XTB Review 2021

CFD Trading Instruments

As an XTB customer, you are able to trade more than just currency pairs. Traders are able to develop complex trading strategies using Contracts for Difference (CFDs) derived from 6 different asset classes.

Forex, Commodities, and Indices

When trading fx pairs, commodities and indices. In addition to high leverage, the broker offers tight spreads on the following trading instruments:

• 49 currency pairs with low spreads.
• 42 global indices including the US100, AUS200, EU50 and JAP225.
• 22 commodities including metals, soft commodities, oil and gas.
• 1700+ stocks CFDs including some of the biggest companies worldwide like Apple and Facebook
• 113 ETF CFDs
• 25 Cryptocurrency crosses (except UK)

Forex

XTB offers a choice of 49 major and minor currency pairs. Traders with XTB European entities can use a maximum of 1:30 (33% margin) for major currency pairs and 20:1 (5% margin) for minor currency pairs. Traders signed up to the brokers’ offshore entity in Belize (IFSC) can access a maximum 500:1 leverage for forex pairs.

Indices and Commodities

Indices and commodities are spread only products, meaning there is no commission with your trades. Unlike many CFD brokers, XTB does not charge traders overnight financing fees for open positions for these commodities. This allows traders to reduce trading costs on positions held open for longer than a day.

If you are trading with XTB Limited UK or XTB Spain branch or XTB Poland, then you can trade with a maximum leverage of 20:1 (5% margin). Many of these instruments require lower. If you are trading outside Europe, then maximum leverage can be as high as 200:1 with the exception of gold where you can use 500:1.

XTB offer some 42 Indices are available is a larger selection than many brokers offer. The range of indices covers major nations like Australia, USA and many European countries and some other regions like Mexico, Brazil and Korea.

When it comes to hard commodities, one can choose from 8 metals including zinc and nickel, which are not commonly offered by online CFD brokers. 3 energies (natural gas, Bent and WTI crude oil) and 10 agricultural soft commodities.

ETF and Share CFDs

XTB offers market access to over 60 ETF CFDs and 1,500 Stock CFDs with commission fees of 0.08%. Minimum order size and trading hours vary between CFDs.

If you are trading with XTB Limited UK or XTB Spain branch or XTB Poland, then you can trade with a maximum leverage of 5:1 (20% margin). Many of these instruments allow a maximum of 1:1 (100% margin).

Some 1700 stocks are available which have been derived from US, UK and European stock exchanges.

Cryptocurrencies

When compared to top forex brokers, XTB offers one of the largest selections of Cryptocurrency CFDs. While many brokers provide access to between 5-10 Crypto CFDs, XTB offers 25. A combination of popular and emerging Crypto CFDs are available such as Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum, EOS, Dash Litecoin, Ripple, Tron and Monero.

Due to recent changes to FCA regulation, UK brokers are no longer able to offer cryptocurrencies to retail traders. If you want to trade cryptos, you will need to sign up for an XTB subsidiary outside of the UK.

If you are trading with XTB Limited UK or XTB Spain branch or XTB Poland, then you can trade with a maximum leverage of 2:1 (50% margin). Many of these instruments allow a maximum of 1:1 (100% margin). Trading with XTB entities outside Europe allows 5:1 (20% margin) leverage.

There are some restrictions when it comes to XTB’s cryptocurrency range. Cryptocurrency CFD trading is not available to MT4 users or Islamic account holders. To access XTB’s Cryptocurrency trading instruments, customers are required to use xStation 5 through a Standard or Pro account type.

Please note, maximum leverage depends on the XTB subsidiary you are trading with as certain financial authorities such as the ESMA and FCA enforce leverage caps.

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Regulation

XTB is seen as a safe and trusted CFD broker due to its subsidiaries following the regulation set by top-tier financial authorities including the

• United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
• Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC)
• Polish Financial Supervision Authority (KNF)
• Spanish National Securities Market Commission (CNMV)
• International Financial Services Commission (IFSC)

As well as tier-1 regulators, XTB is listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange (Poland) and has offices in 13 different countries, including France, Germany, Italy, Turkey, Czech Republic, and the Bahamas.

