XM vs Bitpanda: Fees, Security, Features & Which to Choose (2025)

Trying to choose between XM and Bitpanda 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 September 5, 2025

XM

Bitpanda

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Available Countries

United States

Europe

Yes

Latin America

Yes

India

Yes

China

Yes

Canada

United Kingdom

United States

Yes

Europe

Latin America

India

China

Canada

Yes

United Kingdom

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XM is ideal if:

For flexibility seekers: Ideal if you want access to a wide range of global markets (forex, CFDs, commodities, indices, stocks, crypto) across popular platforms like MT4 and MT5.
For fair-play traders: Perfect if you value consistent execution—no requotes or rejections—and the same conditions for all clients, regardless of account size.
For support-driven users: Great for those who appreciate multilingual, round-the-clock support and educational tools (like live webinars and market insights).

Bitpanda is ideal if:

Beginner-friendly yet feature-rich — Bitpanda blends a clean, intuitive interface with advanced tools like savings plans, staking, and crypto indices, making it equally welcoming for new users and appealing to more experienced traders.
Strong regulatory and security foundations — Fully licensed across Europe and ISO-certified, with free fiat wallets and robust custody services, Bitpanda offers reliability and transparency that instill investor confidence.
Comprehensive investment offering under one roof — Beyond crypto, Bitpanda supports precious metals, fractional stocks/ETFs, and a Visa debit card, empowering diverse portfolio strategies in a unified platform.

XM isn’t ideal if:

If you want full asset variety: XM lacks futures, physical stocks, and a broader crypto selection—so it's not the best fit if you're seeking non-CFD exposure or niche instruments.
If payment flexibility matters: No PayPal or similar e-wallet options, and withdrawing profits often requires bank transfers only.
If transparency is crucial: Being privately held, XM doesn’t publish public financial disclosures, which may concern traders looking for operational transparency.

Bitpanda isn’t ideal if:

Limited geographic reach — Primarily available only within Europe and offering minimal accessibility or functionality outside the EU, making it unsuitable if you're located elsewhere or traveling frequently.
Derivative-based asset exposure — Traditional assets like stocks, ETFs, and commodities are offered via derivatives, meaning you don’t gain actual ownership of the underlying assets.
Support and fee transparency concerns — Some users report slow or frustrating customer support experiences, and trading costs are embedded within spreads rather than clearly displayed, limiting fee clarity.

Fees & Total Costs

Spot Maker/Take

XM does not use a maker-taker pricing model for spot crypto trading; instead, it offers crypto CFDs with transparent spreads rather than volume-based fees or native-token discounts.

Bitpanda’s standard platform uses built-in premiums rather than explicit maker/taker fees, but its former advanced exchange (Bitpanda Pro) allowed maker and taker fees starting at around 0.10% and 0.15%, decreasing as volume grows, and holders of the platform’s native token (BEST) receive a fee discount.

Futures/Derivatives

XM provides CFD-based derivatives (including forex, commodities, indices, crypto) rather than traditional futures, with no separate maker/taker fees and funding costs rolled into overnight swap rates depending on account type and position.

Bitpanda primarily offers derivatives exposure (e.g. tokenized stocks or commodities) rather than true crypto futures, so specific maker/taker tiers or funding-rate mechanics typical of perpetual futures platforms are not part of its offering.

Average Spreads on Liquid Pairs

XM’s crypto spreads vary dynamically with market conditions, and while they aim to keep spreads competitive, specific figures for pairs like BTC/USDT or ETH/USDT are not publicly listed to ensure evergreen relevance.

Bitpanda embeds a premium into the buying price—typically around 1.49%—which naturally expands the spread on liquid pairs like BTC/USDT or ETH/USDT compared to raw market prices.

Fiat Deposits & Withdrawals

Clients can deposit and withdraw using credit/debit cards, bank transfers, and e-wallets like Skrill or Neteller, typically with no internal fees and processing that ranges from instant (e-wallets) to a few business days (cards or wire).

