10 Best UK Crypto Leveraged Trading Exchanges in 2024

Best UK Crypto Exchanges for Leverage Trading

1. eToro – Best Overall Option
2. Binance – Lowest Trading Fees
3. Kucoin – Largest Coin Selection
4. Kraken – Great Option for Margin Trading
5. Bitget – Good Option for Welcome Deposits
6. Mexc – Offers Futures Trading
7. PrimeXBT – Best Option for Trading Crypto CFDs
8. Margex – Best Option with Staking Features
9. IC Markets – Best Platform for Raw Spreads
10. Pionex – High Leverage for Crypto Futures

UK Leverage Crypto Exchanges Compared

Our Top 10 Best UK Crypto Exchanges for Leverage Trading

1. eToro – Best Overall Platform

eToro is an investment platform offering securities across various classes like stocks, commodities, ETFs, and cryptocurrencies. It is known for its vast investing community of 25+ million users and its innovative investment tools.

However, eToro is on our list because it also offers CFD trading services across all supported asset classes, including cryptocurrency.

The crypto broker lists over 83 cryptos that can be traded using leverage which could vary based on the crypto being traded. Usually, major cryptos have higher leverage, while more exotic ones have lower leverage due to their volatility.

CFD trading fees are capped at a spread of 1% of volume per trade. eToro does not charge trading fees, although overnight fees vary with crypto, but as of writing, it was $34 for a Bitcoin CFD.

Aside from CFD spreads and overnight fees, no other fees are charged and regular trading fees remain the same at 1%.

To begin using eToro, sign up for an account, pass KYC, and deposit funds using any supported payment methods like credit cards, bank transfers, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, and even cryptos.

The minimum deposit amount is $10 and is free on eToro’s end, while withdrawal fees are $5 and the minimum is $30.

Note that retail CFD trading is restricted in the UK; hence, you may not be able to access crypto CFDs.

Pros

• Commission-free trading
• Well regulated
• Supports 100+ cryptos
• $10 minimum deposit (UK)
• Copy trading features

Cons

• CFD trading unavailable in the UK

Features

• Multi-asset support
• Free deposits
• Flexible payment methods
• Global reach
• Large user base

2. Binance – Lowest Trading Fees

Binance is a global crypto exchange known for its sheer size and reach. It has a user base of roughly 180 million users worldwide, lists over 600 cryptos, and processes over $7 billion in trades daily.

However, Binance is on our list because of the comprehensive suite of crypto leverage trading products that it offers, along with some of the lowest fees in the industry.

The Margin Trading product allows you to trade spot cryptos with leverage of up to 10x your capital. However, this leverage is not a blanket setting; it varies with cryptos.

For example, Bitcoin has a maximum leverage of 5x, while Ethereum has a maximum leverage of 10x. Because CFDs are banned in the UK, these cryptos are real cryptos being bought, and trading fees are regular spot trading fees at 0.10% at the most.

To begin trading on Binance, sign up for an account, pass KYC, and deposit funds using any supported method, i.e., using a bank card to buy crypto or the peer-to-peer (p2p) marketplace, which supports various payment methods like PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, and even in person cash transfers.

Pros

• Low fees
• Large coin selection
• Advanced trading tools
• 24/7 chat support
• Mobile app

Cons

• Leveraged trading products are significantly limited in the UK

Features

• Large daily trade volume
• Segregated accounts for Spot and Margin trading
• Fast execution speed

3. Kucoin – Largest Coin Selection

Kucoin is known for its large coin selection, rivalling that of Binance. With a selection of over 700 coins, a user base of 30 million users, and a daily trading volume of $1.91 billion, Kucoin is also a global behemoth.

The exchange offers a comprehensive suite of leverage crypto products, from margin accounts to Futures, and leveraged tokens.

