FXCM is one of the pioneer providers of online trading, foreign exchange or Forex trading, CFDs, Stocks, Commodities, Indices and spread betting (available for UK and Ireland residents only). Founded in 1999, the company’s main aim was to provide global traders with access to the world’s largest liquid market through innovative trading tools, support of excellent trading educators while all operated under strict financial standards.
Since its development and great potential from January 2015, Leucadia has become the majority economic owner of FXCM. Leucadia National Corporation is a holding company that withholds an excellent reputation and invests in a diverse array of businesses, mainly in financial services and investments.
Pros
Cons
Founded in the UK and known worldwide as one of the best Forex Brokers
Withdrawal fee for Bank Wire
Regulated by the UK, Australia and South Africa authorities
No 24/7 support
Numerous industry awards
Tight Spreads are low
One of the best trading platforms selection
Balanced trading condition through a single account
Professional free education
Where FXCM located?
The FXCM Group is headquartered in London (UK), offers dedicated customer support service regardless of clients location through a global chain of offices situated in Germany, Australia, France and Italy. In addition, through the banch of affiliated offices, since FXCM entered into partnerships with local companies, the broker provides access to the residents, in Greece, Israel and South Africa and becoming a truly global broker.
FXCM strives to give the best trading experience, hence developing intuitive platform options, including the award-winning Trading Station and various attractive options for trading experience, alike numerous automated trading strategies and Applications available.
Forex, Indices, Commodities, Cryptocurrencies and Spread Betting available for UK and Ireland residents
💰 EUR/USD Spread
1.3 pips
🎮 Demo Account
Available
💳 Minimum deposit
50$ and 300 GBP for UK and EU clients
💰 Base currencies
USD, GBP and EUR
📚 Education
Professional free education and research resources
☎ Customer Support
24/5
Awards
With close to twenty years of successful operational history, there are no doubts about the FXCM legitimacy, as the firm also regularly nominated by the leading financial institutions that confessing broker’s progress and contribution. Celebrated achievements by FXCM including:
Is FXCM safe or a scam?
In fact, the safety measure of the broker is its regulatory status and compliance to the international status which are overseen by the independent authority under respected jurisdictions. The Companies that constitute the FXCM Group is regulated through several and actually the most strict world jurisdictions.
Pros
Cons
Regulated by several reputable authorities
None
Licenses from FCA, ASIC, FSCA in South Africa
Negative balance protection
Good reputation
How FXCM regulated?
The FXCM LTD is authorized and regulated in the UK, as headquarters there, by the Financial Conduct Authority. According to FCA regulations, the broker must follow strict financial standards, including capital adequacy requirements, present transparency of business practices accordingly, as well as to keep clients funds under protection while held in segregated accounts.
For the globally presented offices, each of them as a branch of Forex Capital Markets Limited, follows country financial authority and licensed accordingly. Hence, FXCM Australia Pty. Limited is regulated by the ASIC, FXCM Germany partially regulated by BaFin, FXCM Italy is subject to the control of CONSOB and FSCA authorization in South Africa.
Is authorized by FSCA (South Africa) registration no. FSP 46534
Leverage
FXCM allows leverage trade of Forex and CFDs, this tool brings an advantage even on the smallest market moves. In simple words, leverage is a credit shoulder that is given by the broker towards your trading account with a purpose to multiply the trading size of your positions.
In fact, leverage can dramatically increase your potential gains, but in reverse may increase your losses too, thus you should use leverage very smartly, do not jump into high leverage levels but define the correct size to each instrument.
In FXCM different leverage levels are based on the traders’ account funds, as well as the regulation which particular residents or accounts may fall in. New traders default to 50:1 leverage which can go up to 200:1 on FX and 400:1 on CFDs, yet respectively to Australian residents or holder of accounts under ASIC regulation.
1:400 for Australian clients
1:30 for the UK and Europe clients
1:400 for South Africa
Otherwise, due to regulatory restriction in Europe under ESMA, the level up to a 30:1 on Forex products will be applied, 20:1 for non-major currency pairs, gold and major indices, 10:1 for commodities other than gold and non-major equity indices, 2:1 for cryptocurrencies.
Accounts
You can open a live forex trading account quick and relatively easy, where firstly you can sing in for Demo account and then upon confirmation of your residence and compliance of application start Live trading.
Besides, FXCM offering quite attractive options for beginners, also proposing welcome bonuses that are available for some entities under certain conditions that you may check on the current website.
