Offices: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Platforms: MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), WebTrader, Mobile Trading Platforms (iOS and Android)
Instruments: Currency Pairs, Stocks, Cryptocurrencies, Indices, Commodities
Regulation type: IFSA, FCA
Payment Methods:
Country:
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Year:
2015
General Overview
General Overview
Dukascopy is a well-known forex and CFD broker founded in 2004 and based in Switzerland. It’s recognized for being transparent and focusing on clients. You can trade many markets—forex, commodities, indices, and cryptocurrencies—with over 60 currency pairs and a wide range of CFDs for both retail and institutional traders. Dukascopy’s standout platform is JForex, which offers powerful charts, a customizable layout, and automated (algorithmic) trading. It also connects to the SWFX marketplace for direct market access and competitive spreads. Pricing is clear with tight spreads and no hidden fees. Retail traders can use leverage up to 1:30, while professionals may get higher leverage. Below, we take a closer look at Dukascopy’s features, pros, and cons.
Pros
- Low Minimum Deposit
- Multiple Account Types (Standard, Pro, ECN)
- Advanced Trading Platforms (MT4, MT5)
Cons
- Not Available in Some Countries (US, Canada)
- Limited Regulatory Oversight
- No Bonus Promotions Due to Regulatory Restrictions
Trust and Safety
Trust and Safety
Regulations: IFSA, FCA
When picking a forex broker, trust and safety matter most—and Dukascopy does well on both. With strong regulation and a clear, open approach, it offers a secure place to trade. Below is a simple look at Dukascopy’s trust and safety features that support its reliable reputation.
Is Dukascopy Regulated?
Yes. Dukascopy is closely supervised by respected financial authorities that set strict rules to keep clients safe and trading transparent:
- Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA), Switzerland — license no. 13042.
- European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) — oversight for EU clients.
- Dukascopy Bank SA is a member of the Swiss Bankers Association, following high banking standards.
This oversight boosts Dukascopy’s credibility and helps protect client funds.
Is Dukascopy Safe?
Dukascopy uses several protections to keep your money and personal info secure:
- Segregated client funds: Your money is kept in separate accounts at top banks, adding protection if the broker runs into trouble.
- Negative balance protection: Retail clients can’t lose more than they deposit.
- Investor compensation: EU clients may be covered by compensation schemes in rare insolvency cases.
Overall, Dukascopy focuses on strong fund protection and extra safeguards against market swings.
Dukascopy Cybersecurity Measures
Dukascopy uses modern security to protect data and transactions:
- Data protection: 256-bit SSL encryption keeps information secure during transfers.
- Two-factor authentication (2FA): Adds an extra login step so only authorized users can access accounts.
With these measures, Dukascopy works to keep sensitive personal and financial data well protected.
Trading Platforms
Trading Platforms
MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | WebTrader | Mobile Trading Platforms (iOS and Android)
Visit PlatformsDefcoFX provides an array of trading platforms tailored to meet the diverse needs of its clients. These platforms are designed to enhance the trading experience by offering advanced features and functionalities that cater to different trading styles. Traders can choose from popular platforms such as MetaTrader 4 (MT4), the proprietary Trading Station, and NinjaTrader, each offering unique tools and capabilities to facilitate effective trading.
DefcoFX MetaTrader 4
MetaTrader 4 (MT4) is one of the most widely used trading platforms in the industry and is offered by DefcoFX. Known for its user-friendly interface, MT4 provides traders with advanced charting capabilities, a wide range of technical indicators, and the ability to automate trading strategies through Expert Advisors (EAs). The platform supports fast execution and real-time market analysis, making it suitable for both novice and experienced traders looking to optimize their trading strategies.
DefcoFX Trading Station
Trading Station is DefcoFX's proprietary trading platform designed for a seamless trading experience. With its intuitive interface, traders can easily navigate through various features, access real-time market data, and utilize powerful analysis tools. Trading Station allows for customizable charts and quick execution of trades, making it an excellent choice for traders of all experience levels seeking to manage their investments effectively.
