Is IG Good for Crypto in 2025?
Quick Answer – Is IG any good for crypto?
IG’s new crypto service offers low fees, FCA registration, and direct ownership via Uphold, making it a strong choice for UK investors. While it supports fewer coins than some major exchanges, it’s a reliable and cost-effective option for mainstream crypto trading.
Featured Broker – IG Crypto (via Uphold)
IG’s new spot crypto offering provides access to over 30 digital assets—including BTC, ETH, XRP, SOL, and meme coins—through a secure, user-friendly platform powered by Uphold. It’s seamlessly integrated with IG’s award-winning trading apps, allowing you to buy, sell, and hold crypto directly, backed by a FTSE‑listed company with 50+ years of experience.
- Crypto Spot Trading – You're owning the coins directly, not speculating via derivatives.
- Transparent flat spread (≈1.49%) – No hidden surprises, with clear costs.
- Access 35+ tokens – From mainstream coins to smaller altcoins and meme assets.
- Unified platform – Switch easily between crypto, shares, forex, & commodities.
- Robust execution & pricing – Spot data & custody handled by Uphold with real-time execution.
- Learn while trading – IG Academy educational videos help you trade crypto with confidence.
Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest. This is a high-risk investment and you should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong. Take 2 mins to learn more.
What Is IG’s New Crypto Offering?
IG now lets UK users buy and hold crypto directly through a partnership with Uphold, moving beyond its previous CFD-only approach. This brings ownership of actual coins, low deposit requirements, and a regulated partner, while keeping the platform’s familiar interface.
Who Powers IG’s Crypto Accounts and Why Does It Matter?
Crypto accounts are powered by Uphold Europe Ltd, FCA-registered for anti-money laundering compliance. Uphold provides custody, cold storage, and transaction infrastructure. This partnership adds security credibility, but also means IG relies on a third party for asset safeguarding and execution.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Launch Year | 2025 |
| Provider | Uphold Europe Ltd |
| Min. Deposit | £10 |
| Ownership | Direct purchase |
| Trading Hours | 24/7 |
Which Cryptocurrencies Can You Buy on IG?
IG supports over 35 cryptocurrencies, covering major market leaders and select altcoins. While the range is smaller than Binance or Coinbase, it balances household names with emerging DeFi and Layer 1 projects, allowing UK users to build a diversified starter portfolio.
Does IG Only Offer the Big Names Like BTC and ETH?
No. While Bitcoin and Ethereum are available for those seeking the most established digital assets, IG’s list also includes Solana, Cardano, and other well-known Layer 1s, catering to investors who want high-liquidity, widely-recognised coins.
What Emerging Projects Are Also Available?
IG includes DeFi-focused and newer tokens like Curve (CRV) and Ondo (ONDO), giving access to growth-focused projects. However, niche meme coins and very low-cap assets are absent, as the offering prioritises security and regulatory compatibility over speculative variety.
| Coin | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bitcoin (BTC) | Major | Flagship coin |
| Ethereum (ETH) | Major | Smart contract leader |
| Solana (SOL) | Layer 1 | High-speed blockchain |
| Curve (CRV) | DeFi | Liquidity protocol |
| Ondo (ONDO) | DeFi | Yield-based token |
How Much Does It Cost to Trade Crypto on IG?
IG’s crypto fees are among the lowest for UK debit card purchases, charging only a 1.49% spread with no deposit, withdrawal, or FX fees. This makes it more competitive than Coinbase, Revolut, and eToro for direct crypto buying.
Are IG’s Fees Really Lower Than Coinbase and eToro?
Yes. For a £1,000 debit card crypto purchase, IG’s total cost is 1.49%, compared to 4.87% on Coinbase, 2.49% on Revolut, and 1.75% on eToro. The saving can be significant over multiple trades, especially for active buyers.
Table – Debit Card Purchase Cost (£1,000 Example)
| Platform | Total Fee |
|---|---|
| IG | 1.49% |
| Coinbase | 4.87% |
| Revolut | 2.49% |
| eToro | 1.75% |
Is IG Safe for Buying and Holding Crypto?
IG’s crypto service is backed by FCA registration for anti–money laundering compliance and operated via Uphold Europe Ltd. While assets benefit from secure cold storage and encryption, they aren’t covered by FSCS protection if something goes wrong.
