Shard Capital

Overview of Shard Capital

Shard Capital, established in 2013 in the United Kingdom, is a stockbroker founded by six investment managers. Dedicated to delivering comprehensive stockbroking services and wealth management, Shard Capital offers a diverse range of trading assets, including Forex, CFDs, Futures, Options, and Equities. Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), it operates under strict oversight, ensuring a secure environment for clients. The advantages include a user-friendly trading platform, diverse market instruments, and comprehensive customer support. However, potential drawbacks involve commission costs and website navigation complexity, impacting the accessibility for new users.

Is Shard Capital legit or a scam？

Shard Capital operates under the regulatory oversight of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the United Kingdom. Regulated by the FCA since October 18, 2011, with license number 538762, Shard Capital Partners LLP follows the Straight Through Processing (STP) license type.

The regulatory framework provides a secure environment for clients, ensuring adherence to industry standards and financial regulations. This oversight promotes transparency, trust, and accountability, offering clients the confidence that their financial transactions are conducted with integrity. Additionally, being regulated by a reputable authority like the FCA demonstrates Shard Capital's commitment to maintaining ethical practices in the financial services industry.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Regulated by FCA: Shard Capital operates under the regulatory oversight of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the United Kingdom. This regulatory framework provides a secure environment for clients, ensuring adherence to industry standards and financial regulations.

• Diverse Market Instruments: Shard Capital offers a diverse range of trading assets across various financial services, catering to retail, professional, and corporate investors.

• User-friendly Trading Platform: The ShardGO platform supports trading in over 30,000 instruments, offering a seamless experience on various devices. It enables the building and management of equity portfolios, enhancing flexibility for traders.

• Comprehensive Customer Support: Shard Capital provides comprehensive customer support through phone and email, ensuring accessibility and responsiveness.

• Educational Resources: Shard Capital offers educational resources covering market trends, investment strategies, podcasts, articles, and research reports.

Cons:

• Commission Costs: The Standard account incurs a commission of $7 per lot round turn, which may be considered relatively high for some traders.

• Website Navigation Complexity: Navigating the official website may pose challenges, leading to a higher learning curve for new users and potentially impacting the overall user experience.

Market Instruments

Shard Capital, a prominent wealth and asset manager, boasts a diverse range of trading assets across various financial services.

In the realm of Investment Services, Shard Capital caters to retail, professional, and corporate investors, offering comprehensive wealth management, stockbroking, and a dedicated service for US persons. This suite of services reflects Shard Capital's commitment to providing tailored solutions for a wide range of clients.

Under Custody and Dealing Services, Shard Capital provides essential functions such as custody, record-keeping, monitoring, and reporting for a multitude of global and UK-based asset types. The flexibility extends to execution, available through their dealing desk or the online Execution Only platform, ShardGO.

For Institutional Services, Shard Capital's expertise shines in niche market areas. The services accommodate diverse institutions, including Asset Managers, Investment Funds, Private and Commercial Banks, Corporates, Family Offices, and high-net-worth professional investors.

Capital Markets at Shard Capital offer a full spectrum of services, from corporate broking and investor relations to commodity hedging. This team takes a tailored approach, aligning its services with the unique requirements of each client.

Shard Capital's extensive range of trading assets underscores its commitment to delivering personalized and comprehensive financial solutions to meet the varied needs of its clientele.

Account Types

Shard Capital's Standard account offers traders a competitive package with leverage of up to 500:1, providing the potential for amplified market exposure. The tight spreads starting from 0.1 pips enhance trading cost efficiency. While a commission of $7 per lot round turn is applicable, the minimum deposit requirement is set at $100, making it accessible to a range of investors. The availability of a demo account allows for risk-free practice, and traders can engage in the financial markets using the user-friendly ShardGO online trading platform, ensuring a seamless and efficient trading experience.

How to Open an Account？

Here's a step-by-step guide to opening a Shard Capital account:

1. Visit the Official Website:

1. Start by navigating to the official website of Shard Capital.

2. Select Account Type:

• Choose the type of account that aligns with your trading preferences. Common options may include Standard or ECN accounts.

3. Complete Online Application:

• Fill out the online application form with accurate personal information. This usually includes details such as your full name, contact information, residential address, and financial information.

4. Submit Identification Documents:

• As part of the account verification process, be prepared to submit necessary identification documents. This typically includes a copy of your passport, proof of address (like a utility bill or bank statement), and any additional documents required by the platform.

5. Fund Your Account:

• Once your account is approved, proceed to fund it. Shard Capital may have a minimum deposit requirement, so ensure that you meet this threshold. Choose from available payment methods, such as wire transfer, credit card, or other options, to fund your account.

6. Review Terms and Conditions:

• Always review and understand the terms, conditions, and associated fees before completing the account opening process. If you have any questions, it's advisable to contact Shard Capital's customer support for assistance.