Fiat is supported via multiple channels—such as SEPA bank transfers (free and takes one to three business days), instant options like card, SOFORT, Giropay, Neteller, or Skrill (available immediately or within a day), though availability and bank-side charges may apply.

On-chain Withdrawals

XM does not offer on-chain crypto withdrawals—crypto exposure is available only via CFDs—so there are no network-level (like BTC, ETH, TRX) withdrawal fees.

Crypto withdrawals are charged only the network (miner) fee for the respective blockchain (e.g. BTC, ETH, TRX), not a separate Bitpanda fee, meaning charges are dynamic and reflect current on-chain conditions.

Hidden Costs

XM imposes inactivity charges after a period without trading, and currency conversion fees may apply if your deposit or withdrawal currency differs from your account base; there are no known express-KYC charges.

Bitpanda imposes no inactivity fees and offers transparent pricing, though converting between fiat currencies may incur exchange margins; expedited KYC or “express” identity checks may rely on third-party services that could introduce time or cost variations not directly detailed.

Real-World Cost Example: “€500 BTC

Because XM trades crypto via CFDs rather than outright purchases, a “€500 BTC buy” isn’t executed as a direct asset acquisition—costs would come from the spread and any overnight financing, with no actual crypto withdrawal involved.

If you buy €500 worth of BTC, Bitpanda embeds a roughly 1.49% premium, reducing your crypto position value; combined with the network fee if you immediately withdraw, your total cost reflects the spread premium plus the dynamic withdrawal fee—without adding separate platform trading or inactivity charges.

Crypto Offering & Trading Features

Number of Coins & Pairs

XM offers 58 crypto CFDs, covering many major and minor cryptocurrencies across USD, EUR, and GBP denominated pairs; top-volume pairs include BTC/USD, ETH/USD, XRP/USD, LTC/USD, and BCH/USD.

Bitpanda’s platform boasts a broad universe of over 500 cryptocurrencies, making it one of the largest selections among European crypto brokers. While exact daily ranking data for the top 20 by volume isn’t public, it’s safe to infer that major tokens like BTC, ETH, ADA, SOL, and BNB lead the activity charts.

Product Range

XM provides CFDs only—no actual spot, futures/perps, options, ETFs, staking, lending, grid or DCA bots—though it does support copy trading via MQL5 alongside its usual CFD offerings.

Bitpanda supports spot trading, margin trading on select assets, crypto indices (akin to ETFs), flexible staking, and short-term leveraged “Leverage” trades—but doesn’t offer perps, options, copy-trading, grid bots, or automated DCA features.

Liquidity

XM does not publish direct liquidity metrics like 24-hour volume or order-book depth, relying instead on its CFD pricing aligned with underlying markets via its partner liquidity providers.

Bitpanda’s public 24-hour trading volume is modest compared to major global exchanges, translating to moderate liquidity and average order-book depth—adequate for standard trades but potentially limiting for very large orders on BTC/ETH.

Tools

XM supports standard order types—including limit, stop, and OCO—offers alerts and advanced charting through MT4/MT5 platforms; it does not feature a proprietary TradingView interface or public API/WS, but use of Expert Advisors is permitted.

The platform offers basic order types such as limit and stop orders and price alerts, with clean but somewhat simplified charting, however it does not support full TradingView integration or publicly accessible API/WebSocket access for automated trading.

Geographic Restrictions by Product

XM restricts certain products in specific regions—crypto CFDs and copy-trading are unavailable to clients in the UK and EEA, and access to CFDs depends on local regulator policies.

Due to regulatory and licensing boundaries, certain products—like leveraged trades and staking—may be restricted in select jurisdictions; availability can vary significantly from one country to another within Europe and beyond.

Innovation

XM does not offer launchpad, launchpool, staking pools, earn programs, or flexible-vs-locked yield products; its innovation focus remains on expanding CFD choices and platform features like copy trading.

Bitpanda offers flexible staking—which allows you to stake and unstake assets at any time (with the exception of ETH, which has a short 48-hour unlock window)—but currently lacks launchpad or launchpool mechanisms for token launches or themed token farming opportunities.

