As a leading forex and CFD broker, ActivTrades.com has made a significant impact in the trading industry, especially within Europe. With over 20 years of experience, the platform claims to offer unparalleled services to more than 100,000 traders in over 170 countries. This review, from the perspective of Uberstate.io, delves into the various aspects of ActivTrades, examining its strengths, weaknesses, and overall performance in the highly competitive online trading space.
Regulation and Security
One of the first things any trader should consider when choosing a broker is its regulatory status. ActivTrades is regulated by multiple authorities, including the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK, the Securities Commission of The Bahamas (SCB), the Comissão do Mercado de Valores Mobiliários (CMVM) in Portugal, and the Banco Central do Brasil (BACEN). This multi-jurisdictional regulation provides a high level of security for traders, as it ensures that the broker adheres to stringent guidelines aimed at protecting clients’ funds.
Moreover, ActivTrades offers enhanced fund protection, with client funds insured up to $1,000,000. This is a significant advantage, especially for traders with substantial capital, as it provides an extra layer of security beyond the standard regulatory requirements. The platform also boasts negative balance protection, ensuring that retail clients cannot lose more money than they have deposited. This is particularly important in volatile markets where price swings can be extreme.
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Trading Platforms and Tools
ActivTrades provides a range of trading platforms, including its proprietary ActivTrader, along with MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), and integration with TradingView. Each platform caters to different types of traders, from beginners to seasoned professionals. ActivTrader is a web-based platform that offers an intuitive interface with advanced features such as one-click trading, hedging capabilities, and access to over 1,000 CFDs across seven asset classes.
MT4 and MT5 are well-known in the industry for their robustness and extensive range of tools, including automated trading through Expert Advisors (EAs). The inclusion of TradingView, a leading charting and social trading platform, further enhances the analytical capabilities available to ActivTrades’ clients. This integration allows traders to tap into TradingView’s comprehensive charting tools and social features, making it easier to share insights and strategies with a global community of traders.
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Market Access and Trading Conditions
ActivTrades offers access to a broad spectrum of markets, including forex, indices, commodities, cryptocurrencies, shares, ETFs, and bonds. The broker’s spreads are competitive, starting from 0.5 pips on major forex pairs, which is quite attractive for active traders. Additionally, there are no commissions on most trades, which further enhances the cost-effectiveness of trading on this platform.
The leverage offered by ActivTrades is up to 1:400 for professional clients, which is substantial. However, it’s important to note that retail clients are limited to lower leverage levels due to regulatory constraints. This is in line with European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) regulations, designed to protect retail traders from the risks associated with high leverage.
One of the standout features of ActivTrades is its ultra-fast execution speeds, with average trade execution times of less than 0.004 seconds. This is critical for traders who rely on fast execution to capitalize on small price movements, such as scalpers and day traders. Furthermore, ActivTrades guarantees no re-quotes, ensuring that traders can execute trades at the prices they see, which is crucial in fast-moving markets.
Educational Resources and Customer Support
ActivTrades places a strong emphasis on education, offering a range of resources designed to help traders improve their skills and knowledge. These include weekly webinars, daily market analysis, and a comprehensive weekly outlook that provides insights into upcoming market trends. The educational materials are well-structured, catering to traders of all experience levels, from beginners to experts.
The platform also provides various research and analysis tools, including price movement alerts and advanced charting features. These tools are essential for traders who rely on technical analysis to make informed trading decisions.
Customer support is another area where ActivTrades excels. The broker offers 24/5 support via phone, email, and live chat. The support team is knowledgeable and responsive, ensuring that traders can get the help they need promptly. This level of customer service is crucial, especially when dealing with complex issues that may arise during trading.
Account Types and Bonuses
ActivTrades offers several account types, including an Individual Account, a Joint Account, and a Corporate Account. For professional traders, there is the ActivTrades PRO account, which offers higher leverage, lower margin requirements, and other exclusive benefits. However, to qualify for a PRO account, traders must meet specific criteria, including experience in financial markets and a substantial portfolio.
One area where ActivTrades could improve is in its bonus offerings. Unlike many other brokers, ActivTrades does not offer traditional welcome bonuses or deposit bonuses. While this is not necessarily a drawback, as bonuses often come with strings attached, some traders may prefer brokers that offer such incentives. However, it is worth noting that the absence of bonuses is in line with ESMA regulations, which restrict the offering of trading incentives to retail clients.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Multi-jurisdictional regulation: ActivTrades is regulated by several reputable authorities, providing a high level of security for traders.
- Enhanced fund protection: Client funds are insured up to $1,000,000, offering peace of mind for traders with large accounts.
- Competitive spreads: With spreads starting from 0.5 pips on major forex pairs, ActivTrades is cost-effective for active traders.
- Wide range of platforms: The availability of ActivTrader, MT4, MT5, and TradingView caters to traders of all levels.
- Educational resources: Comprehensive educational materials and tools are available to help traders improve their skills.
- Excellent customer support: 24/5 customer service ensures that help is available when needed.
Cons:
- Limited bonuses: ActivTrades does not offer traditional bonuses, which may be a drawback for some traders.
- High leverage only for PRO clients: Retail clients are limited to lower leverage levels, which may not suit all trading strategies.
- No cryptocurrency withdrawals: ActivTrades does not support cryptocurrency withdrawals, which could be a limitation for traders looking to use digital assets for transactions.
Conclusion
ActivTrades.com stands out as a robust and reliable trading platform, particularly for those seeking a regulated broker with a strong track record. Its extensive market access, competitive trading conditions, and variety of trading platforms make it a versatile choice for traders of all experience levels. The emphasis on security, with enhanced fund protection and negative balance protection, further strengthens its appeal.
While the lack of bonuses and limited leverage for retail clients may deter some traders, these are relatively minor drawbacks compared to the overall benefits of trading with ActivTrades. The platform’s commitment to education and customer support also adds significant value, making it an excellent choice for traders looking to build their skills and succeed in the financial markets.