What is Saxo？

Saxo is a Danish investment bank founded in 1992. It provides online trading and investment services in multiple assets, including stocks, bonds, forex, options, futures, and CFDs, through its proprietary trading platforms. The bank operates in over 100 countries and has offices in major financial centers worldwide, including Copenhagen, London, Singapore, and Tokyo. Saxo Bank is regulated by several financial authorities, including the Danish Financial Supervisory Authority, the UK Financial Conduct Authority, and the Monetary Authority of Singapore. The bank also has a banking license and is a member of the Danish guarantee fund for depositors and investors.

What Type of Broker is Saxo？

Saxo is a multi-asset broker that offers access to a wide range of financial instruments, including forex, stocks, bonds, ETFs, futures, options, and more. The broker provides trading services through its advanced trading platforms and caters to both retail and institutional clients. Saxo operates as a hybrid broker, offering both direct market access (DMA) and market making services.

Pros & Cons

Saxo is a well-established and reputable broker with a range of trading platforms, instruments, and research tools.

However, the broker's high fees, minimum deposit requirement, and lack of negative balance protection may not be suitable for all traders. Additionally, some users have reported poor customer service experiences.

Overall, it is important for traders to carefully consider their own needs and preferences before choosing Saxo or any other broker.

Saxo Alternative Brokers

There are many alternative brokers to Saxo, each with their own unique features and benefits. Some popular alternatives include:

• Interactive Brokers: A well-established broker with a wide range of trading instruments and low commissions.

• TD Ameritrade: Offers a powerful trading platform and a variety of educational resources.

• E*TRADE: A popular broker with a user-friendly platform and no account minimums.

• IG: A global leader in online trading, offering a wide range of markets and advanced trading tools.

• Plus500: A broker known for its user-friendly platform and tight spreads.

Ultimately, the best alternative broker for you will depend on your specific trading needs and preferences. It's important to research and compare different brokers to find the one that best fits your individual needs.

Is Saxo Safe or Scam？

Saxo is a legitimate and reputable broker with a long track record of providing reliable trading services. It is regulated by top-tier financial authorities such as the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK and the Danish Financial Supervisory Authority (DFSA). Additionally, Saxo is a member of several investor protection funds, such as the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) in the UK, which protects clients' funds up to a certain amount in case of the broker's insolvency. Therefore, based on its regulation and investor protection measures, Saxo can be considered a legitimate broker.

How are you protected？

Saxo is a regulated broker, with licenses from multiple reputable regulatory authorities and a long-standing history of providing financial services. The broker takes extensive measures to protect client funds, including segregating them from the company's assets and offering negative balance protection.

Additionally, Saxo offers various security features, such as two-factor authentication and encryption, to ensure secure trading.

More details can be found in the table below:

It's important to note that while these measures provide some level of protection for clients, there is always some level of risk involved in trading financial instruments, and clients should always be aware of the risks before making any trades.

Our Conclusion on Saxo Reliability:

Based on the information available, Saxo appears to be a reliable and trustworthy broker. It is regulated by reputable authorities, has been in operation for several years. However, we also find that some users complain about their bad experience with Saxo. Take care!

Market Instruments

Saxo offers a wide range of trading instruments across multiple asset classes, including

• Forex: More than 180 currency pairs, including majors, minors, and exotics.

• Stocks: Over 40,000 stocks from 36 global exchanges, including NYSE, NASDAQ, LSE, and more.

• Futures: Over 200 futures and options across a variety of asset classes such as commodities, indices, and bonds.

• Options: A wide range of options on stocks, indices, and futures.

• Bonds: Trade a wide range of government and corporate bonds, including sovereign bonds from developed and emerging markets.

• ETFs and CFDs: Access to over 3,000 ETFs and CFDs on indices, commodities, and stocks.

Accounts

Saxo offers a range of account types designed to suit the different needs of its clients. The account types offered by Saxo are:

• Classic Account: A traditional account with minimum funding of HKD10,000, which offers a range of trading tools and resources.

• Platinum Account: A premium account for high-net-worth individuals, with a minimum funding requirement of HKD 1,500,000.

• VIP Account: An exclusive account for ultra-high-net-worth individuals, with a minimum funding requirement of HKD 8,000,000.

