CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Between 51% and 89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
What are cryptocurrency cross pairs in forex?
A cryptocurrency cross pair is a trading instrument where one crypto asset is valued against another, like ETH/BTC or SOL/ETH, instead of a fiat currency like USD or EUR. In forex terms, it's similar to trading GBP/JPY instead of GBP/USD: we’re comparing two currencies directly without involving the U.S. dollar.
descriptionQuick definition: What is a crypto cross pair?
A cryptocurrency cross pair is a trading instrument where two crypto assets are traded against each other, with no fiat involved. Example: ETH/BTC, SOL/ETH, or DOGE/SHIB.
These pairs provide insight into how crypto assets perform relative to one another. For example, when ETH/BTC rises, it typically signals a shift of strength toward altcoins, which is something we often use to anticipate broader altcoin market movements.
However, these pairs are less liquid than BTC/USD or ETH/USD. Thin liquidity means wider spreads, more slippage, and occasional execution delays, especially during off-peak hours. Brokers offering these pairs are still in the minority, and the ones that do tend to limit the variety of crosses to a few high-volume options.
Why trade crypto crosses with a forex broker?
Forex brokers, especially those regulated in jurisdictions like the U.K., EU, or Australia, offer features that pure crypto exchanges often don’t. These include negative balance protection, segregated client funds, and standardized platforms like MetaTrader 4 or 5.
Trading crypto crosses with a broker also means you’re not directly holding the crypto. There are no private keys to manage, no blockchain congestion, and no wallet hacking risks. For pure price speculation, this simplicity is a major advantage.
compareForex broker vs crypto exchange: Key differences
- Forex brokers: Offer CFD trading, fiat funding options, regulation, and negative balance protection.
- Crypto exchanges: Often have wider pair offerings but fewer safeguards for retail traders.
Still, most forex brokers limit their crypto offerings to major crypto-fiat pairs. The number of brokers offering true crypto-crypto crosses (like ADA/DOGE or ETH/BTC) is relatively small. And when they do, they’re usually trading CFDs, contracts for difference, not the underlying assets.
Spreads and overnight fees may differ significantly from crypto exchanges. It's essential to compare the full cost structure, including hidden financing charges that may apply when holding positions overnight.
What makes a good crypto cross forex broker?
Since crypto cross pairs are still a niche offering, the first thing to check is whether the broker even supports them. A solid broker will list high-volume pairs, like ETH/BTC or SOL/ETH, and provide real-time pricing from reputable liquidity providers.
Execution speed matters. On volatile pairs, even a half-second delay can result in poor fills. We recommend running tests on live accounts. Demo environments often paint a rosier picture than reality, especially in terms of spreads and slippage.
Regulated brokers typically offer crypto leverage between 2:1 and 5:1, and anything higher is often a red flag. It’s wise to avoid brokers offering excessive leverage (10:1 or higher) as it tends to come from unregulated providers with fewer safeguards.
Charting tools also make a difference. Platforms like MT5 with full crypto feed integration allow deeper analysis of volume and structure than stripped-down web terminals. And don’t forget weekend trading: if a broker restricts crypto cross trading to weekdays, you’re missing out on key market action.
checklistChecklist: What to look for in a crypto cross broker
- Tight spreads on major crypto pairs
- Real-time execution with minimal slippage
- Weekend and 24/7 trading availability
- Regulated leverage (2:1 to 5:1 max)
- Transparent swap fees and margin rules
Are crypto cross pairs riskier than traditional forex pairs?
Absolutely. You’re combining two volatile assets, each subject to its own news cycles, sentiment swings, and liquidity quirks. There’s no fiat anchor like USD to stabilize the equation. The result? More volatility, more unpredictable price behavior.
For instance, BTC may surge on ETF optimism while ETH stalls on concerns over staking regulation. If ETH/BTC is long, you’re fighting an uphill battle even if both assets are in an uptrend.
Correlation can shift without warning. Crypto crosses are also more vulnerable to exchange-related risks, like delistings or network slowdowns, even when trading them via CFD. Entire trading days can turn chaotic due to one coin halting withdrawals on a major exchange.
Risk management is non-negotiable here. Small position sizing, wider stops, and a solid grasp of both assets’ fundamentals are key. These trades should be approached with more caution than fiat pairs.
Can you trade crypto crosses 24/7 with forex brokers?
The crypto markets never sleep, but some forex brokers do. While the underlying markets run continuously, many forex brokers still shut down over the weekend or restrict trading during platform maintenance hours.
infoDid you know? Crypto CFD hours vary by broker
Not all brokers support 24/7 trading on crypto instruments. Some pause trading during server maintenance, weekends, or daily rollover windows. Always confirm trading hours before opening positions.
