Markets.com is a globally recognized multi-asset brokerage founded in 2008 and regulated across several major jurisdictions. Over more than a decade of operation, it has evolved into a technology-driven platform connecting retail and professional traders to global liquidity in Forex, stocks, commodities, indices, ETFs, and cryptocurrencies through CFDs. The brand belongs to Finalto Group, a subsidiary of Playtech PLC — a publicly listed company on the London Stock Exchange — which adds a layer of transparency and financial oversight uncommon among retail brokers.
Within Asia, Markets.com has developed a reputation for combining institutional-grade infrastructure with a retail-friendly interface. Traders in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia often view the broker as an accessible entry point into international markets due to its low minimum deposits, transparent pricing, and multilingual customer support. This review explores its regulatory structure, trading platforms, account types, spreads, and overall performance in the Asian trading environment to determine whether Markets.com stands as a reliable partner for traders seeking stability and precision in their operations.
Between 60 to 80% of retail CFD accounts lose money.
| Regulators | FSCA CySec |
|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $20 |
| Leverage | Between 1:10 and 1:500 | Payment Methods | Bank Transfer Visa Mastercard Cryptocurrencies Skrill Neteller |
Markets.com makes a solid first impression through a professional, minimalistic website that prioritizes functionality over aggressive promotion. Information about regulation, account conditions, and platforms is easily accessible from the main navigation menu. The overall design conveys trustworthiness — a critical aspect for traders in Asia who often evaluate a broker’s legitimacy based on first contact and website clarity. The color scheme and typography remain consistent across pages, reinforcing a corporate identity that aligns with institutional standards.
The account registration process is prominently featured on the homepage and requires only a few steps to complete. Unlike many offshore competitors, Markets.com avoids unnecessary pop-ups or marketing distractions. Instead, the site focuses on transparency by offering clearly defined terms and a dedicated section outlining spreads, leverage limits, and margin requirements. Asian users, who frequently access the site via mobile devices, will appreciate its optimized structure: the layout is fully responsive, and account management functions work seamlessly on smartphones and tablets.
From a user-experience perspective, the broker achieves an excellent balance between sophistication and simplicity. The interface combines modern aesthetics with informative elements such as regulatory disclosures, trading costs, and educational resources. This careful presentation reflects Markets.com’s strategic emphasis on building long-term client trust rather than chasing short-term conversions.
Regulation
Regulation remains the cornerstone of any credible broker, particularly in the Asian region where retail participation has expanded rapidly in recent years. Markets.com operates under a multi-entity framework that includes oversight from the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) of South Africa, and the Financial Services Authority (FSA) of Seychelles. Each entity enforces compliance standards related to client fund protection, operational transparency, and financial reporting, giving traders multiple pathways to choose their preferred jurisdiction based on leverage, protection, and trading style.
- Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) — Oversees the European entity under MiFID II, with requirements for segregated client funds and negative balance protection for retail clients.
- Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) — Regulates the South African entity, enforcing fair treatment of clients, transparent reporting, and operational compliance.
- Financial Services Authority (FSA), Seychelles — Supervises the international entity, enabling flexible leverage and broader product access for global clients, including Asia.
- Corporate Oversight — Markets.com operates within Finalto Group, a wholly owned subsidiary of Playtech PLC (listed on the London Stock Exchange), adding public-company level transparency and auditing.
The CySEC license ensures compliance with European MiFID II directives, including negative balance protection and the segregation of client funds in top-tier banks. The FSCA adds a layer of regional accountability, particularly for clients in Africa and Asia, enforcing fair conduct and dispute resolution standards. Meanwhile, the FSA of Seychelles provides flexibility for international traders who require higher leverage and fewer marketing restrictions. Together, these frameworks create a balance between safety and operational freedom — a structure that suits Asia’s diverse trader base.
In practical terms, Markets.com’s commitment to client protection is reinforced through the use of segregated accounts, independent audits, and transparent reporting practices. All client deposits are separated from company funds, ensuring security even in adverse scenarios. The broker also maintains insurance coverage and a robust data-protection policy aligned with GDPR standards. For Asian traders who have experienced lesser-regulated brokers with limited oversight, these safeguards represent a tangible improvement in reliability and peace of mind.
