Note: Oval X (ETX)s services have now been discontinued.

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.

General Information

What is Oval X？

ETX have completed a re-branding exercise and it is called “Oval X”. Oval X is a trading brand of Monecor (London) Limited, company registration number 00851820. As a member firm of the London Stock Exchange, Monecor (London) Limited is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Financial Services Registration Number. 124721), however, it is a suspicious clone.

In the following article, we will analyze the characteristics of this broker from various aspects, providing you with simple and organized information. If you are interested, please read on. At the end of the article, we will also briefly make a conclusion so that you can understand the broker's characteristics at a glance.

Pros & Cons

Oval X Alternative Brokers

There are many alternative brokers to Oval X depending on the specific needs and preferences of the trader. Some popular options include:

• Z.com Trade - a reputable online broker with a user-friendly platform and competitive trading conditions, making it a good choice for traders of all experience levels.

• AETOS - a trusted broker known for its strong regulatory compliance, extensive product offerings, and comprehensive trading tools, making it a reliable option for traders looking for a diverse range of investment opportunities.

• Hirose Financial - offers a reliable trading environment, competitive spreads, and a wide range of trading instruments, making it a recommended choice for traders seeking a trusted broker with a solid track record.

Ultimately, the best broker for an individual trader will depend on their specific trading style, preferences, and needs.

Is Oval X Safe or Scam？

Based on the information available, Oval X is an unregulated broker with a suspicious Financial Conduct Authority (FCA, License No. 124721) license. Furthermore, there are reports of withdrawal issues and scams associated with the company. These factors raise significant concerns about the safety and legitimacy of Oval X as a trading platform.

Traders are advised to exercise caution and conduct thorough research before engaging with unregulated brokers, as the risks of financial loss and fraudulent activities are higher in such cases. It is recommended to choose regulated brokers that adhere to industry standards and provide a higher level of investor protection.

Market Instruments

Oval X offers investors a diverse range of tradeable financial instruments across various markets. Traders can access a wide selection of currency pairs in the Forex market, allowing them to participate in global currency trading. Additionally, Oval X provides access to popular stock indices, enabling traders to speculate on the performance of major equity markets.

The platform also offers a range of individual stocks, giving investors the opportunity to trade shares of well-known companies. Furthermore, Oval X provides access to Contracts for Difference (CFDs), allowing traders to speculate on the price movements of various underlying assets such as commodities and more. With this comprehensive offering of market instruments, Oval X aims to cater to the diverse trading preferences of its clients.

Accounts

Oval X provides two distinct account types that align with the trading platforms it offers. The first account type is the Trader Pro account, which is designed to cater to the needs of traders using Oval X's proprietary trading platform. The second account type is the MT4 account, specifically tailored for traders who prefer the popular MetaTrader4 platform.

One notable advantage of Oval X's account offerings is the relatively low minimum initial deposit requirement of $100. This lower entry barrier makes Oval X an attractive choice for new beginners in the trading industry who may have limited initial capital.

Leverage

Oval X offers traders different leverage options depending on the financial instruments they choose to trade. For currency pairs, Oval X provides leverage of up to 1:200, allowing traders to amplify their trading positions in the foreign exchange market. When it comes to indices, the leverage offered is 1:20, providing traders with increased exposure to a basket of stocks representing a specific market. For individual stocks, Oval X offers leverage of 1:5, enabling traders to potentially magnify their gains or losses based on their trading decisions.

In the case of precious metals like gold, Oval X provides leverage of 1:20, allowing traders to capitalize on price movements in this popular commodity. For silver, copper, and platinum, Oval X offers leverage of 1:10, giving traders the opportunity to participate in the market with enhanced trading power. It's important to note that while leverage can amplify potential profits, it also increases the risk of losses, and traders should exercise caution and proper risk management strategies when utilizing leverage in their trading activities.

