Comparison of Eightcap vs TradeStation [ 2024 ]

The best brokers to invest in cryptocurrencies compared by their commissions, cryptos, security and much more. Here is theEightcap vs TradeStation comparison!

Your expert: Alejandro Borja

eightcap

Eightcap

Your expert: Xavier Tarrasó

tradestation

TradeStation

Main points

Fees

Low 4,3/5

Regulated

ASIC, VFSC

Demo account

Yes
Low 4,2/5

Fees

FINRA, SEC

Regulated

Yes

Demo account

Recommended for

Beginners

Yes

Trading

Yes

Passive income

No

Buy and hold

No
Yes

Beginners

Yes

Trading

No

Passive income

No

Buy and hold


Comparison of fees

Rating

4.3 – Eightcap provides tight spreads and no deposit or withdrawal fees, making it a cost-effective choice for crypto trading. However, the lack of public financial information might be a concern .
3.9 – TradeStation charges competitive volume-based fees starting at $2 + 0.65% for small trades. The complex fee structure and $10 monthly inactivity fee are notable drawbacks .

Level

Low 4,3/5
Low 4,2/5

Brief explanation

Eightcap offers competitive commissions, particularly attractive for cryptocurrency traders. The platform provides two main account types: Raw and Standard. The Raw account features lower spreads starting from 0.0 pips but incurs a commission of $3.5 per lot per trade, making it suitable for high-frequency traders seeking tighter spreads. Conversely, the Standard account has no commission but higher spreads starting from 0.5 pips . For cryptocurrency trading, Eightcap’s spreads vary significantly depending on the asset. For instance, Bitcoin spreads can range up to 12 pips, which is competitive compared to other brokers. Additionally, there are no deposit or withdrawal fees, which further enhances the cost-effectiveness of trading on Eightcap. However, traders should be aware of potential overnight financing fees if positions are held beyond a day .
TradeStation charges competitive fees for cryptocurrency trading, though there are some costs to be aware of. Trading commissions are based on a tiered structure, starting at 0.30% per trade for monthly volumes up to $100,000 and decreasing to 0.20% for volumes above $1 million. This makes TradeStation suitable for both small and large traders. Additionally, there is a spread markup, which is the difference between the bid and ask prices, typically ranging from 0.5% to 1%. The platform also charges an inactivity fee of $50 if there is no trading activity for 12 months, and wire transfer withdrawal fees are $25 for US clients and $35 for international clients. These fees can add up, especially for infrequent traders. Despite these costs, TradeStation’s comprehensive tools and security measures can justify the expenses for those who prioritize advanced trading capabilities and regulatory compliance.

Eightcap

TradeStation

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Account Minimum

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Product selection

Native token

Eightcap does not have a native token.
TradeStation does not have a native token.

Earns

Eightcap does not offer earning options like staking for cryptocurrencies. It provides a wide range of crypto derivatives for trading .
TradeStation does not provide staking or earning options with cryptocurrencies. The platform allows direct trading of certain cryptocurrencies .

NFT marketplace

Eightcap does not have an NFT marketplace.
TradeStation does not have an NFT marketplace.

Cripto/debit card

Eightcap does not have a card for its clients .
TradeStation does not have a card for its clients .

Company information

Full name

Eightcap Pty Ltd​​.
TradeStation Securities, Inc.​​.

Regulation

ASIC, VFSC (Vanuatu)​​.
SEC, FINRA (USA)​​.

Year founded

2009​​
1982​​

Founder

Joel Murphy​​
William Cruz, Rafael Cruz​​

Payment methods

Transfers

Yes, Eightcap accepts bank transfers for both deposits and withdrawals .
Yes, TradeStation accepts bank transfers for both deposits and withdrawals .

Mastercard

Yes, Eightcap accepts Mastercard for deposits​​.
No, TradeStation does not accept Mastercard for deposits​​.

Wire transfer

Yes, Wise is supported as a payment method .
Wise is not mentioned as a supported payment method .

Card

Yes, Eightcap accepts credit/debit cards .
No, TradeStation does not accept credit/debit cards .

