FBS is best suited to active CFD traders who want a low entry point, MetaTrader support and flexible account options rather than a long-term investing platform. It stands out for its broad CFD range, beginner-friendly account structure, strong mobile offering and support for automated trading. The main caveat is decisive: FBS does not accept residents of the UK or the US, and investor protections depend on the FBS company that holds your account, so anyone needing stronger protections or real asset ownership should look elsewhere.
FBS is best suited to active CFD traders who want a low entry point, MetaTrader support and flexible account options rather than a long-term investing platform. It stands out for its broad CFD range, beginner-friendly account structure, strong mobile offering and support for automated trading. The main caveat is decisive: FBS does not accept residents of the UK or the US, and investor protections depend on the FBS company that holds your account, so anyone needing stronger protections or real asset ownership should look elsewhere.How we review
Led by Filippo Ucchino, broker expert and CEO at InvestinGoal, we test brokers directly and assess them through a methodical review system. That includes live checks of the platform experience, account setup, tools, pricing structure, and key trading features, supported by research into official broker materials and regulatory records. We then evaluate each broker across the categories that matter most to traders, from safety and costs to platforms, markets, mobile trading, education, and support. Learn more about InvestinGoal methodology.
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Trust comes from transparency and consistency. Our reviews are written by specialists, fact-checked before publication, and updated when important broker details change. We show both positives and negatives, explain who a broker is best suited for, and avoid reducing the review to generic marketing language. That gives readers a clearer basis for comparing brokers and making decisions with confidence. Learn more about why you can trust InvestinGoal.
In this FBS review, we break down pros and cons, regulation and security, fees, platforms, markets, account features, and trading conditions, so you can decide faster and with more confidence. FBS is also part of our selection of the best trading platforms. The tabs below let you jump directly to the factor most important to your decision.
My take after testing FBS: After spending time with FBS, I’d put it firmly in the active CFD trader camp. Low minimum deposit, MetaTrader across the board, a mobile app that genuinely works day-to-day, and a demo experience that doesn’t feel like an afterthought. For that kind of trader, it’s a clean setup. The account range is flexible enough to be useful, but the ceiling is pretty obvious: CFD-only, no real shares, no copy trading. Residents of the UK, the US and other countries are excluded, which is worth knowing before you go any further. Where it accepts clients, for beginners or anyone who trades mostly from a phone, it makes sense. For building an actual investment portfolio, not really.
Filippo Ucchino
Co-Founder and CEO of InvestinGoal - Introducing Broker
What type of broker is FBS?
FBS is a No-Dealing-Desk (NDD) agency broker using an ECN/STP execution model. It routes client orders directly to liquidity providers via Straight Through Processing technology, operates without a dealing desk, and is not a market maker.
FBS operates as a multi-asset CFD broker with a forex-first focus. Traders get 550 CFD instruments at Tradestone Limited and FBS Markets Inc and 139 at Intelligent Financial Markets Pty Ltd (Australia), across FX, stocks, indices and commodities, and also cryptocurrencies at Intelligent Financial Markets Pty Ltd and FBS Markets Inc. All products are traded as CFDs (leveraged price exposure without owning the underlying asset).
FBS primarily serves retail traders through tiered account options: Standard accounts and Cent accounts for beginners, with a minimum deposit of USD 5 at FBS Markets Inc, USD 35 at Intelligent Financial Markets Pty Ltd and USD 112 at Tradestone Limited. Retail clients can upgrade to Professional status via assessment and documentation, keeping the same NDD/STP execution structure. Maximum retail leverage on major forex pairs ranges from 30:1 to 3,000:1, depending on the FBS company that holds your account. Professional clients can access higher leverage, subject to eligibility criteria.
Yes, FBS is a legitimate broker. Its companies are authorised or licensed by CySEC (Cyprus), the FSCA (South Africa), ASIC (Australia) and the FSC (Belize). FBS operates through Tradestone Limited (Cyprus), Intelligent Financial Markets Pty Ltd (Australia) and FBS Markets Inc (Belize), with headquarters in Belize City, and has operated since 2009. FBS is privately held and has 27 million clients. FBS received industry recognition including Most Trusted Broker (Asia) 2024 and Broker of the Year (LATAM) 2024 at the Finance Magnates Annual Awards.
The advantages of FBS are listed below.
- Low Entry Barrier: FBS requires minimal deposits, enabling traders with modest budgets to participate.
- Low Commissions: Zero or low commissions, and raw spreads averaging 0.20 pips on EUR/USD on the Ultra account of Intelligent Financial Markets Pty Ltd (Australia).
- Account Variety: Multiple account types suit different experience levels and trading strategies.
- Platform Flexibility: Access to MetaTrader 5 and FBS’s proprietary mobile app, plus MetaTrader 4 at FBS Markets Inc.
- Fast Transactions: Deposits and withdrawals process quickly via multiple payment methods.
- Educational Resources: Structured courses and guides support beginners and experienced traders.
- Trading Style Support: Features for hedging, scalping, and algorithmic trading with suitable execution environments.
- Risk Protection: Negative balance protection limits losses to deposited funds at Tradestone Limited, Intelligent Financial Markets Pty Ltd and FBS Markets Inc.
The disadvantages of FBS are listed below.
- Restricted Countries: FBS does not accept residents of 40 countries and territories, including the UK, the US, India and Russia.
- Limited Product Portfolio: The broker mainly focuses on FX and CFDs, with a more limited selection of stocks and commodities compared to some other brokers.
- High Spreads on the Standard Account: The Standard account averages 1.10 pips on EUR/USD, and the raw-spread Ultra account is offered only by Intelligent Financial Markets Pty Ltd (Australia).
- Currency Conversion Fees: Account base currencies are limited to USD and EUR, plus AUD at Intelligent Financial Markets Pty Ltd, so traders depositing in other currencies may incur currency conversion charges.
- No Advanced Tools: The platform lacks advanced, native tools like Autochartist or Trading Central, which are common in other brokerages.
Is FBS regulated?
