3 Best Forex Brokers in Russia for 2024

List of Top Forex Brokers and Trading Platforms In Russia

Forex Trading Landscape in Russia

Forex trading is legal in Russia and regulated by the Central Bank of Russia. According to Russian law, brokers offering forex trading services within the country must obtain a license from the Central Bank. Currently, only a limited number of Russia-based brokers have secured this license.

However, international brokers can also offer their services to Russian clients. The Central Bank of Russia perceives their operations as external and, thus, not subject to the same regulatory constraints. Russian clients are required to report all foreign-based financial accounts to the tax authorities.

While engaging with international brokers is legal, the Russian government has blocked access to many of their websites. Despite this, Russian traders often bypass these restrictions using VPN services.

How Did FX Empire Select The Best Brokers In Russia?

To identify the best brokers in Russia, we used the FX Empire’s comprehensive 250-point rating system to find the leaders in each category. We focused on the following key features:

• We selected trustworthy and transparent brokers with an overall top score from our rating review system.
• We selected brokers regulated by top-tier authorities.
• We focused on brokers that offer low trading fees.
• We listed brokers featuring user-friendly platforms rich in functionalities.
• We prioritized brokers that offer localized services, including website and customer support in Russian, as well as locally preferred payment methods.

Our team of experts has identified each broker’s strengths and weaknesses using FX Empire’s comprehensive methodology. I subsequently used my 16 years of forex trading experience to examine and analyze all our findings, resulting in the selection of the best brokers for Russian traders across various categories. You can read more about it and how we conduct our tests here.

Now, let’s explore the selected brokers.

How to Choose A Forex Broker In Russia?

Use our guide to define the best forex broker in Russia according to your trading goals.

How to choose a safe forex broker in Russia?

The process of choosing a broker begins with learning where your potential broker is regulated. In our research, we divide regulators into three tiers: Tier-1, Tier-2, and Tier-3.

• Tier-1 regulators have strict oversight and impose certain limits on services offered to retail clients (for example, the leverage for retail clients is usually limited at 1:30). Such regulators usually provide access to investor compensation schemes. They also demand that brokers provide negative balance protection and keep clients’ funds in segregated accounts. Tier-1 regulators include CySEC, ASIC, and UK FCA.
• Tier-2 regulators also offer strict oversight but usually do not limit leverage for retail clients. In addition, investor compensation schemes are typically not available at Tier-2 regulators.
• Tier-3 regulators are offshore regulators that do not impose limits on leverage for retail clients and do not provide access to compensation schemes. FSA Seychelles and FSC Mauritius are among Tier-3 regulators.
• Unregulated brokers operate without oversight from any formal financial regulatory authority. Unlike regulated brokers, which have to comply with rules and guidelines set by financial bodies to ensure transparency and protection for traders, unregulated brokers are not bound by such requirements. Trading with an unregulated broker carries a high level of risk, including the potential for financial loss, fraud, or scams.

Traders should prioritize essential safeguards such as negative balance protection, segregated funds, and compensation funds, all of which offer reassurance in case of financial issues. It’s important to note that offshore regulators generally don’t enforce stringent leverage limits, offering traders access to high levels of leverage but with fewer protections. You should be aware that compensation schemes may not always be in place. Consequently, if a broker encounters financial difficulties, traders will likely have to navigate the situation on their own. Read more about best regulated forex brokers in our comprehensive guide.

Russia-based clients who want to use the services of international brokers will mostly have access to the offshore entities of such brokers. Typically, these entities ensure negative balance protection and maintain segregated funds for client security. At the same time, they offer a high level of leverage.

What fees should you focus on when choosing the broker?

Typically, brokers charge spreads, commissions, swap/rollover fees, and inactivity fees.

• Spread. It is the difference between the bid and the ask price. The higher the spread, the more you pay for the trade. In our rating system, we deem spreads below 1 pip for EUR/USD and 3 pips for GBP/JPY to be low. See our guides on the best zero spread and best lowest spread forex brokers.
• Commission. It is a fixed cost of entering the trade. Accounts that charge commissions usually offer lower spreads. For example, commissions below $3 for forex pairs and gold are considered low.
• Swap/rollover fee. It is charged when you hold a leveraged position overnight. Traders should pay extra attention to these fees if they plan to use swing trading strategies, which involve holding positions for several days or even weeks. A swap rate below 0.5 pips for forex pairs is considered favorable. Find the list of the lowest swap brokers in our detailed guide.
• Inactivity fee. A broker imposes an inactivity fee when an account remains dormant for a specified period. In this case, a certain amount of money is charged on a monthly basis. An inactivity fee below $10 is considered to be low.

How to choose the right account for trading?

You should understand the differences between various types of accounts.

• Demo accounts are used for practice without risking real money. Such accounts are highly recommended for novice traders making their first steps in trading. See our list of the best forex demo accounts.
• Spread-based accounts typically charge spreads and swap/rollover fees. These accounts usually represent a good choice for traders whose trading volume is expected to be relatively modest.
• Commission-based accounts charge commissions in addition to spreads and swap/rollover fees. Typically, such accounts offer tighter spreads. They are suitable for traders who anticipate a high volume of trading.
• On Islamic accounts, swap/rollover fees are not charged to ensure compliance with Sharia law. Check our guide on the best Islamic forex accounts.
• Professional accounts usually have a high minimum deposit and offer access to the high leverage that most professional traders are looking for.