Account Opening
Opening an account with Markets.com is straightforward and digital from start to finish. The online registration form requires basic personal details such as name, country of residence, and contact information. Verification follows standard KYC (Know Your Customer) requirements — submission of identity and address proof — which typically completes within one business day. The process is identical across all jurisdictions, though traders onboarding under CySEC or FSCA may need to answer a short suitability questionnaire as part of regional compliance.
Asian traders will find that the broker supports a wide array of localized payment systems. Deposits can be made through major credit and debit cards, international bank transfers, and e-wallets such as Skrill, Neteller, and SticPay. In markets like Singapore and Malaysia, local banking integrations facilitate near-instant deposits and same-day withdrawals. Importantly, Markets.com does not charge internal fees for funding or withdrawals, although intermediary banks or payment processors may apply their own small transaction charges.
The client area — known as the Markets.com Portal — is intuitive and designed for efficient management. Once logged in, traders can open multiple accounts across available platforms, monitor trading performance, and access detailed analytics. The inclusion of transparent documentation, platform links, and a secure verification dashboard reflects a process that aligns with professional financial standards rather than typical offshore practices. Overall, account onboarding feels seamless, compliant, and aligned with what serious Asian traders expect from a globally regulated broker.
Account Types
Markets.com structures its account offerings to address different experience levels and trading objectives while maintaining simplicity. Rather than overwhelming users with excessive variations, the broker provides three main account categories — Standard, Raw Spread, and Micro. Each operates under a market-execution model with variable spreads, rapid execution, and flexible leverage of up to 1:500 depending on the entity. Swap-free (Islamic) options are available on request, ensuring compliance for traders following Sharia financial principles across Asia and the Middle East.
The Standard Account is designed for general traders who prefer a spread-only pricing model without additional commissions. Spreads typically begin around 0.8 pips on major pairs, and the minimum deposit remains accessible. The Raw Account caters to high-volume traders, scalpers, and algorithmic users seeking institutional-grade pricing. It offers raw interbank spreads from 0.0 pips with a small, transparent commission per side per lot. Finally, the Micro Account suits beginners and small-scale traders by allowing smaller contract sizes and lower entry barriers while retaining full access to all platforms and instruments.
| Account Type | Spread From | Commission | Execution Type | Leverage | Minimum Deposit | Ideal For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | From 0.8 pips | $0 | Market Execution | Up to 1:500 | $100 | Discretionary and swing traders |
| Raw Spread | From 0.0 pips | $3 per side | Market Execution | Up to 1:500 | $500 | Scalpers and algorithmic traders |
| Micro | From 1.2 pips | $0 | Market Execution | Up to 1:500 | $5 | Beginners and low-risk traders |
Choosing the right account depends primarily on strategy and capital allocation. The Micro Account offers a low-risk entry point for testing systems in live markets, while the Raw Spread model provides maximum cost control for professional execution. Standard accounts remain an excellent midpoint, combining flexibility with transparent pricing. All accounts share the same access to MetaTrader platforms and the proprietary Markets.com interface, ensuring consistency regardless of which pricing model is selected.
Platforms
Markets.com offers traders access to three robust platforms: MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), and its proprietary Marketsx platform. Each caters to specific trader profiles while maintaining consistent execution quality and account synchronization. MT4 remains popular among Asian traders for its reliability, wide range of indicators, and compatibility with automated trading via Expert Advisors (EAs). MT5, on the other hand, delivers a more modern framework with expanded order types, additional timeframes, and integrated market-depth views.
The proprietary Marketsx platform distinguishes itself through its analytical depth and visual design. It includes over 90 built-in indicators, sentiment data, and event-driven trading tools. The platform integrates fundamental analysis with technical charting, allowing traders to monitor macroeconomic events in real time. Execution speed remains competitive, with average latency under 50 milliseconds, and the interface adapts equally well to desktops and mobile devices — a crucial factor for active traders across Asia-Pacific time zones.
Mobile users can download both MetaTrader and Marketsx apps for iOS and Android. These mobile versions retain nearly full desktop functionality, including live price feeds, instant execution, and multi-chart analysis. The synchronization between desktop and mobile ensures that positions, pending orders, and account analytics remain consistent. Overall, Markets.com’s platform lineup satisfies a broad range of technical and discretionary trading styles while preserving stability and performance integrity under all market conditions.