Spreads & Commissions

Oval X offers competitive spreads on a range of financial instruments. For popular currency pairs such as EUR/USD, the minimum spread is as low as 0.6 pips and the average spread is 0.81 pips, allowing traders to access tight pricing and potentially reduce trading costs. Similarly, for other currency pairs like EUR/JPY, the minimum spread is 0.9 pips, providing traders with favorable pricing conditions. When it comes to indices, Oval X offers spreads of 1 pip for both UK and Wall Street indices, enabling traders to participate in the movements of these key markets with competitive pricing.

For precious metals like gold, the minimum spread is as low as 0.4 pips, offering traders favorable conditions for trading this popular commodity. The spread for silver is even narrower at 0.03 pips, providing traders with tight pricing on this metal. For commodities such as crude oil and natural gas, Oval X offers spreads of 0.03 and 0.02 pips respectively, giving traders access to these markets with low trading costs.

In terms of commissions, Oval X charges 0.1% per deal for UK and European stock trades, 2 cents per share for US major and minor stock trades, and 0.2% per deal for Australian stock trades. These commission rates are competitive and transparent, allowing traders to have a clear understanding of the costs associated with their trades.

Below is a comparison table about spreads and commissions charged by different brokers:

Note: The information presented in this table may be subject to change and it is always recommended to check with the broker's official website for the latest information on spreads and commissions.

Please note that spreads and commissions may vary based on market conditions and account type. It's always recommended to check with the respective broker for the most up-to-date information.

Trading Platforms

Oval X offers traders a choice between two robust and versatile trading platforms: MetaTrader4 and Oval X Trader Pro. The MetaTrader4 platform is widely recognized and highly regarded in the industry, known for its user-friendly interface, advanced charting capabilities, and a wide range of technical indicators. Traders can access the MetaTrader4 platform on their computers, smartphones, or tablets, providing flexibility and convenience in managing their trades.

On the other hand, Oval X Trader Pro is the broker's own developed trading platform, offering similar features and functionality to MetaTrader4. Traders using Oval X Trader Pro can also enjoy multiple chart types, a comprehensive suite of technical indicators, and customizable tools to suit their trading preferences.

Whether traders prefer the familiarity of MetaTrader4 or the tailored experience of Oval X Trader Pro, both platforms offer a seamless trading experience across different devices, allowing traders to access the markets and execute trades with ease and efficiency.

See the trading platform comparison table below:

Deposits & Withdrawals

Oval X provides its clients with a variety of convenient and secure deposit methods. Traders can fund their accounts using bank wire transfers, internet wire transfers, VISA/MasterCard/Maestro, UnionPay, e-wallets including Skrill and NETELLER, with no commissions charged for these transactions. This flexibility allows traders to choose the payment method that suits them best.

Oval X minimum deposit vs other brokers

When it comes to withdrawals, Oval X Capital offers its clients the benefit of 5 free withdrawals per calendar month for amounts over $100, ensuring that traders can access their funds without incurring additional costs. However, it is important to note that Oval X Capital incurs fees from the bank for processing withdrawal requests. As a result, if a client exceeds the 5 monthly free withdrawals, a fee of $25 per withdrawal will be charged. This fee applies to withdrawals made after the fifth withdrawal in a calendar month and ensures the sustainability of the withdrawal process while maintaining the convenience and affordability of withdrawals for most traders.

See the deposit/withdrawal fee comparison table below:

Customer Service

If potential clients or existing clients encounter some problems during their trading process, they can reach out to this Oval X through the following contact channels:

• Service Time: Monday to Friday: 7:30 am to 9 am - UK time

• Telephone: +44 (0)207 392 1434, +44 (0)207 392 1400

• Email: customer.service@ovalx.com

Or you can also follow this broker on some social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn and Telegram.

Overall, Oval X's customer service is considered reliable and responsive, with various options available for traders to seek assistance.

Note: These pros and cons are subjective and may vary depending on the individual's experience with Oval X's customer service.