DefcoFX NinjaTrader
NinjaTrader is an advanced trading platform available through DefcoFX, renowned for its comprehensive charting capabilities and sophisticated trade management tools. This platform is particularly beneficial for active traders focused on forex and futures. NinjaTrader offers a customizable interface, enabling traders to adapt the environment to their specific needs. Additionally, it includes a variety of technical analysis tools, automated trading features with NinjaScript, and advanced strategy backtesting, allowing traders to refine their approaches effectively.
Tradable Instruments
Tradable Instruments
Instruments: Currency Pairs, Stocks, Cryptocurrencies, Indices, Commodities
DefcoFX offers a wide range of tradable instruments designed to meet the diverse needs of its traders. This extensive selection enables clients to explore various financial markets and diversify their investment portfolios effectively. Traders can access a variety of asset classes, including forex pairs, indices, commodities, stocks, and cryptocurrencies, allowing them to capitalize on different market opportunities.
DefcoFX Forex
DefcoFX provides access to an extensive selection of forex pairs, encompassing major, minor, and exotic currencies. This broad array of options ensures that traders can engage with different currency markets according to their strategies and risk preferences. The competitive spreads offered by DefcoFX enhance the trading experience, making it ideal for both new and experienced forex traders.
DefcoFX Indices
DefcoFX allows traders to participate in a variety of global indices, including well-known ones like the S&P 500 and NASDAQ. These indices can be traded as Contracts for Difference (CFDs), enabling traders to speculate on price movements without owning the underlying assets. This flexibility allows for effective trading strategies that capitalize on market trends in various regions.
DefcoFX Commodities
DefcoFX features a diverse selection of commodities for trading, including precious metals like gold and silver, as well as energy products such as crude oil and natural gas. Trading commodities as CFDs enables traders to profit from price fluctuations without the need to hold physical assets. This approach is advantageous for those looking to diversify their portfolios and manage risk in volatile markets.
DefcoFX Stocks
DefcoFX offers a comprehensive range of stock CFDs from major global exchanges, allowing traders to speculate on the price movements of leading companies without needing to own the shares outright. This method provides the opportunity to benefit from both rising and falling stock prices, making it an appealing choice for traders looking to expand their investment strategies.
DefcoFX Cryptocurrencies
DefcoFX provides access to a variety of cryptocurrency CFDs, including popular options such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin. This offering allows traders to engage with the dynamic and rapidly evolving cryptocurrency markets by speculating on price movements through CFDs. The flexibility of trading cryptocurrencies as CFDs enables clients to profit from market fluctuations while effectively managing their risk exposure.
Account Types
Account Types
Dukascopy offers various account types designed to cater to different trading needs, with a focus on providing flexibility and risk management tools. For more details on available account types, visit the Dukascopy Account Types page.
Retail Account
Dukascopy provides a standard Retail Account that is ideal for both beginner and experienced traders. The Retail Account is designed with ease of use and transparency in mind, offering traders access to over 60 currency pairs and a wide range of CFDs.
- Negative Balance Protection: This ensures that retail traders cannot lose more than their account balance, providing a safety net in case of volatile market movements.
- Competitive Spreads: Dukascopy offers competitive spreads across all asset classes. For example, spreads on major forex pairs like EUR/USD start from as low as 0.2 pips.
- Free Demo Account: Traders can access a free demo account to practice their trading strategies without risking real money.
- Commission-Based Trading: There are commissions on trades, but the pricing structure remains transparent.
Dukascopy offers a standard account with competitive spreads and no hidden fees, making it an excellent choice for retail traders seeking simplicity and transparency.
Deposits and Withdrawals
Deposits and Withdrawals
Deposits and Withdrawals
Dukascopy offers a variety of deposit and withdrawal methods, allowing traders to manage their funds conveniently. With its user-friendly platform and clear fee structure, Dukascopy ensures that traders can easily fund their accounts and withdraw profits. For a detailed overview of the withdrawal process, visit the Dukascopy Withdrawals page.
Dukascopy Deposit Options and Fees
Dukascopy supports multiple deposit methods, making it easy for traders to fund their accounts. The broker does not charge any fees for deposits, allowing for cost-effective account funding.
- Bank Transfers: Traders can deposit funds via bank transfer, which may take 1-3 business days to process.
- Credit/Debit Cards: Visa and MasterCard are accepted for instant deposits.
