Which broker is better for Malta traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
When comparing FXTM vs Trade Nation for Malta traders in 2026, the choice depends on trading style and payment preferences. FXTM, scoring 4.3/5, is a global broker with strong local presence in Malta, offering spreads from 0.1 pips and support for popular local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. Trade Nation, scoring 3.9/5, provides a simpler, fixed-spread model but lacks crypto deposit options. Both brokers are regulated by the local financial regulator, ensuring compliance with Maltese laws. For retail traders in Malta, FXTM’s broader asset range and flexible funding options make it a more versatile choice, while Trade Nation appeals to those preferring predictable costs. This comparison covers spreads, platforms, and local support to help you decide.
| Instrument | FXTM | 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 | $200 | $0 | Trade Nation |
For Malta traders, FXTM offers lower variable spreads starting at 0.1 pips on EUR/USD for its ECN accounts, making it cheaper for high-volume scalpers. Trade Nation uses fixed spreads around 1.0 pips on major pairs, which can be more expensive over many trades. FXTM also charges a commission on ECN accounts ($3-6 per lot), while Trade Nation has no commission but wider spreads. Over 100 trades per month, FXTM’s cost advantage becomes significant for Malta traders.
| Account Type | FXTM | Trade Nation |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✓ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $200 | $0 |
| Entity / Asset | FXTM | Trade Nation |
|---|---|---|
| Malta (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 | FXTM | Trade Nation | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | FXTM |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | FXTM |
| Crypto CFDs | ✗ | 20+ | FXTM |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | Trade Nation |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | FXTM | Trade Nation |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✗ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✓ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✗ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
FXTM provides MetaTrader 4 and 5, plus its proprietary FXTM Trader app, all optimized for mobile and desktop. Trade Nation offers a web-based platform and mobile app, but lacks MT4/5. Malta traders who use Expert Advisors or advanced charting will prefer FXTM. Trade Nation’s platform is simpler but less customizable.
| Factor | FXTM | Trade Nation | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Trade Nation |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | FXTM |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
FXTM offers ECN execution with low latency and no requotes, ideal for scalpers. Trade Nation uses market maker execution with fixed spreads, which can result in slippage during news events. For Malta traders needing fast execution, FXTM is superior.
| Safety Factor | FXTM | Trade Nation |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both FXTM and Trade Nation are regulated by the local financial regulator in Malta, ensuring client fund segregation and negative balance protection. FXTM also holds licenses in the UK and Cyprus, adding extra oversight. For Malta traders, this means deposits up to €20,000 are protected under the Investor Compensation Scheme. Trade Nation’s regulation is adequate but less extensive.
| Payment Method | FXTM | Trade Nation |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✗ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✗ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✓ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | 24 hours (often in 30 minutes),Credit / Debit Cards (Visa, Mastercard): 1 to 3 business days. | 2 working days |
FXTM supports Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 deposits for Malta traders, with e-wallet deposits processed instantly and no fees. Withdrawals via Skrill or Neteller take 1-24 hours, while bank transfers take 1-3 business days. Trade Nation only accepts Bank Transfer and Skrill, not Neteller or USDT TRC20, which limits options for crypto-friendly Malta traders. Both brokers offer free deposits, but FXTM’s wider range is more convenient.
| Islamic Account Feature | FXTM | 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 |
FXTM offers Islamic accounts with no swap fees, requiring a minimum deposit of $500 for Malta traders. Trade Nation also provides swap-free accounts with no minimum deposit. Both comply with Sharia law, but FXTM’s account requires a higher initial deposit. For Muslim traders in Malta, Trade Nation may be more accessible if budget is limited.
| Support Feature | FXTM | Trade Nation | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | FXTM |
FXTM offers 24/5 live chat, email, and phone support in English and Maltese, with local phone numbers. Trade Nation provides 24/5 chat and email but no phone support for Malta. FXTM’s local language support gives it an edge for Maltese-speaking traders.
| Mobile Feature | FXTM | Trade Nation | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | FXTM |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | FXTM |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✓ | Trade Nation |
| Resource | FXTM | Trade Nation | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | ✗ | FXTM |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | FXTM |
Choose FXTM if you...
Choose Trade Nation if you...
For Malta traders in 2026, FXTM is the superior choice with a 4.3/5 rating, offering lower spreads, more payment options (Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, USDT TRC20), and better platform support. Trade Nation (3.9/5) suits beginners or those wanting fixed costs. Both are regulated by the local financial regulator, but FXTM’s flexibility and local support give it an edge. If you trade actively or need crypto deposits, choose FXTM. For simplicity, Trade Nation works.