Cryptoassets are high-risk investments and may not be suitable for all investors. Their prices can be highly volatile, and you could lose some or all of the money you invest.
Cryptoassets are not regulated in the same way as traditional investments and are not covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). Protection from the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) is limited.
During periods of extreme market volatility, liquidity may be reduced, which can affect your ability to buy or sell crypto at your desired price.
You should take time to understand how crypto works and the risks involved before investing. For more information, visit IG’s Crypto Risks page.
We offer a simple and secure way to invest in digital assets, focused on four core actions: Buy, Hold and Sell - designed for long-term investing, not short-term trading, with an emphasis on ease of use rather than advanced trading tools.
What should I know before buying cryptocurrencies?
What should I know before buying cryptocurrencies?
How do I set up my account?
How do I set up my account?
To start investing in cryptocurrencies with IG, new clients need to complete an online application and verify their identity through electronic verification or document upload. Existing clients can simply add a crypto account through your My IG Dashboard.
All clients must complete a cryptocurrency knowledge assessment (8 questions, 75% pass mark). After verification, you will observe a mandatory 24-hour cooling period that begins immediately when your account is created.
After successful IG Crypto account verification and the cooling off period, you can login and start investing in available digital assets on the IG iOS / Android mobile apps, the IG Invest app, or the web platform.
Once your crypto account is set up and verified, you'll be able to buy, hold, and sell cryptocurrencies directly via the IG app or web platform.
Note: Advanced tools like conditional orders, alerts, or margin trading are not supported - it's designed for simplified investing, not active trading. |
How Does the Cash System Work?
How Does the Cash System Work?
Your crypto account does not hold cash directly. Instead:
Cash is held in your other IG accounts (Share Dealing, CFD, or Spread Bet)
When you buy crypto, you select which account to use
Cash is automatically transferred at the point of purchase
When you sell crypto, proceeds return to your selected IG account
If you don't have another IG account:
We'll automatically create a Share Dealing account for you
You'll need to accept the terms and conditions on your next login
This account will hold your cash for crypto investments
What risks should I understand?
What risks should I understand?
Volatility: Prices can change by double-digit percentages within hours
Security: Digital assets are vulnerable to hacking and scams
Regulatory uncertainty: Rules vary globally and continue to evolve
Technical complexity: Blockchain technology has a learning curve
Market risks: Many crypto projects won't survive long-term
Liquidity risks: Ability to sell may be limited during extreme market conditions
Responsible participation requires ongoing education, careful risk management, and investing only what you can afford to lose.
For comprehensive insights and detailed analysis on cryptocurrency risks and regulatory frameworks, click here - Crypto risk - IG UK.
Am I protected when investing in cryptocurrencies?
Am I protected when investing in cryptocurrencies?
In Short, No
The Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) doesn't protect crypto investments
Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) protection doesn't cover poor investment performance
FOS may consider complaints against FCA-regulated firms
If are interested to learn more about cryptocurrencies, their risks, and what to consider before investing, visit the Financial Conduct Authority’s guidance:
Crypto: The basics – https://www.fca.org.uk/investsmart/crypto-basics
Investing in crypto – https://www.fca.org.uk/investsmart/investing-crypto
Can I sell my crypto whenever I want?
Can I sell my crypto whenever I want?
While you can theoretically sell cryptocurrency whenever you want, several factors can make it practically difficult in certain situations.
Cryptocurrency markets face several liquidity-related challenges, including high volatility and technological constraints that can discourage market participants, reducing market depth and liquidity. During periods of extreme price movement, liquidity can evaporate quickly.
For popular cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum on major exchanges, liquidity issues are less common but still possible during extreme market conditions.
Network congestion, high gas fees (especially on Ethereum), or blockchain outages can delay or prevent transactions from being processed in a timely manner. Regulatory changes can also impact your ability to sell.
Note: Orders may partially fill based on available liquidity. Any unfilled portion will be refunded to your selected account. |
How do I place a trade?
How do I place a trade?
How do I start investing?
How do I start investing?
After successful IG Crypto account verification and cooling off period completion, you can start investing in available digital assets on the IG iOS / Android mobile apps, the IG Invest app, or the web platform.
What order types can I use?
When you are ready to invest, you can use market orders for immediate execution at current market prices.
Order Type | Best Used When |
Market Order | You want immediate execution regardless of small price fluctuations |
Coming Soon:
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How do I select which account funds my trade?
How do I select which account funds my trade?
When buying crypto:
Open the trade ticket for your chosen cryptocurrency
You'll see your available balances from different accounts
Default account is Share Dealing (where present)
You can switch accounts to use cash from CFD or Spread Bet accounts
If you need to add funds, there's a link to deposit to those accounts
Cash is automatically swept from your selected account when the trade executes.
Can I view prices in different currencies?
Can I view prices in different currencies?
Yes! You can toggle between GBP and USD pricing:
On asset lists
On token detail pages
In trade tickets
This feature is particularly useful when trading stablecoins like USDC, which are pegged to USD.
How do I confirm my transaction?
How do I confirm my transaction?
Before finalising your purchase, carefully review all transaction details, including:
The asset being purchased
Quantity
Price (in your selected currency)
Which account is funding the trade
Applicable fees (0% commission on Bitcoin, Ethereum and Solana, with a 0.07% external exchange fee included in the price; 1.49% spread included in the price for all other cryptocurrencies)
Important: The preview shows an estimated conversion rate. The actual rate will be determined when you submit the order. Previews refresh every 10 seconds. |
Trade execution timing:
- Most trades: Complete within 5 seconds
- During high volatility: May take up to 1 minute
- Prices update: Every second for all 55+ cryptocurrencies
- If a trade exceeds 1 minute: There may be an issue - contact support immediately
Only proceed when you're confident all details are correct.
What happens after my purchase?
What happens after my purchase?
How do I view my holdings?
How do I view my holdings?
Once your digital asset purchase is complete, you can access your crypto portfolio through the My IG Dashboard. This provides an overview of all your cryptocurrency holdings, separated into:
Crypto assets (Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc.)
Stablecoins (USDC)
Total account value
Profit & Loss
The platform enables real-time tracking of price movements and overall asset performance.
How do I manage my positions?
How do I manage my positions?
Your purchased assets can be:
Held indefinitely in your portfolio
Sold back to cash in your IG accounts
Important: Cryptocurrency assets may lose all value if market participants stop exchanging them. |
What about statements?
What about statements?
Basic daily statements are available showing your end-of-day positions. These statements show:
Asset holdings at end of day
Asset movements (buys and sells)
More comprehensive statements may be added in future updates.
What technical considerations should I understand?
What technical considerations should I understand?
Public ledger: Transactions are recorded on a public ledger and determine when a transaction is complete
Decentralised ownership: Ownership links cryptocurrency to unique addresses defined by public cryptographic keys
Private key security: The custodian holds your assets securely using institutional-grade security measures
Irreversible transactions: Transfers cannot be cancelled or reversed
Limited platform visibility: When purchasing goods with crypto, the platform cannot control delivery or quality
Limited recovery options: Fraudulent or accidental transactions may not be recoverable
Protocol vulnerabilities: Blockchain protocols may contain undiscovered bugs
Network congestion: High volumes can lead to delays and increased fees
Partial fills: Trades may partially fill based on available liquidity
Remember to take your time understanding these concepts before making your first purchase.
Cryptocurrency investing carries significant risks that must be carefully weighed against potential returns.
Before making your first purchase, it's essential to understand both the process and the associated risks.