Leverage

Shard Capital offers leverage of up to 500:1 for its Standard account. This leverage empowers traders to potentially magnify their market exposure, allowing for the amplification of both gains and losses. It is essential for traders to exercise caution and thoroughly understand the risks associated with high leverage, as it can significantly impact the dynamics of their trading positions. While higher leverage can enhance profit potential, it also increases the vulnerability to market fluctuations, emphasizing the importance of risk management strategies when engaging in leveraged trading.

Spreads & Commissions

Shard Capital presents competitive spread and commission structures for its Standard account.

The spread, starting from 0.1 pips, denotes the difference between the buying and selling prices of an asset. A lower spread can be advantageous for traders, especially in volatile markets, as it reduces the cost of executing trades.

Additionally, the commission of $7 per lot round turn is applied, providing transparency in the fee structure. While spreads impact the cost of entering and exiting trades, commissions are a fixed charge per lot, ensuring clarity for traders. It's crucial for investors to consider both spread and commission when evaluating the overall cost of trading with Shard Capital.

Trading Platform

Shard Capital provides traders access to the ShardGO online trading platform, a versatile tool for engaging in the financial markets. The platform supports trading in over 30,000 instruments across major global markets, encompassing Forex, CFDs, Futures, Options, and Equities. With ShardGO, traders can conveniently monitor market prices and execute trades.

A notable feature is the platform's capability to enable the building and management of actual equity portfolios seamlessly. This functionality enhances flexibility and allows traders to navigate the complexities of diverse markets. Another advantage is the platform's accessibility on various devices, including desktops, tablets, and mobile devices. This adaptability ensures that traders can engage in market activities at any time, from any location, providing a convenient and responsive trading experience.

In summary, Shard Capital's ShardGO platform offers a comprehensive suite of features, enabling traders to navigate and trade in a wide array of financial instruments while maintaining portfolio management flexibility. Its multi-device accessibility further adds to the platform's appeal, providing traders with convenience and adaptability in their market activities.

Deposit & Withdrawal

Shard Capital accepts a variety of payment methods, including:

• Credit/debit cards: Visa, Mastercard, Maestro

• Bank transfers: Wire transfers, ACH transfers

• E-wallets: Skrill, Neteller, Perfect Money

The minimum deposit for a Shard Capital account is $100.

Payment processing times at Shard Capital are relatively fast for credit/debit cards and e-wallets, with transactions processed instantly. Bank transfers, on the other hand, may take 1-3 days to process. This is due to the time required for banks to clear and settle wire transfers and ACH transfers.

Customer Support

Shard Capital provides comprehensive customer support through various channels.

Clients can reach the support team via phone at +44 (0)203 971 7000 or through email at info@shardcapital.com.

The physical address for in-person inquiries is Shard Capital Partners LLP, Floor 3, 70 St Mary Axe, London, EC3A 8BE.

This multi-channel approach ensures accessibility, allowing users to connect with Shard Capital for assistance, inquiries, or support regarding financial services, creating a responsive and client-centric communication framework.

Educational Resources

Shard Capital's educational resources cover a range of topics, including market trends, investment strategies, and discussions on current events. They offer a variety of content formats, such as articles, podcasts, and reviews. The podcasts, hosted by professionals like Ernst Knacke and Bill Blain, delve into subjects like OpenAI, biotech, gold investment, geopolitical events, and regulatory matters. The platform aims to provide valuable insights to help investors make informed decisions. Additionally, users can access news, articles, and research reports for a comprehensive understanding of market dynamics. For more specific details, you can visit their official website or contact them directly.

Conclusion

Shard Capital stands as a stockbroker committed to delivering comprehensive stockbroking and wealth management services. Regulated by the FCA, it ensures a secure trading environment. Offering a diverse array of trading assets, including Forex and Equities, Shard Capital boasts a user-friendly platform and comprehensive customer support. However, the platform faces potential challenges, including commission costs and website navigation complexity, which might pose hurdles, particularly for newcomers.

FAQs

Q: What is Shard Capital's regulatory status？

A: Shard Capital is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the United Kingdom.

Q: How can I contact Shard Capital's customer support？

A: You can reach Shard Capital's customer support via phone at +44 (0)203 971 7000 or through email at info@shardcapital.com.

Q: What trading assets are available on Shard Capital？

A: Shard Capital offers a diverse range of trading assets, including Forex, CFDs, Futures, Options, and Equities.

Q: What is the minimum deposit required to open a Standard account？

A: The minimum deposit for a Standard account at Shard Capital is $100.

Q: Does Shard Capital provide educational resources？

A: Yes, Shard Capital offers educational resources covering market trends, investment strategies, and podcasts hosted by industry professionals.

Q: How long has Shard Capital been in operation？

A: Shard Capital was founded in 2013 by six investment managers, providing comprehensive stockbroking services and wealth management.