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Dukascopy is an award-winning brokerage and bank hailing from Switzerland’s most populous city, Geneva. The broker boasts prestigious accolades, including awards for Best Provider of Liquidity, Best Trading Platform, Best Technical Analysis Platform and Best Forex Trading App.
Dukascopy has more than 16 years of dealing experience behind it, having been established in 2004. The company was founded by physicist Andre Dukas, who launched it with his partner, Veronika Duka. It presently offers a variety of services, including trading on mobile and desktop devices with currency pairs, stocks, indices, binary options, commodities and cryptocurrencies.
The company is home to over 300 dedicated employees and has offices in many financial hubs worldwide, such as Kuala Lumpur, Dubai, Hong Kong, Moscow, Tokyo and Shanghai. It has three subsidiaries – a European one, a Swiss one and a Japanese one. It also provides online banking and bank card services.
The brokerage offers its superb services to iOS users via a dedicated trading application that has been optimised for iOS 11 and above. Android users are catered for with a separate native app that can be installed on devices running Android 4.1 and above.
The multilingual applications stand out with great usability, real-time market news, economic calendars, low forex spreads and a range of trading orders, such as stop, limit, bid and offer orders.
| General Information about Dukascopy Bank SA | |
|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $5000.0000 |
| Supported Languages | N/A |
| Supported Currencies | United States Dollar, Euro, Japanese Yen, British Pound, Swiss Franc, Canadian Dollar, Australian Dollar |
| Trading Information | |
|---|---|
| Trading Platforms | |
| Demo Account | |
| Hedging | |
| Scalping | |
| Retirement Account | |
| US Traders | |
| Arabic Traders | |
Mobile account types at Dukascopy
Dukascopy offers several distinct types of accounts, including a forex/CFD account, ECN accounts and free demos. Accounts are also available for those who seek to trade gold and binary options. The registration process is convenient, quick and simple.
Managed accounts are an option for clients looking to appoint professional traders to manage their trading activities. These rely on a technical solution known as the Percent Allocation Management Module (PAMM), whereby a single professional trader can work with multiple managed accounts simultaneously.
PAMM accounts are also offered in demo format. They can use different currencies and be topped up from various financial institutions. Accordingly, they are allocated different PAMM ratios based on the amounts deposited in each managed account.
| Market | Leverage |
|---|---|
| Currencies | 100 |
Dukascopy demo accounts
Dukascopy enables forex and CFD traders to register free demo accounts in twenty different languages, including English, German, French, Spanish, Romanian, Russian and Polish. You can expand your trading volume in a risk-free manner with the option to use maximum leverage of up to 1:200.
Additionally, you will benefit from a fair pricing environment and ECN liquidity from some of the world’s major banks. Demo accounts are offered in three formats – JForex, MT4 and Binary. You can set yours up in any of the three, or in all three at once.
Once you fill in your valid details in the form, your personal account manager will contact you shortly to ask you about your trading experience. You will receive your login credentials to access your demo account via email. You will receive separate usernames and passwords for each account if you decide to register for all three.
You will also have access to free quick-start manuals and video tutorials to familiarise yourself with the trading platforms if necessary. The demo accounts offer the same attractive spreads as those for the live ones. For instance, you can start trading major pairs like EUR/USD from as little as 0.1 pips.
The only downside of the demo account is its very limited availability. It expires just 14 days after registration. By contrast, some rival brokerages provide unlimited demo accounts.
Dukascopy forex/CFD ECN live accounts
Mobile traders who register through Dukascopy Europe or Dukascopy Switzerland have the option to open live ECN accounts to trade forex and CFDs. Such accounts via the European subsidiary are available in a variety of base currencies, including GBP, CHF, USD, CAD, AUD, HKD, DKK, CNH, HUF, CZK, PLN, SGD, RON, NOK, JPY, ILS, RUB and SEK.
