| Updated: May 15, 2024France is one of Europe’s strongest economies and a major player on the global trading scene. A robust regulatory framework is in place to protect the integrity of the local financial industry and ensure fair trading conditions for all market participants, including retail forex traders. Many forex brokers are currently servicing customers from the country but not all are equally reliable.
After many hours of research, we compiled this list of the most trusted forex brokers in France to aid local traders in making a better-informed choice. We factored in numerous criteria during our vetting process, including regulatory background, pricing and order execution, range of tradable currency pairs, and platform features. Our team tested all recommended brokers with live accounts to ensure they offer nothing short of a superior forex trading experience to customers from France.
Fusion Markets74-89% of retail CFD accounts lose money
Forex.com77.7% of retail investor accounts lose money
easyMarkets71% of retail investor accounts lose money
Spreadex64% of retail investors lose money
Capital.com75% of retail investor accounts lose money
Global Prime74-89% of retail CFD accounts lose money
IG70% of retail client accounts lose money
FxPro74% of retail investor accounts lose money
AxiThe vast majority of retail client accounts lose money
XM Group72.82% of retail investor accounts lose moneyFrench Forex Brokers Ranked by Trustpilot Score
| Forex Broker | Trustpilot Reviews | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Fusion Markets | 1409 | 4.8 ⭐ |
| 2. Forex.com | 1288 | 4.7 ⭐ |
| 3. easyMarkets | 1618 | 4.5 ⭐ |
| 4. Spreadex | 93 | 4.4 ⭐ |
| 5. Capital.com | 10490 | 4.2 ⭐ |
| 6. Global Prime | 100 | 4.1 ⭐ |
| 7. IG | 6723 | 4.1 ⭐ |
| 8. FxPro | 209 | 3.9 ⭐ |
| 9. Axi | 1436 | 3.3 ⭐ |
| 10. XM Group | 561 | 2.7 ⭐ |
French Forex Brokers Ranked by Spread Commission
| Forex Broker | EURUSD | USDJPY | EURGBP | GBPUSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Fusion Markets | 0.11 | 0.13 | 0.15 | 0.11 |
| 2. Global Prime | 0.13 | 0.28 | 0.28 | 0.22 |
| 3. FxPro | 0.25 | 0.38 | 0.67 | 0.37 |
| 4. Capital.com | 0.6 | 10 | 2 | 1.3 |
| 5. IG | 0.6 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 0.9 |
| 6. Spreadex | 0.6 | 9 | 0.9 | 0.8 |
| 7. easyMarkets | 0.7 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.9 |
| 8. XM Group | 0.8 | 0.9 | 1.5 | 0.9 |
| 9. Forex.com | 1 | 1.2 | 1.3 | 1.3 |
| 10. Axi | 1.2 | 1.4 | 1.1 | 1.2 |
French Forex Brokers Ranked by Commission per Lot
| Forex Broker | Commission per lot |
|---|---|
| 1. Forex.com | $0 |
| 2. Capital.com | $0 |
| 3. IG | $0 |
| 4. Spreadex | $0 |
| 5. easyMarkets | $0 |
| 6. Fusion Markets | $0 Classic Account, $4.50 round turn on Zero Account |
| 7. Global Prime | $0 Standard Accounts; $7 round turn on Raw Accounts |
| 8. FxPro | $0 on Standard Account; $3.5 per side on Raw+ and Elite Accounts |
| 9. Axi | $0 on Standard Account; $7 round trip on Pro Account |
| 10. XM Group | $0 Ultra Low Micro and Ultra Low Standard Accounts; $3.50 per side XM Zero Account |
Important Note: French traders are recommended to register live accounts at brokerages authorized by the local regulator AMF or another EU-based watchdog that complies with the Markets in Financial Instruments Directives (MiFID I and MiFID II). AMF and EU-regulated brokers uphold some of the highest standards of transparency, safety, and compliance on a global scale.
