Quick verdict: crypto CFD brokers in Australia
Eightcap is the best crypto CFD broker in Australia, with 250+ crypto CFDs, the widest range on this page. IC Markets has the tightest Bitcoin spread at around $13 on the Raw account, and eToro is the pick for copy trading crypto. Focus Markets carries the second-largest list at 140+ but publishes no price for any of it, and Fortrade the smallest at 12. Every broker here is capped at 2:1 retail leverage.
- Eightcap: deepest crypto range, 250+ CFDs.
- IC Markets: tightest Bitcoin spread, around $13 on Raw.
- Pepperstone: low-cost crypto with ECN execution.
- CMC Markets: 39 crypto pairs on Next Generation.
- Plus500: simplest casual crypto platform.
- eToro: copy trading crypto through CopyTrader.
- FP Markets: 15 crypto pairs across four platforms.
- Capital.com: 100+ crypto CFDs on a polished platform.
- Vantage: dedicated crypto CFD account.
- Mitrade: app-based crypto CFDs, spread only.
- Focus Markets: 140+ crypto CFDs, no published price.
- Fortrade: 12 crypto CFDs, AUD account, wide spreads.
Range, cost and copy trading pull in different directions here, so the right broker for you depends on which of those I would weigh first. The table and reviews below show the trade-off each broker makes.
Crypto CFDs are not the same as buying spot crypto on Independent Reserve or Swyftx, and that distinction trips up most new traders, so I cover the difference further down. The tax treatment is also different, so if forex is your main market, start with our top-rated forex brokers in Australia guide.
Comparison table: AU crypto CFD brokers
| # | Broker | Crypto CFDs | Max retail leverage | BTC/USD typical spread | Weekend trading | Visit broker | More details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | #1 Top crypto CFD pick Eightcap | 250+ | 2:1 | $20 | Yes | Visit Eightcap | |
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| 2 |  Pepperstone | 27 | 2:1 | $14 | Yes | Visit Pepperstone | |
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| 3 |  IC Markets | 21 | 2:1 | $13 | Yes | Visit IC Markets | |
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| 4 |  FP Markets | 15 | 2:1 | $18 | Yes | Visit FP Markets | |
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| 5 |  CMC Markets | 39 | 2:1 | $22 | Limited | Visit CMC Markets | |
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| 6 |  Plus500 | 25 | 2:1 | Built into spreadvaries | Yes | Visit Plus500 | |
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| 7 |  eToro | 90+ (CFDs and asset-backed) | 2:1 | 1% built into spread | Yes | Visit eToro | |
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| 8 |  Capital.com | 100+ | 2:1 | $16 | Yes | Visit Capital.com | |
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| 9 |  Focus Markets | 140+ | 2:1 | Not published | Not published | Visit Focus Markets | |
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| 10 |  Vantage | Selected majors | 2:1 | Not stated | Not stated | Visit Vantage | |
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| 11 |  Mitrade | Majors (BTC, ETH, XRP, SOL) | 2:1 | Not stated | Not stated | Visit Mitrade | |
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| 12 |  IG Markets | Selected majors | 2:1 | Not stated | Not stated | Visit IG Markets | |
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| 13 |  TMGM | Selected majors | 2:1 | Not stated | Not stated | Visit TMGM | |
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| 14 |  Fortrade | 12 | 2:1 | $100advertised | Not published | Visit Fortrade | |
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Live BTC/USD spreads move with volatility, so check each broker’s current schedule before funding an account. Weekend hours change without notice when liquidity providers adjust.
Watch: Best crypto CFD brokers.
All fourteen hold an Australian Financial Services Licence and are members of AFCA, so, in my view, the baseline protections are already in place before you compare a single spread. The binding constraint across the table is ASIC’s Product Intervention Order: 2:1 leverage cap on crypto CFDs, mandatory negative balance protection, margin close-out at 50% of initial margin, no bonuses to retail clients.
Risk warning: CFDs are leveraged products and carry a high risk of loss. Most retail CFD accounts lose money. Review the broker's PDS and TMD before trading.
