Core Spreads Is Moving…Core Spreads HeadlinesPlatform ReviewsProductsSpreads & CommissionLeverageMobile TradingPaymentsDemo AccountCore Spreads BonusesRegulation ReviewAdditional FeaturesLive AccountsBenefitsDrawbacksOpening HoursCustomer SupportSecurityCore Spreads VerdictFAQsAccepted CountriesAlternatives to Core Spreads
Core Spreads is a global broker offering day trading opportunities in CFDs and spread betting. Clients can access over 1,000 instruments, including forex, commodities and indices. Our detailed review will cover login requirements, fees, platforms, minimum deposits and more. Find out whether to register for a live trading account today.
Core Spreads Is Moving…
Core Spreads has announced that they will no longer accept new account applications as they transition to their new global brand – Trade Nation. This is the latest step to bring the established brokers with a long-standing history under the same umbrella.
Trade Nation promises the same company, staff and top-tier regulatory protections as Core Spreads, but with a clean new look.
For now, you can follow the sign-up link through the Core Spreads website. Alternatively, you can open an account directly at Trade Nation.
Core Spreads Headlines
Core Spreads, a trading name of Finsa Europe Limited, was founded in 2009. The broker operates in 150+ countries worldwide, with headquarters located in London, UK. The company is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), a well-regarded body with stringent compliance requirements.
The broker also has branches in Australia and South Africa. Both operate with local jurisdiction regulation from the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) respectively.
Core Spreads strives to provide the best service across three pillars; pricing, platform technology, and customer experience.
Platform Reviews
Core Spreads offers two platform options with easy logins; a proprietary platform, CoreTrader, for spread betting; and CoreMT4 for CFD trading.
The MT4 platform requires a download to desktop devices while CoreTrader is a web-based software designed for trading through major browsers.
CoreMT4
A favourite among retail traders, MetaTrader 4 offers a clean interface, a wide selection of analysis tools and a mix of instant and pending order types. Additional features include:
One-click trading
Market news streams
24/5 customer support
Access to Expert Advisors
Ultra-fast execution speeds
Customisable graphs and charts
Hundreds of technical indicators
MetaTrader 4
CoreTrader
CoreTrader is a hassle-free platform designed for spread betting. Clients can browse popular financial markets and take positions in a few clicks. Features include:
24/5 customer support
One-click demo account
Fully customisable charts
Trade directly from charts
Advanced technical analysis
Simple and easy to use interface
Comprehensive risk management tools
CoreTrader
Products
Core Spreads offers clients trading opportunities in various global markets. Access varies by the chosen account/platform.
Spread Betting
US, UK & European equities – Access to 1,000+ shares
Commodities – Five metals and energies, including gold and oil
Indices – 16 global stock indices, such as the UK100, Germany30 and US500
Forex pairs – 34 major and minor currency pairs, including EUR/USD and USD/CAD
CFDs
Commodities – 13 metals and energies, including gold, silver and oil
Indices – 13 global stock indices, such as the HK50, UK100 and US30
Forex pairs – 40 major and minor currency pairs, including EUR/GBP and GBP/USD
Spreads & Commission
Spreads vary by account type and platform but are competitive. On spread betting accounts, forex pairs such as EUR/GBP are offered at a fixed rate of 0.6 pips while GBP/USD comes in at 0.8 pips. The UK100 and US500 indices are offered from 0.4 points.
Variable spreads are offered on the CFD account. The EUR/GBP currency pair comes in at a minimum of 1.2 pips, UK100 and DE30 indices from 1.0 pip and energies from 3.5 pips. Full details can be found in the market information section of the broker’s website.
Core Spreads does not charge commissions on spread betting accounts but a $1.50 per lot charge is applied to CFD accounts. The broker also charges a swap rate for positions held overnight at 2.5% +/- Libor.
Leverage
Leverage is capped at a maximum of 1:30 in line with ESMA trading regulations. The maximum leverage offered also varies by asset:
Equities – 1:5
Commodities – 1:10
Major forex pairs – 1:30
Minor forex pairs and indices – 1:20
Mobile Trading
Core Spreads offers mobile app versions of both platforms in most major jurisdictions, including Europe, Australia and the UK. These are available for free download to iOS and Android devices. Users can access the full range of trading features, respond to market movements, complete transactions and view public holiday hours while on the go. Customer support can be contacted from within the apps.
The only downside is that detailed technical analysis is harder to conduct on mobile applications versus desktop-based solutions.
MT4 app
Payments
Deposits
There are no minimum deposit requirements to open a live account. Accounts can be funded in the following currencies: GBP, USD, EUR, AUD, and ZAR. The broker accepts the following payment methods:
Skrill e-wallet
Bank wire transfer
Debit/credit cards, including Visa, MasterCard and Amex
There is no deposit fee with any payment method. Processing times are not published however debit/credit card and e-wallet payments often support instant funding.
Withdrawals
Core Spreads does not charge for withdrawals. However, in line with regulations, funds must be processed back to the original payment method. A minimum withdrawal of $50/£/€ applies. The broker processes withdrawals within 24 hours of requests but funding settlement varies by payment method.
Demo Account
Core Spreads offers a demo account on both platforms. This is a good way to understand platform features, explore interface navigation, and practise trading strategies. Upon registration and login, users can access up to £10,000 in virtual funds and test strategies risk-free in simulated market conditions.
