FXCM Review 2026
A licensed kitchen with real, checkable paperwork.
FXCM opened its doors in 1999 and cooks as a regulated CFD broker, carrying FCA licence 217689.
What's on the menu
FXCM has been serving since 1999, with the kitchen based in London, UK. The firm is privately held. The order book runs deep: 300 CFD instruments spanning forex, indices, commodities and crypto. Everything here is a contract for difference, so you are trading the price move, not owning the underlying dish.
MetaTrader comes plated on every account type. There is no copy-trading option here.
| Founded | 1999 |
| Headquarters | London, UK |
| Instruments | 300+ |
| Platforms | Trading Station, MT4, NinjaTrader |
| MetaTrader | Yes, MT4 and MT5 |
| Copy trading | No |
| Real stocks | No, CFDs only |
Kitchen inspection: is FXCM safe?
FCA-regulated brokers must keep client funds in accounts segregated from company funds, provide negative balance protection, and contribute to the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), which covers up to £85,000 per client if the broker becomes insolvent.
| Regulator | Licence | Entity |
|---|---|---|
| FCA | 217689 ✓ | FXCM Ltd |
| ASIC | 309763 ✓ | FXCM Australia Pty Ltd |
| FSCA | 46534 ✓ | FXCM South Africa Pty Ltd |
| ISA | 515072165 ✓ | FXCM Israel Ltd |
Want to inspect the kitchen yourself? Pull up register.fca.org.uk and look up the FCA licence. The listing lays out the entity name, its authorisation status and the full list of what it is cleared to do. A minute, tops.
Ready to open an account?
FXCM - FCA regulated, min deposit $50, 300+ instruments.
Ingredient costs: FXCM spreads
Here is what the raw ingredients cost on a standard FXCM account. Spreads breathe with the market and with your account tier; step up to an ECN or raw-spread table and the spread shrinks, but a per-trade commission joins the bill.
| EUR/USD | 1.3 pips pips |
| GBP/USD | 1.6 pips pips |
| USD/JPY | 1.4 pips pips |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | 28c/oz |
| S&P 500 | 0.5pt |
That EUR/USD figure of 1.3 pips pips carries a bit more markup than the ECN-first kitchens, though it is normal fare for a table with no per-trade commission.
The bill: FXCM withdrawal fee and timing
Cost to take money out: None. FXCM does not charge deposit or withdrawal fees. Your payment provider may apply their own transfer fees.
How long it takes: 1 to 3 business days. E-wallet and card withdrawals are typically faster than bank wire transfers.
No cash leaves the till until your identity checks out. If your proof of ID and address are not yet filed and cleared, the payout waits; once you are fully verified, cash-outs follow the timings shown above.
The cover charge by entity
The opening deposit at FXCM depends on which entity seats your country. Offshore branches tend to set a smaller cover charge, but you dine with a thinner layer of regulatory protection.
| Entity | Regulator | Min deposit | Max leverage (forex) |
|---|---|---|---|
| FXCM Ltd | FCA 217689 | $50 | 1:30 |
| FXCM Australia Pty Ltd | ASIC 309763 | $50 | 1:30 |
| FXCM South Africa Pty Ltd | FSCA 46534 | $50 | 1:400 |
| FXCM Israel Ltd | ISA 515072165 | $50 | 1:30 |
FXCM vs eToro
| FXCM | eToro | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA 217689 | FCA 583263 |
| Min deposit | $50 | $50 |
| EUR/USD spread | 1.3 pips pips | 1.0 pips |
| MetaTrader | Yes | No |
| Instruments | 300+ | 3,000+ |
| Copy trading | No | Yes |
| Withdrawal fee | None | $5 per withdrawal |
Both kitchens hold real licences, so neither is a bad table. Pull up a chair at FXCM if you value MetaTrader and running algorithms. eToro plates up better for anyone who leans on leaner spreads.
The licences, line by line
| FCA | 217689, FXCM Ltd |
| ASIC | 309763, FXCM Australia Pty Ltd |
| FSCA | 46534, FXCM South Africa Pty Ltd |
| ISA | 515072165, FXCM Israel Ltd |
Under ESMA house rules, retail traders in the EU and UK are served leverage no higher than 1:30 on the major forex pairs.
What tastes good, what leaves a bad aftertaste
Cooked well
- FCA regulated, FXCM Ltd
- Low minimum deposit ($50)
- MetaTrader 4 and 5 available
- Regulated in 4 jurisdictions
Sent back
- No copy trading
- No real stock ownership, CFDs only
- Inactivity fee: $50/month after 12 months
- High leverage only via offshore entity
Compare FXCM before you commit
4.0/5 rating - FCA regulated - min deposit $50
The verdict
Nothing on the plate here is fake: FXCM is a genuine, regulated broker, and FCA licence 217689 checks out on the public register. The table is set best for traders who want MetaTrader served on a regulated platform. We rate it 4.0 out of 5.
Other tables worth a look
If FXCM is not quite to your taste, these regulated kitchens are worth comparing:
Frequently asked questions
Is FXCM safe?
FCA-regulated brokers must keep client funds in accounts segregated from company funds, provide negative balance protection, and contribute to the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), which covers up to £85,000 per client if the broker becomes insolvent. The kitchen holds FCA licence 217689, and you can confirm it for yourself on the official register.
What is the FXCM minimum deposit?
The cover charge is $50 at the main regulated entity. Offshore branches may plate it differently, so check the entity table above for the full spread.
What is the FXCM EUR/USD spread?
On a standard FXCM account the EUR/USD ingredient runs about 1.3 pips pips. It moves with the market; an ECN or raw table trims the spread in exchange for a per-trade commission.
How long does FXCM take to process withdrawals?
1 to 3 business days. E-wallet and card withdrawals are typically faster than bank wire transfers.
Does FXCM charge withdrawal fees?
None. FXCM does not charge deposit or withdrawal fees. Your payment provider may apply their own transfer fees.
Does FXCM have MetaTrader?
Yes. Both MT4 and MT5 are on the menu across every account type, so automated strategies, custom indicators and expert advisors are all on the table.