Which broker is better for China traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For China traders seeking offshore forex exposure in 2025, Global Prime and FBS Max present two distinct options. Both brokers accept Chinese clients and support deposits via USDT and international bank transfers, bypassing strict capital controls. However, they differ in regulation: Global Prime is regulated by ASIC and VFSC, while FBS Max holds licenses from IFSC and CySEC. Neither is authorized by the CSRC, so traders must rely on offshore protections. Global Prime appeals to cost-conscious traders with tight spreads from 0.0 pips, while FBS Max offers lower minimum deposits ($10 vs $200) and a broader range of account types. This comparison helps Chinese traders decide based on trading volume, deposit preferences, and risk tolerance.
| Instrument | Global Prime | FBS Max | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | FBS Max |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | FBS Max |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | FBS Max |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | FBS Max |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $0 | $0 | Tie |
For China traders, trading costs are critical. Global Prime offers spreads from 0.0 pips on its Razor account with a commission of $7 per lot round turn, ideal for scalpers. FBS Max spreads start at 0.7 pips on Standard accounts with no commission, but widen on exotics. A Chinese trader executing 100 lots per month on EUR/USD would pay approximately $700 in spread costs with Global Prime (including commission) versus $1,400 with FBS Max. However, for lower volumes, FBS Max's zero-commission model can be cheaper. Swap rates also matter: Global Prime charges lower overnight fees on long positions in USD/CNY pairs, while FBS Max swaps are slightly higher.
| Account Type | Global Prime | FBS Max |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✗ | ✗ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $0 | $0 |
| Entity / Asset | Global Prime | FBS Max |
|---|---|---|
| China (offshore) | Up to 1:500 | Up to 1:3000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:500 | 1:3000 |
| 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 | Global Prime | FBS Max | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | Global Prime |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | ✗ | 20+ indices | Global Prime |
| Crypto CFDs | ✗ | 20+ | Global Prime |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | FBS Max |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | Global Prime | FBS Max |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✗ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✓ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers offer MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, popular among Chinese traders for their advanced charting and EA support. Global Prime also provides cTrader, which offers deeper liquidity and faster execution for scalpers. FBS Max focuses on MT4/MT5 with a proprietary web terminal. For China traders, MT5's multi-asset features are useful for hedging, while cTrader's order flow visibility benefits active traders. Mobile trading is robust on both, though Global Prime's cTrader app is more intuitive for iOS users in China.
| Factor | Global Prime | FBS Max | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | FBS Max |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | Global Prime |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
Global Prime uses Equinix NY4 servers and offers ECN execution with no dealing desk, resulting in average execution speeds under 40ms. FBS Max uses STP execution with speeds around 100ms. For Chinese traders trading high-frequency strategies, Global Prime's faster execution and lower slippage on major pairs provide a clear edge. FBS Max's execution is adequate for swing trading but may experience requotes during volatile news events.
| Safety Factor | Global Prime | FBS Max |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC | IFSC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✗ |
| Investor protection | ✗ | ✗ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Regulation is a key concern for Chinese traders. Global Prime is regulated by ASIC (Australia) and VFSC (Vanuatu), offering strong client fund segregation and negative balance protection. FBS Max holds an IFSC (Belize) license and is also regulated by CySEC for EU clients. Neither broker is overseen by the CSRC, meaning Chinese traders have no local recourse. ASIC regulation is generally considered more stringent, providing better safety for larger deposits. FBS Max's IFSC license offers less oversight but allows for higher leverage (up to 1:3000) which some Chinese traders seek.
| Payment Method | Global Prime | FBS Max |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✗ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✗ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✓ | ✓ |
| Withdrawal time | 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. | 5 to 7 business days |
Chinese traders can fund Global Prime and FBS Max accounts using USDT (Tether) and international bank transfers. Global Prime supports USDT deposits via ERC-20 or TRC-20 networks, with no fees and instant processing, while bank transfers take 2-5 business days and may incur intermediary bank charges. Minimum deposit is $200. FBS Max accepts USDT (TRC-20), bank transfers, and e-wallets like Skrill, with a lower minimum of $10. Withdrawals at both brokers are processed within 24 hours for USDT, while bank transfers take 3-7 days. FBS Max charges no withdrawal fees, while Global Prime may pass on bank wire costs. USDT is the fastest and most cost-effective method for China traders.
| Islamic Account Feature | Global Prime | FBS Max |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Global Prime and FBS Max offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts that comply with Sharia law by not charging or paying overnight interest. Global Prime provides swap-free accounts on request, typically for clients in Muslim-majority regions, with a condition that accounts are reviewed after 30 days. FBS Max automatically offers Islamic accounts for traders in eligible countries, including China, with no time limit. Chinese Muslim traders should confirm eligibility with support, as FBS Max's policy is more straightforward.
| Support Feature | Global Prime | FBS Max | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | Global Prime |
Global Prime offers 24/5 multilingual support via live chat and email, with a strong reputation for fast response times (under 5 minutes). FBS Max provides 24/7 support in Chinese language through live chat, phone, and WeChat, which is a major advantage for China traders. FBS Max also has a dedicated Chinese account manager for VIP clients, while Global Prime relies on ticket-based support for complex issues.
| Mobile Feature | Global Prime | FBS Max | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | Global Prime |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | Global Prime |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Resource | Global Prime | FBS Max | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | ✗ | 50+ videos | FBS Max |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | Global Prime |
Choose Global Prime if you...
Choose FBS Max if you...
For China traders in 2025, the choice between Global Prime and FBS Max depends on trading style and risk tolerance. Global Prime wins on cost efficiency for active traders with its razor-thin spreads and ASIC regulation, making it suitable for serious investors who can commit $200+ via USDT or bank transfer. FBS Max is more accessible for beginners or small account traders, offering lower entry barriers, Chinese-language support, and high leverage. Both brokers support USDT deposits, which is crucial for bypassing China's capital controls. However, neither is CSRC-regulated, so traders should only risk capital they can afford to lose. For high-volume scalping, choose Global Prime; for flexibility and support, choose FBS Max.