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Best CFD Trading Platforms and Brokers in South Korea 2024

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Written By
James Barra
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Written By
James Barra
James is an investment writer with a background in financial services. As a former management consultant, he has worked on major operational transformation programmes at prominent European banks. James authors, edits and fact-checks content for a series of investing websites.
» James Barra Profile Page
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Fact Checked By
Jemma Grist
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Fact Checked By
Jemma Grist
Jemma is a writer, editor and fact-checker focused on retail trading and investing. Jemma brings a unique perspective to the forex, stock, and cryptocurrency markets and works across several investment websites as a researcher and broker analyst.
» Jemma Grist Profile Page
Updated
Oct 4, 2024

CFD trading in South Korea has come under the spotlight in recent years, having been suspended in 2023 after stock manipulation schemes cost investors up to one trillion won. It has since resumed under tighter rules from Korea’s Financial Services Commission, resulting in fewer local brokers.

Explore our selection of the best CFD brokers in South Korea. Every CFD trading platform accepts retail investors from South Korea and has earned the trust of our experts.

Top 10 CFD Trading Platforms in South Korea

After testing 216 brokers, these 10 platforms emerged as the best for CFD traders in South Korea:

Click a broker for details
  1. 1
    AvaTrade
    20% Welcome Bonus up to $10,000
    Ratings
    4.8 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    4.5 / 5
    3.8 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    4.5 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    4 / 5
    $100
    0.01 Lots
    1:30 (Retail) 1:400 (Pro)
    ASIC, CySEC, FSCA, ISA, CBI, FSA, FSRA, BVI, ADGM, CIRO, AFM
    CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Bonds, Crypto, Spread Betting, Futures
    WebTrader, AvaTradeGO, AvaOptions, AvaFutures, MT4, MT5, AlgoTrader, TradingCentral, DupliTrade
    Skrill, Wire Transfer, FasaPay, Mastercard, Perfect Money, Swift, MoneyGram, Credit Card, WebMoney, JCB Card, Debit Card, Neteller, Boleto
    USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD
    Go To AvaTrade
  2. 2
    IC Markets
    Ratings
    4.6 / 5
    4 / 5
    3.5 / 5
    4.6 / 5
    4 / 5
    4.5 / 5
    4 / 5
    3.5 / 5
    3.1 / 5
    4.2 / 5
    $200
    0.01 Lots
    1:30 (ASIC & CySEC), 1:500 (FSA), 1:1000 (Global)
    ASIC, CySEC, FSA, CMA
    CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Bonds, Futures, Crypto
    MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, TradingCentral, DupliTrade
    PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, Visa, UnionPay, Wire Transfer, Rapid Transfer, Mastercard, POLi, BPAY, Credit Card, Klarna, Swift, SafeCharge
    USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, JPY, CHF, HKD, SGD
    Go To IC Markets
  3. 3
    Deriv
    Ratings
    3.5 / 5
    4 / 5
    4.8 / 5
    3.3 / 5
    4.5 / 5
    3.8 / 5
    2.5 / 5
    3.8 / 5
    4.2 / 5
    4.5 / 5
    $5
    0.01 Lots
    1:1000
    MFSA, LFSA, BVIFSC, VFSC, FSC, SVGFSA
    CFDs, Multipliers, Accumulators, Synthetic Indices, Forex, Stocks, Options, Commodities, ETFs
    Deriv Trader, Deriv X, Deriv Go, MT5, cTrader, TradingView
    Neteller, Visa, Skrill, WebMoney, FasaPay, Perfect Money, Diners Club, Banxa, Paytrust, Wire Transfer, Mastercard, Credit Card, JCB Card, Sticpay, Trustly, Volet, Paysafecard, AstroPay, Maestro, Airtm, Boleto, JetonCash, Przelewy24, Bitcoin Payments
    USD, EUR, GBP
    Go To Deriv
  4. 4
    Pepperstone
    CFDs and FX are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 81.8% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs.
    Ratings
    4.6 / 5
    4 / 5
    3.8 / 5
    4.4 / 5
    4.4 / 5
    4.6 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    4 / 5
    4.4 / 5
    4.1 / 5
    $0
    0.01 Lots
    1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro)
    FCA, ASIC, CySEC, DFSA, CMA, BaFin, SCB
    CFDs, Forex, Currency Indices, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Crypto, Spread Betting
    MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, AutoChartist, DupliTrade