Top 10 FX Brokers in France
Fusion Markets Broker Details Regulators ASIC, FSA (Seychelles), VFSC (Vanuatu) Min Deposit $0 Trading Platforms MetaTrader4, MetaTrader5, cTrader, DupliTrade, Fusion+ Copy Trade Trustpilot Rating 4.8 out of 1409 reviews Number of Forex Pairs to Trade Over 200 Leverage Forex & Metals: 30:1
Index CFDs: 5:1
Cryptocurrencies: 2:1Spread EURUSD: 0.11
USDJPY: 0.13
EURGBP: 0.15
GBPUSD: 0.11Forex Commission per Lot per Trade $0 Classic Account, $4.50 round turn on Zero Account Deposit Methods Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, Fasapay, Jeton Wallet, Perfect Money, Online Naira, Doku, Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, USDT, Tether, Ripple, bank wire Withdrawal Methods Visa, Mastercard, Bank Wire, Skrill, Neteller,Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Tether, Ripple Founded by Australian trading experts, Fusion Markets was launched in 2017 and is currently one of the top destinations for traders all over the globe. While it is common for brokers to advertise low spreads, Fusion Markets was actually recognized by Brookerchooser, receiving the award “Lowest Spread Forex Broker” four years in a row.
In addition to offering traders tight spreads, Fusion Markets is committed to offering the best value for your trading, charging a significantly low commission of only $2.25 per lot ($4.50 per side). As you can see, const-effectiveness is one of the main values of this top-shelf broker.
Safety is always a priority for Fusion Markets, with major regulatory bodies like the Australian Financial Services (license No.385620), the Financial Services Authority of Seychelles (license No.SD096), and authorities in Vanuatu regulating the services provided by the broker. Under ASIC’s (Australian Securities & Investments Commission) regulation, the broker also provides a negative balance protection to some of its clients.
With no minimum on deposits and a wide range of popular trading platforms like MetaTrader4, MetaTrader5, cTrader, and more, it is no surprise that Fusion Markets is one of the top choices of traders. With an average score of 4.6 out of 5 on Trustpilot, this broker has received an Excellent rating from more than 1,300 happy customers.
Key Pros
- Offers some of the lowest spreads
- ASIC clients enjoy a negative balance protection
- Supports popular trading platforms
- Offers two copy trading platforms
- Supports fiat and crypto payment solutions
Key Cons
- Does not offer investor protection
- Traders outside Australia have no negative balance protection
- Cannot set up an account in a minor currency
Global Prime Broker Details Regulators ASIC (No. 385620), VFSC (No. 40256) Min Deposit $0 Trading Platforms MT4 Desktop, MT4 Webtrader, MT4 Android Trustpilot Rating 4.1 out of 100 reviews Number of Forex Pairs to Trade 56 Leverage Forex & Metals: 500:1
Index CFDs: 100:1
Cryptocurrencies: 10:1Spread EURUSD: 0.13
USDJPY: 0.28
EURGBP: 0.28
GBPUSD: 0.22Forex Commission per Lot per Trade $0 Standard Accounts; $7 round turn on Raw Accounts Deposit Methods Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, Gate8, Dragonpay, Fasapay, VNPay, Pagsmile, BPay, POLi, AstroPay, Bank Transfer, Interac, Perfect Money, PayID, Jeton, MiFinity, XPay, Crypto Withdrawal Methods Mastercard, Visa, Local Bank Transfer, Bank Wire Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, AstroPay, PayPal, Dragonpay, Perfect Money, Jeton, Interac, Cryptocurrencies
Global Prime is a reliable brokerage that has been providing low-cost trading services since 2010. Regulated by the watchdogs of Vanuatu and Australia, the broker facilitates trading with over 150 financial instruments, including indices, bonds, commodities, cryptocurrencies, and more than 50 currency pairs. Major-pair spreads on raw accounts start at zero pips, with most orders being executed within 10 milliseconds on average. The broker works with MT4 only but plans to soon expand its range of supported platforms with cTrader, MT5, and TradingView.
These excellent trading conditions, coupled with a streamlined registration process, fee-free transactions to and from customer accounts, and round-the-clock support, have earned the broker a solid 4.1 score on Trustpilot. Still, there is scope for improvement as the company offers no cent and swap-free accounts for Islamic customers. The broker has no compensation scheme for client funds, either, which is yet another area Global Prime could improve in.
