In our testing, IG scores 70/100 for its crypto trading services thanks to its role as a globally regulated, multi-asset CFD broker, more so than a crypto first platform. Cryptocurrency products are mainly centred on crypto CFDs, with a limited range of digital assets and clear regional restrictions. UK retail clients can only access spot crypto investing, while crypto CFD availability and market coverage vary significantly in other areas.
Founded in 1974, IG is one of the oldest regulated brokers worldwide, and best known for multi asset CFD trading rather than purely crypto. It operates across major financial centres under tier-1 regulators and is built around trading traditional markets such as forex, indices, shares, and commodities, with crypto added as a supplementary product rather than a core focus.
Crypto on IG is offered either as crypto CFDs or spot crypto investing, depending on region. In most jurisdictions, traders access crypto via CFDs with leverage and margin, while UK retail clients are limited to custodial, unleveraged spot crypto investing. The crypto range is deliberately conservative, and trading platforms are limited to MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and IG WebTrader or mobile app.
Tradeable crypto markets vary widely by regulatory jurisdiction, and IG’s crypto offering is designed to sit alongside its core multi-asset platform rather than operate as a standalone crypto trading service.
IG’s crypto pricing depends on region and product type. In most regions, crypto exposure is provided via crypto CFDs, while UK retail clients access crypto through spot crypto investing only. Each route has a different cost structure, with crypto CFD pricing based on spreads and financing, and spot crypto investing priced through execution costs instead.
Note while IG does offer trading spread bets to those in the UK, this doesn’t include cryptocurrency markets, or available to those outside the United Kingdom.
IG prices crypto CFDs using a spread-only model. That means your direct trading cost is the bid–ask spread (there is typically no separate commission line for crypto CFDs). The spread is quoted as a minimum and can widen materially during volatility, around major news, or when liquidity thins.
Bitcoin CFDs are priced most competitively through International, Singapore, and South Africa accounts, where minimum spreads start from 36 points. Australia is moderately wider at 45 points, while Europe is materially more expensive, with a minimum Bitcoin spread of 140 points, making it the highest-cost region for BTC CFD trading on IG.
Ethereum, Litecoin, and Bitcoin Cash are generally priced more tightly than Bitcoin, though this also varies by jurisdiction. Singapore and South Africa show the lowest minimum spreads on Ether and Litecoin, while Europe again carries the widest pricing across all listed crypto markets.
| Region | Bitcoin | Ether | Litecoin | Bitcoin Cash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| International | 36 | 5.4 | 7 | 2 |
| Australia | 45 | 1.8 | 0.4 | 2 |
| Singapore | 36 | 1.2 | 0.4 | 2 |
| United Arab Emirates (UAE) | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated |
| South Africa | 36 | 1.2 | 0.6 | 2.5 |
| Europe | 140 | 8.7 | 1.8 | 5.4 |
| Japan | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| United Kingdom (UK) | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
The UK and Japan do not fit into this spread comparison. UK retail clients cannot trade crypto CFDs, with crypto access limited to spot investing instead. In Japan, IG no longer offers the previously available crypto ETFs and now provides crypto exposure primarily through a crypto index, rather than individual crypto CFD markets. Professional traders in the UK can access crypto derivatives under different rules, but this is not representative of the standard retail offering.
For regions such as the UAE, where minimum spreads are not publicly stated, you need to assess live platform pricing and contract specifications directly, as costs may differ from those shown for International or Singapore accounts.
Spot crypto investing on IG is available primarily to UK retail clients, where crypto derivatives are restricted. Under this model, clients buy and sell crypto on a custodial, fully funded basis, with no leverage and no CFDs.
Pricing is applied through execution spreads or transaction pricing, rather than overnight financing. When buying or selling Bitcoin, costs are reflected directly in the execution price, with no margin, swap, or funding charges applied regardless of holding period.
Because positions are fully funded with no leverage used at all:
H3: Other Fees Affecting Crypto Traders
IG applies an inactivity fee, which is not crypto-specific but can apply if an account remains unused for an extended period. Currency conversion fees may also apply when trading or funding accounts in a currency different from the account’s base currency, which can affect both CFD and spot crypto users.
