How to Trade Cryptocurrency in 2026: Complete Guide

Cryptocurrency trading is attracting more and more investors. Cryptocurrencies are assets that differ greatly from traditional fiat currencies. They have revolutionised decentralised finance and are now at the heart of trading. This guide explains how to trade cryptocurrency, from choosing a platform to managing risk.

How to Trade Cryptocurrency: Step-by-Step Tutorial

Trading cryptocurrency requires signing up with a trading platform, which will guide you through all the steps. Here is how to trade cryptocurrencies:

1. Choose a reliable, reputable crypto trading site.
2. Sign up with your online broker.
3. Fund your account to trade crypto.
4. Choose your cryptocurrency.
5. Set your Stop Loss, Leverage and Take Profit, and open a trading position.

If this topic interests you, see also “Dogecoin Trading” and “Floki Inu Crypto”.

Why Trade Cryptocurrency?

There are many possible reasons to trade cryptocurrencies. First, the crypto market is highly volatile, which lets you trade on price movements and potentially pocket large gains. Second, there are thousands of cryptocurrencies you can trade, so you avoid betting on a single asset: by diversifying your investments, you increase your chances of winning and limit your risk of loss. Finally, crypto trading does not require a wallet to store your tokens, as you are only trading on the price. Withdrawing your profits is therefore simpler.

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Crypto Trading: Bitcoin Live Price

Trading Cryptocurrency CFDs

The fees involved in trading CFDs depend on the cryptocurrency you want to trade. Here are the most affordable brokers for trading cryptocurrency CFDs.

1. Fees and Commissions

Commissions are expressed as a percentage: the lower the percentage, the more you save. However, do not be swayed by these figures alone, as the broker must also be properly regulated. Visit the eToro website to find out about its competitive pricing.

Brokers	Fees
	1.9%
	-2.8%

2. Spreads for Trading Cryptocurrency

To put it plainly, eToro offers very affordable fees, and its spread for crypto trading is very low, at 0.75%. Fees do vary with market conditions and liquidity, but the best way to avoid paying excessive fees is to choose affordable platforms such as eToro.

3. Crypto Trading With Leverage

Leverage makes it possible to multiply the size of your starting capital. With platforms such as AvaTrade and Vantage, leverage can go very high and let you earn a lot even with a small amount of capital when trading cryptocurrency CFDs. Stay alert to the dangers of leverage, however, and use Stop Loss orders to limit your losses.

Broker	Cryptocurrencies	Crypto leverage
	Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Tether, Binance Coin, Cardano, Dash, EOS, Ethereum, Ethereum Classic, IOTA, Litecoin, Neo, Stellar, Tezos, Tron, XRP and Zcash	2:1
	Bitcoin, Ethereum, Libra, Bitcoin Cash, Dash, Ripple, Tether	1:20
	Bitcoin, Ripple, Litecoin, Ethereum, Dash, Neo, Monero	2:1

How to Buy Cryptocurrencies

Buying cryptocurrency is very simple. You can do it in several ways, although sometimes it depends on the cryptocurrency in question. You can buy cryptocurrencies online and sometimes in person from a direct seller. In France, it is even possible to buy Bitcoin at tobacconists.

However, the most common and safest method is to buy cryptocurrency online, through an online broker. To avoid scams, you should choose a regulated broker such as eToro. Once you have signed up, all you need to do is fund your account with the payment method of your choice and buy the cryptocurrencies you want. Major online brokers such as eToro, Vantage and AvaTrade offer the most popular cryptocurrencies, such as Ethereum Classic, Dash, Ripple, Bitcoin Cash and Tron, but also lesser-known coins with strong potential such as EOS, Nexo and Decred.

How Does the Cryptocurrency Market Work?

The cryptocurrency market is based on a decentralised system, meaning the currencies are not issued by a central authority such as a government. They move across a network of computers. You can buy and sell cryptocurrencies on exchange platforms such as eToro or Vantage and hold them in digital wallets. Cryptocurrencies differ from traditional currencies in that they are digital proof of ownership stored on a blockchain.

When a user wants to sell cryptocurrency units to another user, they must transfer them to the other user’s virtual wallet. The transaction is completed — verified and added to the blockchain — through the mining process. This is generally how new tokens are created.

Trading Cryptocurrency Futures

How Does Cryptocurrency Trading Work?

Cryptocurrency trading most often works through CFDs. These derivatives let you trade the price of the cryptocurrency you have chosen, whether it rises or falls. Crypto trading is therefore based purely on speculation, and you do not actually need to own the crypto in question. Instead, you use leverage to increase your exposure with only part of your capital rather than tying up all of it. Many crypto traders have profited from this method, which has long driven the success of crypto trading.

Which Platform for Trading Cryptocurrency CFDs?

CFDs, or contracts for difference, are instruments that can increase your chances of earning more. The risk of loss is also huge, which is why you need suitable platforms for trading cryptocurrency CFDs.

1. MetaTrader: Automate Your Crypto Trading

The MetaTrader platform, particularly MT4, lets you automate your trading. Once you have set your parameters, algorithms automatically spot investment opportunities and either open a position automatically or notify you. It is easy to see why this platform is so useful for trading cryptocurrency CFDs. You can also follow market movements in real time.

