Overview
eToro was founded in 2007 by brothers Yoni and Ronen Assia along with David Ring. Originally launched as an online forex and CFD trading platform, eToro has evolved into a multi-asset investment platform that spans stocks, ETFs, commodities, and cryptocurrencies. The company is headquartered in Tel Aviv, Israel, with major offices in London, and it serves millions of registered users worldwide.
eToro introduced cryptocurrency trading around 2017 and has steadily expanded its offerings to include 80 to 90 digital assets. Users can buy actual crypto assets on the platform, though the availability of real assets versus CFDs depends on the user's region and local regulations. In jurisdictions where real crypto trading is available, users can transfer their holdings to the eToro Money crypto wallet for self-custody.
What sets eToro apart from most cryptocurrency exchanges is its social trading ecosystem. The platform functions partly as a social network for investors. Users can view the portfolios and performance of other traders, comment on market events, and, most notably, use the CopyTrader feature to automatically replicate the trades of experienced investors. This approach lowers the barrier for beginners who want exposure to crypto but are not confident making their own trading decisions.
eToro holds regulatory licenses from several prominent financial authorities, including the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), and the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The company has also obtained a Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) license in the European Union, positioning it to operate across the bloc under the harmonized regulatory framework.
The platform is available in a wide range of countries across Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, and the Americas. US users have access to a more limited set of features compared to users in other regions, as certain products like CFDs are not available under US regulations.
Getting Started
Opening an eToro account and purchasing cryptocurrency is a straightforward process, though full verification is required before you can deposit funds and trade.
- Step 1: Visit etoro.com or download the eToro app. Sign up with your email address or use a Google, Facebook, or Apple account for faster registration.
- Step 2: Complete your profile and identity verification. eToro requires proof of identity (passport, driver's license, or national ID) and proof of address (utility bill or bank statement). Verification processing times vary by region but are often completed within a day.
- Step 3: Deposit funds. eToro supports a wide range of payment methods, including bank transfer, credit or debit card, PayPal, Skrill, and Neteller. Available methods and minimum deposit amounts vary by country. Card and e-wallet deposits are typically credited instantly, while bank transfers may take several business days.
- Step 4: Search for Bitcoin or another cryptocurrency on the platform, enter the amount you wish to invest, and open a trade. Make sure you are buying the real asset rather than a CFD if you want to own and potentially withdraw the cryptocurrency. The trade confirmation screen will display the relevant details before you finalize.
- Step 5: Manage your portfolio. You can monitor your holdings from the eToro dashboard, set stop-loss or take-profit levels, or transfer supported cryptocurrencies to the eToro Money crypto wallet for self-custody.
Fees & Limits
eToro charges a spread on cryptocurrency trades, which is the difference between the buy and sell price displayed on the platform. The size of the spread varies by asset and market conditions. There are no separate commission fees on top of the spread for crypto trades.
Deposits are generally free for most payment methods, though a currency conversion fee applies if your deposit currency differs from the account's base currency (USD). Withdrawals carry a flat fee, and the minimum withdrawal amount is set by the platform. These details are outlined in eToro's fee page and may change over time.
Transferring cryptocurrency from eToro to the eToro Money wallet incurs a transfer fee, and standard blockchain network fees apply when sending crypto to external wallets. Not all assets are eligible for transfer.
Trading limits, deposit minimums, and withdrawal thresholds vary by country and account verification level. eToro's fee structure is published on its website and is worth reviewing before committing to the platform, as the currency conversion charges in particular can add up for non-USD users.
Security
eToro's multi-jurisdictional regulatory status provides a layer of structural oversight that many crypto-only platforms lack. Being regulated by the FCA, CySEC, ASIC, and SEC means the company is subject to capital requirements, segregation of client funds, and regular audits imposed by these financial authorities.
The platform employs standard security measures, including SSL encryption, two-factor authentication (2FA) via SMS or authenticator app, and login notifications. Users are encouraged to enable 2FA and use a strong, unique password for their accounts.
Client funds are held in segregated accounts at regulated banks, separate from eToro's operational funds. In the UK, eligible clients benefit from Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) protection on certain investment products. In the EU, the Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) provides a similar layer of protection. These schemes have coverage limits and may not apply to cryptocurrency holdings specifically.
eToro's crypto wallet uses multi-signature technology and machine learning-based security protocols to protect digital assets. The company also maintains insurance coverage against certain types of cybersecurity breaches, though the specifics of this coverage are not always detailed publicly.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Social and copy trading: The ability to follow and automatically replicate the trades of experienced investors is a genuinely distinctive feature that most crypto exchanges do not offer.
- Multi-asset platform: Trade crypto alongside stocks, ETFs, and commodities in a single account, making portfolio diversification convenient.
- Strong regulatory coverage: Licensed by multiple reputable financial regulators across different jurisdictions, including a MiCA license for the EU.
- Wide payment options: Support for PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, and cards gives users more flexibility than most crypto-only exchanges.
- Global availability: Accessible in a broad range of countries across Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Americas.
Cons
- Spreads can be wide: The spread-based fee model on crypto can be more expensive than the maker/taker fee structures offered by dedicated exchanges, especially for larger trades.
- Currency conversion fees: Non-USD deposits and withdrawals incur conversion charges, which add a hidden cost for many international users.
- Limited crypto features: The platform lacks some features common on dedicated exchanges, such as advanced order types, margin trading on crypto, or staking for a wide range of assets.
- CFD confusion: In some regions, crypto trades are executed as CFDs rather than real asset purchases, which means users do not actually own the underlying cryptocurrency. This distinction is not always immediately clear.
- Withdrawal fees: The flat withdrawal fee, while modest, is an extra cost that some competitors do not charge.