Which broker is better for China traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For China traders seeking offshore forex exposure, Dukascopy and FXTM are two well-known international brokers. Dukascopy, based in Switzerland, is renowned for its direct ECN access and institutional-grade liquidity, while FXTM (ForexTime) is a popular broker regulated in the UK, Cyprus, and South Africa. Both accept Chinese clients and support USDT deposits, a key factor given China's capital controls. However, they cater to different trader profiles. Dukascopy requires a high minimum deposit ($3,000) and is best for experienced traders focused on raw spreads and depth of market. FXTM, with a score of 4.3/5 compared to Dukascopy's 3.3/5, offers a lower barrier to entry, more account types, and broader payment options including bank transfers internationally. This comparison examines trading costs, platforms, regulation, and deposit methods specifically for Chinese traders using CNY or USDT to fund offshore accounts.
| Instrument | Dukascopy | FXTM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | FXTM |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | FXTM |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | FXTM |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | FXTM |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $100 | $200 | Dukascopy |
For China traders, trading costs in terms of spread and commission are critical. Dukascopy's true ECN model delivers spreads as low as 0.1 pips on major pairs like EUR/USD, with a commission of $3 per lot round turn. FXTM's spreads start from 0.3 pips on its ECN account with a similar commission. For a standard lot trade, Dukascopy is cheaper by about $2-3 per lot for high-frequency traders. However, FXTM offers fixed spreads on its standard account starting from 1.5 pips with no commission, which can be easier to manage for retail traders in China trading smaller volumes (e.g., 0.1 lots). Considering volume, Dukascopy's cost advantage grows with size, while FXTM is more cost-predictable for low-volume traders.
| Account Type | Dukascopy | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✓ |
| Min deposit | $100 | $200 |
| Entity / Asset | Dukascopy | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| China (offshore) | Up to 1:100 | Up to 1:3000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:100 | 1:3000 |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | 1:200 | 1:200 |
| Indices | 1:100 | 1:100 |
| Cryptocurrencies | 1:2 to 1:10 | 1:2 to 1:10 |
| Asset Class | Dukascopy | FXTM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | Dukascopy |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | Dukascopy |
| Crypto CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | Dukascopy |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | FXTM |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | Dukascopy | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Dukascopy offers its proprietary JForex platform (desktop, web, mobile) along with MetaTrader 4 (MT4). JForex is powerful with built-in hedging, advanced charting, and algorithmic trading capabilities—ideal for China traders who code their own strategies. FXTM supports MT4, MT5, and WebTrader. For China traders, MT4/MT5 are familiar due to widespread use in Asia. Dukascopy's JForex has a steeper learning curve. Both brokers provide mobile apps. FXTM's platforms are more intuitive for beginners. For traders needing ECN depth, Dukascopy's JForex is superior, but FXTM's MT5 offers better multi-asset support.
| Factor | Dukascopy | FXTM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | FXTM |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | Dukascopy |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
Dukascopy offers true ECN execution with no dealing desk intervention, giving direct access to liquidity providers. Orders are filled at the best available price with minimal slippage. FXTM uses both ECN and market maker models depending on the account type. On its ECN accounts, execution is similar to Dukascopy but may have slightly higher latency due to routing. Dukascopy's Swiss data center provides fast execution for Asian traders via servers in Tokyo. FXTM has servers in London and New York. For scalping and high-frequency trading, Dukascopy is better. For standard retail trading, FXTM's execution is reliable and acceptable.
| Safety Factor | Dukascopy | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FINMA | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Dukascopy is regulated by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) and has a strong reputation for safety. FXTM is regulated by the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), and the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) of South Africa. Neither broker is licensed by the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC). For China traders, this means they are trading offshore, and funds are not protected under Chinese law. Dukascopy's Swiss regulation offers strict client money segregation and negative balance protection. FXTM's FCA regulation also provides strong safeguards. However, China traders must consider that using offshore brokers carries legal gray areas. Both are considered safe and reputable, but Dukascopy's Swiss oversight is often viewed as more rigorous.
| Payment Method | Dukascopy | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✗ | ✓ |
| Withdrawal time | Internal transfers/wire/crypto no broker fee; standard bank transfer times apply | 24 hours (often in 30 minutes),Credit / Debit Cards (Visa, Mastercard): 1 to 3 business days. |
China traders face capital controls when funding offshore accounts. Both Dukascopy and FXTM accept USDT (Tether) deposits—a game-changer. With USDT, you can transfer funds from a crypto exchange directly to your broker account with minimal fees and instant settlement. Dukascopy also accepts international bank transfers (SWIFT) in USD, EUR, CHF, but minimum deposit is $5,000 for wire transfers. FXTM accepts bank transfers, credit/debit cards, Skrill, Neteller, and local payment methods like UnionPay (limited). For withdrawals, USDT is fastest (1-2 business hours). Bank transfers from Dukascopy can take 3-5 days. FXTM's card and e-wallet withdrawals are faster. Dukascopy charges no deposit fee but may have a withdrawal handling fee. FXTM charges small fees for certain methods. For China traders, USDT is the most practical and cheapest route.
| Islamic Account Feature | Dukascopy | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | ✗ | ✓ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
Both brokers offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts compliant with Sharia law. Dukascopy provides Islamic accounts through its Swiss entity; clients need to send a request with proof of Muslim faith or country of residence. FXTM allows any client to request an Islamic account without extensive proof—just a simple form. For China's Muslim traders (e.g., from Xinjiang), FXTM is more accessible. Dukascopy's Islamic accounts incur an administrative fee after holding positions for a certain period. FXTM's Islamic accounts are swap-free without extra charges on most instruments. Both cover major forex pairs, but FXTM offers a wider range of instruments on swap-free terms.
| Support Feature | Dukascopy | FXTM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | Dukascopy |
Dukascopy provides 24/5 customer support via live chat, email, and phone in English, Russian, and Chinese. Their Chinese-language support is limited but available. FXTM offers 24/5 support in over 20 languages, including Mandarin, with dedicated Chinese representatives. FXTM also has a WeChat account for China traders, making communication more convenient. For phone support, FXTM has local Asian numbers. Overall, FXTM's multilingual support and Chinese-specific channels give it an edge for China traders.
| Mobile Feature | Dukascopy | FXTM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | Dukascopy |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | Dukascopy |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Resource | Dukascopy | FXTM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | Dukascopy |
Choose Dukascopy if you...
Choose FXTM if you...
For China traders operating offshore, the choice between Dukascopy and FXTM depends on trading style and budget. Dukascopy's 3.3/5 rating reflects its niche appeal to high-volume, professional traders who prioritize raw spreads and Swiss regulation. FXTM's 4.3/5 rating suits the majority of retail traders in China due to lower barriers, better Chinese support, and flexible deposits via USDT or international bank transfers. Neither broker is regulated by CSRC, so use offshore accounts legally. If you trade large sizes and value transparency, Dukascopy is solid. For most China traders seeking convenience, low costs, and easy funding, FXTM is the better choice.