Which broker is better for Malta traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Malta traders looking for a reliable forex broker often compare EasyMarkets and Trade Nation—two well-regulated brokers with distinct offerings. EasyMarkets, founded in 2001, is known for its fixed spreads and risk management tools like Deal Cancellation, while Trade Nation (formerly Trade.com) offers tighter variable spreads and a streamlined platform. Both accept local payment methods such as Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, making deposits easy for Malta residents. With the local financial regulator (MFSA) overseeing activities, Malta traders can expect a secure trading environment. This comparison breaks down spreads, platforms, regulation, and local support to help you choose the broker that fits your trading style in 2025. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced retail trader, understanding these differences is key to maximising your returns while adhering to Malta's regulatory standards.
| 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 |
When trading from Malta, cost efficiency is crucial. EasyMarkets charges fixed spreads—on EUR/USD roughly 1.5 pips—which eliminate slippage surprises but are higher than Trade Nation's variable spreads (often 0.6–1.0 pips for major pairs). For high-volume Malta traders, Trade Nation's lower spreads can save significant money over hundreds of trades. However, EasyMarkets includes zero commission on most assets, while Trade Nation also offers commission-free trading on forex. Both brokers pass on no hidden fees for deposits via Bank Transfer, Skrill, or Neteller. For USDT TRC20 users, EasyMarkets does not charge deposit fees, and Trade Nation absorbs network costs. Always compare the total cost per trade considering your typical lot size and frequency.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Malta (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 and mobile app, designed for simplicity with one-click trading and risk features like negative balance protection. Trade Nation offers MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and its own web trader, appealing to Malta traders who want advanced charting and automated trading. MT4 is particularly popular among experienced retail traders in Malta. Both platforms are available in English and support fast execution. EasyMarkets' platform is ideal for beginners who prefer a clean interface, while Trade Nation's MT4 gives more control to technical traders. Device compatibility is excellent across Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android.
| 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 straight-through-processing (STP) execution, offering fast trade fills with minimal requotes—important for Malta scalpers. EasyMarkets operates a market maker model but promises no requotes and instant execution on most trades. In practice, Trade Nation's execution speed is slightly faster on volatile pairs, while EasyMarkets provides stable execution with fixed spreads. Both brokers execute trades during market hours without significant slippage. For Malta traders relying on news trading, Trade Nation's STP model may yield better fill rates.
| Safety Factor | EasyMarkets | Trade Nation |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CySEC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers are regulated by the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA), ensuring strict oversight of client funds and operations. EasyMarkets is licensed in Cyprus (CySEC) but also complies with MiFID II, allowing it to serve Malta under passporting. Trade Nation is directly authorised by the MFSA and also holds FCA (UK) and ASIC (Australia) licences. For Malta traders, this means segregation of client funds, negative balance protection, and access to the Financial Ombudsman Service in Malta. Regulation under the local authority adds an extra layer of trust—both brokers must maintain transparent reporting and adhere to ESMA leverage limits (up to 1:30 for major forex). Always verify the licence number on the MFSA website before depositing.
| 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 |
Depositing and withdrawing funds as a Malta trader is convenient with both EasyMarkets and Trade Nation. They accept Malta bank transfers (local or international), Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. EasyMarkets supports deposits in USD with no internal fees, while Trade Nation charges a small fee for bank wire withdrawals but covers the first withdrawal each month. Minimum deposit at EasyMarkets is $100, at Trade Nation $250. Skrill and Neteller deposits are instant, and USDT TRC20 is ideal for crypto-savvy traders seeking low-cost transfers. Withdrawals at both brokers are processed within 24 hours for e-wallets, bank transfers take 2–5 business days. Ensure your account is fully verified to avoid delays. For larger amounts, bank transfers are reliable and secure.
| 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 |
For Malta's Muslim traders seeking sharia-compliant trading, both EasyMarkets and Trade Nation offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts. EasyMarkets provides this option on request with no swap or interest charges on positions held overnight. Trade Nation also offers Islamic accounts as standard, with no additional administrative fees and the same spreads as regular accounts. Both brokers require a declaration of faith and may restrict certain instruments. Malta traders should confirm that the account type is activated before trading to avoid accidental swap charges. The regulatory framework in Malta accommodates Islamic finance, and both brokers follow best practices.
| 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 |
Customer support is available in English for Malta traders. EasyMarkets offers 24/5 live chat, phone, and email, with average response times under 30 seconds for chat. Trade Nation provides live chat 24/5 and phone support during European trading hours. Both have extensive FAQ sections on their Malta-targeted websites. Trade Nation's email support is slightly slower but thorough. For local queries about deposits via Bank Transfer or Skrill, both support teams are knowledgeable and can assist in Maltese if needed. Overall, EasyMarkets edges ahead with quicker live response.
| 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 Malta retail traders in 2025, Trade Nation scores higher overall due to lower spreads, strong regulation under the local financial regulator (MFSA), and excellent platform options including MT4. However, EasyMarkets remains a solid choice for beginners or traders who value fixed costs and innovative risk features. Both brokers support local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, easing deposits and withdrawals. Trade Nation's tighter spreads give it an edge for active traders, while EasyMarkets' simplicity suits conservative portfolios. Ultimately, your decision should align with your trading style and experience level—test both with a demo account before committing real funds. Consider opening small live accounts with each to compare execution quality and support firsthand.