Crypto Trading | Spread Betting and CFDs

Q: What are cryptocurrencies?

A cryptocurrency is a type of digital money created from code. They function autonomously, outside of traditional banking and government systems.

Q: How do I trade cryptocurrency with CMC Markets?

Cryptocurrency trading is the process of speculating on a digital currency's price movements. Instead of buying and selling directly via a crypto exchange, you can get exposure to cryptocurrency price movements without owning the asset, through a CFD trading account. As opposed to when you buy crypto directly, when you speculate on its price via CFD trading, you can go long or short, based on your view of the market.

Q: What are the costs involved in trading on cryptocurrencies?

There are a number of costs to consider when trading CFDs on cryptocurrencies, including spread costs, holding costs (for trades held overnight - this is essentially a fee for the funds we 'lend you' to cover the leveraged portion of the trade) and guaranteed stop-loss order charges (if you use this risk-management tool). Learn more about our trading fees

Q: How are the crypto indices weighted?

We aim to provide a diverse, balanced view of the cryptocurrency market's performance with our three crypto indices, which enable you to take a broader view of the crypto market. For our Major Crypto Index, we've established a cap so no single cryptocurrency can constitute a weighting of greater than 40% of the index. While no individual constituent makes up more than 40% of the Emerging Crypto Index, we may establish a cap of 40% for this index should it become necessary at a future date. The All Crypto Index gives 60% of the total weighting to major cryptos and 40% to emerging coins. Each cryptocurrency is then weighted equally within that banding. The weightings of any uncapped component that then fall below a 5% floor will be increased to that value, taking proportional market capitalisation from any uncapped index component. We monitor our crypto indices periodically to see whether any adjustments need to be made to constituent weightings. We also monitor closely for any hard or soft forks, which may necessitate adjustments to the constituent cryptocurrencies. If such adjustments are made, we will change the index divisor to ensure that there is no resulting impact on the index prices.

Q: What is leveraged trading?

One of the features of spread betting and CFD trading is that you only need to deposit a percentage of the full value of your position – the initial margin requirement – to open a trade, known as trading on leverage. Trading on leverage amplifies your profits and losses equally, so it's important to manage your risk.

Q: How does CMC Markets protect my money?

CMC Markets Germany GmbH is a broker regulated by the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin). It holds funds of private clients separately from its own funds in separate bank accounts. In the unlikely event that CMC Markets Germany GmbH is unable to meet its financial obligations, the EdW would cover any claim for damages by claimants up to €20,000, provided that certain criteria are met.

Q: Is CMC Markets regulated?

CMC Markets Germany GmbH is a company authorised and regulated by the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin). CMC Markets complies with the requirements of §84 of the German Securities Trading Act (WpHG) regarding client funds.

Q: Is it free to open an account?

There's no cost when opening a live trading account with us. You can also view prices and use tools such as charts, Reuters news or Morningstar quantitative equity reports, free of charge. However, you'll need to deposit funds in your account to place a trade.

Q: How does CMC Markets make money?

Our income primarily comes from our spreads, while other fees, such as overnight holding costs, make a minor contribution to our overall revenue.

Q: What can I trade on with CMC Markets?

You can trade on financial instruments when you spread bet and trade CFDs with us. Take a look at our popular markets and instruments.

EU regulated

FTSE 250 group

2m+ global traders and investors³

2023 WINNER

Best Forex Broker

Good Money Guide Awards

2025 WINNER

Best Mobile Trading Platform

ADVFN International Financial Awards

2023 WINNER

No.1 Web Platform

ForexBrokers.com Awards

Why trade cryptocurrency with us?

Precision pricing

Enjoy friendly assistance around the clock with 24/5 dedicated support, ensuring you never trade alone.

Fast, 100% automated execution

Experience fully automated, lightning-fast execution in only 0.009 seconds².

No partial fills

No dealer intervention – we don't reject or partially fill trades based on size.

Dedicated customer service

Our experienced team is here whenever the markets are open to support you on your trading journey.

Broaden your crypto exposure

Choose from our exclusive crypto indices, allowing you to access multiple cryptos from a single position.

No wallet needed

Trade on cryptos directly from your CFD platform, with no additional crypto wallet required.

What are other traders saying about CMC Markets?

