What is FXCM？
FXCM is a retail forex broker that was founded in 1999. The company is headquartered in London, UK, but has offices and affiliates in a number of other countries, including Australia, Germany, France, Italy, Greece, Hong Kong, Japan, South Africa, and the United States.
The company provides online trading services in forex, contracts for difference (CFDs), and other financial instruments. FXCM offers various trading platforms including the popular MetaTrader 4 (MT4), Trading Station, TradingView Pro, ZuluTrade, Capitalise AI. The broker provides customer support in multiple languages and offers educational resources and market analysis tools to help traders make informed trading decisions.
What Type of Broker FXCM is？
FXCM is a retail forex and CFD broker that operates as a No Dealing Desk (NDD) broker. This means that FXCM does not take the opposite side of clients' trades and instead uses Straight Through Processing (STP) to send client orders to liquidity providers in the interbank market. This model is designed to provide traders with faster execution and more transparent pricing. FXCM also offers commission-based pricing, as opposed to spreads, which may appeal to traders who prefer a more transparent fee structure.
Pros & Cons
FXCM is a well-established and reputable forex broker with over two decades of experience in the industry. Its strengths include its comprehensive educational resources, a wide range of trading instruments and platforms, and a global presence. FXCM also offers competitive pricing and flexible account options, making it accessible to traders of all levels.
However, FXCM's weaknesses include limited deposit and withdrawal options, high fees for certain services, and the potential for slippage during periods of high volatility. Some traders have also reported issues with customer support, particularly in non-English speaking regions.
It's worth noting that the pros and cons listed above are not exhaustive and may not necessarily apply to every trader's individual experience with FXCM.
Overall, FXCM can be a good choice for traders who prioritize education and a diverse range of trading options, but it may not be the best fit for those who require a specific deposit or withdrawal method, or who prioritize low fees above all else.
Is FXCM Safe or Scam？
FXCM is a legitimate broker with a long-standing reputation in the industry. The company is regulated by top-tier financial authorities, such as the FCA in the UK, the ASIC in Australia, CYSEC in Cyprus and FSCA in South Africa, which ensures that it operates under strict financial and ethical guidelines. FXCM also has a solid track record of handling client funds in a secure and responsible manner.
However, like any broker, there are potential risks involved in trading, such as market volatility and the possibility of losses. It's important to carefully evaluate the risks and benefits before deciding to trade with any broker.
How are you protected？
FXCM provides negative balance protection and offers its clients access to segregated accounts, providing additional security measures. More details can be found in the table below:
Note: The table only includes a few of the many safety measures that FXCM employs to protect its clients.
Our Conclusion on FXCM Reliability:
FXCM is a well-regulated and reputable broker with a long-standing history in the industry. The company is regulated by top-tier financial authorities and has multiple licenses, demonstrating a commitment to client protection.
However, FXCM has faced regulatory penalties in the past and the company's reputation was negatively impacted. Overall, while FXCM has had some past issues, the broker has taken steps to address them and appears to be a reliable choice for traders.
Market Instruments
FXCM offers trading in five major classes of tradable assest, including forex, shares, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies, which provides traders with varying interests and strategies a broader portfolio.
Account Types
There are two types of accounts: Regular Accounts and Premier Accounts. Regular accounts have a minimum deposit of $50 and allow investors to trade up to 39 popular currency pairs and the entire CFD range.
The Premier Account is designed for high-volume investors and requires, firstly, an FXCM account or a new account, a total USD notional trading volume of $10 million per natural month. The account offers investors a range of benefits: exclusive support, premium services, and tailor-made trading solutions.
Aside from real trading accounts, FXCM also offers demo account options. FXCM's demo account, elaborately, provides a realistic trading experience with access to live market prices across multiple asset classes. Traders can receive $20,000 in virtual funds to practice executing buy and sell orders on FXCM's user-friendly trading platform, available 24/5. This risk-free environment enables traders to hone their strategies and gain confidence before transitioning to a live funded account.
Leverage
FXCM offers several leverage options for trading Forex (FX) and Contracts for Difference (CFDs), depending on the account equity. For equity less than $5,000, traders can access up to 1000:1 leverage for both FX and CFDs. Accounts with equity between $5,000 and $50,000 are eligible for up to 400:1 leverage on both FX and CFDs. Accounts with equity greater than $50,000 can leverage up to 100:1 for FX and up to 200:1 for CFDs. This tiered leverage system allows traders to customize their risk exposure based on their account size and trading strategies, while adhering to regulatory requirements.
Spreads & Commissions
The spreads are 1.3 pips for EUR/USD, 2.3 pips for EUR/GBP, and 1.8 pips for AUD/USD. The Premier account offers investors a cashback offers. If a client trades EUR/USD pair and reaches $300 million in notional volume for the month (for the fifth step), then the cashback amount is $25/million, for a total cashback amount of $7,500. The cashback for equity index CFD products ranges from $1 to $3 per million USD.
Below is a comparison table about spreads and commissions charged by different brokers:
Note: Spreads can vary depending on market conditions and volatility.
