Crypto investing with CMC Invest: What to know before getting started

Cryptocurrency has moved from the fringes into mainstream investor awareness, but for many Australians, getting started still feels complex, risky or unfamiliar. 

CMC Invest’s cryptocurrency offering is designed to remove many of those barriers by allowing clients to access selected cryptocurrencies through the same trusted platform they already use for shares and ETFs. This approach is designed for investors who want straightforward exposure to major cryptocurrencies, without the operational complexity often associated with crypto platforms. 

This guide focuses specifically on CMC Invest’s cryptocurrency offering, how it works in practice, and its advantages and trade-offs. If you’re new to crypto investing or want a broader overview of how to buy cryptocurrency in Australia, including general market risks, see our beginner’s guides to buying crypto in Australia before continuing. 

Who is this offering designed for? 

 CMC Invest’s cryptocurrency offering may suit investors who: 

• Want exposure to crypto alongside shares and ETFs 

• Prefer a regulated Australian broker they already trust 

• Want to avoid managing wallets and private keys 

• Are starting with smaller amounts 

• Value simplicity over advanced crypto functionality 

It may be less suitable for investors who: 

• Want full self-custody 

• Use crypto for payments or decentralised finance 

• Trade a wide range of altcoins 

• Want to transfer their crypto externally  

What cryptocurrencies are available? 

CMC Invest provides access to eight well-established cryptocurrencies.

Across the crypto market, most investing activity tends to concentrate in large, widely recognised cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum and Solana. These assets generally have longer track records larger market size and broader adoption compared to smaller or newer coins. 

This approach is beneficial for investors seeking focused exposure to major cryptocurrencies, rather than access to newer or speculative tokens with more limited history and adoption. It may not align with strategies that prioritise trading a wide range of alternative coins. CMC Invest continues to monitor the crypto market and may consider adding new cryptocurrencies over time. 

How to invest in crypto on CMC Invest 

Step 1: Opt in and prepare 

To access crypto trading, you must opt in via your account settings: 

• Log in to your CMC Invest account 

• Go to Settings, then Trading Settings 

• Opt in to Cryptocurrency trading 

• Fund your account  

Step 2: Place a trade 

• Click Place order to open the order ticket 

• Search for the desired cryptocurrency by name or code, for example Bitcoin or BTC/USD 

• Choose your order settings, such as order type, market or limit 

• Enter the quantity you wish to buy, from $25 plus fees and charges 

• Review pricing and confirm your order 

Important to note: Cryptocurrency markets operate 24/7 however trading via the CMC Invest platform is subject to service availability including scheduled maintenance upgrades and any periods of downtime. 

Step 3: Monitor and manage 

• Your crypto holdings appear in your portfolio alongside any shares and ETFs you own 

• You can buy, hold or sell depending on your strategy 

• Keep up to date with the latest crypto news, analysis and education from CMC Invest 

For a visual guide on how to opt in, fund your account, place an order and view your holdings, see our platform guide:

Fees and costs explained 

CMC Invest applies simple, transparent pricing to all crypto trades: 

• Flat brokerage of 0.9% per trade value 

• An FX spread also applies because crypto is transacted in USD 

• An indicative FX rate will be shown on your order ticket at the time of placing a cryptocurrency order. 

• No ongoing management, custody or holding fees 

This structure may appeal to long-term investors who prefer to pay only when trading, rather than ongoing fees. 

Custody and security

One of the biggest challenges for new crypto investors is security, particularly managing private keys and avoiding costly mistakes. 

CMC Invest addresses this by removing the need for self-custody, where individuals are responsible for storing, securing, and transferring their own crypto assets directly on the blockchain. 

How custody works: 

CMC Invest offers a custodial cryptocurrency service. 