Discover why 2 million+ global traders and investors choose us.⁴

User FriendUser Friendly Platform / Easy to Use / Nice charts ly Platform / Easy to Use /…User Friendly Platform / Easy to Use / Nice charts M D Khorasani,2 hours ago

great chartsgreat chartsYves Larochelle,yesterday

like numbersnumberslike numbersAlbert,2 days ago

So easy to useSo easy to use, no irritating complication like I’ve experienced on other platform, I certain that I’m sticking with them…Millie,3 days ago

I use CMC for spread bettingI use CMC for spread betting. It’s pretty easy to use. Like any leveraged trading platform, it’s easy to take a lot of risk! Easy to use,3 days ago

very easy platform quick to move around…very easy platform quick to move around user friendly easy to learn comfortable to use Yunus Luqmani,5 days ago

New hereNew here, and finding my way around and looking to the futureRobert Patterson,5 days ago

Prefect dataPrefect dataKhalil,7 days ago

Good simple to use appGood simple to use appDIPA LAKHMAN,22 October

I like it because it’s easy to trade or…I like it because it’s easy to trade or make deposit or withdraw and quick login and logout and no extra charges Afsin,22 October

Cryptocurrency trading costs

Get exposure to volatility on favourites like bitcoin and ethereum, as well as alt coins like polygon with spreads from as low as 0.65 points.

INSTRUMENT	PRICE	day	week	trend	holding cost buy	holding cost sell	margin

Pricing is indicative only. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.

INSTRUMENT	PRICE	DAY	WEEK	TREND	HOLDING-COST-BUY	HOLDING-COST-SELL	margin

Pricing is indicative only. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.

INSTRUMENT	PRICE	day	week	trend	holding cost buy	holding cost sell	margin

Pricing is indicative only. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.

Powerful technology you can rely on

To trade with us, you choose a CFD account that suits the platform you want to use.

Standard CFD account provides access to our proprietary and award-winning Next Generation platform, available on PC and mobile. This account can also be linked to TradingView.

To trade on Metatrader 4, you must create a separate MT4 CFD account. This account is only compatible with MT4 and does not provide access to Next Generation or TradingView.

Note: MetaTrader 4 only offers trading in currencies, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies.

Read more below about the platforms we offer and find out which one best suits your trading style.

2025 Winner

Best-in-Class Platform & Tools

ForexBrokers.com Awards

Web platform

We've invested over £100m into our proprietary platform, creating pioneering technology to suit all styles of trading.

Mobile app

Get the functionality of our web platform in your pocket, with mobile-optimised charting, full order-ticket features and real-time alerts.

MetaTrader 4 (MT4)

Trade on one of the world's most popular platforms, and access our free premium MT4 indicators and Expert Advisors.

TradingView

TradingView is a comprehensive trading platform that provides real-time data, customisable charts, and technical analysis tools with an intuitive and user-friendly interface, allowing traders to precisely track financial instruments with an extensive library of indicators and drawing tools.

Link your account

Award-winning broker

2025 WINNER

Best Mobile Trading Platform

ADVFN International Financial Awards

2023 WINNER

No.1 Web Platform

ForexBrokers.com Awards

FAQs

New to cryptocurrency trading?

What are cryptocurrencies?

How do I trade cryptocurrency with CMC Markets?

What are the costs involved in trading on cryptocurrencies?

How are the crypto indices weighted?

What is leveraged trading?

New to CMC Markets?

How does CMC Markets protect my money?

Is CMC Markets regulated?

Is it free to open an account?

How does CMC Markets make money?

What can I trade on with CMC Markets?

Do you have any questions?

Email us at info@cmcmarkets.ie or call us on +353(0)1 256 3000 (lines open 24 hours, Monday to Friday).

¹Recent awards include: Best Spread Betting Broker, Good Money Guide Awards 2026; No.1 Most Currency Pairs & Best-in-class for Overall Excellence, MetaTrader, Mobile Trading App, Professional Trading, Research & TradingView, ForexBrokers.com Awards 2026; Best Broker for Active Traders, Professional Trader Awards 2025; Best Mobile Trading Platform and Best Spread Betting & CFD Education Tools, ADVFN International Financial Awards 2025; No.1 for Commissions & Fees, ForexBrokers.com Awards 2025.

²0.009 seconds CFD median trade execution time on CMC Markets' web and mobile platforms, 1 April 2024-31 March 2025.

³Based on over 2 million unique user logins across CMC's trading and investing platforms, including partners, as at November 2025.

Cryptocurrency trading

Why trade cryptocurrency with us?

What are other traders saying about CMC Markets?

Cryptocurrency trading costs

Increase your exposure to the cryptocurrency market