ActivTrades Information

Founded in 2001, ActivTrades is a brokerage firm, headquartered in London, with offices in Milan, Nassau, and Sofia. It initially focused on the forex business and then gradually expanded its product ranges, providing trading conditions and service support for clients in more than 140 countries. The company is regulated byFCA (UK) and SCB (Offshore, Bahamas) and offers a range of trading instruments, including Currencies, Commodities, Indices, Shares, Bonds and ETFs. ActivTrades also provides its clients with a variety of trading platforms, including the popular MetaTrader 4 and 5 platforms, as well as its proprietary platform, ActivTrader.

Pros & Cons

ActivTrades offers a good range of trading instruments, is regulated by a reputable financial authority, and offers various account types with negative balance protection and segregated accounts.

However, some clients have reported issues with trading platform stability.

Is ActivTrades Legit?

ActivTrades is regulated by both the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the United Kingdom and the Securities Commission of the Bahamas (SCB).

The FCA regulation ensures strict adherence to financial standards and integrity within the UK as a Market Maker. Additionally, SCB regulation allows ActivTrades to hold a Retail Forex License in the Bahamas, providing broader international service under reliable oversight.

Market Instruments

At ActivTrades, you can trade over 1,000 different CFD instruments across 6 asset classes, including Currencies, Commodities, Indices, Shares, Bonds and ETFs. This provides clients with a diversified portfolio and the opportunity to trade a range of different assets.

Accounts

Traders can open either an Individual Account (which allows them to trade small and micro lots) or a Professional Account (minimum financial portfolio size of $500,000, Dedicated Account Manager) with ActivTrades. Beginner traders can test out the trading interface and get a feel for how the broker works with a free demo account. People who adhere to Sharia law can choose from two more account options: an Islamic (Swap-Free) Account.

Leverage

Leverage is capped at 1:30 in line with the EMSA regulations, the maximum leverage is 1:30 for currency pairs, 1:20 for indices and shares, 1:10 for commodities and 1:5 for cryptocurrencies. While only the Pro account holders can enjoy the maximum leverage of 1:400.

It is important to keep in mind that the greater the leverage, the greater the risk of losing your deposited capital. The use of leverage can both work in your favour and against you.

Spreads & Commissions

ActivTrades' currency spreads begin at 0.5 pips, and its spreads on indices and financial CFDs are also 0.5 pips, both of which are competitively cheap.

It's also important to note that this is not a situation that can be fixed overnight (the underlying Futures price already accounts for the adjustment). Commissions for trading shares as CFDs begin at €1 per side, whereas spread betting on shares incurs no fees beyond 0.10% of the transaction value.

Trading Platforms

ActivTrades also stands out due to its platform selection, which features not only the company's proprietary platform - ActivTrader but also the popular MT4 and MT5 platforms, as well as a set of unique Add-Ons.

• Web Trading

The ActiveTrades trading platform is web-based, allowing trades to be made directly in the browser; it also has a dedicated app for the iPhone and iPad. The platform has an easy-to-use design but advanced functionality, such as access to more than 90 technical analysis indicators, for seasoned traders of all trading types.

• ActivTrader

The upgraded ActivTrader platform incorporates cutting-edge tools and features to provide a revolutionary trading environment. You can gain exposure to the Forex, Commodities, Financial & Indices, Shares, and Exchange-Traded Funds markets and trade over a thousand CFDs.

• MetaTrader4

ActivTrades' desktop trading platform MT4 is available to those who prefer a more traditional trading experience. In addition, the technology has been upgraded in accordance with the firm's security standards, and the use of sophisticated charts has made it possible to automate the tactics using EAs.

• MetaTrader5

New and improved features take online trading to a whole new level in MetaTrader5. More than 450 CFDs on equities with diverse characteristics and the option to auto-trade are available on the platform, and trading statements are seamlessly integrated.

Deposits & Withdrawals

ActivTrades accepts deposits via Bank Transfers, Credit/Debit cards, Neteller, Skrill, Sofort, and PayPal, while only Sofort is excluded from withdrawal methods.

