XTB vs Simpleswap: Fees, Security, Features & Which to Choose (2025)

Trying to choose between XTB and Simpleswap This side-by-side comparison reveals total cost (fees + spreads), security & licenses, coins/derivatives, deposits/withdrawals, and app quality. In 2 minutes you’ll see who wins for beginners, active traders, and long-term holders. Clear pros/cons, a quick verdict, and safe links to get started.

Last updated on August 19, 2025

XTB

Simpleswap

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Available Countries

United States

Europe

Yes

Latin America

Yes

India

China

Yes

Canada

United Kingdom

Yes

United States

Yes

Europe

Yes

Latin America

Yes

India

China

Yes

Canada

Yes

United Kingdom

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XTB is ideal if:

Beginners and hands-on learners will find XTB well-suited, thanks to its intuitive xStation platform and extensive educational tools designed to build confidence and trading skills.
Traders seeking a secure, transparent broker will appreciate that XTB is exchange-listed with strong regulation across multiple jurisdictions, ensuring accountability and trust.
Active traders looking for diverse assets can benefit from access to thousands of CFDs plus real stocks and ETFs, all within a modern, customizable environment built for efficiency.

Simpleswap is ideal if:

Great for quick, no-registration swaps: Ideal if you want to exchange coins swiftly and privately, without creating an account or going through KYC.
Perfect for privacy-focused users: Its non‑custodial design helps you maintain full control over your assets throughout the transaction.
Suited for users exploring a wide range of coins: Offers an expansive selection of crypto assets—from mainstream to lesser-known altcoins—making it handy for flexibility and experimentation.

XTB isn’t ideal if:

You prefer passive investing or long-term mutual funds, as XTB focuses on active CFD and Forex trading—not traditional mutual funds or bonds.
You want to automate or mirror trades, since XTB lacks features like copy trading or social trading capabilities.
Advanced pro traders needing extreme platform customization (e.g. strategy backtesting or Level II data) might find xStation’s tooling a bit limited.

Simpleswap isn’t ideal if:

Not for beginners needing fiat on-ramps: If you don’t already own crypto, SimpleSwap doesn’t support seamless fiat-to-crypto purchases without extra partner steps.
Limited for advanced traders: No margin, futures, charting tools, or sophisticated order types—only basic instant swaps.
Less suitable during network congestion: Transactions can slow when blockchains are busy, affecting speed and predictability.

Fees & Total Costs

Spot Maker/Take

XTB doesn’t use a traditional maker/taker pricing model or native token discounts—instead, typical spot instruments are offered as CFDs, with costs embedded in floating spreads and without separate maker/taker fees or token-based rebates.

SimpleSwap doesn’t distinguish between maker and taker fees—instead, all costs are embedded within the quoted exchange rate, so there are no separate fee tiers or native-token discounts to worry about.

Futures/Derivatives

Futures or derivatives—like CFDs on commodities, indices, or crypto—don’t follow a maker/taker structure

SimpleSwap does not offer futures or other derivatives at all, so there are no associated maker, taker, or funding fees to consider.

Average Spreads on Liquid Pairs

On crypto CFDs like Bitcoin and Ethereum, spreads are competitive—starting around 0.22% of the market price on liquid pairs such as BTC/USDT and ETH/USDT—and vary dynamically with market liquidity.

Spread details aren’t openly published, but market comparisons suggest a mark-up hovering around 1.2%, meaning the price you see already includes a slight premium over market rates.

Fiat Deposits & Withdrawals

Deposits via bank transfer, cards, and e-wallets (e.g. PayU, PayPal, Skrill) are generally free from XTB’s side; withdrawals above a certain amount are also free and processed quickly, while smaller withdrawals may incur a nominal fee.

Fiat transactions are handled via a partner (like Mercuryo), typically using Visa or Mastercard, with fees built into the exchange rate and shown upfront—there’s no platform-stated flat rate or set timing for processing.

