Overview of Interactive Brokers

Interactive Brokers, founded in the United States, offers a wide array of trading assets including stocks, ETFs, forex, bonds, options, and futures, providing traders with various opportunities across global markets.

However, risks have been raised about its legitimacy, with reports of the platform being identified as a suspicious clone. Traders are directly impacted by the platform's regulatory status, influencing oversight, transparency, and legal protections. Adherence to regulatory standards instills confidence among traders regarding the platform's reliability and security, while any suspicion or regulatory ambiguity may undermine trust and deter participation, emphasizing the importance of due diligence.

Is Interactive Brokers legit or a scam？

Interactive Brokers is identified as Suspicious Clone under various regulatory bodies such as the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the United Kingdom, the Central Bank of Ireland (CBI), and the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS).

However, the presence of “Suspicious Clone” designations in some regions suggests potential regulatory risks. Traders on the platform are directly impacted by the regulatory status, as it influences the level of oversight, transparency, and legal protections afforded to their investments.

Adherence to regulatory standards instills confidence among traders regarding the platform's reliability and security, while any suspicion or regulatory ambiguity may undermine trust and deter participation. Thus, traders are likely to favor jurisdictions where Interactive Brokers maintains clear and reputable regulatory standing, ensuring a safer trading environment.

What are Clone Brokers？

The prevalence of clone brokers is increasingly alarming, as deceptive entities exploit the names of reputable firms to lure unsuspecting clients into believing they are trading with regulated forex firms.

These fraudulent companies go to great lengths, even utilizing the license numbers of legitimate brokers, to deceive traders into opening accounts with them. Remaining vigilant is paramount to avoid falling prey to such scams. Additionally, these unscrupulous entities resort to aggressive tactics, akin to boiler room operations, pressuring clients into opening accounts or increasing their deposits.

It's crucial to heed the adage: if something sounds too good to be true, it likely is. Traders must exercise caution and conduct thorough research before engaging with any brokerage firm to safeguard their investments and financial security.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Wide range of tradable assets: Interactive Brokers offers an extensive selection of tradable assets, including stocks, ETFs, forex, bonds, options, and futures. This diversity provides traders with ample opportunities to diversify their portfolios and explore various investment strategies, catering to different risk appetites and objectives.

• Access to global markets: The platform grants users access to a broad range of global markets, enabling them to trade securities and currencies from around the world. This global reach allows traders to capitalize on international market trends, economic developments, and geopolitical events, enhancing their trading flexibility and potential for profit.

Cons:

• Identified as Suspicious Clone: Some users have reported instances where Interactive Brokers was identified as a suspicious clone, potentially raising risks about the platform's legitimacy and trustworthiness. Such allegations can undermine user confidence and deter participation in trading activities.

• Limited customer support options: Interactive Brokers may offer limited options for customer support, which can lead to delays in addressing user inquiries, resolving issues, or providing assistance when needed. This lack of robust support channels may frustrate users and hinder their overall trading experience.

• Potential for technical glitches: Like any online platform, Interactive Brokers is susceptible to technical glitches or system failures, which can disrupt trading activities, cause delays in order execution, or lead to inaccuracies in account information. These technical issues may impede users' ability to trade effectively and impact their overall experience on the platform.

• Risk of exposure to scams: Users may face the risk of exposure to scams or fraudulent activities associated with Interactive Brokers, such as clone brokers attempting to deceive traders. Falling victim to such schemes can result in financial losses and damage to one's reputation, highlighting the importance of vigilance and due diligence when engaging with the platform.

Market Instruments

Interactive Brokers offers a wide range of tradable financial instruments on its platform.

Traders can access a variety of assets including Stocks, ETFs, Forex, Funds, Bonds, Options, Futures, CFDs, Cryptocurrencies, Warrants, and Structured Products.

This extensive selection provides traders with opportunities to diversify their investment portfolios and pursue different trading strategies across global markets.

With access to such a broad array of instruments, traders have the flexibility to capitalize on market opportunities and manage risk effectively.

