Overview of eXcentral

eXcentral, founded in 2018 and based in South Africa, is a financial services company that has had its regulation revoked. The firm requires a minimum deposit of $1,000 and offers trading in Forex, commodities, and indices.

eXcentral provides various account types including Classic, VIP, and Gold, catering to different levels of traders. The company offers leverage of up to 1:30 and boasts competitive trading conditions with spreads ranging from 0.06 to 0.1 pip, without charging commissions.

Traders have access to both MT4 and MT5 platforms, popular choices for their robust features and user-friendliness. A demo account is also available for practice trading. Customer support can be reached via email at inquiriesaexcentral-int.com or by phone at +278 71 951005.

For deposits and withdrawals, eXcentral accepts bank transfers, debit/credit cards, and third-party payments. However, the revocation of its regulation takes about its credibility and the safety of client funds.

Is eXcentral Limited Legit or a Scam？

eXcentral, operating under the licensed institution OM BRIDGE (PTY) LTD, had its regulatory status revoked by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority in South Africa.

The company, which held the license number 48296 since June 6, 2017, was categorized as a Financial Service Corporate. The revocation of its license raises significant concerns regarding its compliance with financial regulatory standards and the overall safety and legitimacy of its operations.

The licensed institution is located at UNIT 6C3, 159 Rivonia Road Sinosteel Plaza, Morningside Ext 39 Sandton, and can be contacted at the phone number 27072 216 2542. However, given the revocation of its regulatory status, caution is advised when considering any engagement with eXcentral.

The reason for the revocation and the current operational status of the company would require further investigation for anyone considering their services.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

1. Diverse Market Instruments: Offers trading in Forex, commodities, and indices, providing a range of options for traders.

2. Multiple Account Types: Availability of Classic, VIP, and Gold accounts caters to different levels of traders, offering flexibility and tailored trading experiences.

3. Competitive Spreads: Claims to offer low spreads ranging from 0.06 to 0.1 pip, which can be beneficial for cost-effective trading.

4. Access to MT4 and MT5 Platforms: Both platforms are well-regarded in the trading community for their advanced features and user-friendly interfaces.

5. Demo Account Availability: Provides a demo account, allowing new traders to practice and get acquainted with the platforms without financial risk.

Cons:

1. Regulation Revoked: The revocation of its regulatory status by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority in South Africa is a major red flag, indicating potential issues with compliance and reliability.

2. High Minimum Deposit: A minimum deposit of $1,000 might be relatively high for beginner traders or those looking to test the waters with smaller investments.

3. Uncertain Operational Status: The revocation of its license raises questions about the current operational status and the safety of client funds.

4. Limited Information on Licensed Institution: Lack of detailed information about the licensed institution OM BRIDGE (PTY) LTD, including its website and email address, hinders transparency.

5. Potential Risk to Investors: Given regulatory concerns, there is a heightened risk for anyone considering investing or trading with eXcentral.

Market Instruments

eXcentral offers trading in a range of market instruments, which include:

1. Forex: This includes a variety of currency pairs, allowing traders to speculate on the changing values of currencies against each other.

2. Commodities: These typically involve trading in natural resources such as gold, silver, oil, and agricultural products. Commodities trading can be a way to diversify a trading portfolio beyond forex and indices.

3. Indices: Trading in indices involves speculating on the price movements of index funds, which represent the aggregated performance of a selection of stocks. Indices usually reflect the performance of a particular sector or the broader market.

Account Types

Classic Trading Account:

The Classic Trading Account at eXcentral is designed for entry-level traders, offering leverage up to 1:30. It features a 2.5 spread on EUR/USD and a $0.10 spread on Crude Oil, catering to those who prefer trading in major forex pairs and commodities.

This account includes negative balance protection, which can be a safety net for traders against going into debt. Additionally, it comes with free trading education, providing resources for beginners to learn and develop their trading skills.

VIP Account:

eXcentral's VIP Account is tailored for more advanced traders, maintaining the same leverage of up to 1:30. It offers narrower spreads, with 0.9 on EUR/USD and $0.06 on Crude Oil, which can be appealing for more frequent or experienced traders.

This account enhances the trading experience with added features like educational webinars, SMS MTE trading signals for timely market insights, and weekly account overviews for a regular summary of trading performance.

The VIP Account is a step up for those seeking more in-depth market analysis and educational support.

Gold Account:

The Gold Account at eXcentral is geared towards serious, committed traders, providing leverage up to 1:30. It offers competitive spreads of 1.8 on EUR/USD and $0.08 on Crude Oil.

Alongside the benefits found in the VIP Account, the Gold Account introduces a monthly account overview for comprehensive performance tracking and the services of a dedicated senior account manager for personalized trading support.

Exclusive one-on-one sessions are a standout feature, offering bespoke guidance and strategy discussion, making this account suitable for those seeking a highly tailored trading experience.

How to Open an Account？

Opening an account with eXcentral typically involves the following four steps:

1. Account Selection:

   Begin by choosing the type of trading account that best suits your trading needs and experience level. eXcentral offers Classic, VIP, and Gold accounts, each with different features and spreads.

2. Registration Process:

   Complete the registration form on eXcentrals website. This process usually requires providing personal information such as your name, address, contact details, and possibly some financial information to assess your trading experience and risk tolerance.

