Overview of USGFX

Union Standard Group (USG) is an Australian investment firm that provides access to trade forex and CFDs under the brand name ‘USGFX’. The brand began operations in 2005 and is headquartered in Sydney, Australia with subsidiaries in London and Asia. This broker offers a wide range of financial instruments, including forex, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies, which can be traded on the popular MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5) trading platforms.

USGFX prides itself on its commitment to customer service, with a 24/5 customer support team available to assist traders with their queries. The broker also offers educational resources such as webinars, ebooks, and video tutorials, as well as a free demo account for traders to practice their strategies. In addition, USGFX offers a range of account types to cater to the needs of different traders, including Standard, Pro, and VIP accounts.

Is USGFX legit or a scam？

USGFX has received mixed reviews and there have been reports of some traders experiencing issues with withdrawals and customer support. USGFX had their ASIC and FSC licenses suspended and VFSC license revoked in 2020 due to concerns over their compliance with regulatory requirements, particularly in regards to client money handling and risk management procedures. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and the Financial Services Commission (FSC) of the British Virgin Islands suspended USGFX's licenses for six months, while the Vanuatu Financial Services Commission (VFSC) permanently revoked their licenses.

Regulated brokers are required to adhere to strict rules and regulations regarding client funds, transparency, and risk management. In the event of any dispute or issue, traders have recourse through the regulatory body. With an unregulated broker, there is no such protection, and traders may be at a higher risk of fraud or other unethical practices

Pros & Cons

Here let's take a closer look at the good and bad things about USGFX. On the plus side, they offer a wide range of financial instruments to trade, including Forex, commodities, and indices. Their trading platforms are also pretty user-friendly and easy to navigate. On the downside, their regulatory status is questionable, which could be a red flag for some traders. Plus, they don't accept clients from certain countries, so you'll want to make sure you're eligible before signing up.

Market Instruments

USGFX offers a range of financial instruments for trading, including forex currency pairs, commodities, indices, and shares of popular companies. Some examples of the instruments offered by USGFX are:

• Forex currency pairs such as EUR/USD, GBP/USD, USD/JPY, and AUD/USD

• Precious metals like gold, silver, and platinum

• Energy commodities such as crude oil and natural gas

• Indices such as S&P 500, NASDAQ, FTSE 100, and Nikkei 225

• Shares of popular companies like Apple, Amazon, Facebook, and Microsoft

Account Types

USGFX offers four different types of trading accounts to cater to the needs of different traders:

• MINI Account: This is the entry-level account with a minimum deposit requirement of $100. Traders with this account type can trade a wide range of instruments with low trading costs, access to educational resources, and 24/5 customer support. However, this account type comes with limited features, such as lower leverage and limited trading tools.

• Standard Account: The standard account requires a minimum deposit of $10,000 and comes with additional features such as higher leverage, access to more trading tools, and a dedicated account manager. Traders with this account type can also enjoy free VPS hosting and regular market analysis.

• VIP Account: This account type is designed for high-volume traders with a minimum deposit requirement of $50,000. In addition to the features of the standard account, VIP account holders can enjoy custom trading strategies, priority customer support, and exclusive market insights.

• Pro-ECN Account: The Pro-ECN account is designed for experienced traders and institutions with a minimum deposit requirement of $50,000. This account type offers ECN trading with no dealing desk, ultra-low spreads, and high execution speeds. Traders with this account type can also access premium research tools and institutional-grade liquidity.

How to open an account with USGFX？

Opening an account with USGFX is pretty straightforward and you need to follow these steps:

1. First, you need to go to their website and click on the “Open Account” button.

1. Then, you'll need to fill in some personal details, like your name, email address, and phone number. After that, you'll need to choose the type of account you want to open and provide some additional information, like your date of birth and proof of identity.

1. Once you've completed the registration process, you'll be able to deposit funds into your account and start trading. Just keep in mind that depending on the type of account you've chosen, there may be different deposit and withdrawal requirements.