Comparative table

Eightcap Features TradeStation
Eightcap offers a low minimum trade requirement, making it accessible for traders at all levels. This encourages new traders to start small without significant financial risk.
Minimum Trade
TradeStation allows for low minimum trades, making it accessible for beginners.
Eightcap charges competitive fees, including tight spreads from 0.1 pips and low commissions, particularly on its Raw account. This makes it an economical choice for active traders .
Trading and Transaction Fees
Fees are higher than some competitors, especially for withdrawals.
With over 250 crypto CFDs available, Eightcap provides one of the most extensive selections of cryptocurrencies in the market, catering to a wide range of trading interests .
Number of Cryptocurrencies
Only offers Bitcoin, Ethereum, and USD Coin.
While Eightcap offers a variety of fiat-to-crypto pairs, the availability of direct crypto-to-crypto trading pairs is somewhat limited, which might not meet the needs of all traders
Crypto-to-Crypto Trading Pairs
Limited to major coins, restricting diversification opportunities.
Eightcap maintains a transparent website with clear information on fees, regulatory status, and trading conditions. However, more detailed educational resources could enhance user understanding .
Website Transparency
TradeStation provides clear and detailed information about its services and fees.
Eightcap does not have a card for its clients .
Credit/Debit Card
TradeStation does not have a card for its clients .
Eightcap does not provide crypto wallet services since it focuses on CFD trading, which means traders cannot store actual cryptocurrencies on the platform .
Storage Offering
Utilizes secure storage solutions with BitGo for crypto assets.
There are no staking or reward programs available on Eightcap, which might be a disadvantage for traders looking to earn passive income through their crypto holdings .
Staking and Rewards
No staking or rewards programs available.
Eightcap supports mobile trading through the MetaTrader 4/5 and TradingView apps, offering robust functionality and user-friendly interfaces, but lacks a proprietary mobile app .
Mobile App and Desktop
Both platforms are user-friendly and feature-rich, but the mobile app has fewer features.
Customer service is available through live chat, phone, and email, but is not 24/7, which can be limiting for traders who need immediate assistance outside of business hours .
Customer Service
Customer service is decent but has room for improvement in response times and support quality.
Eightcap offers multiple deposit and withdrawal methods with no fees, including bank transfers, credit cards, and e-wallets, ensuring flexibility and cost-effectiveness for users .
Deposit and Withdraw
Limited methods and high fees for withdrawals, making it less user-friendly.

Key features

Analysis tools

Eightcap provides access to the TradingView platform, known for its advanced charting capabilities, and Capitalise.ai for algorithmic trading. They also offer the MetaTrader 4 and 5 platforms with a range of technical analysis tools .
TradeStation provides a powerful desktop trading platform with customizable sophisticated analysis tools, custom charts, and a detailed order book for crypto trading. They also offer mobile app trading with improved charting capabilities .

Mobile APP

Yes, Eightcap provides mobile trading through the MetaTrader 4 and 5 apps, as well as the TradingView mobile app .
Yes, TradeStation offers a mobile app that includes advanced charting, trading, and analysis tools .

Security

Eightcap is regulated by top-tier authorities such as the FCA and ASIC, providing a solid level of investor security. They offer negative balance protection for UK and EU clients but do not provide financial information publicly​​.
TradeStation is regulated by the SEC and FINRA, providing high investor protection levels. They offer SIPC insurance but do not provide negative balance protection. Their parent company is publicly listed, enhancing transparency​​.

Additional features

Eightcap excels in cryptocurrency CFD trading, offering access to over 250 crypto derivatives. Their trading tools include resources like Crypto Crusher for market insights and Capitalise.ai for automated trading strategies. Eightcap also supports deposits and withdrawals in digital currencies, making it convenient for crypto traders. However, they do not offer a proprietary mobile app, relying instead on MetaTrader and TradingView for mobile trading .
TradeStation offers direct cryptocurrency trading for a limited selection of coins, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and USD Coin. Their platform includes advanced features like strategy development and technical analysis through the TradeStation Master Class. They also support crypto trading in IRAs and provide competitive volume-based fees. However, their crypto offerings have decreased in recent years .

Anonymity

Eightcap does not offer anonymous accounts. The registration process involves providing personal and financial information, and verification with a passport or ID and proof of residence .
Anonymous accounts are not supported on TradeStation. Personal and financial information along with verification documents are required​​.

Key points

Available cryptocurrencies

Eightcap offers trading in over 250 cryptocurrency CFDs. Available cryptocurrencies include popular coins like Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Litecoin (LTC), as well as altcoins like Polkadot (DOT), Binance Coin (BNB), Chainlink (LINK), Stellar (XLM), EOS, and memecoins like Dogecoin (DOGE) and Shiba Inu (SHIB)​​.
TradeStation offers trading in a few cryptocurrencies. The supported cryptocurrencies include Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and USD Coin (USDC) .

User-friendliness

Eightcap provides a seamless and fast account opening process, making it easy for users to start trading cryptocurrencies. The platform supports multiple payment methods, including credit/debit cards and e-wallets, which adds to its ease of use. Eightcap’s trading platforms are designed to be intuitive, ensuring that users can navigate and trade efficiently without much hassle .
TradeStation provides a powerful and intuitive platform for trading cryptocurrencies. The platform is designed to cater to both novice and experienced traders, with a range of tools and features that enhance the trading experience. While the selection of cryptocurrencies is limited, the platform’s overall usability and support make it a solid choice for crypto trading​​.

