lebanon, and more
   CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 57% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

   AvaTrade is an Ireland-based broker founded in 2006. It operates under the regulatory oversight of ASIC, CySEC, FCA, and other authorities, and serves approximately 400,000 customers worldwide across instruments including forex, indices, stocks, commodities, and bonds.

   Bitcoin is available for trading at AvaTrade across multiple markets, including BTC/USD, BTC/JPY, BTC/EUR, and BTC/USD mini futures contracts. AvaTrade retail customers can trade Bitcoin CFDs with a maximum leverage of 1:2. Professional traders and clients outside the EU can access higher leverage ratios of up to 1:100.

   Spreads for Bitcoin generally start at 0.10% over-market, though exact costs vary across symbols. Beyond Bitcoin, AvaTrade supports a range of altcoins, including Ripple, Ether, Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash, and Stellar.

   AvaTrade clients can fund their live accounts through multiple payment methods, including Visa, Mastercard, WebMoney, Neteller, Skrill, and wire transfers, though availability varies across regions. The minimum deposit is $100, and a free demo account is available for clients who want to test the platform.

10. TRADE NOW READ REVIEW

    

    3.9/5
    10. ActivTrades

    Regulated By

    FCA (UK), CMVM (Portugal), CVM (Brazil), SCB (Bahamas), FSC (Mauritius)

    BTC Spread/Fees

    $55 for BTC/USD; $2 for BCH/USD; no commissions

    BTC Leverage

    1:2 (CMVM), 1:20 (SCB, FSC)

    BTC Margin

    3.33% for Europe, 5% under the SCB and FSC entities

    Supported Altcoins

    14 coins, including Cardano, Avalanche, Bitcoin Cash, Dogecoin, Polkadot, EOS, Ethereum, Chainlink, Litecoin, Neo, Solana, Uniswap, Stellar, Ripple

    Country Restrictions

    Japan, US, Canada, North Korea, Cuba, Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Iran, American Samoa, Libya, Congo, Belarus
    CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 75% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

    ActivTrades is a multi-regulated broker founded in 2001 that facilitates Bitcoin trading exclusively through contracts for difference. The broker advertises zero commissions on cryptocurrency trades, with typical Bitcoin spreads of 55 points. Customers can trade BTC/USD using leverage of up to 1:20 under the Mauritius division and 1:2 under the EU entity.

    The minimum BTC/USD trade size is 0.01 lots, with a cap of 3 lots. Beyond Bitcoin, clients can trade 14 other digital assets against the dollar, including Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum, Eos, Neo, Avalanche, Cardano, Polkadot, Uniswap, Stellar, and Ripple. ActivTrades supports trading through its proprietary platform as well as third-party platforms such as MT4, MT5, and TradingView.

    Clients can fund their accounts through multiple payment methods, including e-wallets, cards, and bank transfers. ActivTrades also accepts 10 different digital coins for deposits, including Bitcoin, Ripple, Ethereum, Stellar, Tether, Dash, and Litecoin. Cryptocurrency account funding is free and typically processes within 30 minutes, though it is currently unavailable to clients of ActivTrades’ European division.

Comparison of the 9 Bitcoin Trading Brokers

Our Review Process and Methodology

Each Bitcoin broker is reviewed using a structured methodology that evaluates performance across several areas, each with multiple variables.

Brokers receive points for each category, which are then aggregated into a composite score published at the top of each review. The sections that follow describe the evaluation areas in detail.

1. Legalities and Regulatory Landscape

   The first check covers which financial authority oversees the broker. License numbers published by the brokerage are verified against the corresponding regulator’s registry to confirm current licensing status. Brokers authorized by regulators such as the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin), and the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) rank higher in the evaluation.

2. Range of Account Types

   The second step is to review the range of account types the broker offers. Ideally, options are available for retail traders with limited capital and professionals with years of experience in crypto trading. The minimum deposit required to open an account is another factor considered. A minimum that is too high for retail investors reduces the broker’s score in this area.

3. Suite of Costs Associated with Bitcoin Trading

   The next step is to compile the trading and non-trading costs charged by the broker. Spreads and commissions are compared with those at competing brokers to assess relative pricing. Overnight rollover, dormancy, currency conversion, and guaranteed stop order fees are also reviewed.

4. Software Functionality and Features

   The software platforms offered by the broker are reviewed in detail, including their tools for fundamental and technical analysis as well as their usability. A cluttered interface reduces the broker’s score in this category.

5. Device Compatibility

   Many traders expect the flexibility to monitor and manage their positions at all times. Well-designed native apps for iOS and Android earn higher scores. Applications are installed on multiple smartphones and tablets to verify their behavior across different operating system versions.

