Australian retail traders can trade crypto CFDs, unlike in the UK, but ASIC caps leverage at 2:1. We pick Pepperstone, which prices Bitcoin and Ether in AUD as well as USD, trades most coins 24/7 and offers three crypto index CFDs. Capital.com is the alternative for a far longer coin list.
Short answer: Pepperstone for major coins and crypto indices on MT4, MT5, cTrader and TradingView; Capital.com if you want hundreds of smaller tokens.
ASIC's cap for retail crypto CFDs is 2:1, so you post 50% of the position as margin.
Pepperstone lists BTC and ETH in AUD, USD, GBP and EUR, about 20 other coins and three crypto index CFDs.
Pepperstone's minimum BTC/USD spread is 10 on Razor and 15 on Standard; there is no commission on crypto CFDs.
Capital.com lists more than 450 crypto CFDs and charges longs on BTC and ETH a fixed 0.06164% a day.
No wallet, keys or exchange account is needed; you own no coins.
What 2:1 means in dollars
At 2:1, a AUD 10,000 Bitcoin position needs AUD 5,000 of margin. If Bitcoin falls 25%, you lose AUD 2,500, half your margin, and Pepperstone's 50% close-out level is reached, so it would start closing your position unless you add funds.
Pepperstone Pro clients can use up to 10:1 on BTC/USD and ETH/USD, but other coins stay at 2:1 even for Pro accounts.
Best for crypto CFDs
Bitcoin and Ether priced in AUD or USD, about 20 more coins, three crypto indices, 24/7 trading and five platforms, under AFSL 414530.
Pepperstone's Australian site does not publish a retail-loss percentage. Its AU risk warning: "Trading CFDs and margin FX is risky. It isn't suitable for everyone."
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Capital.com's Australian firm lists more than 450 crypto CFDs, from Bitcoin to small tokens, with optional guaranteed stops.
Capital.com's Australian site does not publish a retail-loss percentage. Its AU risk line: "Most traders lose money."
Pepperstone, Capital.com and XS are our partners. We may earn a commission if you open an account through our links. That does not change the facts on this page.
Your questions, answered
Can I trade crypto CFDs?
Yes, if you live in Australia. ASIC allows retail clients to trade crypto CFDs, with leverage capped at 2:1, whereas the UK's FCA bans them for retail clients. Pepperstone, Capital.com and other ASIC-licensed firms offer them. You still need to pass the firm's appropriateness questions, since its TMD aims these products at experienced, short-term traders.
best broker for crypto perpetual CFDs
No Australian broker we checked offers crypto perpetual CFDs. Pepperstone's perpetual range covers gold, oil, US indices and shares, not coins. Its standard crypto CFDs already behave much like perpetuals, though: they never expire and most trade 24/7, with a daily swap instead of a funding rate. Perpetual futures on offshore crypto exchanges are a different product without ASIC's retail protections.
What leverage can I use on crypto CFDs in Australia?
Retail clients can use up to 2:1 on every crypto CFD, so margin is 50% of the position. That is ASIC's cap, the lowest of any asset class. Pepperstone Pro clients can reach 10:1 on BTC/USD and ETH/USD only; all other coins stay at 2:1. Capital.com Pro accounts also get higher crypto leverage, without negative balance protection.
Can I trade Bitcoin CFDs in Australia?
Yes. Pepperstone offers Bitcoin against the US dollar, Australian dollar, pound and euro, so you can trade BTC/AUD directly from an AUD account. Its minimum BTC/USD spread is 10 on Razor and 15 on Standard, with no commission. Capital.com also offers BTC/USD with no commission, and both let you go long or short.
How do I trade Ethereum as a CFD?
Open a CFD account, search for ETH/USD or, at Pepperstone, ETH priced in AUD, GBP or EUR, pick a size and buy or sell. Pepperstone's minimum ETH/USD spread is 2 on Razor and 2.5 on Standard. Set a stop-loss before you open the trade, remembering it isn't guaranteed and crypto can move 10% in hours.
What is the difference between a crypto CFD and buying crypto?
When you buy crypto on an exchange, you own the coins, store them in a wallet and carry the risk of losing keys or an exchange failing. A crypto CFD is a contract with the broker on the price: no coins, no wallet, but leverage, easy shorting and an overnight charge. Your counterparty is the broker, so its licence and financial strength matter.
Can I trade crypto CFDs 24/7?