3. Verification (KYC Process):

   As part of the Know Your Customer (KYC) process, submit the necessary documents for identity verification. This typically includes a government-issued ID (like a passport or drivers license), proof of residence (such as a utility bill or bank statement), and possibly additional financial documents.

4. Fund Your Account:

   Once your account is verified, deposit funds to meet the minimum deposit requirement, which is $1,000 for eXcentral. Choose a suitable deposit method from the options available, such as bank transfer, debit/credit card, or third-party payment methods.

After completing these steps, youll be able to access the trading platform (MT4 or MT5) provided by eXcentral and start trading with the chosen account type.

Leverage

eXcentral offers leverage of up to 1:30 across its trading accounts, which includes the Classic, VIP, and Gold account types. This level of leverage allows traders to control a larger position with a relatively smaller amount of capital.

For example, with a leverage of 1:30, a trader can hold a position worth up to 30 times their account balance. While this can amplify potential profits, it also significantly increases the risk of losses, especially in volatile market conditions.

Therefore, it's important for traders to use leverage cautiously and understand its implications fully. Leverage is a powerful tool in trading, but it requires a good understanding of risk management to use effectively, particularly for less experienced traders.

Spreads & Commissions

eXcentral offers trading conditions with competitive spreads and no commission fees. The specifics of their spreads and commissions are as follows:

• Spreads

eXcentral advertises spreads as low as 0.06 to 2.5 pip, which is quite tight and can be beneficial for traders looking to minimize their trading costs.

For example, the spread for EUR/USD ranges from 0.06 pip in the VIP account to 2.5 pips in the Classic account. Similarly, the spread for Crude Oil varies from $0.06 in the VIP account to $0.10 in the Classic account.

Such low spreads are particularly advantageous for high-frequency traders or those who trade large volumes.

• Commissions:

The company states that it charges no commissions on trades. This means that traders don't have to pay a separate fee for each trade they execute, which is a cost-effective feature for active traders.

While these trading conditions appear attractive, especially for those looking to keep their trading costs low, it is crucial for traders to consider the overall context of the brokerage, including its regulatory status and reliability.

Trading Platform

eXcentral offers its clients two well-regarded trading platforms: MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5).

1. MT4 Platform: MT4 is one of the most popular trading platforms in the forex and CFD trading community. It is known for its user-friendly interface, robust technical analysis tools, a wide array of charting options, and support for automated trading through Expert Advisors (EAs).

2. MT5 Platform: As the successor to MT4, the MT5 platform offers extended features and capabilities. It supports more types of trading orders and has additional timeframes for analysis. MT5 also provides access to more indicators and analytical tools, along with enhanced charting capabilities.

Both platforms offer mobile versions, allowing traders to manage their accounts and trade from anywhere. The choice between MT4 and MT5 typically depends on the trader's preference, trading style, and the specific instruments they wish to trade.

Deposit & Withdrawal

eXcentral offers various options for deposit and withdrawal, including a specific minimum deposit requirement:

1. Minimum Deposit: The minimum amount required to open an account with eXcentral is $1,000. This sets a relatively high entry barrier, especially for novice traders or those who prefer to start with a smaller capital investment.

2. Payment Methods:

1. Bank Transfer: Allows for direct transfer of funds from a trader's bank account to their trading account. This method is typically secure but may take several days to process.

2. Debit/Credit Card: Offers a quick and convenient way to deposit funds using widely accepted cards like Visa and MasterCard.

3. Third-Party Payment: Accepts deposits via various third-party payment systems, which could include digital wallets or online payment services. These methods often provide quick and easy transactions.

Customer Support

eXcentral provides customer support through multiple channels, aiming to assist clients with their queries and issues. Customers can reach out via email at inquiriesaexcentral-int.com, offering a direct line of communication for support, queries, or feedback.

Additionally, they provide phone support at +278 71 951005, which can be beneficial for immediate assistance or for discussing more complex issues. The availability of these support options suggests a commitment to maintaining accessible customer service.

Conclusion

In summary, eXcentral, based in South Africa and founded in 2018, offers Forex, commodities, and indices trading on both the MT4 and MT5 platforms, with account options including Classic, VIP, and Gold. They provide leverage up to 1:30 and competitive spreads with no commission fees.

However, a significant concern is their revoked regulatory status, which poses serious questions about the firm's credibility and the safety of client investments.

While they offer a minimum deposit of $1,000 and multiple channels for customer support, potential clients should approach with caution and thoroughly evaluate the risks due to the regulatory concerns.

FAQs

Q:What trading platforms does eXcentral offer？

A:eXcentral provides the MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5) platforms for trading.

Q:What is the minimum deposit required to open an account with eXcentral？

A:The minimum deposit required to open an account with eXcentral is $1,000.

Q:What types of trading accounts does eXcentral offer？

A:eXcentral offers three types of accounts: Classic, VIP, and Gold, each with different features and spreads.

Q:What leverage does eXcentral offer？

A:eXcentral offers leverage up to 1:30 across all its trading accounts.

Q:How can I deposit or withdraw funds from eXcentral？

A:Deposits and withdrawals can be made via bank transfer, debit/credit card, or third-party payment methods.

Q:How can I contact eXcentral's customer support？

A:Customer support can be reached via email at inquiriesaexcentral-int.com or by phone at +278 71 951005.

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.