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 CXC

CXC is a trading platform known as CXCMarkets and Tech-FX, which recently underwent a brand merger and upgrade. However, it's important to note that CXC is not regulated by any financial regulatory authority, which means there is no government oversight or customer protection. This lack of regulation poses a higher risk of fraud or financial losses for traders.

CXC offers a range of market instruments, including forex currency pairs, precious metals, cryptocurrencies, and stock index CFDs. Forex currency pairs allow traders to speculate on exchange rate fluctuations, while precious metals and cryptocurrencies provide opportunities to benefit from price movements and global events. Stock index CFDs offer exposure to broader market trends.

CXC provides different account types, such as the Micro Account, Zero Account, and Standard Account, each with its own features and benefits. The leverage offered by CXC is up to 1:1000, allowing traders to control larger positions with a smaller initial investment. Spreads and commissions vary across account types, and the minimum deposit starts at $100 for the Micro Account.

CXC offers the MetaTrader 4 platform and a web trader platform for trading activities. Customer support is available online through email, but no telephone number is provided for inquiries. Reviews about CXC are mixed, with some users expressing satisfaction with trading conditions and others reporting server issues and problems with payments.

In conclusion, CXC is an unregulated trading platform that offers various market instruments and account types. Traders should be cautious due to the lack of regulation and the associated risks. It's advisable to consider other factors and conduct thorough research when evaluating a broker.

Pros and Cons

CXC, operating as CXCMarkets and Tech-FX, presents a range of pros and cons for potential traders to consider. On the positive side, CXC offers a diverse selection of market instruments and different account types, along with leverage of up to 1:1000. Traders can access MetaTrader 4 and a web trader platform, benefiting from online customer support available around the clock. Additionally, CXC provides various deposit and withdrawal methods, accommodating different trader preferences. However, there are significant drawbacks to consider. Notably, CXC lacks regulation from any financial authority, increasing the risk of fraud or financial losses. Additionally, the absence of an official website raises transparency concerns, limiting access to essential information. Mixed user reviews and a suspicious regulatory license further contribute to the overall evaluation of CXC's potential as a reliable broker.

Is CXC Legit？

CXC. is not regulated by any financial regulatory authority. This means that there is no government agency that oversees CXC.'s activities or protects its customers. As a result, there is a higher risk of fraud or other financial losses when trading with CXC.

Market Instruments

CXC Markets is a trading platform that offers a variety of market instruments for investors. These instruments include forex currency pairs, precious metals, cryptocurrencies, and stock index CFDs.

FOREX CURRENCY PAIRS: CXC Markets provides trading services for forex currency pairs. Forex, also known as foreign exchange, involves the buying and selling of different currencies. Traders can speculate on the exchange rate fluctuations between currency pairs, such as EUR/USD or GBP/JPY. The forex market is known for its high liquidity and round-the-clock trading, allowing investors to take advantage of global economic trends.

PRECIOUS METALS: CXC Markets also offers trading opportunities in precious metals. Precious metals, including gold, silver, platinum, and palladium, are valued for their rarity and industrial uses. Traders can speculate on the price movements of these metals, taking advantage of market fluctuations and global events that impact supply and demand. Precious metals are often considered a safe haven investment during times of economic uncertainty.

CRYPTOCURRENCY: CXC Markets enables trading in cryptocurrencies, which are digital or virtual currencies. Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin have gained significant popularity in recent years. Traders can participate in the price movements of cryptocurrencies, taking advantage of their volatility. Cryptocurrency markets operate 24/7 and provide opportunities for both short-term trading and long-term investment.

STOCK INDEX CFD: CXC Markets offers trading in stock index contracts for difference (CFD). A stock index represents the performance of a group of stocks from a specific market or sector. With stock index CFDs, traders can speculate on the price movements of the entire index without owning the underlying assets. This allows for greater ability to take both long and short positions. Stock index CFDs provide exposure to broader market trends and are popular among traders seeking diversification.

Account Types

CXC offers a range of account types to cater to the diverse needs of traders. These accounts include the Micro Account, Zero Account, and Standard Account. Each account type has its own unique features and benefits.

MICRO ACCOUNT:

The Micro account offered by CXC is designed for traders who prefer smaller trading volumes. With a maximum leverage of 1:500, traders can amplify their trading positions. The minimum deposit required for this account is 10,000 JPY, and the minimum spread starts from 1.3 pips. Traders can trade various products, particularly focusing on currency trading. The minimum position size is 0.01 lots, and the account supports the use of Expert Advisors (EAs). CXC provides deposit and withdrawal methods for this account type, although specific methods are not mentioned. No commission is charged for trades executed in the Micro account.

ZERO ACCOUNT:

With a maximum leverage of 1:500, traders can have increased trading power. The minimum deposit required for this account is 100 USD, and the minimum spread starts from 0 pips. Similar to the Micro account, traders can access a wide range of products, mainly focusing on currency trading. The minimum position size is 0.01 lots, and Expert Advisors (EAs) are supported. Traders using the Zero account will be charged a commission of 8 USD per trade.