On-chain Withdrawals

XTB doesn’t support direct on-chain cryptocurrency withdrawals—since trading is conducted via CFDs, there are no network-based crypto withdrawal fees (neither fixed nor variable).

There’s no separate withdrawal fee charged by SimpleSwap—only the blockchain’s own network (gas) fees apply, which vary by network and reflect real-time congestion levels.

Hidden Costs

A modest currency conversion spread (around 0.5%) applies when trading in non-base currencies, and an inactivity fee may apply after prolonged dormancy, but there are no extra express KYC charges; overall, XTB emphasizes transparency in these miscellaneous costs.

There are no inactive-account fees or express-KYC charges; any currency conversion or rate-related cost is already baked into the exchange price, so you face no surprises beyond the displayed rate.

Real-World Cost Example: “€500 BTC

For a €500 crypto-CFD purchase, you’d pay the spread embedded in the execution price (around 0.22%), and if you subsequently withdraw below the threshold, you might pay a small withdrawal fee—but there’s no separate trading commission or network fee, making it straightforward and relatively transparent.

If you exchange €500 to BTC, the platform displays the rate including a small mark-up (around 1–2%) at the time, and then the final BTC received reflects that pricing, minus network fees; there are no extra line-item charges added afterward.

Crypto Offering & Trading Features

Number of Coins & Pairs

XTB offers just over 40 crypto CFDs—including 9 major coins like BTC, ETH, XRP, LTC, BCH, and additional crosses—though only a handful (such as BTC/USD, ETH/USD) comprise the top-liquid 20 by trading volume.

SimpleSwap supports over 1,500 cryptocurrency assets for instant swaps; while there’s no public list of the top 20 by trading volume, it’s safe to infer that mainstream heavyweights like BTC, ETH, USDT-based pairs, and other popular altcoins lead the most frequently exchanged.

Product Range

XTB specializes in CFD-based crypto trading with spot-like long/short positions and modest leverage; it does not offer real crypto spot, perpetuals, options, ETFs, staking, lending, copy trading, bot strategies, or automated DCA features.

SimpleSwap is designed solely for instant, spot crypto-to-crypto swaps and staking through integrated programs; it does not offer margin, futures/perps, options, crypto ETFs, lending, copy trading, grid bots, or automated DCA features.

Liquidity

While specific figures aren’t published, XTB provides competitive liquidity on its BTC and ETH CFDs—figures implied by tight, dynamic spreads and real-time execution suggest good 24-hour volume and depth, comparable with leading CFD brokers.

Exact liquidity metrics like 24-hour trading volume or order-book depth aren’t published, but SimpleSwap sources liquidity from multiple partner exchanges, enabling smooth execution for BTC and ETH swaps via aggregation rather than a unified internal book.

Tools

XTB’s xStation platform includes limit, stop-loss, OCO, and take-profit automation; custom alerts; rich charting with technical indicators; but no public API or native TradingView integration, in line with its updated platform focus.

The platform is minimalist—neither limit nor OCO orders are available beyond fixed-and-floating rate swaps; it lacks advanced charting or alerts, though it does offer integration tools like APIs and widgets rather than a native TradingView interface.

Geographic Restrictions by Product

Depending on jurisdiction, some instrument types (like crypto CFDs or leveraged products) may be restricted—for instance, XTB may disable crypto trading in regions where regulations don’t permit such derivatives.

Since SimpleSwap doesn’t offer derivatives, there are no region-based limitations on those products specifically, but its fiat-to-crypto service is restricted in a set of countries flagged by regulatory or partner limitations.

Innovation

XTB does not feature crypto-native innovations like launchpads or launchpools, nor does it offer staking or earn products of any kind—its crypto offerings remain purely CFD-based with no yield-generating or token launch services.

While SimpleSwap doesn’t run launchpads or launchpools, it does innovate in passive earning via its loyalty and affiliate programs, offering flexible cashback and staking-like benefits rather than locking funds into fixed-term products.

