Which broker is better for China traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For China traders looking to access global forex markets, FBS and FxOpen are two popular offshore brokers that cater to international clients. Both accept deposits in USDT and international bank transfers, which are essential for Chinese traders due to capital controls. FBS, founded in 2009, is known for its low minimum deposit ($1) and high leverage (up to 1:3000), making it attractive for beginners and small-cap traders. FxOpen, established in 2005, focuses on ECN trading with tight spreads and institutional-grade execution, appealing to experienced traders. While neither broker is regulated by the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC), they hold licenses from CySEC, FCA (FxOpen), and IFSC (FBS). This comparison helps China traders choose based on costs, platforms, and deposit methods.
| Instrument | FBS | FxOpen | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | FxOpen |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | FxOpen |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | FxOpen |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | FxOpen |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $5 | $100 | FxOpen |
For China traders, trading costs are critical due to the need to maximize returns on limited capital. FBS offers spreads from 0.5 pips on its Zero Spread account with no commission, while standard accounts have spreads around 1.2 pips. FxOpen's ECN account provides raw spreads from 0.0 pips with a commission of $3.50 per lot round turn. For a China trader trading 10 lots per month on EUR/USD, FxOpen's total cost would be about $35 in commission, while FBS would cost around $120 in spread. However, FBS's lower deposit requirement makes it more accessible for small traders.
| Account Type | FBS | FxOpen |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $5 | $100 |
| Entity / Asset | FBS | FxOpen |
|---|---|---|
| China (offshore) | Up to 1:3000 | Up to 1:500 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:3000 | 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 | FBS | FxOpen | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | FBS |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | FBS |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | ✗ | FBS |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | 1,700+ | FxOpen |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | FBS | FxOpen |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✓ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✓ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers offer MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, which are widely used by China traders due to their advanced charting and automated trading capabilities. FBS also provides a proprietary FBS Trader app for mobile trading, while FxOpen offers cTrader for ECN accounts, popular among scalpers. For China traders using VPNs, both platforms work reliably. FBS's copy trading feature is useful for beginners, while FxOpen's API access suits algorithmic traders.
| Factor | FBS | FxOpen | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | FxOpen |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | FBS |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
FxOpen uses ECN technology with no dealing desk intervention, offering faster execution and lower slippage, which benefits scalping China traders. FBS uses a hybrid model with market execution, which may result in requotes during volatile markets. FxOpen's execution speed is typically under 50ms, while FBS averages 100ms. For high-frequency traders from China, FxOpen is preferable.
| Safety Factor | FBS | FxOpen |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | IFSC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✗ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
FBS is regulated by the IFSC (Belize) and CySEC (Cyprus), while FxOpen is regulated by the FCA (UK), CySEC, and ASIC (Australia). Neither broker is regulated by the CSRC, meaning China traders must rely on offshore protection. FxOpen's FCA regulation offers stronger investor protection (up to £85,000) compared to FBS's IFSC license. However, for China traders, the lack of CSRC oversight means deposits are not locally protected, so choosing a broker with a reputable tier-1 regulator like FxOpen may be safer.
| Payment Method | FBS | FxOpen |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✓ | ✓ |
| Withdrawal time | Electronic Wallets / Systems: Credited immediately to 30 minutes (processed 24/7 by the financial department).Cryptocurrency: Instant, though subject to blockchain network confirmations.Credit / Debit Cards: Average of 3 to 4 business days (internal processing takes 15–20 minutes, plus bank clearance).Bank Transfers: Usually processed within 7 to 10 business days. | 24 hours |
China traders can deposit and withdraw using USDT (Tether) and international bank transfers with both brokers. FBS additionally supports local Chinese methods like UnionPay, Alipay, and WeChat Pay through third-party processors, making deposits faster and cheaper. USDT deposits are processed instantly with no fees, while bank transfers may incur intermediary charges. Withdrawals via USDT are also fast (same day), while bank transfers take 1-3 days. FBS has a minimum deposit of $1, while FxOpen requires $10 for standard accounts. Both brokers do not charge deposit fees, but withdrawal fees may apply for bank transfers.
| Islamic Account Feature | FBS | FxOpen |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Muslim traders in China, both FBS and FxOpen offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts that comply with Sharia law by eliminating overnight interest charges. FBS provides Islamic accounts on all account types, including Cent and Standard, with no additional fees. FxOpen offers Islamic accounts on request for Standard and ECN accounts, but not for Cent accounts. Both require a declaration of faith and may limit the duration of swap-free status for certain instruments. FBS's broader availability makes it more suitable for Chinese Muslim traders.
| Support Feature | FBS | FxOpen | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | FBS |
FBS offers 24/7 live chat support in Chinese, along with email and phone support. FxOpen provides 24/5 support with Chinese language options via live chat and email, but phone support is limited to business hours. For China traders in different time zones, FBS's round-the-clock support is more convenient. Both brokers have comprehensive FAQ sections in Chinese.
| Mobile Feature | FBS | FxOpen | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | FBS |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | FBS |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✓ | FxOpen |
| Resource | FBS | FxOpen | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | ✗ | FBS |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | FBS |
Choose FBS if you...
Choose FxOpen if you...
For China traders, the choice between FBS and FxOpen depends on your experience level and capital. FBS is ideal for beginners and small traders due to its low minimum deposit, local payment support (Alipay, WeChat Pay), and high leverage. FxOpen suits serious traders who prioritize low spreads, ECN execution, and stronger regulation (FCA). Both accept USDT and international bank transfers, which are crucial for Chinese traders. While neither is CSRC-regulated, FxOpen's FCA license offers better protection. Ultimately, if you are starting small, choose FBS; if you trade with larger capital and want lower costs, go with FxOpen.