Updated October 17, 2026 · HodlCue Editorial Team
Independent Reserve vs XTB
Independent Reserve
XTB
Higher score in this comparison
Where Independent Reserve and XTB differ
| Compare | Independent ReserveReviewVisitVisit | XTBReviewVisitVisit |
|---|---|---|
| Taker fee | 0.02% to 0.5% | 0%Lower |
| Coins listed | 25 | 45Higher |
| Regulators | AUSTRAC | Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) |
| Fiat deposit methods | Card, BankCovers more | Bank |
| Withdrawal fee | AUD EFT free; AUD 1.50 PayID/NPP instant; USD 25 SWIFT; NZD 29; BTC 0.0001 | Free above 100 USD/EUR |
| Maker fee | Not confirmed | 0% |
| Proof of reserves | Yes | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Derivatives (Yes), Exchange type (Cex).
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Key differences
- XTB scores higher overall: 9.5 vs 9.3.
- Regulators: only Independent Reserve offers AUSTRAC.
- Regulators: only XTB offers Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC).
- Taker fee is lower at XTB: 0% vs 0.02% to 0.5%.
- Coins listed is higher at XTB: 45 vs 25.
- Fiat deposit methods: only Independent Reserve offers Card.
- Support channels: only Independent Reserve offers Community.
- Support channels: only XTB offers Chat, Phone.
Our verdict on each
Independent Reserve
Independent Reserve suits Australian and New Zealand buyers who want a regulated custodial exchange with plain card and bank deposits. Fees of 0.02% to 0.5% are competitive with the site median of 0.2%, though the coin list is modest for traders who want broader markets.
XTB
XTB provides access to FX, indices, shares, commodities and crypto through an app based trading platform with market research and education. For investors who want many CFD and securities markets in one place with manager support, it offers a focused trading home.
Score breakdown
| Area | Independent Reserve | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.7Higher | 9.2 |
| Offer | 9.1Fees of 0.02% to 0.5% sit around the site median of 0.2%, but the list of 25 coins is small. | 9.9Higher |
| Trust | 9.1 | Not confirmed |
Which one suits you
Pick Independent Reserve if cost and fiat deposit methods matter most.
Pick XTB if offer, taker fee, and coins listed matter most.
Availability and regulation
| Country | Independent Reserve | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | AUSTRAC DCE-100461150-001 | Not confirmed |
| Cyprus | Not confirmed | Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) MiCA CASP 259400HM2TR4U3LF5D43 |
How they place
| Ranking | Independent Reserve | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| Crypto futures exchanges | 9 of 78 | 2 of 78 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Independent Reserve | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Custodial | Custodial |
| Legal entity | Independent Reserve Pty. Ltd. (ABN 46 164 257 069) | XTB Limited |
| Headquarters | Australia | Cyprus |
| Founded | 2013 | Not confirmed |
| Support channels | Email, Help centre, Community | Email, Chat, Phone, Help centre |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Independent Reserve | XTB | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taker fee | 0.02% to 0.5%lowest quarter | 0%lowest quarter | 0.15 |
| Coins listed | 25lowest quarter | 45below the median | 76 |
| Maker fee | Not confirmed | 0%below the median | 0.1% |
Median across 219 listed providers.
Pros and cons
Independent Reserve
Pros
- Registered with AUSTRAC in Australia, so the exchange answers to a recognised anti-money laundering regulator.
- Publishes proof of reserves, which 79.4% of compared exchanges do.
- Card and bank transfers are both accepted through card and bank.
Cons
- The list of 25 coins is small next to the site median of 62.
- Support runs on email, help centre and community only, with no phone or live chat listed.
- Balances are custodial, so coins sit with the exchange rather than in a wallet the holder controls.
XTB
Pros
- Access to more than 2100 markets across FX, indices, shares and commodities
- More than 2700 instruments plus thousands of CFD opportunities in one app
- Built in news alerts, courses and research tools support market decisions
Cons
- Focus stays on FX and CFD trading rather than wider everyday banking
- Choice is structured around three account types with manager support
Who each suits
Independent Reserve
Who it suits
- Australian and New Zealand residents paying in by card or bank transfer
- Buyers of mainstream coins who want proof of reserves and a named regulator
- Traders who also want access to derivatives
Who should look elsewhere
- Traders chasing a long tail of altcoins, where the exchange is a broker for Australia and New Zealand rather than a global venue
- bitpanda, which lists from 650 coins for a much wider choice
- bunq, whose taker fees of 0.25% to 1.99% suit European bank customers
XTB
Who it suits
- Traders interested in FX, indices and shares
- Investors wanting crypto alongside traditional markets
- Learners valuing courses and market research tools
Who should look elsewhere
- People seeking everyday banking services
Country by country
| Country | Independent Reserve | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | Yes | No |
| New Zealand | Yes | No |
| Singapore | Yes | No |
Questions about each
Independent Reserve
What does Independent Reserve charge in fees?+
Taker fees run 0.02% to 0.5%, which brackets the site median of 0.2% and sits inside the upper quartile of 0.55%. Withdrawals are also charged: AUD transfers are free, while instant AUD and crypto withdrawals carry a fee.
Is Independent Reserve regulated?+
It is registered with AUSTRAC in Australia under DCE-100461150-001, the country's anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing regulator. It also publishes proof of reserves, a step 79.4% of the compared exchanges report.
XTB
What markets does XTB cover?+
XTB covers FX, indices, shares, commodities and crypto through its trading platform. The range includes more than 2100 financial markets and thousands of CFD instruments. Securities from the EU and USA sit within the wider selection.
Who is XTB suited for?+
XTB suits people interested in FX and CFD trading across global markets. It also suits investors who want crypto assets held alongside other investments. Learners who value courses and research tools may find the approach helpful.
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