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.

General Information & Regulation

LIRUNEX is a retail forex and CFD broker that is registered in Cyprus and regulated by multiple regulatory authorities. The broker offers a variety of trading instruments, including forex, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies, with competitive spreads and leverage up to 1:30 for forex trading.

LIRUNEX also offers multiple account types, namely Standard, Prime and Pro accounts and each with different minimum deposit requirements and features to cater to different trading styles and preferences. For example, the Standard account requires a minimum deposit of $500 or equivalent amount.

LIRUNEX's trading platform of choice is MetaTrader 4, which is available for both desktop and mobile devices. LIRUNEX supports various order types, including market orders, limit orders, stop orders, and trailing stop orders. Traders can also execute orders using the One-Click Trading feature on the MetaTrader 4 platform. In addition, LIRUNEX provides various educational resources and trading tools to assist traders in making informed decisions.

LIRUNEX offers customer support via several channels, including phone, email, as well as some social media platforms, and an online contact form. The customer support team is available 24/5 to assist traders with any queries or issues they may have. LIRUNEX's website also features a comprehensive FAQ section, which can be accessed from the “Support” tab on their website, providing answers to frequently asked questions on topics such as account opening, trading conditions, and platform features.

Is LIRUNEX legit or a scam？

LIRUNEX has multiple entities that are regulated by various regulatory authorities, including CySEC, BDF, BaFin, LFSA, and CNMV. This means that LIRUNEX operates under strict guidelines and adheres to high levels of regulatory standards and consumer protection policies.

LIRUNEX LIMITED, is authorized and regulated by Federal Financial Supervisory Authority of Germany (BaFin) under regulatory license number 156748;

Lirunex Ltd, is authorized and regulated by Banque de France (BDF) under regulatory license number 83447;

Lirunex Ltd, is also authorized and regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CYSEC) under regulatory license number 338/17;

Lirunex Limited is also authorized and regulated by the Labuan Financial Services Authority (LFSA) under regulatory license number MB/20/0050;

LIRUNEX LTD, is authorized and regulated by the Comisión Nacional del Mercado de valores (CNMA) under regulatory license number 4829;

Pros and Cons

LIRUNEX is a forex broker that offers traders competitive trading conditions, such as low spreads and high leverage. The broker provides free educational resources, including webinars, ebooks, and video tutorials, to help traders improve their trading skills. LIRUNEX also has a range of payment options available for its clients to use.

However, LIRUNEX also has some drawbacks. The broker has a limited asset offering, as it only offers Forex and CFDs. Additionally, the minimum deposit requirements are relatively higher compared to other brokers. LIRUNEX also only provides users with the option to trade via MetaTrader 4, limiting choices for experienced traders who may prefer other trading platforms. The demo account funding is only available to users registered in certain countries, while the broker's services are only available in certain jurisdictions and not to residents of the United States. Social trading features are also not available on the LIRUNEX trading platform.

Market Instruments

LIRUNEX is a well-established online brokerage firm that caters to the needs of traders worldwide. It offers a comprehensive selection of market instruments to its clients, including Forex, Spot Metals, Indices, Shares, and Energy.

• Forex: LIRUNEX offers a wide range of currency pairs for trading, including major currency pairs such as EUR/USD, GBP/USD, and USD/JPY, as well as minor and exotic currency pairs.

• Spot Metals: LIRUNEX offers spot trading of precious metals such as gold and silver. Spot trading allows traders to buy and sell these metals at the current market price.

• Indices: LIRUNEX offers trading on a variety of global stock indices, including the S&P 500 index, NASDAQ index, and the Dow Jones Index. Trading indices allows traders to speculate on the performance of a whole stock market, rather than just individual stocks.

• Shares: LIRUNEX offers trading of stocks from various global markets, including the US, UK, Europe, and Asia. Trading on stocks allows traders to invest in well-known companies and earn profits based on their performance.

• Energy: LIRUNEX offers trading of energy products such as crude oil and natural gas. Traders can benefit from price changes in energy markets, which are known for their high volatility.

Account Types

LIRUNEX offers a range of account types to suit the needs of different traders. They have carefully crafted their account types to offer a tailored experience to traders based on their trading level, experience, and financial status. The account types offered by LIRUNEX are Standard, Prime, and Pro.

