Overview of Avatrade
Avatrade is an online forex and CFD broker that was established in 2006. The company is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, and is regulated by several financial authorities around the world, including ASIC, CBI, FSA, FSCA, FSC, CBI, FFAJ.
As a market maker broker, Avatrade offers a range of tradable assets including forex, CFDs, stocks, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies. The broker provides clients with access to multiple trading platforms, including AvaTradeGO, MT4, MT5, WebTrader, AvaOptions, and DupliTrade. Mobile trading is also available.
Avatrade requires a minimum deposit of $100 to open an account, and clients can choose from a variety of payment methods including credit/debit card, bank transfer, e-wallets, and Rapid Transfer.
Customer support is available via live chat, phone, email, and a knowledge base. The broker also provides a range of educational resources for traders, including webinars, e-books, trading videos, and articles.
Is Avatrade Legit or a scam?
Avatrade is regulated by multiple financial regulatory authorities, including the Central Bank of Ireland, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), the Financial Services Commission (FSC) of the British Virgin Islands, and the Financial Services Authority (FSA) and The Financial Futures Association of Japan (FFAJ). These regulatory bodies ensure that Avatrade operates with transparency, integrity, and in compliance with regulatory requirements.
Ava Capital Markets Australia Pty Ltd - authorized by ASIC (Australia) registration no. 406684
AVA Trade EU Ltd - authorized by Central Bank of Ireland (CBI)
Ava Capital Markets Pty Ltd - authorized by FSCA (South Africa) registration no. 45984
Ava Trade Japan K.K. - authorized by FSA (Japan) registration no. 2010401081157 and FFAJ registration no. 1574
Ava Trade Middle East Ltd - authorized by FRSA (Abu Dhabi Global Markets) registration no. 190018
AVA Trade EU Limited - authorized by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), holding a license of European Authorized Representative (EEA), registration no. 504072
Pros and Cons of Avatrade
When it comes to choosing a broker, it's important to carefully consider the pros and cons to determine which one is right for you. Some potential advantages of a broker may include competitive fees and spreads, a user-friendly platform, and a wide range of deposit and withdrawal options. Additionally, a regulated broker can provide peace of mind knowing that your funds are protected.
However, there may also be potential downsides to consider, such as limited trading instruments, customer support options, and research tools. A high minimum deposit requirement and limited bonus offers may also be a drawback for some traders.
Market Intruments
Avatrade offers a wide range of trading instruments across various markets, including forex, stocks, commodities, cryptocurrencies, spread betting, FX OPtions. Here's a breakdown of the market instruments available:
Forex: Avatrade offers more than 50 currency pairs, including major, minor, and exotic pairs.
Stocks: Traders can trade stocks from major global exchanges, such as NASDAQ, NYSE, LSE, and more.
Commodities: Avatrade offers trading in precious metals like gold and silver, energy commodities like oil and gas, and agricultural commodities like wheat and coffee.
Cryptocurrencies: This broker offers trading in popular cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple, and Litecoin, as well as lesser-known coins like Dash, Monero, and NEO.
Indices: Avatrade provides access to major indices, including the S&P 500, NASDAQ, FTSE 100, and more.
FX options allow traders to take advantage of currency movements while limiting their risk. With FX options, traders can set a specific strike price at which they want to buy or sell a currency pair, and the option will be exercised only if the market reaches that price. This allows traders to potentially profit from market movements while limiting their potential losses.
Spread betting is a tax-free way to speculate on the direction of various financial markets, including forex, commodities, and indices. With spread betting, traders can bet on whether the market will rise or fall and potentially profit from both upward and downward movements.
Account Types
When it comes to account types, Avatrade only offers a standard account. This means that all clients will have access to the same features and trading conditions, regardless of the size of their deposit.
The standard account provides access to all of Avatrade's trading instruments, including forex, stocks, commodities, and cryptocurrencies. This means that traders can diversify their portfolio and take advantage of different market conditions, all within the same account.