1. Eightcap: widest crypto CFD range in Australia
Eightcap lists more than 250 crypto derivative markets, the largest published count of any broker on this page, from bitcoin and ether through a long list of altcoins. The Raw account charges A$3.50 per side commission, while the Standard account is spread only, and crypto markets trade through the weekend. Execution runs natively inside TradingView as well as on MT4, MT5 and TradeLocker. Retail leverage on crypto CFDs is capped at 2:1 under ASIC rules, here and at every broker on this list. The minimum deposit is A$100, and Eightcap has held AFSL 391441 since 2009, which is one reason I would start here if range is your first filter.
Average spread
EUR/USD = 0.1
GBP/USD = 0.3
AUD/USD = 0.2
Trading platforms
MT4, MT5, TradingView
Minimum deposit
A$100
Regulation
ASIC AFSL 391441
Why higher here? Crypto Fit weights crypto range and the platform you trade it on, which lifts Eightcap above its #11 sitewide position. See the ranking method ↓
Pros & Cons
- ASIC AFSL 391441 since 2009; Melbourne-founded with continuing Australian operations
- Native TradingView trading integration (one of a small AU group)
- 250+ crypto derivative markets, deepest crypto CFD range of any ASIC broker we cover
- Share CFD range narrower than CMC, IG and IBKR (around 600 versus 10,000+)
- Research and education stack lighter than Pepperstone Insights or CMC's analyst feed
- Customer support is 24/5 only (no weekend live phone or chat)
Broker's Detail
Melbourne-founded in 2009 (AFSL 391441), Eightcap is, in my view, the deepest crypto CFD broker in our ASIC-regulated shortlist with 250+ crypto derivative markets. Every crypto CFD position there sits under ASIC's 2:1 retail leverage cap.
Two account types are available, and the choice depends on whether you want raw pricing or simplicity. The Raw account, which I would use for tight pricing, pairs EUR/USD spreads from 0.0 pips with AUD 7 round-turn commission. The Standard account is commission-free with spreads from 1.0 pips. Platforms supported are MT4, MT5 and native TradingView trading.
You can fund fee-free via PayID, BPAY and card, with a $100 minimum deposit, which I would call a low entry point. AUD-denominated accounts are available. Retail leverage is capped at ASIC's standard tiers, with AFCA dispute coverage and negative balance protection. Customer support runs 24/5 by live chat and email.
Eightcap spread table (averaged over our most recent test cycle):
| Pair | Raw avg spread (pips) | + commission equivalent | Total cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD | 0.00 | 0.45 | 0.45 |
| AUD/USD | 0.15 | 0.45 | 0.60 |
| GBP/USD | 0.25 | 0.45 | 0.70 |
| USD/JPY | 0.15 | 0.45 | 0.60 |
| EUR/JPY | 0.40 | 0.45 | 0.85 |
Broker Screenshots
2. Pepperstone: tight crypto pricing on Razor
Pepperstone runs 30+ crypto CFDs with weekend trading available, priced through the same Standard and Razor account structure you may already know from its forex range. Platform choice is a strength: MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView and Pepperstone’s own web platform from one login, each with a mobile app. There is no minimum deposit, no inactivity fee, and withdrawals are free on most methods, with 24/7 support behind the account, but the Razor account is the one I would point cost-sensitive traders to if tight pricing matters. Retail crypto CFD leverage is capped at 2:1 under ASIC rules. Pepperstone has held AFSL 414530 since 2013.
3. IC Markets: tightest Bitcoin spread on the Raw account
IC Markets offers 18+ crypto CFDs beside its forex and index range, traded on MT4, MT5 or cTrader with crypto markets open through the weekend. The case for it is execution quality: Noam Korbl’s execution capture consistently places it among the fastest brokers we track, exactly what I would want on markets that move as abruptly as bitcoin and ether. The minimum deposit is US$200, support runs 24/7 on live chat, and the ASIC retail leverage cap of 2:1 on crypto CFDs applies. International Capital Markets has operated under AFSL 335692 since 2009.
