One of the main barriers facing Islamic forex traders is that overnight positions attract interest. The solution is simple – a swap-free account that doesn’t charge interest when keeping trades open past standard market hours.
This guide reviews the ten best Islamic forex brokers for 2025. We rank the top Islamic trading platforms for safety and regulation, commissions and spreads, payment methods, supported pairs, and much more.
Top Islamic Forex Brokers Ranked
Our research shows that the best Islamic forex brokers for 2025 are as follows:
- eToro – Islamic account forex broker with no swap fees and no rollovers. Get interest-free leverage on 55 forex pairs with spreads from 3.0 pips. Offers a highly customizable trading platform and supports forex copy trading.
- AvaTrade: AvaTrade is a heavily regulated broker that supports 53 forex pairs. It offers Islamic forex accounts that remove interest on overnight and leveraged positions. However, this is only for five days – interest will be charged after this period. No commissions are charged when trading forex, but Islamic accounts attract wider spreads. Islamic accounts come with a minimum deposit of $100.
- Pepperstone: Pepperstone offers swap-free forex accounts that might be suitable for Islamic traders. No interest on overnight or leverage is charged for the first five days. After that, you’ll pay an admin charge. No commissions are charged on swap-free accounts and spreads start from 1 pip on EUR/USD. A minimum deposit of $200 is required and supported currencies include USD, GBP, EUR, and AUD.
- XTB: XTB is an established forex broker that offers Islamic accounts. No interest is charged on any forex trading positions – no matter how long they remain open. Islamic accounts come with leverage of up to 1:200, but this is country-dependent. XTB advertises a minimum spread of 0.1 pips on forex and no commissions are charged. However, you can expect wider spreads when trading via its Islamic account.
- IC Markets: IC Markets is a multi-asset broker that offers swap-free accounts on forex, indices, and selected commodities. Instead of paying overnight interest, swap-free accounts are charged a flat commission for each day the position remains open. This ranges from $5 to $80 per traded lot. What’s more, IC Markets also offers low spreads that start from 0.0 pips. There is no spread markup on swap-free accounts, as you’re already paying a flat commission.
- FP Markets: FP Markets offers swap-free accounts that are compatible with MT4 and MT5. There are two account types to choose from; commission-free or raw spreads. Both accounts come with daily admin charges, which replace interest. This starts from $5 per day on major forex pairs – and goes as high as $70 on exotics. The minimum deposit to get started is $100.
- FBS: FBS offers swap-free broker trading accounts with a minimum deposit of just $10. Leverage of up to 1:30 is offered to retail clients, although this is extended to 1:500 for professional traders. Swap-free account holders can trade on MT4 or MT5. Spreads on major forex pairs start from 1 pip and there are no trading commissions.
- Tickmill: Tickmill allows Islamic traders to convert its classic, pro, or VIP plans into swap-free accounts. There are no interest charges on overnight positions but after three days, an admin fee will be applied to trade. This varies from $5 to $20 depending on the pair. Tickmill also offers swap-free positions on gold, crude oil, and natural gas.
- Oanda: Oanda is a US-friendly forex broker that also supports other nationalities. It offers a specialist swap-free account that offers access to 13 forex pairs. This includes a blend of majors and minors. Swap-free accounts also support selected indices, including the Dow Jones and FTSE 100. No commissions are charged on swap-free accounts and spreads start from 1.6 pips. However, positions kept open for more than five days will incur a daily admin charge.
- Admiral Markets: Admiral Markets offers swap-free accounts when trading via MT5. No trading commissions are charged and spreads start from just 0.5 pips. There’s a $25 minimum deposit to get started and documents are required to open an Islamic account. You can also trade with demo funds before risking any capital. Admiral Markets supports over 80 forex pairs, plus other asset classes.
The top ten Islamic forex brokers listed above are reviewed in the following sections.
Best Islamic Forex Trading Accounts Reviewed
Now let’s move on to our comprehensive reviews, where we take a much closer look at the Islamic forex brokers listed above.
We examine minimum account requirements, spreads, available markets, payment methods, customer support, and other important metrics. Read on to choose the best Islamic trading account for your needs.
Note: While the following reviews are accurate at the time of publication, things can change rapidly. Therefore, you’re advised to do your own due diligence before proceeding.
