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14 Best Regulated Forex Brokers for 2024

Looking for a broker with top regulations? Based on our hands-on analysis, we’ve identified 14 best options tailored to various trading needs. Practical tips from our experts are included.

By:
Plamen Stoyanov
Reviewed By:
Ola Alder
Updated: Jun 27, 2024

List of Top Regulated Forex Brokers

Best brokers for US traders

Member of the London Stock Exchange (LSE). One of the biggest brands in the industry. Multilayered protections. Below-average spreads. Choice of versatile trading platforms. Ultra-fast order execution.

Cutting-edge WebTrader platform. Wide range of forex futures. Standard, Mini, and Micro contracts. Competitive commissions. 24/7 support via live chat and email. $100 minimum deposit.

Best brokers for international traders

Tight regulation. Very transparent website. Lightning-fast order execution under 13 milliseconds. More than 2100 instruments. Range of platforms.

Excellent execution standards. 80% of all trades are executed under 25 milliseconds. Access to deep liquidity. Competitive prices.

Over 26,000 trading instruments. Several professional-grade platforms. FIX API and VPS hosting. AutoChartist and Myfxbook. Diverse account types.

Top-tier licensing in multiple jurisdictions. Professional-grade platform with intuitive design. Below-average trading fees. Ultra-fast order execution in under 20 milliseconds.

Lightning-fast execution under 9 milliseconds. Multiple top-tier licenses. Listed on the Swiss stock exchange. Possibility to invest and trade with over 3 million products.

Range of account types. Reliable customer support. Choice of platforms. Low minimum deposit requirements.

Offers 1200+ trading instruments. Tightly regulated by the FCA. Enhanced copy trading environment. Competitive trading commissions.

Accessible accounts. Range of cryptocurrencies. A few top-tier licenses. Reliable customer support.

Tightly regulated globally. MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView platforms. VPS hosting. Wide variety of tradable instruments.

Excellent execution standards. Diverse tradable instruments. Range of platforms, including iRESS for stock traders.

Low floating spreads and commission-free trading. Over 2000 instruments. Average execution in under 66 milliseconds.

Several top-tier regulations. Offers options trading. Competitive pricing. Good choice for trading with tight risk management.

How Did FX Empire Choose the Best Regulated Forex Brokers?

FXEmpire's Methodology

  • Regulations and protection. We examined the licenses and regulations of each entity operated by a broker. We only considered brokers that provide multilayered protection, ensuring their clients with negative balance protection, segregation of client funds, and compensation scheme.
  • Transparency. We meticulously analyzed brokers’ client agreements and legal documents to identify the most reliable and trustworthy options in the market.
  • Order execution standards. Using our unique methodology to assess the risk of price manipulation, we verified whether brokers have a ‘best execution policy’ and checked their average execution speeds.
  • Competitive pricing. We checked the spreads, swaps, and commissions charged by a broker to determine the competitiveness of its fees. Generally, round-turn commissions of $6 per traded lot and floating spreads from 1.0 pips are considered average for the industry.
  • Diverse account types. We assessed brokers’ minimum deposit requirements, maximum leverage, and maximum traded volume per account type and chose those that offer the greatest variety of account features for the lowest possible cost.
  • Range of markets. We estimated how many instruments and from which asset classes brokers offered, considering the flexibility afforded to its clients.
  • Trading platforms and tools. We selected brokers offering user-friendly platforms and feature-rich that can cater to both beginners and experienced traders.
  • Supporting content. We preferred brokers with an extensive assortment of third-party and in-house research tools. We also assessed the scope and applicability of the available educational materials.

Our team of experts has identified each broker’s strengths and weaknesses using FX Empire’s comprehensive methodology. Here’s how we test.

Now let’s dive into the selected brokers.

Best Overall

73% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing money. (EU, UK)
  • Min Deposit
    $100
  • Tradable Instruments
    2120
  • Fees
    Medium

FxPro is a household name in the trading industry. The company was founded in 2006 and has obtained licenses from some of the most trusted regulators.

The company capital exceeds a hundred million euros with over 600 million executed orders. FxPro’s average execution speed is less than 13 milliseconds – one of the fastest in the industry. What made a strong impression on me is that FxPro is able to execute up to 7000 orders per second, which is why I consider the broker your best option if you value fast and precise trading. In my estimation, FxPro is ideal for intraday trading and scalping.

FxPro Entities

  • FxPro UK Ltd, regulated by FCA UK, Tier-1, License Number – 509956, Max. Leverage – 1:30
  • FxPro Financial Services Ltd, regulated by CySEC Cyprus, Tier-1, License number – 078/07, Max. Leverage – 1:30
  • FxPro Financial Services Ltd, regulated by FSCA, South Africa, Tier-2, License Number – 45052, Max. Leverage – 1:400
  • FxPro Global Markets Ltd, regulated by SCB Bahamas, Tier-3, License Number – SIA-F184, Max. Leverage – 1:200

I assessed the transparency of FxPro’s website to be quite high. I did not find any vague or misleading language in the legal documents. I also appreciated that FxPro adheres to the most rigid safety requirements, such as having a ‘best execution policy’.

I evaluated FxPro’s fees and found them, on average, very competitive. If you are to trade 1 lot of EURUSD on the seamless cTrader platform, it will cost you around $8, which is way below the industry average.

FxPro affords a broad range of trading platforms – MetaTrader 4&5, its proprietary FxPro Edge, and cTrader. I prefer the latter two because scaling price action up and down is much easier, and they afford greater freedom.

Pros
  • Extremely fast order execution.
  • Innovative pricing model.
  • Very low costs on cTrader.
  • Massive instruments offering.
  • Sophisticated third-party tools.
Cons
  • Less rigid offshore regulation.
  • Inactivity fee.

Best for Beginners

General Risk Warning: CFDs are leveraged products. Trading in CFDs carries a high level of risk thus may not be appropriate for all investors. The investment value can both increase and decrease and the investors may lose all their invested capital. Under no circumstances shall the Company have any liability to any person or entity for any loss or damage in whole or part caused by, resulting from, or relating to any transactions related to CFDs.
  • Min Deposit
    $0
  • Tradable Instruments
    240
  • Fees
    Medium

Exness is a Cyprus-based CFD broker that was founded in 2008. It is regulated in 8 jurisdictions globally and maintains excellent execution standards. I was impressed by its average execution speed of under 25 milliseconds for 80% of trades. And this quality is available against a very low minimum deposit requirement of $200, making it accessible to most rookies.