4. FP Markets: 15 crypto pairs across four platforms
FP Markets includes crypto CFDs within its multi-asset range, subject to ASIC’s 2:1 retail leverage cap, without publishing a coin count for the class. The draw, in my view, is account flexibility: Raw pricing with A$3.50 per side forex commission or a spread-only Standard account, on MT4, MT5, cTrader and TradingView, with a A$100 minimum deposit and no inactivity fee. Note that its Islamic swap-free account does not extend to crypto CFDs, so if you use a swap-free account for forex, that treatment does not carry into crypto. First Prudential Markets has held AFSL 286354 since 2005, one of the longest continuous ASIC records on this page.
5. CMC Markets: proprietary platform with 39 pairs
CMC Markets offers 39 crypto CFDs, including bitcoin, ether, XRP, ADA and SOL, on its Next Generation platform, with crypto markets covered through the weekend. The Standard account is spread only with no minimum deposit, and Next Generation adds pattern recognition scanning and client sentiment data, which is why I would use it for chart-led traders. The wider book of 12,000+ CFD instruments means your crypto positions can sit beside indices, forex and commodities on one login. Retail leverage is capped at 2:1 on crypto CFDs under ASIC rules. CMC Markets Asia Pacific has held AFSL 238054 since 2004.
Average spread
EUR/USD = 0.7
GBP/USD = 0.9
AUD/USD = 0.6
Trading platforms
Next Generation, MT4, CMC Stockbroking, TradingView
Minimum deposit
A$0
Regulation
ASIC AFSL 238054
Why higher here? Crypto CFD Fit weights the crypto range and the platform you trade it on. CMC carries the second-widest set here at 39 pairs, delivered through the best charting and sentiment tooling on the page, which lifts it above its #20 sitewide position. See the ranking method ↓
Pros & Cons
- ASIC AFSL 238054 since 2004, plus FCA, BaFin, MAS, CIRO regulation globally, top-tier trust profile
- Next Generation platform is the strongest proprietary CFD platform in Australia
- 12,000+ CFD instruments plus integrated CMC Stockbroking for ASX equities
- Standard account spreads on EUR/USD and AUD/USD wider than top-tier RAW brokers
- Share CFD overnight financing rates above average for the AU market
- Customer support hours 24/5 only (closed weekends)
Broker's Detail
CMC Markets was founded in London in 1989 and has been operating in Australia since 2002, which, in my view, makes it one of the longest-tenured CFD brokers in the AU market. The AU entity holds AFSL 238054. The group is LSE-listed and also holds FCA (UK), BaFin (Germany), MAS (Singapore) and CIRO (Canada) licences.
Standard account spreads start from 0.5 pips on EUR/USD with no commission. FX Active, in my view, pairs tighter spreads with a commission, which matters if you trade forex more than crypto. CMC also runs a separate stockbroking service for direct ASX share investing. The Next Generation platform pairs with MT4 (no MT5 or cTrader on the AU entity).
You can open with a $0 minimum deposit, which I consider a standout, and fund fee-free in Australia via PayID, BPAY and card. Retail leverage follows ASIC's 30:1 cap on major FX pairs, with crypto capped at 2:1. Negative balance protection and AFCA dispute coverage are standard. Customer support runs 24/5 by live chat, email and phone.
CMC Markets spread table (indicative standard-account pricing, not from our measured capture):
| Pair | CMC Standard (typical pips) | AU industry avg (Standard) |
|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD | 0.5 | 1.1 |
| AUD/USD | 0.6 | 1.3 |
| GBP/USD | 0.9 | 1.4 |
| USD/JPY | 0.7 | 1.4 |
| EUR/GBP | 0.7 | 1.4 |
| EUR/JPY | 1.2 | 1.9 |
| AUD/JPY | 1.2 | 2.1 |
6. Plus500: simplest casual trading platform
Plus500 keeps crypto CFDs to the major pairs, traded on its own WebTrader with the weekend covered. The trade-off is deliberate: what it lacks in range it makes up in risk controls, and guaranteed stop-loss orders are available, priced through a wider spread set when the position opens. That suits leveraged exposure to volatile coins under the ASIC 2:1 retail cap, and it is the feature I would use first. The account is spread only with no commission, most applications were approved within 30 minutes in our account-opening test, and the minimum deposit is A$100. Plus500AU has held AFSL 417727 since 2012.