The Standard account requires a minimum deposit of $/€ 500 and is suitable for novice traders who are new to the market. This type of account offers basic trading conditions, including access to all trading instruments, customer support, educational resources, and trading tools.

The Prime account requires a higher minimum deposit of $/€ 2,000 and is targeted towards traders who have more experience in the market. This account type offers tighter spreads, lower commissions, and additional perks such as exclusive trading signals and faster withdrawals.

The Pro account is the top-tier account type offered by LIRUNEX and requires a minimum deposit of $/€ 10,000. This type of account is geared towards professional traders who require a higher level of trading conditions, including dedicated account managers, advanced trading tools, priority customer support, and lower commissions and favorable market conditions.

All account types offered by LIRUNEX come with negative balance protection, and the MetaTrader 4 trading platform. Additionally, traders can choose from different currency options, EUR or USD.

How to open an account？

Opening an account with LIRUNEX is a straightforward process and can be completed in a few simple steps. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to open an account with LIRUNEX:

1. Visit the LIRUNEX website and click on the “Register” button on the top right-hand corner.

2. Fill in the registration form by providing accurate personal details, including your name, email address, and phone number.

3. Select your preferred account type - Standard, Prime, or Pro - and choose your base currency.

4. After filling in the form, you will receive an email to confirm your registration.

5. Next, login to your LIRUNEX account and complete your account verification by uploading the necessary documents. The documents required for verification can be found on the website or by contacting customer support.

6. Once your account is verified, you can fund your account by choosing a payment method that is convenient for you. LIRUNEX provides several payment options, including bank transfers, credit/debit cards, and e-wallets.

7. After funding your account, you can begin trading by downloading the LIRUNEX trading platform or by using the web-based platform.

8. LIRUNEX provides customers with 24/5 customer support to assist with any issues that may arise during the trading process.

Leverage

As per the regulations by ESMA, the default leverage for retail forex traders is set at a maximum of 1:30, while professional traders are allowed to trade with a higher leverage of up to 1:100.

Leverage refers to the amount of borrowing that a trader can use to open a position in the market. Higher leverage can increase potential profits, but it also comes with higher risk. Professional traders are considered to have a higher level of experience and knowledge of the financial markets, which is why they are often offered higher leverage options.

However, it's important to note that leverage should be used wisely, and traders should always consider the risks involved before trading with high leverage. It's also essential to have a risk management strategy in place to protect your investment in case of unfavourable market conditions.

Spreads & Commissions

LIRUNEX offers a variety of trading account types to suit the needs of different traders. Each account type features different spreads and commission charges. Here, we will explain the available accounts and what they offer in terms of spreads and commissions.

The Standard Account is designed for those who are new to trading or who prefer lower costs. With this account, you can trade with floating spreads that start from 2 pips. The best part is that there are no commissions charged on trades. This account is ideal for beginners who want to start trading with a lower investment.

The Prime Account is designed for those who require tighter spreads and faster trade execution times. With this account, you can trade with floating spreads that start from 0.6 pips, which is significantly lower than the Standard Account. However, this account comes with a commission charge of $8 per lot traded. This account is suitable for traders who require faster trading speeds and lower spreads.

The Pro Account is designed for professional traders who require the tightest spreads possible and access to institutional-grade trading conditions. With this account, you can trade with spreads that start from 0.0 pips, which means that you can trade with almost no spreads! It is important to note that this account comes with a commission charge of $4 per lot traded. This account is ideal for high volume traders who require high-quality trading conditions.

Non-Trading Fees

Apart from trading fees, LIRUNEX also charges some non-trading fees that traders should be aware of. Here are some of the non-trading fees charged by LIRUNEX:

• Deposit Fees - While deposits with LIRUNEX are free of charge, some payment providers may charge you fees for depositing funds. It's important to check with your payment provider to see if they charge any fees.

• Withdrawal Fees - LIRUNEX does not charge any withdrawal fees. However, the payment provider you use to withdraw funds may charge fees. LIRUNEX also waives the first withdrawal fee for its clients each month.

• Inactivity Fees - If there has been no trading activity in your account for a period of 90 days, an inactivity fee of $50 will be charged for each subsequent month until the account is active again.

• Conversion Fees - If you deposit funds in a currency different from the one in which your LIRUNEX account is denominated, you will be charged a conversion fee of 2% of the deposit amount. This fee is charged to cover the costs of converting the funds to your account currency.

