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.

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 Hirose Financial？

Hirose Financial UK is a FCA regulated Forex trading company offering multiple trading solutions to the FX community basing in the UK. It is founded in 2010, a subsidiary of Hirose Tusyo of Japan. The broker provides online trading services for the foreign exchange market, allowing clients to trade various currency pairs. They offer both major and minor currency pairs, as well as exotic currency pairs.

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

Hirose Financial Alternative Brokers

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

• IC Markets - A popular and reputable Forex and CFD broker with competitive pricing and advanced trading platforms.

• Pepperstone- An award-winning Forex and CFD broker with low fees, fast execution speeds, and multiple trading platforms.

• OANDA- A trusted global Forex and CFD broker with an easy-to-use trading platform, competitive pricing, and excellent customer service.

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

Is Hirose Financial Safe or Scam？

Based on the information available, Hirose Financial is authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), which makes it appears to be a reliable and reputable online broker. But it is important to note that experience alone does not guarantee the legitimacy or security of a brokerage firm. Exposure of withdrawal and fraud issues are red flags that should not be ignored as well.

Anyway, as with any investment, there is always some level of risk involved, and it is important for traders to do their own research and carefully consider their options before investing.

Market Instruments

Hirose Financial UK offers a large range of Forex instruments for traders, with a wide selection of over 46 currency pairs to trade.

Forex trading involves the buying and selling of different currencies in pairs, with the aim of profiting from the fluctuations in their exchange rates. Traders can engage in trading major currency pairs such as EUR/USD, GBP/USD, USD/JPY, as well as minor and exotic currency pairs through Hirose Financial.

Accounts

Demo Account: Hirose Financial provides a free demo account that allows you to try out the financial markets without the risk of losing money.

Live Account: Hirose Financial offers the advantage of no minimum deposit requirement to open a live account, allowing traders to start trading without any specific financial commitment while deposit requirements vary depending on the chosen deposit method.

Leverage

When it comes to leverage, Hirose Financial enables its clients to use the maximum trading leverage up to 1:30. Leverage is a mechanism that allows traders to control larger positions in the market with a smaller amount of capital. With a leverage ratio of 1:30, traders can potentially amplify their trading positions by up to 30 times their invested capital. This means that for every $1 of capital, traders can have exposure to $30 worth of assets in the market.

While leverage can magnify potential profits, it's important to note that it also increases the risk of losses. Higher leverage ratios come with increased market exposure and the possibility of larger losses if the trades move against the trader's expectations. Therefore, it's crucial for traders to use leverage judiciously and implement appropriate risk management strategies to protect their capital.

Hirose Financial's provision of leverage up to 1:30 may be suitable for traders who are comfortable with a certain level of risk and have a thorough understanding of the potential implications of trading with leverage. It's important for traders, especially beginners, to educate themselves about leverage, its risks, and how to use it responsibly before engaging in leveraged trading.

Spreads & Commissions

Hirose Financial offers competitive spreads on its trading platforms. For the LION Trader (ActTrader) platform, traders can benefit from spreads starting from as low as 0.7 pips. This means that the difference between the buying and selling prices of currency pairs or other instruments can be as minimal as 0.7 pips, offering potentially tighter pricing for traders.

On the MetaTrader 4 (MT4) platform, Hirose Financial provides spreads starting from 1.9 pips. While slightly higher than the LION Trader platform, it still offers competitive pricing for traders using MT4. Both platforms aim to offer traders access to tight spreads, allowing for more cost-effective trading.

It's worth noting that Hirose Financial does not charge commissions on trades. This indicate that traders can execute their trades without incurring additional fees beyond the spread. This fee structure can be beneficial for traders, as it allows for more transparent and predictable transaction costs.

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

Please keep in mind that spread values can vary depending on market conditions, account type, and other factors. Commission structures may also differ based on the broker's pricing model and the type of account being used. It's important to review the official websites or contact the brokers directly for the most accurate and up-to-date information on spreads and commissions.

Trading Platforms

Hirose Financial UK offers its clients the flexibility to trade on multiple devices through their supported platforms. Traders can access the popular MetaTrader 4 (MT4) platform on various devices, including PC, iPad, iPhone, and Android devices. This allows for seamless trading experiences across different operating systems and devices, catering to the diverse needs of traders.