Exness Entities

  • Exness (UK) Ltd, regulated by FCA UK, Tier-1, License Number – 730729, Max. Leverage – 1:30
  • Exness (Cy) Ltd, regulated by CySEC Cyprus, Tier-1, License Number – 178/12, Max. Leverage – 1:30
  • Exness ZA (PTY) Ltd, regulated by FSCA South Africa, Tier-2, License Number – 51024, Max. Leverage – 1:400
  • Exness (SC) Ltd, regulated by FSA Seychelles, Tier-3, License Number – SD025, Max. Leverage – 1:500
  • Exness B.V., regulated by CBC Curacao and Sint Maarten, Tier-3, License Number – 0003LSI, Max. Leverage – 1:500
  • Exness (VG) Ltd, regulated by FSC British Virgin Islands, Tier-3, License Number – SIBA/L/20/1133, Max. Leverage – 1:500
  • Exness (MU) Ltd, regulated by FSC Mauritius, Tier-3, License Number – 176967, Max. Leverage – 1:500
  • Tadenes Limited, regulated by CMA Kenya, Tier-3, License Number – 162, Max. Leverage – 1:500

In my experience, beginner traders need the most reliability, sophisticated services, and enough resources to accommodate their learning curve, and Exness delivers on both. It incorporates the renowned MetaTrader 4&5 platforms, which are quite easy to use. It also has its own Exness Terminal, which I found superior. The proprietary platform supports over a hundred technical indicators and drawing tools and has an extensive range of timeframes and chart types. It thus affords a penetrating overview of price action behavior.

Exness offers commission-free trading and floating spreads from 0.3 pips, which is quite low. And newbies can certainly benefit from such low prices and superior execution technology. Additionally, I assessed Exness’ educational content and found it very detailed, covering diverse topics: from the basics of technical analysis to the intricacies of risk management and trading psychology.

Pros
  • Rigid regulation.
  • Very competitive pricing.
  • Beginner-friendly accounts.
  • Ultra-fast execution speeds.
Cons
  • Not available to retail traders in Europe and the UK.

Best Trading Tools

Trading foreign exchange on margin carries a high level of risk and may not be suitable for all investors. The high degree of leverage can work against you as well as for you. Before deciding to trade foreign exchange, you should carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite. The possibility exists that you could sustain a loss of some or all of your initial investment and, therefore, you should not invest money you cannot afford to lose. You should make yourself aware of all the risks associated with foreign exchange trading and seek advice from an independent financial advisor if you have any questions or concerns as to how a loss would affect your lifestyle.
  • Min Deposit
    $0
  • Tradable Instruments
    26121
  • Fees
    Medium

BlackBull Markets is a forex and CFD broker founded in 2014 and based in New Zealand, with offices in the UK and Seychelles. By being licensed and authorized by the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) of New Zealand, I assessed that BlackBull is indeed a very safe and trustworthy broker.

BlackBull Markets Entities

  • Black Bull Group Limited, regulated by FMA New Zealand, Tier-1, License Number – FSP403326, Max. Leverage – 1:300
  • BBG Limited, regulated by FSA Seychelles, Tier-3, License Number – SD045, Max. Leverage – 1:500

BlackBull stands out for its extensive range of trading platforms and tools. Traders have options like the well-known MetaTrader 4 & 5, cTrader, Zulu Trade, and the user-friendly TradingView, which is my preferred choice for its professional design and in-depth charting. BlackBull also offers unique proprietary platforms for copy and share trading. Additionally, its impressive selection of over 26,000 trading instruments sets it apart from competitors.

The broker also deserves praise for its array of trading tools. Algo traders, in particular, will find value in BlackBull’s FIX API and VPS services, which significantly improve trading execution speed and accuracy. Moreover, the integration of AutoChartist and Myfxbook enriches the trading experience with top-notch market analysis and sentiment data.

I tested BlackBull’s ECN account type, which features floating spreads from 0.1 pips and a $6 round-turn commission per traded lot. This combination falls slightly below the industry average. The ECN account type has a minimum deposit requirement of $2000.

Pros
  • FMA license
  • Impressive amount of trading instruments
  • Wide choice of platforms and tools
  • Competitive prices
Cons
  • Elevated swap charges

Best Forex Trading Platform

4.6
70% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money
  • Min Deposit
    $250
  • Tradable Instruments
    17252
  • Fees
    Medium

IG is undoubtedly one of the biggest and safest brokers in the financial derivatives industry. It holds licenses issued by some of the best and most reputable financial regulators globally. Founded in 1974 and headquartered in the United Kingdom, IG stands out with an impressive amount of trading instruments, competitive fees, supporting tools, and a seamless trading platform.

IG Entities

  • IG Markets Limited, regulated by FCA UK, Tier-1, License Number – 195355, Max. Leverage – 1:30
  • IG Europe GmbH, regulated by BaFin Germany, Tier-1, License Number – 10148759, Max. Leverage – 1:30
  • IG Australia Pty Limited, regulated by ASIC Australia, Tier-1, License Number – 3515106 Max. Leverage – 1:30
  • IG Australia Pty Limited, also regulated by FMA New Zealand, Tier-1, License Number – FSP684191, Max. Leverage – 1:30
  • IG Bank S.A., regulated by FINMA Switzerland, Tier-1, Max. Leverage – 1:200
  • IG Asia PTE Ltd, regulated by MAS Singapore, Tier-1, Max. Leverage – 1:20
  • IG Securities Ltd, regulated by JFSA Japan, Tier-1, License Number – 9010401051715, Max. Leverage – 1:20
  • IG US LLC, regulated by NFA US, Tier-1, Max. Leverage – 1:30
  • IG Markets South Africa Ltd, regulated by FSCA South Africa, Tier-2, License number 41393, Max. Leverage – 1:400
  • IG Limited, regulated by DFSA Dubai, Tier 2, License Number – F001780, Max. Leverage – 1:30

IG’s web-based platform is extremely versatile and caters to the needs of all kinds of traders, from first-time rookies to seasoned chart artists. It makes analyzing price action behavior extremely easy and precise. I also found the platform highly customizable, making the execution of trading orders very easy. The platform features over 140 technical indicators and drawing tools, as well as a decent amount of trading orders and other chart configurations.

What stood out the most to me is that the platform supports ultra-fast order execution, which is especially suitable for high-frequency traders like scalpers. Its average execution speed reaches 14 milliseconds, making IG one of the best brokers in the world with respect to speed.

