A-Markets is an online brokerage specializing in Forex trading. A-Markets also provides clients with trading accounts for commodities, cryptocurrencies, metals, and indices. It was founded in 2007 and is based in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. The firm also has a representing office based in Montenegro, Europe.
The brokerage has since grown in its 13 years of operation and has become well-known for offering attractive offerings to all types of clients. This also includes being able to trade with higher leverages or gaining promotional bonuses.
However, while A-Markets has its share of positive user reviews, there has also been an equal amount of negative ones. Therefore, in this review, we will take a look at some of the key features and services that this brokerage provides and see if it does hold up to its reputation or not.
A-Markets: Services and Offerings
• Trading Instruments
A-Markets has some of the largest offerings of financial instruments to trade with. This includes over 50 Forex pairs, 11 Commodities, 26 Indices, 2 Bonds, 7 Spot metals, and 140+ U.S. Stock CFDs. The brokerage also offers 7Cryptocurrencies in its listings such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin.
• Account Types
Aside from financial instruments, A-Markets also offers a wide array of account types built to suit the needs and strategies of any client. It currently has four account types – the Fixed Account, the Standard Account, the ECN Account, and the Bitcoin Account.
The Fixed Account type allows clients to trade instantly. The Fixed Account currently has no limitations for initial deposits. There are also no commissions per trade and clients can use a maximum leverage of 1:1000. The Fixed Account is named after the fixed spreads it offers, starting from 3 pips. The base currencies for this account are USD and EUR. The other accounts offer floating spreads.
The Standard Account type gives the client the same lightning-quick execution from the Fixed Account with an even quicker market execution to boot. Just like the above account type, there is no minimum deposit required and maximum leverage is also 1:1000. Another key difference is that spreads start from 1.3 pips.
The ECN account is specialized mostly for market execution. With a minimum deposit of $500, clients are allowed with leverages as high as 1:100. There is a commission of $5 or £5 per lot, depending on the base currency chosen. Spreads start from 0 pips.
The Bitcoin Account is prioritized for those who are interested in trading with Bitcoin (BTC) as the base currency. Clients are allowed to trade with a maximum leverage of 1:100 with spreads floating from 1.3 pips. Again, this account does not charge commissions for trades.
• Bonuses and Promotions
A-Markets is constantly offering various new bonuses and promotions to its clients and frequently changes depending on the season. With referral bonuses being the basic of promotions, the firm also runs a promotion that compensated clients for funding costs from time to time. Clients who make deposits on December also get paid 25% back per deposit.
• Trading Platform
Clients can access A-Markets’ trading platforms through MetaTrader4 (MT4) and xStation. Both these platforms are well-known in the industry and offer the best trading environment.
MT4 is the more popular of the two for its user-friendly interface, Expert Advisors (EAs) compatibility, and customizability. The MT4 platform is also known for its automatic trading functions and charting technology. MT4 can be accessed via browser, desktop, and mobile.
xStation was developed mostly for clients with specific strategies. The platform has features that allow clients to analyze the market and carry out orders with just one click. xStation also allows access to the market directly through its charting view.
• Payment Options
A-Markets’ withdrawal and deposit methods include wire transfer, credit/debit cards, and also via e-payment services such as Neteller, Fasapay, and Skrill.
A-Markets does not charge deposit fees. However, there are fees for withdrawals and can depend on the option used. Maximum withdrawal amount for credit/debit cards is $1,500 and can typically be processed between 1 and 3 hours. E-payment services have no maximum limit for withdrawal and can be processed almost instantly.
A-Markets: Is it safe?
Before signing up for an online brokerage, it is recommended to check if the firm holds licenses under a well-known financial agency such as the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) or the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Firms that hold licenses guarantee that their operations have been inspected by regulatory bodies and have passed industry standards.
That said, A-Markets is registered as an International Business Company in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines under the license number 22567.
A-Markets is also said to be registered under the Financial Service Authority (FSA). This would mean that the firm is regulated. However, their main website does not seem to show any record of this claim. This can be a cause for concern for some clients.
A-Markets: Conclusion
All in all, A-Markets’ offerings can pull clients in with its unique features such as commission-free and swap-free trades. On top of that, A-Markets has a wide variety of assets to choose from, enabling clients to organically build their portfolios.
However, the fact that it does not seem to be under any globally-recognized regulation despite it mentioning so, can be a factor to be considered. It must be stated that A-Markets is a part of the Financial Commission as well as a Verify My Trade member, so the brokerage firm isn’t fully devoid of any regulations whatsoever.
Another downside is the restricted access for clients residing in countries such as the United Kingdom.
Other than that, if its regulatory standards do not bother you, A-Markets is definitely an appealing broker to consider.