In order to trade successfully, it is very important to choose the right broker. in the UK, a large number of companies provide access to trading and you will have to choose the one for you among them. It is important to work only with reliable brokers providing all the required instruments for trading based on your trading strategy. TU analysts have selected the best bitcoin brokers for short selling in the UK 2026. You can compare their features and trading conditions.
1
XM - Best for short selling in the UK
XM is a globally recognized broker, operating in nearly 190 countries and serving over 15 million traders. In 2025, the company marks its 15th anniversary. It provides access to more than 1,400 trading instruments, including Forex pairs, stocks, commodities, cryptocurrencies, and precious metals. Licensed by CySEC (Cyprus), FSCA (South Africa), DFSA (Dubai), FSC (Belize), FSA (Seychelles), FSC (Mauritius), CMA (Kenya) and SCA (United Arab Emirates), XM offers a secure and regulated trading environment.
The broker ensures high-speed order execution without requotes, with 99.35% of trades executed almost instantly. Leverage is up to 1:1000 in some non-EU countries, while strict European compliance applies in other regions, and spreads start from 0.8 pips.
XM runs multiple bonus programs, adapts trading conditions to each client’s country, and provides negative balance protection. Accounts are available for traders of any level and strategy, and for passive income, the broker offers a copy trading platform for investors as well as experienced traders willing to share their strategies.
👍 Advantages of trading with XM for traders from the UK:
•Regulation in six jurisdictions;
•Accounts designed for different strategies and levels of trader experience;
•Minimum deposit of $5;
•Various bonuses, trading competitions, and an affiliate program;
•100% order execution;
•No markup on tight market spreads;
•Access to more than 1,400 instruments;
•No deposit or withdrawal fees;
•24/7 multilingual support in over 30 languages.
👎 Disadvantages of XM for traders from the UK:
•Copy trading and stock trading accounts are not available in all countries.
2
Pepperstone - Best for short selling in the UK
Pepperstone (Pepperstone.com) was founded in 2010 in Melbourne, Australia, by professional traders who were not satisfied with the quality of services provided by most brokers. The founders decided to avoid many of the disadvantages of competitors, including high commissions, delayed execution of orders, etc. The founders therefore focused on improving the technical component. The company has set itself the goal of changing the “rules of the game” and setting the bar high for online trading.
Today, Pepperstone offers clients all over the world some of the best technological solutions and favorable trading conditions. The company also provides professional tools that help traders not only master the fine art of trading, but also significantly increase trading efficiencies. In addition, Pepperstone’s platform is scrutinized by seven regulatory authorities, including ASIC (Australian Securities and Investments Commission, AFSL No.414530), FCA (UK Financial Conduct Authority, 684312), DFSA (F004356), BaFin (151148), CMA, SCB (SIA-F217), and CySec (388/20). Moreover, with Pepperstone, clients' assets are maintained in aggregated accounts with several major, global banking institutions.
👍 Advantages of trading with Pepperstone for traders from the UK:
•Attractive trading conditions.
•Fast order execution - 30 ms on average.
•1,200+ trading instruments.
•Low fees.
•No inactivity fee.
•Support service works only 24/7.
👎 Disadvantages of Pepperstone for traders from the UK:
•No cent account.
•Not available to US clients.
•Limited passive trading opportunities.
•Limited analytical materials available on the site.
•No news section.
•Demo accounts can trade for free for 60 days.
3
4XC - Best for short selling in the UK
4XC offers access to trading Forex, metals, indices, oil, forward contracts, and cryptocurrencies, over 80 trading instruments in total.
4XC provides competitive conditions such as leverage up to 1:500 and spreads starting from 0.0 pips. The broker supports multiple account types including Standard, Pro, and VIP, each tailored to meet different trading needs and strategies.