Key Pros
- Overseen by a top-tier financial regulator (ASIC)
- No fees on deposits and withdrawals
- Low fees for FX trading
- Streamlined sign-up process
- A broad range of currency pairs
Key Cons
- Could use more trading platforms
- A limited range of educational resources
- Does not offer Islamic or cent accounts
Forex.com Broker Details Regulators ASIC, MAS, FCA, CIRO, JFSA, CFTC , MiFID, CySEC Min Deposit $100 Trading Platforms MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, TradingView, WebTrader Trustpilot Rating 4.7 out of 1288 reviews Number of Forex Pairs to Trade 80+ Leverage Forex & Metals: 30:1
Index CFDs: 20:1
Cryptocurrencies: 2:1Spread EURUSD: 1
USDJPY: 1.2
EURGBP: 1.3
GBPUSD: 1.3Forex Commission per Lot per Trade $0 Deposit Methods Visa, Mastercard, Skrill, Neteller, Bank Transfer Withdrawal Methods Visa, Mastercard, Skrill, Neteller, Bank Transfer Launched in 2001, Forex.com has been offering innovative trading solutions for over two decades. Traders will have the chance to trade more than 80 currency pairs or choose from numerous shares and commodities trading options. Advanced trading tools are definitely among the strengths of the broker, offering multiple platforms and even AI tools that allow easier analysis.
Whether you trade on your desktop device or wish to trade on the go, Forex.com offers a wide selection of platforms that enable smooth trading experiences on any type of device. MetaTrader 4 and 5, Web Trader, and the Forex.com mobile app will offer you access to a number of instruments that can make trading more intuitive and easy. Members of Forex.com can also use the TradingView platform, allowing them to handle their trades using a handful of exclusive trading tools.
Among the numerous reasons why many traders have decided to trust Forex.com, tight spreads are definitely a key factor. Execution speed is also one of the broker’s strongest suits, with about 99.79% of trades executed in under one second and an average execution speed for Forex trades of 0.03 seconds. While trading with Forex.com, you can be sure that your funds are always protected via industry-standard security tools, with the broker following guidelines imposed by major regulators. StoneX, which is Forex.com’s parent company, is regulated by ASIC, MAS, FCA, CIRO, JFSA, CFTC, CySEC, and MiFID in the EU market.
Key Pros
- Supports a great selection of trading platforms
- Enables easy mobile trading
- Offers over 80 currency pairs
- Provides a vast variety of products
- Forex spreads can be very competitive
Key Cons
- Navigating platforms can be difficult for beginners
- Instruments on MT4 platforms are significantly fewer than other platforms
- Charges monthly fee after 12 months of inactivity
Capital.com Broker Details Regulators ASIC, FCA, CySEC, SCB, MiFID Min Deposit $20 Trading Platforms MetaTrader 4, TradingView Trustpilot Rating 4.2 out of 10490 reviews Number of Forex Pairs to Trade 125+ Leverage Forex & Metals: 30:1
Index CFDs: 20:1
Cryptocurrencies: 2:1Spread EURUSD: 0.6
USDJPY: 10
EURGBP: 2
GBPUSD: 1.3Forex Commission per Lot per Trade $0 Deposit Methods Bank transfers, VISA, MasterCard, Maestro, Apple Pay, PayPal, Neteller, Skrill, Sofort, Przelewy, TrueLayer, iDEAL, Trustly, SPEI Withdrawal Methods Bank transfers, bank cards, Apple Pay, PayPal, Neteller, Skrill, Sofort, Trustly Capital.com is a broker that has been providing its services since 2016. It has licenses from several Tier-1 regulators, including the ASIC, CySEC, and FCA, ensuring a secure trading environment. More than 580K registered traders enjoy an excellent user experience, from hassle-free account opening to streamlined trading.
Capital.com offers market-leading spreads on more than 125 currency pairs. The brand’s product offering goes far beyond forex trading, with 3,000 indices, commodities, shares, major cryptocurrencies, and altcoins tradable both on desktop and mobile.
The minimum deposit requirements at Capital.com start from $20, with diverse payment methods, including bank transfers, bank cards, and various e-wallet brands. Withdrawals do not entail processing fees and demo accounts are available to practice in a simulated trading environment with virtual funds. The brand is praised for its rich assortment of educational materials, the latest market news, and advanced analytical tools.