1. eToro – Best Islamic Forex Broker with No Rollovers on 55 Forex Pairs
eToro is a fully regulated Islamic forex broker offering Riba-free trades on 55 forex pairs. The broker will never charge swaps or rollover your forex contracts no matter how many days you keep positions open. Plus, you can utilize leverage up to 400:1 when trading major forex pairs at eToro.
eToro charges competitive spreads for Islamic accounts starting from only 3.0 pips. You can open an Islamic account with $1,000 and there are no deposit fees when funding your account at eToro.
Islamic traders will find a wide range of tools to help them profit from forex trading at eToro. The broker has its own proprietary trading platform that includes dozens of built-in indicators and drawing tools. You can monitor multiple charts in a single window, activate mobile price alerts, and save custom chart layouts. You can even track trader sentiment around any forex pair.
On top of that, eToro offers forex copy trading which allows you to easily mimic the positions of more experienced forex traders and benefit from their highly tuned trading strategies. The minimum to copy trade forex at eToro is just $200 per portfolio. As of now, eToro US users can only trade Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Bitcoin Cash.
Islamic traders can also benefit from a $100,000 demo account at eToro. This is a great tool for testing out new trading strategies and exploring all the features this swap-free broker has to offer.
No. Pairs | 55 |
Other Assets | Stocks, indices, commodities, bonds, cryptocurrencies, options |
Pricing | Spread-only – no commissions are charged. No deposit or account fees. |
EUR/USD Spread | 3.0 pips for Islamic accounts (normally 1.0 pips) |
Platforms | Proprietary web trading platform and mobile app. |
Max. Leverage | 1:30 (restrictions apply) |
US Clients? | Yes |
Pros
- Low spreads for Islamic accounts
- Keep trades open for any number of days
- Highly customizable trading platform
- Supports forex copy trading
- Includes $100k demo account
Cons
- $1,000 minimum deposit to open an Islamic account
- $10 per month fee after 12 months of inactivity
76% of retail CFD accounts lose money – your capital is at risk.
2. AvaTrade – Swap-Free Islamic Forex Accounts With 0% Commission on All Markets
AvaTrade is one of the best Islamic forex brokers for low trading fees. Irrespective of what asset class you’re trading, you won’t pay any commissions. AvaTrade supports over 53 forex pairs, covering all majors and minors, plus a selection of exotics. However, when opening an Islamic forex account at AvaTrade, you won’t be able to access certain pairs.
This included any current pairs that contain ZAR, TRY, RUB, or MXN. The reasons for this are not explained. Nevertheless, AvaTrade has a minimum deposit requirement of $100, which is also applicable to Islamic accounts. There are no deposit or withdrawal fees charged, irrespective of the currency. You can deposit funds instantly with a debit/credit card or e-wallet. Bank wires, although slower, are also supported.
Like most Islamic forex accounts, AvaTrade doesn’t charge overnight financing interest. It also doesn’t charge interest on leveraged positions. However, it’s important to note that interest-free positions are only available for five days. After that, interest kicks in. AvaTrade offers leverage of up to 1:400, but lower limits are in place for certain traders.
For example, EU clients can only trade forex with leverage of up to 1:30. The minimum spread on major forex pairs is 0.9 pips. However, AvaTrade charges premium spreads on Islamic accounts. The specific increases are not published, so you’ll need to keep an eye on this when trading. In addition to forex, AvaTrade supports many other asset classes.
Within your Islamic account, you’ll also be able to trade oil, gold, silver, and indices without incurring interest. In terms of safety, AvaTrade is regulated in nine different countries – including the United Arab Emirates.
No. Pairs | 53 |
Other Assets | Gold, silver, oil, indices |
Pricing | Spread-only – no commissions are charged. No deposit or account fees |
EUR/USD Spread | Ordinarily, 0.9 pips, but wider spreads are charged on Islamic forex accounts |
Platforms | Proprietary web trading platform and mobile app. Also supports MT4 and MT5, which are eligible for Islamic forex accounts. |
Max. Leverage | 1:400 (restrictions apply) |
US Clients? | No, not accepted |
Pros
- 0% commission on all supported markets
- Islamic accounts come with a minimum deposit of $100
- No interest is charged when trading via an Islamic account
- Offers a proprietary trading platform and also supports MT4 and MT5
- Gold, silver, oil, and indices can also be traded swap-free
Cons
- Interest-free positions are only available for five days
- Does not accept US clients – as all supported markets are traded as CFDs
Trading CFDs and FX Options entails risk and could result in the loss of your capital.