6. Range of Cryptocurrencies and Asset Classes

   The team next evaluates the range of tradable cryptocurrencies. Brokers offering only Bitcoin score lower than those offering additional cryptocurrencies such as Ether, Tether, and Cardano. A broad selection of established and emerging cryptocurrencies contributes to the broker’s score in this area. The same applies to fiat instruments and other asset classes. Brokers that also quote prices for stocks, bonds, fiat currencies, and commodities rank higher in the evaluation.

7. Quality of Order Execution

   The quality and speed of order execution is assessed for each broker. Fast execution helps reduce slippage and overall transaction costs, particularly for active traders and scalpers who place market orders frequently.

8. Accepted Banking Methods

   After testing each platform in demo mode, reviewers open live accounts, fund them, and process withdrawals to evaluate transaction speeds. Client feedback is also reviewed for complaints about delayed payments. The range of available deposit and withdrawal options is another factor. Brokers offering free deposits and withdrawals score higher in this area.

9. Customer Care and Communication Channels

   Reviewers contact each site’s support representatives to assess how they handle queries and issues. All available communication channels are tested to measure response times and the competence of support staff. Brokers with 24/7 live chat support staffed by knowledgeable human representatives score highest in this category.

10. Research and Education Resources

    Educational resources carry less weight than regulation or execution speed but remain part of the review. Beginner Bitcoin traders can benefit from these resources when building foundational knowledge. The availability of webinars, free videos, tutorials, and ebooks can add to a broker’s score.

11. Investor Protection Measures

    All regulated brokers listed here implement measures to protect customers and their funds. Leveraged Bitcoin traders can benefit from margin close-outs and negative balance protection. Reviewers also verify compliance with regulators’ rules on fund segregation and access to investor compensation schemes. Brokers holding client funds in accounts at major banks receive additional consideration.

Why Trade Bitcoin with Online Brokers?

Bitcoin trading offers several benefits that have driven its growth and popularity in recent years. However, approach this asset with caution given its high volatility. Dedication, patience, market research, and knowledge can help improve trading outcomes.

1. Swift Price Movements Create Short-Term Trading Opportunities

   Bitcoin’s rapid price movements can create opportunities for day traders and scalpers targeting short-term gains. This volatility can also generate trading opportunities during periods when traditional markets are flat.

2. Ability to Go Long or Short

   Bitcoin brokers allow traders to take long or short positions, enabling exposure to both rising and falling prices. With derivative products like futures and Contracts for Difference (CFDs), traders do not need to own any Bitcoin to participate in the market. Traders can speculate on price movements without taking ownership of the underlying asset.

3. Decentralization Equals Higher Trader Autonomy

   Fiat currencies are subject to various regulatory restrictions, and those who own or trade them operate within centralized banking systems. Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin use decentralized networks, supporting greater pseudonymity and autonomy over transactions. No government or banking institution has direct control over the network.

4. Round-the-Clock Access to the Bitcoin Market

   The forex and stock markets close on weekends and major holidays. By contrast, the Bitcoin market remains open continuously, providing round-the-clock trading access.

5. Access to Leverage

   Most brokers facilitate trading with derivatives such as CFDs, allowing traders to trade on margin and gain larger market exposure through leverage. Leverage amplifies both potential gains and potential losses, as positions are sized using capital borrowed from the broker. For Bitcoin, EU and Australia-regulated brokers cap leverage at 1:2 to limit the impact of the cryptocurrency’s high volatility on retail accounts.

6. Low Trading Costs

   Compared to buying and selling crypto assets at exchanges, online brokers can offer cost-efficient access to the Bitcoin market. Some brokers in this list facilitate commission-free Bitcoin trades, generating revenue instead from the spread markups built into the bid/ask prices.

7. No Blockchain Transaction Delays and Fees

   Trading Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies through CFDs allows traders to avoid interacting directly with the blockchain to buy, sell, or transfer coins. CFD trading avoids block confirmation delays and on-chain network fees, which can become unpredictable and increase significantly during periods of peak network activity. Trades are executed by the CFD broker without the trader taking physical ownership of the underlying digital assets.

Ways to Trade Bitcoin at Online Brokers

Traders can access the Bitcoin market in several ways. The most common are spot trading and using derivative instruments such as CFDs, options, and futures. The characteristics of each are outlined below.

1. Spot Bitcoin Trading

   With spot trading, traders purchase or sell Bitcoin at current market prices, aiming to benefit from market movements. Orders settle quickly, and the trader holds actual ownership of the tokens bought or sold.

