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

S.A.M. Trade is an unlicensed broker based in Australia that offers a range of tradable assets including Forex, Indices, Commodities, Futures, and Cryptocurrencies. They provide different account types such as Standard, VIP, ECN, and Islamic accounts, with minimum deposits starting at $10. The broker offers leverage of up to 1:1000 and varying spreads depending on the account type and instrument. Traders have access to the MetaTrader 4 (MT4) platform and a copy trading platform called CopySam™. S.A.M. Trade also provides educational resources, membership programs, and accessible customer support channels.

However, it's important to note that S.A.M. Trade operates as an unlicensed broker. This raises concerns about regulatory oversight and accountability, as well as potential issues with fund safety and unfair trading practices. Traders should exercise caution when considering trading with an unlicensed broker, as there may be limited avenues for dispute resolution and challenges in recovering funds in case of disputes or financial issues.

While S.A.M. Trade offers a wide range of tradable assets, account types with varying leverage options, and access to popular trading platforms, the lack of regulatory oversight and accountability is a significant drawback. Traders should carefully evaluate the risks and consider regulated alternatives before engaging with S.A.M. Trade or any unlicensed broker.

Is S.A.M. Trade Legit？

S.A.M. Trade is an unlicensed broker, and it is risky trading with it. Caution is advised when considering trading with S.A.M. Trade, as this broker operates without a license. Trading with an unlicensed broker carries inherent risks and raises concerns regarding the safety and security of funds. Regulatory authorities play a crucial role in overseeing and regulating the operations of brokers, ensuring compliance with industry standards and protecting the interests of traders.

Choosing to trade with an unlicensed broker such as S.A.M. Trade means there is a lack of regulatory oversight and accountability. This absence of oversight can result in potential issues such as inadequate client fund protection, unfair trading practices, and limited avenues for dispute resolution. In the event of any disputes or financial issues, traders may face challenges in seeking recourse or recovering their funds.

Pros and Cons

S.A.M. Trade offers a wide range of tradable assets and provides different account types with varying leverage options and spreads. Traders have access to the popular MetaTrader 4 (MT4) platform and a copy trading platform called CopySam™. The broker also provides educational resources and a membership program. Additionally, they offer accessible customer support channels. However, it's important to note that S.A.M. Trade is an unlicensed broker, which raises concerns about regulatory oversight and accountability. There may be potential issues with fund safety and unfair trading practices. Furthermore, the limited avenues for dispute resolution can be a disadvantage for traders.

Market Instruments

S.A.M. Trade offers a variety of trading instruments to its clients, including Forex, Indices, Commodities, Futures, and Cryptocurrencies. Here's a breakdown of each category:

1. Forex:

S.A.M. Trade provides trading services for over 30+ currency pairs. Each currency pair is offered with a standard contract size of 100,000 units of the first-named currency. The company operates 24/5 trading, allowing traders to participate in the forex market throughout the week. It's important to note that there may be fluctuations in spreads during opening, closing, and between market sessions. These fluctuations can be attributed to routine settlements conducted by major financial institutions, which can affect prices. S.A.M. Trade offers a range of major and minor currency pairs, each with its own value per pip, contract size, minimum lot size, and typical spread.

2. Indices:

S.A.M. Trade provides investors with the opportunity to trade on derivatives of various indices. Trading indices offers a way to diversify risk compared to single stock trading. The company offers a selection of popular indices such as ASX 200, FTSE CHINA A50, Germany DAX 30, Euro Stoxx 50, Hang Seng, KOSPI 200, and more. Each index contract has its own value per tick, quote digits, contract size per lot, minimum lot size, and average spread.

3. Commodities:

S.A.M. Trade allows investors to expand their investment portfolios by trading derivatives on spot metals and energies. The company offers contracts for gold, silver, WTI crude oil, Brent crude oil, and natural gas. Each commodity contract has a specific value per contract, quote digits, contract size per lot, minimum lot size, and average spread.

4. Futures:

Trading futures enables investors to diversify their portfolios and explore various trading opportunities. S.A.M. Trade offers futures contracts for the volatility index, Hang Seng China Enterprises, India Nifty 50, KOSPI 200, Russell 2000 Mini, Dollar Index, 10-year US Bond, DAX 30, Mini-sized DJIA, and US Oil. Each futures contract has its own value per tick, quote digits, contract size per lot, minimum lot size, and average spread.

