Pepperstone Review

Crypto Trading Fees

Pepperstone offers two trading account types with Razor (raw spread) and Standard (spread-only) models, but all cryptocurrency CFDs are commission-free regardless of the account you pick. For forex and other asset classes, the Razor account charges a $3.50 commission fee per side in exchange for raw interbank spreads, while the Standard account keeps trading costs completely commission free.

Major Cryptocurrencies

Pepperstone’s most competitive crypto pricing is on the majors against the US dollar, with Bitcoin (BTC/USD) from 14 points and Ethereum (ETH/USD) from just 2 points, supported by deep liquidity that helps keep costs predictable during busy hours. Litecoin and Ripple sit in a similar low range around 2.4 to 2.5 points, which suits short-term trading where every tick of spread matters.

Non-USD quotes are higher because order flow is thinner, which is why Bitcoin against the Euro (BTC/EUR), British Pound (BTC/EUR), or Australian Dollar (BTC/AUD), show wider minimums than BTC/USD, which is why we usually stick to USD pairs for the tightest pricing.

Minor Cryptocurrencies

Spreads on smaller coins are naturally wider, but some pairs still stand out for being efficient to trade. Chainlink (LINK/USD) and Polkadot (DOT/USD) both sit near the 2 to 3 point mark, which is sharp given their lower overall volume. That makes them a realistic choice for traders who want altcoin exposure without paying excessive costs.

Others, like Dogecoin (10 pts) and Cardano (4 pts), show how sentiment-driven tokens can carry higher spreads when liquidity drops off. For context, meme-style coins like Dogecoin move quickly and often gap between sessions, so brokers widen pricing to offset that volatility.

As a general rule, the further you move from the top 10 cryptos, the wider spreads become. Kusama (25 pts) and Glimmer (18 pts) are good examples, both are niche markets where prices can jump around on smaller order flow. Still, having access to this many pairs through a single CFD account is rare, especially with no commission and full 24/7 trading hours.

Crypto Indices

If you want broader market exposure, Pepperstone offers three crypto indices – Crypto 10, Crypto 20, and Crypto 30. Each tracks a basket of the top cryptocurrencies by market capitalisation, allowing you to trade the overall crypto sector rather than individual coins.

Spreads start from 45 points on the Crypto 10 Index, rising to 80 points on the Crypto 20 and Crypto 30. While that’s higher than single coins, these indices provide smoother movement and less noise, which will suit if you want to follow the general trend instead of focusing on one particular digital asset.

Other Trading Costs

When holding a crypto CFD position overnight, Pepperstone applies a small funding adjustment known as a swap or rollover charge. This fee is charged because of the cost of maintaining leveraged exposure beyond the daily close and is based on the size of your position, the underlying market rate, and the broker’s own funding markup.

Crypto swaps are usually higher than those on forex swap rate due to increased volatility and the 24/7 nature of crypto markets. Swap rates update daily and are visible directly within the platform before you place a trade, so you can see the exact funding costs for a long or short position before you enter the trade.

Inactivity and Admin Charges

Pepperstone does not charge any inactivity or account maintenance fees, regardless of how long your account stays unused. You can keep a live account open without trading activity, but if an account has been inactive for several months with no open positions or balance, Pepperstone may archive it for operational reasons, but no penalty or fee applies

Crypto Markets

Pepperstone’s crypto offering includes around 30 digital assets, letting you trade everything from Bitcoin and Ethereum to smaller DeFi and meme tokens through CFDs. Whether you want to focus on large cap coins or dabble in emerging projects, the full crypto CFD range is available with both account types.

Cryptocurrency CFDs

Pepperstone offers a wide range of digital currencies as CFDs, grouped across major coins, DeFi tokens, Layer 1 infrastructure projects, meme coins, and other emerging markets. All are available 24/7 with the same spread-only cost structure, so you can trade different sectors of the crypto market from one CFD account.

The majors and large-cap DeFi tokens see the most stable liquidity, while smaller or meme-style coins move more sharply and tend to react faster to news or sentiment.

