FOREX.com is a global brokerage firm founded in 2004 and part of the publicly listed StoneX Group, one of the largest financial services companies operating worldwide. From its inception, FOREX.com has focused on delivering institutional-grade trading infrastructure to retail and professional traders alike. Its long operating history, combined with strong capitalization and a transparent corporate structure, has positioned the broker as one of the most trusted names in the global forex and CFD industry.
In Asia, FOREX.com maintains a solid and credible presence, supported by regulation in key financial jurisdictions and a strong emphasis on execution quality and risk control. Unlike brokers that rely heavily on promotional leverage or simplified trading models, FOREX.com targets traders who value regulatory security, advanced tools, and deep market access. This approach resonates particularly well with experienced Asian traders operating in highly regulated environments.
At first glance, FOREX.com presents itself as a serious, professional brokerage. Its website and platforms prioritize functionality, market depth, and educational resources over marketing incentives. Disclosures are clearly visible, pricing structures are explained in detail, and platform documentation is extensive. This transparency reflects a broker designed for long-term trading relationships rather than short-term speculative onboarding.
The onboarding process reinforces this impression. Account setup is straightforward but compliance-driven, with clear suitability assessments and documentation requirements. Overall, the first impression of FOREX.com is that of a mature, regulation-first broker offering robust infrastructure for traders who approach the markets with discipline and scale in mind.
Regulation is one of FOREX.com’s strongest competitive advantages. The broker operates under a wide network of top-tier regulatory authorities across North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific. This multi-jurisdictional structure ensures strict oversight, high capital adequacy requirements, and comprehensive client protection mechanisms.
- United Kingdom: Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), providing strong investor protection and strict conduct standards.
- European Union: Authorized under CySEC, ensuring MiFID II compliance and client fund segregation.
- United States: Regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and the National Futures Association (NFA), among the most demanding regulatory regimes globally.
- Japan: Supervised by the Japanese Financial Services Agency (FSA) and JSDA, with stringent leverage and transparency rules.
- Canada: Regulated by IIROC, ensuring investor safeguards and capital adequacy.
- Asia-Pacific: Licensed by MAS-related frameworks in Singapore and regulated entities supporting regional operations.
- Middle East: Authorized by the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) for regional market access.
This level of regulatory coverage places FOREX.com among the most heavily supervised brokers in the retail trading industry. Client funds are held in segregated accounts, negative balance protection applies under FCA and CySEC jurisdictions, and the broker undergoes continuous regulatory audits. For Asian traders, this translates into exceptionally low counterparty risk and a high degree of operational confidence.
Account Opening – Our Experience
Opening an account with FOREX.com is a structured and transparent process. Registration is completed online and requires standard identity and residency verification. The broker applies suitability checks in line with regulatory obligations, which may make the onboarding process slightly more rigorous than offshore alternatives.
The minimum deposit requirement is USD 100, although the broker recommends a starting balance between USD 1,000 and USD 2,500 to allow adequate margin flexibility and risk management. Funding methods include bank transfers, Visa, and Mastercard. Deposits are not subject to broker-side fees, and withdrawals are generally free, although bank transfer fees may apply in the United States and Canada.
Verification is typically completed within one business day. Once approved, traders gain access to all supported platforms, research tools, and educational resources. For Asian traders accustomed to compliance-driven financial institutions, the onboarding experience feels professional and aligned with regional regulatory expectations.
Overall, the account opening process reflects FOREX.com’s institutional mindset: controlled, transparent, and designed to support sustainable trading rather than impulsive speculation.
Account Types
FOREX.com offers a clear and structured account framework centered on pricing models rather than marketing tiers. Traders can choose between spread-only pricing or reduced spreads with commission, depending on their trading frequency and cost sensitivity.
| Account Type | Pricing Model | Minimum Deposit | Commission | Leverage | Platforms Available | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Account | Spreads from ~1.1 pips | USD 100 | None | Up to 1:400 (region-dependent) | Web, Advanced Trading, MT4, MT5, Mobile | Retail traders seeking simplicity |
| Raw Pricing Account | Spreads from ~0.2–0.8 pips | USD 100 | Yes (per trade) | Up to 1:400 (region-dependent) | Web, Advanced Trading, MT4, MT5 | Active and professional traders |
This pricing-focused structure allows traders to align costs with their execution style. High-frequency traders benefit from tighter raw spreads, while longer-term traders may prefer the predictability of spread-only pricing.