This type of account can be funded with a range of payment methods and requires a minimum initial deposit of $100 if you sign up via the Dukascopy Europe subsidiary. The applicable trading commissions and the swap rates are based on customers’ monthly traded volume and the size of their accounts.
Scalping and news trading are permitted. The minimum order size varies depending on which financial instruments clients trade. For currencies, the order must amount to at least 1,000 units in the primary currency. When it comes to the maximum permitted leverage for these accounts, it depends on whether you register through the Swiss or the European subsidiary.
European regulations allow for leverage of up to 1:30 for major currency pairs, 1:20 for minor pairs and gold, 1:10 for silver and 1:2 for cryptocurrencies. Meanwhile, the live forex/CFD ECN accounts at the Swiss counterpart accept deposits in 23 currencies and offer leverage of up to 1:200. However, this ratio is set at 1:100 upon account registration and increases thereafter. You will benefit from instant execution of your orders and ECN liquidity. These accounts can be funded with credit or debit cards.
Trading Instruments at Dukascopy Mobile App
This brokerage boasts over 500 trading instruments, available across 7 asset classes. These include Forex pairs, bonds, cryptocurrencies, indices, stocks, and commodities like metals, agricultural produce, and energies. Trading with binary options is also an alternative here. Furthermore, the brokerage scores very highly where trading commissions and spreads are concerned. The spreads differ between instruments, though.Forex Currency Pairs
At Dukascopy, clients can trade in more than 60 forex pairs, including majors, minors, and exotics. Beginner traders have the option to trade less volatile major pairs such as EUR/USD, GBP/USD, and USD/JPY. The maximum leverage for these pairs is 1:100 (or 1:30 under European regulations).
Traders interested in minor pairs such as EUR/GBP, GBP/JPY, and GBP/CAD, or in more exotic pairs like CAD/HKD, NZD/CHF, and USD/ILS, also have a wide selection, but the leverage is reduced to 1:10. The minimum lot size is 0.01 for all currency pairs.
Cryptocurrency Trading
Besides Forex pairs, Dukascopy offers traders a solid selection of leveraged cryptocurrency CFDs. This approach allows you to speculate on the price movements of various cryptocurrencies rather than purchasing them and transferring them to your crypto wallet. You can buy a CFD on these decentralized currencies without needing to own the underlying asset.
Customers can take advantage of the cryptocurrencies’ price fluctuations in either direction – long or short. You can make full use of your capital through leverage of up to 1:2 for customers of Dukascopy Europe and up to 1:3 for clients of the Swiss Dukascopy Bank. Just be aware that these financial instruments can be highly volatile, especially when you trade with leverage.
Some of the available cryptocurrencies for trading at Dukascopy include Ethereum, Bitcoin, and Litecoin. The minimum contract size ranges from 0.2 to 10, depending on the cryptocurrency you choose to trade. The margin requirement is 33% for cryptocurrency CFDs.
CFD Trading
Customers of Dukascopy who are interested in speculative trading through CFDs can choose from a comprehensive range that spans six soft commodities, three bonds, and nineteen indices. The company also offers CFDs on the stocks of some of the most liquid companies from countries such as Austria, France, Sweden, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, the United Kingdom, Norway, Hong Kong, and the United States.
The options for energy-commodity speculators include UK Brent oil, US crude oil, natural gas, and low-sulfur gasoil. Those who wish to invest in agricultural soft commodities can do so by speculating on the price movements of Arabica coffee, US cocoa, cotton, soybeans, orange juice, and white sugar. As for metals, Dukascopy offers CFDs on high-grade copper, silver, and gold.
Trading on the performance of entire stock baskets is another option. The broker provides a wide selection of indices, including the Spain 35, Australia 200, Hong Kong, Germany 30, the EU Stoxx 50, and the US 500 indices.
Binary Options
Also referred to as fixed-return options (FROs), binary options provide traders at Dukascopy with an easy way to speculate on price movements across a broad range of markets. Many of the broker’s clients prefer them for their straightforwardness. In contrast to vanilla options, this instrument offers fixed, predefined payouts and a fixed level of risk.
