How to Trade Crypto CFDs in Australia

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Cryptocurrency markets have made a strong comeback in August 2026, putting Bitcoin and other major digital assets back on the radar of Australian traders. Bitcoin recently climbed above US$70,000 and approached US$80,000, with the latest rally supported by stronger institutional demand, expectations of easier financial conditions and improving regulatory sentiment around digital assets.

This guide compares 7 top crypto brokers in Australia for 2026, focusing on the features that matter most to active traders. We also compare crypto CFDs with buying and holding cryptocurrency directly, helping you decide which type of platform may better suit your trading strategy.

Important: Crypto and CFD trading involve significant risk. Leverage can amplify both profits and losses, so Australian traders should understand the product and check the relevant broker's regulatory status before trading.

1. Mitrade — Best Overall Crypto CFD Platform Australia 

Mitrade is our top choice for Australian traders who primarily want to speculate on cryptocurrency price movements through CFDs rather than own the underlying coins.

The key advantage is simplicity. Instead of opening a separate crypto wallet, traders can use one CFD account to access crypto alongside forex, gold, indices, shares and other markets. Mitrade also supports long and short positions, making it possible to potentially profit from both rising and falling markets.

Fees

Mitrade's CFD pricing is primarily built into the spread, while overnight financing may apply when positions are held beyond the relevant trading period. The exact spread depends on the cryptocurrency and market conditions, so traders should check the live quote before opening a position.

For Australian traders, Mitrade also supports AUD funding methods including PayID and bank transfer, with other payment methods available depending on account eligibility.

Pros

• Simple interface suitable for beginners

• Crypto CFDs allow both long and short trading

• No need to manage a crypto wallet

• No commission on crypto CFDs

• Access to multiple markets from one account

• Demo trading available

• AUD funding options

Cons

• You do not own the underlying cryptocurrency

• Overnight financing can affect longer-term positions

• CFD leverage increases potential losses

• Not designed for investors who want to withdraw Bitcoin to a personal wallet

Best for Australian traders who want to actively trade Bitcoin and other crypto CFDs rather than buy and hold cryptocurrency.

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2. Pepperstone — Best for Active Crypto CFD Traders

Pepperstone is another strong option for Australian traders who want cryptocurrency CFDs, particularly those who prefer professional trading platforms and advanced charting.

Pepperstone offers crypto CFDs on assets including Bitcoin and Ethereum, allowing traders to speculate on price movements without owning the underlying cryptocurrency.

The broker is particularly attractive to experienced traders because of its integration with platforms such as MT4, MT5, cTrader and TradingView.

Fees

Pepperstone states that its cryptocurrency CFDs are available with no commission, with the trading cost primarily reflected in the spread. Its published crypto spread page provides indicative spreads for Bitcoin, Ethereum and other cryptocurrencies, and these can change with market conditions.

Other potential costs include overnight financing for positions held beyond the relevant trading period.

Pros

• Competitive crypto CFD pricing

• No commission on crypto CFDs

• Multiple professional trading platforms

• Strong technical-analysis tools

• Suitable for active traders

• Crypto CFDs can be traded without owning coins

Cons

• More complex than a basic crypto exchange

• You don't own the underlying cryptocurrency

• Overnight funding can increase the cost of longer-term trades

• Advanced platforms may be unnecessary for beginners

Best for experienced Australian traders who want crypto CFDs alongside professional trading platforms such as MT5, cTrader or TradingView.

3. IG — Best Crypto CFD Platform for Experienced Traders

IG is one of the more established CFD providers for Australian traders and offers cryptocurrency trading alongside a broad range of traditional financial markets.

Its crypto offering is particularly relevant for traders who want to combine Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies with forex, indices, commodities and shares within the same account.

Fees

IG states that it does not charge commission on Crypto CFDs, meaning the primary transaction cost is the spread. Overnight funding can apply when certain positions remain open overnight.

IG also publishes detailed information about CFD spreads, commissions and overnight funding across its markets.

Pros

• Established CFD provider

• Broad range of financial markets

• No commission on Crypto CFDs

• Advanced research and charting

• Strong educational resources

• Suitable for experienced traders

Cons

• Spreads can be less attractive for some high-frequency traders

• Crypto CFDs do not provide ownership of cryptocurrency

• Platform can feel more complicated for beginners

• Overnight funding can affect longer-term positions

Best for experienced traders who want cryptocurrency exposure alongside a broad range of traditional CFD markets.

4. CoinSpot — Best Crypto Exchange for Beginners

If your objective is to actually buy and own cryptocurrency, rather than trade CFDs, CoinSpot is one of the major Australian exchanges worth considering.

CoinSpot offers more than 480 digital assets and supports buying, selling and swapping crypto.