Deposit & Withdrawal

Interactive Brokers offers a variety of payment methods to fund your account:

• Bank wire transfer: This is the most common and preferred method. It's free for most currencies.

• ACH transfer: This is another electronic transfer option available for US accounts. It's also free.

• Check: You can mail a check to Interactive Brokers. However, there may be processing fees and delays associated with this method.

• Wire transfer from another brokerage: You can transfer funds from another brokerage account to your Interactive Brokers account. This may be subject to fees from both brokers.

• Bill pay: This option is available for US accounts only. It allows you to pay your Interactive Brokers account from your bank's online bill pay service.

• Third-party deposits: Interactive Brokers generally discourages and rejects third-party deposits due to potential fraud and money laundering risks.

There is no minimum deposit required to open an Interactive Brokers account. This makes it a good option for beginners who want to start with a small amount of money.

Customer Support

Interactive Brokers provides the following contact information for customer support:

1. Twitter: @IBKR

2. Facebook: Interactive Brokers

3. Instagram: Interactive Brokers

4. YouTube: Interactive Brokers

5. LinkedIn: Interactive Brokers

These social media platforms serve as channels for reaching out to Interactive Brokers for support and assistance. However, Interactive Brokers' customer support lacks efficiency and responsiveness. Traders often encounter significant delays in receiving assistance, with support tickets remaining unresolved for extended periods. Communication channels such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn are available, but their effectiveness in addressing customer risks is questionable.

Exposure

Users have reported a single instance of exposure related to a pyramid scheme complaint, which unveiled a potential scam on the Interactive Brokers platform.

The complaint alleges that the platform induced clients to participate in activities, promising withdrawal options upon event completion. However, upon attempting to withdraw profits, users encountered obstacles, including unexpected tax requirements not deducted from the platform. The inability to access funds and unresponsive customer service exacerbates the situation for affected users. Such exposure to fraudulent activities undermines trust and confidence in the platform, potentially dissuading traders from engaging in further transactions.

Conclusion

This instance of Interactive Brokers is suspected to be a clone operated by a company known as Interactive Brokers Group, Inc. Notably, this particular iteration of Interactive Brokers lacks regulation, posing potential risks for traders. Therefore, it is advisable for traders to refrain from engaging with this broker.

Overview of BUX Markets

BUX Markets, operated by BUX Financial Services Limited, is a regulated financial institution registered in the United Kingdom. It is authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) with license number 184333. The company has been regulated since December 2001, and its adherence to financial regulations is overseen by the FCA to ensure market integrity and investor protection. However, it is important to note that BUX Markets does not currently have a trading software available.

BUX Markets offers a diverse range of tradable assets, including indices, currencies, shares, ETFs, commodities, interest rates & bonds, and cryptocurrencies. They provide two types of accounts: retail and professional, with a minimum deposit requirement of $100. The broker offers a demo account for practice trading and various educational resources such as webinars, guides, and videos to support traders' learning.

The proprietary trading platform provided by BUX Markets is called “TradeHub®,” offering advanced indicators, charts, and one-click trading. The platform supports trading across multiple markets and is accessible on PCs, tablets, and mobile devices. Customer support is available through phone and email during business hours, and there is a trading desk for trade-related inquiries.

Pros and Cons

BUX Markets, operated by BUX Financial Services Limited, is a regulated trading platform based in the United Kingdom. It offers a range of tradable assets, including indices, currencies, shares, ETFs, commodities, interest rates & bonds, and cryptocurrencies. The company provides two types of accounts, retail and professional, with a minimum deposit requirement of $100. BUX Markets has a proprietary trading platform called “TradeHub®” and offers educational resources such as webinars, guides, and videos. Customer support is available via phone and email during business hours, and a trading desk is available for trade-related inquiries. While BUX Markets is regulated and offers a diverse range of trading options, it's worth noting that its spreads are not considered particularly competitive compared to other market participants.

Is BUX Markets Legit？

BUX Markets, operating under the licensed institution BUX Financial Services Limited, is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the United Kingdom. The company holds a Market Making (MM) license with license number 184333. The regulatory oversight provided by the FCA ensures that BUX Markets adheres to financial regulations and standards.