I also tested IG’s trading fees. Commission-free trading applies to instruments from most asset classes, except for share CFDs. The broker also charges floating spreads from 0.6 pips. I thus assessed its trading fees, as a whole, to fall below the industry average.

Pros
  • Top-tier licensing.
  • Highly versatile platforms.
  • Ultra-fast execution speeds.
  • Competitive pricing.
Cons
  • The offering may be overwhelming to beginners.

Best for Professional Traders

Trading involves risks. Products and services of Swissquote are only intended for those permitted to receive them under local law.
  • Min Deposit
    $1000
  • Tradable Instruments
    506
  • Fees
    Medium

Swissquote holds an impressive 7 licenses from top-tier regulators. Additionally, the bank, which was founded in 1996, is listed on the Swiss stock exchange, underscoring its reliability. I opened a Forex & CFDs account with the investment bank offering over 450 trading and investing products and was impressed by the overall transparency of the website.

Swissquote Entities

  • Swissquote Bank Ltd, regulated by FINMA Switzerland, Tier-1, License Number – Not Specified, Max. Leverage – 1:100
  • Swissquote Ltd, FCA UK, Tier-1, License Number – 562170, Max. Leverage – 1:30
  • Swissquote Asia Ltd, regulated by SFC Hong Kong, Tier-1, License Number – AZV127, Max. Leverage – 1:20
  • Swissquote Financial Services (Malta) Ltd, regulated by MFSA Malta, Tier-1, License Number – C57936, Max. Leverage – 1:30
  • Swissquote Ptd. Ltd, regulated by MAS Singapore, Tier–1, License Number – Not Specified, Max. Leverage – 1:20
  • Swissquote Bank Europe Ltd, regulated by CSSF Luxembourg, Tier-1, License Number – B00000324, Max. Leverage – 1:30
  • Swissquote Capital Markets Ltd, regulated by CySEC Cyprus, Tier-1, License Number – 422/22, Max. Leverage – 1:30
  • Swissquote MEA Ltd, regulated by DFSA Dubai, Tier-2, License Number – FD001438, Max. Leverage – 1:30

What makes Swissquote the best choice for professional traders and sets it apart from our other picks is its lightning-fast execution speed of 9 milliseconds, coupled with a 98% fill ratio and only 18% of all trades resulting in negative slippage. If you are a scalper or intraday trader looking for precision, I can guarantee Swissquote will deliver the Swiss quality you are looking for.

I tested Swissquote’s Advanced Trader platform and found it to combine the efficiency of a professional-grade platform with the easy-to-navigate layout of more conventional platforms. However, I ascertained that Swissquote’s fees exceed the industry average. With floating spreads starting from 1.1 pips on its Prime account, and a minimum deposit requirement of $50,000, Swissquote’s superior services are better suited for traders with bigger account balances.

Pros
  • Ultra-fast execution speeds.
  • Superior proprietary platform.
  • Over 3 million trading and investing products.
  • Listed on the Swiss stock exchange.
  • Deep supporting content.
Cons
  • No ‘best execution policy’.
  • High trading costs.

Best MT4

FX and CFDs trading involves a high risk of loss
  • Min Deposit
    $50
  • Tradable Instruments
    134
  • Fees
    Medium

Errante is a CFD broker that was founded in 2019. A relative newcomer, Errante is quickly establishing itself as a reliable partner to beginners interested in MetaTrader. The broker maintains good execution standards, publishes periodic execution quality statements, and has a ‘best execution policy’. but does not state its average execution speed.

Errante Entities

  • Notely Trading Ltd, regulated by CySEC Cyprus, Tier-1, License Number – 383/20, Max. Leverage – 1:30
  • Errante Securities (Seychelles) Ltd, regulated by FSA Seychelles, Tier-3, License Number – SD038, Max. Leverage – 1:500

I opened a Standard account with the broker and estimated its fees to be, generally, above average. However, the values of a hypothetical 1 lot EUR/USD trade on its Premium and VIP accounts – at $10 and $8, respectively – are very competitive.

Errante gives access to 50+ technical indicators and drawing tools on MetaTrader 4. From my experience, most beginners like to learn technical analysis on MT4 because of its simplistic, albeit rugged, design and easy learning curve. On the other hand, I find it difficult to examine price action behavior on MetaTrader because scaling it up and down is not particularly easy.

Pros
  • Diverse account types.
  • Copy and social trading.
  • Competitive pricing.
Cons
  • Limited scope of research materials.
  • No third-party tools.

Best for Copy Trading

4.4
Online Forex/CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 81% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading Online Forex/CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. It is the responsibility of the Client to ascertain whether he/she is permitted to use the services of Exinity Capital East Africa Ltd based on the legal requirements in his/her country of residence.
  • Min Deposit
    $200
  • Tradable Instruments
    593
  • Fees
    Medium

Founded in 2011, FXTM is a Cyprus-based derivatives broker with headquarters in Limassol. It offers over 1200 tradable instruments at affordable prices. Even novice traders can take advantage of this diverse offering via FXTM’s enhanced copy trading offering.

The broker possesses one Tier 1 license and ensures segregated client funds and negative balance protection.

FXTM Entities

  • Exinity UK Ltd, regulated by FCA UK, Tier-1, License Number – 777911, Max. Leverage – 1:30
  • ForexTime Ltd, regulated by FSCA, South Africa, Tier-2, License Number – 46614, Max. Leverage – 1:400
  • Exinity Ltd, regulated by FSC Mauritius, Tier-3, License Number – C113012295, Max. Leverage – 1:2000

I found the broker’s copy trading offering very accessible since beginners can copy the strategies of other traders with as little as $100 in their account balance. FXTM’s copy trading feature offers signal providers and signal followers a chance to interact with each other and generate revenue/profits from each other.

I assessed the broker’s prices by opening an Advantage account. It features raw spreads from 0.0 pips and a $5 round-turn commission per traded lot (100,000 units). This combination surpasses the industry average and offers day traders a competitive edge. The Advantage account is available against a minimum deposit of $500.

FXTM incorporates MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 – two of the most popular retail platforms in the industry. They accommodate easy order execution and automated trading via their Expert Advisors (EAs) feature. MetaTrader is also a great choice for copy trading since it is used comprehensively by traders worldwide.