Unlike CFD brokers, an exchange allows users to acquire the underlying cryptocurrency. This makes CoinSpot more suitable for investors who want to hold Bitcoin, Ethereum or other digital assets rather than simply speculate on their prices.

Fees

CoinSpot has different fee structures depending on the type of transaction.

For its Markets feature, CoinSpot currently advertises a trading fee of 0.1%.

Other instant buy/sell or swap functions may have different fees, so investors should check the specific transaction before confirming an order.

Pros

• Large selection of cryptocurrencies

• Beginner-friendly interface

• Australian-focused

• Supports AUD

• Dedicated crypto wallet

• 0.1% Markets trading fee

Cons

• Fees can vary depending on the trading method

• Instant buy/sell pricing can differ from market trading

• Not designed for leveraged CFD trading

• Crypto investors are exposed to the risks of owning the underlying asset

Best for Australian beginners who want to buy and hold actual cryptocurrency rather than trade crypto CFDs.

5. Swyftx — Best Crypto Exchange for Australian Traders

Swyftx is another Australian-focused cryptocurrency exchange offering hundreds of cryptocurrencies and AUD-based trading.

The platform is designed around a relatively simple trading experience while still providing features for more active cryptocurrency investors.

Fees

Swyftx uses a tiered trading-fee structure ranging from 0.6% to 0.1%, with the applicable rate depending on trading volume. The exchange updated this fee structure in June 2026.

Swyftx also applies spreads to cryptocurrency transactions. Its official spread page notes that spreads are updated hourly and can vary by asset and trading pair.

Pros

• Australian-focused

• Supports AUD

• Large range of cryptocurrencies

• Tiered fees reward higher trading volumes

• Simple interface

• Useful portfolio and trading tools

Cons

• Trading fees can be higher for lower-volume users

• Variable spreads add to the effective trading cost

• Not a CFD platform

• Crypto ownership carries direct market and custody risks

Best for Australian investors who want a local crypto exchange with AUD support and a broad selection of cryptocurrencies.

6. Kraken — Best Crypto Exchange for Advanced Traders

Kraken is particularly attractive to more experienced cryptocurrency traders who want deeper liquidity, advanced order types and a large selection of crypto markets.

The Australian version of Kraken provides access to 600+ crypto pairs, alongside advanced trading tools and fast execution.

Fees

Kraken has different pricing depending on how you trade.

For example, Kraken currently lists a 1% fee for instant and recurring trades and 1.5% for custom orders on its standard consumer pricing, while its Pro order-book trading uses a volume-based maker/taker fee structure.

Kraken also changed its cross-platform fee-tier methodology in July 2026, with fee qualification based on spot trading volume or assets on the platform, whichever provides the better rate.

Pros

• Large crypto selection

• Advanced trading tools

• Strong liquidity

• Competitive fees for higher-volume traders

• Suitable for experienced crypto traders

• Global platform with Australian availability

Cons

• More complicated for beginners

• Instant-buy fees can be relatively high

• Fee structure varies substantially by trading method

• Product availability can differ by jurisdiction

Best for experienced Australian crypto traders who prioritise advanced trading tools, liquidity and a broad range of markets.

7. Independent Reserve — Best for Security and AUD Trading

Independent Reserve is an Australian-focused cryptocurrency exchange that has been operating since 2013 and is particularly relevant for investors who prioritise AUD functionality, security and transparent fee structures.

The exchange supports both simple and advanced trading, including market, limit and stop orders, as well as automated dollar-cost averaging.

Fees

Independent Reserve's standard trading fee starts at 0.5% and can fall to 0.02% depending on 30-day trading volume.

AUD deposits via bank transfer and PayID are advertised as free, while AUD withdrawals via these methods are also free according to the platform's current Australian fee information.

Pros

• Australian-focused

• Free AUD bank-transfer/PayID deposits

• Transparent volume-based fee structure

• Fees can fall significantly for high-volume traders

• Advanced order types

• DCA functionality

• Suitable for both beginners and experienced users

Cons

• Standard 0.5% trading fee is higher than some advanced exchange-market rates

• Smaller crypto selection than some global exchanges

• Not a CFD broker

• Crypto investors remain exposed to the volatility of the underlying assets

Best for Australian investors who prioritise AUD funding, transparent fees and a locally focused cryptocurrency exchange.

The biggest difference between these seven platforms is what you actually trade.

For readers whose primary goal is active Bitcoin trading, short-term speculation or trading both rising and falling markets, a CFD broker such as Mitrade, Pepperstone or IG may be more appropriate.

For readers who want to buy Bitcoin or Ethereum and hold the underlying assets, an exchange such as CoinSpot, Swyftx, Kraken or Independent Reserve is generally the more relevant category.

