Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum are among the most exciting — and most volatile — markets you can trade. At SCapitalFX you trade them as CFDs, which means you can profit from both rising and falling prices, use leverage, and fund with crypto — all from the same account you use for forex and gold. Here is how crypto CFD trading works and how to start.
What is crypto CFD trading?
A crypto CFD (contract for difference) lets you trade the price of a cryptocurrency without owning the coin. You are not buying Bitcoin into a wallet — you are trading on whether its price rises or falls. The advantages:
- Go long or short — profit (or lose) whether crypto rises or falls.
- No wallet or exchange account to manage, and no private keys to secure.
- Leverage up to 1:20, so a smaller deposit controls a larger position.
- One account for crypto, forex, gold, indices and energy.
Bitcoin and Ethereum CFDs at SCapitalFX
| BTC/USD | ETH/USD | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 lot equals | 1 Bitcoin | 1 Ethereum |
| Spread from (Standard) | $25 | $2.50 |
| Spread from (Raw) | $15 | $1.50 |
| Commission (Raw) | $6 round-turn / lot | $6 round-turn / lot |
| Max leverage | 1:20 | 1:20 |
| Min trade size | 0.01 | 0.01 |
How profit and loss work: one lot of BTC/USD equals 1 Bitcoin, so a $100 move in the Bitcoin price is $100 of profit or loss per lot. Most beginners trade micro lots (0.01) — so the same $100 move is just $1 — to keep risk small while crypto swings.
Why crypto gets lower leverage
Crypto is far more volatile than forex, so leverage is capped at 1:20 (versus up to 1:200 on forex majors). That is a safety feature: at 1:20 you post 5% margin, giving your account more room to handle big swings. Learn more in our guide to leverage.
How to start trading Bitcoin step by step
- Open an account. Sign up at SCapitalFX and verify your identity.
- Fund it. Deposit quickly with USDT, BTC and 50+ coins.
- Open the BTC/USD chart (or ETH/USD) and study the trend on a higher timeframe.
- Decide long or short based on your analysis.
- Set a stop-loss and take-profit before you enter.
- Start with a micro lot (0.01) to keep risk small.
- Place the trade and manage it — stick to your plan.
What moves crypto prices?
- Adoption and demand — institutional buying, ETFs and real-world use.
- Regulation and news — government decisions can move prices fast.
- Macro conditions — interest rates, the US dollar and overall risk appetite.
- The Bitcoin halving cycle — supply issuance drops roughly every four years.
- Sentiment and liquidations — fear and greed drive sharp, sudden moves.
The crypto market itself runs around the clock, including weekends (check the app for exact CFD trading hours).
Managing risk with crypto
- Trade small — micro lots while you learn.
- Always use a stop-loss; crypto can move 5–10% in a single day.
- Do not max out leverage just because you can.
- Only risk money you can afford to lose.
Risk warning: Cryptocurrencies are highly volatile and trading crypto CFDs on leverage carries a high level of risk. You could lose some or all of your invested capital. Never trade with money you cannot afford to lose.
Fund and trade crypto in one place
A big convenience at SCapitalFX is that you can both fund with crypto and trade crypto from one account. See how to deposit with USDT, BTC and 50+ coins, and if you are new, start with trading for beginners.
Frequently asked questions
Can I trade Bitcoin without owning it?
Yes. With a CFD you trade Bitcoin’s price movement — there is no wallet, exchange account or private keys to manage.
Can I short Bitcoin?
Yes. You can go short to profit from falling prices, just as you go long to profit from rising prices.
What leverage can I use on crypto?
Up to 1:20, meaning about 5% of the position value is required as margin. Crypto’s lower cap reflects its higher volatility.
How much do I need to start trading crypto?
You can start small with micro lots (0.01). Because crypto moves fast, keep positions small and always use a stop-loss.
Which cryptocurrencies can I trade?
You can trade BTC/USD and ETH/USD as CFDs, alongside forex, gold, indices and energy from the same account.
Start trading crypto
Open your account or a free demo and practise on BTC/USD before going live. Explore all markets and conditions here.