Which broker is better for China traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For China traders looking to access international forex and CFD markets, FP Markets and Global Prime are two offshore brokers with distinct offerings. FP Markets, rated 4.7/5, is a well-established broker known for its tight spreads, fast execution, and extensive product range—ideal for Chinese traders who prioritize cost efficiency and variety. Global Prime, with a 3.6/5 rating, focuses on clean pricing and transparency but has a smaller product lineup. Both brokers accept Chinese clients and support local payment methods like USDT and international bank transfers, crucial for navigating China’s capital controls. While neither is regulated by the CSRC, they operate under reputable offshore licenses, making them suitable for experienced offshore traders seeking exposure to global markets.
| Instrument | FP Markets | Global Prime | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Global Prime |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Global Prime |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Global Prime |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Global Prime |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $100 | $0 | Global Prime |
FP Markets offers a clear cost advantage for China traders, especially on its Raw account with spreads from 0.0 pips and a $3 commission per lot. Global Prime’s spreads also start from 0.0 pips but charge $7 per lot, making it over 50% more expensive per trade. For traders executing high volumes—common among Chinese scalpers and day traders—FP Markets can save hundreds of dollars monthly. Additionally, FP Markets has no deposit or withdrawal fees for USDT, whereas Global Prime may impose bank transfer fees.
| Account Type | FP Markets | Global Prime |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $100 | $0 |
| Entity / Asset | FP Markets | Global Prime |
|---|---|---|
| China (offshore) | Up to 1:500 | Up to 1:500 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:500 | 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 | FP Markets | Global Prime | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | FP Markets |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | ✗ | FP Markets |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | ✗ | FP Markets |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | 1,000+ | ✗ | Global Prime |
| ETFs | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | FP Markets | Global Prime |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✗ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✓ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
FP Markets provides MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and cTrader, all popular among China traders for their advanced charting and algorithmic trading capabilities. Global Prime also offers MT4 and MT5, but lacks cTrader, which is favored for its depth of market and low-latency execution. For Chinese traders using Expert Advisors (EAs), both brokers support VPS hosting, but FP Markets’ cTrader integration gives an edge for those seeking ECN-style trading.
| Factor | FP Markets | Global Prime | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Global Prime |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | FP Markets |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
FP Markets boasts average execution speeds of under 30ms on its cTrader platform, ideal for scalpers and high-frequency traders. Global Prime offers execution speeds around 50ms, which is still fast but less competitive. Both use ECN/STP models with no dealing desk intervention, but FP Markets’ lower latency and deeper liquidity pools give it an edge for China traders requiring precision.
| Safety Factor | FP Markets | Global Prime |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC | ASIC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✗ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
FP Markets is regulated by ASIC (Australia) and CySEC (Cyprus), while Global Prime holds licenses from VFSC (Vanuatu) and ASIC. Neither broker is regulated by the CSRC, meaning China traders must rely on offshore protections. FP Markets’ ASIC regulation offers stronger client fund segregation and dispute resolution, which is reassuring for Chinese clients. However, both brokers are considered reliable for offshore trading, with FP Markets having a longer track record.
| Payment Method | FP Markets | Global Prime |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✗ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✗ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✓ | ✓ |
| Withdrawal time | 24 hours | Global Prime processes withdrawals instantly on their end, but the time to receive your funds depends on your payment method: bank wire transfers take 1 to 5 business days, credit or debit cards take 1 to 10 days, and e-wallets are instant once completed. |
China traders can fund accounts at FP Markets and Global Prime using USDT (Tether) and international bank transfers. FP Markets processes USDT deposits instantly with no fees, while bank transfers take 1-3 business days and may incur intermediary charges. Global Prime also supports USDT and bank transfers, but withdrawals via bank transfer can take 2-5 days. For Chinese traders, USDT is the preferred method due to speed and lower costs. Both brokers accept deposits in CNY via third-party processors, but USDT offers greater control. Minimum deposits are low—$50 for FP Markets and $100 for Global Prime—making both accessible.
| Islamic Account Feature | FP Markets | Global Prime |
|---|---|---|
| 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 FP Markets and Global Prime offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Muslim traders in China. FP Markets provides swap-free accounts across all account types, with no interest on overnight positions, and supports a wide range of instruments. Global Prime also offers Islamic accounts but restricts them to certain products and may apply a fee after a holding period. For Chinese Muslim traders, FP Markets is more accommodating with fewer restrictions.
| Support Feature | FP Markets | Global Prime | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | FP Markets |
FP Markets offers 24/5 multilingual support via live chat, email, and phone, with Mandarin-speaking agents available during Asian hours. Global Prime provides support through live chat and email, but response times can be slower, and Mandarin support is limited. For China traders, FP Markets’ dedicated Chinese support team is a significant advantage.
| Mobile Feature | FP Markets | Global Prime | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | FP Markets |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | FP Markets |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✓ | ✗ | FP Markets |
| Resource | FP Markets | Global Prime | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | ✗ | FP Markets |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | FP Markets |
Choose FP Markets if you...
Choose Global Prime if you...
For China traders, FP Markets is the clear winner with a 4.7/5 rating, offering lower costs, better platform variety, and stronger support for local payment methods like USDT and international bank transfers. Its ASIC regulation provides an extra layer of security, while Global Prime’s higher spreads and limited features make it less competitive. While both brokers are suitable for offshore trading, FP Markets aligns better with the needs of Chinese traders seeking cost efficiency and flexibility. Always consider CSRC regulations and consult a local advisor before trading.