Avatrade has a minimum deposit requirement of $100, which is relatively low compared to other brokers in the industry. For example, brokers like IG and Saxo Bank have a minimum deposit requirement of $300 and $10,000, respectively. However, there are other brokers that have a lower minimum deposit requirement than Avatrade. For instance, Pepperstone and XM have a minimum deposit requirement of $0 and $5, respectively.
Demo Accounts
Avatrade offers demo accounts for traders who want to practice their trading skills or test out the trading platform without risking real money. The demo account allows traders to access the full range of trading instruments and features on the Avatrade platform using virtual funds. It is a useful tool for new traders to get familiar with the platform and for experienced traders to test new strategies before using them in live trading. The demo account is available for 21 days and can be renewed upon request.
How to open an account?
When it comes to the process of opening an account with Avatrade, rest assured that it is one of the most streamlined and user-friendly experiences out there. Not only is the process simple and straightforward, but it is also designed to ensure that new traders can start their journey with ease.
Then, you will then be taken to a registration form where you will need to provide your personal information, such as your name, email address, and phone number. You will also need to create a password and select your account currency.
After filling out the registration form, you will need to verify your identity by submitting a copy of your government-issued ID and a recent utility bill or bank statement. This is a standard requirement for all regulated brokers and is done to ensure the security and integrity of the trading platform.
Once your account is verified, you can fund your account using one of the many payment options available, such as credit/debit card, bank transfer, or electronic wallets like Neteller or Skrill. After funding your account, you can download the Avatrade trading platform or use the web-based version to start trading.
Leverage
Avatrade offers leverage of up to 1:400 for forex trading and up to 1:200 for other instruments such as commodities and indices. This means that traders can control a larger position with a smaller amount of capital. However, it's important to keep in mind that leverage can magnify both profits and losses, and traders should use it responsibly and with caution.
Avatrade also offers a range of leverage options for different account types, including 1:30 for retail clients in compliance with ESMA regulations and 1:400 for professional clients. It's important to note that professional clients must meet certain criteria to qualify for higher leverage.
Overall, Avatrade's leverage offerings are competitive with other brokers in the industry and can provide traders with greater trading opportunities. However, traders should always consider their risk management strategies and use leverage responsibly.
Spreads & Commissions (Trading Fees)
Avatrade offers competitive spreads and charges no commission fees for trading on its platform. The spreads offered by Avatrade vary depending on the trading instrument and market conditions. For example, the typical spread for EUR/USD is 0.9 pips, while for GBP/USD, it is 1.5 pips. Spreads for other instruments, such as indices and commodities, also vary.
However, it's important to note that spreads can vary depending on market conditions and volatility. Additionally, Avatrade charges commissions on certain trading instruments such as CFDs, which can impact the overall cost of trading. Traders should compare the spreads and commission rates of Avatrade with other brokers to determine if it meets their trading needs and preferences.
Non-Trading Fees
Non-trading fees are the fees that a broker charges for activities other than trading, such as deposit and withdrawal fees, inactivity fees, and account closure fees. These fees can significantly impact the profitability of a trader, and it's important to be aware of them when choosing a broker.
Avatrade has several non-trading fees that traders should be aware of. Here's a breakdown of the fees:
Overall, Avatrade's non-trading fees are reasonable compared to other brokers in the industry. The deposit fee is free, which is a significant advantage, but the withdrawal fee can be relatively high, depending on the payment method used. The inactivity fee is also something to keep in mind, as it can add up quickly if there is no trading activity. However, it's important to note that the inactivity fee is only charged after 12 months of inactivity, which is longer than some other brokers.
Trading Platform
Avatrade offers a selection of trading platforms that are designed to meet the needs of different types of traders. Here are some of the trading platforms offered by Avatrade:
AvatradeGO: This is a mobile app that is available on both iOS and Android platforms. It allows traders to access their accounts and trade on the go.
MT4: Avatrade offers the popular MetaTrader 4 (MT4) platform, which is widely used by traders around the world. MT4 is known for its user-friendly interface, advanced charting tools, and a range of custom indicators and expert advisors.
MT5: Avatrade also offers the MetaTrader 5 (MT5) platform, which is the successor to MT4. MT5 has several new features, including more advanced charting tools, a wider range of order types, and improved back-testing capabilities.