Leverage

USGFX offers flexible leverage options ranging from 1:1 to 500:1, depending on the account type and instrument traded. It is important for traders to understand the risks involved with using high leverage and to use it judiciously. Additionally, some instruments may have lower leverage options due to market conditions or regulatory requirements. Traders should check with the broker regarding the available leverage options for specific instruments.

Spreads and Commissions (Trading Fees)

USGFX offers variable spreads, which means that the spread can widen or narrow depending on market conditions. The average spread for major currency pairs such as EUR/USD, USD/JPY, and GBP/USD is around 2-3 pips. Commissions are not charged for forex trading, but there are swap fees for holding positions overnight.

For trading other instruments like commodities, indices, and cryptocurrencies, USGFX charges a fixed spread. The size of the spread varies depending on the instrument traded. For example, the spread for gold is typically around $0.50 per ounce, while the spread for Bitcoin is around $60 per lot.

Non Trading Fees

Apart from spreads and commissions, USGFX also charges several non-trading fees. These fees can add up and affect your overall trading experience, so it's important to be aware of them.

One such fee is the inactivity fee. This fee is charged to your account if you haven't made any trades or withdrawals for a specified period of time. The fee amount varies depending on the type of account you have and how long you've been inactive.

Another fee to be aware of is the withdrawal fee. While USGFX doesn't charge a deposit fee, they do charge a fee for each withdrawal you make from your account. This fee is a fixed amount and varies depending on the payment method you choose for your withdrawal.

USGFX also charges a swap fee, which is a fee charged for holding positions overnight. This fee can be a credit or debit depending on the direction of your position and the interest rates of the currencies you are trading.

Lastly, USGFX may charge a conversion fee if you deposit or withdraw funds in a currency that is different from the base currency of your trading account. The conversion fee is a percentage of the amount being converted and can add up if you frequently deposit or withdraw in different currencies.

Trading Platforms

USGFX offers its clients the MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5) trading platforms, which are highly popular among traders worldwide. These platforms are equipped with a range of trading tools, including charting tools, technical analysis indicators, and trading robots, making them suitable for traders of all levels.

MT4 is a well-established platform that has been around for over 15 years. It is known for its user-friendly interface, ease of use, and a wide range of trading tools. MT5, on the other hand, is the latest version of the platform, which was introduced in 2010. It offers several advanced features, such as more technical analysis tools, a multi-threaded strategy tester, and an economic calendar.

One of the significant advantages of MT4 and MT5 is that they are compatible with a range of devices, including desktop computers, laptops, smartphones, and tablets. This allows traders to access their accounts and trade from anywhere at any time.

Here's how USGFX's trading platform stacks up against other brokers' platforms:

Deposits and Withdrawals

Minimum Deposit

USGFX has a minimum deposit requirement of $100, which is pretty reasonable compared to some other brokers out there. It means that even if you're just starting out with trading and don't have a lot of money to invest, you can still give it a go with USGFX. Of course, you won't be able to make huge trades for just $100, but it's a good starting point to get your feet wet and learn the ropes of trading.

USGFX offers a variety of deposit and withdrawal options to its clients. Deposits can be made through bank wire transfer, credit/debit cards, and various e-wallets such as Skrill, Neteller, and FasaPay. The processing time and fees for each method may vary.

Withdrawals can also be made through bank wire transfer, credit/debit cards, and e-wallets. However, it is important to note that there may be fees associated with withdrawals, depending on the method chosen. Withdrawal requests are typically processed within 1-2 business days.

Also, USGFX may apply internal fees to withdrawals that are not actively traded. For example, if you make a deposit and then withdraw it without trading, USGFX may apply a fee of up to 3% of the deposit amount.

Customer Support

USGFX offers customer support through various channels, including email, phone, and live chat. The broker has dedicated support teams in different regions to cater to clients' needs. Customer support is available 24/5, and clients can contact the broker through the website's contact form or through the provided phone numbers and email addresses.