Security, Regulation & Custody

Operating Entity & Jurisdiction

XM is run by Trading Point Holdings Ltd (founded 2009), headquartered in Limassol, Cyprus, and operates through specialized regional entities tailored to the EU, Australia, Middle East, and global markets.

Bitpanda is operated by Bitpanda GmbH, founded in 2014 and headquartered in Vienna, Austria; since 2022, it has operated under the umbrella of its Swiss parent, Bitpanda Group AG.

Licenses/Registration

XM is regulated under CySEC (Cyprus / EU), ASIC (Australia), DFSA (Dubai), and IFSC (Belize), aligning with EU MiFID II standards but not specifically registered as a VASP under MiCA.

Bitpanda holds a range of regulatory approvals—including PSD2, MiFID II, and multiple MiCA licenses (from Germany’s BaFin, Malta’s MFSA, and Austria’s FMA)—positioning it as one of the most regulated crypto platforms in Europe.

Custody

XM entrusts client funds to top-tier third-party banks in segregated accounts, and although it mentions independent audits and risk controls, it does not provide public Proof of Reserves or disclose cold-storage percentages.

Client assets are held in fiduciary custody, segregated from Bitpanda’s own funds, with a mix of hot and highly secure cold wallets and externally audited custody practices—not commingled or speculative.

Insurance & Protection Funds

EU-based clients via XM’s CySEC arm benefit from the Investor Compensation Fund (cap applies), and the broker enforces negative balance protection—but it does not highlight private insurance schemes.

Client holdings are backed by real assets, but there’s no blanket insurance policy for all crypto holdings—coverage applies under specific circumstances and documentation requirements, not universally automatic.

Incident History

XM has maintained a largely clean record with no major hacks or enforcement actions reported by tier-1 regulators, and any operational interruptions are either internal or compliance-related, with no publicized fines.

Bitpanda has not had any major security breaches to date; it has publicly dismissed claims of a large-scale data leak and emphasizes its robust custody design to minimize vulnerability.

Risk Controls

XM supports strong risk safeguards including mandatory KYC, negative balance protection, and secure execution infrastructure, though features like granular API permissions, IP whitelisting, or sub-account hierarchies are mostly available via MetaTrader plugin tools rather than a proprietary interface.

The platform offers standard security features such as two-factor authentication and anti-phishing protections, though more advanced controls like whitelist addresses or granular API permissions aren’t highlighted.

Transparency

XM provides detailed legal documents, execution statistics, and quarterly summaries available to clients, but does not publish public wallet addresses, real-time monthly financials, or explicit service-level agreements.

Bitpanda promotes transparency through regular audits and regulatory adherence, but it doesn’t publish public wallets, monthly proof-of-reserves reports, or service-level agreements for users.

Deposits, Withdrawals, KYC & Support

Fiat Deposit Methods

XM accepts bank wires, Visa/MasterCard, and e-wallets like Skrill, Neteller, Google Pay, and Apple Pay; the minimum deposit is around $5; e-wallet/top-up deposits are instantaneous, cards take up to a few business days, and bank wires typically reflect within 1–5 business days.

Bitpanda supports a variety of fiat deposit options—including bank transfers, credit/debit cards, and e-wallets—depending on your currency. Minimum amounts start around €10, while daily and monthly ceilings vary by your verification level and chosen method; transfer times range from instant (cards/e-wallets) to a few business days (bank transfers).

Supported Fiat Currencies & Conversion

KYC (Verification Levels)

XM enforces a full KYC flow requiring identity, selfie, and proof of address before enabling deposits and withdrawals; there is no tiered access—full verification is mandatory to unlock all account functionalities.

Bitpanda enforces mandatory KYC for all users in compliance with EU regulations, without tiered “basic” or “advanced” levels; only verified accounts can access services, with deposit and withdrawal limits defined by your status and payment method.