Market Instruments

BUX Markets offers a variety of market instruments for trading.

Indices: BUX Markets provides trading opportunities for various indices, including the UK 100 Future, Wall Street Future, US 500 Future, US Tech 100 Future, Germany 30 Future, France 40 Future, and other European and Asian indices.

Currencies: Traders can access the foreign exchange market through BUX Markets. They offer currency pairs such as AUDCAD, AUDCHF, AUDJPY, AUDNZD, AUDUSD, CADCHF, CADJPY, CHFJPY, EURAUD, and other combinations.

Shares: BUX Markets allows trading of shares from different countries. They offer shares in various market segments like the UK Blue Chip, UK Mid Cap, US Large Cap, France Large Cap, Germany Large Cap, and many more.

ETFs: BUX Markets provides access to exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that track underlying indices or commodities. Some of the available ETFs include Powershares QQQ Nasdaq, SPDR DJIA Trust, SPDR Gold Trust, SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust, Vanguard MSCI Emerging Markets, iShares FTSE 100, and iShares Silver Trust.

Commodities: Traders can participate in commodity markets through BUX Markets. They offer futures contracts for metals like gold, silver, and platinum, as well as energy commodities like US Light Crude Oil and Brent Crude Oil. Additionally, there are futures contracts for soft commodities like Feed Wheat.

Interest Rates & Bonds: BUX Markets provides trading opportunities in interest rates and bonds. Traders can access products like 3-Month Short Sterling Future and Long Gilt Future in the United Kingdom, and Bund Future, Bobl Future, and Schatz Future in Germany.

Cryptocurrencies: BUX Markets also claims to offer trading options in cryptocurrencies.

Account Types

BUX Markets offers two types of accounts: one for retail traders and one for professional traders. The minimum deposit required to start trading is $100, which is in line with the standard in the industry. Additionally, BUX Markets provides demo trading accounts that allow users to practice trading online using virtual funds. These demo accounts serve as a way for traders to familiarize themselves with the trading platform and the services offered by the broker, while also allowing them to test their trading strategies in a risk-free environment.

In addition to the retail account, BUX Markets offers a premium service targeted towards traders who may qualify as Professional Clients. Professional Clients are exempt from certain product intervention measures introduced by ESMA. To be classified as a Professional Client, traders need to meet at least two out of the following three criteria: having executed significant leverage trades at an average frequency of 10 per quarter over the last 4 quarters, possessing a financial instrument portfolio (including cash deposits) exceeding €500,000, or having at least one year of professional experience in a financial sector position that requires knowledge of leveraged products.

How to Open an Account？

To open an account with BUX Markets, follow these steps:

1. Visit the BUX Markets website and locate the “Start trading now” button.

2. Click on the “Start trading now” button to initiate the account opening process.

3. Fill in the required personal information, including your personal details such as name, date of birth, and nationality.

4. Provide your contact details, such as your email address and phone number, which will be used for communication purposes.

5. Enter your postal address to ensure accurate correspondence.

6. Proceed to provide the necessary financial information as requested by BUX Markets.

7. Share your trading experience details to give the broker an understanding of your level of expertise.

8. Finally, provide the required account details to set up your trading account with BUX Markets.

Leverage

BUX Markets offers leverage for different instruments based on specific ratios. For major currency pairs, the leverage provided is set at 30:1. When it comes to minor or currency pairs, the leverage ratio is 20:1. Odd currency pairs have a leverage ratio of 10:1. For gold, silver, and platinum futures, the leverage is set at 20:1. US light crude oil futures have a leverage ratio of 5:1, while Brent crude oil futures have a leverage ratio of 10:1. Lastly, UK, German, and other European bonds have a leverage ratio of 5:1. These leverage ratios determine the amount of exposure and risk that traders can take in their positions.

Spreads & Commissions

Nabtrade offers competitive spreads across various global markets, enhancing trading efficiency for investors. Key examples include:

• EUR/USD: Features a tight spread of 1.2 pips with a bid of 1.08796 and an ask of 1.08808.

