What is Trade245？

Trade245 is a forex and CFD broker that offers trading services in forex, indices, commodities, and stocks. The broker is registered in South Africa. It offers the popular MetaTrader4 (MT4) and MetaTrader5 (MT5) trading platforms. Trade245 claims to offer competitive spreads, fast execution, and various account types and educational resources for traders. It is said to be authorized and regulated by South Africa Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA), but it seems to be a suspicious clone.

Pros & Cons

Trade245 offers several advantages such as a wide range of trading instruments, multiple account types, and user-friendly trading platforms. However, there are also several drawbacks, such as lack of regulation and transparency. Traders should carefully consider these factors before deciding to trade with Trade245.

Note: It is important to conduct thorough research and due diligence before choosing a broker to trade with. The above table is just a summary of the pros and cons of Trade245 and should not be taken as a recommendation to trade with or against the broker.

Trade245 Alternative Brokers

There are many alternative brokers to Trade245 depending on the specific needs and preferences of the trader. Some popular options include:

• Forex.com - a globally trusted broker that is regulated in multiple jurisdictions and offers a user-friendly platform, competitive pricing, and a range of educational resources.

• FXTM - a popular broker that is regulated in multiple jurisdictions and offers a range of trading instruments, including forex, CFDs, and cryptocurrencies, with competitive pricing and excellent customer support.

• IC Markets - a well-regulated broker that offers a range of trading instruments, including forex, CFDs, and cryptocurrencies, with tight spreads and fast execution.

Is Trade245 Safe？

Trade245 misrepresented its regulatory status by claiming to possess a license from the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA). However, upon investigation, it was revealed that the regulated entity named on the license, RED PINE CAPITAL (PTY) LTD, had no association with the Trade245 trading brand. Consequently, Trade245 unlawfully appropriated a regulatory license to mislead unsuspecting investors, compromising transparency and eroding trust in the financial markets.

Market Instruments

Tradable financial instruments available on the Trade245 platform include FX pairs, indices, stocks and commodities CFDs and more. Many other brokers could even offer richer instruments, like metals, cryptos, options, etc.

Accounts

Trade245 offered 7 account types targeting different trading preferences and strategies. Their account options included:

Standard Account: This account featured variable spreads starting from 1 pip, with leverage up to 1:500. Bonus funds of 100% were included with this account type, accessed via the MT4 platform.

Swap-Free Account: Similar to the Standard Account, with variable spreads from 1 pip and maximum leverage of 1:500, but without any bonus funds. This account was available on the MT4 platform and facilitated swap-free trading.

Zero Spread Account: As the name suggests, this account offered variable spreads starting from 0 pips, with leverage capped at 1:500. No bonus was included, and it operated on the MT4 platform.

Bonus 245 Account: This account provided variable spreads from 1 pip, with leverage up to 1:500. A substantial bonus of 245% was included with this account type, accessible via the MT4 platform.

Bonus Rescue Account: Designed for risk management, this account featured variable spreads from 1 pip and leverage of 1:500. It included a 100% bonus to protect against potential drawdowns, available on the MT4 platform.

Micro Account: Tailored for smaller trading sizes, this account offered variable spreads starting from 1 pip and leverage up to 1:500. No bonus was included, and it was accessible on both MT4 and MT5 platforms.

Copy Trading Account: This account facilitated copy trading, with variable spreads from 1 pip and maximum leverage of 1:500. No bonus was provided, and it was available on the MT4 platform.

Notably, there is no minimum opening deposit requirement for any of these accounts, providing traders with greater flexibility.

Leverage

All account types offered by Trade245 have a maximum leverage of 1:500. This means that traders can potentially increase their profits or losses by up to 500 times their initial investment. However, it is important to note that high leverage also increases the risk of significant losses. Therefore, it is crucial for traders to use leverage responsibly and manage their risk effectively. Traders should also ensure that they understand the risks and implications of using high leverage before trading with Trade245 or any other broker.

Spreads & Commissions

Trade245 offers variable spreads which start from as low as 1 pip for some account types (except for Zero Spread accounts from 0 pips). The spreads may vary based on the trading instrument, account type, and market conditions. Trade245 does not charge any commission fees for its trades. Instead, it includes its costs within the spread. However, the Zero Spread account type may charge an unspecified commission fee.

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

Note: The above data is based on the information available on the respective brokers' websites and is subject to change. Spreads and commissions may vary depending on the account type, trading platform, and market conditions.

Trading Platforms

Trade245 offers its clients the popular and widely used MetaTrader4 (MT4) and MetaTrader5 (MT5) trading platforms. Both platforms are available for download on desktop, mobile, and tablet devices. These platforms provide a user-friendly interface, advanced charting tools, and a wide range of technical analysis indicators. MT4 and MT5 are well-known for their fast execution speeds, reliable order execution, and a range of trading tools to enhance the trading experience.