As trading CFDs is a high-risk investment activity, XTB offers protections set by the relevant regional regulator such as segregating client funds, complaints process, PDS documents.

While all XTB subsidiaries segregate client funds, only certain locations provide traders with negative balance protection (i.e. CySEC and FCA regulated branches). Segregated funds guarantee client’s trading account balances are not used by XTB as operational capital, while negative balance protection ensures account balances do not move into negatives if a market moves unfavourably.

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CFD and Forex Trading Platforms

XTB offers customers two forex and CFD trading platforms, MetaTrader 4 (MT4) or xStation 5. Although both platforms make for an intuitive trading experience, there are key differences between the software in regards to product range, trading tools and risk management features.

MT4 may suit experienced traders or those wanting to develop sophisticated algorithmic trading strategies using Expert Advisors. While xStation 5, the broker’s proprietary XTB trading platform, provides full market access to thousands of financial instruments with many useful tools for beginner traders.

MetaTrader 4

MetaTrader 4 is the preferred trading platform for many retail investor accounts. XTB customers using MT4 can enjoy the following features:

• Technical analysis tools including 30 pre-installed indicators, 24 objects and 9 timeframes allowing traders to analyse financial markets and establish trading opportunities.
• Automated trading with EAs (algorithmic trading) and Trading Signals (social-copy trading).
• Write and develop algorithmic trading strategies using Expert Advisors (EAs) and the MQL4 programming language.
• Backtesting tools to test trading strategies and EAs.
• A large forex trading community plus an online marketplace to buy and download EAs and technical indicators.
• Pattern recognition scanners to automate financial market analysis.
• Tools to manage the high risk of trading with different pending order types available (stop loss and take profit orders).

A disadvantage to using MT4 is that you are unable to trade XTB’s full product range, as MT4 was primarily designed for forex trading.

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xStation 5

A major benefit to choosing xStation 5 over MT4 is the market access traders gain. While MT4 users cannot trade ETFs, shares or cryptocurrencies, those using xStation 5 can access XTB’s full product range with ETF, Share and Crypto trading permitted.

xStation 5 is well-suited to all levels of trading experience as the platform offers an easy-to-use design while providing unique technical analysis tools.

Examples of the trading tools and unique features the xStation 5 XTB platform offers include:

• A wide range of charting and analysis tools with over 34 built-in technical indicators
• Risk management tools: price alerts and multiple pending order types i.e. take profit, stop loss and trailing stop-loss orders
• Fundamental analysis tools such as an economic calendar and in-house market commentary from XTB’s leading analysts
• An in-built calculator to forecast costs and profits helps customers manage the high risk of trading
• The ability to close all open positions with one click
• Market Sentiment data displaying the percentage of XTB’s traders that are buying and selling different financial instruments
• Stock Screeners allows traders to search thousands of share markets to find CFDs with specific requirements, for example searching stocks based on their dividend yield, market capitalisation or beta
• Heatmaps are visual representations showing which markets are rising and falling, with the option to filer currency pairs, equities and time periods

Mobile Trading

For those wanting to trade on the go, mobile trading apps are available for xStation and MetaTrader 4.

xStation Mobile App

The broker’s proprietary xStation mobile app offers similar features to the desktop trading platform, with multiple order types, real-time news and in-house analysis, market sentiments and a range of technical analysis tools.

The broker’s proprietary mobile app is customisable, with the option to change the display to dark mode to save battery and enhance mobile charting and analysis.

MT4 Mobile App

XTB customers will find an ease-of-use when trading on MT4 with the ability to easily switch between the desktop platform and mobile apps. Whether you want to trade via tablet or mobile device, the mobile apps well-designed layout makes it easy to analyse financial markets and place orders on the go.

Both xStation MetaTrader 4 mobile apps are compatible with Apple and Android devices.

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Customer Support

XTB is well-known for its efficient multilingual customer support. With brick and mortar offices in 12 countries, customers in many areas can access face-to-face assistance, while email, phone and live chat are available for those located outside of office locations. Although European clients can only contact XTB’s customer service representatives 24 hours a day, 5 days a week, any traders outside of the EU are able to access 24/7 customer support.