    Visa, Mastercard, Credit Card, Debit Card, PayPal, Wire Transfer, POLi, UnionPay, BPAY, Neteller, Skrill, PIX Payment
    USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, JPY, CHF, HKD, SGD
    Go To Pepperstone
  5. 5
    XM
    $30 No Deposit Bonus When You Register A Real Account
    Ratings
    3.8 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    4 / 5
    3.8 / 5
    3.3 / 5
    4 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    4.7 / 5
    3.9 / 5
    $5
    0.01 Lots
    1:1000
    ASIC, CySEC, DFSA, IFSC
    CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Commodities, Indices, Thematic Indices, Precious Metals, Energies
    MT4, MT5, TradingCentral
    Credit Card, Debit Card, Skrill, Neteller, Wire Transfer, Perfect Money, Apple Pay, Google Wallet, TransferWise, Visa, M-Pesa
    USD, EUR, GBP, JPY
    Go To XM
  6. 6
    Eightcap
    Ratings
    4.3 / 5
    4 / 5
    3.6 / 5
    3.8 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    4 / 5
    3.5 / 5
    3.5 / 5
    4.8 / 5
    4.4 / 5
    $100
    0.01 Lots
    1:500
    ASIC, FCA, CySEC, SCB
    CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Crypto
    MT4, MT5, TradingView
    Neteller, Skrill, Visa, UnionPay, Credit Card, Debit Card, Bitcoin Payments, Wire Transfer, FasaPay, BPAY, PayPal, Dragonpay, PIX Payment
    USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, SGD
    Go To Eightcap
  7. 7
    RoboForex
    $30 No Deposit Bonus
    RoboForex Ltd and its affiliates do not target EU/EEA/UK clients. Please be aware that you are able to receive investment services from a third-country firm at your own exclusive initiative only, taking all the risks involved.
    Ratings
    3 / 5
    4 / 5
    4 / 5
    3.5 / 5
    4.1 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    3.8 / 5
    3.8 / 5
    4.7 / 5
    4.4 / 5
    $10
    0.01 Lots
    1:2000
    IFSC
    CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Futures
    R StocksTrader, MT4, MT5, TradingView
    Visa, iDeal, Trustly, Neteller, Skrill, Giropay, Sofort, Wire Transfer, Rapid Transfer, Alipay, POLi, Perfect Money, MoneyGram, Cashu, SafeCharge, WeChat Pay, Vietcombank Transfer, Volet, ecoPayz, AstroPay
    USD, EUR
    Go To RoboForex
  8. 8
    FOREX.com
    20% Welcome Bonus Up To $5000
    Ratings
    4.9 / 5
    4 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    4.6 / 5
    4.6 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    4.8 / 5
    4.5 / 5
    3.6 / 5
    3.8 / 5
    $100
    0.01 Lots
    1:400
    NFA, CFTC, CIRO, FCA, CYSEC, ASIC, SFC, FSA, MAS, CIMA
    Forex, CFDs, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Futures, Options, Crypto
    MT4, MT5, TradingView, eSignal, AutoChartist, TradingCentral
    Wire Transfer, Credit Card, Debit Card, Visa, Mastercard, Skrill, Neteller, ACH Transfer
    USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, CHF, PLN
    Go To FOREX.com
  9. 9
    InstaForex
    Choose between: Club Bonus, 30 %, 55 % and 100 % bonuses
    All investments involve a degree of risk of some kind. Trading financial derivative products comes with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. You should not engage in trading these instruments unless you fully understand the nature of the transactions you are entering into, and the true extent of your exposure. These types of investments may be suitable for some investors, but they are not for everyone.
    Ratings
    4 / 5
    3.9 / 5
    4.2 / 5
    4 / 5
    3.9 / 5
    3.7 / 5
    3.5 / 5
    3.6 / 5
    3.6 / 5
    3.6 / 5
    $1
    0.10 of the lot (0.0001 of market lot for Cent.Standard and Cent.Eurica)
    1:1000
    BVI FSC
    Currencies, Cryptocurrencies, Stocks, Indices, Metals, Oil and Gas, Commodity Futures and InstaFutures
    MT4, MT5
    Skrill, Mastercard, Visa, Neteller, Wire Transfer, Przelewy24, Giropay, Rapid Transfer
    USD, EUR, GBP, PLN, CZK
    Go To InstaForex
  10. 10
    Trade Nation
    200 Sign-Up Reward Points
    84% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.
    Ratings
    4.3 / 5
    4.5 / 5
    3.5 / 5
    4.5 / 5
    4.3 / 5
    4.5 / 5
    3.8 / 5
    3.8 / 5
    4.1 / 5
    0 / 5
    $0
    0.1 Lots
    1:500 (entity dependent)
    FCA, ASIC, FSCA, SCB, FSA
    Forex, CFDs, Indices, Shares, Commodities, Futures, Bonds, Cryptos (Bahamas Entity Only)
    MT4
    Credit Card, Visa, Mastercard, Wire Transfer, Skrill, PayPal, Debit Card
    USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, ZAR, SEK, NOK, DKK
    Go To Trade Nation