Yes, FBS is regulated. Its companies are authorised by CySEC in Cyprus and the FSCA in South Africa, and licensed by ASIC in Australia and the FSC in Belize. Client funds are held in segregated accounts at Tradestone Limited, Intelligent Financial Markets Pty Ltd and FBS Markets Inc, and retail clients of these three companies have negative balance protection. Investor compensation depends on the company: clients of Tradestone Limited are covered by an investor compensation scheme for 90% of eligible claims up to €20,000, while Intelligent Financial Markets Pty Ltd and FBS Markets Inc have no compensation scheme.
The FBS companies are listed below.
- Tradestone Limited: CySEC (Cyprus)
- Intelligent Financial Markets Pty Ltd: ASIC (Australia)
- FBS Markets Inc: FSC (Belize)
- Trade Stone SA (STY) Ltd: FSCA (South Africa)
| Broker |
 |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 regulations held | ASIC, ESMA (CySEC) | ASIC, FCA, ESMA (BaFin, CySEC) | ASIC, CFTC, FCA, JFSA, MAS, NFA |
| Tier 2 regulations held | N/A | CMA, DFSA | DFSA, FMA |
| Tier 3 regulations held | FSC | SCB | BMA |
Yes, FBS is legal in the countries it accepts, through the FBS company that serves each area. Residents of the EU open their account with Tradestone Limited, authorised by CySEC (licence 331/17), and residents of Australia with Intelligent Financial Markets Pty Ltd, licensed by ASIC (AFSL 426359). Residents of South Africa are served by Trade Stone SA (STY) Ltd, authorised by the FSCA. Residents of the other accepted countries open their account with FBS Markets Inc, licensed by the FSC in Belize (licence 4077102). CFDs on forex, indices, commodities and shares are offered by Tradestone Limited, Intelligent Financial Markets Pty Ltd and FBS Markets Inc, and CFDs on cryptocurrencies by Intelligent Financial Markets Pty Ltd and FBS Markets Inc; share dealing and spread betting are not offered. The companies regulated in the EU and Australia apply the leverage caps set by their regulators, such as 30:1 on major forex pairs for retail clients. Each licence can be verified on the register of its regulator, using the company name or the licence number above.
No. FBS has no company registered in the United States and does not accept US residents.
Learn more about the best Forex brokers in US.
Is FBS safe?
FBS holds client funds in segregated accounts at reputable banks at Tradestone Limited, Intelligent Financial Markets Pty Ltd and FBS Markets Inc. Clients of Tradestone Limited are covered by an investor compensation scheme up to €20,000, which pays out if the firm fails and does not cover trading losses; Intelligent Financial Markets Pty Ltd and FBS Markets Inc have no compensation scheme. Retail clients of the three companies have negative balance protection and automatic position closure at the stop-out level (20% margin level on some account types). Security includes SSL encryption, two-factor authentication (SMS or app), biometric login on mobile, and regular audits. FBS does not offer insurance on client money beyond the compensation scheme.
| Broker |
|
|
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Segregated client funds | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Negative balance | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Investor compensation scheme | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Founded in | 2009 | 2010 | 1974 |
| Publicly traded | No | No | Yes |
The risks with the broker FBS are listed below.
- Regulatory limitations: Investor compensation depends on the FBS company that holds the account: clients of Tradestone Limited (CySEC) are covered up to €20,000, while Intelligent Financial Markets Pty Ltd (Australia) and FBS Markets Inc (Belize) have no compensation scheme, so deposits with them are not covered if the company becomes insolvent.
- Leverage risk: Retail leverage on major forex pairs reaches 3,000:1 at FBS Markets Inc (Belize). Higher leverage magnifies both gains and losses; at the companies regulated in the EU and Australia retail leverage is capped at 30:1.
- CFD complexity: All products are CFDs, which are derivatives without underlying asset ownership that carry rapid-loss risk. 66.43% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with FBS. Overnight financing charges and wider spreads erode profitability, especially for positions held beyond intraday.
- Execution quality: FBS uses market execution, and traders may still experience slippage and weaker fills during volatile market conditions.
- Withdrawal delays: Withdrawals can take longer when extra documentation is requested.
- Platform stability: Connectivity problems on MetaTrader and the FBS proprietary platforms during high-impact news can prevent position management or time-critical order execution.
What markets can you trade on FBS?
The markets you can trade on FBS are listed below.
- Currency pairs (CFDs): 70+ FX pairs across major, minor, and exotic categories. Minimum trade: 0.01 lots (1,000 base currency units). Learn more about what is the Forex market.
- Commodities (CFDs): Spot-referenced metals like gold (XAU/USD) and silver (XAG/USD), plus energy CFDs including oil and natural gas. Minimum trade: 0.01 lots.
- Indices (CFDs): 10+ global index instruments including US 500 and UK 100. Minimum trade: 0.01 lots.
- Stocks (CFDs): International equity CFDs across multiple markets. Minimum trade: 0.01 lots.
- Cryptocurrencies (CFDs): Crypto CFDs on coins like BTC and ETH. Crypto CFDs are not offered by Tradestone Limited; the company regulated in Australia offers them with leverage up to 2:1, and FBS Markets Inc up to 500:1.
| Broker |
|
|
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex | Yes (CFDs) | Yes (CFDs) | Yes (CFDs, Options) |
| Indices | Yes (CFDs) | Yes (CFDs) | Yes (CFDs, Options) |
| Commodities | Yes (CFDs) | Yes (CFDs) | Yes (CFDs, Options) |
| Shares | Yes (CFDs) | Yes (CFDs) | Yes (Real, CFDs, Options) |
| ETFs | N/A | Yes (CFDs) | Yes (Real, CFDs) |
| Cryptocurrencies | N/A | Yes (CFDs) | Yes (CFDs) |
The trading products not offered by FBS are listed below.
- Bonds
- Real Cryptocurrencies
- ETFs
- Futures
- Options
- Real shares
No, you can’t buy real crypto on FBS. FBS offers cryptocurrency exposure only through CFDs, at Intelligent Financial Markets Pty Ltd and FBS Markets Inc, not ownership of the underlying asset. Coins like BTC and ETH are available for speculative trading, but no spot crypto purchases or actual coin ownership are supported.
No, you can’t trade real shares on FBS. FBS offers only CFDs on stocks, not direct ownership of underlying equities.
No, FBS does not offer fractional ownership of real shares. It supports fractional trading from 0.01 lots on CFD stock trading.
How cheap are spreads with FBS?