5. Cryptocurrencies:

S.A.M. Trade allows clients to trade CFDs on popular cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and more. The company offers a range of cryptocurrency pairs, each with its own value per contract, quote digits, contract size per lot, and minimum lot size. It's important to note that leverage on cryptocurrency CFDs is capped at 1:5, and trading hours are available 24/7.

By offering these diverse trading instruments, S.A.M. Trade aims to provide its clients with a wide range of options to suit their investment preferences and strategies.

Here is a comparison table of trading instruments offered by different brokers:

Account Types

S.A.M. Trade offers a range of account types tailored to meet the specific needs and expertise levels of traders. The account types differ based on factors such as minimum funding requirements, spreads, leverage options, commissions, and additional features.

For the Australia region, S.A.M. Trade provides the following account types:

1. Standard Account: This account offers standard spreads, leverage of up to 1:30, no commission charges, floating spreads, negative balance protection, and 24/5 technical and account support. The minimum funding requirement for this account is USD 10.

2. VIP Account: The VIP account features tight spreads, priority customer support, leverage of up to 1:30, no commissions, floating spreads, negative balance protection, and 24/5 technical and account support. The minimum funding requirement for this account is also USD 10.

3. ECN Account: The ECN account offers the best available spreads, priority customer support, leverage of up to 1:30, USD 5 commission charges, floating spreads, negative balance protection, and 24/5 technical and account support. The minimum funding requirement for this account is USD 100.

For the St Vincent and the Grenadines region, S.A.M. Trade provides the following account types:

1. Standard Account: This account type offers standard spreads, leverage of up to 1:1000, no commission charges, floating spreads, negative balance protection, 24/5 technical and account support, and daily trade call. The minimum funding requirement for this account is USD 10.

2. VIP Account: The VIP account features tight spreads, priority customer support, leverage of up to 1:1000, no commissions, floating spreads, negative balance protection, 24/5 technical and account support, and daily trade call. The minimum funding requirement for this account is also USD 10.

3. ECN Account: The ECN account provides the best available spreads, priority customer support, leverage of up to 1:200, USD 5 commission charges, floating spreads, negative balance protection, 24/5 technical and account support, and daily trade call. The minimum funding requirement for this account is USD 100.

4. Islamic Account: S.A.M. Trade also offers an Islamic account with standard spreads, swap-free trading, leverage of up to 1:500, no commission charges, floating spreads, negative balance protection, 24/5 technical and account support, and daily trade call. The minimum funding requirement for this account is USD 10.

Traders should note that the maximum leverage differs between the two regions, with the Australia region offering a maximum leverage of 1:30, while the St Vincent and the Grenadines region offers higher maximum leverage options, ranging from 1:1000 to 1:200 depending on the account type. It is crucial for traders to consider their risk tolerance and trading strategies when selecting the appropriate account type.

How to Open an Account？

To open an account on S.A.M. Trade, follow these steps:

1. Visit the S.A.M. Trade website: Go to the official website of S.A.M. Trade and locate the “Open Live Account” button on the homepage. Click on it to initiate the account opening process.

2. Choose your account type: On the registration page, you will be presented with different account types to choose from, including Individual, Joint and Corporate.

3. Complete the registration process: Fill in the required information, including your personal details, contact information, and any additional information requested. Ensure that all the provided information is accurate and up to date.

4. Receive your account login details: After submitting the registration form, you will receive an automated email containing your personal account login information. Keep this information secure as it will be used to access your trading account.

5. Log in to your account: Using the provided login details, access your S.A.M. Trade account by logging in through the website's login portal. Make sure to use the correct username and password to gain access successfully.

6. Deposit funds: Once logged in, proceed to deposit funds into your trading account. S.A.M. Trade typically provides multiple payment methods, including Bank Transfers, Visa / Master and Tether (USDT). Choose the most convenient option for you and follow the instructions to deposit the desired amount.

7. Download the trading platform: To start trading, you will need to download the trading platform provided by S.A.M. Trade. Follow the instructions on the website to download and install the trading platform.

Once the trading platform is installed, you can log in using your account credentials and begin trading in the financial markets offered by S.A.M. Trade. It is recommended to familiarize yourself with the platform's features and tools before placing any trades.