Average spread
EUR/USD = 0.8
GBP/USD = 1.0
AUD/USD = 0.9
Trading platforms
Plus500 WebTrader, app
Minimum deposit
A$100
Regulation
ASIC AFSL 417727
Why higher here? Crypto Fit weights crypto range and the platform you trade it on, which lifts Plus500 above its #15 sitewide position. See the ranking method ↓
Pros & Cons
- ASIC AFSL 417727 since 2012; FTSE 250-listed parent (LSE:PLUS) for a strong trust profile
- WebTrader platform is the cleanest beginner CFD interface in our coverage
- Guaranteed Stop Loss Orders (GSLO) available, priced through a wider spread set when the position opens
- No MT4, MT5, cTrader or TradingView, proprietary platform only
- Forex pair count narrower than Pepperstone, IC Markets, OANDA
- Inactivity fee of USD 10/month kicks in after just 3 months (most AU brokers wait 6 to 12 months)
Broker's Detail
Plus500 is London Stock Exchange-listed (FTSE 250) and ASIC-regulated under AFSL 417727 since 2012, but the platform is proprietary, so you won't find MT4, MT5 or cTrader, which I would note as a limitation for platform flexibility.
Spreads are baked into the price (no commission), so what you see is the cost, which I would call transparent. EUR/USD runs 0.6 to 1.0 pips typical, on a 0.6 pip eight-pair measured average. The platform is deliberately simple, which I would argue is its main selling point: a single account type, a clean trade ticket and 2,800+ CFD instruments. Guaranteed stop-loss orders are available for a small premium.
Fee-free AU funding through PayID, BPAY, card and PayPal opens behind a $100 minimum deposit, which I would call a low barrier. Retail leverage follows ASIC's standard caps. AFCA dispute coverage and negative balance protection are standard.
Plus500 spread table (averaged over our most recent test cycle):
| Pair | Plus500 typical (pips) | AU industry avg (Standard) |
|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD | 0.6 to 1.0 | 1.1 |
| AUD/USD | 0.7 to 1.2 | 1.3 |
| GBP/USD | 1.0 to 1.5 | 1.4 |
| USD/JPY | 0.8 to 1.2 | 1.4 |
| EUR/GBP | 1.2 to 1.8 | 1.4 |
7. eToro: social and copy trading
eToro combines 70+ cryptocurrencies with the option to hold selected coins outright as well as trading them as CFDs under the ASIC 2:1 retail cap, which I would describe as a hybrid approach. Markets run through the weekend, and CopyTrader lets users mirror crypto-focused traders with no separate copy fee. A free demo with US$100,000 in virtual funds runs on the same platform, with no time limit. The account defaults to USD, so unless you hold the eligible AUD account, AUD deposits and withdrawals carry a conversion cost, which I would flag as a friction; the minimum deposit is US$50. eToro AUS Capital has held AFSL 491139 since 2017.
Average spread
EUR/USD = 1.0
GBP/USD = 2.0
AUD/USD = 1.0
Trading platforms
eToro Web, eToro App
Minimum deposit
US$50
Regulation
ASIC AFSL 491139
Why higher here? Crypto CFD Fit rewards the copy angle, and CopyTrader is the most developed copy product in our coverage, with crypto among its most-copied assets. The USD default account and markup pricing are what keep eToro at #28 sitewide. See the ranking method ↓
Pros & Cons
- ASIC AFSL 491139 since 2017; Tier-1 regulation also via FCA (UK) and CySEC (Cyprus)
- CopyTrader and Smart Portfolios, the most developed social trading product in the industry
- Real share investing across US, AU, UK and EU exchanges at a flat USD 2 per trade, ETFs 0%
- Account defaults to USD; an AUD account is available only to eligible AU clients, otherwise every deposit and withdrawal converts, with conversion fees on AUD funding
- No MT4, no MT5, no cTrader, no TradingView trading
- Forex spreads (EUR/USD from 1.0 pip) wider than RAW brokers like Pepperstone or IC Markets
Broker's Detail
eToro was founded in Tel Aviv in 2007 and has operated in Australia since 2018 under AFSL 491139. It is the world's largest social trading platform with 30M+ registered users globally, which, in my view, is its defining feature. The group also holds FCA (UK), CySEC (Cyprus) and FinCEN (US) regulation.
eToro's proprietary platform supports both forex/CFD trading and direct share investing with zero commission across US, AU, UK and EU exchanges. CopyTrader allows automatic replication of other traders' positions; Smart Portfolios bundle thematic baskets. You won't find MT4, MT5, cTrader or TradingView trading here, which I would call a significant omission for platform flexibility.
