Broker Review
ASIC · SEC | Australia
Focus Markets offers CFD trading across forex, commodities, indices, stocks, and crypto through MetaTrader 5 and cTrader. The broker provides Standard and Raw accounts, with Standard spreads from 1.0 pip and Raw spreads from 0.0 pips plus commission. The broker’s appeal is broad market access, competitive Raw pricing, MT5/cTrader platform choice, and funding via card, bank transfer, BPAY, crypto, Skrill, Neteller, and Bitwallet. The global site advertises leverage up to 1:500, while the Australian entity follows lower retail leverage limits. The key caution is entity structure. Focus Markets has an ASIC-regulated Australian entity, but the main global website also references offshore entities in Saint Lucia, Mauritius, and Saint Vincent/Grenadines. Traders should confirm the legal entity, protections, and leverage rules before opening an account.
MT4
MT5
CryptoNetellerSkrill
Bank TransferBPAY| Overall Score | 9.0 / 10 |
| Regulation | ASIC 514425 for the Australian entity, FSC Mauritius GB25205284 for the global entity, Saint Lucia company registration 2025-00425 |
| Best For | Traders who want MT5, cTrader, Raw spreads, crypto CFDs, and high leverage through the global site |
| Min. Deposit | Not clearly disclosed as one universal figure on the public account page |
| Spreads From | 1.0 pips on Standard, 0.0 pips on Raw |
| Max Leverage | Up to 1:500 on the global site, up to 1:30 on the Australian site |
| Platforms | MT5 and cTrader on the global site, MT5 on the Australian site |
| Deposit Methods | Cards, Bitwallet, crypto, Neteller, Skrill, bank transfer, BPAY |
| Withdrawal Speed | Finance review takes 1 to 2 business days, then instant for several methods or 1 to 3 business days for bank transfer |
| Verdict | Focus Markets offers strong trading conditions on paper, with Raw spreads from 0.0 pips, MT5, cTrader, 800+ CFDs, and high leverage on the global site. The main caution is entity structure. Australian clients get ASIC oversight, while global clients appear to trade through Mauritius and Saint Lucia-linked entities, which are weaker than top-tier retail regulation. |
Focus Markets is a forex and CFD broker offering access to 800+ instruments across forex, commodities, indices, shares, and crypto CFDs. The broker’s biggest trading strengths are its Raw account pricing, MT5 and cTrader access on the global site, and a large crypto CFD selection with 140+ crypto derivatives.
The trading offer is best suited to active CFD traders who want tight spreads and platform flexibility without moving into a complicated account structure. Focus Markets keeps its account range simple with two main choices: Standard and Raw. Standard is spread-only, while Raw offers lower spreads with a commission of $3.50 per side per standard lot.
The safety profile is more mixed. Focus Markets has an ASIC-regulated Australian entity, which is a strong point. The global website, though, lists Focus Markets Ltd in Saint Lucia and Focus Markets Global Limited regulated by the FSC Mauritius. That gives the broker a real legal footprint, but it does not provide the same protection level as FCA, ASIC, or CySEC onboarding for every client.
Focus Markets is a multi-asset CFD broker that provides access to forex, commodities, indices, shares, and crypto CFDs. The broker promotes itself around ultra-low spreads, fast execution, MT5, cTrader, and flexible funding methods.
The broker’s current global site lists Focus Markets Ltd as a Saint Lucia-registered company and Focus Markets Global Limited as regulated by the Financial Services Commission in Mauritius. The Australian site is owned and operated by Focus Markets Pty Ltd, which is regulated by ASIC under licence 514425.
Focus Markets is mainly built for leveraged CFD trading, not long-term investing. Traders use CFDs to speculate on price movement without owning the underlying asset. This makes the broker more relevant for active traders, scalpers, forex traders, gold traders, crypto CFD traders, and traders who want MT5 or cTrader access.
| Regulator | Jurisdiction | Licence Number | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australian Securities and Investments Commission | Australia | 514425 | Yes |
| Financial Services Commission | Mauritius | GB25205284 | Yes |
| Company Registration | Saint Lucia | 2025-00425 | Yes |
Focus Markets is regulated, but the level of protection depends on the entity. The Australian entity, Focus Markets Pty Ltd, is regulated by ASIC. This is the strongest regulatory part of the broker’s structure.