Key Pros
- Trusted by 580K+ traders across the globe
- Trading guides for beginner, intermediate, and advanced traders
- Mobile apps for Android and iOS devices
- Low FX fees built into the spread
- Negative balance protection
Key Cons
- There is an inactivity fee after 1 year
- No two-step login
- No price alerts on the web platform
FxPro Broker Details Regulators FCA (No. 45052), CySEC (No. 078/07), SCB (No. SIA-F184), FSCA (No.45052) Min Deposit $100 Trading Platforms MT4, MT5, cTrader, FxPro Edge (proprietary) Trustpilot Rating 3.9 out of 209 reviews Number of Forex Pairs to Trade 70+ Leverage Forex & Metals: 30:1
Index CFDs: 20:1
Cryptocurrencies: 2:1Spread EURUSD: 0.25
USDJPY: 0.38
EURGBP: 0.67
GBPUSD: 0.37Forex Commission per Lot per Trade $0 on Standard Account; $3.5 per side on Raw+ and Elite Accounts Deposit Methods Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, Bank Transfer, Neteller, PayPal, Skrill, Union Pay Withdrawal Methods Bank Transfer, Mastercard, Visa, Union Pay, Maestro, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller Founded in 2006, FxPro is a multi-award-winning broker that provides online trading services with licenses granted by the financial regulators of the UK, Cyprus, and the Bahamas. Over 2,100 instruments are tradable at FxPro via a variety of platforms, including MT5, MT4, cTrader, and proprietary software. Customers can dip their toes into forex, commodity, index, stock, and cryptocurrency trading at FxPro.
Forex traders, in particular, will benefit from over 70 major, minor, and exotic currency pairs tradable with fixed or marked-up floating spreads, depending on the platform and account type. Orders are filled at ultra-low latency, ensuring lightning-fast execution of under 13 milliseconds. FxPro stores the money of its clients in segregated accounts at major international banks and offers negative balance protection to all retail customers, regardless of their trading volume and country.
Minimum deposits at FxPro align with industry standards at $100, although new customers are generally recommended to start with at least $1,000 in their live accounts. Deposits and withdrawals incur no additional transaction fees at FxPro. Cards, bank transfers, and e-wallets are all viable funding options for clients with live accounts.
Key Pros
- Over 2,100 CFDs across six asset classes
- Zero fees on deposits and withdrawals
- Floating spreads with no commissions on MT4 FX trades
- Winner of over 100 industry awards
- Fills orders within less than 13 milliseconds
Key Cons
- FX spreads are slightly higher than industry averages
- Charges maintenance fees after six months of inactivity
Axi Broker Details Regulators FSA, FCA, CySEC, DFSA, ASIC Min Deposit $0 Trading Platforms MT4 Desktop, MT4 WebTrader, Axi Mobile Trustpilot Rating 3.3 out of 1436 reviews Number of Forex Pairs to Trade 80 Leverage Forex & Metals: 30:1
Index CFDs: 20:1
Cryptocurrencies: 2:1Spread EURUSD: 1.2
USDJPY: 1.4
EURGBP: 1.1
GBPUSD: 1.2Forex Commission per Lot per Trade $0 on Standard Account; $7 round trip on Pro Account Deposit Methods Visa, Mastercard, Bank Transfer, Neteller, Skrill, AstroPay, Fasapay, Przelewy24, Boleto, Pix, Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple, Litecoin, Tether, Stellar Withdrawal Methods Mastercard, Visa, Bank Transfer, Przelewy24, Fasapay, Skrill, AstroPay, Pix, Boleto, Neteller, Bitcoin, Ripple, Ethereum, Litecoin, Tether, Stellar Since 2007, Axi has served 60,000 traders from more than 100 countries, offering low-cost trading with over 290 financial instruments across five major asset classes. The company carries licenses from Australia’s ASIC, New Zealand’s FMA, and the UK’s FCA. It enjoys a fine reputation among traders worldwide and has not seen any controversies.
The Sydney-based broker caters to customers with over 70 currency pairs and charges no commissions on FX trades conducted via Standard retail accounts. Commissions are in place only on Pro and Elite accounts but fall within the industry averages. Hard and soft commodities, equity indices, cryptocurrencies, and stocks are tradable at favorable conditions and low pricing via the MT4 platform.
Leverage caps are jurisdiction-specific, with customers in some countries benefiting from leverage ratios of up to 500:1. Multiple base currencies are available for retail accounts, allowing traders to save on currency conversion fees. The broker caters to its international client base with over a dozen payment methods. Using payment solutions like Fasapay and Boleto is restricted to specific regions only.
