Which broker is better for Cyprus traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Cyprus has long been a hub for forex trading, with local traders benefiting from a robust regulatory environment under the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC). Two popular choices among Cypriot retail traders are EasyMarkets and Libertex, both licensed locally and offering tailored services. EasyMarkets, founded in 2001, is known for its user‑friendly web platform, fixed spreads, and guaranteed stop loss – features that appeal to beginners and risk‑averse traders. Libertex, established in 1997, provides a more diverse asset selection (CFDs on stocks, crypto, ETFs) and tighter variable spreads, favoured by active traders. Both support key local payment methods such as Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and the increasingly popular USDT TRC20. With CySEC oversight and participation in the Investor Compensation Fund, Cypriots can trade with confidence. This comparison examines spreads, platforms, regulation, deposit/withdrawal options, and more to help you decide which broker aligns with your trading style in 2025.
| Instrument | EasyMarkets | Libertex | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Libertex |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Libertex |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Libertex |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Libertex |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $25 | $10 | Libertex |
For Cyprus traders, trading costs can significantly affect profitability, especially for those dealing in EUR/USD or gold. EasyMarkets applies fixed spreads averaging 1.2 pips on EUR/USD and $0.50 per lot on gold, which protects against slippage during Cyprus afternoon overlaps with EU markets. Libertex uses variable spreads from 0.1 pips but adds a commission of $3.50 per lot on forex. On a 10‑lot trade, EasyMarkets costs $120 in spread, while Libertex charges $15 in spread plus $35 commission, totalling $50 – meaning Libertex is cheaper for larger volumes. However, during high‑volatility events like NFP, EasyMarkets’ fixed spread remains stable, whereas Libertex’s can widen significantly. Cypriot scalpers should model costs based on their typical trade size and session.
| Account Type | EasyMarkets | Libertex |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $25 | $10 |
| Entity / Asset | EasyMarkets | Libertex |
|---|---|---|
| Cyprus (offshore) | Up to 1:2000 | Up to 1:999 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:2000 | 1:999 |
| 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 | EasyMarkets | Libertex | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | EasyMarkets |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | EasyMarkets |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | EasyMarkets |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | Libertex |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Platform | EasyMarkets | Libertex |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✗ | ✗ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✗ | ✗ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✗ | ✗ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Cyprus traders appreciate platforms that balance functionality with simplicity. EasyMarkets offers a proprietary web‑based platform with built‑in risk management tools like dealCancellation, free guaranteed stop loss, and a one‑click trading interface – ideal for those who dislike complex software. Libertex provides its own platform (web, mobile, desktop) alongside MetaTrader 4 and 5, giving advanced traders access to custom indicators, automated trading, and ECN connectivity. Both platforms are fully localised in English, load fast on Cypriot internet connections, and support real‑time news feeds. For traders requiring algorithmic strategies, Libertex is the clear winner; for beginners wanting a smooth entry, EasyMarkets’ platform is more intuitive.
| Factor | EasyMarkets | Libertex | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Libertex |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | EasyMarkets |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
Execution quality can impact Cypriot traders during fast‑moving European sessions. EasyMarkets uses a market maker model with fixed spreads and guaranteed stop loss, ensuring zero slippage but potential requotes during extreme volatility. Average execution speed is around 150 ms. Libertex operates as an ECN broker via MetaTrader, offering variable spreads and faster execution (average 50 ms) with no requotes, though slippage can occur on market orders. For scalpers and news traders, Libertex’s speed is preferable; for traders prioritising price certainty, EasyMarkets’ guarantee is safer. Both brokers have servers in London, reducing latency for Cyprus connections.
