Trade cryptocurrency market movements effortlessly with the world's #1 CFD provider. Execute fast, efficient trades without holding actual assets.
IG International Ltd is part of IG Group Holdings Plc, the global leader in CFD trading. Data source: Published financial statements as of October 2023.
Cryptocurrency CFD Trading Specifications
| Market | Trading Hours¹ | Point Value | Minimum Spread² | Limited Risk Premium³ | Margin Requirement⁴ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crypto 10 Index⁶ | 24/5 | $1 | 80 | 15 | 10% |
| Bitcoin | 24/5 | $1 | 45 | 50 | 10% |
| Bitcoin Cash | 24/5 | $1 | 2.1 | 2 | 10% |
| Bitcoin Cash/Bitcoin | 24/5 | $1 | 0.3 | 10 | 10% |
| Ethereum | 24/5 | $1 | 1.8 | 1 | 10% |
| Ethereum/Bitcoin | 24/5 | $1 | 3 | 3 | 10% |
| Litecoin | 24/5 | $1 | 0.4 | 2 | 10% |
| EOS | 24/5 | $0.01 | 0.4 | 2 | 10% |
| Stellar | 24/5 | $0.01 | 0.22 | 0.5 | 10% |
| NEO⁵ | 24/5 | $1 | 0.07 | 0.5 | 10% |
| Cardano | 24/5 | $1 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 10% |
| Polkadot | 24/5 | $0.01 | 3.6 | 18 | 10% |
| Dogecoin | 24/5 | $0.01 | 0.18 | 0.1 | 10% |
| Chainlink | 24/5 | $0.01 | 7.3 | 12 | 10% |
| Uniswap | 24/5 | $0.01 | 7.37 | 10 | 10% |
| Solana | 24/5 | $1 | 1.1 | 1 | 50% |
| Avalanche | 24/5 | $1 | 0.17 | 0.5 | 50% |
Key Trading Considerations
- Market Hours: Cryptocurrency markets close Fridays at 10 PM and reopen Saturdays at 8 AM (UK time). Weekend trading requires active position management.
- Variable Spreads: Minimum spreads may increase significantly during high volatility or for large orders. 👉 Understand tiered pricing
- Limited Risk Premium: Charged only when guaranteed stops trigger. Premiums appear on trade tickets and may change during weekends or volatile periods.
- Margin Requirements: Tiered margin system applies - larger positions may require higher margin percentages (10%-50% of position value).
- NEO Contracts: Don't include rights to Gas Generation Tokens (GAP) accumulated during holdings.
- Crypto 10 Index: Tracks the 10 largest cryptocurrencies by market cap (representing 83% of total crypto market value).
Overnight Financing Costs
| Position Type | Bitcoin | ETH/BTC & BCH/BTC | Other Cryptos |
|---|---|---|---|
| Long | Pay 0.0694% daily (25% annualized) | Pay 0.0625% daily (22.5% annualized) | Pay 0.0764% daily (27.5% annualized) |
| Short | Receive 0.0139% daily (5% annualized) | Receive 0.0208% daily (7.5% annualized) | Receive 0.0347% daily (12.5% annualized) |
Example Calculation:
- Bitcoin long position at $30,000: (1 × 30,000) × 0.0694% = $20.82 daily charge
- Bitcoin short position at $30,000: (1 × 30,000) × 0.0139% = $4.17 daily credit
Trading Limitations
During extreme market conditions:
- Long Position Limits: £500,000 equivalent
Short Position Limits:
- Bitcoin: £30,000 equivalent
- Ethereum: £15,000 equivalent
- Other cryptos: No borrowing available
Platform may restrict new Bitcoin long positions when maximum market exposure is reached. Positions exceeding limits may be reduced.
Blockchain Fork Policy
IG's cryptocurrency contracts follow the consensus blockchain version during hard forks. If a viable new cryptocurrency emerges:
- May create equivalent positions in client accounts
- Will reflect value when tradable on major exchanges
- Reserves right to close positions if new currency isn't viable
- May suspend trading during extreme price volatility
FAQ Section
What's the minimum deposit for crypto CFD trading?
IG doesn't require a minimum deposit, but your available funds must cover margin requirements (typically 10%-50% of position value).
How are weekend trades handled?
Cryptocurrency CFDs trade continuously except for the weekly 10-hour maintenance window (Friday 10 PM to Saturday 8 AM UK time). Overnight financing applies daily.
Why can't I open certain crypto positions? 👉 Learn about trading restrictions
Position limits exist per client to manage IG's market exposure. Check platform market info panels for current trading availability.
How are forks handled tax-wise?
IG doesn't provide tax guidance. Consult a tax professional regarding cryptocurrency fork taxation in your jurisdiction.
What's the difference between crypto CFDs and spot trading?
CFDs allow you to speculate on price movements without owning the underlying asset, with access to leverage and short-selling capabilities.
Are there dividend equivalents for crypto holders?
No - cryptocurrency CFDs don't provide staking rewards or other blockchain incentives that actual coin ownership might offer.
Enhance Your Trading Skills
Discover IG Academy - free online courses and webinars to sharpen your trading strategies across all experience levels.
IG Trading Platform
Access professional trading tools through desktop browsers or mobile apps for all devices.