Assets
Markets.com provides an extensive selection of CFDs across multiple asset classes, giving Asian traders exposure to global financial markets without direct ownership of the underlying instruments. The product range includes Forex, commodities, indices, shares, ETFs, bonds, and cryptocurrencies. This diversity enables traders to execute diversified strategies, hedge exposures, and adapt to different market cycles using a single integrated account environment.
Available Assets
Below you can see which assets are available for trading with Markets.com:
| Asset | Availability |
|---|---|
| Currencies | 54 |
| Real Stocks | ✗ |
| Stock CFDs | ✓ |
| Commodities | ✓ |
| Indices | ✓ |
| Real ETFs | ✗ |
| ETFs CFDs | ✓ |
| Futures | ✗ |
| Options | ✗ |
| Bonds | ✗ |
| Cryptocurrency CFDs | ✓ |
| Real Cryptocurrencies | ✗ |
*Availability of certain assets may vary based on account type, platform, or region.
Forex remains the broker’s primary offering, with more than 50 currency pairs covering majors, minors, and emerging-market instruments. Commodity CFDs extend access to global demand drivers like gold, silver, crude oil, and natural gas, while index CFDs allow participation in key benchmarks such as the Nikkei 225, Hang Seng, S&P 500, and DAX. Asian traders particularly benefit from exposure to regional indices and commodity-linked assets, which align naturally with local economic cycles and trading hours.
In addition, Markets.com supports CFD trading on global equities and ETFs, providing opportunities to trade corporate earnings and sector trends without large capital requirements. Cryptocurrency CFDs complete the portfolio, offering volatility-driven opportunities for short-term strategies. Altogether, the multi-asset structure ensures that traders can develop flexible, cross-market approaches — a valuable advantage in Asia’s fast-moving trading landscape.
Spreads
Markets.com operates on a variable-spread model, sourcing pricing directly from multiple liquidity providers. This approach ensures that spreads reflect true market conditions rather than fixed internal markups. The Raw Spread Account delivers interbank spreads starting from 0.0 pips, with a commission of $3 per side per lot. The Standard Account begins around 0.8 pips with no commission, while the Micro Account averages near 1.2 pips. For Asian traders executing during early Tokyo or overlapping London sessions, spreads remain competitive, with minimal widening even around major data releases.
Spreads Offered
Below a visual representation of Markets.com's spreads across several currency pairs:
*Spreads are variable and may change based on market conditions, account types and trading volumes.
Execution consistency is one of Markets.com’s strongest points. Over 99% of orders are filled in under one second, and the broker’s STP (Straight-Through Processing) model ensures that no dealing-desk intervention affects pricing. During regional volatility events such as Bank of Japan or Reserve Bank of Australia announcements, the system aggregates multiple liquidity streams to stabilize spreads and minimize slippage. This transparency benefits algorithmic and high-frequency traders who rely on precision execution during fast markets.
For cost-conscious traders, the ability to calculate effective spreads — combining raw pricing and commissions — provides clear visibility of total transaction costs. This transparency, combined with stable execution, positions Markets.com as a competitive choice in Asia, where traders value both tight pricing and reliable order handling.
Other Trading Costs
Beyond spreads and commissions, Markets.com maintains a transparent cost framework. The broker discloses all additional charges openly within its platform and client agreement. The most common secondary cost is the overnight financing fee, or swap, applied to positions held past market close. These rates depend on the interest-rate differential of the currencies or assets traded and are updated daily within the platform. Traders who follow Islamic finance principles can request a swap-free account, replacing these charges with fixed administrative fees.
Deposits and withdrawals carry no internal fees, though external processors may charge minimal transaction costs. Conversion fees apply only when trading in instruments quoted in a currency different from the account base. Markets.com’s conversion rates closely track interbank levels, ensuring fair pricing for multi-currency accounts — a significant advantage for traders in Singapore, Japan, and Malaysia, where portfolios often include USD, SGD, and JPY instruments simultaneously.
The broker also maintains a modest inactivity fee that applies after prolonged periods of account dormancy. However, this fee is clearly disclosed and only triggered after several months of inactivity, preventing surprises for seasonal traders. Overall, the total trading cost structure remains competitive and transparent compared with global peers.