FBS spreads are high on EUR/USD, at an average of 1.10 pips on the Standard account; the Ultra account, a raw-spread account offered only by Intelligent Financial Markets Pty Ltd, averages 0.20 pips. On SPX500, the FBS spread is good at about 0.57 to 0.60 points at Tradestone Limited and FBS Markets Inc; it is about 1.50 points at Intelligent Financial Markets Pty Ltd. On XAU/USD (gold), the FBS spread is about $0.23 to $0.36, depending on the company.
The FBS Standard account bundles all costs into the spread with no separate commission, while the Ultra account adds a commission. The spread is not the only trading cost: FBS also charges overnight swaps, currency conversion fees and commissions on share CFDs.
Explore low spread Forex brokers.
The fees with FBS are listed below.
- Spreads: From 0.80 pips on EUR/USD, with an average of 1.10 pips (Standard account).
- Commissions: Share CFDs 0.35% per side at Tradestone Limited and Intelligent Financial Markets Pty Ltd, none at FBS Markets Inc; Ultra account (raw spreads) $6 per round turn at Intelligent Financial Markets Pty Ltd.
- Inactivity: €30 per quarter for dormant accounts after 180 days at Tradestone Limited; none at Intelligent Financial Markets Pty Ltd and FBS Markets Inc.
- Deposits: $0.
- Withdrawals: $0 (standard methods).
| Broker |
|
|
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Overnight fees | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Inactivity fee | Yes | No | No |
| Deposit fees | No | No | No |
| Withdrawal fees | No | No | No |
| Currency conversion fee | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Yes, FBS has good raw spread commissions of $3 per side ($6 per round turn) on EUR/USD at Intelligent Financial Markets Pty Ltd (Australia), on its Ultra account, a raw account with an average EUR/USD spread of 0.20 pips. Tradestone Limited and FBS Markets Inc do not offer a raw account.
| Broker |
|
|
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. EUR/USD spread (markup) | 1.10 pips | 1.10 pips | 0.85 pips |
| Avg. EUR/USD spread (raw) | N/A | 0.10 pips | N/A |
| Commission/lot | N/A | $7.00 Round Turn | N/A |
| All-in FX cost | $11.00 | $8.00 | $8.50 |
FBS’ overnight swaps for EUR/USD are average, being around 1.9% p.a. for standard account positions.
Triple swaps are applied on Wednesdays to cover weekend settlement. Swap fees generally don’t vary across basic account types, but a swap-free (Islamic) option is available for clients who cannot pay or receive interest.
FBS charges 0.35% per side (0.7% per round turn) commission on share CFDs at Tradestone Limited and Intelligent Financial Markets Pty Ltd, in addition to the spread; FBS Markets Inc charges no commission on share CFDs. The rate applies uniformly across all share CFD markets.
- Commission: 0.35% of trade value per side (0.7% combined open + close) at Tradestone Limited and Intelligent Financial Markets Pty Ltd; none at FBS Markets Inc.
- Applied to: All major exchanges (no market-specific rates).
- Tier discounts: None for VIP or high-volume traders.
If the share currency differs from your account base currency, FBS applies the prevailing exchange rate at execution, but no separate FX conversion fee is charged on share CFDs.
FBS’s crypto CFD costs are spread-based, with no separate commission: the average total cost of a Bitcoin CFD trade is about $19.75 at FBS Markets Inc and $100 at Intelligent Financial Markets Pty Ltd (Australia); Tradestone Limited does not offer crypto CFDs. No spot/real-crypto ownership is offered.
Is FBS good for trading?
FBS is good for trading forex, CFDs on commodities, indices, stocks, cryptocurrencies, and metals; crypto CFDs are not offered by Tradestone Limited. FBS does not offer real stocks, ETFs, bonds, futures, or options.
FBS operates as a pure CFD and forex broker, offering 550 trading instruments at Tradestone Limited and FBS Markets Inc and 139 at Intelligent Financial Markets Pty Ltd, with maximum retail leverage on major forex pairs from 30:1 to 3,000:1, depending on the FBS company that holds the account. The broker provides Standard and Cent accounts, plus a raw-spread Ultra account at Intelligent Financial Markets Pty Ltd, each designed for different trading styles and experience levels. FBS supports MetaTrader 5, and MetaTrader 4 at FBS Markets Inc, enabling automated trading through Expert Advisors. The broker offers raw spreads averaging 0.20 pips on EUR/USD on the Ultra account of Intelligent Financial Markets Pty Ltd, and order execution from 10 milliseconds at Tradestone Limited and FBS Markets Inc, while at Intelligent Financial Markets Pty Ltd 95% of orders are executed within 400 milliseconds. However, FBS does not provide access to actual stock exchanges or allow ownership of underlying assets, limiting traders who seek to build long-term investment portfolios with real equities, participate in shareholder voting, or collect dividends from stock ownership. The absence of futures and options trading restricts sophisticated hedging strategies and derivatives-based risk management approaches.
FBS does not offer investing in real assets: there is no real ownership of stocks or ETFs. The broker provides stock exposure exclusively through Contracts for Difference (CFDs), which are cash-settled derivative instruments that confer no ownership rights, no shareholder voting rights, and no direct dividend entitlements. CFDs are designed for short-term speculation rather than long-term wealth building and are not suitable for long-term investment. Holding CFD positions over extended periods incurs overnight financing charges that erode returns, and the inactivity fee of Tradestone Limited (€30 per quarter for dormant accounts after 180 days) further penalizes buy-and-hold strategies. FBS cannot serve as a platform for traditional long-term investing without access to cash stocks, ETFs, bonds, or mutual funds for direct ownership.
FBS is excellent for demo trading because it offers an adjustable virtual balance up to $10,000, real-time market price feeds, and full access to all live trading instruments across Forex, metals, indices, and stock CFDs on the same platforms as live accounts.
FBS provides a comprehensive demo trading environment with demo accounts archived after approximately 90 days of inactivity. The broker delivers real-time market data through its demo environment and allows users to customize their virtual balance when opening an account, with defaults up to $10,000. Demo traders access the complete range of instruments available on live accounts, including Forex pairs, precious metals, stock indices, and individual stock CFDs, using identical platforms such as MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5. However, the demo environment does not fully replicate live trading conditions. Spreads in demo accounts are often tighter or fixed compared to the variable spreads on live accounts and the system does not reproduce real slippage or requotes that occur during actual trading.
eToro, XTB, IC Markets and XM are some good alternatives to FBS as demo Forex brokers. Learn more about the best Forex demo accounts.