WebTrader: Avatrade's WebTrader platform allows traders to access their accounts and trade directly from their web browser. The platform is easy to use and offers a range of trading tools and indicators.
AvaOptions: This is Avatrade's platform for trading options. It offers a range of options trading tools, including risk management tools, and a range of customizable trading strategies.
Deposit & Withdrawal
Avatrade offers a variety of deposit and withdrawal options to its clients. The methods available may vary depending on the client's location and the currency used.
Deposit options include bank wire transfer, credit/debit card, Neteller, Skrill, WebMoney, and others. The processing time for deposits is usually instant or up to one business day.
Withdrawal options include bank wire transfer, credit/debit card, Neteller, Skrill, WebMoney, and others. Withdrawals usually take 1-2 business days to process.
Avatrade does not charge any deposit or withdrawal fees, but clients may incur fees from their payment provider or bank.
To withdraw funds from your Avatrade account, you need to follow these steps:
Log in to your Avatrade account.
Click on the “Withdraw Funds” tab located in the main menu.
Choose your preferred withdrawal method from the list of available options, such as bank wire, credit card, or electronic payment systems like Skrill or Neteller.
Enter the amount you want to withdraw and any necessary payment details.
Review and confirm the transaction details.
Submit your withdrawal request.
It's important to note that Avatrade requires you to withdraw funds using the same payment method that you used to deposit funds into your account. The processing time for withdrawals varies depending on the payment method, but Avatrade strives to process all withdrawal requests within 24 hours.
Customer Support
Avatrade offers customer support through multiple channels, including live chat, phone support, email, and an online contact form. They have customer support available in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Arabic, and Chinese.
Their customer support team is available 24/5, meaning that they are available Monday through Friday to help with any questions or concerns that traders may have. They also have a comprehensive FAQ section on their website, which covers a wide range of topics related to the platform and trading.
Avatrade's customer support has received positive reviews for their responsiveness and helpfulness. They also offer free educational resources to help traders improve their skills and knowledge.
Educational Resources
Avatrade offers a variety of educational resources to help traders improve their skills and knowledge. They have a comprehensive educational section on their website that includes a range of materials such as e-books, video tutorials, webinars, and trading courses.
The e-books cover a range of topics, from basic trading concepts to advanced strategies. The video tutorials are easy to follow and cover a variety of topics, including trading platforms, technical analysis, and risk management.
Avatrade also offers webinars that are conducted by experienced traders and cover a variety of topics. These webinars are interactive, allowing participants to ask questions and receive feedback from the presenter. Additionally, they offer a range of trading courses for beginners, intermediate and advanced traders.
Conclusion
Avatrade is a well-established broker with a long history of providing trading services to traders worldwide. They offer a variety of trading instruments, including forex, commodities, and cryptocurrencies, with competitive spreads and leverage options. Their trading platform is user-friendly and provides a range of advanced tools and features for traders of all skill levels. Additionally, they provide excellent customer support, educational resources, and a demo account for traders to practice their strategies. However, there are some downsides to consider, such as higher non-trading fees and limited account options.
FAQs
A: Yes, Avatrade is regulated by multiple reputable authorities, including the Central Bank of Ireland, the Financial Services Commission in the British Virgin Islands, and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission.
A: Yes, Avatrade offers a free demo account for traders to practice and test their strategies before trading with real money.
A: The minimum deposit requirement for Avatrade is $100.
A: Avatrade offers a wide range of trading instruments including forex, stocks, commodities, indices, cryptocurrencies, and more.
A: The maximum leverage offered by Avatrade is 1:400.
A: Yes, Avatrade charges spreads and commissions on certain trading instruments.
A: Avatrade offers a variety of deposit and withdrawal methods including credit/debit cards, bank transfers, and e-wallets such as PayPal, Skrill, and Neteller.
A: Yes, Avatrade provides a range of educational resources including webinars, e-books, trading courses, and more.
A: Avatrade offers 24/5 customer support through phone, email, as well as an extensive FAQ section on their website.