Value for money

Eightcap provides great value with no deposit or withdrawal fees and a wide range of supported payment methods. Its tight spreads and leverage options enhance its attractiveness, although the lack of public financial information might be a concern for some​​.
TradeStation offers good value with competitive volume-based fees and a range of trading tools. Its inactivity fee of $10 per month and the administrative fee for IRAs might be less attractive for occasional traders​​.

Countries of operation

United Kingdom, European Union, Australia, Bahamas, St. Vincent and the Grenadines .
United States, available to most other countries except restricted regions like North Korea and Sudan .

Best for

Eightcap is perfect for traders seeking a vast selection of over 250 cryptocurrency CFDs, including memecoins and altcoins. It’s well-suited for those who want to trade crypto derivatives in a regulated and secure environment​​.
TradeStation is suited for experienced traders who value advanced trading tools and direct access to crypto trading. Its detailed order book and professional-grade platform make it ideal for those who want to trade and analyze cryptocurrencies deeply​​.

Account

Trading

Eightcap supports crypto CFD trading with competitive spreads and leverage. The platform offers a range of popular cryptocurrencies, making it a good choice for traders looking for diversity in their crypto investments.
TradeStation offers a limited selection of cryptocurrencies but provides a powerful trading platform with advanced tools and features. It is suitable for traders who want to integrate crypto trading with other financial products.

Deposit and withdrawal

Eightcap supports deposits and withdrawals through bank transfers, credit/debit cards, and various e-wallets. The platform processes transactions efficiently, but some e-wallets may incur small fees.
TradeStation supports deposits and withdrawals primarily via bank transfers. While the process is secure, it can be slower and more expensive compared to other brokers, with fees for wire transfers.

Account opening process

The account opening process at Eightcap is straightforward and fully digital. Users need to fill out an online form with personal and financial information and submit verification documents. Accounts are generally approved within one business day.
Opening an account with TradeStation is fully digital and user-friendly. Users need to provide personal and financial information and submit verification documents. The process usually takes one to two business days for approval.

KYC required?

Yes, KYC is required at Eightcap. Users need to submit personal identification documents and proof of address to verify their accounts.
TradeStation requires KYC verification. Users need to provide personal identification documents and proof of address before they can start trading.

Customer Service

Eightcap offers customer support through live chat, phone, and email. The support team is available 24/5 and is generally responsive, providing helpful and timely assistance to users.
TradeStation provides customer support via phone, email, and live chat. The support is available during market hours and is generally responsive, though some users find the service to be slower during peak times.

Security

Eightcap is regulated by top-tier authorities such as the FCA and ASIC, providing a solid level of investor security. They offer negative balance protection for UK and EU clients but do not provide financial information publicly​​.
TradeStation is regulated by the SEC and FINRA, providing high investor protection levels. They offer SIPC insurance but do not provide negative balance protection. Their parent company is publicly listed, enhancing transparency​​.

Which of these exchanges is for you?

As an expert on cryptocurrency investment platforms, I highly recommend Eightcap for traders looking to dive into the world of crypto derivatives. Eightcap offers an extensive range of over 250 cryptocurrency CFDs, making it one of the most comprehensive brokers in this space. Their platform is user-friendly, and the tight spreads coupled with fast order execution are ideal for day traders. Additionally, the regulation by top-tier authorities like FCA and ASIC ensures a secure trading environment. However, the lack of a proprietary mobile app and limited educational resources are areas that could see improvement to better support new traders​​.
As an expert in the crypto market, I find TradeStation to be a solid platform for those who prioritize security and advanced trading tools. While its cryptocurrency offerings are limited to Bitcoin, Ethereum, and USD Coin, the platform excels in providing a highly regulated environment and robust trading features. TradeStation’s user-friendly interface and comprehensive educational resources make it a suitable choice for both seasoned traders and those looking to gain deeper insights into crypto trading. However, the high withdrawal fees and limited deposit options are areas that could be improved to enhance the overall user experience.

How do we review crypto exchanges?

At Threenvest, we conduct a thorough review process to evaluate and rank the world’s leading crypto exchanges. Our goal is to offer an unbiased assessment, providing you with the information you need to make informed decisions on which ones best suit your needs. We strictly adhere to the guidelines of our editorial policy.

 

We collect data directly from exchanges through detailed questionnaires and conduct first-hand testing and observations during crypto exchange demonstrations. Questionnaire responses, combined with demonstrations and hands-on research from our experts, feed into our proprietary evaluation process that scores each provider’s performance on more than 15 factors. The end result produces star ratings ranging from poor (one star) to excellent (five stars).


For more details on the categories considered when rating brokers and our process, read our full methodology.

Risk Disclaimer

Investing in cryptocurrencies is very risky, you should only invest the money you are willing to lose. Also you should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong.

Neither Threenvest, nor the author, are recommending you to invest with this article.

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