2. Bitcoin CFDs

   CFDs are derivative products offered by many of the regulated brokers listed in this article. They allow traders to take positions on Bitcoin price fluctuations without buying or owning any tokens. Traders open long positions when they expect the price to rise, or short positions when they expect it to fall. Profits and losses are based on price differences alone. Leverage can be applied to amplify both potential gains and potential losses.

3. Bitcoin Futures

   Futures are another derivative instrument that provides leveraged exposure to an asset without requiring ownership of the underlying. These contracts obligate the parties to buy or sell an asset at a specified price on a future date. Bitcoin futures are typically offered as monthly or quarterly contracts, with perpetual futures having no fixed expiration date. Leverage in futures amplifies both potential gains and potential losses.

4. Bitcoin Options

   Bitcoin options are derivative contracts that give the buyer the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell tokens at a predefined price on or before a specified date. Call options give the holder the right to buy at a predetermined strike price; put options give the holder the right to sell at a predetermined strike price.

5. Bitcoin Spread Betting

   Bitcoin spread betting allows traders to use leverage and speculate on whether the cryptocurrency’s price will rise or fall without taking ownership of the underlying Bitcoin. The position is effectively a wager on the direction of price movement, with profit or loss determined by how far the price moves relative to the initial stake per point.

Bitcoin Brokers and the Platforms They Implement

The software a broker uses is the trader’s primary interface to the Bitcoin and crypto markets. A well-designed platform supports a smooth user experience and reliable order execution, along with tools for fundamental and technical analysis. While some brokers develop software in-house, many use established third-party platforms like those described below.

MetaTrader 4 (MT4) – One of the oldest online trading platforms, MT4 is widely used by brokers and traders due to its breadth of features. The platform was developed by MetaQuotes Software and has been in use since 2005. It includes expert advisors, multiple technical indicators, graphical objects, and over a thousand trading signals.

MetaTrader 5 (MT5) – The successor to MT4, MT5 supports trading in multiple asset classes, including cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum. It adds functionality including algorithmic trading, automated bots, and built-in tools for market analysis. MT5 runs across desktop and mobile, with native iOS and Android apps offered through the App Store and Google Play.

NinjaTrader – NinjaTrader supports Bitcoin trading through micro futures contracts on the cryptocurrency. It includes more than one hundred indicators along with tools for charting and strategy backtesting. Real-time market data is provided through the platform’s partnership with Coinbase.

cTrader – Developed by the fintech company Spotware Systems, cTrader supports leveraged CFDs on popular cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple, and Litecoin. The platform is widely used by crypto traders, largely due to its clean interface and fast execution. The cTrader Copy feature (previously cMirror) allows users to follow experienced traders and mirror their positions and strategies, though past performance does not guarantee future results and losses are equally mirrored.

TradingView – A charting platform widely used by cryptocurrency traders for its analytical tools and social trading community. It provides real-time data for a broad range of crypto pairs across multiple exchanges, alongside a library of technical indicators and drawing tools for market analysis. Direct trading integrations with several brokers allow users to execute trades from customizable charts.

Order Types at Bitcoin Brokers

Placing orders may appear straightforward – click buy to open a position and sell to close it. However, effective risk management on Bitcoin trades requires more than the basic buy/sell options.

Combining different order types can help manage risk and limit losses during sharp market moves. The following are commonly used order types available to crypto traders.

Market orders are instructions to buy or sell an asset, such as Bitcoin, at the current market price. The trade-off is that the trader has no control over the exact execution price. This can increase the risk of slippage in fast-moving crypto markets.

Stop orders help manage open positions and limit losses. They trigger when the asset’s price moves past a specified threshold. Once triggered, they convert into ordinary market orders and execute at the best available price.

Limit orders fill at the trader’s predefined price or better. The broker will not execute a limit order if the market price does not reach the specified limit. Limit orders can also be combined with stop orders (as stop-limit orders) to manage downside risk during sharp market declines.

Take Profit orders are a type of limit order. Traders use them to close positions at a specific price to lock in a target profit. This order type can be useful for traders targeting gains from short-term moves in Bitcoin prices.

Trailing Stop orders can help manage risk and protect accrued gains on open positions. The stop level adjusts automatically in the direction of a favorable price move, then remains fixed if the price reverses. If the price retraces to the trailing stop level, the position closes. This helps lock in gains while capping potential losses on the remaining position.

Costs to Anticipate at Bitcoin Brokers

Trading costs can vary significantly across unregulated exchanges and brokerages, which is why using licensed brokers is advisable. The most common fees Bitcoin traders can expect are outlined below.