USGFX also has an extensive FAQ section on its website that covers different aspects of trading, including account management, deposit and withdrawal, and trading platforms.

Educational Resources

USGFX offers a variety of educational resources to help traders improve their knowledge and skills in trading. The broker provides free webinars, video tutorials, e-books, and other resources to help traders learn about various topics such as technical analysis, risk management, trading strategies, and more. Additionally, USGFX offers a demo account, which traders can use to practice trading in a risk-free environment.

The educational resources provided by USGFX can be accessed through the broker's website or the trading platform. The resources are available in multiple languages, making them accessible to traders from different countries. Traders can also interact with the broker's experts and other traders through online forums and social media channels.

Conclusion

USGFX is a forex broker that offers trading services in a variety of markets, including forex, commodities, and cryptocurrencies. The broker offers several account types with varying minimum deposit requirements, allowing traders to choose an account that suits their trading needs. However, the broker's regulation has been a point of concern, with its licenses revoked by various regulatory authorities. This, coupled with negative reviews from clients and the low ranking score, raises questions about the broker's trustworthiness.

FAQs

• Q: Is USGFX a regulated broker？

A: USGFX was previously regulated by ASIC, FSC, and VFSC, but their licenses have been revoked due to regulatory violations.

• Q: What trading platforms does USGFX offer？

A: USGFX offers the popular MetaTrader 4 (MT4) platform for desktop, web, and mobile devices.

• Q: What is the minimum deposit requirement to open an account with USGFX？

A: USGFX offers a MINI account with a minimum deposit requirement of $100.

• Q: What is the maximum leverage offered by USGFX？

A: USGFX offers a maximum leverage of up to 500:1 for forex trading.

• Q: What are the available payment methods for deposits and withdrawals with USGFX？

A: USGFX offers various payment methods, including bank transfer, credit/debit card, and electronic payment systems such as Neteller and Skrill.

• Q: Does USGFX offer educational resources for traders？

A: Yes, USGFX provides a range of educational resources for traders, including webinars, e-books, and trading tutorials.

General Information

Eightcap is a popular online forex and CFDs broker that offers access to trade various financial markets. The broker was founded in 2009 in Melbourne, Australia, and has since expanded its presence to other regions such as Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Eightcap prides itself on providing a user-friendly trading experience, robust trading platforms, and competitive trading conditions for its clients.

The broker offers a wide range of financial instruments to trade, including 800+CFDs on forex, commodity, crypto, index, and share. Clients can access these markets through the popular trading platforms, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and TradingView. The broker also offers three types of account types to suit the individual needs of its clients, including Standard, Raw and TradingView, with the minimum deposit requirement of $100.

Pros and Cons

Eightcap is a global forex and CFD broker offering many features and benefits that make it an attractive choice for traders of all levels. One of the primary advantages of Eightcap is its range of trading instruments, including CFDs on forex, commodity, crypto, index, and share. This diversity allows traders to take advantage of a wide range of market opportunities and build diversified portfolios.

In addition to its broad range of trading instruments, Eightcap also offers competitive trading conditions, such as tight spreads and low commissions, which can help traders maximize their profits. The broker also provides access to multiple trading platforms, including MetaTrader 4 and 5, as well as TradingView.

While there are many benefits to trading with Eightcap, there are also some drawbacks to consider. One of these is the limited selection of educational resources, which may be a disadvantage for novice traders. Additionally, the broker does not currently offer social trading options and 24/7 customer support.

Is Eightcap Legit?

Yes, Eightcap is considered a legitimate broker, regulated by reputable financial authorities including ASIC (Australia), FCA (UK), CySEC (Cyprus), and SCB (Bahamas). These regulatory bodies impose strict rules and regulations on the broker to ensure they operate in a fair and transparent manner, thereby providing traders with a safe and secure trading environment.