Account currency is USD only, so your AUD funding converts at deposit and withdrawal, which I would note as a cost to watch. The $50 USD minimum deposit is funded via card, PayPal, bank transfer and select e-wallets. Retail leverage sits at ASIC's standard caps. AFCA dispute coverage is standard.
eToro spread table (indicative standard-account pricing, not from our measured capture):
| Pair | eToro typical spread (pips) | AU industry avg (Standard) | Lowest-cost AU RAW account |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD | 1.0 | 1.1 | 0.5 (incl. commission) |
| AUD/USD | 1.0 | 1.3 | 0.6 |
| GBP/USD | 2.0 | 1.4 | 0.7 |
| USD/JPY | 1.0 | 1.4 | 0.6 |
| EUR/GBP | 1.5 | 1.4 | 0.8 |
8. Capital.com: 100+ crypto CFDs on a proprietary platform
Capital.com lists 100+ crypto CFDs, one of the wider selections here, with weekend trading available and pricing built into the spread rather than charged as commission. Its WebTrader platform and native TradingView integration carry the full crypto range, there is no inactivity fee, and the A$20 minimum deposit keeps the entry point low for you, which is why I would keep it on the shortlist. ASIC’s 2:1 retail leverage cap applies across the class. ASIC issued Capital Com Australia AFSL 513393 in 2021, within a group also regulated by the FCA and CySEC.
9. Vantage: dedicated crypto account
Vantage approaches crypto differently from the forex-first brokers above it: alongside the Standard STP and RAW accounts sits a Perpetual account built for crypto CFDs, priced from 0.1 pips with a 0.025% commission. I would point a crypto-focused trader there before the general accounts. Major crypto CFDs trade under ASIC’s 2:1 retail leverage cap on MT4, MT5, native TradingView or the Vantage App, and funding is fee-free across PayID, BPAY, PayPal, Apple Pay and Google Pay. Minimum deposits stay low at A$50 for Standard and RAW and US$50 for the Perpetual account. One caution: an inactivity fee of US$25 per month applies after 90 days without trading. Vantage Global Prime Pty Ltd holds AFSL 428901, first issued in 2009, with AFCA membership and negative balance protection.
10. Mitrade: app-based crypto CFDs
For traders who want crypto exposure from a phone without wiring up MetaTrader, Mitrade is my pick. Its proprietary platform runs on web, iOS and Android with TradingView charting built in, and covers major crypto CFDs including bitcoin, ether, XRP, litecoin, ADA and SOL, all priced spread only with no commission. ASIC’s 2:1 retail leverage cap applies to crypto CFDs, and negative balance protection is mandatory on the Australian entity. The minimum deposit is A$100, one of the lower entry points in this comparison, and there are no expert advisors or automation, which keeps the product deliberately simple. Melbourne-headquartered Mitrade Global Pty Ltd has held ASIC AFSL 398528 since around 2018 and is an AFCA member.
11. Focus Markets: 140+ crypto CFDs with no published price
The reason Focus Markets appears here is the count: more than 140 crypto CFDs, a range beaten only by Eightcap on this page. Beyond that number, I cannot find much on the account to set against the rows above. Focus Markets Pty Ltd (AFSL 514425) advertises a 0.0 pip floor on its Raw account and 1.0 pip on Standard, both quoted account-wide rather than against a named instrument, so there is no bitcoin spread to put in the table and no swap schedule outside the platform. MetaTrader 5 is the only platform, and the minimum deposit is A$100. Retail leverage is capped at 2:1, the same as every broker above. It sits last on price disclosure rather than on range: the altcoin list is real, but the only way to learn what it costs is to open the free 30-day demo.