Pros
Cons
Fast Account Opening, fully Digital
None
Single Account
Low Minimum deposit
Free deposit
Active Trader account for high volume trading
Account types
Through a single account feature at FXCM you are able to trade all range of trading instruments that are included into the offering.
Yet, there is another attractive opportunity through FXCM’s Active Trader account that is designed for high-volume investors. As Active Trader you can benefit from premium services and custom solutions, as well as discounted pricing on your spread costs based on the volume you trade.
Fees
With all FXCM account types, you pay only the floating spread to trade indices and commodities, while enhanced index CFDs allows you to trade without stop and limit restrictions or re-quotes. See below the average spread costs on CFDs, yet for most accurate data check the official website or FXCM platform.
Pros
Cons
Variable spread
None
Good range of products including Bitcoin, Litecoin and Ripple
Active Trader program
Low Forex fees
Our find on Forex fees
We found that FXCM fees are quite a pleasant proposal with the lower spread for some instrument compared to the competition, however, always note Spreads are variable and are subject to delay. Also, always count overnight fee or swap as a trading fee in case you follow swing or long term trading strategy, while active traders will get discounted pricing as well which is always good.
For instance, compare fees to popular brokers below or see AvaTrade as an alternative.
Comparison between FXCM fees and similar brokers
Asset/ Pair
FXCM Fees
FXTM Fees
XM Fees
EUR USD
1.3 pips
1.5 pips
1.6 pips
Crude Oil WTI
0.04
4 pips
5 pips
Gold
0.76
9
35
BTC USD
27.13
20
60
Inactivity fee
Yes
Yes
Yes
Deposit fee
No
No
No
Fee ranking
Low
Average
High
Instruments
Advanced range of market instruments includes popular markets and other exotic pairs as well offering Forex, Indices, Commodities, Cryptocurrencies and Spread Betting available for UK and Ireland residents.
Deposits and Withdrawals
FXCM indeed conduct a very convenient way for account opening, so you can set a free practice account, which allows testing the platform and experience account benefits.
Pros
Cons
Minimum deposit – 50$ for Australian and South Africa clients
Bank wire withdrawal costs 40$
Wide range of deposit option including Credit Card
Free deposit
Some withdrawal methods 0$ fee
What is minimum deposit for FXCM account?
And once you ready you can transfer to live trading, what is more pleasant the live account can be opened with a minimum deposit as little as $50. However, this is defined according to the FXCM’s entity, likewise, UK and EU clients would need GBP300 at the start.
Deposit Options
Once the account type settled up, you should continue with the fund deposit that will allow starting live trading. In these terms, FXCM offers a range of funding options that usually process quick and safe transactions, which includes
Credit and Debit Card,
EFT & Bank Wire,
e-payment via Skrill.
Withdrawals
Further on, when you wish to withdraw funds, you may use the same payment methods. There are no fees for withdrawals by credit card or debit card, however a $40 withdrawal fee will be charged for international Bank Wire requests.
How long does it take to withdraw from FXCM?
From the moment you submit and confirm the request to withdraw money from your account the accounting department typically processed and confirm withdrawal within 2 business days. Nevertheless, allow your payment provider add on some working days to process the transaction as well.
How do I withdraw money from FXCM?
Once you decide to withdraw money from you account you obviously should submit an online request and follow with the required procedure. To make it short you simply should follow the following steps
Login to your account and go to Withdraw page
Select the withdrawal method, required amount and click ‘Withdraw’
Complete the withdrawal request
Confirm withdrawal and Submit
Trading Platforms
For the clients, whether one is new in the trading or experienced participant, FXCM brings a variety of powerful software trading platforms that help to achieve a trading goal.
The FXCM software suite includes unique market access, with multiple order types, advanced charting enhanced by powerful utilizing tools and FXCM’s exclusive Real Volume indicator, automated trading strategies with testing and optimization capabilities and more.
Pros
Cons
Good selection between platform suitable for beginners and professionals
None
Industry leading software
Trade Station, MT4, Traders View, NinjaTrader
Customer friendly design
Comprehensive range of tools
Automated trading capabilities
Clear look
Social Trading platforms ZuluTrade
Professional education materials included
Web Platform
There are few options of the trading software to choose from, which includes Trading Station and Ninja Trader, FXCM’s award-winning proprietary platform, which features great innovation and functionality available on Web, Desktop and Mobile.
Web Platfrom will be more suitable for regular size traders as usually web versions are less comprehensive in terms of analysis tools, drawing features and other advanced capabilities since platform solely based online and accessible via any browser.
Desktop Platform
So desktop platforms are available for all offers as well, while Trading Station is often the preferred choice among active traders, however is the product with no matter of experience as it has a clear market vision and friendly interface.