1. Spreads are the difference between the bid and ask prices – the costs built into the broker’s quoted rates.
2. Commissions are charged by some brokers in addition to, or instead of, the bid/ask spread. They typically apply per trade, meaning they are charged both when opening and closing positions. Commissions may be structured as a percentage of position value or as a flat fee per lot.
3. Rollover charges apply when leveraged positions are held past the end of the trading day. Also called a swap, the rollover can be positive or negative, depending on the position direction and the interest rate differential between the underlying assets. For certain instruments, swaps can be negative on both long and short positions, reflecting a general cost for holding the leveraged position overnight. Brokers typically roll over leveraged positions each day until they are closed or settled.
4. Guaranteed stop order fees are the premium charged for having positions closed at the trader’s requested price regardless of market volatility. These orders remove slippage risk on the protected position and can support risk management. Some brokers charge the premium upfront, while others only charge it when the guaranteed stop triggers.
5. Dormancy fees apply when accounts remain inactive for an extended period, typically a year. The broker then deducts a maintenance fee from the account balance.

Strategies to Implement at Bitcoin Brokers

The prospect of short-term gains from Bitcoin’s volatility is appealing to many traders. However, navigating this volatile market consistently requires a coherent strategy aligned with individual trading goals and styles. Several commonly used approaches are outlined below.

1. Day trading involves opening and closing positions, mostly within the same day. The strategy targets small gains from intraday price fluctuations, typically leveraging technical analysis to identify entry and exit points.
2. Scalping is similar to day trading but involves higher trade frequency, with positions often opened and closed within minutes or seconds. Scalpers frequently use automated trading bots for execution and management rather than manually monitoring the market.
3. Trend trading is typically used by traders focused on longer-term results. It relies on technical analysis to identify sustained market momentum, entering positions aligned with the trend and closing them on trend reversal.
4. News trading bases trading decisions on current events, economic data releases, and major announcements expected to move Bitcoin’s price. The strategy seeks to benefit from the volatility that typically follows significant news, such as regulatory changes, institutional adoption announcements, or major macroeconomic shifts. News traders need to react quickly to real-time information to implement these strategies.
5. Swing trading is preferred by traders who focus on fundamental analysis. Positions are held for longer periods – typically several days to several weeks – in an attempt to capture gains from anticipated price swings.

TA Indicators to Use at Bitcoin Brokers

Technical analysis is widely used in the Bitcoin trading community. The approach uses past price data to forecast potential future price movements. It can help identify entry and exit points in this volatile market. Common indicators used by Bitcoin traders include:

Moving Averages – Moving averages are a common tool in price analysis. The indicator reflects the average price of an asset – Bitcoin in this case – over a defined period. Moving averages smooth short-term price fluctuations by continuously updating the average as new prices arrive.

Bollinger Bands – Created by financial analyst John Bollinger, the indicator was originally developed for stock traders but is also applied in cryptocurrency markets such as Bitcoin. The indicator features three lines: a middle moving average and two outer bands. The upper and lower bands are calculated based on standard deviations, expanding when volatility rises and contracting when the market stabilizes. They can help traders assess trend strength and price volatility.

Relative Strength Index (RSI) – The RSI is a momentum indicator that measures the speed and magnitude of recent price changes. It is calculated as a ratio of average gains to average losses over a defined lookback period, typically 14 periods. The resulting value ranges between zero and one hundred and is commonly used to identify potentially overbought or oversold conditions.

Stochastic Oscillators – Stochastic oscillators are momentum indicators that compare an asset’s closing price to its recent price range. Like the RSI, stochastic oscillators help identify overbought or oversold conditions. It compares the current closing price to the high-low range over a specified lookback period, producing a value between zero and one hundred. Experienced traders often use it alongside the RSI.

Bitcoin Regulations and Legal Status Worldwide

Financial regulators play a crucial role in fraud prevention, industry compliance, and investor protection. While Bitcoin itself lacks a uniform global regulatory framework, brokers that facilitate cryptocurrency trading are generally subject to established financial regulation in the jurisdictions where they operate.

Working with a regulated brokerage provides access to legal recourse in the event of disputes. The brokers ranked highest in this list are authorized by major regulatory bodies, including those listed below.

The legal status of crypto assets such as Bitcoin varies significantly across jurisdictions. Traders should verify local regulations beforehand, as some jurisdictions do not recognize Bitcoin as legal tender and may impose restrictions or outright bans on cryptocurrencies. China, Egypt, Bolivia, Morocco, Bangladesh, and Algeria are among the countries that restrict or prohibit cryptocurrency transactions.

Written by E. Ifeanyi | Expert Editor Eugene Lee, CFA