Key Pros
- Provides multilingual customer support
- Standard and Pro accounts available in 10 base currencies
- No minimum deposit requirements on Pro and Standard accounts
- Over 70 FX pairs tradable from zero pips
- Swift order execution and tight spreads
Key Cons
- A limited choice of trading platforms
- Below-average number of tradable symbols
IG Broker Details Regulators ASIC (No. 515106), FCA (No. 114059), CFTC, DFSA (No. F001780), MAS, BMA Min Deposit $50 Trading Platforms MT4, L2 Dealer, ProRealTime, IG proprietary software Trustpilot Rating 4.1 out of 6723 reviews Number of Forex Pairs to Trade 80+ Leverage Forex & Metals: 30:1
Index CFDs: 20:1
Cryptocurrencies: 2:1Spread EURUSD: 0.6
USDJPY: 0.9
EURGBP: 0.9
GBPUSD: 0.9Forex Commission per Lot per Trade $0 Deposit Methods Visa, Mastercard, Bank Transfer, Wire Transfer, Visa Electron, Discover, PayPal Withdrawal Methods Visa, Visa Electron, Mastercard, Discover, Bank Transfer IG is a trusted online broker regulated in multiple jurisdictions, including Australia, Singapore, Dubai, the UK, and the US. It provides low-cost trading in thousands of financial markets, ranging from forex and commodities to cryptocurrencies, shares, bonds, and indices. Seasoned traders can dabble in options contracts, bonds, and spread betting. Interest rate trading is also available to IG customers.
The brokerage charges no commissions on forex trades, deriving its profits mostly from spreads. IG predominantly caters to customers looking to capitalize on price movements without purchasing underlying assets by offering them a broad range of CFDs. Forex traders have access to complex speculative instruments like turbo warrants, vanilla options, contracts for difference, and barrier options.
IG’s proprietary software does an excellent job at delivering seamless trading sessions, although clients can also connect third-party platforms like MT4 and ProRealTime to their IG accounts. Both platforms are suitable for algorithmic trading. Moving funds to and from your live account is entirely free, although the broker could expand its range of accepted payment methods. Cards, bank transfers, and PayPal are the only banking options IG works with at the moment. Bank transfers have no minimum threshold on deposits.
Key Pros
- Towering selection of over 17,000 tradable markets
- Listed on the FTSE 250 index
- Competitive pricing and low forex spreads
- No fees on deposits or withdrawals
- Demo accounts for risk-free forex trading practice
Key Cons
- Payment options are a bit limited
- Customer support is slow to respond during busy hours
XM Group Broker Details Regulators FCA (ref. no. 705428), (ASIC) (ref. No. 443670), FSC (license no. 000261/397), DFSA (ref. no. F003484), CySEC (license no. 120/10), MiFID, CFTC Min Deposit $5 Trading Platforms MetaTrader 4 and 5, MetaTrader 4 and 5 on mobile, MT4 WebTrader, MT5 WebTrader, MT$ Multiterminal Trustpilot Rating 2.7 out of 561 reviews Number of Forex Pairs to Trade 50+ Leverage Forex & Metals: 30:1
Index CFDs: 20:1
Cryptocurrencies: 2:1Spread EURUSD: 0.8
USDJPY: 0.9
EURGBP: 1.5
GBPUSD: 0.9Forex Commission per Lot per Trade $0 Ultra Low Micro and Ultra Low Standard Accounts; $3.50 per side XM Zero Account Deposit Methods Visa, Mastercard. Skrill, Bank Transfer, Neteller, Apple Pay, Google Pay, UnionPay, Maestro Withdrawal Methods Visa, Mastercard, China Union Pay, Skrill, Neteller, Bank Transfer Since its inception in 2009, XM managed to attract over 10,000,000 customers, providing the best trading experience for traders online. There are quite a few reasons for so many people trusting XM, with tight spreads and cost-effective pricing being just a few of them. Operated by Trading Point of Financial Instruments Ltd, the broker is regulated by major authorities like the FCA, CySEC, IFSC, ASIC, and many more reputable regulators.
The brand offers more than 10 full-feature trading platforms that include the MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms adapted for mobile trading on Android and iOS devices. Mt4 WebTrader, M5 WebTrader, and MT4 Multiterminal are also among the platforms available to XM traders, making trading equally easy and intuitive for any type of trader.
No matter the account type you opt for, the least amount you are required to deposit to your XM account is $5, with the same limit also imposed on your withdrawals from XM. Conveniently enough, the brand supports a variety of banking methods, with bank cards, e-wallets, and bank transfers being among the solutions one can use to handle their XM balance.