User Exposure on WikiFX

On our website, you can see that some reports of unable to withdraw and scams. Traders are encouraged to carefully review the available information and consider the risks associated with trading on an unregulated platform. You can check our platform for information before trading. If you find such fraudulent brokers or have been a victim of one, please let us know in the Exposure section, we would appreciate it and our team of experts will do everything possible to solve the problem for you.

Education

Oval X places great emphasis on providing valuable educational resources to its clients. Through regular publication of webinars, blogs, news, and analysis, Oval X aims to empower traders with knowledge and insights to enhance their understanding of the market and refine their investment strategies. These educational materials cover a wide range of topics, including market trends, trading techniques, risk management, and fundamental and technical analysis.

Conclusion

Based on the available information, it is important to approach Oval X with caution. The lack of regulation and reports of withdrawal issues raise concerns about the safety and reliability of the platform. Traders are advised to thoroughly assess the risks associated with trading on an unregulated platform and consider alternative options that offer stronger regulatory oversight. It is crucial to prioritize the security of funds and ensure transparency when choosing a trading platform.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

General Information

Hantec Markets, one of the subsidiaries of the Hantac group, was established in 2008 in Australia as a new brand. Its business scope focuses on CFDs trading on forex, commodities, indices and bullion.

Demo account is available for practicing and trades can be executed on the world renowned MetaTrader4 and 5 platforms.

One exciting news is that the broker is decently regulated by ASIC (Australia Securities & Investment Commission) and FCA (Financial Conduct Authority), proving a certain level of liability and legality. What's more, the broker implements fund segregation and negative balance to protect customer funds.

However, the company charges several fees such as commissions, overnight fees, conversion fees, etc., adding trading costs.

Pros and Cons

Is Hantec Markets Legit?

Yes, Hantec Markets is a legitimate and regulated forex broker that operates under the oversight of reputable financial regulatory bodies. It is officially regulated by ASIC (Australia Securities & Investment Commission) and FCA (Financial Conduct Authority), with licenses numbering at 326907 and 502635 respectively.

Though its CGSE and VFSC licenses are suspected to be fake clones, but after investigation, the regulated entities are subsidiaries of the Hantec Group who has 19 offices around the globe, which means Hantec Markets does not necessarily duplicate these licenses.

Nonetheless, during the research, we found that the company holds a suspected clone license with number “関東財務局長（金商）第102号” from FSA (Financial Services Agency) as well. But the company name is “Gaitame Finest Company Limited”, not relating to Hantect Group at all. You should be vigilant about this alarming red flag since the company might deceiving clients in another company's name in some business areas.

Regulated Country	Regulator	Regulatory Status	Regulated Entity	License Type	License No.
	ASIC	Regulated	Hantec Markets (Australia) Pty Limited	Market Making (MM)	326907
	FCA	Regulated	Hantec Markets Limited	Market Making (MM)	502635
	CGSE	Suspicious Clone	亨達金銀投資有限公司	Type AA License	163
	VFSC	Suspicious Clone	Hantec Markets (V) Company Limited	Retail Forex License	40318
	FSA	Suspicious Clone	Gaitame Finest Company Limited	Retail Forex License	関東財務局長（金商）第102号

Market Instruments

Currency pairs, indices, commodities, metals, energies, stocks... Hantec Markets gives its clients access to a massive trading market. So, both beginners and sophisticated traders could find what they want to trade on Hantec Markets.

Account Type

Demo account: Hantec Markets offers a demo account for you to test a little on the financial market without the risk of losing money.

Real account: there are 2 types of real accounts in total: Cent account and Standard account.

The Cent account is said to target beginners who want to trade with less risks. The initial deposit requirement is affordable at $10, with spread starting from 1.2 pips. However, additional functions such as copy trading and demo account are not available with this account. You cannot practice before you start real trading or imitate trading strategies from successful traders.

While Standard account, with access to a full suite of Hantec features, also requires the same initial deposit of $10. Spread is tighter from 0.1 pips and copy trading/demo account is available.