12. Fortrade: 12 crypto CFDs on an Australian dollar account
At twelve CFDs, Fortrade carries the smallest crypto list on this page, but it earns a place for a different reason from the brokers above it: the account is denominated in Australian dollars, BPAY is a funding method, and the whole offering is priced spread only with no commission on any instrument. Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, Ripple, Cardano, Dogecoin, Litecoin, Dash, Polygon, Bitcoin Cash and a micro bitcoin futures contract make up eleven of the twelve at ASIC’s 2:1 retail cap, with Ether Futures the exception at 1:1. The cost is the catch. Fortrade advertises a US$100 spread on bitcoin, the widest published figure on this page, and its currency table states it was last updated 6 March 2026. Fort Securities Australia Pty. Ltd. holds AFSL 493520, commenced February 2019, with AFCA membership and negative balance protection. Trading runs on Fortrade’s own platform: there is no MetaTrader advertised anywhere, no cTrader and no TradingView.
ASIC’s 2:1 retail leverage cap on crypto CFDs
The ASIC-regulated broker path delivers AFCA membership, segregated client money and negative balance protection, all absent when you step offshore. I see that choice as a deliberate trade-off: you surrender the triple-digit leverage those offshore venues advertise.
A 2:1 cap applies to retail leverage for an Australian crypto CFD trader, and that single fact matters more than any other. The rule dates to ASIC’s Product Intervention Order, which took effect on 29 March 2021, and ASIC has since extended the order to 23 May 2027.
In practice, opening a notional AUD 10,000 BTC position means you need AUD 5,000 in margin. The same trade on an offshore platform offering 100:1 might require AUD 100, which is why the difference feels so stark. That 2:1 cap is real and it’s not negotiable on a retail account.
How AU compares to other jurisdictions
| Jurisdiction | Retail crypto CFD leverage cap |
|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC) | 2:1 |
| United Kingdom (FCA) | Crypto CFDs banned for retail (since Jan 2021) |
| European Union (ESMA) | 2:1 |
| Singapore (MAS) | Restricted retail access |
| Cyprus (CySEC) | 2:1 |
| Most offshore (SVG, Vanuatu, Seychelles) | 50:1 to 200:1 |
Global regulators put ASIC at the strict end. The UK is stricter still: retail crypto CFDs are banned outright. That 2:1 cap applies equally to all fourteen brokers in our table, so none of them can offer you higher retail leverage on crypto, regardless of platform or account tier.
The wholesale exception
Wholesale (professional) clients can be offered higher leverage at the broker’s discretion, but the typical range on crypto sits between 5:1 and 10:1 even for sophisticated traders. To qualify for wholesale classification under the Corporations Act, you need net assets of AUD 2.5 million, or gross income of AUD 250,000 in each of the last two financial years, certified by a qualified accountant. This is not a retail product. My view is blunt: don’t try to game the classification.
The 2:1 cap makes the margin calculation simple: halve the position value and that is the margin required. Run any size through the calculator below and you also get the close-out level, which the instrument fixes at 50% of initial margin.
Financing sits outside that figure. Hold a crypto CFD overnight and you accrue a daily funding or swap charge, which is a cost of holding the position rather than part of the margin requirement. That charge is not included below.
Crypto CFDs vs spot crypto on AU exchanges
Most new crypto CFD traders ask this, so I will answer it directly: the two products are fundamentally different.
Crypto CFDs are derivatives, not coins. There is no ownership of the underlying coin. The contract tracks the price, and profits and losses are settled in the account currency (usually AUD). Leverage is available (capped at 2:1 retail), and shorting is available. On top of that, you pay a spread plus an overnight financing cost on positions held past 5pm New York. The broker is the counterparty.
Spot crypto on an AU exchange is the underlying coin. Buying actual BTC, ETH, SOL or whatever means holding it in the exchange wallet or transferring to a self-custody wallet. No leverage on most retail products. No overnight financing. It can be held indefinitely. If the exchange fails, you can also lose it (no AFCA equivalent for spot crypto).
AU spot crypto exchanges (not on this site, listed for context)
For traders who want spot crypto rather than CFDs, the established AU exchanges are:
- Independent Reserve: AUSTRAC-registered, AU-headquartered, ISO 27001 certified
- Swyftx: AUSTRAC-registered, large AU retail base
- CoinSpot: AUSTRAC-registered, longest-running AU exchange
- Kraken AU: global exchange with an AU operating entity
The spot exchanges listed above are context, not a reviewed category. We don’t review spot exchanges on this site. CompareForexBrokers covers ASIC-regulated CFD and forex brokers only.