Margin accounts allow you to buy crypto on the spot market with leverage of up to 5x on all offered cryptos. Like Binance, this is similar to spot trading and attracts the same trading fees as the spot market, which is 0.10% per transaction

However, users who hold a KCS balance, which is the exchange’s native crypto, get a discount on fees depending on how much they hold (the minimum is 1,000 KCS). Users who also pay trading fees with KCS get a 20% discount.

Other leverage trading products may not be available in the UK as the site warns UK users to desist from using leveraged products due to regulations. However, it does not actively stop users from creating accounts.

To begin using Kucoin, sign up for an account, pass KYC, and deposit funds into your account. You can buy crypto with a credit card, use the p2p market to buy crypto or top up your fiat balance with a bank transfer.

Pros

• Low transaction fees
• Lots of trading competitions to participate in
• Fee discounts for holders and stakers of KuCoin’s native token, KCS
• Simple enough for beginners to get started

Cons

• Withdrawal fees can be high
• Additional logins are required even after Face ID is set up

Features

• Mobile app
• Live chat and email support
• Segregated accounts for leveraged derivative trading
• Third-party payment integration

4. Kraken – Great Option for Margin Trading

Kraken is a global exchange available in over 190 countries with a user base of 10+ million investors/traders who transact a quarterly volume of $207+ billion. The exchange prides itself on helping its users buy crypto within minutes, thanks to its support for multiple payment methods.

However, the reason Kraken is on our list is because of its Pro trading platform, which allows users to trade the spot crypto market with leverage of up to 5x for major cryptos like Bitcoin and Ethereum, and between 2x – 4x for others, depending on their volatility. In total, Kraken offers 100 cryptos for margin trading.

You can open positions with as little as £10 with trading fees as low as 0.02% for opening trades and another 0.02% in rollover fees every 4 hours.

To begin trading with Krakem, sign up for an account, pass KYC, and fund your account using any supported funding options. For GBP, Kraken supports Etana Custody,

FPS, CHAPS, and BACS for domestic and international transfers with processing times between 1 – 5 business days.

For faster options, you can use a credit card, which costs 3.75% and is limited to a minimum deposit amount of £8 and a weekly maximum of £4,000. You can also use ACH payments to deposit funds instantly into your Kraken account or buy Bitcoin with PayPal.

For a comprehensive list of all payment methods and their limits and fees, visit Kraken’s instant buy page.

Pros

• Low minimum position size
• Low trade opening fees
• Simple user interface, great for beginners

Cons

• Rollover fees could accumulate

Features

• 24/7 live chat and email support
• Mobile app
• Multiple payment methods

5. Bitget – Good Option for Welcome Deposits

Bitget is another global exchange that offers users a holistic experience with a spot market, margin trading account, other leveraged trading instruments like Futures, and a pre-market for speculating on cryptos yet to launch.

We included Bitget on our list because of its Margin trading feature that allows users to borrow up to 10x their capital to execute positions on the spot market. This margin is reserved for major cryptos like Bitcoin and Ethereum. More volatile cryptos attract lower leverage multipliers.

While Bitget offers other leveraged trading products like Futures, new UK citizens and resident accounts may not be able to access them. At the same time, existing users may soon lose access as the company is making efforts to comply with new UK FCA rules which ban CFD products for retail users.

For margin trades, fees start at 0.10% and decrease with increased 30-day trading volume and BGB, the exchange’s native token, held on account balances. The more BGB held, the lower the trading fees.

To begin using Bitget, sign up for an account and fund your account using any of the supported payment methods, including options to buy crypto with a bank account, credit cards, p2p marketplace, and third-party onramps like Simplex.

Pros

• Low transaction fees
• Multiple deposit methods
• 100+ crypto available for margin trading
• Trading fee discounts

Cons

• Limited leverage multiplier

Features

• 24/7 live chat and email support
• Mobile app
• Segregated trading account for margin

6. Mexc –  Offers Futures Trading

Mexc is a global exchange popular for being one of the first to list new cryptos. The exchange features a crypto selection of over 2,000 crypto, one of the largest globally. The exchange offers various services, from spot trading to Futures trading, launchpads, Kickstarter, savings, and more.

