Saxo offers access to crypto through exchange-traded products (ETPs) for all clients. However, trading in Crypto FX pairs (e.g., BTCUSD, BTCEUR, ETHJPY) is strictly limited to clients with an elective professional account status.
Can I trade crypto from any platform?
To trade crypto, use SaxoTrader (browser and mobile app) or SaxoTrader for desktop.
What do I need to do to start trading crypto?
Crypto FX instruments are only available to elective professional accounts. If you cannot find crypto FX instruments, it is likely because:
- Your account does not have professional status
- Crypto-related instruments are restricted in your country of residence
- You have not enabled crypto trading products in your account settings
You can enable trading products here.
What are the trading hours for Crypto FX?
Trading hours for FX Crypto crosses adhere to the trading hours of Crypto Futures offered on the CME exchange.
Trading Hours for BTCUSD, BTCEUR, BTCJPY, ETHUSD, ETHEUR, and ETHJPY are:
| Monday | 17:00 – 15:55 CT (18:00-16:55 EST) |
| Tuesday | 17:00 – 15:55 CT (18:00-16:55 EST) |
| Wednesday | 17:00 – 15:55 CT (18:00-16:55 EST) |
| Thursday | 17:00 – 15:55 CT (18:00-16:55 EST) |
| Friday | 17:00 – 15:55 CT (18:00-16:55 EST) |
Please note that the underlying crypto market remains open on weekends and any Crypto FX exposure should be managed and adjusted before the FX trading session closes on Friday evening.
Find more information about Crypto FX trading hours here.
Is fractional trading supported for Crypto FX?
Crypto FX pairs support fractional trading which allows you to trade in fractions of crypto.
This provides the possibility to scale your position with greater precision and does not limit you to trading crypto in full integer amounts.
What are the costs to trade Crypto FX?
- Crypto FX pairs are not subject to a minimum commission.
- Please refer to Trading Conditions for additional information.
- You can also click on the "i" information icon on the product overview from the trading platform. Read more here: Where do I find the trading conditions and transaction costs of an instrument?
- Crypto FX positions do not settle into physical crypto. Instead, open positions held at the end of a trading day (17:00 Eastern Standard Time) are rolled forward to the next available business day. You can find more information on the rollover procedure along with Historic swap points here.
What is the minimum trade size for Crypto FX?
The minimum trade size for Crypto FX pairs varies depending on which pair you trade:
Trading in Bitcoin pairs starts from a minimum of 0.01 BTC.
Trading in Ethereum pairs starts from a minimum of 0.1 ETH.
What are the exposure limits for Crypto FX?
Saxo Bank will apply an Exposure Limit of USD 200,000 per coin for Retail and USD 500,000 per coin for Professionals on BTC & ETH pairs.
Can I short crypto with Saxo?
You can short crypto using Crypto FX pairs, allowing you to benefit from falling prices.
Do I need a crypto wallet to trade cryptocurrencies with Saxo?
A crypto wallet is not required because you do not own the underlying coins when trading ETPs or Crypto FX pairs. This also means that there is no need for cold storage solutions or recovery seeds.
Saxo does not allow funding or withdrawal in cryptocurrencies.
Can I trade crypto with leverage?
Crypto FX pairs are leveraged instruments that allow you to open positions in greater sizes than your available collateral. Please note that leveraged instruments amplify both trading gains and losses. You can find the relevant margin requirements for Crypto FX pairs here.
How is the P/L settled for Crypto FX?
The trading profit/loss will always be settled in the second currency in the Crypto FX pair which is always the fiat currency e.g. BTCUSD will be settled in USD and converted to your account currency.
What are the margin requirements for Crypto FX?
| Retail Clients | ||
| Initial Margin / Maintenance Margin | Exposure limit | |
| BTC | 50% / 40% | USD 200,000 |
| ETH | 60% / 50% | USD 200,000 |
| Professional Clients | ||
| Initial Margin / Maintenance Margin | Exposure limit | |
| BTC | 40% / 30% | USD 500,000 |
| ETH | 50% / 40% | USD 500,000 |
Why can't I request a new crypto cross?
We are planning to increase our crypto offering, but currently, it is not possible to request the addition of other crypto instruments.