Key Pros
- Traders can choose from over 10 platforms
- Covers a great number of currency pairs
- Regulated by major authorities
- Offers smooth trading on the go
- Supports different account types with tight spreads and low fees
Key Cons
- Trading platform’s design seems outdated
- Not listed on stock exchange
- Charges an inactivity fee
Spreadex Broker Details Regulators FCA (No. 190941) Min Deposit $0 Trading Platforms TradingView, proprietary software Trustpilot Rating 4.4 out of 93 reviews Number of Forex Pairs to Trade 60+ Leverage Forex & Metals: 30:1
Index CFDs: 20:1
Cryptocurrencies: 2:1Spread EURUSD: 0.6
USDJPY: 9
EURGBP: 0.9
GBPUSD: 0.8Forex Commission per Lot per Trade $0 Deposit Methods Mastercard, Visa, Maestro, Direct Debit, Check, Bank Transfer Withdrawal Methods Visa, Maestro, Mastercard, Bank Transfer, Check Spreadex is a UK-regulated firm that provides financial spread betting and leveraged trading through contracts for difference. The company carries the stamp of approval of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and has over 25 years of industry experience. Over 60,000 customers worldwide choose Spreadex for its competitive pricing, advantageous trading conditions, and diverse product range comprising more than 10,000 financial instruments.
Clients can trade over 60 currency pairs with tight spreads averaging 0.6 pips on majors like the EUR/USD. Beyond Forex, Spreadex has decent enough coverage of the equity index, commodity, and stock markets. Options, bonds, interest rates, and exchange-traded funds are also available for trading at favorable conditions.
Traders at Spreadex can stay ahead of the curve with weekly technical analysis, trading updates, and an economic diary, all available under the News & Analysis tab. Connecting your Spreadex account to TradingView is an option, although the broker’s proprietary software also ensures a seamless trading experience and fast order execution. Spreadex does not support MT4 and MT5 at the moment but has earned an above-average Trustpilot score of 4.5 stars despite this shortcoming.
Key Pros
- Provides access to over 10,000 tradable symbols
- Well-designed and intuitive mobile trading app
- Offers spread betting on FX pairs
- Commission-free FX trading with tight spreads
- Seamless registration process
Key Cons
- No support for MetaTrader 4 or 5
- Licensed by a single financial regulator (FCA)
- Deposits under $/£50 may incur additional charges
easyMarkets Broker Details Regulators CySEC (license no. 079/07), ASIC (license no. 246566), FSA (license no. SD056), and FSC (license no. SIBA/L/20/1135). Min Deposit $100 Trading Platforms easyMarkets, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, TradingView Trustpilot Rating 4.5 out of 1618 reviews Number of Forex Pairs to Trade 60+ Leverage Forex & Metals: 30:1
Index CFDs: 20:1
Cryptocurrencies: 2:1Spread EURUSD: 0.7
USDJPY: 1.0
EURGBP: 1.0
GBPUSD: 0.9Forex Commission per Lot per Trade $0 Deposit Methods Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Amex, Skrill, Neteller, Fasapay, Sofort, iDEAL, Web Money, BPay, Bank Transfer Withdrawal Methods Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Amex, Skrill, Neteller, Fasapay, Sofort, iDEAL, Web Money, BPay, Bank Transfer Starting in 2001, nowadays, easyMarkets is one of the top brokers that cater to the preferences of a wide range of traders, with several licenses authorizing the brand to operate in multiple markets. To ensure traders’ safety, the broker is regulated by authorities like CySEC (license no. 079/07), ASIC (license no. 246566), FSA (license no. SD056), and FSC (license no. SIBA/L/20/1135).
Being among the pioneers in online trading, easyMarkets was the first one to introduce advanced tools like dealCancellation, Freeze Rate, and Inside Viewer. As for the platforms available to members of the broker, first, we would like to highlight the easyMarkets platform, which boasts a simple design and a selection of advanced trading tools that will appeal to experienced traders. Meanwhile, there is also the alternative to use platforms like MetaTrader 4 and 5 as well as TradingView. Mobile trading is also very accessible thanks to the dedicated easyMarkets app available to both Android and iOS users.
Competitive spreads and low fees are also among the features that make easyMarkets a preferable destination for a large number of traders. The company enjoys an average score of 4.6 out of 5 on Truspilot’s review platform, further cementing the broker’s reputation. Going live requires a minimum deposit of only $100, with the broker supporting a wide selection of deposit methods.