2. eToro: Best Crypto Trading Platform

Whether you are a beginner or a professional, we recommend the eToro platform for trading cryptocurrency CFDs. Trading CFDs involves fees, and eToro offers some of the best rates for this. It is also a social trading platform, meaning you can contact other traders to exchange information and know-how, which will help you a great deal. You avoid the ordeal of always trading alone without any points of reference. Visit the eToro website to find out more.

★★★★★ 5/5

Spreads: from 0.0 pips Cryptocurrencies: Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum, Litecoin, Ripple

Minimum deposit: €200 Payment methods: Visa & Mastercard, bank transfer

Trade Crypto

3. WebTrader: Trade Cryptocurrency Online

As its name suggests, WebTrader lets you trade cryptocurrencies on the web. As long as your computer has an internet connection, you can trade cryptocurrencies. This makes trading much easier, as you can do it at any time, whatever operating system your computer runs.

★★★★★ 5/5

Regulated by: FCA, ASIC, CIMA Founded: 2009

Headquarters: Sydney, Australia Minimum deposit: €200

Trade Crypto

What Factors Affect the Value of a Cryptocurrency?

First of all, it is important to understand that cryptocurrency markets move according to the law of supply and demand: the higher the demand for tokens on the market, the more the cryptocurrency’s value will rise. This is what sets cryptocurrencies apart from traditional currencies. But other factors also affect a cryptocurrency’s value:

• Media: the great popularity of cryptocurrencies in recent years is explained by the media coverage they have received. Positive and negative opinions therefore influence a cryptocurrency’s value.
• Market capitalisation: this is the value of all existing coins. Their number can increase, decrease or stay the same.
• Major events: significant events such as regulatory changes or economic difficulties affect cryptocurrency prices.
• Integration: this is a cryptocurrency’s ability to fit into existing infrastructure, such as online payment systems.

What Is Cryptocurrency Trading?

Cryptocurrency trading means speculating on a cryptocurrency’s price movements through a CFD trading account, or buying and selling the underlying currency on an exchange.

Trading cryptocurrency CFDs means trading a cryptocurrency’s price without actually owning it. If you think a cryptocurrency’s price will rise, you go long (buy); if, on the contrary, you think it will fall, you go short (sell). CFDs are leveraged products that amplify your capital, so you do not need to tie up all of it — but the risk of loss is amplified too.

The other way to trade cryptocurrencies is to buy and sell them on an exchange. In this case, you open an account on the platform and commit the full value of the position. You then need to store your tokens in your wallet until you decide to sell them. There are several types of wallet, such as “cold wallets”, which are offline, and “hot wallets”, which are online.

Cryptocurrency Trading Strategies

The trading strategy you adopt will determine the future of your investment, so it is essential to have one rather than going in blind. There are two main types of trading strategy: long-term and short-term.

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1. Short-Term Strategy: Day Trading and Scalping

Most seasoned crypto traders use day trading. It is a fairly aggressive trading style, as the aim is to profit from a cryptocurrency’s price movements within a single day. Day traders base their decisions on chart analysis. Scalping takes place over much shorter periods (a few minutes to a few hours) to profit from small changes in a cryptocurrency’s value. Both gains and losses can be amplified with leveraged products such as CFDs.

2. Long-Term Strategy: Buy and Hold

If, on the other hand, you want to invest in cryptocurrency for the long term, buy and hold is the strategy for you. Instead of betting on small price changes, you profit from large movements in a cryptocurrency’s price by following market trends. You buy tokens and keep them for a certain time — hence the name “buy and hold” — and sell them when you think the price is high enough.

Tips for Trading Cryptocurrency

You need to master certain fundamentals before trading cryptocurrencies. These tips are essential for trading any type of cryptocurrency, whether Bitcoin, Dash, Ethereum Classic, EOS or many others.

• Start with a small amount of capital

There is a well-known saying among traders: “what is invested is lost”. In other words, when you invest, you must be prepared to lose that sum, as the risk of loss always remains. That is why you should start with a small amount of capital and, above all, never invest all your capital. You can learn to trade cryptocurrency step by step, but you must not use money you need for everyday life. You can then invest larger sums as you become more comfortable with crypto trading.

• Limit leverage on digital assets

As you know, leverage is a double-edged sword: sometimes you can win a lot, sometimes you can lose a great deal. It is a particularly risky tool that you need to master. The key rule is to limit its use to avoid huge losses.

• Take profits regularly

You should take profits regularly when a cryptocurrency’s price rises. This is how you can make more profit overall.

• Follow market trends

Following market trends gives you a sense of a cryptocurrency’s future value and helps you make the most of it. To do so, research the cryptocurrency you are interested in and follow the news as well as the main macroeconomic statistics.

• Use technical analysis

Every serious trader uses technical analysis, as it helps anticipate cryptocurrency rises and falls using technical indicators. Some platforms give you access to these indicators. A downloadable crypto trading guide in PDF format can also be useful.

