Unveiling ActivTrades: A Comprehensive Review

In this in-depth examination, we unveil the world of ActivTrades, a UK-based brokerage firm specializing in forex and CFD trading, along with spread betting on the esteemed MT4, MT5, and their proprietary ActivTrader platform. Join us as we delve into the 2023 review, dissecting the login process, margin requirements, bonuses, and much more. Discover whether ActivTrades aligns with your financial aspirations.

Overview of ActivTrades

Founded in 2001 in Switzerland, ActivTrades PLC expanded its horizons by establishing its London headquarters in 2005. Today, it boasts a substantial clientele across Europe, including nations like Italy, Germany, France, and Portugal, and extends its services to international markets such as Australia. With a workforce numbering in the hundreds and offices spanning Milan, the Bahamas, Dubai, Bulgaria (Sofia), and Luxembourg, ActivTrades exudes a global presence.

ActivTrades Corp operates as a subsidiary of ActivTrades PLC and falls under the vigilant regulation of the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Furthermore, the brokerage holds a license from the Securities Commission of the Bahamas, adding an extra layer of security for its clients.

Exploring Trading Platforms

ActivTrader:

ActivTrader, the user-friendly platform offered by ActivTrades, is the perfect launchpad for newcomers to the trading arena. Compatible with major web browsers (excluding Internet Explorer), it packs an array of features, including:

• Market sentiment indicators
• Instant and pending order types
• Support for hedging and scalping strategies
• 14 chart types and drawing tools for pattern recognition
• Progressive trailing stop functionality to safeguard profits
• SmartCalculator, aiding in risk management through trade scenario simulations
• SmartPattern, which automatically identifies chart patterns for potential investment opportunities
• Pivot Points Indicator, offering support and resistance levels to gauge market trends
• SmartTemplate, indicating long and short opportunities based on chart signals and trend strength
• SmartForecast, amalgamating market trend analysis and chart retracements for a simplified market view
• SmartOrder 2, developed by ActivTrades to enhance speed and platform integration
• SmartLines, allowing for pre-defined trendlines and automatic order placement upon price crossing the trendline

MetaTrader 4:

ActivTrades provides access to MetaTrader 4 (MT4), a renowned platform, especially favored for forex trading. Whether you prefer desktop devices, major web browsers, or mobile, MT4 has you covered. Its highlights encompass:

• Price alerts
• Support for 21 languages
• 9 time frames for in-depth analysis
• One-click trading for swift execution
• Extensive historical data
• Advanced stop-out levels
• A repository of 50 pre-installed indicators
• Automated trading facilitated through APIs

MetaTrader 5:

Experienced investors will find solace in MetaTrader 5 (MT5), another offering from ActivTrades. In addition to forex, indices, and shares, MT5 opens doors to ETFs and over 500 CFDs. The versatility of MT5 is its strong suit. You can access it via desktop, WebTrader, or mobile, and its key benefits include:

• Historical data and strategy testing
• Price alerts and trailing stops
• Integrated trading statements
• Real-time economic news headlines
• One-click trading and 21 time frames
• A diverse range of 8 order types

Assets and Markets

At ActivTrades, you'll find a diverse array of tradable assets:

• Over 1,000 company shares, spanning the UK, US, German, and Japanese markets
• 15+ major indices like Nasdaq, Dow Jones, Euronext, UK100, and Ger30
• 5 bond options including EUBBL, EUBTP, EUBUND, EUSTZ, and USATB
• 16 commodity CFDs, encompassing gold, silver, energies, and grains
• 16 cryptocurrencies, including the famed Bitcoin
• Over 50 forex pairs, such as USD/BRL

For UK clients, ActivTrades also offers ETFs and spread betting. However, it's important to note that binary options are not part of their offering. While ActivTrades boasts more company shares than competitors like Pepperstone and XTB, brokers such as eToro and Admiral Markets offer a wider range of CFDs and cryptocurrencies.

Spreads and Commissions

ActivTrades shines when it comes to competitive spreads:

• Forex spreads as low as 0.5 pips on EUR/USD and USD/JPY, along with 0.8 pips on GBP/USD, and, notably, no commission on forex trades
• On CFDs and indices, financial spreads can be as low as 0.01 pips
• Shares are available with commissions ranging from 0% to 0.1% of the transaction value, with minimums ranging between 1 USD to 5 EUR
• For UK-based clients, a minimal commission of 0.5 pips is applied to spread betting

ActivTrades also charges swap rate fees for positions held overnight; detailed information can be found on the company's website.

Leverage

Leverage rates are subject to regulatory restrictions, with a cap of 1:30 in countries falling under ESMA regulations, such as the UK. However, international traders may access leverage of up to 1:200, depending on the lot size. The margin ranges are as follows:

• Indices and financials: 1:5 – 1:200
• Commodities: 1:10 – 1:200
• Forex: 1:20 – 1:200
• Shares: 2% – 60%
• Cryptocurrencies: The highest available margin is 1:10

Professional accounts can unlock even greater leverage, with limits extending up to 1:400.

Mobile Trading

Whether you prefer the ActivTrader, MT4, or MT5 platforms, ActivTrades has mobile solutions at your disposal. These applications grant you complete account management and price analysis directly from your mobile or tablet device. Additionally, they facilitate payments, bonuses, and access to customer support. Detailed instructions for mobile trading are conveniently available on the broker's website, ensuring a seamless experience for iPhone, iPad, and Android users.

