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Levetrade, a South Africa-based forex and CFD broker, has garnered attention since its inception in July 2021. However, opinions about this broker are mixed, with several sources raising concerns over its regulatory status, trading conditions, and customer service. The broker claims to offer a user-friendly trading platform and a wide range of assets, but user experiences suggest otherwise.
Note: It's crucial to consider the various entities operating under Levetrade, as this can impact the overall trustworthiness and regulatory compliance of the broker. This review aims to provide a balanced perspective based on multiple sources.
Category | Rating (Out of 10) |
---|---|
Account Conditions | 5 |
Tools and Resources | 4 |
Customer Service and Support | 3 |
Trading Setup (Experience) | 5 |
Trustworthiness | 4 |
User Experience | 3 |
We rate brokers based on a combination of user feedback, expert opinions, and factual data from credible sources.
Levetrade is operated by AFK Capital (Pty) Ltd and is regulated by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) in South Africa. While this licensing offers some level of protection, it is considered less robust compared to regulations from tier-one jurisdictions like the FCA or ASIC. The broker primarily offers a web-based trading platform, lacking the popular MetaTrader 4 or MetaTrader 5 platforms, which many traders prefer for their advanced features.
Levetrade provides access to various asset classes, including forex pairs, commodities, indices, shares, and cryptocurrencies. However, the absence of a mobile trading app raises questions about the broker's commitment to providing a comprehensive trading experience.
Levetrade operates under the jurisdiction of South Africa and explicitly states that it does not provide services to U.S. citizens. The majority of its clients come from South Africa, Singapore, Cyprus, Malaysia, and the United Kingdom. The FSCA's oversight does offer some level of client protection, but the regulatory environment is still considered relatively lenient compared to other major financial jurisdictions.
The minimum deposit requirement for a standard trading account is $250, which is relatively standard in the industry. However, the broker charges a $25 fee for bank wire withdrawals and imposes a $100 dormancy fee for accounts inactive for two months. These costs are higher than many competitors, which could deter potential traders.
Currently, there are no promotional bonuses offered by Levetrade, which is not uncommon for brokers regulated by the FSCA.
Levetrade allows trading in various financial instruments, including:
Spreads at Levetrade can be as high as 3.0 pips for lower-tier accounts, tightening to 0.9 pips for premium accounts. While the leverage can go up to 1:400, which is appealing for high-risk traders, the overall cost structure is above average compared to other brokers.
Currently, Levetrade only offers a proprietary web-based trading platform, which many users find lacking compared to the more established platforms like MT4 or MT5. The absence of a mobile application further limits trading flexibility.
As mentioned, Levetrade does not accept clients from the United States. This restriction is common among brokers operating under less stringent regulations.
Customer support is reportedly lacking, with no live chat option available. Users have expressed frustration over the slow response times via email and phone. The company does not clearly state its customer service hours, which adds to the uncertainty for users seeking assistance.
Category | Rating (Out of 10) |
---|---|
Account Conditions | 5 |
Tools and Resources | 4 |
Customer Service and Support | 3 |
Trading Setup (Experience) | 5 |
Trustworthiness | 4 |
User Experience | 3 |
Account Conditions: The minimum deposit of $250 is reasonable, but the tiered account structure can be seen as expensive, especially with higher deposit requirements for better trading conditions.
Tools and Resources: The lack of advanced trading platforms like MT4 or MT5 is a significant drawback, making Levetrade less appealing for experienced traders who rely on these tools.
Customer Service and Support: The absence of live support and slow response times have been major pain points for users, leading to a low rating in this category.
Trading Setup (Experience): While the web platform is functional, it lacks the robustness and features of more established platforms, which could hinder the trading experience.
Trustworthiness: Although Levetrade is regulated by the FSCA, the numerous complaints and concerns over its business practices raise red flags about its overall reliability.
User Experience: User feedback indicates dissatisfaction with the trading experience due to high fees, poor customer service, and a lack of transparency in operations.
In conclusion, while Levetrade offers some appealing features, such as a variety of tradable assets and high leverage, the overall user experience appears to be marred by high costs, inadequate customer support, and regulatory concerns. Potential traders are advised to conduct thorough research and consider these factors carefully before engaging with Levetrade.