Here is a summary of why we recommend these brokers:

  1. AvaTrade - AvaTrade's 1250+ leveraged CFD products span a wide range of asset classes including stocks, indices, commodities, bonds, crypto, and ETFs. What we love is that you can speculate on rising and falling prices in the broker’s feature-rich web and mobile platforms with market-leading research tools to help you discover short-term trading opportunities.
  2. IC Markets - You gain access to over 2,250 CFDs, available for trading 24/5 across popular markets such as forex, commodities, indices, stocks, and bonds. Utilizing deep liquidity and advanced bridge technology, IC Markets ensures optimal conditions for scalpers, hedgers, and algo traders alike.
  3. Deriv - Since broadening its range of CFDs in 2023, Deriv now offers trading on rising and falling prices across hundreds of global financial markets. This includes the firm’s exclusive synthetic indices which imitate real markets but run around the clock for additional trading opportunities.
  4. Pepperstone - Pepperstone maintains its position as one of the fastest and most dependable CFD brokers during our latest round of testing. With execution speeds averaging around 30ms and an outstanding fill rate of 99.90%, the broker ensures a seamless trading experience without requotes or dealing desk interference. It also provides ample trading opportunities across over 1,300 assets.
  5. XM - XM delivers for CFD traders with flexible leverage and a huge range of markets, including bespoke thematic indices for exposure to popular sectors like artificial intelligence. The MT4/MT5 platforms are also fast and dependable while a free VPS is available to qualifying XM traders running algo trading strategies.
  6. Eightcap - Eightcap offers a wide range of trading options with 800+ CFDs across stocks, indices, bonds, commodities, and cryptocurrencies (depending on location), with leverage up to 1:30/1:500. It excels in its tools, notably the AI-enabled economic calendar covering 25+ countries with impact filters (high, medium, low). However, its commodities offering, particularly in softs like cotton and wheat, as well as the limited precious metal and energy assets, is its weakest area.
  7. RoboForex - RoboForex offers a growing suite of over 12,000 CFDs, encompassing forex, stocks, indices, commodities, futures and ETFs. With an initial deposit of $10 and micro lot trading through to very high leverage up to 1:2000, RoboForex caters to a broad range of derivative traders. On the downside, analysis reveals execution speeds of 1-3 seconds, noticeably slower than IC Markets at 0.35 seconds, and suboptimal for fast-paced strategies like scalping.
  8. FOREX.com - With the ability to take both long and short positions on 5,500+ CFDs across forex, stocks, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies, FOREX.com excels. Its exclusive Web Trader platform offers an excellent trading experience, equipped with over 80 technical indicators and average execution speeds of just 20 milliseconds, ensuring an optimal environment for serious day traders.
  9. InstaForex - You can trade CFDs across a range of diverse markets with flexible account types and leverage up to 1:1000. With access to both MT4 and MT5, day traders can execute multiple short-term CFD trading strategies using the dozens of pre-integrated technical indicators and graphical objects.
  10. Trade Nation - Trade leveraged CFDs on over 1000 assets with low-cost spreads. You can also take advantage of the broker's integrated signals to help you determine when to enter and exit positions.