Key Pros
- Offers tight spreads and low fees
- Supports trading of over 60 currency pairs
- Regulated by several reputable authorities
- Supports a wide range of payment methods
- Offers a proprietary platform
Key Cons
- Number of supported products is somewhat limited
- Does not offer copy trading platform
- Traders from certain countries may have access to fewer payment methods
Is Forex Trading Legal in France?
Forex trading is legal in France but brokerages must satisfy an array of regulatory requirements to legally operate on French soil. Companies looking to provide forex trading services to customers from the country must gain approval from the local financial regulator, the Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF). AMF authorization is beyond important as it signifies compliance with the country’s strict regulatory framework that aims to ensure fair trading conditions for all market participants and prevent illicit activities like money laundering.
French residents have access to various legal products and markets, including spot forex and derivatives like the contracts for difference (CFDs). AMF imposes various restrictions on leveraged retail trading to safeguard local consumers from the risks associated with investing in derivative instruments. Brokers are prohibited from aggressively marketing high-risk leveraged products to residents of the country. France also moved to outlaw the advertising and provision of binary options to local retail traders in the summer of 2019.
Forex Trading Regulators in France
The AMF regulates forex trading in the country under the provisions set out in the Financial Security Act of 2003, which also led to its creation. The body is responsible for the oversight of all authorized market participants, including forex brokerages, financial advisors, and asset management companies, among others.
Its primary objectives include maintaining the orderly operation of the financial markets, bolstering investor confidence, and ensuring local traders are sufficiently educated about the financial products they invest in. The AMF operates in conjunction with the Autorité de Contrôle Prudentiel et de Résolution (ACPR). Integrated into the Bank of France, this entity monitors financial institutions and insurance companies for compliance with the country’s anti-money laundering laws.
Another mandate of the AMF is to ensure all financial companies operating in France adhere to the requirements outlined in the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive II (MiFID II). The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) introduced this directive in 2014 as a means of unifying financial regulations across the European Union (EU) and the European Economic Area (EEA). MiFID paved the way for the creation of a passporting system that enables brokers licensed in other EU countries to legally operate in France, and vice versa.
How to Identify Authorized Forex Brokers in France
Brokers authorized to serve French traders are easy to spot as they typically carry the stamp of approval of the AMF or another first-tier EU financial watchdog. As previously mentioned, MiFID laid the foundations for the introduction of a unified regulatory framework that enables EU-licensed brokers to provide cross-border trading throughout the EEA. Thanks to this passporting system, brokers registered in the EEA can distribute their products in all other member states without seeking further authorization from their financial regulators.
French clients can trade with confidence at brokers overseen by CySEC (Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission), Germany’s BaFin (Federal Financial Supervisory Authority), and Denmark’s Finanstilsynet. Most European regulators, including the AMF, maintain databases of the authorized financial firms they oversee, making it easier for traders to double-check the regulatory status of the brokers they are interested in.
France Brokers Security
Forex brokers serving customers from France are subject to stringent regulations that aim to protect retail clients from unethical practices and ensure a fair trading environment for all. Companies adhering to MiFID must segregate client funds from their operational capital and store them in separate accounts at first-tier European banks. The practice ensures traders can promptly get their money back if a broker goes out of business.
Trading on margin with leveraged derivatives entails a significant risk of racking up crippling losses. EU and AMF-compliant brokers restrict the maximum leverage retail traders can use to safeguard them from running up a substantial debt. Leverage caps in France fluctuate between 30:1 and 2:1, depending on the volatility of the underlying assets.
MiFID also requires authorized brokerages to liquidate leveraged positions whenever a client’s equity drops below the minimum margin necessary to maintain them open, which is 50% under EU regulations. French customers will also benefit from negative balance protection, which prevents their trading accounts from going into the red during periods of extreme market volatility.
CFD providers authorized in France cannot actively encourage retail traders to invest in leveraged derivatives or aggressively advertise these products to the public. The French financial regulator prohibited all electronic marketing of forex, contracts for difference, and binary options in early 2017.
Brokers must inform retail clients about the risks inherent to leveraged trading by posting standardized disclaimers on their websites. The disclaimers should be clearly visible at all times and must contain the average percentage of retail clients losing their balance when trading CFDs with the respective broker. Traders who have lost money through company collapses are entitled to compensation of at least €20,000 per person as all France-authorized brokers participate in investor compensation schemes.