This means: 

• CMC Invest holds the crypto on your behalf 

• You retain beneficial ownership of your holdings 

• You do not manage private keys or personal wallets 

Crypto assets are held via Paxos, the sub-custodian and a well-established digital asset custodian using enterprise-grade security and infrastructure. Full details on pricing, beneficial ownership and custody arrangements are available in the CMC Invest Digital Assets Terms of Service. 

The service has been available since 2023 and is integrated directly into the CMC Invest platform. 

Can you transfer crypto in or out? 

No. The CMC Invest crypto offering operates as a closed-loop system. 

You can: 

• Buy cryptocurrencies on CMC Invest 

• Sell cryptocurrencies on CMC Invest 

You cannot: 

• Transfer crypto to another exchange 

• Receive crypto from an external wallet 

• Use crypto for payments or decentralised applications 

This structure is important to understand before investing, particularly if you are familiar with self-custody or decentralised finance. 

Key considerations before investing

Strengths

1. One trusted account: Access shares and crypto through one trusted account, with a single login and crypto held alongside shares and ETFs in your portfolio. 

2. Familiar trading experience: Trade crypto from the same order ticket you use for shares and ETFs. 

3. Professional custody: No wallets or private keys to manage, with assets held securely via Paxos, the sub-custodian. 

4. Transparent costs: Flat brokerage, upfront FX pricing and no ongoing fees. 

5. Accessible entry point: Minimum trade sizes from $25 plus fees and charges allow investors to start small and build confidence. 

Limitations

CMC Invest’s crypto offering is built around simplicity, security and ease of use. As a result, it may be a better fit for certain investor types, such as long-term investors looking to gain exposure to crypto alongside shares and ETFs as part of a balanced portfolio, rather than advanced cryptocurrency trading strategies. 

1. Closed loop structure: Crypto is held and traded within the platform and cannot be transferred in or out, helping keep the experience streamlined and secure. 

2. Focused coin selection: Eight established cryptocurrencies are supported, prioritising quality and familiarity over breadth. 

3. USD pricing and FX exposure: All crypto trades are priced in USD, which means AUD to USD conversion applies and returns may be influenced by currency movements. 

These considerations highlight the balance CMC Invest has chosen between accessibility, security and flexibility, allowing investors to gain crypto exposure within a regulated investment environment. 

A simple way to diversify with crypto 

CMC Invest breaks through much of the complexity that surrounds crypto investing by offering stocks, ETFs and crypto in one award-winning platform. For many Australians, this integrated approach provides a practical way to explore crypto as part of a broader portfolio, without adding unnecessary friction. 

However, cryptocurrencies are highly volatile and involve significant risks. Always consider your objectives, financial situation and risk tolerance before investing, and seek independent advice if needed. 

Log in or sign up to CMC Invest to explore crypto today and see how it may fit into your broader investment strategy. 

Disclaimer: CMC Markets is an execution-only service provider. The material (whether or not it states any opinions) is for general information and education purposes only, and does not take into account your personal circumstances or objectives. Nothing in this material is (or should be considered to be) financial, investment, tax or other advice on which reliance should be placed and is warranted to be complete, accurate, or timely. No opinion given in the material constitutes a recommendation by CMC Markets or the author that any particular investment, security, transaction or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person.  

Investing in cryptocurrencies carries significant risks and is not suitable for all investors. You may lose all your money you paid. Consequently, you should consider the information in light of your objectives, financial situation and needs and do your own research. It’s important for you to consider the relevant Digital Assets Terms of Service and other associated disclosure documents on the CMC Markets Invest website before you decide whether or not to acquire any of the Cryptocurrencies. Please also note that you are not currently able to send Cryptocurrencies to or from your trading account, or use Cryptocurrencies purchased on CMC Markets’ Platform to pay for goods or services.   

The provision of cryptocurrency services and products will not be treated similarly to the provision of regulated financial services or products and you are not afforded the same client protection provisions offered by the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) as you would trading regulated financial products or receiving regulated financial services. Cryptocurrencies are held with a sub-custodian.