Leverage

S.A.M. Trade provides different leverage options based on the account types and the regions in which they operate. In the Australia region, the maximum leverage offered is 1:30 for all the account types available, including the Standard, VIP, and ECN accounts. This means that traders can access a leverage ratio of up to 1:30 for their trades.

On the other hand, in the St Vincent and the Grenadines region, S.A.M. Trade offers higher maximum leverage options. The Standard and VIP accounts in this region allow traders to utilize leverage of up to 1:1000, providing greater potential for amplifying trading positions. The ECN account, however, offers a maximum leverage of 1:200.

It's important for traders to understand that leverage magnifies both potential profits and losses. Higher leverage can increase potential gains but also increases the risk of significant losses. Therefore, it is crucial for traders to carefully assess their risk tolerance, trading strategies, and market conditions when deciding on the appropriate leverage level.

Here is a comparison table of maximum leverage offered by different brokers:

Spreads & Commissions

S.A.M. Trade offers a variety of account types with different spreads and commissions to suit the needs of different traders. For most account types, including the standard ones, there are no commissions charged for investing. This means that traders can execute trades without incurring additional fees beyond the spreads.

While S.A.M. Trade does not provide specific spreads for each account or instrument, they do offer average prices for certain popular trading pairs and assets. For example, the EUR/USD currency pair typically has a spread ranging from 1.7 to 2 pips, indicating the difference between the buying and selling prices. The GBP/USD pair, on the other hand, has an average spread of 2.4 to 2.6 pips. Commodity trades like Crude Oil and Natural Gas have an average spread of 5.0 cents.

For traders looking for the tightest spreads, S.A.M. Trade offers an ECN account type. With this account, traders can access the market through an STP/ECN model, which provides direct access to liquidity providers. However, there is a $5 commission per round lot turn for trades executed through the ECN account. This commission covers the cost of accessing the competitive spreads and liquidity offered by the ECN model.

In summary, S.A.M. Trade offers commission-free investing for most account types, allowing traders to trade without additional fees beyond the spreads. While specific spreads are not provided for all instruments, average prices are available for popular trading pairs and commodities. Traders seeking the tightest spreads can opt for the ECN account, but should be aware of the $5 commission per round lot turn.

Non-Trading Fees

S.A.M. Trade imposes swap charges for positions held overnight. They offer a profit-sharing plan called CopySam™, where users may share a portion of the profits generated from copied trades. Opening a live trading account with S.A.M. Trade is free, and there are no account management fees.

Trading Platform

S.A.M. Trade offers different trading platforms for traders in Australia and St Vincent and the Grenadines.

In Australia, S.A.M. Trade provides the popular MetaTrader 4 (MT4) trading platform. MT4 is widely recognized as a leading trading platform in the world. Traders can download MT4 for free and enjoy its user-friendly interface, extensive tools, and indicators. It supports various financial instruments such as forex, commodities, indices, and cryptocurrencies, providing a seamless trading experience.

For traders in St Vincent and the Grenadines, S.A.M. Trade introduces CopySam™, an innovative trade copying technology. CopySam™ allows traders to follow and trade like expert traders by automatically copying their trades with precision. It offers beginners the opportunity to replicate winning traders' trades and experienced traders the convenience of minimal time involvement while diversifying their portfolios. CopySam™ has received the Collective Investment Platform Certification, ensuring transparency and fair trading practices.

By offering both MT4 and CopySam™, S.A.M Trade caters to the needs of different types of traders. MT4 provides a robust and versatile trading platform for those who prefer to analyze the markets and execute their own trades, while CopySam™ offers a convenient way to follow and copy the trades of successful traders, making it suitable for traders who prefer a more hands-off approach to trading.

Customer Service

S.A.M. Trade offers customer service support through different channels, including a contact form on their website and dedicated email addresses for media/partnership inquiries and general support. Traders can fill out the contact form with their details to receive a prompt response. Media and partnership inquiries can be sent to marketing@samtradefx.com, while general support inquiries can be directed to support@samtradefx.com. Additionally, customers can follow S.A.M. Trade on Facebook and YouTube for updates. While phone support may not be mentioned, the broker is committed to providing accessible customer service through these available channels.

Educational Resources and Community Support

S.A.M. Trade recognizes the importance of education and provides a range of resources to help clients gain knowledge and skills in forex and commodity trading. They offer educational guides and articles that cover various topics such as forex trading basics, CFDs and commodities, leverage and margin, and important concepts like Overnight Funding and Margin Call Policy. These resources aim to equip traders with the necessary understanding to navigate the trading world effectively.