Pros
  • Low trading fees
  • Enhanced copy trading area
  • Fast execution
  • Wide range of instruments
Cons
  • The European entity of the broker no longer accepts clients

Best for Cryptocurrency Trading

Our products are traded on margin and carry a high level of risk and it is possible to lose all your capital. These products may not be suitable for everyone and you should ensure that you understand the risks involved.
  • Min Deposit
    $0
  • Tradable Instruments
    321
  • Fees
    Medium

IronFX was founded in 2010 and provides a range of trading solutions to high-frequency crypto traders. It has a couple of top-tier licenses underpinning its trustworthiness. I also assessed its execution standards to be acceptable. The broker complies with best execution guidelines and publishes regular execution performance reports.

IronFX Entities

  • Notesco Financial Services Ltd, regulated by CySEC Cyprus, Tier-1, License Number – 125/10, Max. Leverage – 1:30
  • Notesco UK Limited, regulated by FCA UK, Tier-1, License Number – 585561, Max. Leverage – 1:30
  • Notesco (SA) Pty Ltd, regulated by FSCA South Africa, Tier-2, License Number – 45276, Max. Leverage – 1:400
  • Notesco Limited, unregulated, registered in Bermuda, Max. Leverage – 1:1000

IronFX offers more than 300 instruments, 32 of which are cryptocurrencies, that can be traded on the broker’s WebTrader platform as well as on the renowned MetaTrader with over 50 technical indicators and drawing tools and supports automatic trading via its Expert Advisors (EAs) feature.

With regards to IronFX’s trading fees, I checked the parameters of its Standard account and discovered that it supports commission-free trading and floating spreads from 1.8 pips. This combination is slightly above the industry average.

Pros
  • Diverse account types.
  • Multiple crypto CFDs.
  • Top-tier regulation.
Cons
  • High spreads for some instruments.

Best Trading Platforms Selection

"DFSA: Pepperstone Financial Services (DIFC) Limited is registered in the Dubai International Financial Centre (‘DIFC’) and is regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (‘DFSA’) under license number F004356 to arrange deals in investments. Pepperstone Financial Services (DIFC) Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of Pepperstone Group Limited which is licensed and regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission under AFSL 414530. Pepperstone Group Limited is the product issuer. All client money is held by Pepperstone Group Limited in segregated accounts in accordance with ASIC regulations. By clicking ""Register"", you agree to the terms of the DIFC Privacy Policy and the AU Privacy Policy. Already a client? Login here. CMA: Risk Warning: Trading FX and CFDs is risky. For more information please see our legal documents here. Pepperstone Markets Kenya Limited is registered at 2nd Floor, The Oval, Ring Road Parklands, Nairobi, Kenya and is licensed and regulated by the Capital Markets Authority, Licence No 128. By clicking ""Register"", you agree to the terms of the Privacy Policy. Already a client? Login here."
  • Min Deposit
    $0
  • Tradable Instruments
    1181
  • Fees
    Medium

Pepperstone, established in 2010 and headquartered in Australia, is regulated across seven jurisdictions, including four Tier-1 regulatory bodies, enabling it to cater to traders worldwide.

The broker complies with critical safety standards, operates with a commitment to ‘best execution’ practices, and maintains a stringent client categorization policy. Upon reviewing its legal documents, I found them to be transparent and free from significant discrepancies.

Pepperstone Entities

  • Pepperstone Limited, regulated by FCA UK, Tier-1, License Number – 684312, Max. Leverage – 1:30
  • Pepperstone GmbH, regulated by BaFin Germany, Tier-1, License Number – 151148, Max. Leverage – 1:30
  • Pepperstone EU Limited, regulated by CySEC Cyprus, Tier-1, License Number – 388/20, Max. Leverage – 1:30.
  • Pepperstone Group Limited, regulated by ASIC Australia, Tier-1, License Number – 414530, Max. Leverage – 1:30
  • Pepperstone Financial Services (DIFC) Limited, regulated by DFSA Dubai, Tier 2, License Number – F004356, Max. Leverage – 1:30
  • Pepperstone Markets Kenya Limited, regulated by CMA Kenya, Tier-3, Lecense Number – 128, Max. Leverage – 1:400
  • Pepperstone Markets Limited, regulated by SCB Bahamas, Tier-3, License Number – SIA-F217, Max. Leverage – 1:200

I was most impressed by the wide variety of platforms incorporated by Pepperstone. The broker offers widely popular MetaTrader 4 and 5 that afford easy order execution and automated trading via their Expert Advisors (EAs) feature.

The broker also incorporates the seamless TradingView and cTrader platforms featuring user-friendly designs and more advanced charting capabilities. Traders can use these platforms to gain more penetrating insights into price action behavior and conduct more probing technical analyses.

I tested Pepperstone’s fees by opening a ‘Razor’ account, which features a $3.5 single-turn commission (only for FX pairs) per traded lot (100,000 units) and raw spreads from 0.0 pips. I assessed that this combination falls marginally lower the industry average and is geared towards high-frequency trading.

Pros
  • Tightly regulated
  • Competitive trading fees
  • Wide variety of trading platforms
  • Extensive range of tradable instruments
Cons
  • Above-average spreads on the Standard account

Best for Tradable Instruments

Contracts for Difference (CFDs) are leveraged over-the-counter derivative products and carry a high level of risk to your capital. You should only risk capital that you can afford to lose. In certain circumstances, due to fluctuations in market value you may not get back your initial investment amount. You may not only lose your initial investment but you may incur a liability to pay a further amount to cover losses. This means you can lose more money than you have invested.
  • Min Deposit
    $100
  • Tradable Instruments
    8977
  • Fees
    Low

FP Markets was founded in 2005 and is headquartered in Australia. It has a couple of top-tier licenses and maintains excellent execution standards. The broker has a ‘best execution policy’, publishes regular execution quality statements, and achieves an average execution speed of under 40 milliseconds.

FP Markets Entities

  • First Prudential Markets Ltd, regulated by CySEC Cyprus, Tier-1, License Number – 371/18, Max. Leverage – 1:30
  • First Prudential Markets PTY Ltd, regulated by ASIC, Australia, Tier-1, License Number – 286354, Max. Leverage – 1:30
  • FP Markets LLC, unregulated, registered in St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Max. Leverage – 1:500

FP Markets offers more than 800 CFDs on instruments from different classes, both high-yield/high-risk assets, and lower-risk securities. We deem FP Markets best for instruments due to its access to deep liquidity, very low minimum deposit requirement, and incorporation of the iRESS platform.