• Use a top cryptocurrency trading platform

Last but not least, you need to use a good trading platform. To diversify your income, choose a platform offering a wide range of cryptocurrencies to trade. Before signing up, research the platform’s reliability, regulation, pricing and, above all, its tools. These are essential for profiting from crypto trading — for example, eToro’s CopyTrading or AvaTrade’s AvaTradeGO. In many respects, these are the best cryptocurrency trading platforms.

How Much Can You Make Trading Cryptocurrency?

To work out how much you could make trading cryptocurrency, simply compare the amount you initially invested in a cryptocurrency with its value when you sold it. To make this clearer, suppose you invest €1,000 in Ripple (XRP) and achieve an annual return of 20%. After one year, your capital would grow to €1,200, and after 5 years to €2,488.

Note that this is just an example: the market is highly volatile and can cause you significant losses. Apart from the capital you invest at the start, the amount you could make also depends on the cryptocurrency in question, which could rise or fall — in which case you will lose money. The best answer to this question is therefore to keep informed about market trends and think carefully about how much to invest at the outset.

How to Trade Cryptocurrency in Belgium

The advantage of trading cryptocurrencies is that you can make profits wherever you are. As long as you have a good internet connection, you can trade cryptocurrencies and speculate on their prices. However, you need to use a reliable trading platform popular enough to be available in several countries. In Belgium, Vantage and AvaTrade are the regulated platforms most used by traders.

Trading Cryptocurrency in France

There are countless trading platforms in France. To trade cryptocurrency in French, we recommend eToro, which is regulated in France and worldwide: it is overseen by CySEC, the FCA and ASIC. eToro currently has around ten million investors and remains the most popular broker in France.

Trading Cryptocurrency: What Are the Advantages?

If cryptocurrencies have attracted investors around the world, it is for the simple reason that trading them offers advantages in several respects:

• Security: cryptocurrency trading keeps transactions secure because, as these are virtual currencies, you do not hold them during the trade. Trading takes place through a broker, so the risks of theft, hacking or losing your keys are minimal.
• Speed: crypto trading is also fast, as you can buy a currency at any time without holding a wallet. The cryptocurrency market is open 24/7. In addition, you do not necessarily have to buy Bitcoin first to buy other currencies.
• Speculation: when trading cryptocurrencies, it is easy to go long or short. This increases your opportunities to profit by speculating on both rising and falling prices.
• Leverage: you can grow your gains by using leverage to increase your starting capital.

Trading Cryptocurrency: What Are the Drawbacks?

Trading cryptocurrencies obviously carries risks:

• Wild volatility: the market can undergo sudden, unexpected changes, causing a cryptocurrency’s price to fall rapidly.
• Lack of regulation: unfortunately, cryptocurrencies are regulated neither by governments nor by central banks, which can cause certain difficulties, particularly in how they are classified.
• Vulnerability to bugs and hacking: cryptocurrencies are often subject to bugs or cyberattacks that are sometimes difficult to resolve.

Trading Crypto CFDs vs Buying Directly: Which Is Best?

The investment approach you use depends entirely on your needs. On the one hand, when trading CFDs, you use leverage, which lets you increase your cryptocurrency exposure relative to your initial capital. This larger amount is what allows you to make more profit from cryptocurrency trading. However, the risk of losing a lot is also high, as losses are calculated on the total size of your position (after leverage), not on the amount you initially deposited. If your starting capital is fairly small, CFDs are suitable.

On the other hand, if you are not comfortable with CFDs, it is best to buy cryptocurrencies directly. In this case, you actually acquire tokens and have full control over them. There is a wide variety of cryptocurrencies you can buy on the market, each with its own features and workings. By buying directly, you benefit from the advantages and innovations the cryptocurrency brings. You can then sell your tokens when their value rises.

Promising Cryptocurrencies to Trade in 2026

Trading Cryptocurrency With No Fees: Is It Possible?

As you have seen, trading cryptocurrency involves paying various fees, such as the spread charged by the broker and commissions. The only way to avoid them is to trade on the dark web or the black market. This is obviously a very high-risk approach, as it exposes you to all kinds of scams and fraud. On top of that, there are many counterfeit cryptocurrencies on the black market, so we strongly advise against it.

To pay as little as possible in fees, simply use an affordable trading platform. eToro is known for being highly accessible. Beginners can use a free demo account to get familiar with the tools before trading for real. This limits the risk of losing money and of paying high fees that would ultimately have been pointless if the trader had not known how to use the platform.

Conclusion: What Is the Best Site for Trading Cryptocurrency?

You now know a little more about how to trade cryptocurrency. It is an investment that requires knowledge and various technical tools. Trading is not difficult in itself: you simply need to make the best choices of cryptocurrencies to trade. Besides the major cryptocurrencies, you are spoilt for choice among promising ones such as Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum Classic and Decred.

As our crypto trading review shows, trading cryptocurrencies is not difficult if you use the right platform. You need to consider ease of navigation and use, pricing and trading tools. eToro remains the best site for trading cryptocurrencies, as it offers a wide range of them. Now that you know how to trade cryptocurrencies on eToro, head over there and enjoy the market’s action as safely as possible.

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