How We Scored IG’s Crypto Fees
IG scored 6/10 for crypto fees because while the pricing structure is clear, costs and competitiveness vary significantly by region. Crypto CFDs are commission-free, but minimum spreads differ sharply depending on jurisdiction, with Europe materially more expensive than International, Singapore, and South Africa, particularly on Bitcoin. Add overnight financing on CFDs and spread widening during volatile periods, and pricing remains generally fair but with clear trade-offs rather than consistently competitive.
IG’s crypto market coverage varies significantly by region, and in most jurisdictions, crypto exposure is offered via CFDs, while some regions restrict access to spot investing or index-based products only. As a result, the range of available crypto markets depends heavily on where your account is held.
IG International provides access to crypto through crypto CFDs only, with no physical crypto ownership. This represents IG’s most complete crypto product set and acts as the reference point for other regions.
International accounts typically support more than 10 individual cryptocurrencies, focused on large-cap and established assets. This includes Bitcoin, Ether, Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash, and a limited selection of higher-cap altcoins such as Cardano, Polkadot, Chainlink, Uniswap, Solana, and Avalanche.
In addition to single-asset CFDs, IG offers the Crypto 10 Index, which tracks the ten largest cryptocurrencies by market capitalisation and allows traders to gain diversified exposure through a single instrument.
Access under IG International is generally restricted to professional clients, and crypto is positioned as a price-exposure product rather than a trading venue for active altcoin rotation or on-chain strategies.
Australia closely mirrors the International crypto CFD offering, but is available to retail clients under ASIC regulation.
Australian traders can access crypto CFDs on major cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin and Ether, alongside a small number of additional large-cap coins. The Crypto 10 Index is also available, providing basket-style exposure.
Compared with International accounts, Australia’s crypto range is slightly more conservative, with fewer altcoins and a stronger emphasis on major assets. There is no spot crypto investing or physical ownership.
Singapore offers one of IG’s broader retail crypto CFD line-ups where you can trade 15 crypto CFDs, including Bitcoin, Ether, Litecoin, and a wider selection of large-cap altcoins than is available in Europe or Australia.
The Crypto 10 Index is also available, and all crypto exposure in Singapore is via CFDs, with no wallet-based investing. Compared with International accounts, Singapore places more emphasis on retail-accessible majors and mid-cap coins, while still avoiding long-tail altcoins.
Europe offers a reduced version of IG’s crypto CFD range.
European clients can trade crypto CFDs on major cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin and Ether, but the overall number of available markets is smaller than in International or Singapore accounts. Altcoin coverage is limited, and the Crypto 10 Index may be available depending on the specific European entity.
This reduced range reflects ESMA restrictions and positions crypto as a supplementary market, rather than a core trading focus.
The UAE offers a narrow crypto CFD selection relative to other regions.
Crypto trading is limited primarily to major cryptocurrencies, typically Bitcoin and Ether, with fewer additional markets available. There is no spot crypto investing, and product availability should be confirmed directly within the platform.
Compared with IG International, the UAE offering is major-coin focused, with no meaningful altcoin depth.
South African clients access crypto through IG International accounts, rather than a locally issued crypto product.
As a result, available markets generally align with the International crypto CFD range, including major cryptocurrencies and the Crypto 10 Index. However, access is typically limited to professional or offshore account structures, and crypto remains a secondary product within the overall platform.
The UK differs fundamentally from IG’s global crypto CFD model.
UK retail clients cannot trade crypto CFDs. Instead, IG offers spot crypto investing through a custodial cryptoasset account. Under this structure, clients can buy and sell physical cryptocurrencies, with no leverage and no derivative exposure.
The crypto range is more limited than the CFD offering, focusing on major cryptocurrencies rather than a broad altcoin list. Products such as the Crypto 10 Index and crypto CFDs are not available to UK retail clients.
Professional clients may access crypto derivatives under different rules, but this does not reflect the standard UK retail experience.
Japan is structurally different from all other regions, and it previously offered cryptocurrency ETF CFDs, including leveraged products, but these have now been withdrawn and new orders are no longer accepted. As a result, Japan no longer offers individual crypto CFDs or crypto ETF CFDs.
Current crypto exposure is provided primarily through a crypto-related index, rather than direct Bitcoin or Ether trading. This makes Japan unsuitable for traders seeking direct crypto price exposure through CFDs.