FBS is a great broker for algo trading because it supports MetaTrader 4 with MQL4 (only at FBS Markets Inc) and MetaTrader 5 with MQL5, provides VPS hosting (not at Intelligent Financial Markets Pty Ltd) for continuous EA operation, maintains servers at premium locations including Equinix LD4 and data centers in New York and Singapore for reduced latency, and permits scalping, hedging and shorting strategies. FBS is great and not excellent for algo trading because it lacks public trading APIs, does not support cTrader with cAlgo, offers no proprietary algorithmic trading platforms beyond MT4/MT5, and prohibits high-frequency trading, arbitrage, latency abuse, and price scraping/sniping strategies.
FBS provides a solid infrastructure for algorithmic traders through its MetaTrader platform support, enabling traders to deploy expert advisors using MQL5 and, at FBS Markets Inc, MQL4. The broker enhances automated trading reliability by offering VPS hosting services, except at Intelligent Financial Markets Pty Ltd. These services ensure 24/7 uptime for expert advisors without interruption. FBS operates servers at Equinix LD4, a tier-one data center, alongside additional nodes in New York and Singapore, which minimizes execution latency for automated strategies. The broker permits essential algo trading strategies including scalping, hedging and shorting, though it does not allow high-frequency trading and restricts arbitrage opportunities, latency exploitation tactics, and price scraping techniques. The absence of REST or FIX API access limits integration possibilities for custom trading applications. Traders will need to rely exclusively on the MetaTrader ecosystem instead of seeking cTrader’s cAlgo environment or proprietary algorithmic platforms.
Good alternatives to FBS for algo traders are Pepperstone, FP Markets, IC Markets and Roboforex, as listed in the algorithmic trading Forex brokers listicle.
See the complete best brokers for algo trading guide.
FBS is excellent for Forex trading. It operates under top-tier regulation from ASIC and CySEC, offers spreads averaging 1.10 pips on EUR/USD on the Standard account and 0.20 pips on the Ultra account of Intelligent Financial Markets Pty Ltd, provides access to 72 forex pairs, supports flexible position sizing starting from 0.01 lots (micro lots), allows both scalping and hedging strategies, and delivers multiple trading platforms including MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4 (at FBS Markets Inc only) and its proprietary FBS Trader mobile app with full support for algorithmic trading and expert advisors.
FBS combines strong regulatory oversight with comprehensive trading capabilities that serve both beginner and advanced forex traders. The broker’s selection of 72 currency pairs covers all major, minor and many exotic pairs. FBS permits scalping and hedging without restrictions, hosts expert advisors on its MetaTrader platforms and offers VPS services for automated trading. The platforms include over 90 technical indicators and drawing tools and an economic calendar for fundamental analysis. The main limitation is the absence of a traders’ sentiment tool, which some traders use to gauge market positioning, though the broker compensates with robust charting capabilities and analytical features across its MT4, MT5 and proprietary mobile platforms.
XM, AvaTrade, FP Markets and IC Markets are some good alternatives to FBS as best Forex brokers.
FBS is a great broker for CFD stock trading because it charges a 0.35% per side commission on stock CFDs at Tradestone Limited and Intelligent Financial Markets Pty Ltd and none at FBS Markets Inc, provides access to US-listed stocks across major exchanges like NYSE and NASDAQ, supports fractional trading from 0.01 lots, and operates under Tier-1 regulation by ASIC (Australia). FBS is great and not excellent for CFD stock trading because it provides only one third-party platform (MetaTrader 5) without a proprietary trading platform, and lacks essential analysis tools including stock screeners, earnings calendars, fundamental data, and trader sentiment indicators.
FBS provides CFD trading on over 350 stock instruments from multiple major exchanges including NYSE and NASDAQ. The broker delivers real-time streaming quotes during market hours and allows fractional positions with a minimum trade size of 0.01 lots. FBS supports all major trading strategies through MetaTrader 5, including scalping, hedging, algorithmic trading via Expert Advisors, and short selling with leverage. The platform does not include advanced research tools such as stock screeners, earnings calendars, or fundamental data feeds while FBS publishes stock market analysis and news for traders. The broker’s limitation to a single third-party platform means traders do not have access to alternative proprietary interfaces, which might offer enhanced charting or analytical capabilities specifically designed for stock CFD trading.
Good alternatives to FBS for CFD stock trading are IG Markets, Pepperstone, eToro and AvaTrade, as listed in the best stock CFD platforms listicle. Explore the best CFD brokers.
FBS does not offer real stock trading: there are no direct stock trading services. FBS operates exclusively as a CFD (Contract for Difference) broker, meaning clients can only speculate on stock price movements through derivative products rather than purchasing actual shares. The broker does not provide access to any stock exchanges, does not offer real stock commission structures, and does not allow fractional share ownership of actual equities. These features apply solely to stock CFDs traded on MT5 rather than genuine stock ownership, although FBS is regulated by tier-1 authorities including ASIC and CySEC for its CFD operations; it does publish stock market analysis and news on its website. Traders cannot build a real stock portfolio, receive dividends, or exercise shareholder voting rights through FBS because the broker’s business model is limited to leveraged derivatives trading.
DEGIRO, eToro, XTB and Trading 212 are some good alternatives to FBS as best brokers for stocks. See the complete best stock brokers guide.
FBS is a great broker for CFD crypto trading because it provides commission-free trading on standard accounts, offers over 100 tradable cryptocurrency CFD instruments, delivers real-time live price feeds for market data, and operates under regulation from ASIC and the FSC in Belize, at Intelligent Financial Markets Pty Ltd and FBS Markets Inc (Tradestone Limited, regulated by CySEC, does not offer crypto CFDs). FBS is great and not excellent for CFD crypto trading because it lacks crypto-specific regulatory oversight and does not offer a minimum trade size below $10, which limits accessibility for smaller traders.