3. Pepperstone – 0% Commission Accounts Without Swap Fees for Five Days of Trading
Pepperstone is another popular forex broker that offers swap-free accounts. The fundamentals are as follows; you won’t pay any interest on overnight or leveraged positions for the first five days of trading. If the position remains open past five days, an ‘admin’ charge applies. Although this isn’t explicitly ‘interest’, it’s open for interpretation. So you’ll need to make your own decision.
Pepperstone’s swap-free accounts do not attract any trading commissions. The minimum spread is 1 pip on EUR/USD, which is competitive. Swap-free accounts come with a minimum deposit of $200. Supported account currencies include USD, EUR, GBP, and AUD. Other currencies can be deposited but will be converted.
The minimum trade size on swap-free accounts is 0.01 lots and both scalping and hedging are permitted. Pepperstone offers leverage of up to 1:500, but this depends on which jurisdiction you fall under. Pepperstone is regulated by multiple tier-one bodies, including ASIC, FCA, and DFSA (UAE). In terms of markets, Pepperstone supports over 60 forex pairs.
Our Pepperstone review found that it also supports commodities, cryptocurrencies, stocks, ETFs, and indices. Pepperstone doesn’t have a native trading platform, but it does support cTrader, MT4, MT5, and TradingView. These third-party platforms are well-regarded in the forex space and each offers desktop software and mobile apps. Finally, Pepperstone accepts a wide range of payment methods, including Visa, MasterCard, PayPal, and bank wires.
No. Pairs | 60+ |
Other Assets | Stocks, ETFs, commodities, indices, cryptocurrencies |
Pricing | Spread-only – no commissions are charged |
EUR/USD Spread | Minimum of 1 pip |
Platforms | cTrader, MT4, MT5, TradingView |
Max. Leverage | 1:500 (restrictions apply) |
US Clients? | No, not accepted |
Pros
- Swap-free accounts come without trading commissions
- Minimum spread of 1 pip on EUR/USD
- Open a swap-free account with $200 – no payment fees
- Rated 4.6/5 on TradingView across 63,000+ reviews
- Also considered one of the best MT5 brokers
Cons
- After five days, an admin fee is charged on open positions
- Only supports third-party trading platforms
Between 74-89 % of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
4. XTB – Interest-Free Islamic Forex Accounts Without any Time Limits
XTB is one of the best Islamic forex brokers for swing traders. The reason for this is simple; there are no time limits attached to interest-free positions. As such, you keep forex trades open for as long as you want without incurring interest. What’s more, XTB doesn’t charge trading commissions on any supported market. XTB advertises a minimum spread of 0.1 pips when trading forex.
However, it’s likely that Islamic accounts are charged a wider spread to cover the lack of interest. XTB doesn’t publish these rates, which is a major drawback. XTB’s Islamic accounts offer leverage of up to 1:200. Once again, limits are dependent on your country of residence and which regulator you fall under.
Islamic account holders also benefit from XTB’s cashback program. Every time you deposit or trade, you’ll automatically receive a small rebate. In terms of markets, XTB lists over 1,500 financial instruments. This includes 48 forex pairs, plus stocks, ETFs, commodities, indices, and cryptocurrencies. Another benefit of XTB is its native trading suite, xStation 5.
xStation 5 comes as a web trading platform, but it’s also available as desktop software and a mobile app. Its platform offers technical indicators, chart drawing tools, and other useful features that will appeal to forex traders. While XTB is also one of the best MT4 brokers, this doesn’t extend to MT5. XTB also offers demo accounts, which enable you to test the broker before making a deposit.
No. Pairs | 48 |
Other Assets | Stocks, ETFs, commodities, indices, cryptocurrencies |
Pricing | Spread-only – no commissions are charged |
EUR/USD Spread | A minimum spread of 0.1 pip is advertised by XTB. However, Islamic accounts will likely have much wider spreads. |
Platforms | Proprietary web trading platform, desktop software, and mobile app. Also supports MT4. |
Max. Leverage | 1:200 (restrictions apply) |
US Clients? | No, not accepted |
Pros
- Specialist forex accounts aimed exclusively at Islamic traders
- No time limits on swap-free positions – ideal for swing traders
- Accounts are opened in just 15 minutes
- Receive cashback whenever you deposit funds or trade forex
- No trading commissions are charged
Cons
- Spreads on Islamic accounts are not published
- Lots of contradictory information – especially on minimum spreads
Forex and CFDs are leveraged products and can result in losses that exceed your deposits. Please make sure you fully understand all risks.