• Overnight Financing Fees - LIRUNEX charges overnight financing fees for positions that are held open overnight. These fees can be either positive or negative and depend on the instrument being traded.

Trading Platform

LIRUNEX provides MetaTrader 4 (MT4) trading platform for its clients. The MT4 platform is available in PC, iOS, and Android versions that allow traders to access their accounts and trade from anywhere, at any time.

MT4 is a well-known and widely-used trading platform globally, known for its user-friendly interface, advanced charting features, multiple order types, and the ability to support automated trading strategies like Expert Advisors (EAs). The platform also offers a vast array of technical analysis tools that traders can use to make informed decisions.

LIRUNEX provides a range of trading instruments through its MT4 platform, including forex, commodities, and indices. The platform also supports multiple account types, allowing traders to choose the one that suits their needs best.

Deposit & Withdrawal

LIRUNEX supports various payment methods for deposits and withdrawals, including Global, SEPA, Global Transfer, VISA, Mastercard, ePay.bg, GiroPay, Sofort, and Webmoney. Deposits through most payment methods have a minimum deposit requirement of 50. However, the minimum deposit through global transfer is $300.

It is important to note that the processing time for withdrawals can vary depending on the payment method used. Withdrawal requests made through Visa and Mastercard can take up to 10 business days to process. This is due to the nature of these payment methods, which typically involve additional security checks and verification procedures to ensure that the funds are being transferred to the correct account.

Customer Support

LIRUNEX offers several channels of customer support to assist its traders. This includes:

1. Email support, which is available 24/7 and allows traders to submit their questions or concerns to LIRUNEX's support team.

2. Phone support, which is available during business hours and allows traders to speak to a support representative directly.

3. A comprehensive FAQ section on LIRUNEX's website, which provides answers to common questions and concerns about trading with LIRUNEX.

4. In addition to these channels of customer support, LIRUNEX also offers a personal account manager service for premium account holders, which provides dedicated assistance and support for their trading needs.

Educational Resources

LIRUNEX offers a range of educational resources to help traders improve their trading skills and knowledge in the Forex markets. Some of these resources include a beginner's guide, an economic calendar, trading strategies, market analysis, and informative articles.

These resources are designed to help traders understand the fundamental and technical analysis of the Forex markets, as well as to give them an overview of the trading tools and features available on the LIRUNEX platform. By using these resources, traders can better navigate the Forex markets, make more informed trading decisions, and ultimately, achieve their trading objectives.

Conclusion

In conclusion, LIRUNEX is a reputable forex broker that offers traders a range of benefits and drawbacks. Its competitive spreads, multiple account types make it an attractive option for traders looking to improve their skills and trading outcomes. However, its limited product offerings, lack of available US trading accounts, and potentially higher withdrawal fees for certain accounts may be disadvantages for some traders. Overall, LIRUNEX provides a secure and regulated trading environment and is worth considering for traders looking for a well-rounded forex broker. As always, traders are advised to conduct thorough due diligence and weigh their options before investing their funds.

FAQs

Q: What regulatory standards does LIRUNEX comply with？

A: LIRUNEX has multiple entities that are regulated by various regulatory authorities, including CySEC, BDF, BaFin, LFSA, and CNMV.

Q: What account types are available at LIRUNEX？

A: LIRUNEX offers three different account types, including Standard, Prime and Pro accounts. Each account type has different features, including minimum deposits, trading conditions, and access to additional tools.

Q: How can I fund my account with LIRUNEX？

A: LIRUNEX offers several different funding options, including Global, SEPA, Global Transfer, VISA, Mastercard, ePay.bg, GiroPay, Sofort,Webmoney,and more.

Q: Does LIRUNEX offer educational resources？

A: Yes, LIRUNEX has a variety of educational resources available for traders of all skill levels, including webinars, video tutorials, eBooks, and more.

Q: How can I get in touch with customer support at LIRUNEX？

A: LIRUNEX customer support is available 24/7 via email, phone, or live chat.

Q: What trading platforms does LIRUNEX offer？

A: LIRUNEX offers two trading platforms, including the popular MetaTrader 4 (MT4) platform and the Lirunex Trader platform. Both platforms can be used on desktop.