Promotions
FXCM provides rebates through three channels: Rebate Program, Friends and Family, Accounts Promotions. Account promotions, particularly, gives traders most benefits. To benefit from these promotions, traders simply need to open an account and register for the promotion by filling out the designated form. Upon account activation, making a deposit within 24 hours qualifies traders for the highest bonus of 5%, while those depositing within one month of activation can enjoy a 2-3% bonus. The bonus amount is then credited to the trader's account within 14 business days of the deposit, enabling them to boost their trading capital right from the start.
Trading Platforms
FXCM offers a comprehensive platform suite designed ffor various trading needs:
Trading Station: Proprietary advanced platform
TradingView Pro: Powerful charting and analysis
MetaTrader 4: Industry-standard user-friendly platform
ZuluTrade: Social trading, copy successful strategies
Capitalise AI: AI-powered automated trading and portfolio management
Overall, FXCM's trading platforms offer a range of advanced features and tools that can appeal to traders of all levels and styles.
Deposits & Withdrawals
FXCM welcomes several payment methods, including online banking payments, bank transfers, and other payments. The minimum single deposit for CUP is $100, and the minimum deposit for a credit card or wire transfer is $50. Besides, traders can withdraw funds once a month for free.
Minimum deposit requirement
The minimum deposit requirement for FXCM varies depending on the account type and the region of the client. For example, in the UK and some other regions, the minimum deposit for a Standard account is £300 or equivalent in another currency, while for the Mini account, it is £50 or equivalent.
However, in some other regions, such as the US, the minimum deposit for a Standard account is $5,000, while for the Mini account, it is $50. It is important to check the minimum deposit requirement for the specific account type and region before opening an account with FXCM.
FXCM minimum deposit vs other brokers
FXCM Money Withdrawal
To withdraw funds from your FXCM account, you need to follow these steps:
Step 1: Log in to your FXCM account on the FXCM website.
Step 2: Click on the “MyFXCM” menu and select “Withdraw.”
Step 3: Select the account you wish to withdraw from and choose your withdrawal method.
Step 4: Enter the amount you wish to withdraw and provide any additional information that may be required for your chosen withdrawal method.
Step 5: Review and confirm your withdrawal request.
Step 6: Once your withdrawal request has been processed, you will receive an email confirmation with details of the transaction.
It's important to note that the time it takes for your funds to be withdrawn will depend on the withdrawal method you choose and the processing times of your bank or payment provider.
Fees
Apart from spreads and commissions, FXCM also charges overnight fees. Overnight fees, also known as swap fees, are charged for positions that are held overnight.
FXCM does not charge any deposit fees, but there are withdrawal fees depending on the withdrawal method used. For example, bank wire withdrawals are subject to a $40 fee, while credit card withdrawals are subject to a 1.8% fee.
Inactivity fees may also be charged if an account is inactive for a certain period. For example, FXCM charges an inactivity fee of $50 per year if there are no trades or open positions for 12 months.
It is important to review the fee schedule on FXCM's website before opening an account to ensure a full understanding of the fees associated with trading.
See the fee comparison table below:
Please note that these fees may be subject to change and may vary depending on your location and account type. It's always a good idea to check with the broker directly for the most up-to-date information.
Customer Service
FXCM offers customer support via phone, email, and live chat 24/5 during market hours. They also have a FAQ section on their website to provide answers to common questions. FXCM provides localized support in various languages and countries, and they have a team dedicated to handling account-related inquiries.
In addition, they offer remote assistance through TeamViewer to assist clients with any technical issues they may encounter. Overall, FXCM is known for their responsive and helpful customer support.
Note: The above information is based on general feedback from clients and may not be applicable to every individual experience.
Education Resources
FXCM offers a range of educational resources to help traders improve their knowledge and skills. Some of the educational resources available on the FXCM website include:
Webinars: Live and recorded webinars covering a variety of trading topics, including market analysis, technical analysis, and trading strategies.
Video library: A collection of videos covering various trading topics, including trading psychology, chart patterns, and trading platforms.
Trading guides: In-depth guides on various trading topics, including Forex trading, stock trading, and trading psychology.
Forex news: Daily updates on market news and analysis from FXCM's team of experts.
Trading signals: Trading signals based on technical analysis and market trends.
Conclusion
In conclusion, FXCM is a well-established and reputable broker that offers a range of trading instruments and account types with competitive spreads and commissions. The broker's trading platforms are user-friendly and offer advanced features for traders of all levels. Additionally, FXCM provides educational resources and excellent customer support, including 24/5 support in multiple languages.
However, FXCM does have some drawbacks, including the lack of negative balance protection and the high inactivity fee. The broker is also not available in all countries, which may limit accessibility for some traders. Overall, FXCM is a reliable and trustworthy broker that can meet the needs of both beginner and experienced traders.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Risk Warning
Trading online carries inherent risks, including the potential loss of your entire investment. It's essential to recognize that online trading may not be suitable for everyone, and individuals should carefully consider their risk tolerance before participating. Additionally, please be aware that the details provided in this review are subject to change as companies update their services and policies. Therefore, it's advisable to verify the most up-to-date information directly with the company before making any trading decisions. Ultimately, the responsibility for utilizing the information in this review lies solely with the reader.
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