Best CFD Trading Platforms and Brokers in South Korea 2024 Comparison

Best CFD Trading Platforms and Brokers in South Korea 2024 Comparison
Broker CFD Trading Minimum Deposit Markets Platforms Leverage
AvaTrade logo
✔ $100 CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Bonds, Crypto, Spread Betting, Futures WebTrader, AvaTradeGO, AvaOptions, AvaFutures, MT4, MT5, AlgoTrader, TradingCentral, DupliTrade 1:30 (Retail) 1:400 (Pro)
IC Markets logo
✔ $200 CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Bonds, Futures, Crypto MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, TradingCentral, DupliTrade 1:30 (ASIC & CySEC), 1:500 (FSA), 1:1000 (Global)
Deriv logo
✔ $5 CFDs, Multipliers, Accumulators, Synthetic Indices, Forex, Stocks, Options, Commodities, ETFs Deriv Trader, Deriv X, Deriv Go, MT5, cTrader, TradingView 1:1000
Pepperstone logo
✔ $0 CFDs, Forex, Currency Indices, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Crypto, Spread Betting MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, AutoChartist, DupliTrade 1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro)
XM logo
✔ $5 CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Commodities, Indices, Thematic Indices, Precious Metals, Energies MT4, MT5, TradingCentral 1:1000
Eightcap logo
✔ $100 CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Crypto MT4, MT5, TradingView 1:500
RoboForex logo
✔ $10 CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Futures R StocksTrader, MT4, MT5, TradingView 1:2000
FOREX.com logo
✔ $100 Forex, CFDs, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Futures, Options, Crypto MT4, MT5, TradingView, eSignal, AutoChartist, TradingCentral 1:400
InstaForex logo
✔ $1 Currencies, Cryptocurrencies, Stocks, Indices, Metals, Oil and Gas, Commodity Futures and InstaFutures MT4, MT5 1:1000
Trade Nation logo
✔ $0 Forex, CFDs, Indices, Shares, Commodities, Futures, Bonds, Cryptos (Bahamas Entity Only) MT4 1:500 (entity dependent)

AvaTrade

"AvaTrade offers active traders everything they need: an intuitive WebTrader, powerful AvaProtect risk management, a smooth 5-minute sign-up process, and dependable support you can rely on in fast-moving markets."

Jemma Grist, Reviewer

AvaTrade Quick Facts

Bonus Offer20% Welcome Bonus up to $10,000
FTSE Spread0.5
GBPUSD Spread1.5
Stocks Spread0.13
Leverage1:30 (Retail) 1:400 (Pro)
RegulatorASIC, CySEC, FSCA, ISA, CBI, FSA, FSRA, BVI, ADGM, CIRO, AFM
PlatformsWebTrader, AvaTradeGO, AvaOptions, AvaFutures, MT4, MT5, AlgoTrader, TradingCentral, DupliTrade
Account CurrenciesUSD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD

Pros

  • The WebTrader excelled in our hands-on tests, sporting a user-friendly interface for beginners, complete with robust charting tools like 6 chart layouts and 60+ technical indicators.
  • Years on, AvaTrade remains one of the few brokers offering a bespoke risk management tool, AvaProtect, that insures losses up to $1M for a fee and is easy to activate on the platform.
  • AvaTrade continues to enhance its suite of products, recently through AvaFutures, providing an alternative vehicle to speculate on over 35 markets with low day trading margins.

Cons

  • The AvaSocial app is good but not great – the look and feel, plus the navigation between finding strategy providers and account management needs upgrading to rival category leaders like eToro.
  • While signing up is a breeze, AvaTrade lacks an ECN account like Pepperstone or IC Markets, which provides the raw spreads and ultra-fast execution many day traders are looking for.
  • Although the deposit process itself is smooth, AvaTrade still doesn’t facilitate crypto payments, a feature increasingly offered by brokers like TopFX, which caters to crypto-focused traders.
Visit AvaTrade
AvaTrade Review

IC Markets

"IC Markets offers superior pricing, exceptionally fast execution and seamless deposits. The introduction of advanced charting platforms, notably TradingView, and the Raw Trader Plus account, ensures it remains a top choice for intermediate to advanced day traders."

Christian Harris, Reviewer

IC Markets Quick Facts

FTSE Spread1.0
GBPUSD Spread0.23
Stocks Spread0.02
Leverage1:30 (ASIC & CySEC), 1:500 (FSA), 1:1000 (Global)
RegulatorASIC, CySEC, FSA, CMA
PlatformsMT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, TradingCentral, DupliTrade
Account CurrenciesUSD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, JPY, CHF, HKD, SGD

Pros

  • IC Markets offers fast and dependable 24/5 support based on firsthand experience, particularly when it comes to accounts and funding issues.
  • IC Markets offers among the tightest spreads in the industry, with 0.0-pip spreads on major currency pairs, making it especially cost-effective for day traders.
  • As a tightly regulated and widely respected broker, IC Markets prioritizes client security and transparency, helping to ensure a reliable trading experience globally.

