Is IG Good for Crypto in 2026?

What Is IG's New Crypto Offering?

It is spot crypto trading with actual coin ownership. IG launched this in 2025, giving UK retail clients direct ownership for the first time. Unlike CFDs or spread bets, you buy and own the real coins - which is what drew me to test it.

The FCA registers IG's crypto service under Money Laundering Regulations. Your assets sit in secure custody. Here's how the setup works:

• IG runs the platform, customer service, and trading interface
• A third party handles custody, execution, and fund transfers
• You hold "beneficial ownership" - real coins, held on your behalf
• You get IG's trusted platform backed by institutional custody

The crypto accounts hold FCA registration for anti-money laundering. IG handles custody through a secure third-party setup with cold storage. This adds credibility, though there's a catch - more on protection limits below.

IG Crypto – Best for Multi-asset on trusted UK Platform

Pros and Cons of Using IG Crypto

Pros:

• Unbeatable on the big coins: 0% commission on Bitcoin, Ethereum and Solana (just a 0.07% external exchange fee in the price), with a flat 1.49% on everything else from just £1 - that 0.07% beats Coinbase (4.87%), Revolut (2.49%) and eToro (1.75%) outright
• Real ownership: You buy and own actual coins, not CFDs
• Trust: FCA registered with 50+ years of trading history (FTSE 250)
• Convenience: One platform for crypto, shares, and forex

Cons:

• No wallet transfers: You can't withdraw coins to Ledger, Trezor, or any external wallet
• No staking: No yield or rewards available on any coin
• Smaller selection: 55+ coins - still fewer than Coinbase (250+) or Kraken (350+)
• Market orders only: No limit orders available, so you can't set your own buy price

What are the Fees?

This is the part that surprised me. On Bitcoin, Ethereum and Solana, IG charges 0% commission - I paid only a 0.07% external exchange fee that is already baked into the price. Every other coin is a flat 1.49% all-in, with no hidden deposit fees and no withdrawal fees. IG keeps it dead simple.

On a £1,000 Bitcoin purchase, that 0.07% works out at roughly £0.70. Compare that to Coinbase at £48.70 or Revolut at £24.90 and the saving is enormous. Even on a 1.49% altcoin (£14.90 on £1,000), I still paid less than I would on most UK apps.

The minimum trade is just £1. Just note that you don't fund the crypto wallet directly; I simply used cash from my main IG account (Share Dealing, Spread Bet, or CFD) to buy coins instantly.

What Cryptocurrencies are Available?

55+ cryptocurrencies covering the coins most UK investors actually want:

• Majors: Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, XRP, Cardano, Litecoin
• DeFi: Chainlink, Aave, Uniswap, Polkadot, Avalanche
• Meme coins: Dogecoin, Shiba Inu, Pepe, Bonk, Floki
• Stablecoins: USDT, USDC

Not as many as Binance or Kraken - but with the expanded list of 55+ coins, if you're after mainstream crypto rather than obscure micro-caps, IG has you covered.

How Safe is the Broker?

FCA registered with 50+ years in the game. IG Group is a FTSE 250 company - one of the most established names in UK trading.

Your crypto sits in cold storage through IG's secure custody arrangement. Assets are segregated from IG's company funds, and you get full two-factor authentication.

The catch? No FSCS protection. The standard £85,000 compensation scheme doesn't cover crypto - but that's true for every UK crypto platform, not just IG.

Who Is It Best For?

In my view, it suits existing IG users, buy-and-hold investors, and beginners wanting simple pricing from just £1. I wouldn't recommend it for traders needing wallet transfers, staking, or hundreds of altcoins. Cheap and trusted - but limited flexibility.

Important: After IG approves your account, you must wait 24 hours before your first trade. You can't skip this - it's a regulatory requirement.

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.

How Do You Buy Crypto on IG? (Step-by-Step)

Yes, and it takes about 5 minutes to apply. Here's the full process:

Step 1: Open a crypto account

• New to IG? Complete the online form, verify your ID, take a selfie
• Already with IG? Add a crypto account via My IG Dashboard

Step 2: Pass the quiz

IG asks a few questions to check you understand crypto risks. Takes 2-3 minutes. It's a regulatory box-tick, not a hard exam.