5. IC Markets – Pay a Flat Daily Commission Instead of Swap Fees [Spreads Start From 0.0 Pips]
IC Markets is a multi-asset broker that supports dozens of forex pairs. It offers a swap-free account that will appeal to Islamic traders. Instead of paying interest on overnight positions, you’ll be charged a flat commission. IC Markets claims that this is compatible with Islamic beliefs, as interest isn’t being debited or credited from the account.
The commission is charged for each day the trade remains open and varies widely depending on the pair. For example, USD/HKD and EUR/DKK are charged $5 per traded lot. At the other end of the scale, USD/TRY is charged $50. Therefore, you’ll need to build these costs into your trading targets.
What’s more, swap-free trading is also offered on metals and indices. IC Markets is also one of the best Islamic forex brokers for spreads. Major pairs like EUR/USD come with a minimum spread of 0.0 pips. This is because you’re getting raw spread pricing and paying a flat daily commission. Just remember – if you close a position before the cut-off time, the commission won’t be charged.
Therefore, IC Markets is ideal for day traders and scalpers. If you want to test IC Markets before depositing funds, you can open a free demo account. Otherwise, you’ll need to deposit at least $200. Accepted payment methods include debit/credit cards, PayPal, Neteller, Skrill, and bank wires. Finally, IC Markets is considered one of the best high-leverage brokers. Leverage of up to 1:1000 is offered to eligible clients.
No. Pairs | 61 |
Other Assets | Stocks, commodities, indices, cryptocurrencies, futures |
Pricing | Islamic accounts pay a flat daily commission of between $5 and $80 per traded lot. No interest is debited or credited from the account |
EUR/USD Spread | Raw spreads start from 0.0 pips |
Platforms | cTrader, MT4, and MT5 |
Max. Leverage | 1:1000 (restrictions apply) |
US Clients? | No, not accepted |
Pros
- Islamic accounts charge flat commissions instead of interest
- Spreads start from 0.0 pips on EUR/USD
- 61 forex pairs are supported
- Offers leverage of up to 1:1000
- Also supports indices, futures, and other asset classes
Cons
- Some forex pairs attract commissions of up to $80 per traded lot
- Does not have a proprietary trading platform
Trading Forex and CFDs carries a high level of risk to your capital and you should only trade with money you can afford to lose.
6. FP Markets – Choose From a Swap-Free Account With 0% Commission or Raw Spreads
FP Markets is a popular forex broker that caters to both beginners and experienced traders alike. It offers swap-free accounts that are suitable for followers of the Islamic faith. Accounts are compatible with both MT4 and MT5. FP Markets offers two swap-free accounts to choose from.
First, there’s the Islamic standard account. This offers commission-free trading and spreads start from 1 pip on major pairs. Alternatively, there’s the Islamic raw account. This charges a commission of $3 per $100,000 traded. Spreads on this account start from 0.0 pips.
However, both Islamic accounts attract admin charges, which replace interest. This is charged for each day the position remains open. Major pairs are charged $5 per traded lot, while exotics go up to $70. Do note that not all forex pairs are eligible for Islamic accounts, so you’ll need to review this before proceeding. According to our FP Markets review the minimum deposit is $100.
No. Pairs | 70+ |
Other Assets | Commodities, indices |
Pricing | Islamic standard accounts are commission-free. Islamic raw accounts charge $3 per $100,000 traded. Both accounts attract a daily admin charge of between $5 and $70 per day, per traded lot. |
EUR/USD Spread | 1 pip (standard), 0.0 pips (raw) |
Platforms | MT4, MT5 |
Max. Leverage | 1:500 (restrictions apply) |
US Clients? | No, not accepted |
Pros
- Trade forex without paying interest on MT4 and MT5
- Choose from a commission-free or raw spread account
- Supports over 70 forex pairs – plus commodities and indices
- Maximum leverage of 1:500
Cons
- Some pairs have high admin charges on positions kept open overnight
- US clients are not accepted
Derivative products are highly leveraged, carry a high level of risk and may not be appropriate for all investors.
7. FBS – Choose From a Swap-Free Account With 0% Commission or Raw Spreads
FBS is an established trading platform with over 12 years of experience. It offers several accounts that come without overnight interest charges. If you’re a beginner, you might like the Cent account. This comes with a minimum first-time deposit of just $10.
Cent accounts have a minimum trade size of just 0.0001 lots. This means that on a USD pair, you’ll only need to risk $10. Moreover, no trading commissions are charged and you’ll get spreads of 1 pip on major pairs. However, FBS charges floating spreads, which means they closely mirror broader market conditions.
FBS supports more than 60 forex pairs, covering majors, minors, and exotics. In terms of trading platforms, Islamic accounts are suitable for MT4 and MT5. Retail clients can trade with leverage of up to 1:30. Professional traders get much higher limits at 1:500.
No. Pairs | 60+ |
Other Assets | N/A – only forex can be traded on Islamic accounts |
Pricing | Islamic cent accounts are commission-free |
EUR/USD Spread | Floating spreads start from 1 pip |
Platforms | MT4, MT5 |
Max. Leverage | 1:30 (retail clients) |
US Clients? | No, not accepted |
Pros
- Islamic Cent accounts have a minimum deposit and trade size of $10
- No commissions to pay on buy or sell positions
- Spreads start from 1 pip on major pairs
- Trade on MT4 or MT5
Cons
- Only forex can be traded on Islamic accounts
- Too many pop-ups appear on the screen
72.68% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading ᏟᖴᎠs with this provider.
8. Tickmill – Swap-Free Trading for Three Days and Then Daily Admin Charges From $5 per Lot
Tickmill is an online forex broker that offers three account types. All can be converted into an Islamic trading account that offers swap-free positions. First, there’s the classic account, which offers commission-free trading and a minimum spread of 1.6 pips.
The pro account offers spreads from 0.0 pips but a commission of $2 per $100,000 traded. The VIP account is aimed at professional traders and requires a $50,000 deposit. On all three accounts, you’ll avoid paying swap fees. However, if the forex trading position is open after three days, admin charges will apply.
This ranges from $5 to $20 depending on the forex pairs. This is charged for each lot traded, per day. More than 60 forex pairs are supported by Tickmill and Islamic accounts also support gold, crude oil, and natural gas. Tickmill offers a native mobile app for iOS and Android, plus support for MT4 and MT5.
No. Pairs | 60+ |
Other Assets | Gold, crude oil, and natural gas |
Pricing | Trading commissions are $2/lot (pro) and $1 per/lot (VIP). Classic accounts are commission-free. |
EUR/USD Spread | Spreads start from 0.0 pips on the pro and VIP accounts. Classic accounts have a minimum spread of 1.6 pips. |
Platforms | Proprietary mobile app, MT4, MT5 |
Max. Leverage | 1:500 (retail clients) |
US Clients? | No, not accepted |
Pros
- Avoid paying swap fees on over 60 forex pairs
- Islamic accounts can also trade gold, crude oil, and natural gas
- Choose from zero spread or commission-free accounts
- Supports MT4 and MT5
Cons
- Classic accounts come with a minimum spread of 1.6 pips
- Admin charges apply after positions are kept open for more than three days
Trading financial products on margin carries a high degree of risk and is not suitable for all investors
9. Oanda – Commission-Free Forex Accounts Without Swaps on 13 Pairs and Selected Indices
Oanda is one of the best forex brokers for US traders. It offers specialist swap-free accounts that support 13 forex pairs. This includes major pairs like EUR/USD, GBP/USD, and USD/JPY. There are no trading commissions to pay on Oanda’s swap-free broker accounts.
The minimum spread starts from 1.6 pips on majors, which is considered high. That said, you won’t be charged interest on overnight positions. However, like many Islamic forex accounts, admin charges are applied after five days. This stands at just $7 per traded lot, per day on all supported pairs.
Oanda’s swap-free accounts also support selected indices. This includes the Dow Jones, NASDAQ 100, S&P 500, and FTSE 100. Admin charges on indices are more competitive at $4 per traded lot. Swap-free accounts must be funded in US dollars and there is no minimum deposit requirement to meet.
No. Pairs | 13 |
Other Assets | Indices |
Pricing | 0% commission on all supported markets. Admin fee of $7 per lot, per day, is charged on forex positions kept open for more than five days. |
EUR/USD Spread | From 1.6 pips |
Platforms | Proprietary mobile app, MT4, MT5 |
Max. Leverage | 1:50 (US clients) |
US Clients? | Yes, accepted |
Pros
- One of the best Islamic forex brokers for US clients
- No minimum deposit requirements
- 0% commission on all supported markets
- Competitive admin charges of $7 per lot, per day after five days
Cons
- Swap-free accounts only support 13 forex pairs
- Minimum spread of 1.6 pips is considered high
Your capital is at risk.