In addition to educational materials, S.A.M. Trade offers an exclusive membership program that provides valuable guidance and market analysis. Led by expert trainers, registered clients gain access to the latest market news, fundamental research, and a results-driven approach to trading. The membership program includes eight sessions held every Friday evening for eight weeks, as well as a Bootcamp consisting of 10 sessions spread over three weekends. While there is a one-time membership fee of $10,000 associated with this program, clients can benefit from the expertise and insights shared during these sessions to enhance their trading strategies.

Trading Tools

S.A.M. Trade offers trading tools to enhance the trading experience and ensure the security of funds. One of these tools is SamTracks™, a Portfolio Monitoring System that helps traders track their account and trading performance. It provides an overview of the account, allows performance tracking, monitors asset allocation, and displays traded volume.

S.A.M. Trade also prioritizes fund security through their Six Pillars of Secured Fund Coverage, known as SamAide™. These pillars include measures such as segregating clients' funds, professional indemnity insurance, third-party insurance protection, membership in the Financial Commission, and Negative Balance Protection. They also provide real-time deposit and withdrawal notifications to keep clients informed about their account activity.

Promotion

S.A.M. Trade provides promotional offers to its clients, including the SamRewards™ program. This program rewards retail investors based on their trading volumes. By meeting certain criteria such as making a first deposit of $500, trading 1 standard FX lot, or referring new clients, investors can earn 'points'. These points can then be exchanged for luxury prizes, including electronics.

In addition, S.A.M. Trade occasionally organizes a 'Traders' Challenge'. This challenge allows clients to compete based on their performance during a specific month. Participants have the opportunity to win up to $2000 and earn 1,000 SamPoints, providing an added incentive for traders to excel in their trading activities.

Deposit & Withdrawal

At S.A.M. Trade, there are several deposit methods available for clients. These include Tether (USDT), which typically takes up to one working day to process, Bank Wire Transfer, which takes one to four working days, and Visa & Mastercard Credit & Debit Cards, which are processed within one hour during weekdays. While most S.A.M. Trade live accounts have a minimum deposit of $10, the accepted payment methods require a minimum deposit of $20 or its equivalent currency (or USDT 50). The broker itself does not charge any fees for deposits, but investors may be responsible for any third-party charges.

When it comes to withdrawals, S.A.M. Trade accepts withdrawals through the same deposit methods. A minimum withdrawal amount of $20 or USDT 50 applies. Withdrawal processing times typically range from one to four working days for bank transfers and credit/debit cards. However, all withdrawals are processed by the broker within 72 hours. Tether payments, on the other hand, can be processed in one working day. Just like with deposits, S.A.M. Trade does not charge any withdrawal fees, but investors may need to bear any applicable third-party charges.

Conclusion

In conclusion, S.A.M. Trade is an unlicensed broker based in Australia that offers a variety of tradable assets and account types with attractive features such as low minimum deposits, high leverage, and access to popular trading platforms. However, the lack of regulatory oversight and accountability is a significant disadvantage. Trading with an unlicensed broker raises concerns about fund safety, unfair trading practices, and limited avenues for dispute resolution. Traders should carefully evaluate the risks involved and consider regulated alternatives before engaging with S.A.M. Trade or any unlicensed broker.

FAQs

Q: Is S.A.M. Trade a regulated broker？

A: No, S.A.M. Trade currently operates without valid regulation.

Q: What trading instruments are available on S.A.M. Trade？

A: S.A.M. Trade offers Forex, Indices, Commodities, Futures, and Cryptocurrencies as trading instruments. Each category has a variety of assets available for trading.

Q: What leverage options does S.A.M. Trade offer？

A: S.A.M. Trade offers leverage options of up to 1:1000 for Standard and VIP accounts, up to 1:200 for ECN accounts, and up to 1:500 for Islamic accounts.

Q: What trading platforms are available at S.A.M. Trade？

A: S.A.M. Trade offers MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and their proprietary copy trading platform, CopySam™.

Q: What are the deposit and withdrawal methods offered by S.A.M. Trade？

A: S.A.M. Trade accepts deposits through Tether (USDT), Bank Wire Transfer, and Visa/Mastercard Credit & Debit Cards. Withdrawals can be made using the same methods.