You still can use famous MetaTrader 4, yet with FXCM’s integrated and developed features that include EAs, scalping and 0.01 lot sizes with Free VPS enhance, but within the average trade of 500k.
Mobile Platform
Beyond core platforms, the broker offers integration to FXCM’s acclaimed execution a specialty FXCM Apps offering an online marketplace where you can customize the trading experience. And to include an additional application for news, trends and range traders, apps for new trading features and smooth trading process, EAs and automation, indicators, scripts, Standalone apps and many more.
Social Trading
Fresh trading graduates can count on a company tool support while building your own strong trading strategy. Indeed, beginning traders facing numerous challenges, yet time and even capital loss due to emotion-based trading are the main barriers to success. To overcome these impediments, FXCM supports the functionality of Autotrading through market leading ZuluTrade and NinjaTrader platforms.
Customer Support
Another good point is client-oriented approach of FXTM that complements its good trading proposal, customer service available through various ways including Web Live Chat, Phone, emails, and dedicated lines specifically for the African region due to FXCM focus on Africa in particular. These lines including South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria lines together with other ones as well available on working days.
Actually, FXCM gained positive and high regard from the clients in terms of its good trading conditions and support, which is definitely a plus to our FXCM Review.
Pros
Cons
Customer oriented policy and good quality support
No 24/7 customer service
Live Chat and fast answers
Support of international Phone lines and languages
Education
FXCM hosting regular educational events in various cities around the world with a great focus on African region education since enlarging its activity. FXCM understands deeply the necessity of good quality education and that materials and knowledge are the keys to potential success.
Therefore, with FXCM you may find numerous education materials with ongoing courses, webinars, seminars, platform tutorials, trading tools, research tools, superb glossary, Forex news, Economic Calendar, Market outlooks and Analyst analysis.
Free research, insights, strategies outlook, along with great designed FXCM tools with FXCM Plus, Market Scanner, Trading signals with technical levels all at your disposal. Besides, Free Online Live Classroom available for all those who are interested, which all in all enlarges and creates fantastic opportunities for individuals interested in trading and giving a good way to start from the right way.
Pros
Cons
Customer oriented education
None
Demo Account
Great learning material and research tools on free basis
Professional Forex News, Market Outlook
Trading ideas
Social Trading
Trading tools and great focus on education
Conclusion
The strong background of the broker, years of successful operation and reputable in the financial world owning company is a state for the FXCM’s reliable and safe trading environment. As a trader you will definitely enjoy attractive offerings from the broker, along with the splendid technical development and a variety of tools to use.
Active or high volume traders can enjoy their benefits with various available interfaces, good and competitive value spreads or offerings with advanced technical features. If you are a beginning trader, FXCM is an option too as there is no need of big deposits to start trading, supportive customer managers always remain on hand, along with unique educational technics with an absolutely impressive choice of tools to start, from Autotrading to the diversity of comprehensively supported indicators.
Overall, FXCM is a good choice for all type of traders.
However, it is always very helpful to know your personal opinion about FXCM is applicable, you may share your experience in the comment area below or ask us for additional information if necessary.
Share this article [addtoany url="https://55brokers.com/fxcm-review/" title="FXCM"]
FXCM together with Flextrade announced a technology partnership for FXCM’s institutional business and Flextrade’s “MaxxTrader” solution. FXCM through FXCM Pro provides retail brokers, small hedge funds and emerging market banks access to wholesale execution and liquidity, while providing high and medium frequency funds access to prime brokerage services via FXCM Prime. FlexTrade Systems is the...
FXCM Group, LLC, one of the leading international brokers of foreign exchange trading, CFD trading, cryptocurrencies and related services, has launched an API-powered integration with TradingView, Inc., the all-in-one financial platform for traders in the equity, cryptocurrency, futures, and FX markets. The integration means that FXCM users will be able to execute orders directly from...
NEED TO START A TRADING ACCOUNT
Hi,
Do you take clients from Kenya?
Thanks
Hello
im from INDIA IS IT LEGAL TO OPEN A TRADING ACCOUNT BY AN INDIAN
I HAVE A CAPITAL OF $ 15000
do you accept clients from Nigeria ?
I am from Namibia,can I start?
I am resident of Canada. Is it legal to open an acct.?
Perfect money deposit method pammm setup and fixed spread swap free account available
Hi there I m Lauren from South Africa Johannesburg,how long does your trading take,weeks,monthly,yearly…thank you
do you charge overnight fees