I tested the platform, which offers access to over 10,000 global shares and has over 100 technical indicators and drawing tools, and found it ideal for stock traders. They can also benefit from FP Markets’ competitive pricing. The broker charges a $6 round-turn commission per lot on its Raw account and affords spreads starting from 0.0 pips. With an estimated value of trade (1 lot EURUSD) at $7, FP Markets’ trading costs are below the industry average.

Pros
  • Excellent execution standards.
  • Range of accounts and instruments.
  • Competitive pricing.
  • No inactivity fee.
Cons
  • No proprietary platform.

Best Low Spreads

Trading Forex and CFDs carries a high level of risk to your capital and you should only trade with money you can afford to lose. Trading Forex and CFDs may not be suitable for all investors, so please ensure that you fully understand the risks involved and seek independent advice if necessary.
  • Min Deposit
    $200
  • Tradable Instruments
    2245
  • Fees
    Low

IC Markets was founded in 2007, holds a couple of top-tier licenses, and offers a broad range of tradable instruments from different markets including FX pairs, commodities, CFD shares, indices, and more.

IC Markets Entities

  • IC Markets (EU) Ltd, regulated by CySEC Cyprus, Tier-1, License Number – 362/18, Max. Leverage – 1:30
  • International Capital Markets Pty Ltd, regulated by ASIC Australia, Tier-1, License Number – 335692, Max. Leverage – 1:30
  • Raw Trading Ltd, regulated by FSA Seychelles, Tier-3, License Number – SD018, Max. Leverage – 1:500

IC Markets offers commission-free trading and floating spreads from 0.6 pips on its Standard account and raw spreads from 0.0 pips plus a $6 round-turn commission per lot on its Raw account type. I also assessed that a typical value of trade on both account types – $7 and $7.5, respectively – stands below the industry average. Hence, I concluded that IC Markets has one of the most competitive pricing models in the industry.

I clocked IC Markets’ execution speed in under 66 milliseconds, which is better than the industry average. The broker also publishes regular execution quality statements and has a ‘best execution policy’. I thus determined IC Markets’ execution standards to be suitable for both high-frequency and high-volume trading.

Traders can choose between the popular MetaTrader 4&5 and cTrader platforms. The latter has lower commissions, a more intuitive design, and is generally more feature-rich. What I also like more about cTrader is that it gives me greater flexibility to scale price action up and down.

Pros
  • Fast execution speeds.
  • Very low trading fees.
  • Free VPS.
  • Reliable 24/7 customer support.
Cons
  • No third-party tools.

Best Forex Trading App

Trading CFDs and FX Options entail risk and could result in the loss of your capital.
  • Min Deposit
    $100
  • Tradable Instruments
    853
  • Fees
    Medium

AvaTrade is a multi-regulated broker with top-tier licensing and a diverse offering of instruments from different asset classes. The broker offers CFDs, futures, and options, allowing you to hedge against adverse volatility and exploit different trading opportunities.

AvaTrade maintains good execution standards – the broker has all the necessary documentation but does not state its average execution speed. All of these factors make AvaTrade suitable for traders wanting to practice tight risk management.

AvaTrade Entities

  • Ava Capital Markets Australia Pty Ltd, regulated by ASIC Australia, Tier-1, License Number – 406684, Max. Leverage – 1:30
  • DT Direct Investment Hub Ltd, regulated by CySEC Cyprus, Tier-1, License Number – 347/17, Max. Leverage – 1:30
  • Ava Trade Japan K.K., regulated by FSA Japan, Tier-1, License Number – 1574, Max. Leverage – 1:25
  • Ava Trade EU Ltd, regulated by CBI Ireland, Tier-1, License Number – C53877, Max. Leverage – 1:30
  • Ava Capital Markets Pty Ltd, regulated by FSCA South Africa, Tier-2, License Number – 45984, Max. Leverage – 1:400
  • Ava Trade Middle East Ltd, regulated by FSRA, Abu Dhabi, Tier-2, License Number – 190018, Max. Leverage – 1:400
  • ATrade Ltd, regulated by ISA Israel, Tier-2, License Number – 514666577, Max. Leverage – 1:100
  • Ava Trade Markets Ltd, regulated by FSC British Virgin Islands, Tier-3, License Number – SIBAL/13/1049, Max. Leverage – 1:400

AvaTrade’s multiple trading apps allow you to stay on top of your trading on the go. I downloaded AvaOptions and checked its usability. I found it quite easy to navigate and to learn.

I also checked how much it will cost you to execute a 1 lot trade on the EUR/USD and measured the value of such a hypothetical trade at $9. This is below the industry average. AvaTrade’s competitive pricing and the ability to implement tight risk management on the go make it an excellent choice for risk-averse traders.

Pros
  • Offers options trading.
  • Diverse account types.
  • Good range of instruments.
  • Multiple trading apps and tools.
Cons
  • Average execution speed not listed.
  • Compensation scheme not available on all entities.

Best Overall in the US

Forex trading involves risk. Losses can exceed deposits.
  • Min Deposit
    $250
  • Tradable Instruments
    82
  • Fees
    Low

tastyfx is new brand name of IG US that was launched in 2019 to bring margin-based foreign exchange trading to US citizens.

tastyfx Entities

  • tastyfx LLC is a registered RFED with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (Tier-1 regulator) and a member of the National Futures Association, License Number – NFA ID 0509630, Max. Leverage – 1:50.

In 2019, the industry leader expanded its operations in the US. The tastyfx LLC entity is licensed and regulated by top-tier authorities in the country (CFTC and NFA). I checked its legal documents and assessed that it adheres to the highest standards of transparency. tastyfx may cover any negative balance incurred by you, and it ensures ‘best execution.’

I also discovered that all trading fees, except for the rollover, are built into the spread. tastyfx’s floating spread starts from 0.8 pips and varies across instruments from different asset classes. Generally, I evaluated its fees to be below the industry average.

Additionally, I was impressed by tastyfx’s average execution speed of 15 milliseconds. This performance results from the broker’s DMA (Direct Market Access) execution model and access to deep liquidity.

tastyfx’s proprietary platform is highly customizable and suitable for high-frequency trading. It features multiple analytical tools and charting solutions. It was quite easy to scale up and down price action.

Pros
  • One of the biggest brand names in the industry.
  • Tightly regulated in multiple jurisdictions.
  • Has a best execution policy.
  • Competitive fees.
  • Versatile platforms.
Cons
  • Above-average inactivity fee.