• Islamic Account: A Sharia-compliant account for clients who follow Islamic finance principles.

• Corporate Account: An account for companies, partnerships, and other legal entities.

• Joint Account: An account for two or more individuals who want to trade together.

Each account type has its own unique features and benefits, such as lower pricing, higher leverage, and dedicated account managers. Saxo also offers a free demo account for clients to practice trading before committing to a live account.

Opening an account with Saxo Bank

It takes only about five minutes and a short online form to open an account. Clients will need to submit the standard verification documents required by KYC and AML rules, but the procedure should be quick and easy, and they will have access to their account in minutes.

Leverage

Saxo offers leverage up to 1:100 for forex trading. Professional clients are entitled to leverage of 1:40 for the primary index, 1:33 for the secondary index, 1:33 for gold, 1:10 for equities, and 1:25 for commodities. Retail clients are entitled to leverage of 1:20 for the primary index, 1:10 for the secondary index, 1:20 for gold, 1:5 for equities and 1:10 for commodities.

However, the maximum leverage may vary depending on the instrument being traded and the client's location. It is important to note that trading with high leverage carries a higher level of risk, and traders should always exercise caution and use risk management strategies.

Spreads & Commissions

Saxo offers variable spreads, which means that the spreads can change depending on market conditions. The typical minimum spreads for popular instruments are as follows:

EUR/USD: 0.4 pips

USD/JPY: 0.6 pips

GBP/USD: 0.9 pips

AUD/USD: 0.6 pips

USD/CHF: 1.2 pips

USD/CAD: 1.5 pips

Saxo also charges commissions on some products, including stocks, ETFs, and futures. The commission fees vary depending on the specific market and the size of the trade. Commissions start at $3 per share for equities, as low as $0.85 per lot for commodities, and $3 per share for ETFs. Futures commissions start as low as $0.85 per lot, bonds commissions start at 0.05%, listed options commissions start as low as $1.25 per lot, and mutual funds commissions are $0 for custody and platform fees.

Below is a comparison table about spreads and commissions charged by different brokers:

Please note that commission rates may vary depending on the specific account type and trading volume. Additionally, some brokers may offer different spreads and commissions for other currency pairs or financial instruments. It's important to do your own research and carefully consider the costs and fees of each broker before making a decision.

Trading Platforms

Saxo offers its own proprietary trading platform called SaxoTraderGO. It is a web-based platform that can be accessed from any device with an internet connection. In addition to SaxoTraderGO, Saxo also offers SaxoTraderPRO, a desktop-based trading platform that is designed for advanced traders who require additional functionality.

SaxoTraderGO is highly customizable, allowing traders to arrange the interface to suit their preferences. It provides access to a wide range of trading tools and features, including charting tools, technical analysis indicators, and news feeds. The platform also includes a comprehensive range of order types, including market, limit, stop, and trailing stop orders.

SaxoTraderPRO is a professional-grade trading platform that offers advanced trading tools and features. It is designed for active traders and includes a range of tools that allow traders to monitor multiple markets and instruments simultaneously. The platform also includes advanced charting tools and a range of order types, including conditional orders and algorithmic trading capabilities.

Saxo also offers SaxoInvestor, which is a user-friendly trading platform suitable for beginner investors who are interested in a wide range of asset classes. It provides a simple and intuitive interface with basic research tools and features, making it easy for investors to buy and sell stocks, ETFs, bonds, and mutual funds. However, advanced traders may find the platform's lack of advanced tools and customization options limiting.

Overall, Saxo's trading platforms are well-designed, user-friendly, and offer a range of advanced features suitable for both beginner and experienced traders. See the trading platform comparison table below:

Deposits & Withdrawals

Saxo Bank supports several deposit and withdrawal methods, including Visa, MasterCard, Visa Debit, Visa Electron, MasterCard Debit, Maestro (for UK residents), Visa Dankort (for Denmark residents), Carte Bleue (for France residents). The company does not charge any fees for deposits and withdrawals, but if an investor makes a withdrawal request via manual withdrawal, a processing fee of 40 EUR will be charged.