Negative Balance Protection at French Brokers
All forex brokers catering to customers from France offer guaranteed stop-losses and negative balance protection to retail accounts with access to leverage. This safeguard prevents inexperienced traders from losing more than their available balance and running up debt.
The mechanism is particularly useful during periods of high market volatility when leveraged trades can cause your balance to go into the red. The losses are only restricted to a trader’s initial capital, while the broker covers the rest. Negative balance protection, coupled with margin closeouts, is a powerful tool for risk mitigation and can considerably reduce your risk exposure.
Taxes on Forex Trading in France
Profits obtained from trading on the foreign exchange markets are taxable in France. Earnings generated through forex trading are thus liable for a capital gains tax of 19%. Retail traders must additionally contribute 17.2% in the form of social taxes that go toward supporting the local social security system.
A financial transaction tax is also in place, although it varies based on trade size. Various other factors can also impact taxation, including a trader’s overall income and how long they hold their positions (short-term versus long-term). We recommend you seek further assistance from a professional tax advisor to ensure you comply with all requirements of the French government.
Leverage Comparison at Locally Regulated and Offshore Brokers
As we previously explained, all AMF-compliant brokers must restrict the maximum leverage accessible to retail customers in line with the requirements outlined in the MiFID directives. Leverage enables traders to artificially inflate the size of their positions when having limited capital at their disposal. While this can potentially result in greater gains, closing one’s positions at a loss could lead to crippling debt for inexperienced investors.
These caps aim to mitigate the risk retail clients are running when using leverage to boost the size of their CFD positions. French traders can leverage their positions at maximum ratios of 30:1 for forex majors and 20:1 for forex crosses, gold, and major equity indices. More volatile financial products come with lower caps as follows – 10:1 for other commodities and non-major equity indices, 5:1 for individual stocks, and 2:1 for cryptocurrency trades.
Some brokers serve clients from France with licenses procured from offshore jurisdictions like Mauritius, Belize, the Bahamas, and the Seychelles. The regulatory frameworks in these countries differ vastly from those in France and the EU, making it possible for offshore brokers to offer considerably higher leverage to retail investors. Maximum leverage ratios for forex majors go all the way up to 3,000:1 in some cases. As appealing as this sounds, retail traders from France should exercise due caution when leveraging their positions at such high ratios as they can end up losing their shirts.
Professional Trader Requirements in France
French traders can gain access to higher leverage of 200:1 or even 500:1 provided they qualify for professional trading accounts. Locally authorized brokers require applicants to cover several criteria before they can upgrade their account status from retail to professional. Eligible clients must prove they have entered into at least 10 high-volume transactions per quarter over the previous year. The nominal value per high-volume trade should be no less than €50,000.
Additionally, applicants must have financial portfolios comprising €500,000 or more in assets. Their knowledge and trading experience are also taken into account. Customers interested in upgrading their accounts must work or have been employed in a professional position in the financial sector. They must demonstrate a sufficient understanding of how trading with derivatives works. Professional clients enjoy perks like higher leverage caps but have no access to negative balance protection, which is something to keep in mind before you upgrade to a pro account.
Trading Platforms at French Brokers
EU and AMF-regulated forex brokers are committed to delivering a seamless trading experience, accurate price quotes, and lightning-fast order execution with minimal slippage and few or no requotes. Some companies achieve this by creating proprietary trading platforms from scratch. Others use proprietary software in conjunction with third-party platforms like MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, and TradingView.
Each platform has its strengths and weaknesses, so we recommend you open free demo accounts to explore them all in further depth. Demo accounts have roughly the same functionalities as their real-money counterparts, allowing novice users to acquaint themselves with the interface and gain a proper feel of the features. Your trading style and experience level are two of the most important factors that should govern your choice of platform.
MetaTrader 4 (MT4) is primarily geared toward the needs of beginners who are just wading into the vast waters of forex trading. It is easy to work with but still has powerful capabilities and plenty of tools for charting and technical analysis.
MetaTrader 5 (MT5) can better accommodate seasoned French traders seeking to diversify their portfolios and perform more detailed market analysis. MT5 facilitates trading with additional instruments and boasts more advanced analytical tools.
TradingView is ideal for French residents looking to exchange ideas and strategies with fellow investors as it is home to a global community of over 500 million users. Copy traders from France commonly have access to the cTrader platform, which comes with multiple order types, great charting tools, and the capability of replicating the positions of successful traders into your own portfolio.
Below you can find some useful references with links to organisations that monitor the forex market in France.