Which broker is better for China traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For China traders exploring offshore forex trading, EasyMarkets and Trade Nation are two popular international brokers catering to the region. Both accept Chinese residents, support USDT and bank transfers for deposits, and offer access to global markets. However, they differ significantly in trading costs, platforms, and regulatory oversight. EasyMarkets, rated 3.4/5, is known for its fixed spreads and no-dealing-desk execution, appealing to traders who value simplicity. Trade Nation, with a higher 3.9/5 score, emphasizes low-cost variable spreads and tight execution speeds. Given the CSRC restrictions on domestic forex, Chinese traders typically open accounts under offshore jurisdictions (e.g., Saint Vincent for EasyMarkets, FCA for Trade Nation). Both brokers allow CNY-denominated calculations via conversion, but deposits are in USD. This comparison helps offshore Chinese traders decide based on cost, reliability, and ease of funding.
| Instrument | EasyMarkets | Trade Nation | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Trade Nation |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Trade Nation |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Trade Nation |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Trade Nation |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $25 | $0 | Trade Nation |
Trade Nation offers consistently lower spreads than EasyMarkets, with EUR/USD typically 0.8 pips versus EasyMarkets' 1.5 pips on Standard accounts. For China traders making high-volume trades, this difference adds up quickly — trading 10 standard lots daily could save over $500 a month with Trade Nation. EasyMarkets has no commission but wider fixed spreads, which benefits those who prefer predictable costs. Trade Nation charges no commission either, but its variable spreads widen during news events. Both brokers have no hidden fees for China clients, but EasyMarkets charges a small inactivity fee after 12 months.
| Account Type | EasyMarkets | Trade Nation |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $25 | $0 |
| Entity / Asset | EasyMarkets | Trade Nation |
|---|---|---|
| China (offshore) | Up to 1:2000 | Up to 1:500 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:2000 | 1:500 |
| 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 | Trade Nation | 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 | ✗ | ✗ | Trade Nation |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | EasyMarkets | Trade Nation |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✗ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✗ | ✗ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✓ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✗ | ✗ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✗ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
EasyMarkets provides its proprietary web platform plus MetaTrader 4, which is highly popular among Chinese traders. The platform includes dealCancellation and Freeze Rate features unique to EasyMarkets. Trade Nation offers MetaTrader 4 and its own web platform, which is clean and fast but lacks advanced tools. For China traders who rely on custom indicators and EAs, both brokers support MT4. EasyMarkets’ proprietary platform is easier for beginners, while Trade Nation’s web platform is minimalistic. Mobile trading apps are available for both, with Chinese language support.
| Factor | EasyMarkets | Trade Nation | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Trade Nation |
| 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 |
Trade Nation uses STP execution with multiple liquidity providers, resulting in fast fills and minimal requotes. EasyMarkets offers a ‘No Dealing Desk’ option but also has a Market Maker side that can lead to slippage. For scalping China traders, Trade Nation is preferable due to better execution speed. EasyMarkets’ fixed spreads can be beneficial during volatile markets when variable spreads widen.
| Safety Factor | EasyMarkets | Trade Nation |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CySEC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Trade Nation is regulated by the UK FCA (Financial Conduct Authority) and the Australian ASIC, offering strong client protection including negative balance protection. EasyMarkets operates under the Cyprus CySEC (EU) and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, providing lower oversight. For China traders, both are offshore entities — the CSRC does not oversee them. However, FCA regulation gives Trade Nation an edge in trustworthiness and fund segregation. EasyMarkets still offers segregated accounts, but its regulatory framework is weaker. Chinese traders should be aware that no international broker is 'CSRC-approved', but FCA or ASIC oversight is seen as reliable.
| Payment Method | EasyMarkets | Trade Nation |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | 2 working days |
Both brokers cater to China traders by supporting USDT (Tether) and international bank transfers in USD. EasyMarkets also accepts credit cards, but Chinese banks may block forex-related transactions. Trade Nation processes deposits via USDT (TRC20 network) with near-instant confirmations. Bank transfers from China take 2-5 business days and incur intermediary fees around $20-30. USDT deposits have no fees from the broker side. Minimum deposits: EasyMarkets $100 (equivalent in USDT) and Trade Nation $200. Withdrawals are processed within 1-3 business days for USDT; bank withdrawals may take 5-10 days. Both brokers require account verification (ID and proof of address) which Chinese traders can complete with passport and utility bill.
| Islamic Account Feature | EasyMarkets | Trade Nation |
|---|---|---|
| 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 EasyMarkets and Trade Nation offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Chinese Muslim traders. EasyMarkets’ Islamic account is available on all account types, but positions held overnight beyond a certain period may incur an administration fee. Trade Nation also provides swap-free accounts upon request, with no additional charges for holding positions long. The conditions are simpler with Trade Nation, making it more suitable for long-term traders in China. Traders should contact support to activate the feature.
| Support Feature | EasyMarkets | Trade Nation | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | EasyMarkets |
EasyMarkets provides 24/5 live chat and email support in Chinese (Mandarin) during market hours. Trade Nation offers 24/5 support via live chat and phone, with English as the primary language, but they do have Chinese-speaking agents on request. Response times are similar, but EasyMarkets has dedicated Chinese support which is more convenient. Trade Nation’s support is professional but not as localized.
| Mobile Feature | EasyMarkets | Trade Nation | 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 | ✗ | ✓ | Trade Nation |
| Resource | EasyMarkets | Trade Nation | 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 Trade Nation if you...
For China traders focused on low costs and regulatory trust, Trade Nation (3.9/5) is the better choice. Its tighter spreads, robust FCA regulation, and efficient USDT deposits align well with offshore trading needs. EasyMarkets (3.4/5) suits traders who prefer fixed costs, beginner-friendly tools, and Chinese-language support. While both accept Chinese clients and support USDT/bank transfers, Trade Nation offers superior execution and protection. Always verify account terms with the broker as CSRC rules do not apply offshore, but choose the broker that best matches your trading style and volume.