Minimum deposit requirement

Saxo has different minimum deposit requirements depending on the type of account you open and your country of residence. For example, the minimum deposit for the Classic account is HKD10,000.

However, these amounts can vary depending on your location and the specific account type. It's important to check with Saxo directly or on their website for the most up-to-date information on minimum deposit requirements.

Saxo minimum deposit vs other brokers

Saxo Money Withdrawal

To withdraw funds from your Saxo account, you need to follow these steps:

Step 1: Log in to your Saxo account using your credentials.

Step 2: Click on the “Account” tab located on the top right corner of the screen.

Step 3: Click on “Withdraw Funds” from the account menu options.

Step 4: Select the account you wish to withdraw funds from, enter the amount you want to withdraw, and select the currency you want to withdraw in.

Step 5: Choose the preferred withdrawal method from the available options and provide the necessary details such as bank account information or credit/debit card information.

Step 6: Review the details of your withdrawal request and click on “Submit.”

Note that Saxo may require additional verification or documentation before processing your withdrawal request. The processing time for withdrawals may vary depending on the chosen method and your bank's processing time.

Fees

Swap costs, sometimes called overnight fees, are assessed on overnight open positions at Saxo Bank. These are expressed as interest and, depending on the trader's position, might be either charged to or credited to his or her account.

Traders of the Muslim faith, for whom the payment of interest is forbidden, are out of luck with Saxo Bank because they don't have the option of opening an Islamic account. With the wide variety of deposit currencies offered by Saxo Bank, customers will have a decreased chance of incurring conversion fees.

Amounts credited to your account are converted from their original currency at the mid-point FX Spot rate plus/minus the margins and spreads indicated below. This includes both trading fees and profits/losses incurred as a result of your trading activities.

Fees for account inactivity are also a reality for inactive accounts. After the initial six months, the rate increased to $150, which is quite a bit.

See the fee comparison table below:

Customer Service

Saxo provides customer support through several channels, including phone, email, and social media (Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube). The broker offers 24/5 customer service in multiple languages, including English, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, and Spanish.

Saxo also provides a comprehensive help center on its website that includes an extensive knowledge base, FAQs, trading guides, and video tutorials. The broker's customer service is generally considered to be of high quality, with knowledgeable representatives who are responsive and helpful.

Note: These pros and cons are subjective and may vary depending on the individual's experience with Saxo's customer service.

Education

Saxo Bank provides excellent market research in addition to a wealth of instructional resources like video courses, webinars, and events. Saxo Bank's SaxoStrats Experts group consists of eight analysts and strategists who are tasked with providing coverage of the various asset classes available to customers. It's apparent that this broker places a high value on its research team and recognizes the significance of this service, both for its clients and as a global investment bank. The classes are a wonderful way for newcomers to get their feet wet and become acquainted with the resources that are at their disposal. Videos are easy to follow and understand, helping novice traders quickly get up to speed and lay a solid groundwork from which to expand their knowledge. Saxo Bank specialists will be hosting webinars.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Saxo is a well-established broker. The broker offers a wide range of trading instruments, including forex, stocks, options, futures, and CFDs, and provides access to various markets worldwide. Saxo also offers an advanced trading platform and a user-friendly mobile app, making it easy for traders to access the markets on the go.

While Saxo has some of the highest fees in the industry, the broker's competitive spreads and tight execution make it a popular choice for traders. Additionally, Saxo's robust educational resources and customer support make it an ideal choice for traders of all skill levels who want to improve their knowledge and skills in trading.

Overall, Saxo is a multi-asset broker that offers a comprehensive suite of trading tools and services to help traders achieve their investment goals. However, potential clients should carefully consider the fees and minimum deposit requirements before opening an account. Also, dont forget check their user reviews on the Internet.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is HFM？

HFM, a trading name of HF Markets Group, founded in 2010, is a financial broker that provides both individual and institutional clients with online trading services. HFM has been headquartered in Cyprus but serves several global offices in Dubai, South Africa, and offshore entities in St Vincent and the Grenadines, all under respective regulatory authorities.

In the following article, we will analyse the characteristics of this broker in all its dimensions, providing you with easy and well-organised information. If you are interested, read on.