Cons

  • The breadth and depth of tutorials, webinars and educational resources still need work, trailing alternatives like CMC Markets and reducing its suitability for beginners.
  • While IC Markets offers a selection of metals and cryptos for trading via CFDs, the range is not as extensive as brokers like eToro, limiting opportunities for traders interested in these asset classes.
  • There are fees for certain withdrawal methods, including a $20 wire charge, which can eat into profits, especially for frequent withdrawals.
Visit IC Markets
IC Markets Review

Deriv

"Deriv is ideal for active traders seeking alternative and unique ways to speculate on global financial markets, from multipliers and accumulator options to its bespoke synthetic indices, which mimic real market movements and are available 24/7, allowing for continuous trading opportunities regardless of market hours."

Christian Harris, Reviewer

Deriv Quick Facts

FTSE Spread1.0
GBPUSD Spread0.4
Stocks Spread0.07
Leverage1:1000
RegulatorMFSA, LFSA, BVIFSC, VFSC, FSC, SVGFSA
PlatformsDeriv Trader, Deriv X, Deriv Go, MT5, cTrader, TradingView
Account CurrenciesUSD, EUR, GBP

Pros

  • Deriv stands out with its innovative products, from multipliers and derived indices to its addition of accumulator options, providing exclusive short-term trading opportunities.
  • After integrating TradingView and adding MT5 web trader, Deriv now offers a first-class selection of charting tools across desktop, web and mobile devices.
  • Account funding is a breeze with a very low minimum deposit of $5 and a huge selection of payment options, plus Tether was added to the cashier in 2023.

Cons

  • Apart from the MFSA in the EU, Deriv lacks top-tier regulatory credentials, reducing the level of safeguards like access to investor compensation.
  • Although there’s a basic blog, there's little in terms of technical analysis or market reports which could help active traders identify potential opportunities.
  • While the Academy launched in 2021 is a step in the right direction, there is limited education on advanced trading topics for seasoned traders and no live webinars to upskill new traders.
Visit Deriv
Deriv Review

Pepperstone

"Pepperstone stands out as a top choice for day trading, offering razor-sharp spreads, ultra-fast execution, and advanced charting platforms for experienced traders. New traders are also welcomed with no minimum deposit, extensive educational resources, and exceptional 24/7 support."

Christian Harris, Reviewer

Pepperstone Quick Facts

FTSE Spread1.0
GBPUSD Spread0.4
Stocks Spread0.02
Leverage1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro)
RegulatorFCA, ASIC, CySEC, DFSA, CMA, BaFin, SCB
PlatformsMT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, AutoChartist, DupliTrade
Account CurrenciesUSD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, JPY, CHF, HKD, SGD

Pros

  • Pepperstone boasts impressive execution speeds, averaging around 30ms, facilitating fast order processing and execution that’s ideal for day trading.
  • Award-winning customer support is available via telephone, email or live chat with response times of <5 minutes during testing.
  • Now offering spread betting through TradingView, Pepperstone provides a seamless, tax-efficient trading experience with advanced analysis tools.

Cons

  • Pepperstone’s demo accounts are active for only 30 days, which may not be not long enough to familiarize yourself with the different platforms and test trading strategies.
  • Pepperstone does not support cTrader Copy, a popular copy trading feature built into the excellent cTrader platform and available at alternatives like IC Markets, though it has introduced an intuitive copy trading app.
  • Despite enhancements to its range of markets, crypto offerings are relatively limited compared to other brokers such as eToro, with no option to invest in real coins.
Visit Pepperstone
Pepperstone Review

XM

"With a low $5 minimum deposit, advanced charting platforms in MT4 and MT5, expanding range of markets, and a Zero account offering spreads from 0.0, XM provides all the essentials for active traders, even earning our ‘Best MT4/MT5 Broker’ award in recent years."

Christian Harris, Reviewer

XM Quick Facts

Bonus Offer$30 No Deposit Bonus When You Register A Real Account
FTSE Spread1.4
GBPUSD Spread0.8
Stocks Spread0.002
Leverage1:1000
RegulatorASIC, CySEC, DFSA, IFSC
PlatformsMT4, MT5, TradingCentral
Account CurrenciesUSD, EUR, GBP, JPY

Pros

  • XM stands out for its commitment to trader education, with a wealth of well-presented resources, including webinars, tutorials, and even real-time trading sessions through XM Live.
  • XM’s customer support has delivered over years of testing, with 24/5 assistance in 25 languages, response times of <2 minutes and now a growing Telegram channel.
  • XM’s growing roster of 1,000+ instruments provides diverse short-term trading opportunities, with unique turbo stocks, fractional shares, and more recently thematic indices.