While phone, email and live chat customer support are available to all current and prospective XTB traders, the broker offers three tiers of customer service depending on a client’s trading volume and deposits.

All customers gain access to XTB’s customer service team and premium educational resources, yet Plus and VIP traders are provided with various perks that enhance their trading environment. If a customer trades 10 lots and makes a minimum deposit of $100, they are provided additional benefits such as premium research materials, alerts and notifications, as well as priority passes to events and masterclasses. Please note, VIP benefits are only available via XTB International and not the broker’s UK subsidiary.

VIP status is only offered by XTB International (not XTB UK), and to qualify traders must make a minimum deposit of $25,000 and trade at least 100 lots. In addition to the benefits Plus traders gain, VIPs also are provided with one-on-one coaching, direct access to market analysts and cashback rewards.

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Account Opening and Funding

To start trading, no initial minimum deposit is required by XTB, although the broker recommends $250. When opening a trading account, you can select from four base currencies:

• USD (United States Dollar)
• EUR (Euro)
• GBP (Great British Pound)
• HUF (Hungarian Forint)

Deposit and Withdrawal Methods

XTB offers a range of funding methods including bank transfers, credit cards and e-Wallet. When withdrawing money from their trading accounts, trader’s face no fees and funds are returned to their nominated bank account. To deposit funds, the following payment methods are available, although certain e-Wallet deposit methods are only available in certain locations:

• Bank transfer
• Credit Card: Visa, Mastercard and Maestro
• eWallets: Paypal, Paysafe (aka Skrill), PayU, Paydoo, Ecommpay, Neteller and SafetyPay

Although the broker does not charge fees to deposit funds via bank transfer or credit card, third-party fees may still apply with these payment methods. If a trader wishes to deposit funds via e-Wallets, XTB may charge a +/- 2% to the total amount being deposited. The below shows the deposit methods offered by XTB’s FCA regulated subsidiary based in London.

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Education And Market Analysis

XTB offers a great range of educational resources covering a range of topics aimed at different levels of experience. Regardless of account type or trading volume, customers gain access to premium educational materials created by XTB’s trading specialists.

XTB’s Trading Academy includes platform tutorials for both xStation 5 and MetaTrader 4, as well as lessons explaining CFDs, Forex and fundamental analysis. Although the broker currently lacks advanced tutorials, the XTB.com website states expert Trading Academy resources can be expected soon.

As well as tutorials and articles, XTB’s market experts host live webinars suited to all levels of experience. Focused around technical analysis, the broker’s webinars cover research techniques to help traders advance their skills and trading strategies.

Demo Account

XTB offers free demo accounts for both MT4 and xStation trading platforms. Beginner traders will benefit from using demo accounts as it provides the opportunity to build confidence and learn the ins and outs of a trading platform prior to trading with real money.

Although it’s highly recommended beginners utilise the broker’s free trial, traders of all levels of experience can benefit from demo accounts. It is a great educational resource, as traders can practise and optimise trading strategies in a live trading environment, without the high risk of losing money.

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Information For Traders Of United Kingdom

XTB Business Registration Details

XTB has the following business and regulation in the United Kingdom

• XTB Limited UK trades with the business number 07227848 and is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority  with the registration number FRN 522157

The registered address of XTB is Level 9, One Canada Square, Canary Wharf, E14 5AA, London, United Kingdom (company number 07227848).

XTB Contact Details

XTB Contact details are Level 34, One Canada Square, Canary Wharf, E14 5AA, London, United Kingdom. Contact details are:

• Account Opening -+44 2036953085
• Office -+44 2036953085
• Marketing –  +44 2036953087

FCA Leverage: Retail vs Pro Traders

XTB to be compliant with FCA / ESMA regulations offer retail and professional trading conditions.

Leverage for professional traders is more generous, as it is expected professional traders have the skills to use leverage responsibly and funds to manage any losses, unlike retail traders who may be more exposed when losses occur with high leverage.

Leverage available for CFDs is: