Broker News

Thompson Reuters has long been respected as a leading news provider, a portal to which both financiers and lay people have turned to get the latest updates from across the globe. In addition to the free news and limited analysis that the news agency provides for free, it also offers a range of paid services aimed at providing higher level analyses to investors of all types to enhance the efficiency of their trading and to help sculpt their trading strategies.

The launch of the MT4 platform on July 1, 2005 revolutionized the Forex world by providing a software solution that could be branded by Forex brokers to serve their specific needs. Since then, dozens of software companies have created complementary solutions, none of which could be fully integrated into the MT4 platform or branded completely by the broker. This is about to change, however, with the launch of Sirix by Leverate, a social Forex trading solution that will be available shortly and looks likely to take the Forex market by force.

When choosing a Forex broker, many traders look for a brokerage that has not only good trading conditions, but a reputable staff of analysts who can provide regular support and explanation of market trends. Among those that have shot to fame are Kathy Lien, formerly of Amana Capital.

ThinkForex may be a relatively new Forex broker, but they seem to be showing that they've learned from their predecessors and are ready to offer the latest, most useful services and competitive bonuses that will make almost any trader happy.

One of the most difficult aspects of Forex trading is the fact that there is no real course material used about to teach about the industry, as there are for many other aspects of business world such as accounting, banking and business economics. In fact, if you look at the courses offered by most business schools and universities throughout the world, you'd be hard-pressed to find a single course (let alone a set of courses) that focuses on trading the currency markets as a way to profit as an individual trader or as an advisor. Things may be changing, though, and FXCM, a leading global Forex broker, may be somewhat responsible.

Binary options trading as an industry formed around 2009, and since then, literally hundreds of brokers have been sprouting up worldwide. Thus far, none have been regulated, as no regulatory body in the EU or elsewhere throughout the world has committed to overseeing or providing guidelines for the activities of binary options brokers. In other words, although many binary options brokers do operate quite professionally, there has been nothing stopping unscrupulous companies from swindling unsuspecting traders. This is about to change, however, as CySec, the financial regulatory agency of Cyprus, has just announced its intention to begin regulating binary options brokers.

I recently had the opportunity to interview Ed Ponsi, a professional Forex trader who seems to be entirely immersed in the markets. In addition to publishing a book recently titled Selling America Short: The New World Order vs. The American Middle Class, Mr. Ponsi is also responsible for FXEducator, a Forex training course for new traders who are looking to gain a better perspective on trading the currency markets.

Although based and regulated only in Cyprus, Trading Point of Financial Services has been caught recruiting brokers from the United States, despite its lack of NFA regulation. Known for enticing traders with its unusually high Forex bonuses and promotions, Trading Point has been fined $140,000 by the CFTC and has been commanded to close all accounts of US citizens and to return their money.