Best Futures Trading Platform in the US

Trading with leverage comes with a high risk and may not be suitable for everyone.
  • Min Deposit
    $100
  • Tradable Instruments
    52
  • Fees
    Low

A giant of the CFD industry, Plus500 has recently expanded into the United States to offer futures trading via its state-of-the-art proprietary web platform and mobile app. Since launching in 2008, Plus500 is now available in over 50 countries and has 400,000 active clients. US clients can access futures contracts on forex, indices, commodities, bonds, and cryptocurrencies.

Plus500 (US) Entities

  • Cunningham Commodities, LLC d/b/a Plus500, is a Futures Commission Merchant registered with the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and a member of the National Futures Association (NFA ID number 0001398).

Authorized by two top-tier regulators and as a large publicly traded company with high transparency, Plus500 US earned a strong trust ranking from FXEmpire. I confirmed that client funds are held in an account segregated from the operating funds of the broker.

Plus500 US offers 13 forex futures contracts ranging from major currencies like the British Pound and Japanese Yen, to the Mexican Peso, an emerging market currency. I noted that mini and micro forex futures contracts are available in addition to standard-sized contracts. This gives traders greater flexibility and allows beginners with relatively small account balances to trade.

My hands-on tests showed that Plus500 US offers highly competitive trading commissions and minimal account-related fees. I experienced spreads as low as 0.5 pips in the Euro FX futures contract. The EuroFX commission per contract is $‪2.51 (including exchange and NFA fees)‬‬.

Plus500 US makes it simple for new traders to get started in forex futures trading with a low minimum deposit, a beginner-friendly platform, and helpful educational resources. During my assessment, the live chat support was among the best I have encountered. If you are a US trader looking to test out forex futures trading, Plus500 US might be a good fit.

Pros
  • Selection of futures contracts
  • Cutting-edge WebTrader platform
  • Feature-rich mobile app
  • Competitive commissions
Cons
  • No phone support

How to Choose a Well-Regulated Broker?

In this part, I will outline what traders need to consider when looking for a trustworthy broker.

How to Verify if a Broker is Regulated?

There are several things you can do to verify if a broker is regulated and by which regulatory body. When you open a broker’s website, you can scroll down to the bottom of the page to see the entity’s legal name. This is where it is stated who the regulator is. You need to look for a reference/licensing number, which you can then use to verify the entity by going to the regulator’s own website and checking its registry of authorized entities.

You also need to assess a broker’s transparency about order execution and whether it can be trusted not to manipulate price action. You need to check whether the broker has a ‘best execution policy’, publishes regular quality execution statements, and states its average execution speed.

How to Check Broker’s Protection Level?

To find a trustworthy partner, make sure that the broker’s entity you choose is tightly regulated and complies with all industry safety requirements.

I have broken down the most important safety mechanisms to look for in a broker below:

  • Segregation of client funds. Brokers must keep their clients’ funds in separate bank accounts from the ones used for their corporate capital. This is crucial for mitigating the risk of accounting errors.
  • Negative balance protection. Negative balance protection means that a trader’s losses cannot exceed their account balance. This protection is indispensable when trading high-risk instruments, such as Contracts for Difference (CFDs).
  • Limited market exposure. Limiting market exposure protects traders against adverse price fluctuations. That is why most top-tier regulators cap the maximum leverage allowed at 1:30, whereas less strict regulators can allow leverage as high as 1:2000.
  • Compensation scheme. Depending on the jurisdiction where a broker is situated, a compensation scheme may also protect its clients against the company’s credit risk and liabilities. For instance, brokers regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) participate in the Investor Compensation Fund (ICF). In the unlikely event of the company becoming insolvent, traders can be compensated by up to 20,000 EUR. The Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) – under The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the United Kingdom – protects traders by up to 85,000 GBP.

Check out our dedicated guides on Best CySEC-regulated brokers and Best FCA-regulated brokers.

What Protections do Regulators Mandate?

I have broken down all the essential safety requirements you can expect with a broker that is licensed and regulated by either of the following entities:

Regulator Country Tier Segregated Funds Negative Balance Protection Compensation Scheme Maximum Leverage
FCA UK 1 Yes Yes Up to GBP 85,000 1:30
CySEC Cyprus 1 Yes Yes Up to EUR 20,000 1:30
FINMA Switzerland 1 Yes No Up to CHF 100,000 1:100
FSA Japan 1 Yes No No 1:500
CBI Ireland 1 Yes Yes Up to EUR 20,000 1:30
FSCA South Africa 2 Yes No No 1:400
ASIC Australia 1 Yes Yes No 1:30
CSSF Luxemburg 1 Yes Yes Up to EUR 25,000 1:30
MAS Singapore 1 Yes Yes No 1:20
DFSA Dubai 2 Yes Yes No 1:30
SFC Hong Kong 1 Yes No Up to HKD 500,000 1:20
MFSA Malta 1 Yes Yes Up to EUR 20,000 1:30
FSC Mauritius 3 Yes No No 1:500
FSA Seychelles 3 Yes No No 1:2000
CBC Curacao and Sint Maarten 3 Yes No No 1:500
FSC British Virgin Islands 3 Yes No No 1:500
CMA Kenya 3 Yes Yes No 1:400
SCB Bahamas 3 Yes Yes No 1:200

Why do Execution Standards Matter?

A broker may have many top-tier licenses, but that does not necessarily guarantee the fast and precise order execution performance that you may require or expect. There is also the risk of price manipulation with less reputable companies where the broker might engage in fraudulent activities, such as driving the price down to hit your stop-loss orders. To protect yourself, you need to look for several things:

  • Best execution policy. Found in a broker’s legal documents, the best execution policy is a legal mandate that the broker will provide its clients with the most favorable price quotes under prevailing market conditions.
  • Quality execution statements. Also found in the legal documents, these statements underscore a broker’s execution performance every year. You can find information about a broker’s execution venues, the number of trades that were executed with positive or negative slippage, and so forth.
  • Average execution speed reports. More reputable brokers would also state what their average execution speed is, as recorded in the execution statement for the previous year. This is important, especially if you are a high-frequency trader because it will inform you what kinds of strategies can be used with a given broker.

Precision and speed of order execution are also likely to be enhanced when a broker provides Virtual Private Server (VPS) hosting. As a rule of thumb, look for brokers that can accommodate ultra-fast order execution speeds of no more than 100 milliseconds.

Read more about Best brokers with VPS.

