XM General Information
XM is a Forex and CFD broker registered in Belize and regulated by several internationally renowned financial authorities, including ASIC, CySEC, FSC (Offshore), DFSA, and FSCA. It offers a wide variety of financial instruments, including forex, indices, commodities, turbo stocks, metals, energies, and thematic indices. Clients have access to several trading platforms, including MT4, MT5 and the XM WebTrader, and can choose from four different account types. XM also offers free demo accounts, educational resources and 24/7 customer support.
Pros and Cons of XM
Pros:
- Wide variety of financial instruments to operate.
- It offers popular platforms such as MT4 and MT5, as well as its own WebTrader.
- Demo account available to practice before trading with real money.
- It offers educational resources such as market analysis, economic calendars and courses.
- 24/7 customer service via live chat, email and telephone.
Cons:
- The $10,000 minimum deposit for the Shares account may be prohibitive for some traders.
- Spreads on the Standard account is higher than other brokers.
- Commissions are applied to the Shares account.
- The maximum leverage of 1:1000 may increase risk for inexperienced traders.
Is XM Legit?
Regulation is a key dimension to consider when choosing a forex broker, as it offers some protection to the client in terms of security of funds, transparency and fairness of operations. XM is a Belize-registered company and regulated by several major regulatory bodies, including ASIC, CySEC, FSC (Offshore), DFSA, and FSCA.
Multi-entity regulation provides greater customer protection, as it means that the broker is subject to multiple sets of regulations and standards. In addition, this can enhance the broker's reputation in the industry.
Market Instruments
XM offers its traders a wide variety of over 1000 financial instruments, including Forex, indices, commodities, turbo stocks, metals, energies, and thematic indices. This variety allows traders to diversify their portfolios and take advantage of different markets to implement different trading strategies. Traders also have the flexibility to choose from a wide range of financial instruments and select the ones that best suit their trading preferences and objectives. However, for some new or inexperienced traders, the variety of financial instruments can be overwhelming, and some instruments may have limited liquidity, which can make trading them difficult.
Trading Accounts
XM offers four types of trading accounts targeting different investment levels. The Micro, Standard and Ultra Low accounts have only $5 minimum deposit and no commissions are charged. The stock account has a minimum deposit of $10,000 and a commission is charged. No leverage is offered on the Shares account, which means investors must invest the full amount of their trade. In general, XM offers account options for different investment levels.
The XM demo account is an excellent tool for novice traders or those who wish to test new trading strategies without risking their capital. The demo account comes with a virtual trading platform that replicates live trading conditions and can be accessed from any device. Traders can practice their trading skills and familiarize themselves with the financial instruments available at XM without having to risk their money. In addition, the XM demo account has no time restrictions, which means that traders can use it for as long as they need before they start trading with a live account. Overall, the XM demo account is a valuable tool for those who wish to improve their trading skills before getting involved in live trading.
How to Open an Account with XM?
XM, is a broker, which has an account opening with a minimum deposit of $5. Below are the steps to follow for opening an XM Broker account:
a) Fill in your personal data and address in the online registration form.
b) Usually, you have to choose the leverage, to comply with regulatory bodies, in this broker does not meet the regulatory parameters. So be careful.
c) Upon completion, it is recommended to read, agree and accept the terms and conditions of the contract.
d) Sending documentation, there are brokers that request documentation, in this case, the company does not indicate the requirement of the same.
e) Proof of identity, you must send a scanned document proving your identity, e.g. passport, ID card or driver's license.
f) Proof of Address: as to the veracity of the address, a scanned copy of the current utility bill verifying the address must be provided.
g) Make initial deposit: each Broker establishes its minimum deposit, for the opening of the trading account it offers.
h) Upon completion of the registration process, you have access to the client area with the Broker.
Leverage
Leverage is an important tool in Forex trading that allows traders to have greater exposure to the market with limited capital. At XM, the maximum leverage offered is 1:1000, which means that for every $1 of capital, the trader can control up to $1000 in the market. This can be attractive to traders looking to maximize their profits with less capital.
However, it is also important to note that high leverage carries a higher risk of loss. If the market moves against the trader's position, losses can be significant. That is why it is important for traders to have proper risk management and understand the risks associated with trading with leverage before trading XM.
Spreads and Commissions
In terms of spreads and commissions, XM offers low spreads on the first three commission-free accounts. However, during periods of high volatility, spreads may be higher. On the Shares account, a commission is charged in addition to the spreads. The accounts offer high leverage, which means that investors can trade significantly more money than they have in their account. Spreads can vary by account type and time of day, so investors should keep an eye out for changes. In general, XM offers competitive spreads and account options to suit different investment levels.