• Gold: Trades with a spread of 2.0 points between the bid at 2,354.4 and the ask at 2,356.4.

• Germany 30 Rolling (24): Offers a minimal spread of 1.0 point, with a bid of 18,333.5 and an ask of 18,334.5.

These spreads reflect nabtrade's commitment to providing cost-effective trading options in forex, commodities, and indices.

Fees

Overall fees at BUX Markets are focused on keeping costs low to enhance performance. This includes minimizing spreads, rollover costs, and financing costs. Access to personalized customer service in London is provided free of charge, and there are no account charges.

Funding charges apply for overnight financing, typically at a rate of 0.0098% + ARR (0.0096% + ARR for GBP denominated assets). Long positions attract financing charges, while short positions may receive financial interest credited to the account. Cryptocurrencies may have significantly different financing charges, so it is advisable to review the specific details.

When futures are the reference market, BUX Markets charges only half of the bid offer for rollovers from one contract to the next. This means that the new position is only 50% of the standard spread for that market, reducing the cost for traders.

Inactivity fees are applicable if a trading account remains inactive for 180 days. After this period, an Inactivity Fee will be charged, and if the account continues to be inactive, the fee will recur in increments of £10 in subsequent periods of 30 calendar days. It's important to refer to the company's Terms and Conditions for more information, particularly regarding accounts held in currencies other than GBP.

Deposit & Withdrawal

Credit/Debit Card:

BUX Markets allows users to fund their trading account using both debit and credit cards. Deposits made through these payment methods are processed immediately. It is important to note that the name on the card must match the name on the trading account. Deposits made with credit/debit cards are generally free of charge, except for cards issued outside of the European Economic Area (EEA), which may incur a 1.75% transaction fee. However, BUX Markets only accepts card payments that are 3-D secure, which adds an extra layer of protection against online fraud. Additionally, it is worth mentioning that BUX Markets does not accept third-party payments to maintain compliance with its internal policies.

Bank Wire Transfer:

BUX Markets also accepts deposits through bank wire transfer in various currencies such as EUR, GBP, USD, SEK, DKK, SGD, and CHF. To initiate a bank transfer, the account holder's name should match the name on the BUX Markets account. It is advisable to include the account holder's name and trading account number as a reference to ensure smooth allocation of funds. For the first deposit in GBP via bank transfer, BUX Markets may require a copy of a bank statement or transaction receipt. Cash deposits are not accepted due to money laundering regulations. Similar to credit/debit card deposits, third-party payments are not allowed, and users should ensure they fund their account with their own funds. Bank transfers may take up to 5 working days to appear in the trading account.

Withdrawing Funds:

The process of withdrawing funds from a BUX Markets account is straightforward. If a withdrawal is requested using a credit or debit card, the funds are debited from the trading account upon receipt of the request. BUX Markets returns funds only to their original source. Withdrawal requests made after 12:30 (GMT) are processed on the following working day. The withdrawal process generally takes up to 5 working days to complete. While it is possible to withdraw funds via bank wire transfer, debit/credit cards are the preferred method, and cheque refunds are not available.

Payment Methods:

BUX Markets accepts various payment methods, including VISA, Maestro, Mastercard, bank wire transfer, and Klarna. There is a minimum deposit requirement of 100 GBP/EUR/USD for credit card deposits, while there is no minimum deposit requirement for bank wire transfers.

Trading Platforms

BUX Markets offers traders a proprietary trading platform called “TradeHub®,” which differentiates itself from the popular MT4/MT5 platforms.

TradeHub® provides advanced indicators and charts for market analysis and allows for one-click trading directly from the charts. The platform's lifecycle costs are presented neutrally, including spreads, funding, and rollover costs.

Traders can opt for variable margin levels, ranging from low to 100%, to manage risk. Notional value trades allow users to input specific amounts for trades, providing options to adjust positions based on individual needs, strategies, or investment goals.