Withdrawals

XM processes withdrawals via the same channel used for deposit (e-wallet, card, or wire), with processing typically within 24 hours and final receipt depending on method (e-wallets same day, cards/wires 2–5 business days); crypto networks aren’t used since XM operates via CFDs.

Cryptocurrency withdrawals are supported across multiple networks (e.g., ERC-20, TRC-20), with limits and processing tied to your verification and chosen method; fiat withdrawals may require confirmation periods before becoming available for use or payout.

Customer Support

XM provides multilingual support via live chat and email, reportedly operational 24/5 (depending on your region), with relatively fast response times and a rich repository of educational content and FAQs online.

Bitpanda offers around-the-clock customer support via a ticket-based system (no live chat or phone), typically with timely email responses; additionally, a detailed help center provides self-service articles for common queries.

Languages & Localization

XM supports Spanish-language interfaces and customer support, displays pricing in your account’s base currency (including EUR), and operates under local regulatory regimes to ensure compliance in each jurisdiction.

The platform supports multiple languages—including native Spanish—and displays fees in relevant fiat (e.g., Euros); it also complies with local regulations across supported European regions to ensure legal alignment.

App Quality & Stability

XM’s mobile and web apps—built on the tried-and-true MetaTrader frameworks—are praised for reliable performance and regular updates; while exact crash data isn’t public, user feedback indicates smooth stability and ongoing enhancements.

Bitpanda’s app is known for its smooth, stable performance and frequent updates across iOS and Android; while specific crash metrics aren’t public, user feedback signals a generally reliable and well-maintained mobile experience.

Experience, Performance & Ecosystem

UX/UI

XM exclusively uses MetaTrader platforms—MT4, MT5, WebTrader, and mobile apps—without separate “Lite” or “Pro” versions. MT4 offers a smooth start for beginners, while MT5 brings deeper tools, though mastering either still requires some adaptation to their interfaces.

Bitpanda presents a clean, intuitive interface designed for beginners on its standard platform, while Bitpanda Pro offers a more advanced trading UI tailored to seasoned users—both share familiar navigation patterns but differ in complexity to match user experience levels.

Performance

XM leverages MetaTrader’s known reliability, delivering fast executions with minimal delays—even during busy periods. While traffic surges or market jitters can slightly slow processes, major slowdowns are rare, and KYC flows remain consistent, avoiding backlog surges during bull runs.

Thanks to its Fusion aggregation layer, Bitpanda delivers enhanced pricing and generally low latency even during volatility spikes, though KYC processing may slow slightly when demand surges in bull markets.

Education

XM provides a free demo environment with live-market simulation and unlimited practice funds. Educational resources include multilingual webinars, live trading rooms, and webinars—many available in Spanish alongside a full demo system for hands-on learning.

Bitpanda provides a comprehensive Academy with multilingual educational materials—including Spanish—covering crypto basics, markets, and investing strategies, though it doesn’t currently feature a trading simulator or demo environment.

Community

XM fosters a growing community via its multilingual referral initiative—with cash rewards for both referrer and referee. While it lacks its own Discord or Telegram groups, it maintains active engagement through webinars, its “Refer a Friend” program, and content hubs.

Bitpanda maintains active user engagement through an official blog, a referral rewards program, and presence on social platforms, but doesn’t host its own public forum, Discord server, or Telegram group.

Integrations

XM supports algorithmic automation via Expert Advisors within MetaTrader, but does not provide native TradingView integration, tax-report tools, or accounting dashboards—external utilities must be linked manually.

While Bitpanda lacks native TradingView or third-party bot integration, it provides a Technology Solutions API for institutional use and supports built-in tax reporting tools for users.

Who Each One Is Best For

XM is perfect for traders who value platform flexibility and automation (via MT5/MT4), appreciate structured learning with multilingual education, and thrive in a regulated, straightforward CFD trading environment—without the need for fancy separate modes or built-in finance tools.

Bitpanda’s intuitive design and educational support make it an excellent starting point for crypto newcomers, whereas Bitpanda Pro—with its richer tools and integrations—is ideal for professional traders seeking performance and advanced control.