Trading Platform
XM offers its clients a flexible selection of trading platforms, including the popular MT4 platform and its successor, MT5. In addition, the company has also developed its own custom trading platform - XM WebTrader for those looking for something different. All platforms offer a wide variety of technical indicators, analysis tools and customization possibilities. Beginners may also find the MT4 and MT5 learning curve steep, although the customization possibilities and variety of analysis tools may make it worth the effort. Overall, XM offers a solid selection of trading platforms to meet the needs of all traders.
XM also offers a series of instructional videos, such as this one from its YouTube channel, on how to open an account using MT4.
Copy Trading
XM also offers popular copy trading solutions. This solution is particularly beneficial for beginners and less experienced traders who seek to leverage the expertise of successful investors. Through this platform, users can replicate the trades of seasoned professionals, benefiting from their market insights and strategies. This approach allows novice traders to participate in the markets more confidently while simultaneously learning from the decisions of experienced traders. XM's copy trading feature thus serves as both a learning tool and a means for less experienced individuals to potentially improve their trading outcomes.
Deposit and Withdrawal: Methods and Fees
For all other account types, the minimum is $5. Most account types support currencies like USD, EUR, GBP, JPY, CHF, AUD, HUF, PLN, SGD, ZAR, while the Share account can be only deposit in USD. XM support various payment methods, including credit and debit cards, bank transfers, e-wallets, and many more.
Promotions
XM offers an enticing array of promotions designed to attract and reward traders. The centerpiece of their promotional lineup is a $30 Trading Bonus, available to new clients without requiring an initial deposit. This bonus, which is automatically credited to your account, comes in various currency equivalents to cater to a global audience. While the bonus itself cannot be withdrawn, any profits earned from trading with it are fully accessible.
In addition to the welcome bonus, XM provides a tiered deposit bonus structure. New depositors can benefit from a 20% bonus on deposits up to $2,000.
For those seeking a competitive edge, XM hosts both demo and real account trading competitions. These contests offer participants the chance to win substantial cash prizes without any entry fee. Open to traders of all experience levels, these competitions provide an excellent platform to test strategies, gauge performance against peers, and potentially earn rewards.
XM Educational Resources
XM offers a comprehensive suite of research and educational resources designed to support traders at all levels.
Their research section provides a robust set of tools and insights, including a Markets Overview for a broad perspective, a Discover feature for new opportunities, and XM Research for in-depth analysis. Traders can also access Trade Ideas, Technical Summaries, and an Economic Calendar to stay ahead of market movements. For those who prefer audio-visual content, XM TV and a dedicated Podcast series offer additional ways to stay informed.
The Learning Center at XM is structured to cater to various learning preferences. XM Live and Live Education sessions offer real-time interaction with experts, complemented by a regularly updated schedule of events. For self-paced learning, traders can access a library of Educational Videos, Forex & CFDs Webinars, and Platform Tutorials. These resources cover a wide range of topics, from basic concepts to advanced trading strategies.
To round out their offerings, XM provides a selection of practical tools to assist in day-to-day trading activities. This includes a set of Trading Tools, integration with MQL5 for custom indicators and expert advisors, and Forex Calculators for quick and accurate trade planning.
Conclusion
Overall, XM is a well-regulated and secure company that offers a wide range of financial instruments and a good variety of accounts. Its focus on customer education and 24/7 multilingual support is also a big plus. Disadvantages include floating spreads that can be higher than the competition and the lack of a proprietary trading platform. Overall, XM is a good choice for those looking for a regulated broker with a wide range of products and customer support services.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is XM legit?
Yes, XM is regulated by multiple agencies such as ASIC, CySEC, FSC (Offshore), DFSA, and FSCA.
What is the minimum deposit required to open an XM account?
The minimum deposit required for the first three accounts (Micro account, Standard account and Ultra Low account) is $5, while for the Shares account it is $10,000.
What trading platforms does XM offer?
XM offers the most popular trading platforms in the industry: MT4 and MT5, as well as its own mobile application.
What is the maximum leverage offered by XM?
The maximum leverage offered by XM is 1:1000.
Does XM offer a demo account?
Yes, XM offers a demo account for clients to practice without risking their own money.
Risk Warning
Online trading involves significant risk, and you may lose all of your invested capital. It is not suitable for all traders or investors. Please ensure that you understand the risks involved and note that the information provided in this review may be subject to change due to the constant updating of the company's services and policies. In addition, the date on which this review was generated may also be an important factor to consider, as information may have changed since then.