FBS provides a comprehensive CFD crypto trading environment with access to over 100 cryptocurrency instruments, allowing traders to diversify across a wide range of digital assets. The broker operates commission-free trading on its standard account, with costs incorporated through spreads, making the fee structure straightforward and predictable. Real-time price feeds ensure traders receive current market data for informed decision-making. The platform operates under regulation from ASIC and the FSC in Belize for its CFD crypto trading services, offered by Intelligent Financial Markets Pty Ltd and FBS Markets Inc. However, the broker does not have specialized crypto-specific regulatory authorization, and the minimum trade size of 0.01 lots does not translate to positions under $10. This may present a barrier for traders with limited capital or those seeking to test strategies with minimal exposure.
eToro (crypto CFDs not offered to retail clients of its UK company), NAGA, Pepperstone, and AvaTrade are some good alternatives to FBS as best brokers for CFD cryptocurrency.
FBS does not offer real crypto trading: there is no spot cryptocurrency trading or any real crypto service. FBS does not provide the ability to buy, sell, or hold actual cryptocurrencies, nor does it offer crypto wallets, crypto-to-crypto transactions, or fiat-to-crypto conversions. The broker operates exclusively with cryptocurrency CFDs (contracts for difference), which are derivatives that track crypto prices rather than involving ownership of actual digital assets. It lacks any cryptocurrency-specific regulation or infrastructure for real crypto trading despite FBS holding regulatory licenses from ASIC and the FSC that cover its CFD crypto products, making it unsuitable for traders seeking genuine cryptocurrency ownership and transactions.
eToro, Coinbase, Crypto.com and Binance are some good alternatives to FBS as best crypto exchanges.
FBS does not currently offer any copy trading services or platforms. FBS discontinued its proprietary “FBS CopyTrade” platform in 2022 and has not replaced it with an alternative solution. Clients cannot copy other traders, follow portfolio strategies, or subscribe to signal providers through FBS. The broker does not provide access to third-party copy trading platforms such as MetaTrader signals, Myfxbook AutoTrade, or similar services that would enable automated trade replication from experienced traders to follower accounts.
eToro, ZuluTrade, AvaTrade, and NAGA are some good alternatives to FBS as best copy trading platforms.
What are the FBS trading conditions?
The FBS trading conditions are listed below.
- Pricing model: Most trading costs are embedded in spreads with no separate commission. Share CFDs charge an additional commission of 0.35% per side at Tradestone Limited and Intelligent Financial Markets Pty Ltd. Variable spreads on EUR/USD start from 0.80 pips under normal conditions.
- Order size: Minimum 0.01 lots, maximum 500 lots with 0.01 lot increments on standard accounts. Total position limits include 500 open positions with up to 200 pending orders.
- Trading approaches: Hedging, scalping, and algorithmic trading are permitted, including Expert Advisors and automated systems. High-frequency trading is not allowed.
- Leverage: Maximum retail leverage on major forex pairs ranges from 30:1 to 3,000:1, depending on the FBS company that holds your account.
- Risk management: Negative balance protection prevents losses exceeding account balance at Tradestone Limited, Intelligent Financial Markets Pty Ltd and FBS Markets Inc. Margin call at 40% and stop-out at 20% on some account types.
| Broker |
|
|
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | ECN/STP | Market Maker |
| Max. FX leverage | 1:30 | 1:30 | 1:30 |
| Min. FX trade size | 0,01 standard lots | 0,01 standard lots | 0,01 standard lots |
| Hedging allowed | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Scalping allowed | Yes | Yes | Yes |
FBS applies a non-dealing-desk market execution model. FBS uses market execution, and traders may still experience slippage and weaker fills during volatile market conditions. FBS offsets orders directly into liquidity-provider systems through NDD technologies. FBS supports market, limit, and stop orders and fills orders at the best available price in line with market execution. FBS keeps the execution method consistent across account types and varies spreads, commissions, and margin rules through account structure and client categorisation.
FBS’ trade execution is fast in normal conditions and weaker during major news, with an NDD/STP routing approach for order handling. FBS can show materially wider spreads and notable slippage during major announcements, and is not a strong choice for frequent news trading that depends on tight fills.
FBS’s maximum leverage for retail clients on major forex pairs is 30:1 at its companies regulated in the EU and Australia, and up to 3,000:1 at FBS Markets Inc, licensed by the FSC (Belize).
The table showing the leverage and the protections of the FBS companies by area is shown below.
| If you live in | Your account is with | Max retail leverage (major forex / crypto) | Investor compensation | Negative balance protection |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| the EU | Tradestone Limited (CySEC) | 30:1 / not offered | up to €20,000 | yes |
| Australia | Intelligent Financial Markets Pty Ltd (ASIC) | 30:1 / 2:1 | none | yes |
| other accepted countries | FBS Markets Inc. (FSC) | 3,000:1 / 500:1 | none | yes |
| the US, the UK and 38 other countries | not accepted | |||
The max leverage with FBS for each asset class is listed below.
- Forex: 30:1 on major pairs and 20:1 on other pairs at the companies regulated in the EU and Australia; up to 3,000:1 and 3,000:1 at FBS Markets Inc.
- Indices: 20:1 on major indices and 10:1 on other indices at the companies regulated in the EU and Australia; up to 500:1 and 200:1 at FBS Markets Inc.
- Commodities: 20:1 on gold and 10:1 on other commodities at the companies regulated in the EU and Australia; up to 500:1 and 500:1 at FBS Markets Inc.
- Shares (equities): 5:1 at the companies regulated in the EU and Australia; up to 100:1 at FBS Markets Inc.
- Cryptocurrencies: 2:1 at Intelligent Financial Markets Pty Ltd (Australia); up to 500:1 at FBS Markets Inc; not offered by Tradestone Limited.
Professional clients can access higher leverage, subject to eligibility criteria. FBS varies leverage by account type and allows users to adjust leverage within permitted ranges through the client portal. FBS enforces margin requirements and a stop-out mechanism that typically closes positions when margin level falls to 20%. Higher leverage magnifies both gains and losses.
Explore the Forex brokers with high leverage.
The minimum lot size at FBS is 0.01 lots for standard account types. The maximum lot size permitted is 500 lots for most account types. For the Cent account type the volume ranges from 0.01 to 1000 cent lots (equivalent to 10 standard lots). There are no special order-type constraints on minimum or maximum lot sizes beyond these volume limits; standard market, limit, stop and pending orders are supported under the same volume range.
