Uptrade vs.
‍The Competition

In this honest guide we'll walk you through a factual, side-by-side comparison of UpTrade, Caleb & Brown, CoinSpot and Stormrake — written for investors who take their capital seriously. No sponsored placements. No inflated claims. Just the details that matter.

24/7 crypto trading and services

10,000+ Investors worldwide

4.9 Trustpilot score (456 reviews)

511+ Digital assests available

24/7 crypto trading and services

Global personal & company investors

Australian managed & regulated

Dedicated crypto brokerage

Detailed Comparison

Side-by-Side Breakdown.

The criteria that matter most to serious investors — fees, execution, support, security, and who each platform is actually built for. UpTrade column is highlighted.

Criteria	UpTrade ★	Caleb & Brown	CoinSpot	Stormrake
Platform type	Premium Broker	Full-Service Broker	Retail Exchange	Boutique Broker
Founded	2024–present	2016	2013	2018
Regulatory status	AUSTRAC DCE No. DCE100856266-001 ABN 49 672 404 929	AUSTRAC registered FinCEN registered (US)	AUSTRAC registered ISO 27001 certified	AUSTRAC No. 100631789 ACN 630754826
Fees	3.5% flat fee per trade. No sign-up, account, deposit, spread or withdrawal fees.	3.5% flat all-inclusive fee per trade. No sign-up, account, deposit or withdrawal fees.	1% Instant Buy/Sell/Swap; 0.1% via market orders or OTC desk ($20k+ AUD).	Flat 2% per transaction. No spread or hidden trading fees.
Personal broker	✓ Dedicated broker included. 24/7 access. No broker discussion fees.	✓ Assigned broker. 24/7 via phone, email, WhatsApp or Telegram.	✗ Self-service only. Live chat & email support 24/7.	✓ Dedicated broker. 24/7 via phone or email.
Assets available	511+	1,000+	510+	350+
Custody & security	Fireblocks (MPC + hardware isolation). Multi-level approval. Whitelisted withdrawals. Assets held 1:1.	Fireblocks (MPC + hardware isolation). Cold storage. 1:1 client balances. Full reserves.	ISO 27001 certified. Cold storage. 2FA. AUSTRAC registered.	Enterprise-grade cold storage. 1:1 client assets. Operational security protocols.
SMSF / Entity accounts	✓ Individual, Company, Trust, SMSF, 401(k)	✓ Individual, Company, Trust, Self-managed retirement fund	Partial — SMSF supported; limited entity types	✓ Individual, Trust, SMSF, Company
On/off ramp limits	Up to $1B AUD per client per day. AUD, USD, CAD, NZD, EUR.	Multiple fiat currencies supported.	Free AUD deposits via PayID or Direct Deposit. Bank withdrawals free.	Not publicly specified.
Liquidity & execution	Smart order routing across multiple liquidity sources. Reduces slippage. Deep liquidity.	Access to institutional liquidity providers and OTC desks. Manual execution by brokers.	Order book + OTC desk (0.1% for $20k+ AUD trades). Thinner liquidity on market orders.	Aggregates pricing across 30+ exchanges and 5 OTC desks. Best-price execution.
Research & insights	✓ UpTrade Alpha: paid research subscription. In-depth reports, analysis and market insights. Monthly portfolio performance reports.*	Not prominently featured.	Partner analyst content on platform.	✓ Daily research updates from in-house analyst.
Portfolio health checks	✓ Broker and analyst-led. Personalised feedback on holdings and strategy.*	✗ Not offered.	✗ Not offered.	✗ Not offered.
Platform experience	Dedicated broker relationship + online platform. Simple onboarding, same-day trading possible.	App + broker-assisted. Portfolio tracking portal available.	Consumer web platform and mobile app (iOS + Android). 3M+ users.	Broker-assisted. Phone/email-led process. Online platform.
Trustpilot score	4.9 (456 reviews)	4.9 (US/global)	4.3 (thousands of reviews)	Limited (25 reviews)
Best suited for	High-value individuals, SMSFs, companies and trusts wanting a professional broker relationship.	Investors wanting a long-established broker with broad asset access.	Beginner to intermediate Australian retail investors.	Investors wanting boutique OTC service with a personal broker.

Information sourced directly from each platform's website, April 2025. Fee structures change — always confirm with the provider before transacting. UpTrade fees: confirm current rate at uptrade.au. This comparison does not constitute financial advice.

Why UpTrade

Built for Investors Who Expect More.

UpTrade is a dedicated crypto brokerage — we only provide crypto trading services. Our team are active investors with a minimum of 7 years market experience and demonstrated portfolio success.

Dedicated Broker Relationship

Every client gets a dedicated personal crypto broker — included as standard, no extra fees. Available 24/7 for trade execution, support, and portfolio guidance.

Flat, Transparent Fees

A flat 3.5% fee per trade — all-inclusive. No sign-up fees. No account fees. No deposit fees. No spread fees. No withdrawal fees.

Smart Order Execution

Smart order routing scans multiple liquidity sources to secure the best available pricing, reducing slippage and ensuring deep liquidity with optimal execution.