In addition, there is a Swap Free Accounts that allows trading the following products without swap charges: EURUSD, GBPUSD, USDJPY, USDCHF, EURCAD, GBPCAD, EURGBP, CHFJPY, EURCHF, EURJPY, NZDUSD, AUDUSD, AUDNZD, USDCAD, GBPJPY, CADJPY, CADCHF, GBPCHF, XAGUSD, XAUUSD. However, if you hold a position for longer than one week in this account, a holding fee of 10 USD (or equivalent) per lot on FX and 30 USD (or equivalent) per lot on XAUUSD and XAGUSD per day will be charged.

Leverage

Hantec Markets offers a maximum leverage of up to 1:1000, which is a generous offer and ideal for professional traders and scalpers. However, since leverage can magnify your profits, it can also result in a loss of capital, especially for inexperienced traders. Therefore, traders must choose the right amount according to their risk tolerance.

Spreads and Commissions

Hantec Markets offers Forex trading with spreads starting from specified values for various currency pairs. There are no commissions charged for Forex trades. The spread type is floating, and the minimum order size is 0.01 lot. The trading conditions also include a stop-out level set at 40% of the used margin. Overall, Hantec Markets provides competitive spreads and transparent commission-free trading for Forex.

Trade major pairs like EUR/USD, GBP/USD, and USD/JPY:

EUR/USD spread: 0.00014898 pips

GBP/USD spread: 0.000213589 pips

USD/JPY spread: 0.022286942 pips

Hantec Markets offers precious metals trading with competitive spreads and floating spread types. Traders can trade gold (XAU) with a minimum margin requirement of 5% and silver (XAG) with a minimum margin requirement of 10%. The minimum order size for gold is 0.1 lot (10 ounces) and for silver is 0.1 lot (500 ounces). There are no commissions charged for trading these metals, and the trading hours are available according to the server time.

Hantec Markets offers CFD trading on a variety of symbols, including stocks. The spreads for stock CFDs start from specified values for each symbol. Additionally, there are no specific details provided regarding commissions for stock CFD trading.

Hantec Markets offers indices trading on various major indices in Europe, Asia, Australia, and the US. The spreads for indices trading start from specified values for each symbol. Additionally, there are no specific details provided regarding commissions for indices trading.

In terms of Commodity Trading conditions at Hantec Markets, both US Oil and UK Oil have a spread of 0.05. There are no specific details provided regarding commissions for commodity trading.

Hantec Markets offers cryptocurrency trading with competitive spreads on a range of popular cryptocurrencies.

Non-Trading Fees

Currency Conversion Fee:

A conversion fee may be applicable to trades based on the currency settings of your trading account, funding currency, and the settlement currency of the market being traded.

The conversion fee is set at 0.6% and is added to the settlement exchange rate, which is determined by the market rate at the time of settlement. To account for the conversion fee, the underlying exchange rate is multiplied by 1.006 during the conversion process.

For instance, if the GBP/USD exchange rate is 1.1, the applicable FX conversion rate would be 1.1 x 1.006 = 1.1066.

By default, CFD accounts are set to 'instant' conversion. This means that any realized profit, loss, funding, dividend adjustments, or commission will be automatically converted to your account's base currency.

Let's consider an example:

Suppose you have purchased £20 per point worth of FTSE (UK100), and the base currency of your trading account is USD. Since you are trading in GBP, which is different from your account's base currency, the related transactions need to be converted to USD.

Assuming the exchange rate is 0.7576 ($1 equals £0.7576), after incorporating the conversion fee of 0.6%, the conversion rate becomes 0.7576 x 1.006 = 0.7621.

If FTSE increases by 30 points, your profit would amount to £600. This profit will be reflected as £600/0.7621 = $787.30 in your account. To calculate the admin fee charged, multiply your profit by 0.6%:

$787.30 profit x 0.6% = £4.72 currency conversion fee (already included – not charged separately)

Overnight Funding (Swap charges):

Also known as the 'Swap' charge, this is the cost of holding a position overnight. The amount will be dependent on the size of your trade, whether you have a long or short position and the instrument you are trading. Swap rates are determined by the underlying interest rates of the products or currency pairs you have open positions in.

