Leveraged price exposure on 15+ cryptocurrency pairs, 24/7, with up to 1:100 leverage and tight spreads
GB23202470
Client funds held separately
Multiple liquidity providers
CFD trading is a specific strategy for specific traders. If any of the "Not For You" points apply, a crypto CFD may not suit your needs.
These are different product structures with different cost models and risk profiles. CFDs suit some active trading strategies; spot exchanges suit others. The right choice depends on trade frequency, holding period, leverage needs, and whether you require on-chain ownership.
| Factor | Crypto CFD (GLEX) | Spot Exchange |
|---|---|---|
| Typically used for | Active trading, hedging, shorting, leverage | Long-term holding, DeFi, staking, custody |
| Ownership | Price exposure only (derivative) | Own underlying asset on-chain |
| Leverage | Up to 1:100 | Usually 1:1 (some offer margin) |
| Short Selling | Yes, built-in | Limited or complex |
| Account Structure | No wallet needed; client funds held separately | Exchange or personal wallet custody |
| Regulation | FSC Mauritius regulated broker (GB23202470) | Varies by jurisdiction and exchange |
| Fees (per trade) | Spread-based (fixed per trade) | % maker/taker (scales with position size) |
| Trading Hours | 24/7 | 24/7 |
Illustrative Fee Model Example
CFDs and spot exchanges use different cost architectures. CFDs charge spreads (fixed per trade); exchanges charge percentage fees (scales with position size). Which model suits a given strategy depends on venue, fee tier, trade size, frequency, holding period, and overnight financing costs. The example below illustrates one scenario — not a universal conclusion about which model is more economical. This is an illustrative comparison of cost models, not a universal conclusion about which format is cheaper. Spread figures: 30-day rolling median, normal volatility. Exchange fees assume 0.1% standard maker tier — actual rates vary by venue, volume, and fee tier.
Important: These figures illustrate one scenario. For other trade sizes, venues, fee tiers, and holding periods the relative economics may differ significantly. Overnight financing charges on CFDs change the economics materially for multi-day holds — factor swap rates into any holding-period calculation.
How It Works
CFD execution happens within the broker/liquidity-provider infrastructure — no on-chain transfers needed to open or close positions. You choose pair, direction (long or short), and leverage (1:1 to 1:100). GLEX routes your order via STP to multiple institutional liquidity providers. Execution is handled server-side — P50 under 50ms (standard sessions. Actual speed varies with market conditions).
15+ cryptocurrency CFD pairs (as of Q1 2026). BTC/USD and ETH/USD are core pairs — tightest spreads, deepest liquidity. Altcoin pairs (SOL, ADA, LINK, AVAX, DOT) offer smaller-cap exposure with wider spreads. All pairs available 24/7 across MT5, WebTrader, and Mobile.
What Changes on Weekend: Crypto markets never close, but weekend liquidity drops as major market makers reduce activity. Spreads typically widen (e.g., BTC spreads may increase 2–3x during Sunday Asia-Pacific hours). Price gaps between sessions are not unusual, particularly around Sunday/Monday UTC transitions.
| Crypto Pair | Spread From | Max Leverage | 24/7 |
|---|---|---|---|
| BTC/USD | ~$18 | 1:100 | ✓ |
| ETH/USD | ~$1.50 | 1:100 | ✓ |
| SOL/USD | ~$0.08 | 1:100 | ✓ |
| XRP/USD | ~$0.006 | 1:100 | ✓ |
| ADA/USD | ~$0.008 | 1:100 | ✓ |
| DOT/USD | ~$0.04 | 1:100 | ✓ |
| AVAX/USD | ~$0.30 | 1:100 | ✓ |
| LINK/USD | ~$0.12 | 1:100 | ✓ |
| DOGE/USD | ~$0.002 | 1:100 | ✓ |
| LTC/USD | ~$0.50 | 1:100 | ✓ |
| UNI/USD | ~$0.04 | 1:100 | ✓ |
| + Additional Pairs | Varies | 1:100 | ✓ |
Spreads: Indicative, 30-day rolling median, normal volatility. Actual results vary by account type, liquidity, and market conditions. London session (08:00–17:00 UTC) typically offers tightest spreads; weekends and Asian session spreads widen.
A trader holds 5 BTC in cold storage and wants to offset short-term downside risk without selling spot holdings. They short 5 BTC via CFD. This hedge incurs spread costs, overnight financing, and margin requirements. Whether this approach is appropriate depends on individual circumstances, risk tolerance, and tax position. Consult a tax advisor for your jurisdiction.
A central bank decision is approaching. A trader expects higher volatility but is uncertain of direction. They open a small BTC CFD position with a tight stop-loss to define maximum risk. Event-driven trades carry additional risk of gaps and slippage. Whether this approach is appropriate depends on individual risk tolerance, experience, and account size.
New to crypto CFDs? Start risk-free with $100,000 virtual capital.
Four account types with different spreads, features, and minimums.
Ready to trade? Minimum deposit from just $5.
Risk Warning: CFDs are complex instruments with high risk of rapid loss due to leverage. Cryptocurrency CFDs are particularly volatile — daily swings of 10–20% are common, amplified by leverage. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.