- E-Wallets: Popular e-wallets like Skrill and Neteller are also available, offering quick and secure transactions.
Dukascopy’s deposit options ensure that traders can choose the most suitable method for their needs.
Dukascopy Withdrawals Options and Fees
Dukascopy provides a range of withdrawal methods that mirror the deposit options, ensuring that traders can access their funds easily. Withdrawals are generally processed quickly, typically within 1-3 business days.
- Bank Transfers: Withdrawals via bank transfer may take up to 5 business days to complete.
- Credit/Debit Cards: Withdrawals via cards usually take 3-7 business days.
- E-Wallets: E-wallet withdrawals are typically processed within 1-3 business days.
Dukascopy does not charge withdrawal fees, which is a significant advantage for traders looking to maximize their profits.
Visa
Mastercard
Bitcoin
Ethereum
Fees and Commissions
Fees and Commissions
Dukascopy is known for its competitive pricing structure, offering traders a clear understanding of trading fees. This section provides a comprehensive breakdown of Dukascopy's trading fees, including spreads and non-trading fees, ensuring traders can make informed decisions. For a more detailed look at the fee structure, visit the Dukascopy Fees page.
Dukascopy Trading Fees
Dukascopy operates on a commission-based model with competitive spreads. Traders are charged a small commission per trade, making it essential to understand the overall cost structure before trading.
- Dukascopy Commission Structure: Dukascopy’s commission rates vary based on the account type and asset class. For example, the standard commission for forex trading can start from as low as $0.5 per $100,000 traded.
- Dukascopy Transparent Spreads: The broker offers tight spreads across various instruments, which are transparent and clearly displayed on the platform.
This clear fee structure allows traders to predict their costs effectively without worrying about hidden charges.
Dukascopy Spreads
Spreads are an integral part of Dukascopy's trading fees. The broker provides competitive spreads on various asset classes, ensuring cost-effective trading opportunities.
- Dukascopy Forex Spreads: Dukascopy offers low spreads on major currency pairs, such as EUR/USD, GBP/USD, and USD/JPY. For instance, the average spread for EUR/USD is around 0.2 pips, making it an attractive choice for forex traders.
- Dukascopy Commodities and Indices Spreads: Competitive spreads are also available for commodities like gold and oil, as well as various indices, enhancing the platform's appeal.
Traders can benefit from Dukascopy's transparent and competitive spreads, maximizing potential profitability.
Dukascopy Non-Trading Fees
While Dukascopy excels in offering low trading costs, it’s important to be aware of specific non-trading fees that may apply.
- Dukascopy Inactivity Fee: Dukascopy charges an inactivity fee of $10 per month if no trading activity occurs for six months. This fee applies only to dormant accounts.
- Dukascopy Currency Conversion Fee: A currency conversion fee may apply when trading instruments in a different currency than the trader's account currency. This fee typically ranges from 0.5% to 2% of the trade value.
Dukascopy maintains a transparent fee structure, ensuring that traders are well-informed about potential charges.
Bonuses and Promotions
Bonuses and Promotions
Dukascopy offers a variety of bonuses and promotions to enhance the trading experience for its clients. While the broker operates under strict regulatory oversight, limiting some traditional promotions, they still provide a range of offers that reward loyal traders and those who participate in contests and competitions. Below are the key bonuses and promotions currently available:
1. Equity Bonus (10%)
Dukascopy offers a 10% equity bonus to clients who make a new deposit into their trading account. This bonus increases the account's equity, allowing traders to trade larger volumes by improving their margin.
Conditions: The bonus cannot be withdrawn immediately and must be actively traded to meet specific turnover requirements before it becomes eligible for withdrawal.
2. Discount Program (Volume-Based Rebates)
Traders who generate high trading volumes with Dukascopy can benefit from the volume-based discount program. This rebate system rewards clients with lower trading costs (spreads or commissions) as they increase their trading activity.
Conditions: The rebate percentage varies based on the total volume traded during a specific period, typically calculated monthly.
3. Contests and Competitions
Dukascopy regularly hosts contests where traders can compete to win cash prizes or trading credits. These contests help traders showcase their skills and earn additional rewards.