The global site shows a different setup. It lists Focus Markets Ltd as a Saint Lucia-registered company and Focus Markets Global Limited as regulated by the FSC Mauritius. Mauritius regulation gives Focus Markets a real offshore regulatory framework, but it does not carry the same weight as ASIC, FCA, or CySEC protection.
This matters for traders. If an Australian client opens under the ASIC entity, the protection framework is stronger and leverage is capped lower. If an international client opens through the global website, the account may sit under the Mauritius or Saint Lucia-linked structure, where investor protection and dispute options are weaker.
Focus Markets does not present a clear government investor compensation scheme for global clients. It does provide risk warnings, margin rules, stop-out details, and entity disclosures, but we would not treat the global site as a top-tier safety setup.
| Account | Min. Deposit | Spreads | Commission | Platforms | Islamic Available |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | Not clearly disclosed publicly | From 1.0 pips | $0 | MT5 and cTrader on global site, MT5 on AU site | Not clearly promoted |
| Raw | Not clearly disclosed publicly | From 0.0 pips | $3.50 per side per standard lot | MT5 and cTrader on global site, MT5 on AU site | Not clearly promoted |
| Demo | Free | Demo environment | None | MT5 and cTrader where available | N/A |
Focus Markets keeps its account structure simple. The Standard account is the easier option for traders who want spread-only pricing with no commission. The Raw account is better for active traders who want tighter spreads and are comfortable paying commission.
Both account types use the same core base currencies: AUD, USD, GBP, EUR, NZD, and SGD. The minimum trade size is 0.01 lots, and the maximum trade size is listed at 100 lots. That gives traders enough flexibility for both smaller positions and larger CFD strategies.
The global site lists MT5 and cTrader for both account types. The Australian site focuses on MT5 only. This is an important platform difference, so traders should check the entity and platform availability before opening an account.
Focus Markets also offers demo access. Its FAQ says demo accounts normally last 30 days, but clients can request a non-expiry demo account by contacting the broker.
Focus Markets offers two pricing models. The Standard account starts from 1.0 pips and charges no commission. The Raw account starts from 0.0 pips and charges $3.50 each side per standard lot.
| Instrument | Focus Markets Spread | Industry Average | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD | From 1.0 pips on Standard, from 0.0 pips on Raw | ~0.8 to 1.2 pips on standard pricing | Strong on Raw |
| GBP/USD | Account-dependent | ~1.0 to 1.5 pips | Competitive if Raw pricing is stable |
| Gold | Variable by platform and account | Broker-dependent | Better checked live |
| Major indices | Raw pricing available, leverage up to 1:200 on global site | Broker-dependent | Good for active CFD traders |
The Raw account is the more attractive pricing option. A 0.0-pip spread floor and $3.50 per side commission puts Focus Markets in the same pricing style as brokers like IC Markets, FP Markets, GO Markets, and Vantage.
The Standard account is easier for beginners because there is no separate commission, but the total trading cost can be higher. Traders who trade frequently should compare live spreads on MT5 or cTrader before choosing the Standard account.
Swap fees apply when positions are held overnight. Focus Markets states that swap rates are visible inside the trading platform and can be charged or credited depending on the instrument and position direction. Forex triple swaps are applied on Wednesday, while stocks, indices, and commodities can have different triple-swap timing.
Focus Markets supports MT5 and cTrader on the global site. The Australian site mainly promotes MT5. This gives Focus Markets a stronger platform setup than MT5-only brokers, although platform availability depends on entity and region.
| Platform | Desktop | Web | Mobile | EAs/Bots | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MT5 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Main platform across Focus Markets entities |
| cTrader | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes, through cTrader automation tools | Available on the global site |
| MT4 | No | No | No | No | Not supported |
| TradingView | No direct trading integration promoted | No | No | No | Not a TradingView broker setup |
| Proprietary App | Not clearly promoted as core platform | No | No | No | Focus is mainly MT5 and cTrader |
MT5 is a strong platform for CFD trading. It supports advanced charting, multiple timeframes, Expert Advisors, depth of market, an integrated economic calendar, alerts, and desktop, web, and mobile access.
cTrader is a useful addition for traders who prefer a cleaner ECN-style interface, web access, and active-trading tools. The cTrader option makes Focus Markets more appealing to experienced traders than brokers that only support MT5.