The types of trading orders you can use with FBS are listed below.
- Market order
- Limit order
- Stop order
- Stop-limit order
- Buy limit order
- Sell limit order
- Buy stop order
- Sell stop order
- Stop-loss order
- Take-profit order
Slippage with FBS can be higher during major news, when orders may be filled at a price different from the requested one.
Order execution speed with FBS is excellent, with orders executed from 10 milliseconds at Tradestone Limited and FBS Markets Inc, and slow at Intelligent Financial Markets Pty Ltd (Australia), where 95% of orders are executed within 400 milliseconds.
What are FBS account types?
The account types offered by FBS are listed below.
- Cent Account: For beginners starting with minimal amounts. Deposits displayed in cents (e.g., $10 = 1,000 cents) with micro lot sizes (1 lot = 0.01 standard lots). Floating spreads, no commission. Enables low-risk real trading.
- Standard Account: For experienced traders wanting competitive conditions. Floating spreads from 0.80 pips on EUR/USD, no commission, maximum retail leverage on major forex pairs from 30:1 to 3,000:1, depending on the FBS company that holds the account. Supports a broad range of trading styles and instruments.
- Ultra Account: For traders who want raw spreads with a separate commission. Raw spreads averaging 0.20 pips on EUR/USD and a commission of $6 per round turn. Offered by Intelligent Financial Markets Pty Ltd (Australia) only.
- Islamic (Swap-Free) Version: Sharia-compliant feature applicable to select account types (Cent, Standard). Eliminates overnight interest swaps in accordance with Islamic finance principles. Offered by Intelligent Financial Markets Pty Ltd and FBS Markets Inc, not by Tradestone Limited.
Learn more about FBS account types.
FBS’s most popular account is the Standard Account. It has a minimum deposit of USD 5 at FBS Markets Inc, spreads from 0.80 pips, no commission, and leverage up to 3,000:1 at FBS Markets Inc. Other accounts include the Cent Account (for small-capital traders), plus the Ultra Account, with raw spreads and a commission, at Intelligent Financial Markets Pty Ltd (Australia).
Yes, FBS offers a demo account. The account provides access to real-time market prices across the full range of instruments available on live accounts, including forex pairs, metals, and indices. Users can set their own virtual starting balance up to $10,000 and practice trading on the same platforms used for live trading, although demo spreads are often tighter and fixed compared to live spreads, and real-world execution effects such as slippage and requotes are not reproduced. The demo account is not unlimited: it is deactivated after 90 days of inactivity. Learn more about the FBS demo account.
Yes, FBS offers an Islamic (swap-free) account for clients trading under Sharia principles at Intelligent Financial Markets Pty Ltd and FBS Markets Inc; it is not offered by Tradestone Limited. You can select the swap-free option during registration or request conversion through client support.
The Islamic account removes overnight swap and interest charges that are prohibited under Sharia. No swap charges apply, but FBS may compensate through wider spreads or administration fees. Trading restrictions, verification requirements, eligible instruments, and account opening procedures remain the same as standard accounts.
Learn more about Forex brokers with Islamic account.
Yes, FBS offers professional client status; a separate “professional account” product is offered only by Intelligent Financial Markets Pty Ltd (Australia). At Tradestone Limited, to qualify, clients must meet at least 2 of 3 criteria: (1) an average of 10 significant-size transactions per quarter over the past year, (2) a portfolio exceeding €500,000 (cash + financial instruments), or (3) at least 1 year working in the financial sector in a professional capacity. FBS’s retail accounts (Standard, Cent) can be upgraded to professional client status upon meeting these criteria. At its companies regulated in the EU and Australia, clients who qualify as professional can access higher leverage in exchange for fewer protections (for example, no negative balance protection required by the regulator). FBS Markets Inc already offers up to 3,000:1 to retail clients. Explore the Forex brokers for professional traders.
No, FBS does not offer a corporate trading account for businesses and legal entities trading under a company name.
No, the broker FBS does not formally offer a “Premium” or “VIP” account tier under that name. While the broker provides enhanced features such as a dedicated account manager and advanced tools that resemble premium services, it does not offer a VIP or genuinely separate premium-account category.
How to open an account with FBS?
The steps to open an account with FBS are listed below.
- Start the registration: Open the account signup page, enter a valid email address and full name or use an approved social sign-in option, and submit the registration to create access to the client area.
- Confirm the email address: Open the verification email and select the confirmation link in the same browser session to activate the client-area profile.
- Create a trading account: Open the add-account section, select a real or demo account, and choose the account type, base currency, leverage setting, and trading platform.
- Accept terms and disclosures: Review and accept the terms and any risk disclosures presented during account creation.
- Complete verification checks: Upload a valid photo identity document and provide proof of address where requested to satisfy verification requirements linked to account features.
- Fund the trading account: Deposit the minimum required amount for a real account using an available method such as bank transfer, payment card, or an e-wallet.
- Start trading: Log in to the trading platform after the deposit is credited and any required verification steps are approved and place the first trade.
The registration and email confirmation steps can typically be completed within minutes, while verification review and deposit processing can add additional time depending on the chosen funding method and whether manual checks are triggered. The process is generally easy to complete, as the client-area setup and account creation are guided through standard screens and dropdown selections. The requirements typically include providing basic personal details, selecting an account configuration, accepting the terms, and meeting any minimum deposit requirement for live trading, and eligibility conditions can apply based on residency and service availability. A Know Your Customer process is required where applicable, and it typically involves identity verification and, in some cases, proof of address, and some functions such as withdrawals can be restricted until verification is completed.
| Broker |
|
|
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $112 | $0 | $0 |
| Demo trial available | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Payment methods | Wire Transfer, Credit Card, Debit Card, Ewallets | Wire Transfer, Credit Card, Debit Card, Ewallets | Wire Transfer, Credit Card, Debit Card, Ewallets |
| Islamic account availability | No | Yes | No |
| Account base currencies | EUR, USD | GBP, USD, EUR, CHF | EUR |
FBS minimum deposit is USD 5 at FBS Markets Inc, USD 35 at Intelligent Financial Markets Pty Ltd (Australia) and USD 112 at Tradestone Limited, to open and fund a live account. Payment-method minimums vary: Neteller USD 10, Skrill USD 12. Account base currency is USD or EUR, plus AUD at Intelligent Financial Markets Pty Ltd; deposits accepted in local currencies (converted to base with standard FX rates). No perks or premium tiers unlock at higher thresholds. The minimum deposit starts trading, while larger deposits offer more position-sizing flexibility. Learn more about minimum deposit with FBS.