STANDARD ACCOUNT:

The Standard account offered by CXC caters to traders looking for a more flexible trading experience. With a maximum leverage of 1:500, traders can enhance their trading potential. The minimum deposit required for this account is 100 USD, and the minimum spread starts from 1.3 pips. Traders can access a variety of products, particularly focusing on currency trading. The minimum position size is 0.01 lots, and the account supports the use of Expert Advisors (EAs). No commission is charged for trades executed in the Standard account.

Leverage

Leverage refers to the borrowing of funds to increase the potential return on an investment. CXC Markets offers a maximum leverage of 1:1000 for forex trading, which provides traders with the opportunity to control larger positions with a smaller initial investment. This high leverage allows traders to potentially magnify their profits.

Spreads & Commisions

CXC offers varying spreads and commission structures across its account types. The Micro Account has a minimum spread of 1.3 pips with no commission, while the Zero Account provides spreads starting from 0 pips but charges a commission of 8 USD per trade. The Standard Account also has a minimum spread of 1.3 pips but does not charge any commission. Traders can choose the account type that aligns with their trading preferences and cost considerations.

Minimum Deposit

The Trading Platform offered by CXC provides an accessible and user-friendly interface for traders. It caters to various account types, with the minimum deposit set at $100 for the Micro account. The platform ensures that traders can engage in their preferred trading activities. Additionally, different account tiers are available, requiring deposits of $500, $1,000, and $10,000, respectively, offering a range of options to suit individual trading preferences.

Deposit & Withdrawal

Deposit and withdrawal options at CXC Markets are straightforward but limited. Traders can fund their accounts using two main methods: bank cards and Bitwallet, which includes cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Litecoin, and Ripple. While these options provide a means of transferring funds, it is important to note that using cryptocurrencies for funding comes with inherent risks. Unlike traditional payment methods, such as bank cards, there is no possibility of initiating a chargeback in case of an issue or error. Therefore, caution should be exercised when choosing to use cryptocurrencies for depositing and withdrawing funds from CXC Markets.

Trading Platforms

CXC Markets offers a range of trading platforms to meet the diverse needs of its users.

META TRADER 4 PLATFORM: CXC Markets provides access to the MetaTrader 4 trading platform, a highly regarded and widely used platform in the brokerage industry. This platform offers numerous trading tools and instruments that enhance the trading experience. Some notable features include a financial calendar, virtual private server (VPS) capabilities, trading signals (available for a subscription fee), a code base with customizable scripts, and a demo account for practice.

WEB TRADER: In addition to MetaTrader 4, CXC Markets also offers a web trader platform. This web-based platform allows traders to access their accounts and execute trades directly through a web browser. It provides an option for traders who prefer not to download and install trading software on their devices. The web trader platform offers similar functionality to the MetaTrader 4 platform, allowing for seamless trading experiences.

Pros and Cons

Customer Support

CXC Markets provides customer support through various channels to cater to the needs of their clients. Their online support is available 24/7, 365 days a year, and can be accessed in multiple languages such as Japanese, English, French, Chinese, and Korean. Clients can reach out to them via email at support@cxcmarkets.com. However, they do not provide a telephone number for customer inquiries. This approach ensures that clients can easily communicate with CXC Markets and receive assistance promptly.

Reviews

Based on the reviews on WikiFX, there are mixed opinions about CXC. One user expressed satisfaction with the various trading conditions provided by CXC, such as a wide variety of trading products, high leverage of up to 1:1000. They were eager to open a demo account and potentially invest in instruments offered by the broker. However, another user had a negative experience, mentioning server issues that resulted in missed profits. They suspected intentional server shutdowns or problems with payment orders. It is important to note that these reviews reflect individual experiences and should be considered alongside other factors when evaluating a broker.

Conclusion

In conclusion, CXC is a trading platform that offers various market instruments such as forex currency pairs, precious metals, cryptocurrencies, and stock index CFDs. However, it is important to note that CXC is not regulated by any financial regulatory authority, which means there is no government oversight or customer protection. This lack of regulation increases the risk of fraud or financial losses for traders. While CXC provides different account types with features like leverage and low spreads, the limited deposit and withdrawal options and mixed user reviews raise concerns about the reliability and quality of their services. Traders should carefully consider these factors and exercise caution when dealing with CXC.

FAQs

Q: Is CXC a regulated broker？

A: No, CXC is not regulated by any financial regulatory authority, which increases the risk of trading with them.

Q: What market instruments are available on CXC？

A: CXC offers trading in forex currency pairs, precious metals, cryptocurrencies, and stock index CFDs.

Q: What are the account types offered by CXC？

A: CXC offers Micro, Zero, and Standard accounts, each with its own features and benefits.

Q: What is the maximum leverage offered by CXC？

A: CXC provides a maximum leverage of 1:1000 for forex trading.

Q: What are the deposit and withdrawal methods supported by CXC？

A: CXC supports deposits through bank cards and Bitwallet, including cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Litecoin, and Ripple.

Q: What trading platforms are available on CXC？

A: CXC offers the MetaTrader 4 platform and a web trader platform.

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

A: You can contact CXC's customer support through email at support@cxcmarkets.com.