How to choose a trading platform?

In today’s trading landscape, it’s common to find brokers offering platforms such as MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5. While these platforms come equipped with a range of tools, they’re typically more appropriate for traders with some experience. Beginners may find these platforms challenging initially and might need time to familiarize themselves with the complexities. Check out our dedicated guides on best MT4 brokers and best MT5 brokers.

Alternatively, some brokers offer their own proprietary trading platforms, designed with a broader range of traders in mind. These in-house platforms usually stand out for their ease of use and intuitive navigation, making them a more welcoming option for those new to trading.

The choice of a trading platform should align with your trading style, experience, and personal preferences. In my view, if you’re just starting out, you’ll likely be better served by a broker’s proprietary, user-friendly platform or mobile app. On the other hand, seasoned traders often lean towards the advanced functionalities offered by platforms like MT4 or MT5. You can also check out our dedicated guide on best forex trading platforms.

What leverage is available for traders?

Leverage provides traders with the opportunity to boost their profits through the use of borrowed funds. The higher the leverage, the greater your potential profits may be. However, leverage acts as a double-edged sword, as it can also magnify your potential losses. Therefore, I’d recommend beginner traders start with low levels of leverage to avoid the risk of substantial losses.

For traders seeking high-leverage options, FX Empire offers a list of the best forex brokers with high leverage, carefully selected to suit specialized trading needs.

Russia-based traders can open accounts with offshore entities of the brokers, so they will get access to high levels of leverage, like 1:1000.

What to avoid when choosing a broker?

Based on my trading experience, I have outlined the five things to avoid when choosing a broker:

• Failing to verify regulatory compliance.
• Overlooking broker fees, such as spreads, commissions, and swap rates.
• Selecting an account type that does not match your requirements.
• Neglecting to review the range of instruments provided by the broker.
• Avoiding direct communication with the support team before opening an account.

How to avoid forex and CFD scams?

To safeguard yourself against forex scams, follow these essential guidelines:

• Research and choose a reputable broker: Conduct thorough research to identify a broker with a solid reputation and a history of regulatory compliance. Verify its credentials and look for reviews or testimonials from reliable sources.
• Check the regulatory status: Ensure that the broker you selected is regulated by a recognized financial authority. This oversight provides a decent level of protection and ensures adherence to industry standards.
• Be cautious of unrealistic promises: Beware of brokers or investment schemes that promise guaranteed high returns or low-risk opportunities. Forex trading involves inherent risks, and legitimate brokers will not make unrealistic claims.
• Avoid unregulated entities: Steer clear of unregulated brokers or those operating from offshore jurisdictions with weak regulations. Regulatory oversight helps protect your funds and ensures fair trading practices.
• Understand the terms and conditions: Read and comprehend the broker’s terms and conditions, including fee structures, withdrawal policies, and any potential hidden costs. Beware of brokers that make it difficult to access or withdraw your funds.
• Use secure payment methods: Choose reputable payment methods that offer additional security layers, such as bank transfers or established electronic payment systems. Avoid dealing with brokers that solely accept cryptocurrency or other non-traceable forms of payment.
• Stay informed and educated: Continuously educate yourself about forex trading and stay updated on market trends and news. This knowledge will empower you to make informed decisions and identify potential scams.
• Trust your instincts: If something seems too good to be true or raises suspicions, trust your gut instinct and exercise caution. Take the time to seek advice from trusted financial professionals or consult with experienced traders before making any decisions.

And if you are still uncertain, you can always check out our database of reviews to find the most reliable brokers.

Our Methodology

FX Empire, with a history dating back to 2011, has established itself as a reputable authority in broker reviews. Our extensive experience in evaluating CFD brokers, spanning over a decade, has led us to develop a meticulous and comprehensive review strategy. Adhering to stringent guidelines for editorial integrity, we consistently uphold our commitment to deliver unbiased evaluations.

We follow a diligent protocol for our review process, integrating objective criteria and quantifiable data. This methodical approach allows us to generate a justified score that accurately reflects the performance of a broker. Our mission is to provide traders with thorough and unbiased reviews, empowering you to make well-informed decisions aligned with your specific needs.

To choose the best brokers for you, we rate them across nine categories and calculate a score that reflects their performance. The categories include:

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

We open accounts, test platforms, measure spreads, and chat with support teams to collect as much data as possible for each broker. Overall, we evaluate brokers based on more than 250 distinct data points. Every category receives a rating from one star (weak) to five stars (excellent). The broker’s total score depends on its performance in each of these nine categories.

For this guide, I focused on forex brokers that are best suited for traders based in Russia. I have given priority to brokers offering specific features, such as customer support and website accessibility in the Russian language, the availability of local deposit and withdrawal methods, as well as bonuses and promotions tailored to Russian clients.

We highlight each broker’s strengths and weaknesses, explain regulatory details, and share the results of our live tests of brokers’ fees, customer support, and trading platforms. To learn more about our review process, click here.

Meet Our Writers

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

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