Based on my experience as a high-frequency trader, I know how important quick and precise order execution is for implementing intraday strategies, such as scalping. I’ve also experienced price manipulation by less reputable brokers, so I can appreciate just how important to adhere to rigorous execution standards.

If a broker maintains a ‘best execution policy’, regularly publishes execution quality statements, and demonstrates an average execution speed below 50 milliseconds, it can be praised for its ‘excellent execution standards’.

How to Assess if Broker’s Trading Fees Are Competitive?

A broker may have several account types, each with different pricing mechanisms. The question is, how to know which one is best fitted for your particular style of trading? I will answer this question by providing an example with two distinct accounts, one STP and the other ECN:

The biggest difference between STP and ECN accounts, apart from the execution model, is the pricing mechanism. Usually, STP accounts afford commission-free trading and floating spreads, whereas ECN accounts have fixed commissions and raw spreads (typically starting from 0.1 pips). At first glance, the former sounds more favorable because you only have to pay one cost – the spread – rather than two.

Read more about Best STP forex brokers and Best ECN forex brokers.

Many brokers recognize the psychological significance of this sort of thinking and seek to exploit it by raising the spreads on their STP accounts to the point where they are no longer the more competitive option. I will now demonstrate how to do a quick test for yourself to evaluate the competitiveness of a broker’s ECN and STP accounts.

Pick an instrument, say, the EURUSD. Suppose also that the spread on the pair is 0.9 pips on a broker’s STP account and 0.1 pips on its ECN account. There is also a $6 commission for trading 1 lot (100,000 units) contract. If the EURUSD pip value is $10, you can do a simple calculation to determine the value of a hypothetical position on the EURUSD executed on both account types. The formula is the value of a trade = spread x pip value + commission. When we pop in the above values, this is what we discover about our hypothetical broker:

Account Type Spread Commission Net Cost
STP 0.9 $0 $9
ECN 0.1 $6 $7

This is just a hypothetical example, but hopefully, it illustrates how more can be less in trading. So it’s worthwhile evaluating the costs of a broker you consider opening an account with for yourself before doing so. And if you are still uncertain, you can always check out our database of reviews to sort out the most competitive brokers.

Check out our list of Best lowest spread forex brokers.

How to Choose a Trading Platform?

A trading platform is your window into the market. It allows you to observe price action behavior and study potential opportunities for placing orders. Technical traders use a platform’s array of indicators, drawing tools, and other features to examine various price patterns, changes in volatility, liquidity, and so on to gauge the most favorable times to enter or exit the market.

The best platforms are also the most versatile ones. They include a wide spectrum of technical indicators, such as Fibonacci retracement levels, oscillators, trend-based and range-based indicators, and others, as well as drawing tools, such as trend lines, channels, wedges, etc. They are also the ones that allow you to easily scale price action up and down.

The retail industry’s most popular platforms, MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, have established themselves as benchmarks for simplicity and reliability over the years. While they offer a decent range of technical indicators and drawing tools for multi-timeframe analysis, their rugged design becomes evident when compared to newer and sleeker platforms. Although MetaTrader is suitable for beginners, those seeking more advanced trading capabilities may require a sophisticated platform.

Read more about Best MT4 brokers and Best MT5 brokers.

In response, some brokers have developed their own proprietary platforms, which offer convenience and additional features not found in MetaTrader. These platforms allow for instrument search by asset class, easy scaling of price action, and execution of complex box orders. Ultimately, the choice of the best platform for you boils down to a trade-off between simplicity and practicality.

Check out our dedicated guide on Best forex trading platforms.

What to Avoid When Choosing a Broker?

Here is a quick rundown of some of the most important things to avoid:

  • Unregulated brokers. Trading with an unregulated broker exposes you to a higher risk of fraud or unethical business practices, as they are not bound by any regulatory standards or rules. Additionally, in case of any disputes or if the broker goes bankrupt, there might be no legal recourse or compensation schemes available to recover your funds.
  • Lack of client protection. Avoid brokers that cannot ensure more than two of the following: segregated funds, negative balance protection, compensation scheme, and maximum leverage for retail traders no bigger than 1:100
  • Low execution quality. Try to avoid brokers that cannot ensure more than two of the following: best execution policy, regular quality execution statements, and average execution speed under 100 milliseconds.
  • High spreads and commissions. Sidestep brokers with floating spreads from 1.8 pips or above on STP accounts and with round-turn commissions above $7 on ECN accounts.

How to Avoid Forex and CFD Scams?

Scammers rely on the gullibility of traders. A common tactic fraudsters employ is to promise quick and easy profits at no risk to the trader. Often scammers would use labels that closely resemble the brands of real and legitimate companies. That is why regulators like the FCA have registers where traders can read about such fraudulent companies pretending to be others.

The best and easiest way to protect yourself is to make sure you work with a trustworthy and transparent broker. You can find a comprehensive list of reliable brokers by jurisdiction here.

Another important consideration is online safety. Be cautious about where you leave your personal information. Registering your details on suspicious pop-ups that promise enormous profits could lead to your contact information landing on a scammer’s dialing list. Remember, no licensed broker would make unsolicited cold calls.

The next time you get contacted out of the blue with promises of becoming the next Warren Buffet, you must remember that you are most likely speaking to a scammer. In my opinion, nowhere is the “if something sounds too good to be true…” saying more accurate than in the world of trading. That is why you should do your due diligence before opening an account with any broker.

Our Methodology

Here at FX Empire, we have pioneered a unique methodology for evaluating Over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives brokers worldwide. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive picture of a broker’s pros and cons so that our readers can make informed decisions. We understand their need to choose the best partner for their particular goals and needs.

Our team of dedicated professionals is working continuously to improve our system and keep it up-to-date with current market trends. We test each broker systematically by employing over 250 variables across nine categories:

  • Trust
  • Fees
  • Account Types
  • Tradable Instruments
  • Platforms and Tools
  • Deposits and Withdrawals
  • Customer Support
  • Research
  • Education

We strive to be as objective as possible, which is why our rigorous examinations are devoid of any personal bias as much as possible. We review the licenses of all the subsidiaries of a broker and check the fine print in the Client Agreement. The reliability of a broker is further determined based on the regulation, fees, and general transparency of the website.

We collect essential information by opening a live account with a broker entity and testing its services in real time. We measure the spreads, swaps, and commissions on its most popular account type and compare our findings to the industry average.

We also test the functionality of the available platforms, the number and types of tradable instruments, the reliability of customer support, and the quality of the research and educational materials.