We included Mexc because it is the only conventional crypto exchange offering Futures trading services to UK residents. Most others on our list block UK IPs from accessing Futures, CFDs, or other leveraged trading instruments aside spot margin.

We reckon this is because Mexc does not hold a license from the FCA, so while it is a legitimate exchange with licences from the FINTRAC (Canadian Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre), AUSTRAC (Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre), and ICU (Estonian Financial Intelligence Unit), which are all trusted agencies with tight KYC and AML measures, UK citizens that sign up do so with the understanding that they may not get any sort of coverage or protection in cases of loss.

Where leveraged trading is concerned, Mexc offers 200+ cryptos for Futures trading with leverage multipliers between 5x and 200x. Trading fees are low at 0.01% for takers and 0% for makers.

To begin trading on Mexc, sign up for an account, pass KYC, and deposit funds using any of the supported payment methods, including SEPA, credit cards, p2p transactions, and third-party payment ramps.

Pros

• Lowest trading fees on our list
• Wide crypto selection
• Supports Futures trading
• Ongoing trading competitions with cash prizes

Cons

• Not licensed in the UK, availability is not guaranteed

Features

• Mobile app
• Live chat and email support
• P2p marketplace

7. PrimeXBT – Best Option for Trading Crypto CFDs

PrimeXBT markets itself as an all-in-one platform for buying cryptocurrency, copy trading, and CFD trading. The platform offers two main crypto leverage trading products: Futures and CFDs.

Crypto Futures on PrimeXBT are the cheaper option, with fees of 0.01% for makers and 0.02% for takers. However, it is limited as only eight cryptos are available, including majors like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin.

Nonetheless, they are a good choice as they offer isolated margins, separating the outcomes of Futures trades from the health of your overall account. You also get adjustable leverage, deep liquidity, and a proprietary order book that displays market depth.

If you want more crypto trading options, use crypto CFDs, which offer access to 38 cryptos’ price action with up to 200x leverage at fees as low as 0.05%.

To begin using PrimeXBT, sign up for an account and deposit funds using cryptocurrencies or methods like Advcash and Perfect Money for fiat.

Note that while PrimeXBT is registered in Seychelles, it does not hold a license from the Financial Conducts Authority (FCA), which is why it can offer CFD trading services in the UK.

Pros

• Low minimum deposit of $10 or equivalent
• Up to 200x leverage on CFDs
• Supports Futures trading
• Supports crypto deposits

Cons

• Doesn’t hold a licence from FCA

Features

• Mobile app
• Live chat and email support

8. Margex – Best Option with Staking Features

Margex markets itself as a trading boutique for foreign currencies and cryptocurrencies. With a selection of 35+ cryptocurrencies, the broker offers services to 500k+ users in over 153 countries who execute over 183k trades daily.

Margex is on our list because it offers crypto CFD trading services to users in the UK with a maximum leverage of 100x for major cryptos like Bitcoin and Ethereum, 50x for other altcoins like Solana, and 25x for more exotic cryptos.

You can trade these CFDs at 0.060% for taker orders and 0.019% for maker orders. Funding fees are charged 8-hourly and could vary with the total volume of trades, the crypto traded, and market volatility, but do not usually exceed 0.5%.

Depositing funds on Margex is done through direct crypto deposits or purchasing crypto with a credit card using Changelly.

To trade with Margex, open an account and pass KYC. Note that like PrimeXBT, Margex is registered in Seychelles, operates on a general registration basis, and does not hold a licence from the FCA.

Pros

• Supports crypto CFD trading
• Low minimum deposit of $10 equivalent in crypto
• High leverage, up to 100x for Bitcoin
• Offers multiple bonuses

Cons

• Not licenced by the FCA
• Only accepts crypto deposits

Features

• Staking features
• Mobile app
• Live chat and email support

9. IC Markets – Best Platform for Raw Spreads

IC Markets is a trading service provider that offers access to foreign currencies, stocks, commodities, bonds, indices, futures, and cryptocurrencies via CFDs. As a multi-asset platform, it holds licenses from three regulatory agencies: the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), and the Seychelles Financial Services Authority (FSA).