For prop-trader crossover traffic, Focus Markets has a solid platform fit. MT5, cTrader, Raw spreads, 0.01 lot sizing, and support for automated trading make it relevant for traders who want a personal account alongside funded-account trading. The weaker point is the global regulatory structure.
Focus Markets offers 800+ CFD instruments across several markets. Its main categories are forex, commodities, indices, shares, and cryptocurrencies.
| Asset Class | Number of Instruments | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Forex | Broad selection | EUR/USD, GBP/USD, USD/JPY, USD/CHF, GBP/JPY, EUR/GBP |
| Commodities | Available | Gold, Brent oil, WTI oil |
| Indices | Available | AUS200, UK100, FRA40, US30, EUSTX50 |
| Stock CFDs | 500+ global stock CFDs | Tesla, NVIDIA, Apple, ASX and global shares |
| Crypto CFDs | 140+ crypto derivatives | BTC, ETH, XRP, LTC, ADA, DOGE |
| ETFs | Not clearly promoted as a core market | N/A |
| Bonds | Not clearly promoted as a core market | N/A |
Focus Markets’ asset range is stronger than many smaller CFD brokers. The standout category is crypto CFDs, where the broker promotes 140+ derivatives and 24/7 availability. The stock CFD range is also meaningful, with 500+ global stock CFDs.
The broker is still CFD-only. Traders do not own the underlying shares, crypto, commodities, or indices. They trade derivative contracts based on price movement.
Focus Markets does not accept US clients. The broker states that it cannot accept US residents due to CFTC regulations.
Focus Markets leverage depends on the entity and instrument. The global site advertises leverage up to 1:500 on forex accounts. The Australian site shows leverage up to 1:30, which reflects stricter Australian retail CFD rules.
| Trader Type | Max Leverage |
|---|---|
| Global Standard Account | Up to 1:500 |
| Global Raw Account | Up to 1:500 |
| Australian retail clients | Up to 1:30 |
| Stock CFDs | Up to 1:5 |
| Crypto CFDs | Up to 1:100 on BTC and ETH on global homepage, 1:20 shown on crypto account table |
| Indices | Up to 1:200 on global site |
High leverage is one of Focus Markets’ main selling points on the global site, but it raises the risk level. A 1:500 setup can increase both gains and losses quickly. This makes Focus Markets more suitable for experienced CFD traders than complete beginners.
The broker’s FAQ states that margin call occurs when equity falls to 80% of required margin. Stop-out occurs when equity falls to or below 50%, with losing positions closed first.
Focus Markets supports several funding methods, with availability depending on client jurisdiction. The broker does not charge internal fees on most listed deposit methods, although intermediary bank fees can apply to bank transfers.
| Method | Min. Deposit | Fee | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Credit Card | Not listed as a universal minimum | $0 | Instant, 24/7 |
| Bitwallet | Not listed as a universal minimum | $0 | Instant, 24/7 |
| Crypto | Not listed as a universal minimum | $0 from broker side | Instant, 24/7 |
| Neteller | Not listed as a universal minimum | $0 | Instant, 24/7 |
| Skrill | Not listed as a universal minimum | $0 | Instant, 24/7 |
| Bank Transfer | Not listed as a universal minimum | Intermediary bank fees may apply | 24 to 72 hours |
| BPAY | Not listed as a universal minimum | $0 | 1 to 2 business days |
Deposit limits vary by method. Cards, Bitwallet, and crypto list a USD $5,000 or equivalent deposit limit. Neteller, Skrill, and BPAY list a USD $10,000 or equivalent deposit limit. Bank transfer has no listed deposit limit.
| Method | Min. Withdrawal | Fee | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Credit Card | Not clearly disclosed publicly | Method-dependent | Instant after Finance approval |
| Bitwallet | Not clearly disclosed publicly | Method-dependent | Instant after Finance approval |
| Crypto | Not clearly disclosed publicly | Network costs may apply | Instant after Finance approval |
| Neteller | Not clearly disclosed publicly | Method-dependent | Instant after Finance approval |
| Skrill | Not clearly disclosed publicly | Method-dependent | Instant after Finance approval |
| Bank Transfer | Not clearly disclosed publicly | Bank fees may apply | 1 to 3 business days after approval |
| BPAY | Not clearly disclosed publicly | Method-dependent | 1 to 2 business days after approval |
Every withdrawal is reviewed by the Finance team, and that review can take 1 to 2 business days. After approval, several methods are listed as instant, while bank transfer takes 1 to 3 business days and BPAY takes 1 to 2 business days.