Step 3: Wait 24 hours

Annoying but mandatory. The cooling-off period kicks in after approval. No way around it.

Step 4: Fund your account

*Bank transfers only work for clients who joined after 19 May 2025. Older accounts must use cards.

Step 5: Buy your crypto

Pick your coin, enter the GBP amount, and check the fee shown - 0% commission plus a 0.07% external exchange fee on Bitcoin, Ethereum and Solana, or 1.49% on other coins - then confirm. When I did it, it was as simple as that.

Heads up: Some banks block crypto buys. Chase, Starling, Clydesdale, and NewDay cards often decline. Try a different card if yours fails.

Which Cryptocurrencies Can You Buy on IG?

Over 55 coins - from Bitcoin and Ethereum down to meme coins like Pepe and Bonk. Not as many as Kraken (250+), but enough to build a solid portfolio. Here's the breakdown:

Major Coins

Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, Litecoin, Solana, Cardano, Stellar

DeFi & Layer 1s

Chainlink, Polkadot, Avalanche, Cosmos, Arbitrum, NEAR, Aave, Curve, 1inch, Injective, Filecoin

Web3 & AI Tokens

Internet Computer, Fetch.ai, Render, AIOZ, Sui, Akash, Celestia, Immutable X, Ondo

Meme Coins

Dogecoin, Shiba Inu, Floki, Pepe, Bonk, dogwifhat

Stablecoins

Tether (USDT), USD Coin (USDC)

The range suits mainstream buyers. But if you're hunting micro-caps or obscure altcoins, you'll need Binance or Kraken instead.

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.

How Much Does It Cost to Trade Crypto on IG?

IG's crypto fees are among the lowest I've found for UK buyers. On Bitcoin, Ethereum and Solana it charges 0% commission with just a 0.07% external exchange fee built into the price; every other coin is a flat 1.49%. Either way there are no deposit, withdrawal or FX fees, which makes it more competitive than Coinbase, Revolut and eToro for direct crypto buying.

So the structure is two-tier: effectively 0.07% on the big three, 1.49% on the rest. No separate commission, no deposit fees, no withdrawal fees.

How Does IG Compare on Fees?

Here's what I would actually pay on a £1,000 Bitcoin purchase using a debit card (Bitcoin sits in IG's 0% commission tier):

*Taker fee for market orders. Maker fees (limit orders) are lower: Coinbase Advanced 0.40%, Kraken Pro 0.25%.

What's the Catch with "Pro" Platforms?

Coinbase Advanced and Kraken Pro charge less - but they're built for experienced traders. Here's the trade-off:

Translation: if you just want to buy and hold Bitcoin, Ethereum or Solana, IG is now genuinely hard to beat - that 0.07% fee undercuts even the Pro platforms. It is only on smaller altcoins, where IG charges 1.49%, that Kraken Pro at 0.25% would save me money.

IG's Fee Breakdown

No hidden costs. On Bitcoin, Ethereum and Solana you pay only the 0.07% external exchange fee, already baked into the price; on other coins the 1.49% spread is baked in the same way. Either way, I saw the exact amount before confirming.

Bank transfers only available to clients who joined after 19 May 2025.

Is IG Actually Good Value on Fees?

It depends which coins you buy. On Bitcoin, Ethereum and Solana, IG's effective 0.07% beats everything else I've tested - including Kraken Pro and Coinbase Advanced. On all other coins, where IG charges 1.49%, the picture is the usual one:

IG's 1.49% beats:

• Coinbase Simple (~4.87%) - by a mile
• Revolut (~2.49%) - comfortably
• eToro (~1.75%) - slightly

IG's 1.49% loses to:

• Kraken Pro (0.25-0.40%) - significantly cheaper
• Coinbase Advanced (0.40-0.60%) - notably cheaper

Bottom line: if you mostly buy the major coins, IG is now one of the cheapest options I've tested, full stop. If you trade smaller altcoins actively, the Pro platforms still offer better value - but you'll need to learn maker/taker fees and limit orders. If you're thinking about trading crypto alongside other instruments throughout the day, I've covered how IG holds up for day trading as well.