Additionally, the platforms support automated trading through expert advisors (EAs) and allow traders to customize their trading strategies using their preferred programming language.

Overall, Trade245 provides a comprehensive trading experience for both novice and experienced traders with the support of two of the most popular trading platforms in the industry.

See the trading platform comparison table below:

Note: The table is based on the information available on the official websites of the brokers, and is subject to change.

Deposits & Withdrawals

Trade245 offers various deposit and withdrawal methods to its clients, including Visa, MasterCard, mPESA, ozow, Skrill and various cryptocurrencies. There is no minimum deposit requirement. There are no deposit fees charged by Trade245.

Withdrawals are said to be processed within hours, and there are no withdrawal fees charged by Trade245. However, clients should be aware that some payment providers may charge fees for their services.

Multiple Trading Currencies

ZAR, USD, GBP

Trade245 minimum deposit vs other brokers

Fees

Trade245 charges fees for several services as follows:

• Overnight Financing Fees: Also known as swap fees, overnight financing fees are charged for holding positions open overnight. The fees are calculated based on the trading instrument being traded and the position size.

• Inactivity Fees: Trade245 charges an inactivity fee of $50 per month for accounts that have been inactive for 3 months or more.

• Deposit & Withdrawal Fees: Trade245 does not charge any fees for deposits and withdrawals. However, third-party fees may apply, depending on the method used.

It's worth noting that the fees charged by Trade245 may vary depending on the type of account opened and the trading platform used. It's important to read the terms and conditions carefully before opening an account with Trade245 to fully understand the fees charged.

See the fee comparison table below:

Customer Service

Trade245 offers 24/5 customer support through various channels including email and phone. Their website also has an FAQ section where clients can find answers to common questions. You can also follow them on some social networks such as Facebook and Instagram.

Education

Trade245 offers some educational resources to its clients, including a glossary of commonly used trading terms and articles on various topics related to trading. These resources are aimed at helping traders of all levels to gain a better understanding of the financial markets and improve their trading skills. Overall, Trade245's educational offerings are a valuable resource for traders who are looking to improve their trading performance and achieve their financial goals.

Conclusion

Overall, Trade245 appears to offer a competitive trading environment with a wide range of trading instruments, multiple account types, and popular trading platforms including MT4 and MT5. However, the fact that their FSCA license is a suspicious clone raises some concerns about the legitimacy of the broker. In addition, there are some negative reviews from users reporting difficulties with withdrawals, which is certainly a red flag. As with any broker, it is important to conduct thorough research and exercise caution before investing any funds.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is Trade245 legit ？

No. It has been verified that their South Africa Financial Sector Conduct Authority - FSCA license is a suspicious clone.

At Trade245, are there any regional restrictions for traders？

Yes. Trade245 does not provide services for the residents of certain countries, such as the United States, Canada, Israel and the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Does Trade245 offer demo accounts？

Yes. Demo accounts are available.

Is Trade245 a good broker for beginners？

No. Trade245 is not a good choice for beginners. Though it offers demo MT4 and MT5 accounts, never forget their FSCA license is a suspicious clone.

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.

What is Swiss Markets？

Swiss Markets, a subsidiary of BDS Swiss Markets Global Services Ltd, is an online forex and CFD broker that has been operational since 2016. It provides investors with various trading assets, including Forex, Metals, Energy, Commodities, and Indices. The company is registered in Mauritius and regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CYSEC).

Despite being a regulated entity, Swiss Markets has been identified on a list of blocked websites issued by the Ministry of Trade, Indonesia, on February 2, 2022, citing unauthorized commodity futures trading. This is a significant red flag for potential investors considering using their platform.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• It is regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CYSEC), ensuring it adheres to strict regulatory standards.

• It offers appealing spreads and commissions, which can help traders keep their trading costs low.

• It supports the popular MT4 trading platform, which provides advanced charting tools, automated trading through Expert Advisors (EAs), and a secure trading environment.

• It provides various methods for deposits and withdrawals, offering flexibility and convenience to clients.

Cons:

• It has been marked out on the WikiFx warning list, which can raise concerns about its credibility and reliability. It's always important for traders to do their due diligence when choosing a broker.

Is Swiss Markets safe or scam？

Swiss Markets is regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CYSEC), which generally offers a degree of reassurance that they adhere to specific regulatory standards for fair trading and client transparency. However, despite regulation status, Swiss Markets have been flagged up due to their presence on a warning list issued by WikiFX, a platform providing broker service information and more.

Swiss Markets is part of a list of brokers that have been flagged as potentially dangerous by a regulatory authority. On February 2, 2022, these brokers had an adverse disclosure issued by the Ministry of Trade in Indonesia. This listing blocks several websites due to their participation in illegal commodity futures trading and gambling under the pretense of trading.