The platform reports 200k+ users worldwide, a monthly trading volume of $1.64 trillion, and integrations with multiple popular trading platforms like MetaTrader 4 & 5, TradingView, and cTrader.

For crypto CFDs, IC Markets offers 21 products under its digital currencies section, including most of the majors like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and Litecoin with leverage of 2x.

Trading fees depend on the account used. Standard accounts bake trading fees into the spread and apply an overall spread to trades, while Raw accounts charge $7 per round trip executed trade per lot or $3 per side per lot.

To begin using IC Markets, sign up for an account, pass KYC, and deposit funds using any of the supported funding methods, including credit cards, Klarna, Skrill, Neteller, wire transfers, and PayPal.

Note that the instant payment methods include credit cards, Skrill, Neteller, and PayPal, while others may take 2-5 business days. Meanwhile, withdrawals are processed daily.

Pros

• Supports crypto CFDs
• Low fees for both raw and standard accounts
• Supports multiple fiat deposit methods
• Multiple integrations with major trading platforms

Cons

• £200 minimum deposit limit
• Low leverage multiplier

Features

• Mobile app
• Live chat and email support

10. Pionex – High Leverage for Crypto Futures

Pionex is a crypto exchange licensed in multiple states in the US that offers a host of crypto trading products, including spot trading, Futures trading, lending, and staking. The exchange does not hold a licence from the FCA but does not restrict UK users from creating accounts.

Crypto perpetuals on Pionex offer up to a 100x leverage multiplier for 100+ cryptos. You can also use a trading bot to automate strategies with up to 20x leverage and execute isolated positions that do not affect the margin position of the rest of your account.

Trading fees for futures include 0.02% for makers and 0.05% for takers.

To begin trading with Pionex, sign up for an account, pass KYC, and deposit funds using any supported payment methods, including express methods like credit cards, Google Pay, Apple Pay, and third-party merchants like Banxa and Simplex.

If you prefer to deposit fiat, you can transfer GBP from your bank account at zero cost as of writing. The minimum deposit amount for cryptos is 0.5 USDT.

Pros

• Low minimum deposit limit
• Offers crypto futures
• Low futures trading fees
• High leverage

Cons

• Not licensed by the FCA

Features

• Live chat and email support
• Mobile app
• Earning and staking services

What is Leverage Crypto Trading?

Leveraged crypto trading is similar to regular crypto trading in that traders do the same set of actions and require the same set of skills. The major difference is the capital structure of positions.

In regular trading, like the case of spot trading, the capital used to trade is presumably owned by the trader (even in cases where a trader may trade on behalf of a client). Provided the trader does not borrow capital from the broker and real cryptos involved, the trading is called spot trading.

Leverage trading involves borrowing money from your broker to place trades, which is usually done to increase position size (and potential profit) without increasing the capital required.

How Does a UK Crypto Exchange with Leverage Work?

Leveraged trading involves borrowing money from your broker, which doesn’t work like borrowing from a bank. While the latter provides a lump sum in your account, the former provides these borrowed funds as leverage.

This leverage is expressed as a ratio or a multiplier that shows a maximum limit to the amount you can borrow. For example, a leverage multiplier of 5x means you can borrow a maximum of five times your capital. If you deposit £100, you can borrow a maximum of £500.

The borrowed funds are embodied in the size of positions you can open, so this plays out as you executing trading positions that are cumulatively worth £500 in value. In practice, you don’t get the full £500 due to margin calls, but that’s the basis of how it works.

Note that spot margin trading usually has a margin requirement, a certain amount you must have to access leverage; it is usually expressed as a percentage of the total value of securities you want to buy.