Other Financial Markets

Pepperstone offers more than 1,200 CFD markets beyond crypto, so you can access major asset classes from the same account without changing platform or pricing model.

• Forex: 93 currency pairs across majors, minors, exotics and crosses.
• Indices: Wide regional coverage across North America, Europe, UK, Australia, Asia and Africa.
• Commodities: Metals, energies, and 16 soft commodities.
• Shares: US, UK, Germany, Hong Kong and Australia stock CFDs.
• ETFs: 100 plus ETF CFDs across 35 countries, covering sector and thematic exposures.

Execution Quality and Liquidity

Pepperstone’s execution speed and consistency are some of the best you’ll find from a retail CFD broker. Orders go straight through to tier-1 liquidity providers (mainly large banks and financial institutions) using a full Straight Through Processing (STP) setup. There’s no dealing desk in between, so pricing reflects the live market rather than being adjusted internally.

Independent testing puts Pepperstone near the top of the global rankings, with average market orders filled in around 100 milliseconds and limit orders in about 77 milliseconds.

A 99.92% fill rate with no requotes really proves how reliable the broker is.

The depth of liquidity is also solid, meaning you can place both small and large orders without much slippage. We found it made for much cleaner fills and steadier pricing during fast market conditions, which will be beneficial if you scalp, hedge, or simply prefer your trades to execute quickly and accurately.

Trading Platforms and Tools

Pepperstone supports all the major CFD trading platforms being MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), cTrader, and TradingView and trading crypto is available on all options. You can conduct market analysis, automate trading strategies, and one click trade directly from charts.

MetaTrader 4 (MT4)

MT4 remains one of the most popular platforms for crypto CFD trading because of its speed, simplicity, and compatibility with automated strategies. It’s available on desktop, web, and mobile, with the same 24/7 crypto pricing feed you’ll find on other Pepperstone platforms.

You can run Expert Advisors (EAs) for automated crypto trading, use one-click order execution during fast price moves, and monitor positions in real time. Charting is straightforward but includes everything most crypto traders need with 30 built-in indicators, nine timeframes, and custom templates for multiple charts. For those who prefer manual trading or simple automation, MT4 keeps things efficient without the extra complexity of newer systems.

MetaTrader 5 (MT5)

MT5 offers everything from MT4 plus a wider market range and more advanced analytics. It’s the better choice if you want deeper charting tools, improved order types, or a faster backtesting engine for crypto strategies.

With 21 timeframes, 44 analytical objects, and 38 technical indicators, MT5 gives far more flexibility when analysing fast-moving crypto markets. You can use Depth of Market (DOM) to view liquidity levels and order flow, useful when spreads widen or during volatile sessions. MT5’s MQL5 language supports complex crypto trading algorithms and multi-threaded backtesting, helping fine-tune system performance before running it live.

cTrader

cTrader is aimed at traders who value transparency and customisation. It uses an ECN-style interface with detailed order book data and ultra-fast execution, making it popular among crypto scalpers and high-frequency traders.

You can view real-time market depth through cTrader’s Depth of Market (DoM) tool, place orders directly from charts, and set advanced order types including market range protection. The platform also supports cBots, automated systems built with C# in cAlgo, giving you strong control over execution logic and order flow management.

For those trading crypto CFDs during high volatility, cTrader’s execution feedback and fast processing are particularly useful, as you can track fill quality and slippage on each order.

TradingView

TradingView integrates directly with Pepperstone, allowing you to trade crypto CFDs straight from TradingView charts without switching platforms. It’s the best fit if you prefer a visual setup and advanced technical analysis tools.

The platform offers hundreds of community scripts and custom indicators built with Pine Script, ideal for testing and refining crypto trading ideas. You can display multiple markets side by side, set conditional alerts, and backtest strategies directly from chart data. Because it’s browser-based, TradingView also syncs seamlessly across devices, ideal if you manage positions from mobile while monitoring charts on desktop.

Pepperstone Platform

Pepperstone’s own trading app and web platform provide a clean interface for managing crypto positions and tracking performance. While it’s lighter than MetaTrader or cTrader, it includes quick chart switching, real-time pricing updates, and integrated analytics for crypto markets.