FBS offers 2 account base currencies, USD and EUR, at Tradestone Limited and FBS Markets Inc, and 3 at Intelligent Financial Markets Pty Ltd, which adds AUD. The very limited range of account base currencies offered at FBS increases the likelihood of conversion fees for traders who operate outside USD or EUR.
The deposit methods supported by FBS are listed below.
- Bank Transfer
- Debit Cards
- Credit Cards
- eWallets (Neteller and Skrill; not at Intelligent Financial Markets Pty Ltd)
- Local Payment Methods (not at Intelligent Financial Markets Pty Ltd)
- Cryptocurrencies
The withdrawal methods supported by FBS are listed below.
- Bank Wire Transfer
- Debit Cards
- Credit Cards
- eWallets (Neteller and Skrill; not at Intelligent Financial Markets Pty Ltd)
- Local Payment Methods (not at Intelligent Financial Markets Pty Ltd)
Deposits and withdrawals with FBS are secure. Client funds are held in segregated accounts at tier-one banks at Tradestone Limited, Intelligent Financial Markets Pty Ltd and FBS Markets Inc, separate from operational funds. Payments are protected with PCI DSS compliance, 3-D Secure for card transactions, and OTP verification on withdrawals. Investor compensation depends on the company: an investor compensation scheme covers clients of Tradestone Limited up to €20,000, while Intelligent Financial Markets Pty Ltd and FBS Markets Inc have no compensation scheme.
What trading platforms does FBS offer?
The trading platforms offered by FBS are listed below.
- MT4: Forex/CFD trading with charting tools, custom indicators, and Expert Advisors. Available on Windows (desktop), web, and iOS/Android (MetaTrader app). Offered only by FBS Markets Inc, not by Tradestone Limited or Intelligent Financial Markets Pty Ltd.
- MT5: Multi-asset platform with additional timeframes, expanded analytical tools, and algorithmic trading. It supports forex, metals, indices, energies, and stocks. Available on Windows/macOS (desktop), web, and iOS/Android (MetaTrader app).
- FBS Mobile App: FBS’ proprietary mobile platform for trading and account management with chart analysis and funding functions. It supports forex, metals, stocks, indices, and energies across 550 instruments at Tradestone Limited and FBS Markets Inc and 139 at Intelligent Financial Markets Pty Ltd. Available on iOS/Android only (no desktop or web version).
| Broker |
|
|
|
|---|---|---|---|
| MT4 | No | Yes | Yes |
| MT5 | Yes | Yes | No |
| cTrader | No | Yes | No |
| TradingView | No | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary platform | No | Yes | Yes |
| Copy trading platform | No | Yes | No |
The charting tools available at FBS are listed below.
- Technical indicators: 38 built-in indicators on MetaTrader 5; 90+ indicators on proprietary mobile app via TradingView charts. Custom indicators and scripts supported on MT4/MT5 through native coding environments.
- Drawing tools: 44 analytical objects on MT5 including trendlines, channels, Fibonacci and Gann tools. Drawing and trend tools available in mobile app via TradingView engine.
- Chart timeframes: 21 timeframes on MT5 (1-minute to 1-month); 9 timeframes on MT5 WebTrader (1-minute to 1-month).
- Platforms & usability: MT4 and MT5 across desktop, web, and mobile. Proprietary mobile app with TradingView-powered charts for live and demo access. Multiple chart windows, visual customization, theme and indicator styling controls, chart alerts, and one-click trading.
- Pricing: Charting tools included on all standard accounts with no charting-specific subscription fees.
The trading tools offered by FBS are listed below.
- Order types & risk controls: Market, limit, and stop orders with stop-loss and take-profit controls on MetaTrader. MetaTrader 5 supports eight pending order types. Order execution starts from 0.01 seconds.
- Market analytics widgets: Market-analytics section with technical analysis and forecast commentary; platform charting and indicator tools for technical decision support.
- Algorithmic trading: Expert Advisors on MetaTrader platforms for automated strategy deployment through the standard MetaTrader automation environment.
- VPS hosting: VPS option for continuous trading, stable connectivity, and 24-hour algorithmic trading, and access conditions may include additional fees. Not offered by Intelligent Financial Markets Pty Ltd (Australia).
- Trading calculators: Margin, pip value, swap, and P&L calculators for position planning and risk estimation.
- Market research: Economic calendar for macroeconomic event tracking; integrated news feed with broker-curated analysis.
- Alerts and notifications: Price alerts and push notifications for market movements and account events via MetaTrader and FBS Trader app.
- Performance analytics: Trade-history tracking, journal-style review, and equity-curve visibility through MetaTrader reporting modules.
- Mobile-exclusive utilities: FBS Trader app with real-time pricing, charting, trade execution, biometric login, watchlists, and cross-platform sync.
- Tool access conditions: Platforms, calculators, and mobile access included without additional fees for standard usage.
| Broker |
|
|
|
|---|---|---|---|
| API support | No | FIX API, cTrader API | REST API, Streaming API, FIX API |
| EAs support | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Coding languages supported | MQL5 | MQL4, MQL5, cAlgo, Pinescript | MQL4 |
| VPS support | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Yes, FBS offers a Virtual Private Server (VPS) service. The service is available to clients who make a one-time deposit of at least USD 450 into a real trading account; it is not offered by Intelligent Financial Markets Pty Ltd (Australia).
The VPS is hosted through FBS and its trading infrastructure, with data-centre regions located close to performance-critical trading servers. The broker’s servers are situated in London and provide very low latency to clients’ VPS.
In terms of pricing and eligibility, the first month of VPS use is free provided the initial deposit condition is met. From the second month onward, a fee of USD 33 per month is charged unless the trader meets a trading-volume condition of at least three standard lots in the previous month, in which case the VPS remains free.
If funds are unavailable in the account and the trading-volume condition is not satisfied, the VPS service is disabled.