Fireblocks Custody — Included

Assets secured using Fireblocks with MPC, multi-level approval, and whitelisted withdrawal addresses. Institutional-grade custody at no additional cost.

UpTrade Alpha Research

A premium research subscription giving access to in-depth market reports, asset analysis, and ongoing market insights from the UpTrade research team.

Portfolio Health Checks

Your broker and analysts review your holdings and provide personalised feedback on your portfolio's composition, allocation, and strategy.

SMSF, Company and Trust Ready

Supports individual investors, companies, trusts, SMSFs, and 401(k) accounts with streamlined multi-entity onboarding.

Australian-Based, Fully Compliant

AUSTRAC registered (DCE No. DCE100856266-001). 55 Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000. Client assets held 1:1, never borrowed against, fully segregated.

Open an Account ↗ Speak to a Broker

Verdict

Who should choose what.

An honest guide. We'll tell you when a competitor is the better fit.

Choose UpTrade if…

You want a dedicated expert, not just a dashboard.

Serious capital, 7+ year broker experience required, 511+ assets, 24/7 access, no spread fees, Fireblocks custody, and research to back every move.

Choose Caleb & Brown if…

Brand recognition and longevity are your priority.

C&B's track record since 2016 and 20,000+ global clients make it proven. Factor in the 3.5% per-trade fee and compare it against UpTrade's rate before committing.

Choose CoinSpot if…

You're self-directed and comfortable going it alone.

Lower fees for frequent small DIY trades. No dedicated broker means no human in your corner when markets move fast.

Choose Stormrake if…

You want boutique OTC service with best-price execution.

Stormrake aggregates pricing across 30+ exchanges and 5 OTC desks. A strong option for investors who prioritise execution technology alongside a personal broker.

Not sure which fits?

Talk to us — no obligation, no pressure.

Speak directly with an UpTrade broker about your requirements. Same-day trading possible.

Not sure which fits? Talk to an UpTrade broker — no obligation, no pressure.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Your Questions, Answered.

Should I use a broker over an exchange?

It depends on how you invest. Exchanges are well-suited to self-directed investors making smaller, frequent purchases across a wide range of assets. A brokerage is better suited to investors who want a dedicated broker, better execution on larger orders, personalised support, and SMSF or entity account infrastructure. For significant capital, the brokerage model provides a level of oversight, execution quality, and relationship continuity that a self-service exchange does not.

What fees does UpTrade charge?

UpTrade charges a flat 3.5% fee per trade — all-inclusive. There are no sign-up fees, no account fees, no deposit fees, no spread fees, and no withdrawal fees. The fee is applied only when you trade. Contact UpTrade directly at uptrade.au to confirm the current rate before transacting.

What is the safest crypto broker in Australia?

All four platforms reviewed here are AUSTRAC-registered and hold client assets 1:1. UpTrade and Caleb & Brown both use Fireblocks custody with MPC and hardware isolation — the institutional standard. CoinSpot holds ISO 27001 certification and cold storage. Stormrake uses enterprise-grade cold storage with strict operational protocols. UpTrade is registered as AUSTRAC DCE No. DCE100856266-001, operates under ABN 49 672 404 929, and is headquartered at 55 Collins Street, Melbourne.

Do I get a personal broker with UpTrade?

Yes. Every UpTrade client receives a dedicated personal crypto broker, included as standard. There are no broker discussion fees. Your broker is available 24/7, assists with trade execution, and provides ongoing support for your portfolio.

Can I use UpTrade for my SMSF?

Yes. UpTrade explicitly supports SMSF clients alongside individual investors, companies, and trusts. Multi-entity onboarding is streamlined and the account infrastructure is appropriate for institutional and corporate requirements. We recommend consulting your fund's financial adviser or auditor to confirm digital asset investment aligns with your investment strategy.

Is UpTrade regulated in Australia?

Yes. UpTrade is registered with AUSTRAC as a Digital Currency Exchange (DCE No. DCE100856266-001), operates under ABN 49 672 404 929, and is headquartered at 55 Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000. Client assets are held 1:1, never borrowed against, and kept fully segregated.

How does UpTrade execute trades?

UpTrade uses smart order routing software that scans multiple liquidity sources simultaneously to secure the best available market pricing. This reduces slippage, tightens spreads, and ensures deep liquidity with optimal execution. Each trade follows strict broker-to-trader approvals for additional security.

What is UpTrade Alpha?

UpTrade Alpha is UpTrade's premium research subscription product. Subscribers receive in-depth market reports, asset analysis, and ongoing market insights prepared by the UpTrade research team. It is designed for investors who want to stay genuinely informed on the market and make decisions backed by real analysis. Contact the team at uptrade.au for current pricing and access details.

What are UpTrade Portfolio Health Checks?

Portfolio Health Checks are a service where your broker and analysts review your current holdings and provide personalised feedback on your portfolio's composition, allocation, and strategy. This is a genuine assessment from people who understand the market and your position — not an automated score or algorithm-generated report.

What cryptocurrencies can I trade through UpTrade?

UpTrade provides access to 511+ digital assets. For a full current list, visit uptrade.au or contact the team directly.