Security, Regulation & Custody

Operating Entity & Jurisdiction

XTB is operated by XTB S.A., a publicly listed Polish joint-stock company founded in 2002 and headquartered in Warsaw, serving global clients across multiple licensed subsidiaries.

SimpleSwap is operated by SimpleSwap Limited, established in 2018 and based in George Town, Cayman Islands, functioning under that jurisdiction while also listing a U.S. office in San Francisco for support operations.

Licenses/Registration

It holds regulatory licenses from key authorities including Poland’s KNF, the UK’s FCA, and Cyprus’s CySEC, ensuring compliance across Europe, though it is not registered as a crypto-specific VASP (virtual asset service provider).

The platform operates under money transmitter licenses where applicable, respecting relevant regulatory frameworks without explicitly holding licensing such as VASP registration or MiCA compliance, though its services may vary regionally to meet local requirements.

Custody

As a CFD broker, XTB does not hold or custody real cryptocurrencies—instead, all client trading is synthetic, so there’s no need for cold storage, external custodian, or proof-of-reserves protocols.

As a non-custodial exchange, SimpleSwap never holds user assets, reducing exposure to custodial risks; the platform does not currently offer public Proof of Reserves, cold reserve percentages, or external audit disclosures.

Insurance & Protection Funds

Client funds are safeguarded through strict segregation and, in certain regions like the UK, fall under compensation schemes, but there’s no direct insurance policy specifically for crypto assets.

There is no public program offering insured coverage or asset protection funds—security relies on infrastructure practices like SSL encryption and secure transaction channels rather than third-party insurance.

Incident History

XTB has experienced regulatory scrutiny (e.g., fines for pricing practices) but no major hack or crypto breach; a recent allegation of unauthorized client trading prompted immediate tightening of security controls.

SimpleSwap has maintained a clean record—no documented security breaches, funds seizures, or regulatory enforcement actions appear in public sources, reflecting a history free from major incidents.

Risk Controls

The platform supports robust risk measures including encrypted connections, mandatory two-factor authentication (2FA), multi-contact verification, and cybersecurity monitoring—though API whitelists or sub-accounts aren’t broadly offered.

The platform enforces strong security protocols including SSL encryption, optional two-factor authentication for added account safety, and compliance-driven KYC escalation in higher-risk cases; however, features like address whitelists, sub-accounts, granular API controls, or anti-phishing mechanisms are not prominently offered.

Transparency

As a publicly traded entity, XTB publishes regular financial updates and reports; while there’s no public crypto wallet tracking or service-level-agreement metrics, overall operational transparency is solid.

SimpleSwap does not provide regular reporting like monthly reports or SLAs, nor does it maintain public wallet addresses; its transparency relies on its non-custodial structure and clear service terms rather than open reserve disclosures or performance metrics.

Deposits, Withdrawals, KYC & Support

Fiat Deposit Methods

XTB supports deposits via bank transfer, credit/debit cards, PayPal, Skrill, and Neteller (depending on your region); there’s no fixed minimum deposit set by the broker, card and e-wallet deposits are usually instant, while bank transfers can take from same day up to 2–5 business days depending on origin.

SimpleSwap supports fiat deposits exclusively through its partner Mercuryo, typically via Visa or Mastercard, including virtual, debit, and credit cards, zero stated minimums or maximums, and instant payment processing, though processing limits are influenced by third-party policies.

Supported Fiat Currencies & Conversion

KYC (Verification Levels)

XTB requires full KYC completion—identity and bank verification—for live accounts; there’s no tiered “basic” or “advanced” structure openly published—all clients must verify identity to deposit or withdraw, with no anonymous access.

SimpleSwap enables anonymous crypto-to-crypto swaps without KYC, but using fiat services or large transactions may trigger partner-enforced identity verification (e.g., basic KYC via Mercuryo) depending on risk assessments, without predefined tiers disclosed.

Withdrawals

Withdrawals go only to your verified bank account, and are free above thresholds like €50–100 depending on the entity; requests before local cut-off (~1 pm) are usually processed same-day (or next-day depending on entity), with processing time typically within 1 business day.