1. Decide Whether You Want Crypto CFDs or Real Cryptocurrency

This should be your first consideration.

A crypto CFD broker allows you to speculate on whether the price of a cryptocurrency will rise or fall without owning the underlying asset. Depending on the product and applicable rules, CFDs may allow traders to take both long and short positions and use leverage.

Platforms such as Mitrade, Pepperstone and IG are more suitable for traders who want to actively speculate on crypto price movements.

A crypto exchange, on the other hand, allows you to buy the actual cryptocurrency. Platforms such as CoinSpot, Swyftx, Kraken and Independent Reserve may be more suitable if your goal is to buy Bitcoin or Ethereum and hold the underlying asset.

The most important point is that CFD trading and crypto ownership are not the same thing. Before choosing a platform, make sure you understand exactly what product you are trading. ASIC has recently reiterated that leveraged and complex financial products can magnify losses and may not be suitable for all retail investors. 

2. Check Regulation and Platform Credentials

Australian traders should always check who operates the platform and which entity they are dealing with.

For CFD brokers, look for an Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL) and confirm whether the Australian entity is regulated by ASIC. You should also check the broker's Product Disclosure Statement and other relevant legal documents before trading.

For crypto exchanges, regulation can be more complex because different services may fall under different Australian regulatory and registration frameworks. It is therefore important to check the platform's Australian operations, how customer assets are handled and which protections apply to the specific product you are using.

Don't rely solely on a platform's homepage or marketing claims. Always verify the legal entity and regulatory information independently.

3. Compare the Total Cost of Trading

The cheapest-looking platform is not always the cheapest platform in practice.

With a crypto exchange, your total cost may include:

• Trading fees

• Maker and taker fees

• Spread

• Deposit fees

• Withdrawal fees

• Blockchain or network fees

• Currency conversion costs

For example, Kraken's costs vary significantly depending on whether you use its instant buy feature or its order-book-based Pro platform. Its published Australian fee schedule lists a 1% trading fee for instant and recurring trades, while Kraken Pro uses volume-based maker/taker pricing.

With a crypto CFD broker, costs may include:

• Bid/ask spread

• Commission, if applicable

• Overnight financing

• Currency conversion charges

• Other account or transaction fees

If you plan to hold a CFD position for several days or weeks, overnight financing can become an important part of the total cost.

What to compare

Instead of asking only:

“Which platform has the lowest fee?”

Ask:

“How much will it cost me to open, hold and close this trade?”

That comparison will usually provide a more realistic view of the actual trading cost.

4. Look at the Available Cryptocurrencies

Not every platform offers the same range of digital assets.

If you only want to trade Bitcoin or Ethereum, almost all of the platforms in this comparison may meet your needs.

Crypto exchanges generally offer a wider range of actual cryptocurrencies than CFD brokers. A CFD broker may instead focus on the largest and most liquid digital assets.

For most traders, more coins are not necessarily better. If your strategy focuses on Bitcoin and Ethereum, paying higher fees or using a more complicated platform simply to access hundreds of altcoins may not make sense.

5. Check AUD Deposits and Withdrawals 

For Australian traders, convenient AUD funding can make a significant difference.

Using an AUD-supported platform can potentially reduce unnecessary foreign-exchange costs when compared with funding an account through another currency.

6. Consider Security and Asset Storage

Security is particularly important if you plan to buy and hold actual cryptocurrency.

When comparing crypto exchanges, consider:

• Two-factor authentication

• Cold storage arrangements

• Withdrawal security controls

• Account recovery procedures

• Proof of reserves or other transparency measures

• The platform's history and security practices

If you use a CFD broker, you are generally trading a derivative rather than storing cryptocurrency in a wallet. This removes the need to manage private keys but introduces a different consideration: you need to understand the broker's legal structure and how client money is handled.

The best choice depends primarily on whether you want to trade cryptocurrency price movements or own cryptocurrency directly.

For traders whose primary objective is actively trading Bitcoin and other cryptocurrency price movements, Mitrade is our overall top pick in this comparison. Its crypto CFD offering allows traders to go long or short without needing to buy or store the underlying cryptocurrency, while also providing access to other CFD markets.

However, if your goal is to buy Bitcoin and hold it for the long term, a crypto exchange such as CoinSpot, Swyftx, Kraken or Independent Reserve may be a more appropriate choice.

The most important step is to understand the product you are using, compare the total cost of trading, check the relevant regulatory information and choose a platform that matches your risk tolerance and trading strategy.

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* Cryptocurrency and CFD trading involve significant risk. Cryptocurrency prices can be highly volatile, and leverage can amplify both profits and losses. You should only trade products you understand and can afford to risk.

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