TradeHub® supports trading across multiple markets and is accessible on PCs, tablets, and mobile devices through the iOS and Android app. The platform offers a 24-hour dealing desk and emphasizes fast and accurate execution. Telephone trading is available without charge. Personal client service is based in London to provide support and assistance to traders.

Trading Tools

The trading tools offered by BUX Markets encompass various features to support traders in their activities. One of these tools is the TradeHub® charting package, which allows users to trade directly from the charts. The charts in TradeHub® provide persistent indicators that apply to the new instrument when it is changed, maintaining consistency. Traders have the option to customize technical indicators' parameters according to their preferences and strategies.

The TradeHub® charting package also includes pattern recognition capabilities, enabling users to identify market patterns and trends. The charts support bid, offer, and mid-prices for different timeframes and instruments. Users can choose from a variety of chart types and studies to analyze market data.

The charting package is compatible with mobile devices, allowing traders to access and monitor their trades. Simple filters are available to facilitate quick and accurate searches. The charts are browser-based, eliminating the need for additional software downloads.

Educational Resources

BUX Markets provides educational resources to help clients enhance their performance in CFD Trading and Spread Betting. These resources include webinars, guides, and videos, which are available to clients at no cost. These materials can simplify the learning process and provide insights into BUX Markets' products.

Additionally, customers have access to expert client services teams based in London. These teams can offer further assistance and support to clients.

The educational resources cover topics such as Spread Betting and CFDs, and include frequently asked questions (FAQs), a glossary of relevant terms, and useful dates related to trading activities. These resources are designed to provide clients with information and knowledge to make informed decisions in their trading endeavors.

Customer Support

BUX Markets provides customer support services during regular business hours from Monday to Friday, between 8:00 and 17:00 UK time. Clients can reach out to the service team through phone or email for assistance with their inquiries. The company aims to respond to customer queries as promptly as possible.

For trade-related inquiries, BUX Markets offers support through their trading desk. The trading desk's phone lines are open from 22:15 on Sunday until 22:15 on Friday, UK time. Clients can direct their trading-related questions to the trading desk via phone or email.

BUX Markets is headquartered in London, specifically at the following address: BUX Financial Services Limited, 3rd Floor, Canvas, 35 Luke Street, London, EC2A 4LH, United Kingdom. Clients can contact the company's London office through the provided phone number or email address for any support needs.

Conclusion

In conclusion, BUX Markets is a registered company, BUX Financial Services Limited, operating in the United Kingdom and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). With over 20 years of experience, BUX Markets offers a variety of tradable assets, including indices, currencies, shares, ETFs, commodities, interest rates & bonds, and cryptocurrencies. They provide a proprietary trading platform called “TradeHub®,” which offers advanced charting and one-click trading capabilities. BUX Markets offers two types of accounts, retail and professional, with a minimum deposit requirement of $100. They also provide a demo account for practice trading and offer customer support through phone and email during business hours. However, it should be noted that BUX Markets does not have a trading software available, and their spreads are not considered particularly competitive compared to other market participants.

Educational Resources

Webinars, trading manuals, a dictionary of words, frequently asked questions, and instructional videos are all available. It's awesome that you can get them at no cost from the site. This is great since it makes learning about internet trading accessible to complete novices. To put it another way, they want you to make well-informed trading decisions, and this is evidence of that. The benefits of the broker's products and how they can help you can be researched as well. CM Trading has an extensive library of learning resources available if you feel you need some additional guidance.

FAQs

Is BUX Markets a legitimate company？

Yes, BUX Markets is a legitimate company registered in the United Kingdom and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

What trading platforms does BUX Markets offer？

BUX Markets offers a proprietary trading platform called “TradeHub®”

What are the available account types at BUX Markets？

BUX Markets offers retail and professional accounts to cater to different types of traders.

What markets and instruments can I trade with BUX Markets？

BUX Markets offers a wide range of tradable assets, including indices, currencies, shares, ETFs, commodities, interest rates & bonds, and cryptocurrencies.

What is the minimum deposit required to open an account with BUX Markets？

The minimum deposit requirement is $100.

What is the maximum leverage offered by BUX Markets？

The maximum leverage is set at 1:30 for most instruments.