Hey everyone! I recently opened an account with Interactive Brokers and connected it to TradingView. After funding my account, I discovered that IBKR doesn’t actually let me trade crypto or forex markets, which was really frustrating since nobody mentioned this limitation upfront.
I’m now looking for a different brokerage that can handle all three asset classes - futures contracts, cryptocurrencies, and foreign exchange - without any restrictions for UK residents like myself.
Has anyone found a reliable broker that offers comprehensive access to these markets? I’d really appreciate your recommendations and any experiences you’ve had.
One thing that really confused me was that IBKR made me complete knowledge assessments for both crypto and futures trading, and even activated those permissions on my account. But then when I tried to actually place trades, the system wouldn’t let me execute them. Why would they test my knowledge and grant permissions if they won’t allow the actual trading? It makes no sense to me at all.
Same exact problem with IBKR. Their permissions are totally misleading - they’ll approve you for everything then block your trades based on location.
I’ve used IG Markets for 3 years now for all three. They handle forex, crypto CFDs, and futures without the weird restrictions. Spreads on majors are decent and crypto execution works well.
Plus500’s another option but limited crypto selection. Saxo Bank works too but higher minimums.
Remember - UK brokers give you crypto CFDs, not actual coins. Want spot crypto? You’ll need Coinbase or Binance plus your forex/futures broker.
Multi-asset platforms usually have wider forex spreads than dedicated forex brokers, but the convenience might be worth it.
IBKR pulls this crap because they can legally offer these products but won’t for UK retail clients. Classic corporate BS. Try XTB - they cover all three markets you want without the permission games. Decent forex spreads and straightforward crypto CFDs. Swissquote works too if you meet their minimums. Pricier but solid across everything. Honestly, splitting brokers often works better. Use a dedicated forex broker for currencies and keep crypto on an exchange where you actually own the coins.
eToro handles all three but crypto fees are steep. CMC Markets is solid for forex and futures.
Pepperstone could work. They have forex, crypto CFDs, and futures access. Spreads are competitive and execution is solid.
The IBKR issue is common. They grant permissions but then impose regional blocks when you try to trade.
You might want to consider using two platforms. Use Pepperstone for forex and futures, then get a separate crypto account to enjoy better rates and own the coins directly instead of just trading CFDs.
Try City Index. Does all three without the drama.