Base Currencies:

EUR, USD, GBP or CHF

The minimum deposit is as high as $500.

ActivTrades minimum deposit vs other brokers

Deposits via credit/debit card UK&EEA are charged 0.5% fees, while credit/debit card non-EEA are charged 1.5% fees. Other deposits and all withdrawals are free of charge.

Most deposits are said to take 30 minutes (except for Bank Transfer deposits are processed on the same working day), while all withdrawals can be processed on the same working day.

More details can be found in the table below:

Customer Service

ActivTrades offers 24/5 multilingual customer service via live chat, telephone: +44 (0) 207 6500 567, +44 (0) 207 6500 500, email: englishdesk@activtrades.com, institutional_en@activtrades.com, request a callback, or messaging online. Help Center is also available. You can also follow this broker on social networks such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Company address: The Loom 2.5, 14 Gower's Walk, London, E1 8PY.

Education

ActivTrades provides comprehensive educational resources organized by subject, including webinars, seminars, manuals, news & analysis. In addition, you get access to a demo account, robust analytical and technical analysis tools within the platforms and exclusive add-ons that will help you study and trade more effectively.

Conclusion

As a whole, ActivTrades is a regulated broker that provides a wide range of trading instruments and platforms. The company offers several account types and has competitive trading fees with low spreads. The broker also provides negative balance protection and segregated client accounts.

However, ActivTrades has some negative reviews from clients regarding trading platform. Additionally, the broker charges deposit fees for some payment methods. Overall, ActivTrades may be a good option for experienced traders who prioritize low trading fees and a variety of trading instruments.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Risk Warning

Online trading involves significant risk, and you may lose all of your invested capital. It is not suitable for all traders or investors. Please ensure that you understand the risks involved and note that the information contained in this article is for general information purposes only.

It is important to note that the information provided in this review may be subject to change due to the constant updating of the company's services and policies. In addition, the date on which this review was generated may also be an important factor to consider, as information may have changed since then. Therefore, readers are advised to always verify updated information directly with the company before making any decision or taking any action. Responsibility for the use of the information provided in this review rests solely with the reader.

In this review, if there is a conflict between the image and the text content, the text content should prevail. However, we recommend that you open the official website for further consultation.

Pros and cons of IronFX

Pros:

• Wide range of trading instruments including Forex, Metals, Shares, Futures and Cryptocurrencies.

• Multiple account types including STP/ECN, Zero Spread and VIP accounts.

• Various deposit and withdrawal methods with no fees from IronFX's side.

• Availability of Islamic accounts for traders adhering to Shariah law.

• Customer support is available 24/5 via phone and email.

Cons:

• Educational resources are not available, which may be a disadvantage for beginner traders.

• The maximum leverage is limited to 1:30, which may not be suitable for high-risk traders seeking higher leverage.

• Limited regulatory oversight, with the company being regulated by only one top-tier regulator.

• High commissions for some account types and instruments, which may result in higher trading costs for traders.

• Limited availability in certain countries, which may restrict access for some potential clients.

What type of broker is IronFX？

IronFX is a Market Making (MM) broker, which means that it acts as a counterparty to its clients in trading operations. That is, instead of connecting directly to the market, IronFX acts as an intermediary and takes the opposite position to its clients. As such, it can offer faster order execution speed, tighter spreads and greater flexibility in terms of the leverage offered. However, this also means that IronFX has a certain conflict of interest with their clients, as their profits come from the difference between the bid and ask price of assets, which could lead to them making decisions that are not necessarily in the best interests of their clients. It is important for traders to be aware of this dynamic when trading with IronFX or any other MM broker.

What is IronFX？

IronFX is a global online trading platform that provides access to forex, stocks, metals, commodities, and indices. Founded in 2010, IronFX is regulated by multiple financial authorities and provides clients with access to various trading platforms, including MetaTrader 4 and WebTrader. The company offers a range of account types, trading tools, and educational resources to cater to the needs of traders with different levels of experience. IronFX has won numerous awards for its products and services, including Best FX Broker, Best Trading Platform, and Best Customer Service Provider.