Trading Conditions
Markets.com’s trading conditions are designed to accommodate a wide spectrum of strategies. Leverage ratios depend on the regulatory entity — up to 1:30 under CySEC and as high as 1:500 under the FSA Seychelles entity. Margin requirements are displayed transparently on the platform, allowing traders to manage exposure precisely. Stop-out levels are standardized, and negative balance protection applies across all retail accounts, safeguarding clients from excessive losses during volatility spikes.
Order execution follows a true market model with no requotes. Trades are routed directly to liquidity providers via an STP/ECN hybrid infrastructure. This design minimizes slippage and supports both scalping and automated trading. For Asian clients trading during local hours, execution speed remains reliable thanks to data-center connectivity in major financial hubs, including Singapore and London. The combination of low latency and deep liquidity ensures consistent order fills even during volatile sessions.
Markets.com also provides advanced risk-management tools, including guaranteed stop-loss and take-profit orders. These tools enable traders to lock in risk parameters at fixed costs, providing an additional layer of security during high-impact events. The result is an environment that aligns with both professional and retail expectations — efficient, transparent, and controlled.
Is Markets.com a Good Option for Asian Traders?
For Asian traders, Markets.com offers a compelling mix of accessibility, regulation, and execution reliability. The broker’s multilingual website, educational materials, and support teams cater to a culturally diverse clientele. Funding channels such as local bank transfers, regional e-wallets, and international cards ensure that clients across Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand can transact easily without excessive fees or delays.
Performance during Asian market hours remains strong. Spreads on pairs like USD/JPY, AUD/USD, and NZD/USD stay tight during early Tokyo and Sydney sessions, while order execution retains its consistency thanks to server proximity and stable liquidity aggregation. These operational strengths, combined with the flexibility of leverage and account options, make Markets.com particularly well-suited for traders balancing regional market participation with global exposure.
Customer service responsiveness is another highlight. Support operates 24/5 through live chat, email, and phone, with dedicated teams for Asian time zones. Educational resources, including webinars and platform tutorials, are regularly scheduled to align with regional hours. These factors contribute to a user experience that feels localized rather than generic, reinforcing the broker’s commitment to Asia as a key growth region.
Our Verdict
Markets.com stands out as a mature, fully regulated broker capable of meeting both retail and professional needs. Its combination of CySEC, FSCA, and FSA oversight ensures structural integrity and operational accountability. The balance between safety and flexibility makes it particularly appealing for Asian traders seeking a broker that respects global standards while accommodating regional trading preferences.
The account lineup — Standard, Raw, and Micro — provides clear differentiation without unnecessary complexity. Spreads remain tight, execution is consistently fast, and the platform selection covers both traditional MetaTrader systems and proprietary tools for advanced analysis. The cost structure is transparent, with no hidden fees or aggressive markups, which helps maintain long-term profitability for active traders.
In Asia’s competitive trading landscape, Markets.com’s edge lies in reliability. The broker’s technology infrastructure, multilingual support, and locally integrated payment systems ensure that traders can focus on strategy rather than logistics. Whether you are testing small strategies on a Micro Account or executing high-volume trades on Raw pricing, the experience remains seamless and stable.
Ultimately, Markets.com delivers what professional traders value most — transparency, speed, and trust. Its long-standing presence, public ownership, and balanced global reach position it as a dependable choice for Asian traders who prioritize regulated access and efficient market connectivity.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I open an account with Markets.com?
To open an account, visit the official Markets.com website, complete the registration form, and verify your identity by uploading proof-of-ID and address documents. Once approved, you can deposit funds via card, e-wallet, or local bank transfer and begin trading immediately.
Is Markets.com regulated and safe?
Yes. Markets.com is regulated by the CySEC (Cyprus), FSCA (South Africa), and FSA (Seychelles). These licenses ensure segregated client funds, negative balance protection, and strict operational transparency, making it a safe broker for traders worldwide, including Asia.
What trading platforms does Markets.com offer?
The broker provides MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and its proprietary Marketsx platform. All offer advanced charting, analytical tools, and mobile compatibility for seamless trading on multiple devices.
Does Markets.com charge commissions or hidden fees?
Commissions apply only to Raw Spread accounts, while Standard and Micro accounts are spread-only. Deposits
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.