Cons

  • XM is falling behind the curve by not offering cTrader and TradingView which are increasingly being favored over MetaTrader for their smoother user experience and superior charting packages.
  • While the XM app stands out for its usability and exclusive copy trading products, the selection of technical analysis tools needs to be improved to meet the needs of advanced traders.
  • Although trusted and generally well-regulated, the XM global entity is registered with the weak IFSC regulator and UK clients are no longer accepted, reducing its market reach.
Visit XM
XM Review

Eightcap

"Eightcap delivers in every area for day traders with a growing selection of charting platforms, education via Labs, and AI-powered tools. Now sporting 120+ crypto CFDs, it's also become a stand-out choice for crypto trading, winning our 'Best Crypto Broker' award two years in a row."

Christian Harris, Reviewer

Eightcap Quick Facts

FTSE Spread1.2
GBPUSD Spread0.1
Stocks Spread0.03 (Apple Inc)
Leverage1:500
RegulatorASIC, FCA, CySEC, SCB
PlatformsMT4, MT5, TradingView
Account CurrenciesUSD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, SGD

Pros

  • Eightcap stands out with a selection of powerful trading tools and resources, including MT4 and MT5, the innovative algorithmic trading platform Capitalise.ai, and more recently the 50-million strong social trading network TradingView.
  • Having excelled across all key areas for day traders, Eightcap outperformed every competitor to win our 'Best Overall Broker' award for 2024, also securing our 'Best Crypto Broker' title.
  • After bolstering its roster in 2021, Eightcap offers one of the most extensive selections of cryptocurrency CFDs in the market, with crypto/fiat pairs, crypto/crypto pairs, plus crypto indices for broader exposure to the market.

Cons

  • Despite a useful library of educational guides and e-books in Labs, Eightcap still trails IG’s comprehensive toolkit for aspiring traders with its dedicated IG Academy app and 18 course categories.
  • The demo account expires after 30 days and can only be extended upon request - a notable inconvenience compared to the likes of XM with its unlimited demo mode.
  • In spite of an increasing variety of tools, Eightcap doesn't offer industry favorites like Autochartist or Trading Central, which offer cutting-edge charting analytics, live news, and market insights for short-term traders.
Visit Eightcap
Eightcap Review

RoboForex

"RoboForex is great if you want a vast range of 12,000+ day trading markets with ECN accounts, powerful charting and loyalty promotions. It also stands out for stock traders with its user-friendly R StocksTrader platform, featuring 3,000+ shares, fees from $0.01 and sophisticated watchlists."

Christian Harris, Reviewer

RoboForex Quick Facts

Bonus Offer$30 No Deposit Bonus
GBPUSD Spread0.4
Stocks Spread0.01
Leverage1:2000
RegulatorIFSC
PlatformsR StocksTrader, MT4, MT5, TradingView
Account CurrenciesUSD, EUR

Pros

  • RoboForex offers over 12,000 instruments, providing more short-term trading opportunities than the vast majority of online brokers, with forex, stocks, indices, ETFs, commodities, and futures.
  • RoboForex is known for its tight spreads starting from 0 pips and low minimum deposits from $10, making it accessible to those on a budget. The ability to trade with micro lots further lowers the barrier to entry for new traders.
  • The broker offers two commission-free withdrawals each month in the Free Funds Withdrawal program, helping day traders to minimize transaction costs.

Cons

  • RoboForex provides a variety of account types, which, while offering flexibility, can be overwhelming for newer traders trying to choose the most suitable option for their trading style. Alternatives, notably eToro, provide a smoother entry into online trading with one retail account.
  • RoboForex now restricts base currency options to USD and EUR. This limitation may inconvenience day traders preferring to manage their accounts in other currencies, while potentially leading to conversion fees.
  • Despite 15+ years in the industry and registering with the Financial Commission, RoboForex is authorized by one ‘Red-Tier’ regulator – the IFSC in Belize, lowering the level of regulatory protections for traders.
Visit RoboForex
RoboForex Review

FOREX.com

"FOREX.com remains a best-in-class brokerage for active forex traders of all experience levels, with over 80 currency pairs, tight spreads from 0.0 pips and low commissions. The powerful charting platforms collectively offer over 100 technical indicators, as well as extensive research tools."