| Safety Factor | EasyMarkets | Libertex |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CySEC | CySEC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✗ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both EasyMarkets and Libertex are regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) under licence numbers 079/07 and 164/12 respectively. This means Cyprus traders benefit from strict capital adequacy requirements, negative balance protection, and client money segregation in EU‑regulated banks. Both brokers are members of the Investor Compensation Fund (ICF), covering claims up to €20,000 per client in case of insolvency. Regular reporting to CySEC ensures transparency, and both firms adhere to ESMA guidelines on leverage caps (1:30 for retail) and product intervention. For Cypriots, this local regulation provides a strong safety net, unlike offshore brokers. Always verify the licence status on CySEC’s website before depositing.
| Payment Method | EasyMarkets | Libertex |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✗ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | Cards 1-2 business days; e-wallets instant-1 business day; bank wire 3-10 business days; overall back-office processing within 1 business day (24h) | 5 business days |
Cyprus traders have access to multiple deposit and withdrawal methods at both brokers, with all the requested local options fully supported. Bank Transfer is free for deposits (1‑2 days) and withdrawals (1‑3 days) with no broker fees. Skrill and Neteller deposits are instant and free; withdrawals are processed within 24 hours – Skrill charges 1% fee, Neteller charges 1.5% (capped at €10). USDT TRC20 deposits are instant with zero fees, and withdrawals are also fee‑free, making it the cheapest crypto option. EasyMarkets additionally accepts Visa/Mastercard and PayPal, while Libertex adds Revolut. Minimum deposit is $100 for both, and withdrawals are free if made via the same method. For high‑volume traders, Libertex processes withdrawals faster (same day for e‑wallets). Cyprus users should note that Skrill and Neteller may impose currency conversion fees if the base currency is EUR (Cyprus uses EUR) – check before depositing.
| Islamic Account Feature | EasyMarkets | Libertex |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | ✓ | ✗ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
Cyprus has a significant Muslim population, and both brokers accommodate swap‑free trading. EasyMarkets offers Islamic accounts upon request – simply contact support after registration. There are no additional fees, and all account types (including demo) are eligible. Libertex automatically applies swap‑free status for any account where the trader’s religion is listed as Islam during registration, with no extra charges. Both brokers allow access to the full range of instruments (forex, indices, commodities) on swap‑free accounts. However, EasyMarkets may close positions before weekends to avoid swap adjustment, while Libertex allows holding indefinitely. Cyprus Muslim traders should confirm with each broker whether long‑term positions incur any administrative fee after a certain period.
| Support Feature | EasyMarkets | Libertex | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | EasyMarkets |
Customer support is vital for Cyprus traders, especially during EU trading hours. EasyMarkets offers 24/5 live chat, email, and phone support with Greek and English speakers. Response times average 30 seconds for chat. Libertex provides 24/5 live chat, phone, and email – also with Greek support. Libertex’s chat responds within a minute, and they offer a dedicated account manager for deposits above $5,000. Both have extensive FAQ sections tailored to CySEC rules. For urgent issues, EasyMarkets’ guaranteed stop loss feature may reduce the need for support, while Libertex’s broader asset range might require more assistance.
| Mobile Feature | EasyMarkets | Libertex | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | EasyMarkets |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | EasyMarkets |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Resource | EasyMarkets | Libertex | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | ✗ | EasyMarkets |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | EasyMarkets |
Choose EasyMarkets if you...
Choose Libertex if you...
For Cyprus retail traders in 2025, both EasyMarkets and Libertex are solid choices regulated by CySEC, but the right pick depends on your trading style. EasyMarkets shines with its fixed spreads, guaranteed stop loss, and beginner‑friendly features, making it ideal for conservative traders and those prioritising cost certainty. Libertex, with its tighter variable spreads, MetaTrader support, and wider asset selection, suits active traders and scalpers looking for lower overall costs. Both fully support local payment methods including Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, ensuring fast and cheap deposits/withdrawals. Given the slight edge in overall score (3.7 vs 3.4) and greater flexibility, Libertex is our recommended choice for most Cyprus traders, but we advise testing both with a demo account to see which interface and costs align with your strategy.