Outside of crypto, IG provides access to a large multi-asset range, including forex, indices, commodities, shares, ETFs, and bonds. These markets form the core of IG’s platform, with crypto positioned as an ancillary product rather than a primary trading focus.
How We Scored IG’s Crypto Markets
IG scored 6/10 for crypto markets as coverage is solid for major cryptocurrencies but limited beyond that, and highly dependent on regulatory jurisdiction. International and Singapore accounts offer the broadest CFD access, while Europe, the UAE, and Australia are more restricted, the UK is limited to spot crypto investing only, and Japan offers index-based exposure rather than direct crypto CFDs. This places IG firmly in the “good majors, limited breadth” category under our market scoring framework.
IG’s crypto trading platforms are built around its proprietary web-based platform and mobile app, which provide the most complete access to crypto CFDs across supported regions. While IG also offers third-party platforms, crypto availability is restricted by region and platform, and not all trading tools support crypto markets.
IG’s proprietary web trading platform and mobile app are the core platforms for crypto trading in all regions where crypto CFDs or crypto investing are available.
For crypto CFDs, the platform supports advanced charting, including multiple timeframes, a broad set of technical indicators, and standard drawing tools. Bitcoin, Ether, and other supported crypto markets can be traded directly from charts, making the setup suitable for short-term, intraday, and swing trading.
Order functionality for crypto CFDs typically includes market orders, limit orders, stop orders, and guaranteed stops where permitted by regulation. These tools are particularly relevant for managing risk during periods of elevated crypto volatility.
Execution is generally reliable during fast market conditions, though spread widening can occur during sharp moves, weekends, or low-liquidity periods. This behaviour reflects the underlying crypto market structure rather than platform instability.
MetaTrader 4 (MT4) support for crypto CFDs on IG is region-dependent and limited, and it does not provide the same level of crypto market access as IG’s proprietary platform.
Where crypto CFDs are supported on MT4, availability is typically restricted to major cryptocurrencies, most commonly Bitcoin and Ether. Smaller altcoins and products such as IG’s Crypto 10 Index are generally not available on MT4 and must be traded through IG’s web platform or mobile app instead.
MT4 does support Expert Advisors (EAs) and automated trading strategies, which may appeal to systematic traders. However, crypto traders using MT4 should expect reduced market coverage, fewer crypto-specific tools, and tighter platform constraints compared with IG’s proprietary platform.
As a result, MT4 is best viewed as a secondary option for crypto trading, with IG’s own platform remaining the primary choice for accessing the full crypto product range.
| Region | Crypto CFDs Available | IG Web Platform | MT4 for Crypto CFDs |
|---|---|---|---|
| International | ✓ | ✓ | ◐ Limited |
| Australia | ✓ | ✓ | ◐ Limited |
| Singapore | ✓ | ✓ | ◐ Limited |
| Europe | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| United Arab Emirates (UAE) | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| South Africa (via International) | ✓ | ✓ | ◐ Limited |
| United Kingdom (UK retail) | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Japan | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
IG also offers several specialist platforms, but crypto availability on these tools is limited or not supported.
L2 Dealer is designed for DMA share and equity trading and does not support crypto CFDs or spot crypto markets. It is not relevant for crypto traders.
ProRealTime provides advanced charting and algorithmic tools for selected CFD markets. However, crypto markets are generally not supported on ProRealTime through IG, meaning crypto traders cannot use it for live crypto analysis or execution.
TradingView integration is available for some IG markets, but crypto CFDs are not typically supported within TradingView via IG. As a result, crypto traders cannot rely on TradingView for direct crypto execution or synced charting through IG.
For crypto trading, IG’s web platform and mobile app remain the only fully supported options.
IG offers demo accounts for CFD trading, including crypto CFDs, in regions where crypto derivatives are available.
Demo accounts allow traders to test Bitcoin and other supported crypto markets using simulated funds and live price feeds. This helps with understanding contract specifications, margin behaviour, and platform mechanics.
Demo conditions may differ from live trading during periods of high volatility, particularly in terms of spread widening and execution behaviour.
IG integrates a range of analysis and risk management tools that are relevant to crypto trading.
These include price alerts, technical indicators, volatility tools, and built-in market commentary that often references Bitcoin and broader crypto market themes. Alerts can be set around key price levels for major crypto markets.
Risk management tools such as stop-loss orders, guaranteed stops, and margin monitoring are available for crypto CFDs, helping traders manage exposure during sharp market moves.