10. Admirals – Trade Forex on MT5 Without Paying Overnight Interest
Admirals is a forex broker that specializes in CFD instruments. The broker claims that its MT5 trading accounts are compliant with Islamic principles. This is because no interest is charged when keeping positions open overnight. No trading commissions are charged either, so it’s only the spread that needs to be considered.
When trading EUR/USD on an MT5 account, spreads start from just 0.5 pips. However, higher spreads should be expected outside of busy trading hours. The minimum deposit on this account type is $25 and 80 currency pairs are supported.
This is in addition to commodities, stocks, ETFs, and indices. Admirals offers leverage of up to 1:500 on major pairs, depending on your country of residence. The minimum and maximum forex trade size is 0.01 and 100 lots, respectively. MT5 accounts with negative balance protection to ensure you don’t lose more than you originally deposited.
No. Pairs | 80 |
Other Assets | Stocks, ETFs, commodities, indices, cryptocurrencies, futures |
Pricing | No overnight interest or commissions on MT5 accounts. |
EUR/USD Spread | Spreads start from 0.5 pips |
Platforms | MT5 |
Max. Leverage | 1:500 (restrictions apply) |
US Clients? | No, not accepted |
Pros
- Claims that MT5 accounts are suitable for Islamic traders
- No interest or commissions are charged
- Forex spreads start from 0.5 pips
- Minimum deposit of just $25
Cons
- Cannot trade on any platform other than MT5
- Documents are required to open an Islamic account
Our Methodology When Rating Islamic Forex Brokers
In order to rank the best Islamic forex brokers, we initially focused on the fundamentals. This means that traders should not have interest debited or credited from their accounts. Without an Islamic account, overnight forex positions are charged a daily interest amount, which won’t be suitable. Therefore, all of the providers we listed offer swap-free positions.
Moreover, we focused on Islamic forex accounts that do not charge interest on leveraged positions. This ensures that you can trade forex without needing to risk too much money. In addition, we assessed what trading fees each Islamic account attracts.
In most cases, Islamic accounts charged wider spreads, which covers the lack of interest. Furthermore, after a certain number of days, you might find that admin charges are applied to open positions. Our methodology ensured that each forex broker offers competitive fees to Islamic traders.
Other important research methods included commissions, minimum deposit requirements, payment methods, and of course – regulation. All of the Islamic forex brokers discussed today are regulated by at least one licensing body.
What Makes a Forex Broker Halal?
In this section, we’ll explain the basics of what makes a forex broker halal. However, it’s important that you seek advice from a qualified Islamic scholar before proceeding. After all, many aspects of Islamic finance principles are open for interpretation.
- No Riba: First and foremost, Riba, or interest, is strictly forbidden by the Islamic religion – as explained in an African Journal of Business Management peer-reviewed paper. In other words, Islamic traders must not be charged or receive interest payments in any form. Ordinarily, forex trading incurs interest fees when positions are kept open after standard market hours. This won’t be applicable when opening an Islamic forex account, as interest is waived by the broker. What’s more, if you’re trading with leverage, you also must ensure that interest isn’t being charged.
- No Gharar: Islamic finance also prohibits Gharar, or gambling. On the one hand, forex trading is not considered gambling in itself, as positions are entered based on research and analysis – rather than purely speculation. However, Gharar also prohibits ‘excessive uncertainty’. This is why some Islamic forex accounts do not support exotic currencies, as these are highly speculative and volatile. This includes currencies from emerging markets, such as the Turkish lira and Argentine peso.
- No Haram Markets: Although not specifically related to forex, Islamic traders must ensure that they’re not trading ‘haram’ markets. For example, stocks related to gambling, alcohol, or pork. What’s more, bonds could be considered haram, as holders receive interest (coupon payments).
- Transparency: Islamic finance also requires complete transparency when it comes to fees and pricing. As such, when you’re choosing a halal forex broker, make sure the provider offers full disclosure on all relevant fees. For instance, if admin charges apply after a certain number of days, this must be clearly stated.
These are the main principles of Islamic finance, which apply to forex and other trading markets. Always do your own research and if you’re ever unsure, consult with an Islamic scholar.