Payment Methods

Deposits

ActivTrades offers an array of deposit methods, ensuring prompt processing. The minimum deposit requirement is set at $500, and the options include:

• Skrill: Processed within 30 minutes
• Neteller: Processed within 30 minutes
• Bank transfer: Same working day
• Credit/debit card (prepaid Mastercard): Processed within 30 minutes (1.5% fee)
• Sofort: Processed within 30 minutes (only available for clients of ActivTrades PLC and ActivTrades Europe SA)
• PayPal: Processed within 30 minutes (only available for clients of ActivTrades PLC and ActivTrades Europe SA)

Withdrawals

To withdraw profits and revenue, users can select 'request a withdrawal' from the client area. The available withdrawal options include:

• Credit/debit card: Same day if requested by 12.30 GMT
• Bank transfer: Same day if requested by 12.30 GMT (£9 fee)
• Neteller: Same day if requested by 12.30 GMT
• PayPal: Same day if requested by 12.30 GMT
• Skrill: Same day if requested by 12.30 GMT

All withdrawals are generally free, with the exception of transfers to Citibank or Moneycorp, which incur a £9 charge. In case of withdrawal-related issues, the customer support email or live chat are the ideal platforms to address any concerns.

Demo Account

For those looking to test the waters, ActivTrades offers a demo account. Users can hone their trading skills with a generous sum of £10,000 in virtual funds. All three trading platforms - ActivTrader, MT4, and MT5 - are accessible within the paper trading environment. However, MT5's market data on CFD shares is displayed with a 15-minute delay.

Bonuses and Promotions

At ActivTrades, you can earn cashback on every trade once you reach $50 million in notional value traded. While this is a commendable promotion, it's essential to note that the volume requirements specified in the promotional terms and conditions are quite high. Unfortunately, the broker does not extend a no deposit bonus. It's important to highlight that this offer is exclusively available to international clients not subject to ESMA laws prohibiting bonuses.

Regulatory Assurance

ActivTrades adheres to strict regulatory standards for the security of client funds. ActivTrades Corp is regulated by the Securities Commission of the Bahamas, while its parent company, ActivTrades PLC, is authorized and regulated by the esteemed Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Under this regulatory framework, the company diligently follows a Pillar 1, 2, and 3 system to safeguard clients' funds, underpinned by a robust Internal Capital Adequacy Assessment Process (ICAAP). The FCA's recognition adds a layer of trust and reliability to this review. It's essential to note that clients from the USA are not accommodated due to regulatory restrictions.

Additional Features

ActivTrades goes the extra mile by offering extensive training and education through webinars, providing valuable content ranging from fundamental principles to advanced trading theories. The brokerage also extends the opportunity for one-to-one training with industry experts, guiding traders on how to maximize the utility of ActivTrades' platforms and tools. Moreover, the firm offers bridging loans and alternative investment options, and for more information, you can reach out to the customer support team.

Diverse Account Types

ActivTrades caters to various trading preferences with a selection of account types:

• Individual
• Islamic (swap-free trading)
• Professional (for eligible clients under ESMA regulations)

Both individual and professional accounts feature essential elements such as negative balance protection, FSCS protection, segregated accounts, and best execution. The standard individual account further includes rewards, risk alerts, leverage warnings, and the flexibility to trade in mini and microlots. To open an account, you'll need to provide compliance documents, including passports, utility bills, and bank statements.

Trading Hours

ActivTrades adheres to standard market hours, which may vary depending on the instrument. Generally, markets are open from Monday to Friday. Server times on the platform can fluctuate based on your location. Cryptocurrencies are available for trading between Sunday 23:00 GMT and Friday 23:00 GMT. It's worth noting that ActivTrades follows a reduced schedule on bank holidays to align with global financial markets; for specific schedule changes, you can refer to the broker's website.

Customer Support

ActivTrades offers robust customer support in multiple languages, available 24/5. The brokerage provides a live chat channel, a free call-back hotline, as well as email support. Users can access these services through the respective logos and icons on the right-hand side of the official webpage. Additionally, the FAQ section is a valuable resource for addressing common queries. The live chat function stands out for its efficiency and informative agents, making it an ideal channel for resolving most concerns. ActivTrades proudly boasts a 95% customer satisfaction rating for their support service.

Security and Safety

ActivTrades Corp takes security seriously and offers fund protection insurance of up to $1 million. The broker employs secure encryption protocols to fortify their platforms, servers, and payment processing. Notably, the MetaTrader platforms incorporate strong user security with additional authentication measures during login.

Pros and Cons:

Pros:

• A reputable brand with over 20 years of experience and a collection of more than 45 awards
• Exceptionally fast execution speeds, with an average of 0.004 seconds
• ActivTrader Smart Order 2 enhances trading efficiency
• Competitive spreads starting at 0.5 pips on a wide range of forex CFDs
• High-quality daily market analysis
• 24/5 customer support
• Generous leverage options
• Free webinars
• VPS service for enhanced trading performance

Cons:

• A £10 monthly inactivity fee is imposed after one year of no trading activity
• Not available to residents in the USA and Canada

In summation, ActivTrades emerges as a versatile brokerage firm, offering a wide range of accounts and tools for trading across forex, indices, commodities, cryptocurrencies, and shares. Access to the globally recognized MT4 and MT5 platforms, in addition to their proprietary ActivTrader solution, ensures that investors of all experience levels find a suitable platform to meet their trading needs.

ActivTrades Broker Details

Disclaimer: - We at forexoverflow do not endorse neither refer anyone to trading broker websites. The information is for educational purpose and source of information is from the broker website.