IG’s Trading Academy includes educational content related to crypto, primarily focused on how crypto CFDs work, the risks of leveraged trading, and how crypto markets differ from traditional assets.
The material is suitable for beginners or traders new to crypto derivatives, but it does not cover advanced crypto topics such as on-chain analysis, DeFi, or altcoin-specific strategies.
How We Scored IG’s Crypto Platforms and Tools
IG scored 7/10 for platforms and tools thanks to stable execution and a well-built proprietary web and mobile platform that supports charting, order types, and risk management for crypto CFDs. The score is held back by limited third-party platform support for crypto, reduced MT4 market coverage, and no meaningful TradingView or ProRealTime integration for crypto markets, which limits flexibility for traders who rely on advanced or specialised tools.
IG operates as a regulated, multi-jurisdiction broker with a long operating history, but protections and product availability differ depending on region and whether crypto exposure is accessed via CFDs or spot investing.
IG Group has been operating since the 1970s and is listed on the London Stock Exchange (FTSE 250). It operates as a market maker, meaning it sets prices internally and acts as the counterparty to client CFD trades, rather than routing orders to an exchange.
IG holds licences with multiple tier-1 financial regulators, including:
This regulatory footprint places IG among the more established global brokers, particularly when compared with crypto-native exchanges that operate with lighter or offshore oversight.
For CFD trading, IG applies client fund segregation in line with local regulatory requirements. Retail client funds are held separately from IG’s own operating capital, reducing exposure if the firm were to experience financial difficulty.
Client fund segregation applies to CFD accounts only and does not automatically extend to all crypto-related services offered through IG.
Negative balance protection is provided to retail CFD clients in regions where it is required by regulation, including the UK and EU. This limits losses to the funds deposited in the trading account.
Negative balance protection does not apply to professional clients, and availability depends on region and account classification. This distinction is particularly important for crypto CFDs, where volatility can increase risk during fast market conditions.
Crypto availability on IG is region-specific.
Because of these differences, crypto products, leverage limits, and protections cannot be treated as globally consistent.
It is important to distinguish between protections applied to CFD trading and those applied to spot crypto investing.
CFD protections include:
Spot crypto investing protections differ materially:
As a result, IG’s CFD offering provides stronger regulatory protections than its spot crypto investing service, though both remain subject to the risks inherent in crypto markets.
How We Scored IG’s Safety and Availability
IG scored 9/10 for safety and availability, reflecting its long operating history, tier-1 regulation across multiple jurisdictions, and standard client protections such as fund segregation and negative balance protection for eligible CFD clients. It falls just short of a perfect score because protections and product access differ by region and account type, and spot crypto investing operates under a custodial model that does not carry the same regulatory protections as IG’s CFD accounts.
Regardless of your region and where you are trading crypto from, its fiat currency only deposits and withdrawals with no fees, and no initial minimum deposit requirement to start trading. Crypto deposits or withdrawals are not available, regardless of whether crypto exposure is accessed via CFDs or spot crypto investing.
Accounts are funded using fiat payment methods, rather than crypto, regardless of whether you’re trading crypto CFDs or using a spot crypto investing account.
There’s no deposit fees or funding charges, but the exact payment options depend on your region, but most traders can use credit or debit cards, bank transfers, and, in some cases, third-party payment services. There’s also no minimum balance required to open an account, although card and payment-service deposits do come with minimum deposit amounts that vary by jurisdiction.
| Region | Account opening minimum | Minimum deposit | Maximum daily deposit | Funding methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK | $0 | £250 | £20,000 | Credit card, debit card, PayPal, bank wire |
| Europe (ex-UK & Switzerland) | $0 | €250 | €20,000 | Credit card, debit card, PayPal, bank wire |
| Switzerland | $0 | CHF 300 | Not stated | Credit card, debit card, PayPal, bank wire |
| South Africa | $0 | R4,000 | R20,000 | Credit card, debit card, PayPal, bank wire |
| New Zealand | $0 | $450 | $50,000 | Credit card, debit card, PayPal, bank wire |
| Australia | $0 | $450 | $50,000 | Credit card, debit card, PayPal, BPAY, bank wire |
| Dubai | $0 | $300 | $99,999 | Credit card, debit card, bank wire |
| USA | $0 | $250 | $99,999 | Wire transfer, ACH, debit card |
Withdrawals are processed in fiat currency only and are typically returned via the original funding method.