For passive investing, the broker provides PAMM accounts and social trading service. The Signal Centre at 4XC enhances trading with premium AI signals integrated via the easy-to-use Acuity Trading Tool plugin, which seamlessly integrates into MetaTrader 4/5 platforms. Also, the broker provides additional free trading signals on its website.
👍 Advantages of trading with 4XC for traders from the UK:
•Attractive trading conditions for beginners.
•Minimum deposit is USD 50 with leverage up to 1:500.
•Relatively narrow spread.
•Good educational opportunities.
👎 Disadvantages of 4XC for traders from the UK:
•Withdrawal fee (except for the VIP account).
•Withdrawals are limited to one transaction per day.
•The FAQ section does not fully answer the questions.
4
PU Prime - Best for short selling in the UK
PU Prime (Pacific Union) is a broker that allows trading in contracts for difference (CFDs) on hundreds of assets from the following categories: currencies, stocks, bonds, indices, commodities, metals, and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). New users receive a free demo account with a balance of 100,000 virtual dollars. Real accounts come in five types, differing in trading parameters and catering to traders of different levels. The minimum deposit is $20, and spreads are floating, starting from 0 or 1.3 pips depending on the chosen account. The maximum leverage is 1:1000. The broker's clients operate through MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and WebTrader trading platforms. The company also has a highly-rated mobile platform. In addition to active trading, traders can earn through a standard referral program and register in an integrated copy trading service. PU Prime offers attractive bonuses through five active programs. The broker provides free technical and fundamental analysis tools and news analytics. It also has an extensive educational system.
👍 Advantages of trading with PU Prime for traders from the UK:
•The minimum deposit is lower than the market average, and a free demo account and high-quality training ensure a low entry threshold.
•Traders can work with hundreds of assets with high leverage and no trading restrictions, resulting in high-profit potential.
•Narrow spreads combined with low commissions guarantee minimal trading costs.
•Traders can choose from five real account options, including an Islamic account with no swaps or interest charges.
•A wide selection of trading platforms, including mobile versions, allows traders to work comfortably in most conditions.
•The copy trading platform is transparent, fast, and features an intuitive interface.
•Customer support is available through the main communication channels, operates round the clock without interruptions, and has received numerous positive reviews.
👎 Disadvantages of PU Prime for traders from the UK:
•This broker only offers trading with CFDs.
•Apart from copy trading, the company does not provide other passive income options such as joint accounts, cryptocurrency staking, etc.
•Residents of Singapore, and some other countries cannot collaborate with this broker.
5
XTB - Best for short selling in the UK
The X Trade Brokers (hereinafter “XTB”) is registered in Belize and provides a fairly extensive list of financial services to traders. The company was incorporated in 2002 and its financial regulator is the Belize International Financial Services Commission (FSC, 000302/438), CySEC (169/12), FCA (522157). The broker has offices in Spain, Poland, and the UK, where it is authorized and regulated by the National Financial Supervision Commissions. The XTB is focused on working primarily with European investors. It has several significant awards, including the Best Broker in Europe award by Global Banking & Finance Review and Best Financial Teacher by World Finance Exchange & Brokers.
👍 Advantages of trading with XTB for traders from the UK:
•minimum deposit - $1;
•a wide range of trading instruments;
•branches in 12 countries.
👎 Disadvantages of XTB for traders from the UK:
•the demo account is only available for four weeks;
•all analytical materials provided by the broker are exclusively in English;
•no PAMM accounts;
•the broker is focused on European clients.