EIGHTCAP PTY LTD, its Australian entity, is authorized and regulated by the Australia Securities & Investment Commission (ASIC) under the regulatory license number 391441.

Eightcap EU Ltd, is regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CYSEC) under license no. 246/14.

Eightcap Group Ltd, its UK entity, is authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) under the regulatory license number of 921296.

Eightcap Global Limited, the international entity, is authorized and offshore regulated by the Security Commission of the Bamas (SCB) under the regulatory license number of SIA-F220.

Market Instruments

800+ CFDs on forex, commodity, crypto, index, share... EightCap allows clients to access a huge range of trading markets. Therefore, both beginners and experienced traders can find what they want to trade on EightCap.

Account Types

Live Accounts: EightCap offers three types of accounts at EightCap: Raw, Standard and TradingView accounts. All require a moderate minimum deposit of 100 USD, which is quite friendly for beginners. Their most relevant differences consist in the spreads, the raw account has a lower spread. Standard and TradingView accounts offers a commission-free trading environment, yet compensated by wider spreads, while Raw accounts offers raw spreads, accompanied by additional commissions.

The Raw Account is designed for traders seeking tight spreads and transparent pricing. With a minimum deposit of $100, traders can access over 800 instruments with spreads starting from 0.0 pips. However, a commission is charged on each side of the trade, ranging from $3.5 for major currencies like AUD, USD, NZD, SGD, and CAD, to $2.25 for GBP and $2.75 for EUR per standard lot traded. This account type allows scalping and supports a wide range of base currencies, including AUD, USD, EUR, GBP, NZD, CAD, and SGD. The minimum trade size is 0.01 lots, with a maximum of 100 lots.

The Standard Account is designed for traders seeking a more straightforward pricing structure. With a minimum deposit of $100, traders can access over 800 instruments with spreads starting from 1.0 pips. No commissions are charged, making it a cost-effective option for traders who prefer to pay through the spread. Like the Raw Account, the Standard Account allows scalping, supports multiple base currencies, and offers the same minimum and maximum trade sizes, margin call levels, and stop-out levels.

The TradingView Account is a unique offering that integrates with the popular TradingView platform. With a minimum deposit of $100, traders can access over 800 instruments with spreads starting from 1.0 pip and no commissions charged. This account type is suitable for traders who prefer to use the TradingView platform for analysis and trading. Similar to the other account types, the TradingView Account allows scalping, supports a wide range of base currencies, and offers the same minimum and maximum trade sizes, margin call levels, and stop-out levels.

Demo Accounts

Aside from two types of live trading accounts, Eightcap offers a 30-day demo account for traders who want to practice and test their trading strategies without risking real money. The demo account is free and is designed to simulate real market conditions, allowing traders to get a feel for the platform and instruments before they start trading with a live account. The demo account is funded with virtual money and offers access to the same features as the live account, including a range of instruments and trading platforms.

Leverage

The maximum leverage is determined by the regulator; the maximum ASIC leverage is only 1:30, but the Bahamas SCB allows a leverage of 1:500. However, other trading conditions may vary accordingly and you can decide for yourself.

High leverage is ideal for active traders and scalpers, as it presents greater trading flexibility in general, which directly impacts profitability, but new users are advised to operate with caution with such large leverage.

Spreads and Commissions

Eightcap offers competitive spreads and commissions on their trading instruments. The spreads on forex pairs start from as low as 0.0 pips on the Raw account and 1.0 pips on the Standard account. The commissions charged on forex trades start from $3.50 per lot round trip on the Raw account and there are no commissions on the Standard account.

For indices, the spreads start from 0.5 pips on the Raw account and 1.0 pips on the Standard account.There are no commissions charged on indices trading. The spreads on commodities trading start from 0.03 pips on the Raw account and 0.5 pips on the Standard account, and there are no commissions charged on commodities trading. The spreads and commissions may vary depending on market conditions and the type of account held by the trader.