Learn more about Forex brokers with free VPS.
No. The broker FBS does not provide access to the tool Autochartist. See the best brokers with Autochartist.
No, the broker FBS does not offer native integration with TradingView. The broker does not support connecting an FBS trading account directly to TradingView’s trading panel or allowing execution of trades from within TradingView. As a workaround, FBS users may link TradingView alerts to their FBS account by using external bridging services (for example via webhook-to-MT4/MT5) to send signals from TradingView into the FBS MetaTrader platform. In the absence of native TradingView integration, traders must rely on FBS’s proprietary platforms or the standard MetaTrader 4/5 offerings for order execution and charting. Explore the best brokers with TradingView.
Yes, FBS allows algorithmic (algo) trading. Traders can run automated strategies and bots on MetaTrader 5 and, at FBS Markets Inc, MetaTrader 4, using Expert Advisors (EAs) and custom scripts for CFDs. FBS provides VPS hosting services, except at Intelligent Financial Markets Pty Ltd (Australia), to enable continuous automated operation with fast execution starting from 0.01 seconds. However, FBS does not offer proprietary REST or FIX API gateways, developer API documentation, or co-location services, so algo trading is limited to the standard MetaTrader environment with EAs.
How good is FBS for mobile trading?
FBS is an excellent choice for mobile trading because it offers up to three comprehensive mobile platforms (MetaTrader 5, the proprietary FBS Trader and, at FBS Markets Inc only, MetaTrader 4) and supports both Android and iOS devices. It allows trading across major asset categories (forex, commodities, indices, stocks/stock CFDs, and CFDs). It provides in-app account management features, delivers over 90 technical indicators, integrates TradingView-powered drawing tools, and supplies market analysis tools including an economic calendar and trading alerts.
FBS allows traders to access its full range of instruments (550 at Tradestone Limited and FBS Markets Inc, 139 at Intelligent Financial Markets Pty Ltd) directly from its mobile applications. These instruments span 72 currency pairs, precious metals, energy commodities, indices, and more. Users can deposit and withdraw funds in-app, monitor account metrics in real time, and perform technical analysis with a large selection of chart indicators and drawing tools. The platform delivers market news and insights through economic calendar integration and push notifications. The mobile apps cover the same CFD instruments as the desktop platforms. Overall, the FBS mobile trading suite is among the most feature-rich in the industry.
XTB, IG Markets, Pepperstone, and AvaTrade are some of the best trading apps and are good alternatives to FBS. Learn more about the best apps for Forex trading.
| Broker |
|
|
|
|---|---|---|---|
| MT4 mobile | No | Yes | Yes |
| MT5 mobile | Yes | Yes | No |
| cTrader mobile | No | Yes | No |
| Proprietary mobile app | Yes | Yes | Yes |
The FBS mobile app differs from the desktop version in functionality depth, interface design, and analysis tools. Mobile enables on-the-go trading: open/close trades, deposit/withdraw funds, view customized charts, receive push notifications, and access support chat. Desktop (via MetaTrader 4/5) adds more timeframes, expanded charting/indicators, full automation via Expert Advisors, and deeper order/workflow customization. Mobile prioritizes simplicity, while desktop offers advanced analysis and functionality. Use mobile for quick trade entries and monitoring away from desk, while using desktop for detailed research and strategy development. Both support core functions (placing trades, managing funds, viewing charts), but desktop provides greater depth and complexity, while mobile offers accessibility and convenience.
How good is FBS to learn trading?
FBS is a great option for learning trading because it offers a comprehensive educational hub with trading courses, articles, tutorials, and regular free webinars. It provides excellent beginner tools such as a cent account and a free demo account. FBS is great for its educational section because it provides market outlooks and daily analysis content.
FBS’s learning resources include a structured Analytics & Education section featuring a Forex guidebook, video and written tutorials, platform walkthroughs, and articles for various trading levels. The broker regularly hosts free live webinars and training sessions led by analysts, supporting interactive learning. FBS provides a cent account for beginners, allowing clients to trade with extremely small lot sizes and minimal risk. It provides a free demo account for practice. The absence of podcasts limits the scope of continual learning and up-to-date market insights for users seeking all-encompassing educational material.
Learn more about what is trading and how it works.
| Broker |
|
|
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Tutorials | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Glossary | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Live analysis | Yes | Yes | Yes |
How good is FBS customer care?
FBS has great customer care because it offers 24/7 support via email, phone, and live chat, provides assistance in 7 languages, and makes all customer care channels available without any fees. FBS has great and not excellent customer care because assistance is limited to English at Intelligent Financial Markets Pty Ltd, while the coverage elsewhere is extensive.
The customer care at FBS features always-on support through multiple channels including email, phone with regional numbers, and a 24/7 live chat available on both website and mobile platforms. Multilingual support covers Arabic, English, Indonesian, Malay, Spanish, Thai and Turkish at Tradestone Limited and FBS Markets Inc, and English at Intelligent Financial Markets Pty Ltd. Priority customer support and a dedicated account manager are available. All forms of customer care are provided free of charge to every client, which is important.
| Broker |
|
|
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Support languages | English, Español, Bahasa Indonesia, Bahasa Melayu, Türkçe, العربية, ภาษาไทย | English, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, Vietnamese, Arabic, Indonesian, Italian, French, Thai, German, Polish | English, Arabic, Chinese, Danish, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Norwegian, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Spanish, Swedish |
| Phone support | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Email support | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Chat support | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Support hours | Mon-Sun (00:00-24:00) | Mon-Fri (00:00-24:00) | Sat-Fri (08:00-22:00 GMT) |
What are the best alternatives to FBS?
The best alternatives to FBS are Oanda, Pepperstone, and eToro.
- Oanda: Tier-one regulation (FCA); investor compensation up to £85,000 and negative balance protection for clients of its UK company; $0 minimum deposit; micro-lot trading; MT4, MT5, OANDA Trade, and TradingView integration.
- Pepperstone: Raw spreads from 0.0 pips; low commissions; advanced platforms; robust regulation with segregated funds and retail leverage limits.
- eToro: Broad asset range (stocks, ETFs, indices, crypto); social trading with copy functionality; well-regulated with client fund protection and retail leverage limits.
