FOCUS Markets

FOCUS Markets is an online trading broker established on 23 August 2019. The company is registered in Saint Lucia, with a registered address at Top Floor, Rodney Court Building, Rodney Bay, Gros Islet, Saint Lucia. It also operates an entity in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. The broker presents itself as a global multi-asset provider, offering retail clients access to a wide range of CFD markets through the MetaTrader 5 and cTrader platforms.

The broker’s official website (focusmarkets.com) lists its core offering as over 800 CFD instruments, covering forex, indices, commodities, stocks, and cryptocurrencies. It emphasizes low spreads, fast execution, and multi-device trading. FOCUS Markets is aimed at both retail and institutional traders, though its services are not available to US clients, as noted in its FAQ.

FOCUS Markets claims regulation by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) under a Market Making License. However, the entity registered in Saint Lucia is not directly regulated by ASIC, and the ASIC license may cover a different entity. The broker is not licensed by a major financial regulator in its home jurisdiction, which is a common structure for offshore brokers. Traders should verify the exact regulatory coverage and consider the implications of dealing with an unregulated Saint Lucian entity.

The broker publishes risk disclosure policies and client agreements for both its Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent entities, but these do not substitute for robust regulatory oversight. The absence of a tier-1 regulator in the broker’s primary jurisdiction is a significant factor for risk assessment.

FOCUS Markets offers two main account types: Standard and Raw. The Standard account has spreads starting from 1.0 pips with no commission and leverage up to 1:500. The Raw account features spreads from 0.0 pips, also with leverage up to 1:500 (commission structure not fully displayed).

Both accounts support a wide range of base currencies including AUD, USD, GBP, EUR, NZD, SGD, and CAD. The minimum trade size is 0.01 lots, with a maximum of 100 lots. There are no limits on open positions or pending orders.

The broker provides a 30-day demo account for practice. Margin call is set at 80% and stop out at 50%. The trading conditions are competitive, especially the Raw account for traders seeking tight spreads. However, the high leverage of 1:500 carries significant risk, particularly for retail traders.

The broker offers MetaTrader 5 (MT5) and cTrader as its primary trading platforms. MT5 is available on Windows, macOS, web, Android, and iOS, providing advanced charting, analytical tools, and automated trading via Expert Advisors (EAs). cTrader is also supported, known for its intuitive interface and advanced order management. Both platforms enable one-click trading and are compatible with multiple devices, allowing traders to manage positions from anywhere.

FOCUS Markets highlights its multi-asset coverage with over 800 instruments, including 50+ forex pairs, 140+ cryptocurrency derivatives, major indices, and commodity CFDs. The broker emphasizes fast execution through a pool of liquidity providers, though specific execution speeds are not disclosed.

FOCUS Markets supports several funding methods, including credit/debit cards, Bitwallet, and cryptocurrency (USDT TRC20/ERC20, BTC). Deposits are processed instantly with no transaction fees, though a per-transaction limit of USD 5,000 applies. Available currencies for deposits include AUD, USD, JPY, GBP, EUR, NZD, CAD, and SGD. Withdrawal methods are likely similar, but specific details are not provided on the site.

The broker claims to hold client funds in segregated accounts at Tier 1 banks, which is a positive step for fund security. However, this claim is self-reported and not verified by an independent auditor. Traders should confirm the segregation policy in the client agreement.

FOCUS Markets is designed for retail and institutional traders seeking access to a broad range of CFD markets with competitive spreads and high leverage. The availability of MT5 and cTrader caters to both manual and automated traders. The broker’s offering is particularly attractive to traders comfortable with offshore regulation and those willing to accept higher risk for potentially better trading conditions.

The broker explicitly does not accept US clients, likely due to regulatory constraints. It is best suited for experienced traders who understand the risks of leveraged trading and offshore entities. Beginners should exercise caution due to the lack of strong regulatory oversight and the high leverage offered.