For example, if the margin requirement is 20%, then the capital you deposit must be at least 20% of the total size of the position you want to open.

Wherever there’s a margin requirement, there’s also a maintenance margin requirement, which is the amount of cash needed to keep your leveraged position open. This margin is also represented as a percentage.

If the value of cryptos bought on margin declines, you may be asked to deposit more funds to meet the maintenance margin requirement or risk liquidation if prices fall significantly.

Key Things to Consider When Choosing a UK Leverage Crypto Trading Platform

Security

Any platform that holds user funds and data must be secure, and this involves two significant verticals: technological security and legal security.

Technological security involves implementing technologies and techniques to ensure that bad actors do not access users’ funds and data. This includes using top-of-the-line SSL encryption to safeguard client-server communications and obtaining certifications from industry-leading organisations, such as the ISO information security certifications.

Technological security also involves implementing internal measures like two-factor authentication, which adds an additional security layer that protects users’ accounts even in cases of password leaks.

Legal security involves obtaining the necessary licenses to operate in the UK, which would be a licence from the Financial Conducts Authority (FCA).

Reputation

A record of strong service delivery is paramount as it builds trust and positions leverage trading platforms as market leaders. A good example is Binance; the exchange has had a global reputation for providing solid services for many years.

Deposit Methods

The supported payment methods should be easy to access in the UK. These include local bank transfers, credit cards, PayPal, and mobile methods like Google and Apple Pay.

Crypto Selection

The more cryptos available for leveraged trading, the better. The best crypto leverage trading platforms list enough cryptos to provide users with options. The number of cryptos available for leveraged trading is usually less than spot, but anything above 20 cryptos should be more than enough.

Fees

The overall cost of using a crypto leverage trading platform is cumulative of transaction fees, funding fees, and any other maintenance or account fees. Always ensure that you are aware of the total cost of using any platform before signing up.

How to Use Leverage Trading on a UK Crypto Exchange - Step-by-Step Tutorial

1. Open an account

Navigate to the eToro website and click on the Start investing icon to begin. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app from the Play Store/App Store and click on Sign up. Fill out the form with your full name, email address, and password.

2. Verify your account

Verify your account by submitting KYC documents like proof of ID (National ID or driver’s licence) and proof of residence (utility bill). Then, finish setting up your profile.

3. Make a deposit

Once your account has been verified, click on Deposit Funds on the left pane of the page. The deposit options available will be displayed. Choose PayPal from the drop-down menu and set the amount you’d like to deposit.

4. Load Crypto Charts

Once your account is funded, search for any crypto in the Discover tab. An interface like the one below should load. Set your parameters, like a buy or sell price, and place your order.

Final Thoughts

We explored the best UK crypto exchanges for leverage trading and chose eToro as our top choice because it is well regulated, offers crypto CFDs for longs and shorts, supports a vibrant investment community, and provides innovative tools to help traders become profitable.

However, if eToro is unfeasible, you can use the other nine platforms listed. They all have their strengths and weaknesses and are suitable for various types of traders. For example, Binance is a great option for traders who want low fees while Mexc is great for users who want options.

Ultimately, the best exchange is the one that combines features and costs in a way that best suits you.

Note that crypto derivatives like CFDs are generally frowned upon by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the leading financial regulatory authority in the UK. If you’d rather be safe, you can opt for a regular spot exchange instead. Check out our guide for the best crypto exchanges in the UK.

Methodology - How We Picked the Best UK Crypto Exchange for Leverage Trading

The platforms covered in this guide were chosen through rigorous testing, research, and reviews. We paid attention to security, transparency, reputation, trading fees, deposit and withdrawal methods, coin selection, and competitive edge.

The platforms listed are the best we found in the various categories we listed them. For example, we found that Binance had the lowest fees for spot margin, so we named it the best leveraged trading platform with the lowest fees.

Check out our why trust us and how we test pages for more information on our testing process.