Christian Harris, Reviewer

FOREX.com Quick Facts

Bonus Offer20% Welcome Bonus Up To $5000
FTSE Spread1.0
GBPUSD Spread1.3
Stocks Spread0.14
Leverage1:400
RegulatorNFA, CFTC, CIRO, FCA, CYSEC, ASIC, SFC, FSA, MAS, CIMA
PlatformsMT4, MT5, TradingView, eSignal, AutoChartist, TradingCentral
Account CurrenciesUSD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, CHF, PLN

Pros

  • The in-house Web Trader continues to shine as one of the best-designed platforms for aspiring day traders with a slick design and over 80 technical indicators for market analysis.
  • FOREX.com offers industry-leading forex pricing starting from 0.0 pips, alongside competitive cashback rebates of up to 15% for serious day traders.
  • With over 20 years of experience, excellent regulatory oversight, and multiple accolades including runner-up in our 'Best Forex Broker' awards, FOREX.com boasts a global reputation as a trusted brokerage.

Cons

  • Funding options are limited compared to leading alternatives like IC Markets and don’t include many popular e-wallets, notably UnionPay and POLi.
  • Demo accounts are frustratingly time-limited to 90 days, which doesn’t give you enough time to test day trading strategies effectively.
  • FOREX.com's MT4 platform offers approximately 600 instruments, significantly fewer than the over 5,500 available on its non-MetaTrader platforms.
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FOREX.com Review

InstaForex

"InstaForex maintains its position as a top forex broker, with more currency products than most rivals. The tight spreads and low minimum deposits make it accessible to all experience levels, especially those familiar with the MT4 and MT5 platforms."

William Berg, Reviewer

InstaForex Quick Facts

Bonus OfferChoose between: Club Bonus, 30 %, 55 % and 100 % bonuses
FTSE SpreadFixed
GBPUSD SpreadAv. Floating 0.6 pips
Stocks Spread0.1%
Leverage1:1000
RegulatorBVI FSC
PlatformsMT4, MT5
Account CurrenciesUSD, EUR, GBP, PLN, CZK

Pros

  • InstaForex delivers a superb day trading environment, with the powerful MT4 and MT5 platforms offering dozens of technical analysis tools, automation capabilities and multiple order types
  • The broker is accessible for beginners, with low minimum deposits and zero-commission trading available.
  • The broker is a particularly good pick for serious forex traders, with over 100 currency pairs, tight spreads from 0.0 pips and a market-leading selection of curated forex market resources

Cons

  • Customer support is available only in EN, CZ, PL, and SK.
  • The broker’s website and client cabinet feel outdated and difficult to navigate for newcomers
  • The broker provides trading instruments only in the form of CFDs.
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InstaForex Review

Trade Nation

"Trade Nation is a good choice for newer traders looking for a wide range of financial markets on a user-friendly platform. There is no minimum deposit, free funding options and strong education."

William Berg, Reviewer

Trade Nation Quick Facts

Bonus Offer200 Sign-Up Reward Points
FTSE SpreadFrom 0.4
GBPUSD SpreadFrom 0.6
Stocks SpreadVariable
Leverage1:500 (entity dependent)
RegulatorFCA, ASIC, FSCA, SCB, FSA
PlatformsMT4
Account CurrenciesUSD, EUR, GBP, AUD, ZAR, SEK, NOK, DKK

Pros

  • Trade Nation is a multi-regulated and respected broker that previously operated as Core Spreads
  • The trading firm offers tight spreads and a transparent pricing schedule
  • A choice of trading platforms and apps, including MT4, make the brand a good fit for savvy traders

Cons

  • Fewer legal protections with offshore entity
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Trade Nation Review

How We Chose The Best CFD Trading Platforms In South Korea

To find the best CFD trading platforms in South Korea, we took our database comprising 216 brokers that have been tested over many years, identified those that accept South Korean traders, and then ranked them by their overall rating which considers key factors, notably:

We Prioritized Brokers We Trust

We only recommend CFD brokers we trust after balancing their regulatory credentials with their standing in the industry and the observations of our experts during the hands-on testing process.

CFD trading in South Korea is overseen by the Financial Services Commission (FSC) and the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS), with the FSC responsible for policy decisions and the FSS in charge of executing policies and overseeing brokers.

Korean regulators introduced stringent rules on CFDs in September 2023 after Ra Deok-yeon, head of a trading firm, capitalized on flaws in the local CFD trading environment to manipulate stock prices, leading to huge investor losses.