- Live Trading Contests: Traders participate in live trading competitions, and top performers receive cash prizes.
- Trader of the Month: Dukascopy rewards the best trader of each month with a cash prize.
Summary of Bonuses and Promotions
Education
Education
DefcoFX is dedicated to providing a comprehensive range of educational resources designed to enhance the trading knowledge and skills of its clients. The broker offers a wide selection of articles, video tutorials, webinars, and market insights covering various trading topics such as technical analysis, risk management, and market strategies. These materials cater to traders at all levels, from beginners to seasoned professionals, making DefcoFX a valuable resource for anyone looking to improve their trading proficiency. While the existing educational offerings are informative and widely accessible, there is potential for DefcoFX to further enhance its educational hub. Introducing more interactive resources such as quizzes, in-depth courses, and practical trading simulations could provide a more engaging and thorough learning experience for users. This would not only help traders assess their knowledge but also ensure they can effectively apply what they've learned in their trading activities.
Allowed Countries
Allowed Countries
Dukascopy, a well-known Swiss forex broker, allows clients from a variety of countries to open trading accounts. However, due to regulatory restrictions, it cannot offer services to residents of certain countries, including the USA, Belgium, Canada, and others. The allowed countries include most of Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Clients from these regions can access Dukascopy's wide range of trading services, including forex, CFDs, and binary options, provided they comply with local regulatory requirements and Dukascopy’s terms and conditions.
Excluded Countries
United States
Canada
North Korea
Syrian Arab Republic
Customer Support
Customer Support
Dukascopy provides comprehensive customer support designed to assist traders with any issues they may encounter while using the platform. The support system is robust and easily accessible. For more information, check out the Dukascopy Customer Support page.
Support Features
- 24/7 Customer Support: Dukascopy offers round-the-clock support, ensuring that traders can receive assistance at any time.
- Multiple Contact Methods: Traders can contact customer support through live chat, email, and an extensive help center on the website.
- Multilingual Support: Support is available in multiple languages, catering to a diverse global clientele.
Dukascopy’s commitment to providing efficient and reliable customer support enhances the trading experience for its clients.
Broker Name: Dukascopy
Broker Type: ECN, STP
Country: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Operating since year: 2015
Regulations: IFSA, FCA
Phone: 234 706 777 7762
Email: [email protected]
Address: First Floor, First St. Vincent Bank Ltd Building, James Street, Kingstown, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
Broker status: Active
FAQs
FAQs
What is Dukascopy and who is it best for?
Dukascopy is a Swiss-founded (2004) forex/CFD broker known for transparency, low costs, and powerful tools. It offers 60+ FX pairs plus CFDs on indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies—suited to both retail and institutional traders who value advanced platforms and direct market access.
Is Dukascopy regulated and safe?
FINMA (Switzerland, license 13042) with ESMA oversight for EU clients, and also IFSA/FCA references. Dukascopy states segregated client funds, negative balance protection (retail), investor-comp schemes (EU), and strong cybersecurity (256-bit SSL, optional 2FA). Always check which legal entity you’ll onboard with and its protections.
Which trading platforms can I use?
The standout is JForex (advanced charting, algotrading, direct SWFX marketplace access). MT4/MT5, WebTrader, and mobile apps (iOS/Android) can be used, too. JForex is favored for quant/algo workflows; MT4/MT5 appeal to EA users and those wanting a familiar interface.
What is the SWFX marketplace?
SWFX (Swiss FX Marketplace) provides direct market access with aggregated liquidity and competitive, transparent pricing. It underpins JForex execution and helps keep spreads tight.
What account types are available?
- Retail: competitive spreads (e.g., EUR/USD from ~0.2 pips), commission-based pricing, free demo, negative balance protection.
- Professional/ECN: deeper liquidity, potentially higher leverage (vs. retail 1:30), commission + raw spreads.
How do deposits and withdrawals work?
Funding/withdrawals via bank transfer, cards (Visa/Mastercard), and e-wallets (Skrill/Neteller). Deposits: typically fee-free; processing can be instant (cards/e-wallets) or 1–3 business days (wires). Withdrawals: ~1–3 business days for e-wallets, 3–7 for cards, up to ~5 for wires. (Timelines can vary by method/provider.)
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