Mostly. Pepperstone says most of its crypto CFDs trade 24/7 with no weekend platform downtime, but a few pairs have short daily breaks, so check the trading-hours table for the coin you want. Capital.com's crypto markets also run around the clock. Liquidity is thinner at weekends and overnight, so spreads can widen.
What are the fees on crypto CFDs in Australia?
The main costs are the spread and the overnight charge. Neither Pepperstone nor Capital.com charges commission on crypto CFDs. Capital.com publishes fixed overnight rates for Bitcoin and Ether: longs pay 0.06164% a day, about 22.5% a year, and shorts receive 0.0137% a day. Pepperstone charges (price × size × a percentage) ÷ 360 and shows the percentage on its platform.
Can I short Bitcoin with a CFD?
Yes. Selling a Bitcoin CFD profits if the price falls and loses if it rises, with no need to borrow coins. Shorting can earn a small credit: Capital.com pays shorts 0.0137% a day on Bitcoin. A short's loss has no ceiling until you close it or are closed out, but retail negative balance protection stops it going beyond your deposit.
Which crypto CFDs can I trade in Australia?
At Pepperstone: Bitcoin and Ether in four currencies, plus coins including Bitcoin Cash, Litecoin, XRP, Polkadot, Dogecoin, Cardano, Solana, Avalanche, BNB, Chainlink, Aave and Arbitrum, and three crypto indices. Capital.com lists more than 450 crypto CFDs, including small tokens such as Pepe and Sui. Totality, formerly Saxo Australia, lists nine crypto FX CFD pairs.
Are there crypto index CFDs?
Yes. Pepperstone offers three crypto index CFDs that track the top 10, top 20 and top 30 cryptocurrencies by market value. They let you take a view on the crypto market as a whole rather than one coin, at the same 2:1 retail leverage. Spreads and swaps are shown on the platform for each index.
How does overnight funding work on crypto CFDs?
Crypto CFDs are charged a daily financing amount on positions held over the 5pm New York rollover. At Pepperstone the formula is closing price times trade size times a percentage, divided by 360, with the current percentage on the platform. Capital.com charges longs a flat 22.5% a year on Bitcoin and Ether. Because crypto trades every day, holding costs can build quickly.
Can I trade crypto CFDs on MT5?
Yes. Pepperstone offers its crypto CFDs on MT5 for both account types, as well as MT4 on Razor, cTrader, TradingView and its own platform. Capital.com also supports crypto CFDs on MT5. If you run Expert Advisors, test them on a demo first, because crypto's weekend trading and wide moves behave differently from forex.
Do I need a crypto wallet to trade crypto CFDs?
No. A crypto CFD is settled in cash in your trading account, so there is nothing to store and no keys to lose. You deposit AUD by PayID, BPAY or card as for any other CFD. Pepperstone also lists crypto as a deposit method, with an $18 minimum, but you don't need it to trade.
Which ASIC regulated brokers offer crypto CFDs?
Among the firms we checked: Pepperstone Group Limited (AFSL 414530), Capital Com Australia Pty Ltd (AFSL 513393) and Totality Wealth Limited (AFSL 280372) all list crypto CFDs for Australian clients, and IC Markets and CMC Markets include crypto in their Australian product menus. Always check that the crypto product sits with the licensed Australian entity, not an offshore affiliate.
Can I trade Solana as a CFD in Australia?
Yes. Pepperstone lists SOL/USD with a minimum spread of 2 on both accounts, and Capital.com lists SOL/USD with no commission. Solana is more volatile than Bitcoin, so at 2:1 your margin can be eaten quickly; size the position by how far away your stop is, not by the margin you have.
Can I trade XRP CFDs in Australia?
Yes. Pepperstone lists XRP (as Ripple) among its crypto CFDs, and Capital.com lists XRP/USD. Both trade most hours of the week at 2:1 retail leverage. XRP has moved sharply on US court and regulatory news in the past, which can cause gaps that stop-loss orders won't fully protect against.
What margin is required for crypto CFDs in Australia?
50% of the position's value for retail clients, which is the 2:1 cap set by ASIC. A AUD 4,000 Ethereum position needs AUD 2,000 of margin. Pepperstone's margin close-out level is 50% of that, so if your equity falls to AUD 1,000 on that position it will start closing it. Keep spare cash in the account if you plan to hold through swings.
Published 2026-10-21. Informational only, not investment advice. CFDs are leveraged products and most retail accounts lose money.
Best for crypto CFDs
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