You can create watchlists, check margin and equity in real time, and view open trades across all asset classes. The layout works well for quick access trading, especially if you prefer an easy-to-use setup over a feature-heavy platform.

Is Pepperstone a Good Platform for Trading Cryptocurrencies?

Yes, Pepperstone offers one of the strongest crypto CFD setups among regulated brokers. You can choose from several professional-grade platforms, all with live spreads, 24/7 access, and support for both manual and automated crypto trading. Execution is fast and consistent, and pricing stays competitive across major coins and altcoins.

For most, the decision comes down to trading style – MT5 suits more advanced and automated crypto strategies, cTrader fits those who want transparency and speed, and TradingView is best if you prefer advanced charting and visual analysis.

Other Trading Tools

Pepperstone includes several optional trading tools that can be linked to your account for crypto CFDs and other markets. These range from copy trading apps to advanced analysis plugins and automation options.

• DupliTrade: A third-party copy trading service that links to your Pepperstone MT4 or MT5 account. You can follow pre-verified strategy providers, view live performance data, and automatically mirror their trades in proportion to your balance.
• Signal Start: Powered by Myfxbook, this is a simple web-based copy trading tool. Once your account is connected, you can follow multiple traders and adjust risk per signal without installing extra software.
• cTrader Copy Trading: Built directly into the cTrader platform. Lets you subscribe to or share strategies in real time and manage how much of your account balance is allocated to each provider.
• Smart Trader Tools: A set of 28 MT4 and MT5 plugins including mini terminals, correlation matrices, and sentiment monitors. Handy for monitoring crypto volatility and managing multiple open positions.
• API Access: Enables you to connect custom crypto trading systems or external software directly to Pepperstone’s price feed for low-latency automated execution.
• VPS Hosting: Keeps your trading platforms and automated systems running continuously, useful for crypto CFDs that trade 24/7 and need uninterrupted connectivity.
• Automation (EAs and cBots): Run algorithmic strategies through Expert Advisors on MT4/MT5 or cBots on cTrader. Each executes crypto trades automatically based on predefined conditions, ideal for consistent rule-based setups.

Safety and Availability

Pepperstone is one of the most trusted CFD brokers globally, holding tier-1 regulation across several regions. The broker follows strict capital, client money, and operational standards to ensure transparency and protection for every account.

The broker is regulated by multiple top-tier authorities around the world like:

• UK – Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
• Australia – Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC)
• Europe – BaFin (Germany) and CySEC (Cyprus)
• Middle East – DFSA (Dubai)

Client Fund Protection

All client deposits are held in segregated trust accounts at tier-1 banks, separate from Pepperstone’s own operating funds. This ensures funds cannot be used for any purpose other than margin trading or withdrawals.

Negative Balance Protection

Retail investors and traders under FCA, ASIC, and EU regulation are covered by negative balance protection. This prevents losses from exceeding your account balance during extreme market volatility, which is especially relevant in 24/7 crypto trading.

Country Restrictions

Pepperstone does not accept clients from the United States or other jurisdictions where local regulations prohibit CFD trading. Crypto CFDs are also unavailable to retail clients in the UK due to FCA restrictions.

Funding and Withdrawals

Pepperstone supports fast, fee-free funding and withdrawal options across all supported regions. You can manage deposits and withdrawals directly from the secure client area, with most transactions processed the same day.

Do I need a crypto wallet to trade CFDs?

No, you don’t need a crypto wallet. Crypto CFDs are derivatives, so you’re trading price movements rather than owning the underlying asset. This means no blockchain transfers, storage risk, or wallet setup is required.

Funding Methods

To deposit funds into your trading account, you can use:

• Bank transfer
• Visa and Mastercard (debit or credit)
• PayPal, Neteller, or Skrill (region-dependent)
• Local payment methods such as POLi or UnionPay in supported regions

Withdrawal Methods

Withdrawals are processed back to the original funding source for security reasons. Most card and PayPal withdrawals arrive within one business day, while bank transfers may take two to three.