They can yield returns of up to 90% of the invested amount and are often considered suitable for small-scale investors. Dukascopy offers binary-option contracts for as little as $1. However, this instrument involves a significant level of risk. Traders should never use funds they are not financially or emotionally prepared to lose entirely.
To trade binary options, you must download the Dukascopy mobile platform. The software is highly functional and uncluttered, allowing for an optimal trading experience on the go. It features useful charts, comprehensive logs, and detailed reports. The broker does not charge extra fees on top of the premiums traders pay.
Dukascopy mobile fees and spreads
Dukascopy scores highly when trading costs and live spreads are concerned. Spreads for popular major currencies such as USD/JPY and EUR/USD start from as little as 0.1 pips, although this depends on the pairs you trade.
Similarly to some of its competitors, Dukascopy adjusts its trading fees and spreads in line with customers’ trading volume. Clients who invest more actively are treated to various perks, including discounts on commissions and lower swap charges on overnight positions.
Self-trading customers have the chance to apply for a 20% commission discount. The discount is credited to eligible clients once they reach the necessary trading volume. This volume amounts to 30,000 times the account’s equity at the time the discount request is submitted. You have one year after submitting your request to reach this volume.
Traders incur no charges for opening an account with Dukascopy, regardless of its type. However, if a live account remains inactive for more than a year, the broker will impose a maintenance fee of $40 (CHF100 for customers of Dukascopy Bank Switzerland). This fee is deducted from the available balance, if any.
There are no fees for voluntarily closing your Dukascopy account, provided its remaining balance is sufficient to cover the transfer costs. Otherwise, the broker will deduct the balance in order to close the account.
| Instrument | Spread |
|---|---|
| EUR/USD | 0.4 |
| GBP/USD | 1.2 |
| USD/JPY | 1.1 |
Mobile banking at Dukascopy
At Dukascopy, clients are presented with several easy-to-use methods to fund their trading accounts. It is worth noting that each new live account must meet certain minimum-deposit requirements. Mobile traders can deposit only from accounts and payment methods that are registered in their name.
| Brand | Minimum | Fees | Processing Time |
| $100 | 1.2% | Instantly | |
| $100 | 1.2% | Instantly | |
| $100 | Free | 1 Day | |
| $100 | 2.5% | Instantly | |
| $100 | 2.5% | Instantly | |
| $100 | 1.2% | Instantly | |
| $100 | 0.5% | Instantly |
| Brand | Minimum | Fees | Processing Time |
| $10 | 1.5 EUR + 2.5% | 3-5 Days | |
| $10 | 1.5 EUR + 2.5% | 3-5 Days | |
| $10 | 2.3 CHF | 3-5 Days | |
| $10 | 2.5% | 1 Day | |
| $10 | 2.5% | 1 Day | |
| $10 | 1.5 EUR + 2.5% | 3-5 Days | |
| $10 | $10 | 1 Day |
Deposits
Mobile traders can fund their real-money accounts via commonly used wire transfers, which allow for deposits in more than twenty currencies, including USD, CAD, GBP, EUR, SEK, ZAR, AUD, HKD, RUB, PLN, NZD, MXN, NOK and HUF, to name a few. SEPA wire transfers are also supported, but these are processed solely in EUR.
Your account must be approved and validated in advance before the brokerage sends you wire-transfer instructions. The funds normally reach the brokerage within one or two working days. Another way to deposit to your Dukascopy balance is via credit or debit card, in which case you can choose from Visa, Visa Electron, Mastercard and Maestro. However, the supported card brands may be subject to change over time.
For security purposes and to prevent money laundering, the broker allows card deposits of up to $10,000, or the equivalent in another supported currency, within a single transaction. As a general rule, the brokerage credits the money to your balance on the next working day after receiving it.