How to Choose an Islamic Forex Broker
We’ll now explain what needs to be considered when researching halal forex brokers.
Halal Brokerage Account That Complies With Islamic Finance Principles
First, you’ll need to ensure that the forex broker offers an account that complies with Islamic finance principles. As we’ve established, this means that no interest should be charged or received at any point.
In simple terms, this means that the account should offer swap-free trading. This means that positions kept open overnight will not incur interest fees, which is ordinarily the case when trading forex. But that’s not all – the account should not charge interest on leveraged positions.
This is crucial, as most traders require leverage when trading forex, as minimum trade sizes are often 0.01 lots.
- For instance, suppose you’re trading EUR/USD.
- One full currency lot amounts to $100,000.
- This means 0.01 lot is $1,000.
- If you don’t want to risk $1,000 on one forex position, you’ll need leverage.
- This will reduce the amount of money that you need to stake on the position.
As long as interest isn’t charged or received, leverage can be considered halal.
What Leverage Limits Do Islamic Forex Accounts Offer?
- Leverage limits will vary depending on which Islamic forex broker you join. However, there are also jurisdictional limits depending on where you’re from.
- For example, US traders can apply leverage of up to 1:50 when trading forex. In Australia, retail clients are capped at 1:30 on leveraged positions. 1:30 is also the limit for traders based in the EU and the UK.
- If you’re based in a country with leverage restrictions, the only way to get higher limits is by opening a professional-client account. This requires certain criteria to be met, such as a minimum net worth and prior investment experience.
Regulation
When researching the best Islamic forex brokers, it’s important you choose a regulated provider. This ensures you are trading in fair market conditions with clear and transparent risk pricing.
Regulation also ensures that your capital is kept safe in segregated bank accounts. Therefore, if a brokerage closes down, your investment funds will not be affected.
All of the brokers discussed today are regulated and licensed. For example, AvaTrade is heavily regulated, with licenses in nine different countries.
Supported Pairs
You should also review which forex pairs are supported when choosing an Islamic trading account. As we mentioned, Islamic finance principles prohibit ‘Gharar’. This means gambling or speculating on markets with excessive uncertainty.
With this in mind, some Islamic forex brokers prohibit exotic currency pairs. This is because exotic pairs like TRY/USD are extremely volatile. Unlike major pairs like EUR/USD, exotics come with excessive uncertainty.
Fees
Transparency is crucial when choosing the best Islamic broker. This ensures the broker complies with Islamic finance principles. Not only should fees be transparent but also competitive. After all, Islamic accounts often come with higher fees, as brokers need to recoup the interest payments that they waive.
- First, you’ll need to assess whether trading commissions are charged. This is often a flat fee charged for each currency lot traded. For instance, if you opt for a raw Islamic account with FP Markets, you’ll pay $3 per traded lot.
- Next, you’ll need to assess the market spread – which is the difference between the buy and ask prices of a forex pair. This is where things get tricky, as Islamic accounts often pay higher spreads. Once again, this is to replace the interest lost by the broker.
- In addition, many forex trading accounts charge ‘admin’ fees. This is often charged once a trade has remained open for a certain number of days. For example, Tickmill charges a daily admin fee of between $5 and $20 per traded lot after five days. Therefore, if you’re a swing trader, you’ll want to avoid forex brokers that charge admin fees.
Check out the table below, which summarizes key trading fees applicable to Islamic forex accounts.