Processing Times and Fees

Pepperstone charges no deposit or withdrawal fees, and processing times vary by method:

• Instant for cards and PayPal
• 1-3 business days for bank transfers

Minimum Deposit Requirements

There is no formal minimum deposit, though Pepperstone recommends at least $200 (or equivalent) to comfortably cover margin requirements.

Supported Base Currencies

Accounts can be opened in USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, NZD, CAD, JPY, SGD, CHF, and HKD. Choosing a base currency that matches your funding method avoids conversion costs.

Risk and Trading Rules

Pepperstone applies the same risk framework across all markets, including crypto CFDs, so you always know how leverage, margin, and position management work. The structure is transparent, and all key parameters are visible in the platform before you enter a trade.

Leverage by Region

Leverage levels depend on where your account is regulated. Retail clients under FCA (UK), ASIC (Australia), BaFin (Germany), or CySEC (Cyprus) can trade crypto CFDs with up to 1:2 leverage, meaning you control $2 in market exposure for every $1 in your account.

Leverage on crypto CFDs is lower than forex or indices because of the higher volatility and weekend trading hours. This reduced gearing helps limit exposure when markets move fast or gap during low liquidity periods.

Professional clients and those trading under offshore entities (SCB or CMA) can access higher leverage, often up to 1:500 depending on asset type.

Stop Out and Margin Policy

Pepperstone operates an automatic margin call and stop out process. If your margin level falls below 100%, you’ll receive a warning notification. If it drops to 50% or lower, open positions may start closing automatically based on real-time liquidity.

Margin requirements differ between products and crypto CFDs generally have higher requirements than forex, reflecting their price swings. You can monitor live margin usage and available equity directly in your trading platform.

Pepperstone also uses dynamic margining on some instruments, meaning larger position sizes require more margin. This prevents overexposure and ensures fair execution during volatile periods.

Allowed Trading Strategies

All trading styles are permitted, including scalping, hedging, grid trading, and automation through Expert Advisors (EAs) or cBots. There are no restrictions on holding crypto CFD positions overnight or across weekends.

Because Pepperstone uses a Straight Through Processing (STP) execution model, your orders go directly to liquidity providers without any dealer intervention, which means hedging or high-frequency strategies execute at true market prices.

Risk Management Tools

Pepperstone offers several features to manage the high risk of trading crypto.

• Stop-loss and take-profit orders to define exit levels in advance.
• Trailing stops that move automatically as price shifts in your favour.
• Margin alerts that warn you when equity drops near required levels.
• Negative balance protection for retail clients to prevent account deficits.

You can also use position sizing tools and equity alerts within MT4, MT5, or cTrader to manage exposure on volatile crypto pairs. The Smart Trader Tools plugin adds risk calculators and order templates that help set accurate stop distances and position sizes before trade entry.

Do You Have to Use Stop-Loss and Take-Profit Orders?

No, but it’s strongly advised, especially in crypto CFDs where prices can move hundreds of points in seconds. Using a stop loss caps downside risk automatically if a move goes against you, while a take profit locks in gains at a pre set target.
Leaving trades open without protection can lead to large overnight losses, particularly in markets that trade continuously. For long-term or automated strategies, combining fixed stops with trailing orders usually offers the best balance between flexibility and safety.

Final Thoughts on Pepperstone

Pepperstone scores 92/100 overall, based on its low costs, fast execution, and strong choice of trading platforms. You can trade Bitcoin, Ethereum, and a range of altcoins and crypto indices from one account on MT4, MT5, cTrader, or TradingView, all with no commission and clear pricing.

Its main strengths are transparent fees, platform variety, and regulation in trusted regions. Funding is quick with no internal charges, and trading rules are consistent. Retail crypto leverage is limited to 1:2, and the crypto list is smaller than some competitors, but liquidity and execution are solid.

Pepperstone is a solid option if you want to trade crypto CFDs through a regulated broker with clear costs and reliable order execution, it’ll suit if you prefer using established platforms without needing wallets or unregulated exchanges.