TOP 5 Comparison
This table makes it easy to compare the best bitcoin brokers for short selling in the UK for 2026 by placing their information side by side all in one place. The table includes the categories that are most important when deciding on a broker to work with. The data contained in this table is verified and only includes the most reputable brokers.
| XM | Pepperstone | 4XC | PU Prime | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Trading platform |
MT4, MT5, Mobile Trading, XM App |
MT4, Mobile Trading, WebTrader, cTrader, MT5, TradingView |
MT5, MT4, WebTrader |
MT4, MT5, WebTrader |
MT4, xStation 5 |
|
Min deposit |
$5 |
$1 |
$50 |
$50 |
$1 |
|
Leverage |
From 1:1 |
From 1:1 |
From 1:1 |
From 1:500 |
From 1:1 |
|
Trust management |
No |
No |
Yes |
No |
No |
|
Accrual of % on the balance |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
|
Spread |
From 0.8 points |
From 0 points |
From 0 points |
From 0 points |
From 0.1 points |
|
Level of margin call / stop out |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
|
Execution of orders |
Market Execution |
Instant Execution |
Market Execution |
Market Execution |
Market Execution |
|
No deposit bonus |
$30 |
No |
$50 |
No |
No |
|
Cent accounts |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
Commissions & Fees
Brokerage fees are the amount of money that you pay for using the services that a brokerage offers in order to perform trading and manage investments. The brokerage fee structure and regulations vary from broker to broker, and there are two primary fee types which are:
Trading Fees: This type of fee is only charged when you perform a trade. It can be a conversion fee, margin rate, financing rate, spread, or commission.
Non-Trading Fees: This type of fee isn't directly related to your trading activity, and it can include inactivity fee, withdrawal fee, deposit fee, etcetera.
XM Commissions and Fees
Traders Union analysts have analyzed the main and additional commissions for each XM Broker account. There are no additional commissions on all accounts.
| Account type | Spread (minimum value) | Withdrawal commision |
|---|---|---|
|
Ultra Low |
From 6 USD |
No |
|
Zero |
From 0 USD |
No |
Pepperstone Commissions and Fees
Pepperstone’s commissions and fee structure has been reviewed by our professional analysts for trading and non-trading commissions. The company's spread was considered as a trading commission. Our professional analysts also categorized additional fees charged for withdrawing funds as non-trading commission additional fees.
| Account type | Spread (minimum value) | Withdrawal commision |
|---|---|---|
|
Razor |
From $0 |
No |
|
Standard |
From $1 |
No |
4XC Commissions and Fees
Traders Union analysts reviewed the broker’s fee schedule. The key fees include spread (including the markup), swap, fixed fee on the ECN account, withdrawal fee (there is also a deposit fee for some payment methods). The fee is calculated in USD per 1 standard lot.
| Account type | Spread (minimum value) | Withdrawal commision |
|---|---|---|
|
Standard |
from USD 10 |
0.5-3% |
|
Pro |
USD 0 |
0.5-3% |
|
VIP |
USD 0 |
no |
PU Prime Commissions and Fees
All brokers generate their main income from spreads and trading commissions, and some also impose withdrawal fees. If a raw spread is used, the commission is always higher, while a standard spread may have no commission at all. Spreads can also be fixed or floating. PU Prime offers floating spreads on its accounts, starting from 0 or 1.3 pips depending on the account type. Traders should also consider that the Prime account incurs a trading commission of $3.5 per standard lot. The Islamic account also has a fee, but it is floating and starts from $0, with a maximum of $3.5. Withdrawal fees are only charged when using the following channels: Skrill (1%), Neteller (2%), and Faspay (0.5%). In all other cases, including withdrawals to Visa or MasterCard bank cards, the broker does not charge fees. However, fees may be imposed by other parties involved in the withdrawal process, such as a bank. Considering the overall factors, PU Prime's commission policy appears attractive, and transparent and does not impose significant costs on traders.
| Account type | Spread (minimum value) | Withdrawal commision |
|---|---|---|
|
Cent |
From $1.3, no commission |
No, for most withdrawal methods |
|
Standard |
From $13, no commission |
No, for most withdrawal methods |
|
Pro |
From $13, no commission |
No, for most withdrawal methods |
|
Prime |
From $0, the commission is $3.50 per lot |
No, for most withdrawal methods |
|
Islamic |
From $13, the commission is $0-3.50 per lot |
No, for most withdrawal methods |
XTB Commissions and Fees
The XTB broker was analyzed by the Traders Union specialists for hidden fees. The broker charges a commission for withdrawing money in the following amounts: 1.5% of the amount (but not less than USD 30) when withdrawing money to a bank card (Visa, Mastercard), as well as when withdrawing to SafetyPay. When withdrawing to Neteller and Skrill, XTB charges 2% of the withdrawal amount.