Trading Platforms

Hantec Markets offers two trading platforms for trades execution: the popular MetaTrader4 and MetaTrader5.

Both platforms are widely recognized globally for its robust functions, built-in charting tools and techinical indicatiors and customized interface. Traders can configure settings of the platform according to their own preferences.

You can acess these two platforms via web on any devices, or download apps from Windows, iOS, Mac and Android devices.

Deposit and Withdrawal

Hantec Markets provides multiple payment methods:

Credit/Debit Card: Accepts USD, EUR, GBP, and NGN with a minimum deposit of $25 by Visa, Maestro, UK Debit Cards; no processing fees apply, and payment details must match the account name.

Skrill: Allows deposits in USD, EUR, GBP, and NGN with a minimum of $100; no processing fees, and account details must match.

NETELLER: Supports USD, EUR, GBP, CHF, NGN, and AUD with a minimum deposit of $100; no processing fees, and account details must match.

China UnionPay: Supports all Mainland Chinese cards; no minimum deposit specified and no processing fees.

Withdrawals are made via the original funding method, processed within 2-5 working days, and must match the account holders name.

Customer Support

Hantec Markets prides itself on providing excellent customer service to its clients. Each client is assigned a dedicated relationship manager who serves as their primary point of contact for any queries or issues. The relationship manager can be reached conveniently through the live chat tool available on the website.

The customer support team is also available 24/5 and can be contacted by leaving a message in the “contact us” section of the website.

Alternatively, you can reach out to them through the live chat feature, which is located at the lower right corner of the broker's website. Additionally, you have the option to contact customer support via telephone using the following numbers:

China – 4000280332

Nigeria – 7080601265

Jordan – 18442000155

Thailand – 1800019263

Taiwan – 886801491458

Pakistan – 080090044349

Main Office (UK) – +41225510215

Please note that international numbers may incur toll fees.

Office Locations:

Hantec Markets' main headquarters is situated at 5-6 Newbury St, Barbican, London EC1A 7HU in the United Kingdom. For the addresses of their Dubai, India, or other offices, please refer to the Hantec Markets website.

Education

Hantec Markets offers a wide range of educational resources on its website to support traders in their learning journey. These resources include market reports, analysis videos, YouTube webinars featuring Nigerian and African traders, as well as podcasts. Moreover, there is a dedicated learning hub that provides valuable content across four experience tiers, along with lessons on strategy creation and risk management.

Conclusion

Overall, Hantec Markets is a well-established forex broker with competitive spreads, transparent commission-free trading, and access to popular trading platforms like MT4 and MT5. Traders can benefit from various trading platforms and a diverse selection of tradable assets. However, some aspects, such as limited information about certain commissions and the availability of Hantec Social platform, could be improved. Traders should carefully assess their trading requirements and preferences, as well as consider the associated risks and costs, before choosing Garnet Trade as their trading platform.

FAQs

Is Hantec Markets a legitimate broker?

Yes, Hantec Markets is a legitimate and regulated forex broker. They are authorized and supervised by ASIC and FCA.

What account types do Hantec Markets offer?

Hantec Markets offers demo accounts, Cent accounts, and Standard accounts. The minimum deposit to open an account is just $10.

What trading platforms are available on Hantec Markets?

MT4 and MT5.

What is the maximum leverage offered by Hantec Markets?

Hantec Markets offers maximum leverage of 1:1000 for international clients using the Cent Account and 1:500 for international clients using the Standard Account. However, for European clients, leverage is limited by ESMA regulations to 1:30 for major FX pairs, 1:20 for minors and exotics, gold, and stock indices, and 1:10 for oil and silver.

What deposit and withdrawal methods are supported by Hantec Markets?

Hantec Markets supports Bank Wire, VISA, MasterCard, Neteller, Skrill, and UnionPay.