That said, an increasing number now offer 24/7 crypto CFD trading, including crypto crosses. But there's a catch: during off-hours (like late Saturday or early Sunday), spreads often widen dramatically. We've seen spreads triple compared to regular trading hours, especially on lesser-known cross pairs.
Also, be aware of liquidity gaps during global session handovers. Execution can become sluggish or unreliable during rollover periods. And if a broker enforces daily maintenance windows, trades may be locked during a flash crash.
Before going live, it's a good idea to test the broker’s weekend trading environment with small positions. And always double-check swap fees. Some charge hefty overnight rates even when volatility is low.
How to compare crypto cross trading conditions in 2025
When evaluating a broker, don't just skim the product list. Crypto cross trading hinges on quality, not quantity.
We recommend looking for tight spreads on core pairs like ETH/BTC. Then, test execution speed using market and limit orders across different sessions. A good broker should offer stable pricing even during volatile news events.
Next comes leverage. The sweet spot tends to be 2:1 to 3:1, which provides flexibility without exposing you to unnecessary margin risk. It’s also important to review margin requirements, which can differ across brokers and pairs.
Charting tools matter. Without depth of market or real-time volume data, you’re trading blind. And the ability to manage trades on mobile, including partial closes and trailing stops, is increasingly non-negotiable in 2025.
Lastly, don’t rely on demo environments alone. They often run under ideal conditions that hide the realities of live spreads and slippage. Live testing is essential before committing serious capital.
How to trade cryptocurrency pairs
Trading crypto crosses successfully requires more than just technical analysis. It's important to track the fundamentals and sentiment of both assets in the pair.
For instance, ETH may be affected by staking unlocks or gas fee reforms, while BTC might move on macroeconomic headlines like rate cuts or ETF flows. Trading ETH/BTC means understanding both narratives.
Technically, momentum indicators like RSI still work, but they require adjustment. An “overbought” signal at 70 doesn’t hold the same weight in parabolic crypto markets. Volume profile, Fibonacci extensions, and order flow-based support and resistance levels tend to be more reliable.
Risk management is crucial. We recommend risking no more than 1% on any crypto cross trade. Planning exits in advance is vital, especially during weekends when spreads widen or platforms slow down.
Crypto crosses offer a unique trading opportunity and are high-risk, high-reward. With the right broker, tools, and strategy, they can provide a distinct edge not available in traditional forex markets.
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At BrokerNotes.co, our data-driven online broker reviews are based on our extensive testing of brokers, platforms, products, technologies, and third-party trading tools. Our product testing extends to the quality and availability of educational content, market research resources, and the accessibility and capabilities of mobile platforms and trading apps. We also dive into each broker’s trading costs, such as VIP rebates, inactivity fees, custody fees, bid/ask spreads, and other fee-based data points.
Steven Hatzakis, an industry veteran with decades of experience in the forex market, leads the BrokerNotes research team. All BrokerNotes content is researched, fact-checked, and edited by the research team.
All websites and web-based platforms are tested using the latest version of the Google Chrome browser. Our Desktop PCs run Windows 11, and we use MacBook Pro laptops running the latest version of macOS to test trading on the go. We test mobile apps and products using iPhones running iOS 17 and Samsung devices running Android OS 14.
Note: The online brokers on our site provide the ability to trade forex in one or more ways, such as non-deliverable spot forex (i.e., rolling spot contracts), contracts for difference (CFD), or other derivatives such as futures. The availability of specific markets or features will depend on your country of residence and the broker's applicable brand or entity that services your account(s).
Forex Risk Disclaimer
There is a very high degree of risk involved in trading securities. With respect to margin-based foreign exchange trading, off-exchange derivatives, and cryptocurrencies, there is considerable exposure to risk, including but not limited to, leverage, creditworthiness, limited regulatory protection and market volatility that may substantially affect the price, or liquidity of a currency or related instrument. It should not be assumed that the methods, techniques, or indicators presented in these products will be profitable, or that they will not result in losses. Learn more about foreign exchange risk.
About the Editorial Team
Founded in 2014 and acquired in 2021, BrokerNotes.co provides unbiased forex broker reviews and ratings to help traders and investors find the best broker for their needs. With over 60 brokers reviewed, our editorial team has published thousands of words of research to help our readers make informed choices.
Joey Shadeck is the Content Strategist and Research Analyst for BrokerNotes.co and ForexBrokers.com. He holds dual degrees in Finance and Marketing from Oakland University, and has been an active trader and investor for close to ten years. An industry veteran, Joey obtains and verifies data, conducts research, and analyzes and validates our content.
Hannah Smith is a Staff Editor at BrokerNotes.co. With a background in SEO and years of experience in digital media, Hannah is focused on creating high-quality, data-driven content that helps investors make informed decisions. With a master's degree in English from North Carolina State University, she brings a strong foundation in writing, research, and editorial strategy to her work.
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