Cryptocurrency Trading at iTrustCapital

iTrustCapital now offers a modern, secure and fast cryptocurrency trading experience. Trade major digital assets such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, as well as a broad selection of altcoins and tokenized products. Our CySEC-regulated platform provides margin trading, short-sell capability (where permitted by jurisdiction), fast fiat on/off ramps, institutional liquidity and 24/7/365 support so you can trade from anywhere — in seconds.

This page explains what cryptocurrencies are, how crypto trading works, the market structures (exchanges & DeFi), the mechanics of margin & leverage, custody options, deposit/withdrawal mechanics, regulatory & tax considerations, and practical steps to get started with iTrustCapital.

A cryptocurrency is a purely digital asset designed to work as a medium of exchange using cryptographic techniques to secure transactions. Unlike fiat currencies, cryptocurrencies are usually issued and settled on distributed ledgers (blockchains) and are not issued by central banks.

Some important characteristics:

• Decentralization: many cryptocurrencies operate without a single central authority, distributing consensus among network participants.
• Programmability: modern blockchains like Ethereum enable programmable money via smart contracts, enabling DeFi protocols, tokens, automated market makers and more.
• Immutability: recorded transactions are persistent and tamper-resistant once finalised on-chain.
• Divisibility & Transferability: assets can be fractionally owned and transferred peer-to-peer.

Note: Cryptocurrencies do not have intrinsic value tied to physical assets — their value derives from utility, scarcity, network effects, market demand, and speculative expectations.

Most cryptocurrencies function on a blockchain — a distributed, append-only ledger where transactions are grouped into blocks and added to a chain after consensus validation. Key process steps:

• Transaction initiation: a user signs a transfer with their private key and broadcasts it to the network.
• Validation: network participants (miners or validators) verify transaction authenticity and order transactions into blocks.
• Consensus & Finality: blocks are appended via consensus (PoW, PoS, or other) and transactions obtain increasing confidence as additional blocks are built on top.
• Settlement: once finalised, transactions are effectively immutable and balances update across all nodes.

Different blockchains have different performance, security and decentralization trade-offs. Some are optimized for speed (low latency), others for security or programmability (smart contracts).

Crypto markets have evolved beyond spot trading into a broad ecosystem that includes derivatives, lending, staking and tokenized assets. Typical trading instruments include:

• Spot: direct buying and selling of cryptocurrencies with immediate settlement on supported venues or custody providers.
• Futures & Perpetuals: derivatives enabling leveraged exposure with settlement in crypto or fiat. Perpetual contracts are common in crypto and often include funding-rate mechanics.
• Options: contracts that give the right, but not obligation, to buy or sell a token at a predetermined price.
• CFDs & Tokenized Stocks: derivative contracts that replicate price exposure without holding the underlying asset.
• DeFi Protocols: AMMs, liquidity pools, lending markets and yield strategies built on smart contracts (higher complexity and smart-contract risk).

Institutional adoption, tokenization of real-world assets, and increasing retail participation have created diverse trading opportunities – but each product carries unique risks and market mechanics.

iTrustCapital offers margin trading on selected crypto instruments where regulatory regimes allow. Margin enables you to open positions larger than your account equity by posting collateral. Leverage multiplies exposure and amplifies both gains and losses.

Key points:

• Leverage Example: 1:50 leverage means $1,000 margin controls $50,000 notional exposure.
• Funding & Financing: leveraged perpetuals use funding rates to balance longs/shorts; margin positions may incur daily financing fees.
• Short Selling: iTrustCapital enables short exposure via derivatives so traders can profit from price declines (subject to platform rules).
• Risk Controls: margin calls and automated liquidations may occur when equity falls below maintenance thresholds.

Use leverage responsibly and ensure you understand maintenance margin, liquidation mechanics and potential for loss beyond initial capital in some products.

Crypto custody is different from traditional custody for fiat or securities. Options include:

• Exchange/Platform Custody (Hot Wallets): convenient for trading, but expose assets to online risk. iTrustCapital employs industry-standard security such as multi-signature controls, hardware security modules and insurance coverings where available.
• Cold Storage (Offline): private keys stored offline, reducing attack surface. Ideal for long-term holdings.
• Third-Party Institutional Custodians: regulated custodians offering segregation, insurance and enterprise-grade controls.
• Self Custody: holding your own private keys gives full control but also full responsibility — lost keys typically mean lost funds.

iTrustCapital provides best-practice security features, such as 2FA, device whitelisting, withdrawal whitelists, and cold-storage procedures for long-term holdings. Nonetheless, clients should follow security hygiene: use hardware wallets for large holdings, keep recovery phrases offline, and enable account-level protections.

Crypto deposits and withdrawals are subject to blockchain confirmations, network congestion and variable fees (gas). Fiat deposits/withdrawals use payment rails (bank transfer, card, or third-party gateways) and have their own processing times and fees.

Practical notes:

• Confirm the correct chain and address before sending (e.g., ERC-20 vs BEP-20).
• Small or undersized deposits may be rejected by smart contracts or exchanges.
• Withdrawals require sufficient network fees; during congestion fees can spike.
• iTrustCapital may apply internal minimums and review withdrawals for unusual activity as part of compliance controls.

Always check the destination address and network. Mistakes in on-chain transfers are typically irreversible.

Cryptocurrencies are subject to evolving regulation. iTrustCapital operates under applicable regulatory frameworks (including CySEC where stated) and implements KYC/AML, sanctions screening and transaction monitoring.

Clients should be aware that:

• Regulatory treatment of crypto varies by jurisdiction — check local laws.
• Tax treatment (capital gains, income, VAT etc.) differs across jurisdictions — consult a tax professional.
• Some services may be restricted in certain countries due to local law.
• iTrustCapital will cooperate with lawful regulatory requests as required.

Crypto markets are volatile and speculative. Key risks include:

• High volatility and rapid price movements.
• Smart contract and protocol vulnerabilities in DeFi.
• Counterparty and custody risk if using third-party custodians or exchanges.
• Regulatory uncertainty and potential market access restrictions.
• Network risks (hard forks, chain rollbacks, congestion).

iTrustCapital recommends only investing capital you can afford to lose, using risk management (stops, position sizing), and understanding each instrument’s mechanics before trading.

Simple steps to begin:

1. Create and verify your iTrustCapital account (KYC/AML checks apply).
2. Choose a custody option: platform custody, institutional custodian, or self-custody.
3. Deposit fiat or crypto using supported on-ramps.
4. Start trading with conservative position sizes and apply risk controls.
5. Withdraw proceeds as needed and ensure wallets and addresses are correct.

Our 24/7 support team can help with onboarding, deposits, wallet setup and policy questions.

Q: Is crypto trading open 24/7?
A: Yes — crypto spot markets operate 24/7. Some derivatives providers may have maintenance windows for settlements or upgrades.

Q: What is a public key vs private key?
A: Public keys (or addresses) are used to receive funds and can be shared. Private keys must be kept secret — they control access to funds on-chain.

Q: How many confirmations are required for deposits?
A: Required confirmations vary by asset and chain. iTrustCapital will display required confirmations on deposit pages and may apply internal risk holds for large or unusual deposits.

Nothing on this page constitutes financial, investment, tax or legal advice. Cryptocurrencies are high-risk and speculative — past performance is not indicative of future results. Please consult your professional advisers and review iTrustCapital’s full client agreement, privacy policy and product schedules before trading.