In the following article, we will analyze the characteristics of this broker in all its dimensions, providing you with easy and well-organized information. If you are interested, read on.

Is IronFX Safe？

IronFX, operated by Notesco Financial Services Ltd in Cyprus, is currently regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CYSEC), holding an Market Making (MM) License, with license no. 125/10.

IronFX's UK entity, NOTESCO UK Limited, is currently regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK, holding an STP license under license no.585561.

Market instruments

IronFX offers access to 500 trading instruments from 6 asset classes, covering forex, metals, indices, commodities, futures, and shares. With over 80 currency pairs, including major, minor, and exotic pairs, IronFX provides access to a range of global markets. While some traders may find the number of available instruments overwhelming, this variety provides numerous trading options and the opportunity to capitalize on different market trends. However, some instruments may have low liquidity, leading to wider bid-ask spreads, and high volatility, leading to greater risk exposure. Additionally, trading a large number of instruments may require a greater amount of research and analysis, and some instruments may have high margin requirements, leading to greater risk and capital requirements.

Spreads and commissions for trading with IronFX

IronFX offers a range of spreads, commissions, and other costs depending on the account type and instrument traded. For example, the live floating spreads of EURUSD in VIP account can be as low as 0.6 pips, which is highly competitive. Additionally, IronFX provides competitive commissions for certain account types, such as $10 per lot on STP/ECN Zero Spread account for trading EURUSD. On the other hand, IronFX lacks transparency in providing information on minimum deposit and swap rates, which may be a disadvantage for traders. Additionally, the lack of information on other trading costs such as slippage or overnight fees may be a drawback for traders who want to accurately assess the total cost of trading with IronFX. Despite these drawbacks, IronFX offers a wide range of instruments to trade, providing traders with multiple options to diversify their portfolio.

Promotions & Bonuses

Iron FX is hosting a trading competition running from April 1, 2024, to June 30, 2024, with a massive $500,000 prize pool up for grabs. Traders can participate by opening a competition account and meeting the minimum deposit requirement for each round. The competition provides an opportunity for traders to showcase their skills and compete for substantial cash prizes. Detailed information regarding the competition, including rules, prize structure, and registration process, is available on the Iron FX official website.

Trading Accounts

IronFX seems to offer an innovative yet professional account structure to its traders.

For live floating or live fixed spreads trading, Iron FX offers Standard, Premium, VIP, and Live Zero Fixed Spread accounts for CFDs across forex, metals, indices, commodities, futures, and shares (except Live Zero). Minimum lot size is 0.01 with multiple base currencies. Spreads range from 1.6 pips (Standard) to 1.2 pips (VIP) floating or fixed (Live Zero) with/without commissions. Leverage up to 1000:1, 20%/50% stop-out, swap-free options available. All accounts include dedicated account managers, dealing desk support, and 24/5 assistance.

For traders who want to try the STP or ECN model, three specilized account options are on offer: No commission, Zero Spread, and Absolute Zero. These accounts provide access to CFDs on forex, metals, indices, and commodities, with a minimum lot size of 0.01. Base currency options include USD, EUR, JPY, GBP, and BTC.

The No Commission account features spreads starting from 0.9 pips without any commission charges. Conversely, the Zero Spread account has zero spreads but includes commissions on trades. The Absolute Zero account combines the best of both worlds, offering zero spreads and no commissions, albeit with a lower leverage cap of 200:1 compared to 500:1 for the other two account types.

Trading Platform(s) that IronFX offers

IronFX's trading platforms cater to various trader preferences, offering a range of web-based, mobile, and social trading solutions. The MT4 platform provides advanced functionality, while the WebTrader and Web App offer user-friendly interfaces. The VPS service ensures continuous trading capabilities, and the mobile app allows for on-the-go access. Additionally, the PAMM and TradeCopier features facilitate social trading and strategy copying, providing traders with opportunities to learn from and follow successful peers.