For this guide, we only considered brokers that are regulated globally and obtain several top-tier licenses. We made sure the brokers complied with most safety requirements, such as ensuring negative balance protection, segregation of client funds, capping the maximum allowed leverage, and providing a compensation scheme. Additionally, we preferred brokers that maintain high execution standards.

We abide by our strict guidelines for editorial integrity based on the objective standards we have set for our reviews. You can read more about our review process here.

Meet Our Writers

The team of forex and CFD analysts and editors at FXEmpire is composed of trading industry professionals and seasoned financial journalists. Our experts have been published on leading financial websites such as Investopedia and Forbes. In addition, they all have extensive trading experience.

Get to Know Our Authors

Dan BlystoneBroker Analyst

Dan Blystone began his career in the trading industry in 1998 on the floor of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Later Dan gained insight into the forex industry during his time as a Series 3 licenced futures and forex broker. He also traded at a couple of different prop trading firms in Chicago. Dan is well-equipped to recommend the best forex brokers due to his extensive experience and understanding of the brokerage industry.

Jitan SolankiBroker Analyst

Jitan Solanki is a professional trader, market analyst, and educator. He day trades major currency and index markets and focuses on swing trading US equities and commodities. A qualified Market Technician, Jitan also works with trader education and brokerage companies on various projects. These include market analysis, live trading events, and broker reviews. As an experienced trader and educator, Jitan brings all his qualities in action when reviewing and recommending brokers.

Plamen StoyanovBroker Analyst

Having been a retail trader since 2013, Plamen has gained an in-depth understanding of the challenges that novice traders face today. His expertise is swing trading and day trading with a heavy emphasis on psychological and fundamental analysis. Plamen’s favourite trading instruments include FX majors and gold. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Economics and International Relations. Plamen's broad experience has equipped him with the expertise to recommend the best forex brokers.

Vladimir ZernovBroker Analyst

In more than 15 years of trading in the financial markets, Vladimir dealt with a wide range of brokers and financial instruments. His career as a day-trader at a proprietary trading firm goes back to 2007. Later, Vladimir turned to longer time frames and became an independent trader and analyst managing his own portfolio. Using his experience, he helps traders find the best broker in his reviews.

A regulated forex broker is supervised and licensed by a financial authority, ensuring adherence to certain rules designed to protect investors. They offer transparency, segregation of clients' funds, dispute resolution, and adhere to risk management practices. Thus, trading with a regulated broker provides security against fraudulent practices.
Forex brokers are overseen by various regulatory bodies depending on the country they are based in. For instance, brokers that are located in Cyprus will be regulated by CySEC, brokers located in the UK will be regulated by the FCA, Australian brokers by ASIC, and so on.
The licensing info of a broker is usually displayed at the bottom of the main page. Additionally, you can check the Legal Documents section on the broker’s website.
Regulated forex brokers offer enhanced investor protection by adhering to rigorous standards for financial transparency, fair trading practices, and risk management. They secure client funds in segregated accounts and provide official channels for dispute resolution, creating a safer and more secure trading environment against potential fraud and unethical practices.
Top-tier regulators enforce stringent standards, including deposit protection schemes, fund segregation, and rigorous financial and ethical norms, along with formal dispute resolution mechanisms. In contrast, offshore regulators may have less strict requirements, which might increase risk for traders. Therefore, although not all offshore-regulated brokers are unreliable, trading with a broker regulated by a top-tier body generally offers more robust investor protection.
The exact criteria for obtaining a regulatory license can vary depending on the specific regulatory body. To obtain regulatory licenses, brokers typically need to demonstrate capital adequacy, segregate client and operational funds, and pass fit and proper tests for key personnel. Additionally, they must present a clear business model, implement effective risk management, maintain a robust operational setup, and commit to transparency and full disclosure. These standards ensure the broker's integrity and protect traders' interests.
Yes, you can generally trade with a regulated broker even if you reside outside of their regulatory jurisdiction. Many regulated brokers accept clients from around the world. However, there may be some restrictions based on the regulations in your home country. Some countries may have restrictions on forex trading or specific rules on trading with foreign brokers.
Regulated brokers often have higher operating costs due to compliance with regulatory standards, and these costs can sometimes be passed on to traders in the form of higher fees and commissions. However, this is not always the case. The fees and commissions charged by brokers can vary widely, depending on factors like their business model, market strategy, and the specific services they offer. Some regulated brokers might offer competitive pricing despite their higher costs, in order to attract clients.
It’s possible but highly risky and generally not recommended. Unregulated brokers lack oversight and accountability, offering no client protection or formal dispute resolution, and they may engage in unethical practices. The potential risks with unregulated brokers typically outweigh any short-term benefits like lower costs.
Based on our findings, Exness’ service is most tailored for beginners thanks to its intuitive proprietary platform, commission-free trading options, and rich collection of educational content.
With its superior execution standards and a broad range of platforms and instruments, we found Swissquote best for professional traders.
Yes, most regulators allow trading with crypto CFDs.
Technically, it is possible, but it's practically challenging for individual retail traders. Brokers provide access to the forex market and connect buyers and sellers on an international level, providing the necessary trading platform, tools, and leverage options.

About the Author

Plamen StoyanovBroker Analyst

Having been a retail trader since 2013, Plamen has gained an in-depth understanding of the challenges that novice traders face today. His expertise is swing trading and day trading with a heavy emphasis on psychological and fundamental analysis. Plamen’s favourite trading instruments include FX majors and gold. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Economics and International Relations. Plamen's broad experience has equipped him with the expertise to recommend the best forex brokers.

Why you can trust FX Empire

At FXEmpire, we strive to provide unbiased, thorough and accurate broker reviews by industry experts to help our users make smarter financial decisions.

Why you can trust FX Empire

FXEmpire was founded in 2011, making us one of the first forex broker review sites. You can trust FXEmpire because of our thorough and unbiased review process. With over a decade of experience, we have a team of industry experts who conduct rigorous tests to ensure our reviews are accurate and unbiased. Our reviews are designed to bring clarity and confidence to the process of choosing a broker, and are based on objective criteria and measurable data. Our editorial team is composed of trading industry professionals and seasoned financial journalists, who ensure that our reviews are accurate and unbiased. Additionally, our review system is based on 9 core categories and over 250 distinct variables, which ensures that all aspects of a broker are considered before giving a final rating. So, you can trust FXEmpire to provide you with honest and informative reviews that will help you make an informed decision on which broker will best enable you to reach your financial goals.