FP Markets

About FP Markets

FP Markets is an Australian-regulated global Forex and CFD broker established in 2005. With over 18 years of experience, it has built a reputation for providing competitive trading conditions, advanced technology, and a wide range of financial instruments. The broker aims to offer a premium trading experience to both retail and institutional clients worldwide.

Regulation and Safety

FP Markets is regulated by several reputable financial authorities, ensuring a secure trading environment for its clients. The primary regulatory bodies include the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) for its Australian operations and the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) for its European services. Additionally, FP Markets operates under the Financial Services Authority (FSA) of St. Vincent & the Grenadines, which allows it to serve a broader international client base with higher leverage options. These regulations provide a degree of investor protection and ensure the broker adheres to strict financial standards.

Trading Platforms

FP Markets offers a selection of industry-leading trading platforms to cater to diverse trader preferences.

• MetaTrader 4 (MT4): The globally recognized platform, known for its user-friendly interface, advanced charting tools, and extensive customization options, including Expert Advisors (EAs).
• MetaTrader 5 (MT5): An enhanced version of MT4, offering additional timeframes, more technical indicators, and access to a wider range of markets beyond Forex.
• Iress: A professional-grade platform designed for advanced traders, offering direct market access (DMA) to equities, futures, and options, alongside comprehensive research tools and real-time data.
• WebTrader: Browser-based versions of MT4/MT5, allowing trading directly from any web browser without software installation.
• Mobile Trading: Dedicated mobile apps for MT4/MT5 are available for iOS and Android devices, enabling trading on the go.

Markets and Instruments

FP Markets provides access to a broad spectrum of financial instruments, allowing traders to diversify their portfolios.

• Forex: Over 70 currency pairs, including majors, minors, and exotics, with competitive spreads.
• Indices: CFDs on major global stock indices like S&P 500, Dow Jones, DAX, and FTSE 100.
• Commodities: Trade popular commodities such as Gold, Silver, Crude Oil, and Natural Gas.
• Shares: CFDs on shares from leading global companies listed on major exchanges (available on Iress platform).
• Cryptocurrencies: CFDs on popular cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and Ripple.

Account Types

FP Markets offers different account types tailored to various trading styles and experience levels.

• Standard Account: Ideal for new and experienced traders, offering commission-free trading with spreads starting from 1.0 pip.
• Raw ECN Account: Designed for active traders and scalpers, featuring raw spreads from 0.0 pips plus a competitive commission per lot.
• Iress Accounts (Standard, Platinum, Premier): These accounts provide direct market access to equities and other instruments, with varying commission structures and minimum deposit requirements.

Spreads, Fees and Commissions

FP Markets is known for its competitive pricing structure.

• Spreads: Raw ECN accounts offer interbank spreads starting from 0.0 pips, while Standard accounts have spreads from 1.0 pip.
• Commissions: Raw ECN accounts incur a commission, typically around $3 per side per standard lot ($6 round turn). Standard accounts are commission-free. Iress accounts have different commission structures based on the instrument traded.
• Swap Fees: Overnight swap fees apply to positions held open past the market close.
• Inactivity Fees: FP Markets generally does not charge inactivity fees, which is a positive for less frequent traders.

Deposits and Withdrawals

FP Markets offers a variety of convenient and secure payment methods for funding and withdrawing from trading accounts.

• Deposit Methods: Bank Transfer, Credit/Debit Cards (Visa, MasterCard), Skrill, Neteller, FasaPay, PayTrust, Perfect Money, and more, depending on the region. Deposits are often processed instantly or within a few hours.
• Withdrawal Methods: Similar to deposit methods. Withdrawals are typically processed within 1-2 business days, though bank transfers may take longer. FP Markets generally does not charge internal fees for deposits or withdrawals, but third-party fees may apply.

Leverage

The maximum leverage offered by FP Markets varies depending on the client's regulatory jurisdiction and the specific instrument traded.

• ASIC/CySEC Regulated Entities: Retail clients typically have leverage capped at 1:30 for major Forex pairs, in line with regulatory requirements.
• FSA (SVG) Regulated Entity: International clients trading under the FSA (SVG) entity can access higher leverage, often up to 1:500, allowing for greater market exposure. It's crucial for traders to understand the risks associated with high leverage.

Customer Support

FP Markets provides multi-lingual customer support available 24/5. Clients can reach the support team via:

• Live Chat: For immediate assistance.
• Email: For detailed inquiries.
• Phone: Direct lines for various regions. The support team is generally responsive and knowledgeable, assisting with account-related queries, technical issues, and trading platform guidance.

Final Verdict

FP Markets stands out as a reliable and competitive broker, particularly for traders seeking tight spreads and a choice of powerful trading platforms. Its strong regulatory framework, diverse range of instruments, and multiple account types cater to both beginners and experienced traders. While some regional restrictions apply, its global presence through different entities ensures accessibility for many. The combination of ECN execution, competitive pricing, and robust customer support makes FP Markets a strong contender in the online brokerage space.