Trade cryptocurrency trends with the world's #1 CFD provider without holding actual assets. Execute fast, efficient transactions seamlessly.
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.
Available Cryptocurrency Contracts
| Contract | MT4 Symbol | Units per Contract | Point Value (CFD) | Minimum Margin Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bitcoin | BTCUSD | 1 BTC | $1 | 10% |
| Ethereum | ETHUSD | 1 ETH | $1 | 10% |
| Bitcoin Cash | BCHUSD | 1 BCH | $1 | 10% |
| Litecoin | LTCUSD | 1 LTC | $1 | 10% |
Key Considerations
- Weekend Trading: Cryptocurrency markets close Saturdays at 6:00 AM SGT, reopening at 12:00 PM. Manage positions carefully during weekends to avoid liquidation risks.
- Margin Requirements: Represent a percentage of total position value.
- Variable Spreads: Minimum spreads may increase significantly during periods of high market volatility.
Overnight Financing Costs
Long Positions
- Bitcoin: 0.0694% daily (25% annualized)
- Ethereum/Bitcoin Cash: 0.0625% daily (22.5% annualized)
- Other Cryptocurrencies: 0.0764% daily (27.5% annualized)
Short Positions
- Bitcoin: Receive 0.0139% daily (5% annualized)
- Ethereum/Bitcoin Cash: Receive 0.0208% daily (7.5% annualized)
- Other Cryptocurrencies: Receive 0.0347% daily (12.5% annualized)
Charged daily including weekends at 10 PM UK time. Holiday positions accrue multi-day interest.
Example Calculation
| Long Position Example | Short Position Example |
|---|---|
| 1 BTC contract @ $30,000: (1 × 30,000) × 0.0694% = **$20.82 daily charge** | 1 BTC contract @ $30,000: (1 × 30,000) × 0.0139% = **$4.17 daily credit** |
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Trading Restrictions
During extreme price movements, IG may:
- Limit new crypto CFD orders
- Impose exposure limits per client:
Maximum Position Values
- Long Positions: £500,000 (or equivalent)
Short Positions:
- Bitcoin: £30,000
- Ethereum: £15,000
- Other Cryptocurrencies: No borrowing allowed
Clients exceeding limits risk position reductions. Check platform availability via:
- Mobile App: Trade ticket → "Info" → "Other"
- Web Platform: Market dropdown → "Get Info"
Blockchain Fork Policy
IG determines contract benchmarks based on:
- Majority consensus among cryptocurrency users
- Viability of new currencies post-fork
Hard Fork Scenarios:
- IG may open equivalent positions for new viable currencies
- Prices may freeze during unreliable market conditions
- Non-viable currencies may be removed from accounts
FAQ
Q: Why can't I open new Bitcoin long positions?
A: This occurs when IG reaches maximum market exposure. Existing positions can still be closed.
Q: How are overnight fees calculated on weekends?
A: Financing costs accrue continuously, including Saturdays/Sundays at 10 PM UK time.
Q: What happens during a blockchain fork?
A: IG will support the majority-consensus chain and may credit accounts for viable new currencies.
Q: Can I trade cryptocurrencies 24/7?
A: Yes, except during brief weekly maintenance periods (Saturdays 6 AM - 12 PM SGT).
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