Core Spreads Bonuses
At the time of writing, Core Spreads does not offer any promotions to new or existing clients, this includes no deposit bonuses. EU and UK traders are not eligible for bonuses due to ESMA trading regulations which restrict financial incentives. Keep an eye on the broker’s website for upcoming offers in other jurisdictions.
Regulation Review
Core Spreads is licensed with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), meaning the broker operates under established regulatory standards. Clients can be assured of segregated funds in top-tier banks and negative balance protection. Retail traders are also protected by the FSCS compensation scheme up to the value of £85,000 in the case of business insolvency. The broker is also fully compliant with the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA).
Additional Features
Global market news, trading insights, and weekly articles are posted on the Core Spreads website. The blog-style platform also integrates tutorial posts analysing topics such as using financial signals, forex strategies such as scalping and hedging, margin trading, plus trailing stops. Video content is also posted providing tips for investing in popular markets.
Market information sheets by platform are available to download. This includes a breakdown of spreads, trading hours and guaranteed stop distances by instrument.
Live Accounts
The broker offers two account types; one for CFD trading (platform CoreMT4) and one for spread betting customers (platform CoreTrader). Clients can open one spread betting account and one CFD account and these can be opened in different currencies. The key features of each account are listed below.
CoreMT4
Variable spreads
No minimum deposit
0.01 lot minimum order
CFD trading – indices, forex and commodities
$1.50 (or equivalent currency) commission per lot
CoreTrader
Fixed spreads
No commission
No minimum deposit
£0.50/$/€ minimum order
Spread betting – indices, forex, commodities, UK, US and European equities
Clients are required to upload identification documents and proof of residency to open a live account. This is standard practice aligning with KYC policies. Details of trading experience and knowledge must also be submitted. The average processing time for account approval is one working day.
Benefits
Reasons to sign up for a Core Spreads account include:
No inactivity fee
Mobile applications
Negative balance protection
Free deposits and withdrawals
Demo account on both platforms
FCA regulation with FSCS protection
Proprietary platform software and MT4
Drawbacks
Downsides to registering for a Core Spreads account include:
No MetaTrader 5 platform
No cryptocurrency trading
Commissions applied on CFDs
Opening Hours
Core Spreads is available to contact 24/5, operating Sunday 10 pm GMT to Friday 10 pm GMT. Trading hours vary by instrument. An upcoming month trading calendar is available on the Core Spreads website and includes information on market holidays.
Customer Support
Core Spreads offers various customer support options available 24/5:
Email – support@corespreads.com
Address – 9th Floor, 30, Crown Place, London, EC2A 4ES
Telephone – 08008620780 (free calls for UK users) or +442034754830 (international users)
The broker can also be found on social media platforms including LinkedIn. Unfortunately there is no FAQ section on the website for quick help.
Security
Core Spreads assures client funds are secured in segregated accounts. Client portal access is password protected. Both platforms offer high-tech encryptions, secure logins, and industry-standard data privacy.
Core Spreads Verdict
Core Spreads provides CFD and spread betting opportunities for traders of different abilities on the established CoreMT4 and bespoke CoreTrader solution. Benefits include FCA regulation, a free demo account, 24/5 customer support, and no minimum deposit requirements. The broker offers a good all-round service and will be particularly popular among spread betters.
FAQs
Is Core Spreads Legit?
Core Spreads offers a safe and reliable trading environment for global customers. Our review highlights the FCA regulatory oversight, positive customer reviews, and multiple security protocols in place to protect client data. We’re comfortable the broker is a legitimate online trading broker.
What Trading Platforms Does Core Spreads Offer?
Core Spreads offers two platforms; CoreTrader for spread betting and CoreMT4 for CFD trading. The MT4 solution can be downloaded to desktop devices while CoreTrader can be opened in web browsers.
What Trading Education Does Core Spreads Offer?
The Core Spreads website supports several additional features including market analysis reports from David Buik, financial trend insights, and investing tutorials. Other education includes free forex trading tips with useful video content on specific currency pairs.
Does Core Spreads Offer A Demo Account?
Yes, Core Spreads offers a demo account accessible on both trading platforms; CoreMT4 and CoreTrader. Users get access to £10,000 virtual funds and can upgrade to a live account when they feel ready.
Is Core Spreads Regulated?
Yes, Core Spreads (operating under trading name Finsa Europe Ltd, UK) is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), firm reference number 525164. Whilst a good indication that clients can trust the broker, it’s always worth checking whether a provider is regulated in your local jurisdiction.
Accepted Countries
Core Spreads accepts traders from Australia, Thailand, Canada, United Kingdom, South Africa, Singapore, Hong Kong, India, France, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Italy, Denmark, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Qatar and most other countries.
Traders can not use Core Spreads from United States.
Alternatives to Core Spreads
If you are looking for alternatives to Core Spreads we have compiled a list of the top 5 brokers that are similar to Core Spreads below. This list of brokers like Core Spreads is in order of similarity and only includes companies that accept traders from your location.
ThinkMarkets – ThinkMarkets is a multi-regulated forex and CFD broker
ActivTrades – ActivTrades offers online trading on the MT4, MT5 and ActivTrader platforms.
Trade.com – Trade.com offers thousands of tradable assets on desktop and mobile platforms.
OctaFX – OctaFX offers multi-asset trading on a range of platforms and mobile solutions.
UFX – UFX are forex trading specialists that also offer popular stocks, ETFs, indices, and commodities. Offering tight spreads and one of the best ranges of major and minor pairs, they are a great option for aspiring FX investors.