What Type of Broker is HFM？

HFM is a Market Making (MM) broker, which means that it acts as a counterparty to its clients in trading operations. That is, instead of connecting directly to the market, HFM acts as an intermediary and takes the opposite position to its clients. As such, it can offer faster order execution speed, tighter spreads and greater flexibility in terms of the leverage offered.

However, this also means that HFM has a certain conflict of interest with their clients, as their profits come from the difference between the bid and ask price of assets, which could lead to them making decisions that are not necessarily in the best interests of their clients. It is important for traders to be aware of this dynamic when trading with HFM or any other MM broker.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• HFM is a well-regulated company by various reputable authorities, providing a high level of security to traders' funds and personal information.

• The company offers a wide range of trading instruments, including forex pairs, cryptocurrencies, commodities, and stocks, with over 3500 instruments to choose from.

• There are multiple account types available, including Premium, Pro, Zero, and Cent, catering to the different needs of traders.

• HFM offers rich educational resources such as webinars, video tutorials, and daily analysis, providing valuable insights for traders.

• The company provides multiple trading platforms including MetaTrader4, MetaTrader5, and their proprietary HFM platform, giving traders a wide range of options to choose from.

• HFM offers various customer channels, through multiple channels including email, phone, and live chat.

Cons:

• The maximum leverage offered by HFM is up to 1:2000, which can be risky for inexperienced traders.

• HFM does not provide services to residents of the USA, Canada, Sudan, Syria, North Korea, Iran, Iraq, Mauritius, Myanmar, Yemen, Afghanistan, Vanuatu and EEA countries.

Is HFM Safe or Scam？

• HF Markets (Europe) Ltd is regulated by Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission - CySEC, with regulatory license number 183/12, and regulated by CNMV under license number 3427

• HF Markets (UK) Limited, its UK entity, under the regulation of the Financial Conduct Authority - FCA in the UK (license number 801701)

• HF Markets (DIFC) Limited, the Dubai entity under regulation of Dubai Financial Services Authority - DFSA (license number F004885)

• HF Markets (Seychelles) Ltd, authorized and offshore regulated by the Seychelles Financial Services Authority (FSA), with Regulatory License No. SD015

HFA appears to be a serious player when it comes to offering protection measures for its clients. They provide market leading insurance, positioning themselves as an industry leader in financial safety.

In addition to this, they maintain their accounts with major banks and ensure the segregation of client funds for added security. They also provide protection against negative balances, helping traders avoid owing more than they've invested.

Along with these measures, HFA implements robust risk management strategies to further safeguard their clients' assets. This shows their commitment to providing a secure and reliable trading environment for their users.

Market Instruments

HFM offers a diverse range of more than 3500 instruments across various asset classes, including forex, commodities, metals, bonds, energies, ETFs, indices, cryptos, and stocks. This extensive offering provides traders with a wide range of investment opportunities and the ability to diversify their portfolio. Traders can access multiple asset classes within a single platform, making it convenient and efficient to trade across various markets.

However, with such a large number of instruments available, it can be overwhelming for beginner traders and may require more in-depth knowledge of multiple asset classes and their underlying factors to create effective trading strategies. Additionally, some instruments may have low liquidity or high volatility, leading to higher risks, and certain instruments may have high spreads or commissions, increasing trading costs.

Account Types

HFM indeed offers a range of accounts to suit various trading styles and levels. They provide the option of Premium, Pro, Zero, and Cent accounts, catering to both novice and experienced traders.

The Pro account requires an initial deposit of $/€100/₦50,000/¥13,000 to get started. Interestingly, HFM does not impose a minimum deposit requirement for its Premium, Zero, and Cent accounts, making them highly accessible options.

Alongside these, they also offer free demo accounts, allowing potential traders to test out their platform and develop their trading strategies before committing real money.

How to Open an Account？

Opening an account with HFM typically involves a few standard steps:

Step 1: Visit the HFM website and click on the “Register” button.

Step 2: Fill out the registration form with your personal information such as country of residence, email address, and password.

Step 3: Once you've completed the registration form, you'll need to submit some documents to verify your identity and address. This generally involves uploading a copy of your passport or national ID for identification and a utility bill or bank statement for proof of address.

