Crypto & Index Brokers
A practical overview of brokers and exchanges that offer crypto trading and index products – from spot coins and CFDs to perpetual swaps and futures. The focus here is on risk, structure and trading conditions, not hype.
This page is educational only. Digital assets are highly volatile and rules change quickly. Always verify details directly with each broker or exchange and check the regulations in your own country before funding an account.
Who This Page Is For
- Futures and FX traders who also want exposure to major crypto markets.
- Index traders looking for brokers that handle US30, US500, NAS100 and similar products well.
- Prop-firm traders who want a personal account for crypto or index hedging.
- Investors who need a high-level view of how crypto exchanges differ from classic brokers.
Types of Crypto & Index Providers
- Spot crypto exchanges – you buy and sell coins directly (e.g. BTC, ETH, USDT pairs).
- Crypto-derivative exchanges – perpetual swaps, futures and options on coins or baskets.
- CFD / multi-asset brokers – crypto and indices as CFDs alongside FX, metals and shares.
- Futures brokers – access to regulated Bitcoin/crypto index futures on exchanges such as CME, if available in your region.
Each model has different risk, custody and regulatory implications. Treat them as different tools, not interchangeable substitutes.
How to Choose a Crypto or Index Broker
Crypto and index trading often combine high leverage with around-the-clock markets. Before you look at bonuses or banners, pin down the basics: regulation, custody, products, leverage, fees, security and platform quality.
1. Regulation, Jurisdiction & Legal Structure
- Check which company you are dealing with, where it is registered and which regulator (if any) oversees it.
- Some providers operate multiple entities: for example one regulated entity for lower leverage and another offshore entity for higher leverage.
- Consider what legal protections, dispute resolution and reporting exist in your country if something goes wrong.
2. Custody & Asset Safety
- For spot crypto, understand how coins are stored (hot vs. cold storage, multi-sig, insurance policies).
- Look for strong security practices: mandatory 2FA, withdrawal whitelists, device authorisation and detailed login logs.
- For CFDs and index products, confirm whether you are trading derivatives only or if any underlying shares/ETFs are held.
3. Products & Markets
- Core coins: BTC, ETH and major large-cap altcoins with solid liquidity.
- Perpetual swaps and futures on BTC, ETH and large indices if you trade trend or hedge with derivatives.
- Index exposure: US500 / SPX, US30 / Dow, NAS100, GER40, UK100 and other major benchmarks.
- Be cautious with illiquid micro-caps and exotic tokens that can gap or delist without much notice.
4. Leverage, Margin & Liquidation Rules
- Maximum leverage for crypto and index products in your account type and region.
- How initial and maintenance margin are calculated, especially for cross-margin vs. isolated-margin systems.
- Liquidation process: partial vs. full liquidation, fees charged on liquidations and how funding or interest affects positions.
- Special rules during extreme volatility, forks, halving events or index rebalances.
5. Pricing, Funding & Fees
- Trading fees: maker/taker structure on exchanges, or spread + commission model with CFD brokers.
- Funding/funding-rate mechanics on perpetual swaps and overnight financing on CFDs.
- Deposit and withdrawal fees, including blockchain network fees for coin transfers.
- Currency conversion costs if your base account currency is different from the asset you trade.
6. Platforms, Tools & Integration
- Native web/desktop/mobile platforms versus external tools such as TradingView, MT4/MT5, cTrader or custom APIs.
- Depth of order types: limit, stop, stop-limit, OCO, trailing stops and advanced conditional orders if you need them.
- Chart quality, order-book transparency and stability during high-volume events.
- API reliability, rate limits and documentation if you run bots or systematic strategies.
Examples of Crypto & Index Trading Platforms
The platforms below are widely used by traders around the world. They are mentioned for educational context only and are not recommendations. Regulations, eligibility and product availability vary by country; always confirm details directly with each provider.
Coinbase
Spot crypto · Fiat on-rampLarge spot crypto exchange offering Bitcoin, Ethereum and a curated list of other coins, with a focus on fiat on-ramps and simple interfaces. Often used as a primary buy-and-hold venue for larger caps.
Kraken
Spot & margin · Crypto & fiatCrypto exchange offering a broad mix of coins, margin trading on selected pairs and a strong focus on security practices and fiat funding options in multiple currencies.
Binance
High-liquidity spot & derivativesOne of the largest global crypto platforms by volume, with spot markets, perpetual swaps and futures on a wide range of coins and indices. Availability and regulation depend heavily on your jurisdiction.
Bybit
Derivatives-first · Perpetuals & futuresCrypto-derivatives exchange focused on perpetual contracts and futures with high leverage. Designed around order-book trading with advanced order types and funding-rate mechanics.
Deribit
Options & futures on BTC/ETHExchange specialised in crypto options and futures, widely used by traders who focus on volatility strategies and structured positions around Bitcoin and Ethereum.
OKX
Spot, swaps & futuresCrypto platform combining spot trading, perpetual swaps, futures and earn products. Offers a large number of trading pairs and tools for both discretionary and systematic traders.
IG (Index CFDs)
Global indices & FXMulti-asset CFD broker with deep index coverage – including US, European and Asian indices – plus FX and commodities. Often used by index traders who prefer CFD or spread-bet exposure over futures.
Saxo Bank / Saxo Markets
Multi-asset · Futures & CFDsBroker offering index futures, options and CFDs alongside FX, bonds and equities on a professional-grade platform. Designed more for active traders and investors than casual speculation.
Interactive Brokers
Index futures & ETFsLarge multi-asset broker where traders can access regulated index futures and ETFs, as well as some crypto-related instruments in certain regions. Often used by traders who want futures or ETF exposure rather than CFDs.
Reminder: inclusion on this list does not mean MRSLM Group endorses or recommends any provider. Many crypto platforms are not regulated in the same way as traditional brokers. Always verify licensing, terms and product details directly with each firm.
Next Steps for Crypto & Index Trading
- Decide whether you want pure spot exposure, derivatives, or a mix – and choose providers that specialise in those products.
- Check regulation and custody first, then test fees, platform stability and execution with small size.
- Understand liquidation and funding rules on every derivative platform you use.
- Keep crypto exchange risk separate from your traditional brokerage risk – do not treat them as identical.
- Use realistic position sizing and hard maximum loss limits for every strategy involving leverage.
You can combine this page with the guides under Broker Accounts → Futures Brokers and Broker Accounts → Forex & CFD Brokers to plan how crypto and index trading fits into your overall risk and capital allocation.
Risk & Legal Notice
MRSLM Group LLC provides educational content only. Nothing on this page is financial, investment, tax or legal advice, and no specific broker, exchange, platform or product is recommended or guaranteed. Digital assets, derivatives and leveraged products carry a high level of risk and can result in rapid and substantial losses. Regulations and product availability change frequently. Always perform your own due diligence, read the official documentation of each provider and consider independent professional advice before making trading or investment decisions.