Additionally, Hirose Financial provides the Lion Trader platform, which is available on PC, iPhone, iPad and Android devices. The Lion Trader platform offers a user-friendly interface and features specifically designed to enhance the trading experience. Traders can conveniently access their trading accounts, monitor market movements, execute trades, and manage their positions from their preferred devices.

Overall, Hirose Financial's trading platforms are well-designed, user-friendly, and offer a range of advanced features suitable for both beginner and experienced traders. See the trading platform comparison table below:

Deposits & Withdrawals

Hirose Financial offers convenient options for depositing and withdrawing funds.

Deposits: Traders can make deposits using Neteller, a popular electronic payment method, or through wire transfers. Additionally, Hirose Financial allows for account balance transfers between accounts without any extra fees.

Withdrawals: When it comes to withdrawals, traders have the choice of using Neteller, local wire transfer, or international wire transfer. Neteller offers a seamless and quick withdrawal process. Local wire transfers are available for withdrawals in GBP, EUR, and USD, with specific handling fees applicable. For international wire transfers, fees vary based on the currency, and additional fees may apply when funds are returned to the beneficiary bank.

Fees

There are no extra fees when making deposit within Hirose Financial, while for withdrawals, theres different thresholds and handling fees:

Neteller: with Neteller withdrawals, there are no fees involved, and the minimum withdrawal amount is 20 GBP, 20 USD, or 20 EUR, maximum withdrawal limit is 5,000 USD per transaction.

Local wire transfers: Clients can expect a fee of £6.00 for GBP, £8.50 for EUR, and £8.50 for USD, along with a minimum withdrawal amount of 20 GBP, 20 USD, or 20 EUR by this method.

International wire transfers: there will be £5.00 for EUR and £8.50 for USD and GBP via this method, with a minimum withdrawal amount of 50 GBP, 50 USD, or 50 EUR.

It's important to note that additional fees may apply for certain transactions, such as when returning international wire transfers to the beneficiary bank. Clients should consult their own banks for specific details regarding any additional fees.

User Exposure on WikiFX

On our website, you can see that a report of unable to withdraw. Traders are encouraged to carefully review the available information. 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.

Customer Service

Hirose Financial provides multiple customer service options to assist its clients. Customers can reach out to Hirose Financial through various channels to address their queries and concerns as below:

Phone: +44 (0)20 3089 3880

Customer support email: info@hiroseuk.com.

Additionally, Hirose Financial offers a Contact Us form on their website. Customers can fill out this form with their queries, providing details about their specific needs or concerns.

Live chat support is also available for immediate assistance.

Additionally, Hirose Financial offers screen sharing functionality through Skype.

Besides of this, you can also get in touch with this broker on some social networks such as Twitter, Facebook and YouTube while their FAQ section is a valuable resource for finding quick answers to common queries as well.

Overall, Hirose Financial'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 Hirose Financial's customer service.

Education

Hirose Financial offers a comprehensive educational package to support traders in their journey.

The educational resources include a forex guide, trading manual, and glossary, providing valuable insights and knowledge about the foreign exchange market. These resources aim to enhance traders' understanding of forex trading concepts, strategies, and terminology.

In addition to the foundational materials, Hirose Financial also offers educational resources on technical analysis and economic indicators. Technical analysis equips traders with tools and techniques to analyze price charts, identify trends, and make informed trading decisions. Economic indicators provide valuable information about the overall economic health which can impact currency markets. By understanding and interpreting these indicators, traders can better anticipate market movements and adjust their strategies accordingly.

Whether traders are beginners or experienced, these educational materials can serve as valuable references to improve their trading abilities and make more informed decisions in the forex market.

Conclusion

According to available information, Hirose Financial is a regulated UK-based brokerage firm. While the firm has significant experience in the industry and offers a professional Forex trading and receives a lot of good reviews from their clients, it is important to consider certain factors such as reports of unable to withdraw that may raise concerns. It is critical that potential clients exercise caution, conduct thorough research and seek up-to-date information directly from Hirose Financial before making any investment decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)