What Regulation Covers IG’s Crypto Service?
IG’s crypto accounts are powered by Uphold Europe Ltd, which is registered with the FCA under the Money Laundering Regulations. This ensures compliance with UK AML standards but doesn’t make crypto holdings a regulated financial product.
Does IG Provide FSCS Protection for Crypto Balances?
No. Like most UK crypto services, IG’s balances aren’t covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. If the provider fails, you won’t be entitled to government-backed reimbursement.
How Does Uphold Store Your Assets?
Uphold uses a mix of cold and hot wallets, with the majority of assets held offline in secure cold storage. All transfers and account data are protected with end-to-end encryption and multi-factor authentication.
Table – IG Crypto Safety Snapshot
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| FCA Registration | Yes (AML) |
| FSCS Cover | No (crypto) |
| Cold Wallet Storage | Yes |
| Encryption | End-to-end |
Who Is IG’s Crypto Service Best For?
IG’s crypto platform is well-suited for UK investors who want simple, low-cost access to a modest range of coins. It works for beginners and long-term holders but lacks advanced crypto-specific trading tools for high-frequency or professional traders.
Is It a Good Choice for Beginners?
Yes. IG’s £10 minimum deposit, simple account setup, and straightforward pricing make it an accessible entry point into crypto without overwhelming new investors with complex order types or technical settings.
Does It Suit Long-Term Holders or Active Traders?
It’s a solid option for long-term holders thanks to direct asset ownership via Uphold. However, active crypto traders may find the lack of pro-level charting, order automation, and wide coin choice restrictive.
Table – IG Crypto Suitability
| Investor Type | Suitable? | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Beginners | Yes | Low deposit & simple UI |
| Long-Term | Yes | Direct asset ownership |
| Active Traders | Limited | No pro-level crypto tools |
How Does IG Compare to Other UK Crypto Platforms?
IG stands out for low fees and FCA registration but lags behind Coinbase and eToro in coin variety and advanced features. It’s best for cost-conscious UK investors who value security over having hundreds of asset choices.
Is IG Better for Fees or for Asset Variety?
IG clearly wins on fees, charging just 1.49% total for a £1,000 debit card purchase versus Coinbase’s 4.87%. However, with only 35+ coins available, it falls short for those seeking wide diversification across niche or emerging cryptocurrencies.
Table – IG vs Competitors
| Feature | IG | Coinbase | eToro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coins | 35+ | 250+ | 90+ |
| Min. Deposit | £10 | £2 | £7.70 |
| Debit Card Fee | 0% | 2.4% | 0% |
| Best For | Low fees | Coin choice | Social features |
Final Verdict – Is IG Good for Crypto in 2025?
IG is a secure, low-cost, and beginner-friendly option for UK crypto buyers. Its FCA registration and partnership with Uphold provide credibility and safety. However, those wanting hundreds of coins or pro-grade crypto tools will find better options elsewhere.
Pros and Cons of IG for Crypto
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| FCA-registered brand | Smaller coin range |
| Transparent low fees | No FSCS protection |
| Direct asset ownership | Limited advanced tools |
Featured Broker
- Advanced charting tools
- Wide asset selection
- Trusted FCA regulation
67% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider.
FAQs
Can I withdraw crypto from IG to a personal wallet?
Yes. Since IG’s crypto service is powered by Uphold, you can transfer supported assets to your own private wallet for full custody. Withdrawal times vary depending on the blockchain network load.
Does IG charge withdrawal fees?
IG itself doesn’t add withdrawal fees for crypto, but network (blockchain) fees will still apply. These are variable and set by the underlying cryptocurrency’s network, not IG.
Can I trade crypto 24/7?
Yes. IG’s Uphold-powered crypto accounts allow 24/7 buying and selling, including weekends and holidays, so you can react to market changes anytime.
Is IG regulated for crypto in the UK?
IG’s crypto services are registered with the FCA for anti-money laundering (AML) compliance via Uphold Europe Ltd, but crypto assets are not covered by FSCS protection.
Is IG cheaper than Coinbase?
Yes. For a £1,000 debit card purchase, IG’s total cost is around 1.49%, compared with Coinbase at 4.87%, making IG one of the more cost-effective UK options.