There’s no withdrawal fees charged by IG, but processing times vary by region and method:
IG does not process crypto withdrawals under any account type.
How We Scored IG’s Funding and Withdrawals
IG scored 7/10 for funding and withdrawals due to its straightforward, no fee deposit and withdrawal process across regions. Funding is reliable and predictable, with no IG charges on deposits or withdrawals, which aligns well with our criteria. The score is reduced because crypto deposits and withdrawals are not supported at all, and funding methods, limits, and minimums vary by jurisdiction, creating uneven accessibility for crypto-focused traders.
In regions where retail crypto CFDs are permitted, margin requirements are broadly consistent. Crypto CFDs typically carry a 50% margin requirement, equivalent to 1:2 leverage, on major cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ether. This applies across EU and Australian retail accounts, and reflects regulatory caps rather than broker discretion. Smaller or more volatile crypto markets may require higher margin.
By comparison, other CFD asset classes on IG are materially less capital-intensive. Major forex pairs typically require around 3.33% margin (1:30 leverage), major indices around 5% margin (1:20), and share CFDs around 20% margin (1:5). Against that backdrop, crypto CFDs require significantly more capital for the same notional exposure.
In the UK, retail clients do not trade crypto CFDs at all. Instead, crypto access is provided through spot crypto investing, which is fully funded and unleveraged. There is no margin, no leverage, and no liquidation risk tied to margin usage. Positions can only lose the amount invested.
Margin requirements on crypto CFDs are not static. During periods of elevated volatility, IG can increase margin requirements, reducing available free margin and increasing the effective cost of holding positions. This can happen without opening new trades and is one of the key risks of holding crypto CFDs during fast markets.
From a strategy perspective, crypto trading on IG is rule-bound. Automated trading via Expert Advisors is only relevant where MT4 access is available, and even then, crypto market coverage is limited to major assets. IG does not structure its crypto offering around high-frequency trading, and execution behaviour, spread widening, and margin recalculations during volatility can materially impact news-driven or short term strategies.
How We Scored IG’s Risk and Trading Rules
IG scored 7/10 for risk and trading rules because its conditions are clear, predictable, and well aligned with regulatory standards, but relatively restrictive for crypto traders. Retail crypto CFDs get 1:2 leverage, but margin can be increased during volatility, and UK retail clients cannot access crypto CFDs at all.
Trading strategy flexibility is also limited, with automation only relevant where MT4 crypto is available and generally restricted to major markets, keeping the rules fair but conservative rather than flexible.
After testing and assessment, IG scored 70/100 overall, reflecting IG’s profile as a highly regulated, technically reliable broker where their crypto offering is secondary to its core multi-asset CFD business. Safety and operational standards pull the score up, while limited crypto market depth, regional restrictions, and conservative product design pull it back.
Taken as a whole, IG delivers a competent but constrained crypto service. It meets our criteria for a fair, predictable trading environment on major cryptocurrencies, but falls short of what we would expect from a crypto-first platform. That balance places IG firmly in the “decent overall, with trade-offs” bracket rather than at the top end of the scale.
IG is suitable for limited crypto trading, but it is not a crypto-first platform. Exposure is mainly offered through cryptocurrency CFDs in most regions, with a conservative selection focused on Bitcoin, Ether, and a small number of large-cap altcoins. UK retail clients can only access unleveraged spot crypto investing. While execution is stable and regulation is strong, the limited asset range and regional restrictions make IG better as a supplementary crypto option rather than a primary crypto trading platform.
Client funds held with IG are generally considered safe due to strict regulatory oversight and fund protection rules. For CFD accounts, client money is held in segregated accounts, separate from IG’s own operating funds. Retail clients in certain regions also benefit from negative balance protection. However, spot crypto investing operates under different protections, with digital assets held custodially and not covered by investor compensation schemes, which is standard industry practice for crypto markets.
Yes, IG operates in the United States through its subsidiary tastyfx, which is US regulated broker. tastyfx is registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and is a member of the National Futures Association (NFA). Under US regulation, the offering is limited to forex trading only. Crypto CFDs and spot crypto investing are not permitted for US traders, meaning IG does not provide any crypto trading products in the United States.
