Which broker is better for China traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Chinese traders seeking international exposure often compare Libertex and Moneta Markets, two offshore brokers that accept clients from China despite the CSRC's ban on domestic forex trading with unregulated entities. Libertex, with a Trustpilot-like score of 3.7/5, stands out for its diverse CFD offering—including stocks, indices, and cryptocurrencies—while Moneta Markets (3.3/5) is favored for its ultra-tight spreads and raw ECN pricing. Both brokers support Chinese traders with USDT and international bank transfer deposits, which help navigate strict capital controls. However, neither is regulated by the CSRC, so traders must understand the legal risks. This comparison covers spreads, platforms, regulatory context, and payment methods specifically for Chinese users, helping you choose based on your trading style and asset preferences.
| Instrument | Libertex | Moneta Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Moneta Markets |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Moneta Markets |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Moneta Markets |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Moneta Markets |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $10 | $50 | Libertex |
For Chinese traders, trading costs are a key differentiator. Moneta Markets offers highly competitive spreads on major forex pairs, starting from 0.0 pips with a small commission (e.g., $6 per lot round-turn). This makes it ideal for high-volume scalpers. Libertex, on the other hand, provides commission-free trading but with wider spreads—typically 1.2 pips on EUR/USD for standard accounts. The cost impact varies with volume: a trader executing 100 lots per month would save significantly with Moneta's tighter spreads, while a lower-volume trader might prefer Libertex's simpler fee structure. Both brokers are transparent about costs, but Chinese traders should factor in swap fees and currency conversion charges on CNY deposits.
| Account Type | Libertex | Moneta Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $10 | $50 |
| Entity / Asset | Libertex | Moneta Markets |
|---|---|---|
| China (offshore) | Up to 1:999 | Up to 1:1000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:999 | 1:1000 |
| 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 | Libertex | Moneta Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | Libertex |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | Libertex |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | ✗ | Libertex |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | Moneta Markets |
| ETFs | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | Libertex | Moneta Markets |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✗ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✗ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Libertex offers its proprietary web and mobile platforms, which are user-friendly and include social trading features like copy trading. Moneta Markets provides the industry-standard MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, offering advanced charting, custom indicators, and algorithmic trading capabilities—tools that Chinese professional traders often demand. Both platforms are available in English and, importantly, offer Chinese language interfaces. For traders on the go, both have robust mobile apps. The choice depends on whether you prefer simplicity (Libertex) or advanced analysis (Moneta Markets).
| Factor | Libertex | Moneta Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Moneta Markets |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | Libertex |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
Moneta Markets delivers superior execution for Chinese forex traders through its ECN model, offering low latency, minimal requotes, and average execution speeds under 30 milliseconds. Libertex operates as a market maker (A-book for most clients), which can result in slightly slower execution and occasional slippage during volatile events. For scalpers or high-frequency traders, Moneta Markets' no-dealing-desk (NDD) execution is a clear advantage. However, for longer-term trades or less liquid assets, Libertex's execution is still reliable.
| Safety Factor | Libertex | Moneta Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CySEC | ASIC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✗ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✗ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Neither Libertex nor Moneta Markets is regulated by the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC), meaning Chinese traders must accept the legal risks of using an offshore broker. Libertex is regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) for some entities, offering some investor protection (e.g., negative balance protection, ICF compensation). Moneta Markets is regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, which is less stringent. For Chinese traders, this means Libertex provides a slightly safer environment, but both require careful due diligence. Neither offers CSRC-level protection, and any disputes must be resolved under foreign jurisdictions.
| Payment Method | Libertex | Moneta Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✗ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✗ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✗ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | 5 business days | Internal Processing: Generally handled within 24 hours by the finance team.Credit/Debit Cards: 1 to 5 business days to fully reflect.Bank Wire / International Transfers: 3 to 5 business days to complete. |
For Chinese traders, depositing and withdrawing funds with Libertex and Moneta Markets is streamlined through USDT (stablecoin) and international bank transfers. USDT deposits are processed instantly with no additional fees, making it the most popular method to bypass China's capital controls. International bank transfers (SWIFT) are also accepted but can take 1-3 business days and incur intermediary fees—typically CNY equivalent of $10-$30. Libertex does not charge for deposits, while Moneta Markets may charge a small processing fee for bank transfers. Withdrawals are processed within 24 hours for USDT and 1-3 days for bank wires. Both brokers support withdrawal in CNY-equivalent USDT, but conversion rates may apply.
| Islamic Account Feature | Libertex | Moneta Markets |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Libertex and Moneta Markets offer swap-free (Islamic) accounts for Chinese Muslim traders who comply with Sharia law. Libertex's Islamic account has no additional fees and keeps the same trading conditions as regular accounts, making it appealing for long-term holders. Moneta Markets also offers swap-free accounts but may charge a small administration fee if positions are held open for more than 10-14 days. Chinese Muslim traders should verify eligibility (e.g., proof of faith may be required) and compare the holding period policies to avoid unexpected costs. Both brokers provide these accounts through customer service requests after registration.
| Support Feature | Libertex | Moneta Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | Libertex |
Customer support is crucial for Chinese traders dealing with offshore brokers. Libertex offers 24/5 support via live chat, email, and phone, with Mandarin-speaking agents available during Asian hours. Moneta Markets provides 24/7 live chat support, but Chinese language assistance may be limited to email or specific hours. Both have comprehensive FAQ sections, but for urgent issues like deposit delays, Libertex's Mandarin live chat is more accessible. Response times are generally within a few hours for non-urgent queries.
| Mobile Feature | Libertex | Moneta Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | Libertex |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | Libertex |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Resource | Libertex | Moneta Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | Libertex |
Choose Libertex if you...
Choose Moneta Markets if you...
For Chinese traders navigating offshore options, Libertex and Moneta Markets both accommodate USDT and international bank transfer deposits, but they serve different needs. Libertex, with its higher overall score, is better suited for diversified traders who want access to stocks, crypto, and indices in a single platform with a lower minimum deposit. Moneta Markets appeals to serious forex traders who need razor-thin spreads and fast execution. Given the CSRC's ban, Chinese traders should only use funds they can afford to lose and consider opening a small account first to test deposit/withdrawal processes. Ultimately, your choice should align with your primary asset class and trading volume.