Trading cryptocurrencies doesn't always require owning the actual digital assets. With IG’s MT4 cryptocurrency CFD (Contract for Difference) products, traders can speculate on price movements of major digital currencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin — all without holding the underlying coins. This approach offers speed, efficiency, and flexibility, especially for those looking to trade volatility rather than invest long-term.
👉 Discover how to start trading crypto CFDs with a trusted global platform.
IG International Ltd is part of IG Group Holdings Plc, recognized as the world’s number one CFD provider based on publicly available financial reports as of October 2023. By partnering with a market leader, traders gain access to reliable pricing, advanced tools, and robust risk management infrastructure.
Cryptocurrency CFDs Available on MT4
IG offers several major cryptocurrencies for trading via the MetaTrader 4 (MT4) platform. Each instrument is structured as a CFD, meaning profits and losses are determined by price changes, not ownership.
Below is an overview of the key cryptocurrency contracts available:
Bitcoin (BTCUSD)
- 1 contract = 1 BTC
- Value per point = $1
- Margin requirement: 10% of total position value
Ethereum (ETHUSD)
- 1 contract = 1 ETH
- Value per point = $1
- Margin requirement: 10%
Bitcoin Cash (BCHUSD)
- 1 contract = 1 BCH
- Value per point = $1
- Margin requirement: 10%
Litecoin (LTCUSD)
- 1 contract = 1 LTC
- Value per point = $1
- Margin requirement: 10%
These standardized contract sizes make it easier to calculate exposure and manage risk. The consistent 10% margin requirement across these assets simplifies planning for both new and experienced traders.
Key Trading Hours Note
Cryptocurrency markets on IG close every Saturday at 6:00 AM Singapore Time and reopen at 12:00 PM the same day. While many crypto markets operate 24/7, this scheduled downtime means traders must actively manage open positions to avoid potential liquidation risks during the pause.
Understanding Margin and Market Volatility
Margin requirements represent a percentage of the total position value — in this case, 10%. For example, opening a $30,000 Bitcoin position would require at least $3,000 in available margin.
However, during periods of high market volatility, spreads may widen significantly. This is common in fast-moving crypto markets, especially around major news events or macroeconomic announcements. Traders should be prepared for increased slippage and temporary liquidity constraints.
Overnight Financing Costs
Holding positions overnight incurs financing charges (or credits), applied daily at 10:00 PM UK time, seven days a week — including weekends.
Long Positions (Buy)
- Bitcoin: Pay 0.0694% daily (approx. 25% annualized)
- Ethereum, Bitcoin Cash, Crypto Indices: Pay 0.0625% daily (22.5% annualized)
- Other Cryptocurrencies: Pay 0.0764% daily (27.5% annualized)
Short Positions (Sell)
- Bitcoin: Receive 0.0139% daily (5% annualized)
- Ethereum & Bitcoin Cash: Receive 0.0208% daily (7.5% annualized)
- Crypto Indices: Receive 0.0208% daily (7.5% annualized)
- Other Cryptocurrencies: Receive 0.0347% daily (12.5% annualized)
👉 Learn how overnight fees impact your trading strategy over time.
Example Calculation:
- Long Position: Holding 1 BTC CFD at $30,000 → ($30,000 × 0.0694%) = $20.82 paid per day
- Short Position: Holding 1 BTC CFD at $30,000 → ($30,000 × 0.0139%) = $4.17 received per day
These rates are subject to change and reflect current market conditions. IG regularly reviews and updates financing rates, which are published on their website and within contract specifications.
Why Can’t I Trade Cryptocurrencies Sometimes?
During times of extreme demand or rapid price swings, IG may temporarily restrict new buy or sell orders for certain cryptocurrencies.
This occurs because IG hedges client exposure in the underlying markets, aligning its interests with traders. However, due to the complex and risky nature of crypto markets, there are operational limits on how much actual cryptocurrency IG can hold.
To manage this risk fairly across all clients, IG imposes nominal value limits on exposure:
- Long Positions: Up to £500,000 (or equivalent in other currencies)
Short Positions:
- Bitcoin: £30,000
- Ethereum: £15,000
- Other Cryptocurrencies: No shorting allowed
Clients exceeding these thresholds may face forced position reductions.
If you're unable to open a new long position on Bitcoin, it’s likely because IG has reached its maximum market exposure. This restriction does not affect your ability to close existing positions.
You can check whether a market is “available for long” directly in the IG trading app or web platform:
- On the app: Tap “Info” on the trade ticket > Select “Other”
- On desktop: Click the dropdown menu on the market > Choose “Get Info”
Refresh regularly for real-time updates.
IG’s Policy on Blockchain Forks
IG’s cryptocurrency pricing is based on underlying markets supplied by partner exchanges and liquidity providers.
A blockchain fork occurs when inconsistencies in miners’ software lead to a split in the distributed ledger — creating two separate chains. In soft forks, consensus is usually maintained quickly. But hard forks can result in two viable versions.
When a hard fork happens:
- IG typically adopts the chain with majority user consensus.
- The company reserves the right to determine which version represents the legitimate continuation of the asset.
- If a new viable cryptocurrency emerges from the fork (e.g., Bitcoin Cash from Bitcoin), IG may credit client accounts proportionally — but this is not guaranteed.
- Once the new coin trades on major exchanges, IG may reflect its value via tradable pricing or cash adjustments.
- If the new coin fails to gain traction or isn’t mined within a reasonable time, IG may remove associated positions from client accounts without compensation.
During forks, extreme price volatility may occur. If reliable pricing cannot be obtained from underlying markets, trading may be suspended temporarily.
While IG strives to notify clients of upcoming forks, it is ultimately the trader’s responsibility to stay informed about potential network changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I own real cryptocurrency when trading IG’s CFDs?
A: No. You’re speculating on price movements using derivatives. There is no ownership of actual digital coins.
Q: Are there weekend trading restrictions?
A: Yes. The market pauses every Saturday from 6:00 AM to 12:00 PM Singapore Time. Manage open positions accordingly.
Q: How are overnight fees calculated?
A: Fees are applied daily at 10:00 PM UK time based on position size and direction (long or short). Rates vary by cryptocurrency.
Q: What happens if I exceed exposure limits?
A: Your position may be reduced automatically to comply with risk controls.
Q: Can I short all cryptocurrencies?
A: No. Only Bitcoin and Ethereum have short exposure limits; other cryptos cannot be shorted.
Q: Will I get free coins if a blockchain forks?
A: Not automatically. IG may reflect forked assets if they become tradable on major exchanges, but this is discretionary.
Core keywords naturally integrated throughout: cryptocurrency CFDs, MT4 crypto trading, overnight financing, margin requirement, blockchain fork, Bitcoin trading, Ethereum CFD, trading exposure limits
👉 See how professional traders manage crypto volatility with advanced tools and insights.