When CFDs make sense over spot
- You want to short crypto without borrowing
- You already hold an AUD CFD account and want crypto exposure in the same platform
- You trade actively and want fast execution alongside forex and indices
- You want negative balance protection and AFCA dispute resolution
- You’re trading inside a tax structure that treats CFD profits as assessable income (see below)
When spot makes sense over CFDs
- You want to hold crypto for years rather than weeks
- You want to self-custody (move coins off the exchange to a hardware wallet)
- You want to use crypto for actual transactions, not just price exposure
- You want to capture potential CGT discount treatment after 12 months (see ATO guidance)
Tax treatment for AU crypto CFD traders
New traders repeatedly trip on this one. CFD profits and spot crypto gains are taxed differently in Australia, and the wrong assumption can cost you.
Crypto CFD profits are generally treated as assessable income by the ATO under TR 2005/15, the same as forex CFD profits. That means your CFD activity is treated as trading, not investing. CFD losses are deductible against income, and there is no 12-month CGT discount on CFD profits.
Spot crypto gains are generally treated under the CGT regime when held as an investment. Hold for more than 12 months and you can access the 50% CGT discount. Gains realised on spot crypto held as part of a trading business may be assessable as income; the ATO looks at intention, frequency and scale.
The same dollar of profit can land very differently under the two regimes. A $10,000 CFD profit goes onto assessable income at your marginal rate. That same $10,000 long-term spot crypto gain (held 18 months) is taxed at half your marginal rate.
We are not licensed to provide tax advice, so speak to a registered tax agent about your circumstances before assuming either treatment applies to your situation.
Weekend crypto trading on AU CFD platforms
Crypto markets run 24/7 on spot exchanges. CFD brokers approximate that, but with caveats.
Most AU CFD brokers let you trade the largest pairs on weekends: BTC, ETH, and sometimes XRP, LTC, BCH. Weekend hours and pair coverage vary by broker:
| Broker | Weekend coverage |
|---|---|
| Eightcap | 24/7 on top 30 pairs |
| Pepperstone | Sat to Sun on majors, narrower altcoin coverage |
| IC Markets | Sat to Sun on majors |
| Plus500 | 24/7 on majors |
| eToro | 24/7 on majors |
| Capital.com | 24/7 on majors |
| CMC Markets | Saturday hours only, around 7am to 9pm AEDT |
Spreads typically widen on weekends: liquidity is thinner and slippage on stops is more common. When you’re trading around a weekend catalyst (US political news, ETF flows, Asian session moves on Sunday morning), I would expect wider quotes than weekday hours.
Compare brokers by the factor that decides it
Each shortlist below re-ranks the market for one decision factor, tested the same way as this page.
Start with the overall ranking
Our tested, ASIC-only ranking of the best forex brokers in Australia is the baseline every shortlist below re-ranks.
The platform decides it
Rankings change once the trading software is fixed. Pick yours first, then compare.
Cost decides it
Account types price the same trade differently. These shortlists rank by total cost.
You're starting out
Simpler platforms, stronger education, and demo accounts with no time pressure.
Your strategy decides it
Execution speed, copy functionality and EA support separate these shortlists.
FAQs
What's the leverage cap on crypto CFDs in Australia?
Which AU broker has the most crypto CFD pairs?
Can I trade Bitcoin CFDs on the weekend in Australia?
Are crypto CFD profits taxed as CGT in Australia?
Is a crypto CFD the same as buying actual Bitcoin?
Do AU crypto CFD brokers offer staking or yield?
Are altcoin CFDs available with retail leverage in Australia?
Related pages
About the author
Justin co-founded CompareForexBrokers in 2014 and has traded forex since 1998. Based in Melbourne, he has tested every ASIC-regulated broker on this site personally and has written for Forbes, Kiplinger, Finance Magnates, the Australian Financial Review and The Age. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) and a Master of Marketing from Monash University. Justin is the co-founder and CEO of CompareForexBrokers.