Non-Trading Fees

Eightcap charges non-trading fees, which are fees not directly related to trading, such as deposit and withdrawal fees, inactivity fees, and currency conversion fees.

For deposits, Eightcap does not charge any fees, but there may be fees charged by the payment provider or bank. Withdrawals made via bank transfers are free, but there is a fee of $10 for withdrawals via credit/debit cards.

Additionally, Eightcap charges an inactivity fee of $50 per quarter if there are no trades or account activity for a period of 90 days or more. It's important to note that this fee is only charged if there are sufficient funds in the account, and it does not apply to demo accounts.

Eightcap also charges a currency conversion fee of 0.5% for clients who deposit or withdraw in a currency other than their account base currency. This fee can be higher for certain currencies, so it's important to check with Eightcap for the exact fee amount.

Trading Platforms

Eightcap offers multiple trading platforms, including the popular MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and Tradingview. These platforms are known for their user-friendly interface and advanced charting tools. Additionally, Eightcap also provides a web-based trading platform that can be accessed from any device with an internet connection. This platform is ideal for traders who prefer a simpler interface or who don't want to download and install software on their device.

With the MetaTrader platforms, Eightcap offers a range of customizable features, including the ability to use custom indicators and expert advisors. These platforms also provide access to real-time market data and allow traders to execute trades quickly and efficiently. Traders can also use the platforms to set up automated trading strategies, which can be particularly useful for those who want to trade around the clock.

EightCap's TradingView leverages 15+ customizable chart types, including Kagi, Renko, and Point & Figure. Organize up to 8 synchronized charts per tab and utilize 90+ smart drawing tools for comprehensive analysis.

Furthermore, Eightcap's web-based trading platform is designed to offer a streamlined trading experience. It includes essential features such as real-time market news, customizable charts, and advanced order types. The platform also offers access to a range of educational resources, including trading videos, webinars, and tutorials, which can be helpful for new traders looking to improve their skills.

Deposit and Withdrawal

Eightcap offers a variety of deposit and withdrawal methods, such as MasterCard, Visa, PayPal, Wire Transfer, BPAY, Skrill, Neteller, etc. (vary on the region). You can find more detailed info in the table below:

Customer Support

Eightcap offers live chat, phone, and email. Their live chat feature is available 24/5, which means clients can get instant assistance whenever they need it. Phone support is available during business hours, and email support promises a response within 24 hours.

In addition, Eightcap has an extensive FAQ section on its website that covers various topics, such as account opening, trading platforms, funding and withdrawals, and trading conditions.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Eightcap seems like a solid choice for traders looking for a reliable broker with a wide range of instruments, competitive pricing, and user-friendly platforms. Their customer support is also top-notch, with various ways to get in touch and a comprehensive FAQ section. While their educational resources may not be as extensive as some other brokers, they still provide useful tools and market analysis to help traders stay informed. The only potential downside is the lack of proprietary trading platforms, but with MT4, MT5, and TradingView available, there's still plenty of options to choose from.

FAQs

Is Eightcap regulated?

Yes, Eightcap is regulated by ASIC, FCA, CySEC, and SCB (Offshore).

What trading platforms does Eightcap offer?

Eightcap offers MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), and TradingView.

What are the minimum deposit requirements for Eightcap?

The minimum deposit requirement for Eightcap's Standard account is $100.

What is the maximum leverage available at Eightcap?

Up to 1:500.

Can I open a demo account with Eightcap?

Yes, Eightcap offers a 30-day demo account that allows traders to practice their trading strategies without risking real money.

What financial instruments can I trade at Eightcap?

You can trade CFDs on forex, commodity, crypto, index, and share on Eightcap.

Risk Warning

Online trading carries substantial risk, potentially leading to the total loss of invested funds. It may not be appropriate for all traders or investors. It's crucial to fully comprehend the associated risks before engaging in trading activities.