Crypto Exchange comparison
Cointree vs eToro
Cointree is a pure-play Australian crypto exchange built for serious coin investors, while eToro is a global multi-asset platform that throws crypto, ASX shares, US stocks, and CFDs into one account. The biggest practical difference: Cointree keeps you in crypto-only territory with zero fees and CHESS-adjacent local custody, whereas eToro lets you trade Bitcoin alongside BHP shares but holds everything in a custodian model — no HIN, no direct share ownership.
Choose
Cointree
if…
- ›You want a dedicated crypto exchange with no monthly, inactivity, or withdrawal fees — Cointree charges $0 across the board
- ›You want to buy crypto with as little as $25 and make subsequent purchases from $0
- ›You need an Australian tax statement and CGT report, plus Sharesight/Navexa integration for end-of-year accounting
- ›You want phone and live chat support during Australian business hours, not just a ticket system
- ›You're a trust or SMSF investor looking for a straightforward crypto-only platform with local AUSTRAC registration
Choose
eToro
if…
- ›You want one login for crypto, ASX shares, US stocks, and CFDs — eToro is a multi-asset platform under one roof
- ›You want zero-commission ASX and US share trading alongside your crypto portfolio
- ›You want a demo account to practise trading before committing real money
- ›You want to deposit via credit card, PayPal, Skrill, or POLi — eToro offers far more payment methods
- ›You're comfortable with a custodian model (no HIN) and want access to 15+ international markets beyond Australia
Where they differ
| Fact | Cointree | eToro |
|---|---|---|
| Inactivity fee | $0 | $10/month after 12 months of inactivity |
| Minimum subsequent purchase | $0 | $50 |
| Share ownership model | Not applicable (crypto only) | Custodian — no HIN, no CHESS sponsorship |
| Deposit methods | PayID, Osko, crypto deposit, cash via convenience stores | Bank transfer, debit/credit card, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, POLi, online banking |
| Demo account | No | Yes |
Verdict
If you only trade crypto and want zero fees with local Aussie support, pick Cointree. If you want crypto plus shares and CFDs under one roof, pick eToro.
All data points side-by-side
Every verified fact for both platforms. Differences are highlighted.
| Field | Cointree | eToro |
|---|---|---|
| account structure | ||
| CHESS sponsorship model | — | custodian |
| Individual HIN | — | No |
| Individual account | Yes | Yes |
| Joint account | — | No |
| 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 | $0 | $10 |
| Withdrawal fee (AUD) | $0 | $0 |
| identity and trust | ||
| Legal entity name | Cointree Pty Ltd | eToro AUS Capital Limited |
| AFSL number | — | 491,139 |
| AUSTRAC registration | Yes | Yes |
| Year founded | 2,013 | 2,017 |
| Parent / ownership | Privately owned; founded by Shane Stevenson, led by CEO Jess Renden. Strategic minority investment from Indicia Labs Inc. (Silicon Valley) in 2020. | 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. |
| Country of incorporation | AU | Australia |
| Public company status | private | public |
| money movement | ||
| Minimum initial deposit | $25 | $50 |
| Minimum subsequent purchase | $0 | $50 |
| Deposit methods | PayID, Osko bank transfer, Cryptocurrency deposit, Cash via convenience stores | Bank transfer, Debit card, Credit card, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, POLi, Online banking |
| Settlement period | — | T+2 ASX, T+1 US (settlement managed by the eToro Service custodian; user funds reflect immediately in eToro wallet) |
| Withdrawal time | Same business day (typically within hours) via Osko/NPP | 1-2 business days for eToro processing; total 2-10 business days end-to-end depending on payment method (bank transfer longer than card) |
| platform ux | ||
| iOS app | — | Yes |
| Android app | — | Yes |
| Desktop platform | No | No |
| Demo account | No | Yes |
| Free real-time market data | Yes | Yes |
| Free research reports | No | No |
| 2FA support | authenticator | SMS + authenticator app |
| Customer support channels | phone, live chat, email, help centre | Live chat (Club members only), Email / web ticket, Help centre |
| Support hours (AU time) | Phone and live chat: Mon-Fri 10am-2pm AEST/AEDT; email/help centre 24/7 | — |
| Education content | structured courses | video + courses |
| tax and reporting | ||
| Australian tax statement | Yes | Yes |
| CGT calculator / report | Yes | Yes |
| Sharesight / Navexa integration | Yes | No |
| 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 | multiple |
| DRP (dividend reinvestment) | — | No |
| After-hours / overnight trading | Yes | No |