Since SimpleSwap is non-custodial, withdrawals simply reflect on-chain transfers to your wallet, with no platform-imposed limits; completion typically takes between several minutes up to an hour depending on network load and chosen blockchain.

Customer Support

XTB offers 24/5 live chat, email support, and an extensive self-service help center via its Client Office; response times are typically efficient, backed by a well-organized knowledge base for common queries.

SimpleSwap offers 24/7 live chat and email support with generally fast response times, backed by a detailed FAQ and blog guides that serve as a robust self-help resource.

Languages & Localization

The platform is fully localized in Spanish, with fees and balances shown in Europe-centric currencies (€, £, $) depending on your region, and adheres to local regulatory frameworks across its European branches.

The platform is available in around 10 languages on the website (with app support in 6), displays pricing and rates in common fiat like EUR or USD based on your region, while service availability is tailored to local regulatory environments.

App Quality & Stability

The xStation mobile app is stable and regularly updated across Android and iOS, offering dark mode, push alerts, Apple Watch support, and smooth performance with rare crashes—designed for reliable trading on the go.

SimpleSwap’s mobile app is designed for smooth, user-friendly crypto swaps and applies the same core functionalities as the web platform; while precise crash rates aren’t published, user feedback reports high stability and ongoing updates to expand asset availability and app performance.

Experience, Performance & Ecosystem

UX/UI

The xStation platform is praised for its intuitive design and fully customizable layout, enabling users to quickly personalize their workspace with different chart layouts and toolbars—though there’s no explicit “Lite” or “Pro” mode toggle; instead, functionality scales naturally as you explore deeper features.

SimpleSwap’s interface shines with its minimalist design—there’s no “Lite” or “Pro” toggle, but the intuitive layout makes the learning curve nearly nonexistent, allowing users of all levels to initiate swaps quickly and effortlessly on both desktop and mobile.

Performance

Execution is generally fast and stable, with xStation optimized for smooth performance even during active market conditions—though, as with any platform, extreme volumes may slow onboarding slightly, but no widespread order delays or KYC bottlenecks have been reported recently.

The platform generally executes instant swaps with low latency by sourcing multiple liquidity providers; while it doesn’t face order system overloads, swaps may take slightly longer during high blockchain congestion—there’s no bulk KYC process since accounts aren’t required.

Education

XTB excels in educational offerings with a robust Trading Academy featuring video courses and tiered modules (beginner/intermediate/advanced), a fully functional unlimited demo environment to practice with virtual funds, and frequent webinars; while much is available in English, key materials are also localized in Spanish.

SimpleSwap offers robust educational support via its blog, guides, and FAQs—but lacks demo or simulator tools; however, it caters to Spanish speakers with translated articles and interface options for enhanced accessibility.

Community

XTB does not appear to host official Discord or Telegram communities, and while it maintains a trading referral program, its community engagement centers more on its webinars, market articles, and internal support channels rather than external forums or social chat groups.

Community engagement thrives through its ambassador and affiliate programs, offering users access to private Telegram groups, content support, and cashback incentives—though public forums or Discord channels aren’t prominently advertised.

Integrations

The platform does not natively integrate with TradingView or external bots, nor does it offer built-in tax or accounting tools—traders must rely on external services if they need direct charting or bookkeeping support.

SimpleSwap doesn’t embed TradingView charts or offer native bot support, but it does provide a transparent API and widget for smooth integration with external tools and developer workflows; no built-in tax or accounting tools are included.

Who Each One Is Best For

XTB works best for traders who value a sleek, beginner-friendly interface with strong educational backing, want a self-guided experience without external bots or social trading distractions, and prefer a platform where everything—from analytics to execution—is centralized and streamlined.

SimpleSwap is ideal for both newcomers and seasoned crypto users who value instant, no-account swaps with strong privacy and multi-language support—especially useful when speed, simplicity, and broad coin access matter more than advanced trading tools.