Step 4: After identity verification, you can choose your account type. HFM offers Premium, Pro, Zero, and Cent accounts. The Pro account requires a minimum initial deposit of $/€100/₦50,000/¥13,000, while the other three types do not have a minimum deposit requirement.

Step 5: Once you've selected your account type, you can make the necessary deposit using your preferred method of payment.

Step 6: After your deposit is confirmed, your account should be set up and ready for trading.

Remember, HFM also offers a demo account for practicing trading strategies without risking real money. It's recommended to start there if you're new to trading or this platform.

Leverage

HFM offers a maximum leverage of up to 1:2000, which can be an attractive feature for traders looking to maximize their potential profits with a smaller investment. This high leverage also provides greater market exposure and trading opportunities, allowing traders to take advantage of price movements in various markets.

However, it is important to note that high leverage also comes with high risk and potential losses. Traders must exercise proper risk management and discipline to avoid margin calls and account liquidation. While this feature may attract experienced traders, it may not be suitable for all, especially beginners or those with limited capital.

Overall, the maximum leverage offered by HFM can be a valuable tool for traders, but it must be used responsibly and with caution.

Spreads & Commissions

HFM caters to different trading preferences with variable spreads across its account types.

The Premium and Cent accounts offer spreads starting from 1.2 pips. The Pro account has even lower spreads starting from 0.5 pips. The most versatile is the Zero account, which offers spreads from zero pips on forex and gold trading, providing an entry point for cost-effective trading.

However, specific information on the trading commissions is not disclosed directly. You might need to reach out to their customer service or check thoroughly on their website for further details on this.

Trading Platforms

HFM offers multiple trading platforms including the popular MetaTrader4 and MetaTrader5 platforms as well as their proprietary HFM mobile app.

The MetaTrader4 and MetaTrader5 platforms are widely used in the industry and provide traders with access to a wide range of trading tools and indicators.

The HFM mobile app is relatively new but has an intuitive user interface and advanced charting features. However, it may have limited customization options and a limited selection of third-party plugins and add-ons.

Some traders may find the platforms too complex to use, but overall, HFM's platform dimension offers a good variety of options for traders of all skill levels.

Deposits & Withdrawals

HFM indeed provides a variety of options to make deposit and withdrawal processes simple and flexible for its customers. They accept bank transfers, major credit/debit cards (Visa & MasterCard), and several electronic payment methods such as crypto, Fasapay, Neteller, PayRedeem, Skrill, and Bitpay.

The minimum deposit or withdrawal limit is quite low, set at $5 for most payment methods, which makes it convenient for traders of all sizes.

HFM minimum deposit vs other brokers

They also ensure cost-effectiveness by not charging for most deposits and withdrawals. The processing times for transactions can vary depending upon the chosen method. Importantly, they have a system in place where withdrawals submitted before 10:00am server time are processed the same business day between 7:00am and 5:00pm.

More details can be found in the below screenshots.

Education

HFM is deeply committed to trader education and offers a comprehensive suite of educational resources for traders at all levels. They provide in-depth trading courses that cover a wide range of topics, aiming to enhance traders' knowledge and trading skills.

Their portfolio of educational resources also includes engaging videos that explain intricate trading concepts in an easy-to-understand format.

They hold webinars and seminars (upcoming), giving both novice and experienced traders the opportunity to learn first-hand from industry experts.

Additionally, HFM provides insightful podcasts featuring discussions on various trading topics.

These educational offerings are designed to help traders better understand the markets and make well-informed trading decisions.

Customer Service

HFM offers multiple avenues of customer support to ensure all client queries and concerns are attended to. The live chat feature on their platform allows for real-time assistance, alongside a contact form for more comprehensive inquiries.

They can also be reached through their phone number: +44-2030978571 or via email at support@hfm.com.

For those who prefer social media interactions, they have an active presence on Facebook, Twitter, Telegram, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn where they post regular updates and users can interact with them.

Lastly, for common questions, their FAQ section could be of help as it covers a range of general queries.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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. Therefore, readers are advised to always verify updated information directly with the company before making any decision or taking any action. Responsibility for the use of the information provided in this review rests solely with the reader.