MARKETS FOREX Forex Broker

Markets Forex Broker - Complete Information Guide

1. Broker Overview

Markets.com, established in 2008, is a leading global online trading platform that offers a wide range of financial instruments. The broker is headquartered in the British Virgin Islands and operates under various regulatory entities across different regions, including the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).

Markets.com is a subsidiary of the Finalto Group, which is part of Playtech PLC, a publicly traded company listed on the London Stock Exchange. This affiliation provides Markets.com with a robust financial backing and a solid reputation in the trading community.

The primary markets served by Markets.com include retail forex trading, contracts for difference (CFDs), and various other financial instruments. Their clientele ranges from individual retail traders to institutional investors, catering to diverse trading needs globally.

Since its inception, Markets.com has achieved significant milestones, including the development of its proprietary trading platforms and expanding its product offerings to include over 2,000 tradable assets. The broker has also been recognized for its commitment to providing a user-friendly trading experience and comprehensive educational resources for traders.

The business model of Markets.com primarily focuses on retail forex trading and CFDs, allowing clients to speculate on price movements in various financial markets without owning the underlying assets. This model has made it a popular choice among both novice and experienced traders.

2. Regulatory and Compliance Information

Markets.com operates under several regulatory authorities, ensuring a high level of compliance and investor protection. The main regulatory bodies include:

• Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), UK (License No: 607305)
• Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) (License No: 424008)
• Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) (License No: 092/08)
• Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA), South Africa (License No: 46860)
• British Virgin Islands Financial Services Commission (FSC) (License No: SIBA/L/14/1067)

These licenses are valid across various jurisdictions, allowing Markets.com to offer its services to a broad audience while adhering to stringent regulatory standards.

Markets.com maintains a robust client fund segregation policy, ensuring that clients' funds are held in separate accounts from the companys operational funds. This practice is crucial for protecting client assets in the event of financial difficulties faced by the broker.

The broker is also a participant in investor compensation schemes, providing an additional layer of security for clients. For example, clients under the FCA's jurisdiction can benefit from a compensation scheme that covers up to £85,000 in the event of broker insolvency.

To comply with regulatory requirements, Markets.com implements comprehensive Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) measures, ensuring that all clients are verified before trading. This process helps to prevent fraud and maintain the integrity of the trading environment.

3. Trading Products and Services

Markets.com offers a diverse range of trading products, catering to various trading preferences and strategies. The broker provides access to:

• 56 Forex pairs, including major, minor, and exotic currencies such as EUR/USD, GBP/USD, and USD/JPY.
• CFDs on commodities, including oil, gold, and silver, allowing traders to speculate on price movements without owning the physical assets.
• Indices, enabling clients to trade on the performance of global stock markets, such as the S&P 500 and FTSE 100.
• Stocks, with over 1,900 available CFDs on shares from various international companies.
• Cryptocurrencies, offering clients the chance to trade popular digital currencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum.
• ETFs and bonds, broadening the investment scope for traders.

Markets.com frequently updates its product offerings, introducing new instruments based on market demand and trading trends. This adaptability ensures that clients have access to a comprehensive range of trading options.

The broker primarily focuses on retail trading services but also provides tailored solutions for institutional clients, including white-label services and asset management. This dual approach enables Markets.com to meet the needs of both individual traders and larger financial institutions.

4. Trading Platforms and Technology

Markets.com supports various trading platforms to cater to different trader preferences. The primary platforms include:

• MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), both of which are popular among traders for their advanced charting tools, technical analysis capabilities, and automated trading options.
• MarketsX, a proprietary web-based trading platform that offers a user-friendly interface and a variety of trading tools, including over 90 technical indicators for analysis.
• MarketsI, another proprietary platform designed for traditional trading and investment strategy development.

The broker also provides mobile trading applications for both iOS and Android devices, enabling traders to access their accounts and trade on the go. These mobile apps maintain a consistent look and feel with the desktop platforms, allowing for seamless transitions between devices.

Markets.com operates on an ECN (Electronic Communication Network) model, which connects traders directly to liquidity providers, ensuring fast execution speeds and competitive spreads. The broker's servers are strategically located to minimize latency and enhance trading performance.

Additionally, Markets.com offers API access for automated trading, allowing clients to implement their trading strategies using custom algorithms and tools.

5. Account Types and Trading Conditions

Markets.com offers a variety of account types to suit different trading styles and experience levels. The main account types include:

• Standard Account: Requires a minimum deposit of $100, with variable spreads starting from 0.6 pips. This account is suitable for most retail traders.
• Professional Account: Designed for experienced traders who meet specific criteria, offering higher leverage and additional trading benefits.
• Islamic Account: Available for traders adhering to Islamic finance principles, ensuring no interest is charged on overnight positions.
• Demo Account: Allows prospective clients to practice trading with virtual funds, enabling them to familiarize themselves with the platform and trading strategies without financial risk.

The leverage offered by Markets.com varies depending on the account type and asset class. For forex pairs, leverage can go up to 1:300, while other instruments may have different leverage limits. The minimum trade size is typically 0.01 lots, allowing for flexible position sizing.

Markets.com also imposes overnight fees for positions held beyond the trading day, which are calculated based on the underlying asset's financing costs.

6. Funds Management

Markets.com supports various deposit and withdrawal methods, ensuring a seamless funding experience for clients. The available methods include:

• Bank Transfers
• Credit and Debit Cards (Visa, Mastercard)
• E-wallets (Skrill, Neteller, PayPal)

The minimum deposit requirement is $100 for standard accounts, while some regions may have different requirements. Deposits are typically processed instantly, allowing traders to start trading immediately.

Markets.com does not charge any deposit fees, but withdrawal fees may apply depending on the method used. Withdrawals are processed within 1 to 7 business days, depending on the chosen method, with no withdrawal fees imposed on most transactions.

Clients can expect a transparent fee structure, with detailed information provided on the broker's website regarding any applicable charges.

7. Customer Support and Educational Resources

Markets.com offers a robust customer support system to assist clients with their trading needs. Support channels include:

• Email Support
• Live Chat
• Telephone Support

The support team is available 24/5, providing assistance in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, Italian, Arabic, German, and more.

In addition to customer support, Markets.com provides a wealth of educational resources for traders of all levels. These resources include:

• Webinars covering various trading topics and strategies.
• Tutorials and e-books designed to enhance trading knowledge.
• Market Analysis services, providing daily insights and updates on market trends.

The broker also offers a range of trading tools, such as calculators and economic calendars, to help traders make informed decisions.

8. Regional Coverage and Restrictions

Markets.com serves a global clientele, with a significant presence in regions such as Europe, Australia, South Africa, and the British Virgin Islands. The broker has established offices in various locations to cater to local markets effectively.

However, there are certain countries from which Markets.com does not accept clients, including:

• United States
• Japan
• Canada
• Belgium
• Israel
• Turkey
• New Zealand

These restrictions are primarily due to regulatory requirements and compliance issues in these jurisdictions. Traders are advised to check the broker's website for the most up-to-date information on regional availability and any specific limitations.

In conclusion, Markets.com stands out as a reputable and well-regulated forex broker, offering a comprehensive range of trading products and services. With its strong regulatory framework, diverse account options, and user-friendly platforms, it caters to the needs of both novice and experienced traders alike. Whether you are looking to trade forex, CFDs, or other financial instruments, Markets.com provides a reliable environment for your trading endeavors.