Starfish foreign exchange brokers specializing in providing foreign exchange trading services, the company's official website https://my.starfishfx.com/auth/register, about the company's legal and temporary regulatory information, the company's address Level 1 1 Dickens Street Napier.
Starfish Markets Limited, established approximately 5 to 10 years ago, is a forex and CFD broker that claims to operate primarily from the United Kingdom. However, the company's actual registration is in New Zealand, where it previously held a financial services license that has since been revoked. This lack of a valid license raises significant concerns regarding its legitimacy and regulatory compliance. The broker operates privately and is not publicly listed.
Starfish primarily targets retail traders and investors looking to engage in forex trading, offering access to various trading instruments, including currency pairs and CFDs. Despite its claims of being based in the UK, the presence of a Hong Kong country code and confusion around its operational base has led to skepticism about its actual location and regulatory standing.
Over the years, Starfish has faced challenges, particularly concerning its regulatory status. The revocation of its license by New Zealand's Financial Markets Authority (FMA) is a critical milestone that has impacted its reputation. The broker's business model focuses on providing trading services to individual retail clients, but its lack of regulation raises significant risks for potential investors.
In summary, Starfish operates as a forex broker that, despite its claims of legitimacy, has faced serious regulatory issues and lacks the necessary licenses to ensure safe trading practices.
Starfish is currently unregulated, having lost its license from the New Zealand Financial Markets Authority (FMA). The revocation of the license means that the broker does not hold any valid regulatory oversight, which poses a significant risk to clients. The company previously operated under the registration number 272925 in New Zealand, but this license has been revoked.
Due to its unregulated status, Starfish does not adhere to the stringent compliance measures typically required by recognized financial authorities. This includes the absence of customer fund segregation policies, which are crucial for protecting client deposits in the event of the broker's insolvency. Moreover, Starfish does not participate in any investor compensation schemes, which further exposes clients to potential financial loss.
The broker's Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) compliance measures are also questionable. The lack of transparency regarding these processes raises concerns about the safety and security of client information and funds. Given these factors, it is highly advisable for potential clients to exercise caution and thoroughly assess the risks associated with trading through an unregulated broker like Starfish.
Starfish offers a variety of trading products, primarily focusing on the forex market. The broker provides access to over 50 currency pairs, including major, minor, and exotic pairs. This extensive offering allows traders to engage in diverse trading strategies across different market conditions.
In addition to forex, Starfish provides Contracts for Difference (CFDs) on various assets, including stocks, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies. However, the range of CFDs may be limited compared to other brokers. The broker also allows spread betting on several assets, giving clients the opportunity to profit from both rising and falling market conditions.
Despite offering a range of trading products, the frequency of updates and the introduction of new instruments are not clearly communicated, leaving traders uncertain about the availability of additional trading opportunities. Starfish's services are primarily geared towards retail traders, with limited offerings for institutional clients or white-label solutions.
Overall, while Starfish provides a broad selection of trading products, the lack of regulatory oversight and transparency in its operations raises concerns about the reliability and safety of trading with this broker.
Starfish supports the popular MetaTrader 4 (MT4) trading platform, which is widely recognized for its advanced trading capabilities, including automated trading through Expert Advisors (EAs). The MT4 platform offers a user-friendly interface, comprehensive charting tools, and a variety of technical indicators, making it suitable for both novice and experienced traders.
In addition to the desktop version of MT4, Starfish provides a mobile trading application compatible with both iOS and Android devices. This mobile platform allows traders to manage their accounts and execute trades on the go, enhancing flexibility and accessibility.
Starfish operates on an ECN (Electronic Communications Network) model, which facilitates direct market access for traders. This execution mode is designed to offer tighter spreads and faster order execution, although specific details about spreads and commissions are not readily available.
The broker's technological infrastructure, including server locations and data security measures, remains vague. Transparency regarding these aspects is crucial for traders to assess the reliability of the trading environment provided by Starfish. Furthermore, the broker does not explicitly mention any API access for automated trading or advanced trading strategies, which may limit options for algorithmic traders.