If you wish to deposit via a virtual wallet, you can conveniently do so using the popular options Skrill and Neteller. You can connect your Dukascopy account to your wallet for this purpose. Clients looking for more anonymous payments can use decentralised cryptocurrencies such as Ethereum and Bitcoin.
Which options are available depends on the type of trading account you open. Crypto-fundable balances use USD as their base currency, with a maximum cumulative limit of $50,000. Bank-transfer and cryptocurrency deposits are free, whereas those conducted with e-wallets and credit/debit cards incur fees ranging from 1.2% to 2.5%, depending on the base currency.
Withdrawals
Clients of Dukascopy can use the same methods available for deposits to withdraw their trading earnings, i.e. credit or debit cards, the e-wallets Neteller and Skrill, and the cryptocurrencies Ethereum and Bitcoin.
You can submit a withdrawal request by logging into the Live Member Area of your account and navigating to the Funds section, where you must load the withdrawal form. You must specify the amount you wish to cash out. You then follow the on-screen instructions to complete the operation.
The processing timeframe is method-specific, but your place of residence also plays a part. Traders normally receive their funds within one to three business days. The financial department handles withdrawal requests and deposits via the accepted cryptocurrencies only on working days. This is understandable, considering Dukascopy is, first and foremost, a banking institution and started as such.
Customers who cash out via cryptocurrencies should keep in mind that, due to processing delays, the exchange rates of Bitcoin and Ether can change while the brokerage processes their withdrawals. Consequently, it is impossible to predict how many cryptocurrency units will be credited to your wallet upon completion of the payment.
As with deposits, withdrawals are subject to method-specific processing fees. Again, the exact charges are method- and currency-specific. For instance, Bitcoin and Ether cash-outs come with a $10 fee, whereas withdrawals with Skrill are charged at a floating rate of 2.5%.
Dukascopy mobile app regulation
Dukascopy is both an established banking institution and a securities dealer based in Geneva, Switzerland. As such, it has received the regulatory stamp of approval from the local watchdog – the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority, abbreviated as FINMA. This authority is especially stringent when it comes to financial regulations. It requires all Swiss brokerages that deal in securities to be licensed as banking institutions.
The Dukascopy Europe outfit of the company operates under the licence and regulatory scope of the Financial and Capital Market Commission (FCMC). The brokerage can legally operate on the UK market despite lacking a permit issued by the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The European counterpart of Dukascopy is registered and based in the Latvian capital, Riga.
The Japanese outfit of the brokerage can legally serve clients from the Land of the Rising Sun under a licence granted by the Japanese Financial Services Agency (JFSA). Due to regulatory restrictions, the company’s services are off-limits to traders from specific jurisdictions, namely the USA, Canada (including the province of Quebec), Belgium, Russia and Israel.
Dukascopy FAQ
1. What leverage does Dukascopy offer?
| Type of Financial Instrument | Dukascopy Bank Switzerland | Dukascopy Japan | Dukascopy Europe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Major Forex Pairs | 1:200 | 1:25 | 1:30 |
| Minor Forex Pairs, Gold, and Major Indices | 1:200 | 1:10 | 1:20 |
| Other Commodities and Minor Stock Indices | 1:100 | No leverage | 1:10 |
| Stocks | 1:10 | No leverage | 1:5 |
| Cryptocurrencies | 1:3 | No leverage | 1:2 |
2. What payment methods can I use for deposits and withdrawals?
3. Are there geographical restrictions for signing up live accounts at Dukascopy?
4. What order types does Dukascopy offer to traders?
5. Do the demo and live accounts differ in terms of trading conditions?
Conclusion
Dukascopy stands as an excellent fit for mobile investors, especially if they are experienced professionals or large-scale traders. The brokerage is also likely to appeal to trading rookies. It boasts a comprehensive range of research and educational materials that will help them hone their skills and knowledge. The variety of trading instruments and account types is also more than decent. The only area in which Dukascopy requires some improvement is reducing its fees on withdrawals and deposits.
