LeveTrade is a South African-based CFD forex broker that commenced operations in July 2021. The company operates under the full name AFK Capital (Pty) Ltd, with its headquarters located at The Capital Trilogy, Menlyn Main Amar and Ave, Waterkloof Glen, 0181 Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa. As a private entity, LeveTrade primarily serves retail clients and traders interested in the forex and CFD markets.
Since its inception, LeveTrade has aimed to provide a comprehensive trading experience by offering a variety of financial instruments, including major and minor currency pairs, commodities, indices, shares, and cryptocurrencies. The broker has positioned itself as a platform that caters to both novice and experienced traders, emphasizing user-friendly interfaces and advanced trading tools.
Despite its relatively short history, LeveTrade has made significant strides in the online trading landscape. The company has focused on expanding its product offerings and enhancing its trading platform to meet the evolving needs of its clients. As a product of AFK Capital, LeveTrade operates under the regulatory framework established by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) in South Africa, which adds a layer of credibility to its operations.
LeveTrade's business model revolves around retail forex trading, providing clients with access to a wide range of financial products through an online trading platform. This approach allows traders to engage in speculative trading without the need to own the underlying assets directly.
LeveTrade is regulated by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) in South Africa. The broker's license number is FSP 51875, and it operates under the registration number 2021/311713/07. The FSCA is responsible for overseeing financial services providers in South Africa, ensuring that they comply with the necessary regulations and standards.
The regulatory license held by LeveTrade is valid and encompasses a range of trading activities. However, it is important to note that the FSCA allows for higher leverage ratios compared to tier-1 regulators like the FCA or ASIC. This characteristic may attract traders looking for higher risk-reward opportunities.
In terms of client protection, LeveTrade adheres to strict Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) compliance measures. This includes verifying the identity of clients and monitoring transactions to prevent illicit activities. Client funds are held in segregated accounts, which provides an additional layer of security in the event of financial difficulties faced by the broker.
LeveTrade participates in an investor compensation fund, which offers some level of protection to clients in case of insolvency. This participation is a crucial aspect of regulatory compliance, as it provides traders with a safety net for their investments.
LeveTrade offers a diverse range of trading products, catering to various trading strategies and preferences. The broker provides access to over 50 forex currency pairs, including major pairs such as EUR/USD, GBP/USD, and USD/JPY, as well as minor and exotic pairs. This extensive selection allows traders to capitalize on fluctuations in the foreign exchange market.
In addition to forex trading, LeveTrade offers Contracts for Difference (CFDs) on several asset classes, including:
LeveTrade continuously updates its product offerings to meet market demand, ensuring that clients have access to the latest trading instruments. The broker also provides retail trading services, allowing individual traders to engage in the financial markets without the need for institutional support.
While the broker does not currently offer white label solutions or asset management services, it focuses on providing a robust trading environment for its clients.
LeveTrade primarily utilizes a proprietary web-based trading platform, which is designed to cater to the needs of its clients. Unfortunately, the broker does not support popular trading platforms such as MetaTrader 4 (MT4) or MetaTrader 5 (MT5), which are widely favored by traders for their advanced features and functionalities.
The web-based platform offers an intuitive interface, allowing traders to access live market data, execute trades, and manage their accounts seamlessly. However, there is currently no dedicated mobile application available for iOS or Android devices, which may limit the flexibility for traders who prefer mobile trading.
LeveTrade operates on a market-making execution model, which enables the broker to provide liquidity to its clients. The broker's servers are located in secure data centers, ensuring that trades are executed swiftly and efficiently. Furthermore, LeveTrade offers API access for automated trading, allowing algorithmic traders to connect their trading systems to the platform.
Although the technology infrastructure is designed to meet industry standards, the lack of support for established platforms like MT4 and MT5 may be a drawback for some traders.
LeveTrade offers multiple account types to cater to the varying needs of its clients. The minimum deposit requirement for the standard account is $250, and clients can choose from the following account types:
The broker's trading conditions include spreads that vary based on the account type. For lower-tier accounts, spreads may start at 3.0 pips, while premium accounts can benefit from tighter spreads of 0.9 pips. LeveTrade applies overnight fees, also known as swap rates, which are subject to market conditions.
The broker provides a one-week demo account with a virtual balance of $10,000 for traders to familiarize themselves with the platform and trading conditions before committing real funds.
LeveTrade supports a variety of deposit methods to facilitate client transactions. These methods include bank transfers, credit cards, and electronic wallets. The minimum deposit requirement varies depending on the account type, with the standard account requiring $250.
Deposits are generally processed quickly, with most transactions being completed within a few hours. However, specific processing times may vary based on the payment method used. LeveTrade does not charge any deposit fees, making it cost-effective for traders to fund their accounts.
Withdrawals can be made through the same methods as deposits, and the processing time for withdrawals is typically within 3 days. However, it is essential to note that withdrawal requests may incur fees, particularly for bank wire transfers, which can cost $25 per transaction. Additionally, an inactivity fee of $100 is charged for accounts that remain dormant for over two months.
LeveTrade provides customer support through various channels, including phone, email, and online chat. However, the availability of live chat support has been reported to be limited, with messages indicating that the support team may not be immediately available. Clients can reach out via email or phone for assistance, but specific service hours are not clearly disclosed.
The broker supports multiple languages, ensuring that clients from diverse backgrounds can access assistance in their preferred language. To enhance the trading experience, LeveTrade offers educational resources, including webinars, tutorials, and market analysis services.
Traders can benefit from daily market insights, research reports, and various trading tools such as calculators and economic calendars. These resources aim to empower clients with the knowledge and tools needed to make informed trading decisions.
LeveTrade primarily targets clients from South Africa, Singapore, Cyprus, Malaysia, and the United Kingdom. While the broker aims to provide services to a global audience, it explicitly states that it does not offer services to U.S. citizens due to regulatory restrictions.
The company operates from its headquarters in South Africa and does not have regional offices in other countries. This limited geographical presence may impact its ability to cater to clients in various regions effectively. Additionally, traders are advised to be aware of any local regulations that may affect their ability to trade with LeveTrade.
In summary, LeveTrade presents itself as a forex broker with a focus on providing a comprehensive trading experience. However, potential clients should conduct thorough research and consider the broker's regulatory status, trading conditions, and available support before engaging in trading activities.