Broker | Pricing | EUR/USD Spread | Account Fees |
eToro | Spread-only – no commissions are charged. No deposit or account fees. | 3.0 pips for Islamic accounts | $10 per month fee after 12 months of inactivity |
AvaTrade | Spread-only – no commissions are charged. Fees apply after a position remains open for five days. | Minimum of 1 pip | $50/quarter inactivity fee after 3 months |
Pepperstone | Spread-only – no commissions are charged. Admin fees apply after five days. | Minimum of 1 pip | None |
XTB | Spread-only – no commissions are charged | A minimum spread of 0.1 pip is advertised by XTB. However, Islamic accounts will likely have much wider spreads. | €10/month inactivity fee after 1 year |
IC Markets | Islamic accounts pay a flat daily commission of between $5 and $80 per traded lot. No interest is debited or credited from the account | Raw spreads start from 0.0 pips | None |
FP Markets | Islamic standard accounts are commission-free. Islamic raw accounts charge $3 per $100,000 traded. Both accounts attract a daily admin charge of between $5 and $70 per day, per traded lot. | 1 pip (standard), 0.0 pips (raw) | None |
FBS | Islamic cent accounts are commission-free | Floating spreads start from 1 pip | None |
Tickmill | Trading commissions are $2/lot (pro) and $1 per/lot (VIP). Classic accounts are commission-free. | Spreads start from 0.0 pips on the pro and VIP accounts. Classic accounts have a minimum spread of 1.6 pips. | None |
Oanda | 0% commission on all supported markets. Admin fee of $7 per lot, per day is charged on forex positions kept open for more than five days. | Minimum of 1.6 pips | $20 fee on bank wire withdrawals. $10/month inactivity fee after 1 year |
Admiral Markets | No overnight interest or commissions on MT5 accounts. | Spreads start from 0.5 pips | $10/month inactivity fee after 2 years |
Tools & Analysis
To ensure you avoid Gharar (gambling), it’s crucial that your forex trading positions are based on research and analysis, rather than pure speculation. Therefore, you’ll want to choose an Islamic forex broker that offers adequate trading tools.
Beginners will find that most of these brokers are suited for their skill set, as they offer user-friendly price charts that support drawing tools and technical indicators. This will enable you to perform in-depth technical analysis in a novice-friendly environment.
Alternatively, if you’re an experienced forex trader, you’ll want an Islamic broker that offers advanced trading tools. AvaTrade is a good choice here, as the platform offers high-level charts, indicators, and support for algorithmic robots.
Minimum Deposit
Some forex brokers require a high minimum deposit on Islamic accounts. Make sure that the minimum requirement aligns with your budget.
For example, Oanda doesn’t have any account minimums.
Demo Account
Demo accounts offer many benefits to experienced traders and beginners alike.
For example, if you’re a seasoned forex trader who wants to test a new brokerage platform, demo accounts allow you to do so without risking any money. Demo accounts also enable you to try a new trading strategy or explore a new forex market.
As a beginner, demo accounts allow you to practice trade with paper funds. No matter what happens, you won’t lose any capital. Once you’re more comfortable with how forex trading works, you can open a real money account.
Are Forex Demo Accounts Accurate?
- When using a regulated forex broker, you can be sure it offers accurate demo accounts.
- This means that the prices you see reflect actual market conditions. This includes additional metrics, such as volume and order book data.
- The only difference is that you’ll be trading with paper funds rather than real money. This offers a risk-free way of learning how the forex markets work.
Mobile App
The best Islamic forex brokers offer a native mobile app. Beginners will like the AvaTrade app, which offers a popular mobile app for iOS and Android. This comes with more advanced trading tools and is ideal for performing technical analysis on the move.
Payment Methods
You’ll need to fund an Islamic forex account if you want to trade with real money. Top Islamic brokers typically support debit/credit cards and bank wires.
E-wallets are also an option, such as PayPal and Neteller. Check what fees and processing times apply to your preferred payment type.
Customer Support
It’s important you have access to a customer support agent that understands Islamic finance principles. There might come a time when you want to check the finer details of your account, such as admin fees or eligible markets.
It’s also ideal if customer support is available via live chat around the clock. This ensures you receive real-time assistance at the click of a button, no matter where you’re located.
Conclusion
In summary, if you’re a follower of the Islamic faith, it’s crucial you choose a broker that complies with Islamic finance principles. Overall, we rank eToro as the best Islamic forex broker because there is no commission for trading assets and it supports over 55 forex pairs.
76% of retail CFD accounts lose money – your capital is at risk.
FAQs
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References
- https://www.handbook.fca.org.uk/handbook/CASS/5/5.html
- https://www.esma.europa.eu/press-news/esma-news/esma-renew-restrictions-cfds-further-three-months-1-may-2019
- https://www.reuters.com/markets/quote/USDTRY=X/
- https://academicjournals.org/article/article1380698950_Ahmad%20et%20al%202.pdf
- https://www.islamicfinanceguru.com/articles/what-is-gharar-islamic-finance-definitions-series
- https://asic.gov.au/about-asic/news-centre/find-a-media-release/2020-releases/20-254mr-asic-product-intervention-order-strengthens-cfd-protections/
- https://www.finra.org/investors/insights/if-brokerage-firm-closes-its-doors
- https://www.bloomberg.com/quote/EURUSD:CUR