In summary, while Starfish offers a reputable trading platform in MT4 and mobile trading options, the lack of clarity regarding its technological infrastructure and execution model may deter potential clients.
Starfish provides several account types, although specific details about each account's conditions remain limited. The broker requires a minimum deposit to open a live trading account, but the exact amount has not been disclosed.
The standard account conditions include variable spreads, but the broker does not specify the average spreads or any associated commissions. Traders are advised to inquire directly with Starfish for precise details regarding trading costs.
Starfish also offers an ECN account designed for experienced traders who prefer direct market access and require fast execution speeds. This type of account typically provides tighter spreads but may involve additional commissions per trade.
For traders looking to practice their strategies, Starfish offers a demo account option. This allows users to trade with virtual money in a simulated environment, helping them familiarize themselves with the platform and test their trading strategies without financial risk.
Leveraging options for various products is not clearly defined, and the broker does not specify the minimum trading lot size for different account types. Additionally, information regarding overnight fees and other potential charges is not readily available.
In conclusion, while Starfish offers a range of account types and trading conditions, the lack of transparency regarding specific account features and trading costs may pose challenges for prospective clients.
Starfish provides several deposit and withdrawal methods, including bank transfers, credit/debit cards, and electronic wallets. However, the minimum deposit requirements for different account types remain unspecified, which could lead to confusion for potential clients.
The broker claims to impose no fees for deposits, which is a positive aspect for traders looking to minimize their trading costs. However, the processing times for deposits and withdrawals are not clearly stated, leaving traders uncertain about how quickly they can access their funds.
For withdrawals, Starfish does not provide detailed information regarding the methods available or any potential limitations. This lack of clarity could be a significant concern for traders who prioritize efficient and reliable fund management.
Furthermore, the absence of a clear fee structure for withdrawals raises red flags regarding the overall transparency of the broker's financial operations. Traders should be cautious and ensure they understand the costs and timelines associated with fund management when dealing with Starfish.
Starfish offers customer support through various channels, including phone and email. The support team is reportedly available in English and Chinese, catering to a broader range of clients. However, the responsiveness and efficiency of the support team have been criticized in some reviews, with reports of slow reply times.
The broker provides educational resources aimed at helping traders enhance their knowledge and skills. This includes 14 free lessons on forex trading, covering essential topics such as market fundamentals, trading strategies, and technical analysis. These resources are beneficial for both novice and experienced traders looking to improve their trading capabilities.
In addition to educational materials, Starfish offers market analysis services, including daily market insights and research reports. However, the depth and quality of these analyses are not well-documented, which may leave traders wanting more comprehensive information.
Despite the availability of educational resources, the overall quality of customer support and the effectiveness of these resources could be improved to better serve the needs of traders.
Starfish primarily serves clients in various markets, with a focus on retail traders. However, specific details regarding the geographic distribution of its regional offices are not provided, which may hinder potential clients' understanding of the broker's global presence.
The broker does not accept clients from certain countries, although the specific restrictions are not clearly outlined. This lack of transparency regarding geographic limitations may pose challenges for potential clients seeking to engage with Starfish.
In summary, while Starfish operates in multiple markets, the absence of clear information about regional coverage and client restrictions may deter traders from choosing this broker.
In conclusion, Starfish presents itself as a forex broker with a range of trading products and services; however, significant concerns regarding its regulatory status, transparency, and customer support warrant careful consideration before engaging with this broker.
FX1323328501
New Zealand
I had to express my gratitude to Starfish. It’s an awesome broker with excellent customer support. They designed a convenient platform that has everything you need for comfortable trading. Thanks!
Positive
2023-03-07
Fang46380
Hong Kong
Severe slippage. Please stay clear of this broker
Exposure
2021-04-25
FX1449611766
Australia
It was quite a while ago, but I still remember it fondly. See, I had just left this other broker that was an absolute nightmare. I'm talking about high spreads, constant slippage, and a clunky MT4 platform that made me want to throw my computer out the window. So when I started trading with Starfish, it was like a breath of fresh air. The spreads were lower, the platform was smoother, and I actually made some decent profits.
Positive
2023-03-28