MetaTrader 4 and WebTrader

• MetaTrader 4 (MT4) - The industry-standard platform offering advanced charting, technical analysis tools, Expert Advisors (EAs), and customizable interfaces.

• WebTrader - IRON FX's proprietary web-based platform providing a user-friendly interface and access to various trading instruments.

• VPS (Virtual Private Server) - Allows traders to run automated trading strategies and EAs on a dedicated virtual server, ensuring continuous connectivity.

• PAMM (Percent Allocation Management Module) - Allows traders to allocate funds to successful money managers and participate in their trading strategies.

Mobile Apps:

• New mobile app (iOS and Android) - IRON FX's newly launched mobile application, enabling traders to monitor their accounts, place trades, and access real-time market data on-the-go.

• Web App - The next generation, web-based Web Trader app is a powerful app that is easy to use and syncs effortlessly with the MT4 platform.

Social Trading Features:

• TradeCopier - A social trading feature that enables traders to automatically copy the trades of other successful traders, mirroring their strategies and positions.

Maximum Leverage of IronFX

IronFX offers a maximum leverage of up to 1:30, which allows traders to increase potential profits with a smaller initial investment and provides flexibility to trade larger positions. However, high leverage can increase potential losses, and requires strict risk management and trading discipline to avoid margin calls and account liquidation. Although leverage can offer opportunities for diversification and risk management, it is not suitable for all traders, especially beginners who may not have a solid understanding of leverage. Therefore, traders must carefully consider their risk appetite and experience level before deciding to trade with leverage.

Deposit and Withdrawal: Methods & Fees

IronFX offers a variety of deposit and withdrawal options for traders. Bank wire transfers have no deposit fees, but may be subject to corresponding and intermediary bank fees. Credit/debit card deposits have a maximum transaction amount of USD 50,000 per transaction and no fees, but withdrawals may have fees up to EUR 1.5 per transaction. Skrill and Neteller deposits have a maximum transaction amount of USD 50,000 per transaction and no fees, but withdrawals have a maximum transaction amount of USD 50,000 per transaction and Neteller withdrawals have a minimum fee of USD 1.00 per transaction. DotPay withdrawals have a maximum transaction amount of PLN 200,000 with no associated withdrawal fees.

Deposit

Withdrawal

Educational Resources in IronFX

Iron FX offers a comprehensive educational suite including VIP market analysis, webinars, seminars, podcasts, trading psychology resources, financial news, video tutorials, and an economic calendar. These rich educational resources can potentially help traders seek knowledge enhancement across various topics, strategies, market updates, and psychological aspects of trading, ensuring a well-rounded learning experience for all skill levels.

Customer Service of IronFX

IronFX offers customer care services through email support and a support line that is available to answer calls 24/5. Customers can expect to receive a response within 24 hours during business days when they send an email to the support team. However, there is no live chat support available, and customer care services are not available 24/7. Also, the language support provided is limited, which may be a disadvantage for some customers.

Conclusion

Overall, IronFX is a well-established and regulated online brokerage firm offering a wide range of trading instruments, including forex, metals, indices, commodities, and shares, to its clients. The company offers multiple account types and trading platforms, catering to the needs of different types of traders. It also provides its clients with access to various deposit and withdrawal options, as well as a dedicated customer support team. However, the lack of educational resources and limited research tools may make it less suitable for novice traders. Additionally, the high minimum deposit requirement and relatively high fees may make it less accessible for some traders. Nonetheless, IronFX's strong regulation, multiple trading instruments, and flexible account options make it a competitive choice for experienced traders.

Frequently asked questions about IronFX ( FAQs)

Is Iron FX suitable for beginners？

IronFX can be a decent starting point for beginners. This broker provides educational resources and a user-friendly platform (MetaTrader 4).

Is Iron FX safe to trade with？

IronFX can be safe if you use their entities regulated by UK's FCA, Cyprus' CySEC or South Africa's FSCA. But check forex broker safety ratings before starting.

Does Iron FX offer some unique features？

IronFX offers a social trading platform (“Tradecopier”) to copy experienced traders, potentially helpful for beginners.