As part of the changes, CFD traders must put down at least 40% of the trading amount, while the monthly balance requirement for qualifying CFD traders has jumped from 50 million won to 300 million won, amongst other requirements.

As a result, the number of locally registered CFD providers has dropped from 13 to just 4, potentially turning more South Koreans towards trusted global brokers regulated in other jurisdictions.

  • IG takes our spot as the most trusted CFD broker, boasting 13 regulatory licenses, an excellent record spanning over 50 years, plus positive real-money trading experiences from our experts.

We Prioritized Brokers With Transparent Leverage Requirements

One of the main draws of CFDs is the ability to use leverage to amplify returns.

Let’s say you want to trade CFDs on popular South Korean stocks, such as Samsung Securities. 1:5 leverage on an outlay of 150,000 won would multiply your trading power and subsequent returns or losses by 5.

Therefore, we selected CFD platforms which offer leverage trading with clear margin requirements, ensuring you understand how much you need to deposit and the balance you need to maintain to prevent a margin call (a request from your broker to deposit more funds before they automatically close out your position).

  • XM excels with flexible leverage trading opportunities up to 1:1000, alongside an easy-to-use margin calculator that can help you establish balance requirements before you open a CFD trade.

We Prioritized Brokers With A Great Selection Of Markets

For over 30 years, South Korea has had strict rules in place to prevent foreign investors from entering local markets. And whilst the nation is opening up on domestic stock and bonds, not many global brokers offer CFDs on South Korean instruments beyond currency pairs with the Korean won, such as the USD/KWR.

Even brokers known for their huge investment offerings, such as IG and Interactive Brokers, are being slow on the uptake to add Korean stocks to their suite of CFDs, despite the growing demand we’re seeing from seasoned traders.

Infographic showing popular CFDs for South Korean traders

In the meantime, we’ve favored brokers with a wide range of CFD trading opportunities, for example, access to stocks and indices from neighboring Asian countries such as Japan.

  • FOREX.com offers a growing selection of 5,500+ CFDs spanning popular asset classes like forex, shares, commodities, and cryptos, plus indices providing exposure to Asian economies.

We Prioritized Brokers With Low Pricing

Maximizing profits is about more than just selecting the right CFD trades – it’s about choosing a broker that offers great spreads, low to no commissions, and potentially rebates if you’re a high-volume trader.

That’s why we record and analyze fees on popular markets and then balance them with the overall CFD trading environment, considering the availability of research tools that provide helpful insights, for example, into the decisions from the Bank of Korea or companies listed on the Korean Exchange.

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A brokerage with a KRW account can help you cut conversion fees when trading CFDs in Korean won.
  • IC Markets routinely impresses following our real-money experience trading on the platform with spreads from 0.0, cash rebates, plus deep liquidity that helps CFD traders secure the best prices.

We Prioritized Brokers With Excellent Trading Tools

CFDs are short-term trading products that lend themselves to strategies like day trading, which typically require powerful charting tools for technical analysis.

We’ve been testing CFD brokers that accept traders from South Korea for years and MetaTrader 4 remains the most widely available option. It’s reliable, feature-rich and also caters to algo traders.

However, an increasing number of in-house solutions rival the MetaTrader suite in the charting department, while also delivering more user-friendly workspaces for aspiring traders, notably eToro.

eToro CFD platform showing USD/KWR
eToro Platform
  • Pepperstone offers a first-rate selection of platforms, from the MetaTrader suite with ‘Smart Trader Tools’ that deliver 28 useful add-ons, to TradingView, cTrader, plus Autochartist for insights.

FAQ

Who Regulates CFD Trading Platforms And Brokers In South Korea?

The Financial Services Commission (FSC) and the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) regulate CFD trading platforms and brokers in South Korea.

Many CFD providers registered and authorized in other jurisdictions accept traders from South Korea, however you may give up regulatory safeguards.

How Much Money Do I Need To Open A CFD Trading Account In South Korea?

Our analysis of hundreds of brokers reveals you normally need between 0 and 250 USD, around 0 to 330,000 won, to open a CFD trading account in South Korea.

Having said that, some CFD trading platforms stand out for budget traders, notably Blackbull Markets and Pepperstone, featuring no minimum deposit.

Article Sources

The writing and editorial team at DayTrading.com use credible sources to support their work. These include government agencies, white papers, research institutes, and engagement with industry professionals. Content is written free from bias and is fact-checked where appropriate. Learn more about why you can trust DayTrading.com