CFD Brokers
This is a separate section from our crypto exchange rankings. CFD brokers are a different kind of investment product than crypto exchanges — instead of buying and holding the actual cryptocurrency or other asset, an investor enters into a contract for difference with the broker, usually using leverage. If you want to actually own cryptocurrency (for example, to spend it or move it to your own wallet), a CFD is not the right instrument for that — you need an account on one of the exchanges in our rankings. We don't mix CFD broker ratings with our crypto exchange rankings — this is a separate category we're still trialing. Also worth knowing: CFD trading is restricted or entirely banned for retail traders in several countries, most notably the United States, so check whether it's even available where you live before going further.
A contract for difference, not the asset
Buying a bitcoin CFD doesn't make you the owner of any BTC — you enter into a cash-settled contract with the broker based on the price change. On an exchange, you buy the actual cryptocurrency, which you can withdraw to your own wallet.
Different oversight than crypto exchanges
CFD brokers operate under financial-institution licenses (e.g. KNF, CySEC, FCA) and are subject to retail investor protection rules, including leverage limits — a different regulatory regime than the exchange-focused frameworks that apply to crypto exchanges, and regulators vary widely by country. KNF, CySEC, and the FCA are EU/UK examples, not a universal standard — check what applies where you live.
No crypto wallet involved
You open and close a CFD position in a brokerage account — you don't need a wallet or an address to receive cryptocurrency, because you never physically hold it at any point.
European broker listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange, regulated by Poland's KNF.
CFD broker licensed by CySEC and the FCA, also known for its crypto-buying platform.
CFD broker licensed by CySEC, operating in many EU countries via passporting.
Frequently asked questions
Can I withdraw real bitcoin from a CFD broker account?
No. When trading CFDs, you never own actual cryptocurrency — profits and losses are settled in cash, in your brokerage account's currency. If you want to hold and withdraw the cryptocurrency itself, you need an account on a crypto exchange, not a CFD broker.
How does leverage at a CFD broker differ from buying directly on an exchange?
Leverage lets you open a position worth more than the deposit you put down, which increases both potential profit and potential loss — sometimes beyond the capital you deposited. Buying cryptocurrency directly on an exchange, you only risk the amount you actually paid in.
Which should I choose: a crypto exchange or a CFD broker?
It depends on your goal. If you want to actually own cryptocurrency, spend it, or hold it in your own wallet, you need an exchange from our rankings. If you're only interested in speculating on price movement with no intention of owning the asset, a CFD is a separate instrument — but it comes with the leverage risk described above, and isn't available to retail traders everywhere.