The online broker AvaTrade has been active since 2006 and today offers forex, CFDs, FX options and social/copy trading.
Some examples of what you can gain exposure to at AvaTrade are forex, cryptocurrencies, stocks, options, bonds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), commodities, and indices (indexes). Many of these markets are offered through CFDs rather than direct ownership of the underlying asset. When it comes to forex, more than 60 different currency pairs are available, including majors, minors and exotics, and forex trading generally takes place 24 hours a day during the working week. For those who are more interested in cryptocurrency than a traditional currency, AvaTrade offers exposure to cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Ripple. Cryptocurrency trading is available 24/7 on supported MetaTrader accounts, although availability depends on jurisdiction. Cryptocurrency CFDs are not available to UK retail clients.
You need to make a deposit of at least $/£/€100 to start doing real-money trades at AvaTrade, although minimum deposits and available base currencies can vary according to payment method, account type and jurisdiction.
If you want to, you can open a free Demo Account with AvaTrade to check out what they have to offer. The free Demo Account is filled with play money, to allow you to explore without risking any real money.
If AvaTrade doesn’t sound like the right choice for you then you can click the link to find other top UK forex trading platforms.
Trading platforms at AvaTrade
- The MetaTrader platforms; a group of third-party trading platforms utilized by a rich variety of online brokers and their clients.
- AvaTrade WebTrader and the AvaTrade mobile app, proprietary trading platforms developed for AvaTrade clients.
- AvaSocial, a social and copy trading platform developed specifically for AvaTrade clients.
- AvaOptions, AvaTrade’s platform for trading FX options.
As mentioned above, MetaTrader is a group of several platforms. With an AvaTrade account, you can get access to both MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), and can use the MetaTrader mobile trading apps on mobile phones and tablets. MT4 and MT5 are available both for download and directly in your web browser.
Account types (for real-money trading)
- AvaTrade Retail Account
- AvaTrade Professional Account, where available and subject to eligibility requirements
- AvaTrade Islamic (swap-free) Account
- AvaTrade MAM Account
A vast majority of AvaTrade account holders use a Retail Account. The Islamic Account is typically used by Muslim individuals who follow Sharia rules regarding interest. Professional Accounts are available in certain jurisdictions to traders who meet the applicable eligibility requirements. The MAM Account is for professionals (e.g. money managers) who need to have access to multiple accounts on behalf of their clients.
With a MAM Account, you can open and close orders for multiple clients through your master account, and it is possible to create sub-groups for trading. A MAM Account is compatible with Expert Advisors (EAs).
AvaSocial
AvaSocial is a trading platform for social trading, where it is easy to follow other traders and have the trading software copy selected traders’ actions for you.
Being on AvaSocial doesn´t stop you from doing normal manual non-social trades; you get the best of both worlds.
AvaSocial focuses on social and copy trading. Other automated trading options available through AvaTrade include DupliTrade and Expert Advisors on MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5.
AvaSocial apps are available for both iOS and Android.
Automated trading
Several solutions for automated trading can be used with your AvaTrade account, including DupliTrade and Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5. AvaSocial can also be used for copy trading.
Is leveraged trading available?
Yes, AvaTrade offers leveraged trading. In some jurisdictions, their ability to offer high leverage to non-professional traders is limited by law.
The underlying asset, client classification and jurisdiction will impact the size of the maximum leverage available to a trader. Eligible professional clients in Europe may be offered leverage of up to 400:1 on certain forex pairs and up to 25:1 on certain cryptocurrencies. Retail clients in the EU are subject to lower regulatory leverage limits, including up to 30:1 on major forex pairs and 2:1 on cryptocurrencies. Cryptocurrency CFDs are not available to UK retail clients.
Resources
If you want to learn more about trading and trading techniques, visit AvaAcademy and AvaTrade’s education resources. They include videos, courses, guides, articles, trading terminology, and more.
AvaSocial includes social and community features where traders can follow other traders, exchange ideas and learn from each other.
Customer service
AvaTrade offers customer support by phone, e-mail, live chat and WhatsApp.
Customer service is available in several languages.
Deposits and withdrawals
Examples of accepted transfer methods include credit and debit cards, bank wire transfer and supported e-wallets such as PayPal and Skrill. Available payment methods depend on the trader’s location and regulatory entity.
The smallest possible deposit is generally 100 USD/EUR/GBP for accounts using those base currencies, although requirements can vary by jurisdiction and payment method.
Bank wire transfer minimums can differ according to the AvaTrade entity, account currency and payment arrangements, so the applicable minimum should be checked before sending a bank transfer.
Due to anti-money laundering requirements, withdrawals are generally returned to the original funding method where possible. The available withdrawal methods depend on the method used to deposit and the trader’s location.
AvaTrade normally processes withdrawal requests within one business day once the account is fully verified and the request meets all requirements.
After processing, withdrawals to credit or debit cards can take up to five business days to arrive, while supported e-wallet withdrawals can normally arrive within one business day.
Bank wire transfers can take up to ten business days to arrive, depending on the country and banking institution.
Corporate information
AvaTrade is active in many different countries through various regulated entities within the AvaTrade Group.
Within the European Union, AvaTrade acts through AVA Trade EU Ltd, regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland (Reference No. C53877).
Examples of other jurisdictions where AvaTrade entities are licensed or authorized include South Africa, where Ava Capital Markets Pty is regulated by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA No. 45984); Japan, where Ava Trade Japan K.K. is regulated by the Financial Services Agency (License No. 1662) and the Financial Futures Association of Japan (License No. 1574); and Australia, where Ava Capital Markets Australia Pty Ltd is regulated by ASIC (No. 406684). In Canada, AvaTrade technology is made available through Friedberg Direct, a division of Friedberg Mercantile Group Ltd. and a member of the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO) and the Canadian Investor Protection Fund (CIPF).