Focus Markets follows a return-to-source style policy. Withdrawals are processed through the same method used to deposit where possible. If multiple deposit methods were used, including a credit card, the broker may return funds to the original card first.
The funding setup is flexible, but public disclosure would be stronger if the broker clearly listed minimum deposit and minimum withdrawal amounts on the main public pages.
Focus Markets offers 24/5 support through live chat and email. The contact page lists live chat through the website chat icon and email support at support@focusmarkets.com.
| Channel | Available | Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live Chat | Yes | 24/5 positioning | Main fast support route |
| Yes | 24/5 positioning | support@focusmarkets.com | |
| Phone | Not clearly emphasized on the global contact page | Region-dependent | Trustpilot lists an Australian phone number |
| Help Centre / FAQ | Yes | Always available | Covers trading, accounts, funding, withdrawals, and platform issues |
The support setup is acceptable for a smaller broker, but it is not as broad as brokers offering 24/7 support, multiple regional phone desks, WhatsApp, Telegram, or dedicated account managers across all account types.
Public feedback is limited. Focus Markets currently has a 3.6 / 5 Trustpilot rating from only 7 reviews. That sample is too small to treat as a strong reputation signal. Reviews.io shows a much weaker profile, but many of those reviews read like recovery-service spam rather than direct broker feedback, so we would not weigh that source as heavily as regulation and official disclosures.
Focus Markets has a basic research and support setup. The FAQ explains important trading topics such as spreads, swaps, margin, margin calls, stop-out, demo accounts, and funding. MT5 also includes built-in tools such as charting, alerts, market watch, Expert Advisors, and an integrated economic calendar.
The education layer is not a major strength. Focus Markets does not appear to offer the same level of structured learning, webinars, market research, analyst content, or third-party research tools as brokers like AvaTrade, XM, XTB, or FP Markets.
For experienced traders, this may not be a major issue because the main appeal is Raw pricing, MT5, cTrader, and CFD market access. Beginners who need structured education may prefer a broker with a deeper academy.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| ASIC-regulated Australian entity | Global site uses Mauritius and Saint Lucia-linked entities |
| Raw spreads from 0.0 pips | Global regulation is weaker than ASIC, FCA, or CySEC onboarding |
| Supports MT5 and cTrader on the global site | Australian site appears to focus on MT5 only |
| 800+ CFD instruments | Minimum deposit is not clearly disclosed on public account pages |
| 140+ crypto derivatives | Education and research tools are limited |
| Flexible funding with cards, crypto, Skrill, Neteller, Bitwallet, bank transfer, and BPAY | Trustpilot profile has only 7 reviews |
Is Focus Markets legit? Yes. Focus Markets is a real broker with disclosed entities, an ASIC-regulated Australian company, a Mauritius-regulated global entity, and public trading conditions across MT5 and cTrader.
The strongest reason to consider Focus Markets is its trading setup. Raw spreads from 0.0 pips, $3.50 per side commission, MT5, cTrader, 800+ CFDs, 500+ stock CFDs, and 140+ crypto derivatives make it attractive for active CFD traders.
The main reason to be cautious is entity-level protection. The Australian entity has stronger ASIC oversight, but the global site is tied to Mauritius and Saint Lucia-linked entities. That is a weaker safety profile than brokers that onboard most retail clients under FCA, ASIC, or CySEC structures.