| Account type | Spread (minimum value) | Withdrawal commision |
|---|---|---|
|
Standard |
From $5 |
1.5% - when withdrawing money to a bank card (Visa, Mastercard), as well as when withdrawing to SafetyPay; 2% when withdrawing to Neteller and Skrill |
|
Swap Free |
From $7 |
1.5% - when withdrawing money to a bank card (Visa, Mastercard), as well as when withdrawing to SafetyPay; 2% when withdrawing to Neteller and Skrill |
Summary
Many brokers are available for traders from the UK, but not all of them offer good conditions. In this review, TU experts chose the Best bitcoin brokers for short selling in the UK 2026. These are the most trusted companies that offer the best conditions for traders. You will also be able to review the general assessment of each broker.
Overall score of the best Bitcoin Brokers For Short Selling in the UK
| XM | Pepperstone | 4XC | PU Prime | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Overall score |
9.3 |
9.25 |
8.13 |
7.06 |
6.63 |
|
Execution of orders |
9.35 |
9.15 |
7.15 |
6.21 |
7.5 |
|
Investment instruments |
10 |
10 |
4.7 |
10 |
9.7 |
|
Withdrawal speed |
7 |
7 |
7 |
7 |
5 |
|
Customer Support work |
9.6 |
7 |
9.3 |
5.7 |
4.5 |
|
Variety of instruments |
8.02 |
6.32 |
10 |
4.12 |
8.75 |
|
Trading platform |
8.9 |
7.3 |
5.5 |
4.3 |
4.6 |
|
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FAQ
What is a demo account and why is it important?
On a demo account, you trade by using virtual funds. It is important to choose a broker offering a demo account both for beginners, who are only learning, and for experienced traders, who can use this account type to test new strategies or EAs risk-free.
What factors are important when you are choosing a broker?
When you are choosing a broker, it is important to make sure it is a reliable company, consider its fees, the list of trading instruments, deposit and withdrawal methods and other factors. It is important to study a broker in detail, before opening an account with it.
What commissions and fees should I take into consideration when I am choosing a broker?
The commissions and fees in the financial markets are divided into trading and non-tradings ones. Trading fees are the fees that are charged directly during trading (spread, commission per lot, etc.), while non-trading fees are the ones charged outside the trading process (for example, account fee, inactivity fee, deposit and withdrawal fee).
What are the risks of trading in the financial markets?
Any trading in the financial markets carries risks of losing your money due to asset volatility. Therefore, it is important to develop the rules of risk management in your strategy and strictly follow them.
Best Bitcoin Brokers For Short Selling by Countries
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Team that worked on the article
Mikhail Vnuchkov joined Traders Union as an author in 2020. He began his professional career as a journalist-observer at a small online financial publication, where he covered global economic events and discussed their impact on the segment of financial investment, including investor income. With five years of experience in finance, Mikhail joined Traders Union team, where he is in charge of forming the pool of latest news for traders, who trade stocks, cryptocurrencies, Forex instruments and fixed income.
Olga Shendetskaya has been a part of the Traders Union team as an author, editor and proofreader since 2017. Since 2020, Shendetskaya has been the assistant chief editor of the website of Traders Union, an international association of traders. She has over 10 years of experience of working with economic and financial texts. In the period of 2017-2020, Olga has worked as a journalist and editor of laftNews news agency, economic and financial news sections. At the moment, Olga is a part of the team of top industry experts involved in creation of educational articles in finance and investment, overseeing their writing and publication on the Traders Union website.