The exposures concerning Swiss Markets generally focus on issues related to withdrawals and deceptive practices. Users commonly reported experiencing troubles when trying to withdraw their funds - unexpected fees were sometimes introduced and withdrawals would either take an excessively long time or not be processed correctly, often leading to additional costs. Furthermore, some users also pointed out concerns relating to the handling of deposits and unexpected trade anomalies after depositing significant amounts. The issues were not satisfactorily resolved, even after multiple complaints, casting doubts about the platform's reliability and trustworthiness.

Market Instruments

• Forex: This involves trading in the global currency market, offering a range of currency pairs for trading.

• Metals: This category allows users to trade in precious metals such as gold and silver.

• Energies: Swiss Market clients have the opportunity to trade in energy commodities, including crude oil and natural gas.

• Indices: This platform provides global indices allowing traders to gain exposure to various sectors of different economies.

• Equities: Clients can also opt to trade in equities, providing an opportunity to invest and trade in various company shares.

Account Types

Swiss Markets offers two primary account types, the STP Classic and the STP Raw, both with a minimum deposit of $200. The STP model is a mechanism in the financial market that allows direct trades between buyers and sellers without going through an intermediate exchange or any other form of processing. This implies a non-dealing desk environment where trade orders are automatically processed by the system, eliminating the need for a manual dealing desk.

Leverage

Swiss Markets offers different levels of leverage depending on the account type and the market instrument being traded. For Forex trading, the leverage is quite high - it can go up to 1:500 for the STP Classic account and up to 1:200 for the STP Raw account. For other trading categories, such as Metals, Energies, Indices, and Equities, the leverage is set at 1%, or equivalently a ratio of 1:100. This applies uniformly on both STP Classic and STP Raw account types.

It's important to note that while higher leverage can magnify profits, it can also increase potential losses. Therefore, it should be used judiciously and traders should have a well-thought risk management strategy in place.

Spread & Commission

Swiss Markets operates with two different account types, STP Classic and STP Raw, each with its unique spread and commission structure. They have designed these structures to cater to a diverse range of trading needs.

For the STP Classic account, spreads are set low and no commissions are charged across Forex, Precious Metals, and Energies trading. However, there is a minimal fixed commission for Stock Indices.

Conversely, in the STP Raw account, they offer extremely low or even zero spreads in Forex trading. This tighter spread is also evident in Precious Metals and Energies trading. This lower spread does come with a commission fee. In the case of Stock Indices, like with the STP Classic, spreads are fixed with a small commission charge.

Trading Platforms

Swiss Markets offers the MetaTrader 4 (MT4) trading platform, a comprehensive platform that offers a variety of features to aid traders in executing their strategies, one of the most popular and widely used trading platforms in the world. It's available across multiple devices including Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android, offering flexibility and convenience to its users.

Deposit & Withdrawal

Swiss Markets offers a diverse range of deposit and withdrawal methods, including Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, Postepay, Giro Pay, Swift, Sofort, EPS, iDeal, Przelewy24, Skrill, and Neteller. Most methods support various currencies and process deposits immediately. Swift,however, can take 1-4 working days for deposits to process.

When it comes to withdrawals, Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, Skrill, Neteller, and Swift manage this within 24 hours. Postepay, Giro Pay, Sofort, EPS, iDeal, and Przelewy24 do not support withdrawals.

For a detailed breakdown of the deposit and withdrawal methods, supported currencies and timeframes, clients can refer to the table provided.

Conclusion

Swiss Markets is a broker that is regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission. They offer broad accessibility with a user-friendly interface, multidimensional trading analysis tools via the MT4 platform, and diverse methods for deposits and withdrawals. They prioritize client fund safety, with a minimum deposit of $200, and ensure swift processing of transactions. However, being flagged on the WikiFx warning list signals the need for users to conduct their own due diligence.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: How much money do I need to put in to open an account？

A: The minimum deposit for starting a new account is $200.

Q: Is Swiss Markets regulated？

A: Yes, the broker is regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CYSEC) however recently was flagged by the Ministry of Trade in Indonesia for unauthorized activity.

Q: What trading platform does Swiss Markets use？

A: Swiss Markets uses the MetaTrader 4 platform, under a white-label license.

Q: Why is Swiss Markets on a warning list？

A: The Ministry of Trade in Indonesia listed Swiss Markets on a warning list for illegal commodity futures trading.

Q: How can I contact Swiss Markets？

A: Swiss Markets can be contacted via phone: +44 (20) 36709704; +49 3021446981; +34 (91) 0756974; +357 25262934; Email: support@swissmarkets.com. And online messaging on the website is also available.

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 provided in this review may be subject to change due to the constant updating of the company's services and policies.

In addition, the date on which this review was generated may also be an important factor to consider, as information may have changed since then. Therefore, readers are advised to always verify updated information directly with the company before making any decision or taking any action. Responsibility for the use of the information provided in this review rests solely with the reader.