FOREX.com offers a comprehensive and professional-grade platform ecosystem. Traders can choose between the proprietary Web platform, the Advanced Trading desktop platform, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and a fully featured mobile app. Charting is powered by TradingView technology across platforms, ensuring advanced technical analysis capabilities.
The Advanced Trading platform is particularly robust, offering deep market analytics, advanced order types, and customizable layouts. While powerful, it may feel complex for beginners, reinforcing the broker’s focus on experienced users.
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 support algorithmic trading, custom indicators, and automated strategies. Integration with Capitalise.ai further enhances automation capabilities, allowing traders to deploy rule-based strategies without coding.
Overall, the platform offering positions FOREX.com firmly in the professional segment, catering to traders who demand precision, flexibility, and analytical depth.
FOREX.com provides access to over 5,500 tradable symbols across multiple asset classes. These include forex pairs, indices, commodities, cryptocurrencies, ETFs via CFDs, bonds, and futures, depending on jurisdiction.
The broker’s strength lies in forex, where it offers one of the deepest selections of currency pairs in the industry. Indices and commodities provide additional diversification, while crypto CFDs allow speculative exposure without direct ownership.
All instruments are offered under CFD or derivative structures, meaning there is no access to physical shares or ETFs. This positions FOREX.com as a trading-focused broker rather than an investment platform.
FOREX.com’s pricing is competitive, particularly on its Raw Pricing accounts. The broker emphasizes execution quality and spread consistency rather than headline-low numbers.
Standard account spreads start from approximately 1.1 pips, while Raw Pricing accounts offer spreads from 0.2 to 0.8 pips plus commission. While standard spreads may appear higher than some low-cost ECN brokers, they are supported by strong liquidity and minimal slippage.
Other Trading Costs
FOREX.com does not charge deposit fees and generally offers free withdrawals, although inactivity fees apply after 12 months of no trading activity. Bank transfer fees may apply in certain regions, particularly in North America.
Overnight financing costs apply to leveraged positions and are clearly displayed on all platforms. Currency conversion fees are transparent and aligned with interbank rates.
Trading Conditions
Leverage at FOREX.com can reach up to 1:400, depending on the regulatory entity and client classification. Negative balance protection applies under FCA and CySEC jurisdictions, enhancing risk control for retail traders.
Execution quality is consistently high, with no requotes and reliable performance during volatile market conditions, including Asian trading sessions. The broker’s infrastructure is designed to support large volumes without compromising order integrity.
Is FOREX.com a Good Option for Asian Traders?
FOREX.com is particularly well-suited for Asian traders who prioritize regulation, execution reliability, and access to advanced tools. Its strong presence in Asia-Pacific, combined with top-tier licensing, provides a level of trust that few brokers can match.
While it may not appeal to traders seeking ultra-high leverage or simplified interfaces, it stands out as a professional-grade broker for disciplined market participants.
Our Verdict
FOREX.com represents one of the highest standards in global online trading. Its combination of strong regulation, advanced platforms, and broad market access makes it a benchmark broker for serious traders.
The broker is best suited for traders who value capital protection, execution transparency, and institutional-grade infrastructure over speculative incentives. For Asian traders seeking a long-term, secure trading partner, FOREX.com is a compelling choice.
In summary, FOREX.com is not designed to be the cheapest or simplest broker — it is designed to be one of the most reliable. For many Asian traders, that distinction matters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is FOREX.com regulated in Asia?
Yes. FOREX.com operates under multiple regulatory frameworks in Asia-Pacific, including oversight aligned with MAS in Singapore and regulation in Japan.
What is the minimum deposit at FOREX.com?
The minimum deposit is USD 100, although higher balances are recommended for effective risk management.
Does FOREX.com offer MetaTrader platforms?
Yes. FOREX.com supports both MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, in addition to its proprietary platforms.
Are there commissions on trades?
Commissions apply on Raw Pricing accounts. Standard accounts operate on a spread-only model.
Does FOREX.com offer high leverage?
Leverage can reach up to 1:400 depending on region, but is lower under stricter regulatory regimes.
Note: Any opinions expressed in this article are not to be considered investment advice and are solely those of the authors. Singapore Forex Club is not responsible for any financial decisions based on this article's contents. Readers may use this data for information and educational purposes only.
