Which broker is better for China traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
FXCM and EasyMarkets are two well-established offshore brokers popular among China traders seeking international forex and CFD exposure. Both brokers accept Chinese clients through their international entities, offering access to global markets without CSRC oversight. FXCM, with a score of 3.5/5, provides a wide range of tradable assets including forex, indices, and commodities, with competitive variable spreads. EasyMarkets, scoring 3.4/5, differentiates itself with fixed spreads, guaranteed stop-loss, and a user-friendly platform ideal for beginners. For China traders, key considerations include deposit methods (USDT and international bank transfers), regulatory protection (FCA, CySEC), and local trading hours. This comparison focuses on how each broker serves Chinese offshore traders, covering costs, platforms, regulation, and practical deposit/withdrawal steps. Whether you prioritize low spreads or predictable costs, this guide helps you decide based on your trading style and local needs.
| Instrument | FXCM | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | EasyMarkets |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | EasyMarkets |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | EasyMarkets |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | EasyMarkets |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $50 | $25 | EasyMarkets |
For China traders, trading costs are a critical factor. FXCM offers variable spreads starting from 0.2 pips on EUR/USD for active traders, with a commission-based structure for raw spreads. This can be very cost-effective for high-volume traders. EasyMarkets, in contrast, provides fixed spreads averaging 1.0-1.5 pips on major pairs, with no commission. While FXCM's variable spreads can be lower during liquid hours, they widen during news events. EasyMarkets' fixed spreads offer predictability, which is valuable for China traders who trade during Asian sessions with lower volatility. For a standard lot trade on EUR/USD, FXCM's cost can be $2-5 per side, while EasyMarkets is around $10-15. Volume traders will benefit more from FXCM, while occasional traders may prefer EasyMarkets' simplicity.
| Account Type | FXCM | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $50 | $25 |
| Entity / Asset | FXCM | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| China (offshore) | Up to 1:400 | Up to 1:2000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:400 | 1:2000 |
| 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 | FXCM | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | FXCM |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | FXCM |
| Crypto CFDs | ✗ | 20+ | FXCM |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | EasyMarkets |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | FXCM | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✗ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✗ | ✗ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✓ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
FXCM offers Trading Station, MT4, and MT5, catering to both manual and algorithmic traders. MT4/5 are popular among China traders for their custom indicators and EA support. EasyMarkets provides its proprietary web-based platform and TradingView integration, which is intuitive but lacks the advanced features of MT4. For China traders, MT4 availability is a strong advantage for FXCM, as it supports automated strategies and local community resources. EasyMarkets' platform is better for beginners who prefer a clean, all-in-one interface with built-in risk management tools like deal cancellation. Both platforms are available in English and Chinese languages, with mobile apps for iOS and Android.
| Factor | FXCM | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | EasyMarkets |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | FXCM |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
FXCM uses No Dealing Desk (NDD) execution with STP and DMA models, offering average execution speeds of 40-50ms. This is suitable for scalpers and high-frequency traders in China. EasyMarkets uses market maker execution with fixed spreads and guaranteed stop-loss orders, providing predictable fills but with potential requotes during volatile periods. For China traders trading during Asian sessions, FXCM's faster execution is advantageous for news trading, while EasyMarkets' guaranteed stops protect against slippage, which is valuable for risk-averse traders.
| Safety Factor | FXCM | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | CySEC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
FXCM is regulated by the FCA (UK) and CySEC (EU), offering negative balance protection and client fund segregation. EasyMarkets is also regulated by CySEC and the ASIC (Australia), with additional oversight from the FSCA (South Africa). For China traders, it's important to note that neither broker is regulated by the CSRC. However, both operate under strict international standards, providing a level of security for offshore accounts. FXCM's FCA regulation is considered more robust, with access to the Financial Ombudsman Service. EasyMarkets' ASIC regulation is also reputable. China traders should verify that they are opening accounts with the regulated entities (e.g., FXCM UK or EasyMarkets EU) to benefit from investor protection schemes.
| Payment Method | FXCM | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✗ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | Internal Processing: FXCM reviews and processes requests in 1–2 business days.Credit or Debit Card: Arrives within 5 business days, though statements can take up to 1 billing cycle to update.Domestic Bank Wire: Arrives in 1–2 business days after processing.International Bank Wire: Arrives in 3–5 business days after processing. | 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) |
China traders can fund their accounts using USDT (Tether) and international bank transfers (SWIFT). FXCM accepts USDT deposits through its payment processor with a minimum of $50 and no deposit fee. Withdrawals via USDT are processed within 24 hours, with a $30 fee for bank transfers. EasyMarkets directly accepts USDT deposits with no minimum, and withdrawals to USDT are free and processed within 1 business day. Both brokers also accept international wire transfers in USD, but expect 2-5 business days for clearance and possible intermediary bank fees. For convenience, USDT is the fastest and most cost-effective method for China traders, avoiding traditional banking delays. EasyMarkets has a slight edge with no minimum USDT deposit and free withdrawals.
| Islamic Account Feature | FXCM | EasyMarkets |
|---|---|---|
| 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 FXCM and EasyMarkets offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for China Muslim traders who follow Sharia law. FXCM provides swap-free accounts upon request for eligible clients, with no overnight interest charges on positions held beyond one day. However, FXCM may apply an administrative fee after a certain holding period (e.g., 10 days). EasyMarkets offers automatic swap-free accounts for all Muslim traders without any additional fees or time limits. This makes EasyMarkets more straightforward for China's Muslim traders, as the account is instantly available and fully compliant. FXCM's process requires documentation and approval, which may be less convenient. Both brokers ensure no interest is charged, aligning with Islamic finance principles.
| Support Feature | FXCM | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | FXCM |
FXCM offers 24/5 multilingual support via live chat, email, and phone, with Chinese-language assistance available during Asian trading hours. EasyMarkets provides 24/5 support through live chat, email, and phone, also with Chinese-language support. EasyMarkets is known for faster response times (under 1 minute on chat), while FXCM's phone support is more comprehensive for complex issues. Both brokers have extensive FAQ sections in Chinese. For China traders, EasyMarkets' quicker chat response may be preferable for urgent queries, while FXCM's broader support channels offer more in-depth help.
| Mobile Feature | FXCM | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | FXCM |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | FXCM |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✓ | ✗ | FXCM |
| Resource | FXCM | EasyMarkets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | FXCM |
Choose FXCM if you...
Choose EasyMarkets if you...
For China offshore traders, the choice between FXCM and EasyMarkets depends on your trading style and priorities. FXCM (3.5/5) is better for active, volume-driven traders who benefit from low variable spreads, advanced platforms like MT4/5, and FCA regulation. EasyMarkets (3.4/5) suits traders who value cost certainty, risk management tools (guaranteed stop-loss), and hassle-free USDT transactions. Both brokers accept Chinese clients via USDT and international bank transfers, and neither is regulated by CSRC. Consider FXCM for flexibility and lower costs on large trades, or EasyMarkets for simplicity and predictable conditions. Always verify the specific entity you are registering with and ensure compliance with local foreign exchange rules.