Trustpilot is not strong enough to move the score higher. Focus Markets has a 3.6 / 5 rating from 7 reviews, with 71% 5-star and 29% 1-star reviews. The sample size is too small for a firm reputation conclusion.
| Category | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Regulation & Safety | 7.0 / 10 | ASIC entity is strong, but global clients may use weaker offshore structures |
| Spreads & Fees | 8.0 / 10 | Raw spreads from 0.0 pips with clear $3.50 per side commission |
| Platform Quality | 8.0 / 10 | MT5 and cTrader are strong, but no MT4 or TradingView |
| Asset Coverage | 7.8 / 10 | 800+ CFDs, including 500+ stocks and 140+ crypto derivatives |
| Deposit & Withdrawal | 7.0 / 10 | Good method coverage, but public minimums are not clear |
| Customer Support | 6.5 / 10 | 24/5 support, but limited public review depth |
| Overall | 7.0 / 10 | Strong trading conditions with entity-level safety caveats |
Focus Markets is best for active CFD traders who want MT5, cTrader, Raw spreads, high leverage, crypto CFDs, and a simple account structure. Safety-first traders should check whether they are opening under the ASIC entity or the global Mauritius/Saint Lucia structure before depositing funds.
| Alternative | Best For | Min. Deposit | Regulation | Spreads From |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IC Markets | Raw spreads, MT4, MT5, cTrader, and TradingView | $0 on current global account overview | ASIC, CySEC, FSA Seychelles, SCB Bahamas | From 0.0 pips on Raw |
| FP Markets | MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, and Iress | $100 or equivalent | ASIC, CySEC, FSCA, FSA Seychelles, FSC Mauritius | From 0.0 pips on Raw |
| GO Markets | MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, and GO TradeX | $10 on Micro | ASIC, CySEC, FSC Mauritius, FSA Seychelles | From 0.0 pips on GO Plus+ |
IC Markets is stronger for traders who want a larger public track record and more platform options. FP Markets is better for traders who want MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, and Iress. GO Markets is a close alternative for traders who want cTrader plus stronger education and tool depth.
No. Focus Markets is a real broker with disclosed entities, including an ASIC-regulated Australian company and an FSC Mauritius-regulated global entity. The main concern is not whether the broker exists, but which entity holds your account.
Yes. Focus Markets Pty Ltd is regulated by ASIC under licence 514425. Focus Markets Global Limited is regulated by the FSC Mauritius under licence GB25205284. Focus Markets Ltd is registered in Saint Lucia under number 2025-00425.
Focus Markets does not clearly publish one universal minimum deposit on the current public account page. Deposit limits are shown by payment method, but minimum deposit amounts should be confirmed inside the client portal before funding.
Focus Markets lists spreads from 1.0 pips on Standard and from 0.0 pips on Raw. The Raw account charges $3.50 each side per standard lot.
Focus Markets supports MT5 and cTrader on the global site. The Australian site mainly promotes MT5. MT4 and TradingView direct trading are not currently promoted as core platforms.
No. Focus Markets states that it cannot accept US residents due to CFTC regulations.
Every withdrawal is reviewed by the Finance team, which can take 1 to 2 business days. After approval, several methods are listed as instant, while bank transfer takes 1 to 3 business days and BPAY takes 1 to 2 business days.
Focus Markets offers leverage up to 1:500 on the global site and up to 1:30 on the Australian site. Leverage also varies by product, with lower leverage on stocks, crypto, and some indices.
Focus Markets can work for beginners who want a simple Standard account and MT5 access, but the limited education section and high leverage on the global site make it better for traders who already understand CFD risk.
Yes, from a platform and pricing angle. Focus Markets supports MT5, cTrader, Raw spreads, small lot sizing, and automated trading tools. The main caution for prop-style traders is the global entity structure.
This review was prepared by MyTradingReviews using publicly available information from Focus Markets’ official website, account pages, platform pages, funding pages, withdrawal pages, FAQ, legal disclosures, Trustpilot profile, and public review sources. Regulation was verified on May 6, 2026 against Focus Markets’ public entity and licence disclosures.
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Trader-submitted reviews for Focus Markets
Across 6 trader reviews, Focus Markets holds 4.1 out of 5, rated great overall, with 3 reviews backed by verified proof. Reviewers most consistently highlight a solid platform and execution and reliable payouts.
Been with Focus Markets for over a year trading FX majors and gold. Withdrawals clear in under 24 hours every single time and the spreads on majors stay tight even at the London open.
Strong regulation is exactly why I signed up with Focus Markets and they have lived up to it. No games with my funds, the charts run clean, and spreads are competitive on FX majors.
Focus Markets has been excellent for active trading. Spreads on majors stay competitive even at the New York overlap, and my withdrawals cleared within a single business day every time.
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Editorial score 9.0/10 · CFDs carry a high risk of losing money.
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