Crypto Exchange comparison
eToro vs Independent Reserve
eToro and Independent Reserve both let you trade crypto, but they're built for very different jobs. eToro is a multi-asset platform that wraps crypto inside a CFD-heavy, custodian model alongside shares and ETFs. Independent Reserve is a pure crypto exchange — an Australian-founded, AUSTRAC-registered platform that lets you hold the actual coins and withdraw them to your own wallet.
Choose
eToro
if…
- ›You want to trade crypto alongside ASX shares, US stocks and ETFs in one login
- ›You want a demo account to practise before committing real money
- ›You want to fund your account via PayPal, Skrill, Neteller or credit card with low friction
- ›You want access to fractional shares and zero-commission ASX trades as well as crypto
- ›You want a publicly listed parent company (eToro Group, NASDAQ: ETOR) for transparency
Choose
Independent Reserve
if…
- ›You want to actually own the crypto and withdraw it to a private wallet — not trade CFDs or custodian-held positions
- ›You want zero inactivity fees and no minimum deposit to get started
- ›You want joint accounts, Sharesight/Navexa integration, and phone support during business hours
- ›You want same-day PayID withdrawals and a pure crypto exchange without share-trading complexity
- ›You prefer a private, founder-led Australian company (est. 2013) over a global multi-asset platform
Where they differ
| Fact | eToro | Independent Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Ownership model | Custodian (no individual HIN) | Direct ownership (withdrawable to private wallets) |
| Inactivity fee | $10 AUD | $0 AUD |
| Minimum deposit | $50 AUD | $0 AUD |
| Joint accounts | Not supported | Supported |
| Sharesight integration | Not supported | Supported |
Verdict
Choose eToro for multi-asset trading with crypto on the side; choose Independent Reserve for serious crypto ownership.
All data points side-by-side
Every verified fact for both platforms. Differences are highlighted.
| Field | eToro | Independent Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| account structure | ||
| CHESS sponsorship model | custodian | — |
| Individual HIN | No | — |
| Individual account | Yes | Yes |
| Joint account | No | Yes |
| Company account | Yes | Yes |
| Trust account | Yes | Yes |
| SMSF account | Yes | Yes |
| Kids / minor account | No | No |
| asset coverage | ||
| ASX shares supported | Yes | — |
| ASX ETFs supported | Yes | — |
| US shares supported | Yes | — |
| US ETFs supported | Yes | — |
| Other markets supported | United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Hong Kong, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Sweden, Belgium, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Switzerland, Portugal | — |
| Fractional shares (ASX) | Yes | — |
| Fractional shares (US) | Yes | — |
| Options trading | No | — |
| CFDs supported | Yes | — |
| Crypto trading | Yes | Yes |
| Managed funds | No | — |
| Bonds supported | No | — |
| IPO access | No | No |
| costs hidden | ||
| FX spread (AUD/USD) | 0.75% | — |
| Holds USD account | Yes | — |
| FX currency switch trick | No | — |
| Market data fees | $0/month | $0/month |
| Conditional order fees | $0 | $0 |
| Corporate action fees | eToro passes through cash dividends from non-leveraged real positions (debit/credit to wallet). It does not facilitate participation in rights issues, share purchase plans (SPPs), DRPs or shareholder votes because shares are held in a managed investment scheme by the custodian, not in the user's name. No explicit fee, but corporate action access is materially restricted. | — |
| costs visible | ||
| ASX brokerage minimum | $0 | — |
| ASX brokerage percentage | 0% | — |
| ASX free trade conditions | Zero commission applies to all non-leveraged (real) ASX share and ETF purchases. Leveraged / short positions are executed as CFDs and incur 0.15% open/close spread plus overnight financing. | — |
| US brokerage minimum | US$0 | — |
| US brokerage percentage | 0% | — |
| Monthly platform fee | $0/month | $0/month |
| Annual platform fee | $0/year | $0/year |
| Inactivity fee | $10 | $0 |
| Withdrawal fee (AUD) | $0 | $0 |
| identity and trust | ||
| Legal entity name | eToro AUS Capital Limited | Independent Reserve Pty Ltd |
| AFSL number | 491,139 | — |
| AUSTRAC registration | Yes | Yes |
| Year founded | 2,017 | 2,013 |
| Parent / ownership | eToro Group Ltd (NASDAQ: ETOR) — listed 14 May 2025; originally founded in Israel by Yoni and Ronen Assia. eToro AUS Capital Limited is a wholly-owned Australian subsidiary. | Privately owned; founder-led (Adrian Przelozny, CEO) |
| Country of incorporation | Australia | AU |
| Public company status | public | private |
| money movement | ||
| Minimum initial deposit | $50 | $0 |
| Minimum subsequent purchase | $50 | $0 |
| Deposit methods | Bank transfer, Debit card, Credit card, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, POLi, Online banking | PayID, Osko, EFT bank transfer, SWIFT (USD/NZD/SGD), Debit card, Credit card, PayPal, PayNow (SGD) |
| Settlement period | T+2 ASX, T+1 US (settlement managed by the eToro Service custodian; user funds reflect immediately in eToro wallet) | — |
| Withdrawal time | 1-2 business days for eToro processing; total 2-10 business days end-to-end depending on payment method (bank transfer longer than card) | Same day for PayID instant withdrawals; 1-2 business days for EFT |
| platform ux | ||
| iOS app | Yes | Yes |
| Android app | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop platform | No | No |
| Demo account | Yes | No |
| Free real-time market data | Yes | Yes |
| Free research reports | No | No |
| 2FA support | SMS + authenticator app | authenticator |
| Customer support channels | Live chat (Club members only), Email / web ticket, Help centre | email, support portal, phone (business hours) |
| Support hours (AU time) | — | 24/7 portal support; phone in Sydney business hours (AET) |
| Education content | video + courses | basic articles |
| tax and reporting | ||
| Australian tax statement | Yes | Yes |
| CGT calculator / report | Yes | Yes |
| Sharesight / Navexa integration | No | Yes |
| trading mechanics | ||
| Market orders | Yes | Yes |
| Limit orders | Yes | Yes |
| Stop loss orders | Yes | Yes |
| Conditional orders | Yes | Yes |
| Auto-invest / DCA | Yes | Yes |
| Auto-invest sophistication | multiple | single asset |
| DRP (dividend reinvestment) | No | — |
| After-hours / overnight trading | No | Yes |