How Does IG Store Your Crypto Assets?

Cold storage holds most assets offline. IG's custody partner keeps the bulk of crypto in secure vaults, away from hackers. A small hot wallet handles daily trading liquidity.

The catch: You don't get private keys. You can't move coins to your own wallet. IG holds them for you - you own them, but they stay on the platform. For some, that's a dealbreaker.

Is IG Safe for Buying and Holding Crypto?

Safe from hackers? Yes - cold storage and encryption help. Safe from platform failure? Not really - there's no FSCS protection. Let me explain both.

What Does "FCA Registered" Mean?

The FCA registers IG's crypto under Money Laundering rules. That means AML compliance - not full investor protection. Big difference:

• FCA authorisation (IG's CFDs) = full regulation, FSCS cover
• FCA registration (IG's crypto) = AML only, no investor safety net

Do You Get FSCS Protection?

No. Crypto doesn't qualify for the £85,000 FSCS scheme. If IG's crypto service collapses, you won't get government compensation. Same for all UK crypto platforms - not just IG.

What Protection Do You Actually Get?

No FSCS, but you still have:

• Cold storage (most assets offline)
• Fund segregation from IG's company money
• AML checks and ID verification
• IG Group's 50-year track record and FTSE 250 status
• Access to the Financial Ombudsman for complaints

For a fuller picture of how IG handles regulation and fund protection across all its accounts, I've written about IG's safety credentials and regulatory setup separately.

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.

Can You Spread Bet on Crypto with IG?

Only if you're a professional client. The FCA banned crypto derivatives for retail traders in January 2021. That includes spread betting and CFDs.

How Do You Qualify as Professional?

Meet 2 of these 3 criteria:

• 40+ significant trades in the past year
• €500,000+ portfolio in financial instruments
• 1+ year working in finance with derivatives experience

Honestly, most people won't qualify. And for long-term holding, spot crypto beats leveraged products anyway - you own the actual asset. If spread betting interests you beyond crypto, I've looked at how IG performs for spread betting across all markets.

What Leverage Do Pros Get?

About 5.5:1 on Bitcoin and Ethereum (18% margin). Less than forex, but more than retail crypto CFDs had before the ban.

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. For a direct head-to-head with one of its closest rivals, my eToro vs IG comparison goes into more detail. 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. On a £1,000 Bitcoin buy I paid roughly £0.70 (the 0.07% exchange fee) versus Coinbase's 4.87%, and even its 1.49% rate on other coins undercuts most rivals. However, with 55+ coins available, it falls short for those seeking wide diversification across niche or emerging cryptocurrencies.

Table – IG vs Competitors

Final Verdict – Is IG Worth It for UK Crypto Buyers?

Yes - if simplicity and low fees matter most. With 0% commission on Bitcoin, Ethereum and Solana (just a 0.07% exchange fee) and a flat 1.49% on everything else, IG now undercuts Coinbase, Revolut and eToro on the coins most people actually buy. You can manage crypto alongside shares and forex in one place, and IG's 50-year reputation adds the trust I look for.

But be honest about the trade-offs:

• No external transfers - coins stay on IG
• Fewer coins than dedicated exchanges
• No staking rewards
• No FSCS protection
• 24-hour wait before first trade
• £25k daily withdrawal cap

Bottom line: IG delivers for buy-and-hold investors who want mainstream crypto without complexity. For flexibility, altcoins, or DeFi access, look at Coinbase or Kraken instead. If you want the broader picture beyond just crypto - fees, platforms, education, customer service - my full IG review covers the lot.

Buy Crypto With IG

FAQs IG Crypto

References

• IG UK Crypto
• IG Crypto Fees
• IG Help Centre
• FCA Register