Which broker is better for Taiwan traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For experienced retail traders in Taiwan, choosing between XM Group and FP Markets is a critical decision. Both brokers score an impressive 4.7/5 in our ratings, but they cater to different trading styles. Taiwan traders value low spreads, fast execution, and reliable local payment methods like Bank Transfer and Credit Card in TWD. XM Group, established in 2009, is known for its educational resources and flexible account options, including a micro-lot account ideal for testing strategies. FP Markets, founded in 2005, is a pure ECN/STP broker favored by scalpers and algorithmic traders for its raw spreads from 0.0 pips. Both accept clients from Taiwan without restriction, though neither is directly regulated by FSC Taiwan. This comparison will help you decide which broker aligns with your trading goals, whether you prioritize cost efficiency, platform variety, or local support. We examine spreads, platforms, regulation, and deposit/withdrawal methods specifically for Taiwan-based traders.
| Instrument | XM Group | FP Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | FP Markets |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | FP Markets |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | FP Markets |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | FP Markets |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $5 | $100 | FP Markets |
For Taiwan traders, trading costs are a major factor. XM Group offers a Standard account with spreads from 1.0 pips (no commission) and a Zero account with spreads from 0.0 pips plus a $5 commission per lot. FP Markets provides a Standard account with spreads from 1.0 pips (no commission) and a Raw ECN account with spreads from 0.0 pips plus a $3 commission per lot. For high-volume Taiwan traders (e.g., 10+ lots per week), FP Markets is more cost-effective due to lower commission. However, XM Group's Zero account is competitive for smaller traders. Both brokers have no hidden fees, but FP Markets' Raw account gives a clear edge for scalpers.
| Account Type | XM Group | FP Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $5 | $100 |
| Entity / Asset | XM Group | FP Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Taiwan (offshore) | Up to 1:1000 | Up to 1:500 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:1000 | 1:500 |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | 1:200 | 1:200 |
| Indices | 1:100 | 1:100 |
| Cryptocurrencies | 1:2 to 1:10 | 1:2 to 1:10 |
| Asset Class | XM Group | FP Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | XM Group |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | XM Group |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | XM Group |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | 1,700+ | FP Markets |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Platform | XM Group | FP Markets |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✓ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✓ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers offer MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), which are popular among Taiwan traders for their advanced charting and automated trading capabilities. XM Group additionally provides its own XM WebTrader and a mobile app with streamlined features. FP Markets offers cTrader as well, which is favored for its intuitive interface and depth of market. For Taiwan traders who use Expert Advisors (EAs), both brokers support VPS hosting. FP Markets' cTrader is a plus for those who prefer a more modern platform. However, XM Group's education suite (webinars, videos) is more extensive for traders new to MT4/MT5.
| Factor | XM Group | FP Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | FP Markets |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | XM Group |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
Execution quality is excellent at both brokers. XM Group uses a market execution model with no requotes and average execution speed under 1 second. FP Markets offers pure ECN/STP execution with speeds as low as 40ms. For Taiwan scalpers and high-frequency traders, FP Markets' faster execution and tighter spreads (Raw account) give a clear edge. XM Group is reliable for most trading styles but may have slightly higher slippage during news events.
| Safety Factor | XM Group | FP Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC | ASIC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Regulation is a key concern for Taiwan traders. XM Group is regulated by CySEC (Cyprus), ASIC (Australia), and FSCA (South Africa). FP Markets is regulated by ASIC, CySEC, and the FSA (Seychelles). Neither broker is directly licensed by FSC Taiwan, but they are authorized to accept clients from Taiwan under international regulations. For Taiwan traders, ASIC regulation is the most stringent, offering strong client fund segregation and negative balance protection. FP Markets' ASIC license provides similar protections. Both brokers are members of compensation schemes (e.g., ICF for CySEC clients). Taiwan traders should check their broker's entity when opening an account to ensure the best regulatory coverage.
| Payment Method | XM Group | FP Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✓ | ✓ |
| Withdrawal time | Visa/Mastercard and e-wallets near-instant to 1-2 business days; bank wire several days | 24 hours |
Taiwan traders can fund both XM Group and FP Markets using Bank Transfer and Credit Card in TWD. XM Group has no deposit fees and processes withdrawals within 24 hours. Minimum deposit is US$5 (or equivalent TWD). FP Markets requires a minimum deposit of US$100 (or equivalent TWD) and also offers free deposits via Bank Transfer and Credit Card. Withdrawals are processed within 1 business day. Both brokers support local bank transfers in TWD, which is convenient for Taiwan traders. XM Group's lower minimum deposit makes it more accessible for smaller traders. Both brokers do not charge deposit fees, but bank wire fees may apply from the sending bank. Credit card deposits are instant for both.
| Islamic Account Feature | XM Group | FP Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | ✓ | ✓ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
Both XM Group and FP Markets offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Muslim traders in Taiwan. XM Group provides Islamic accounts on all account types (Micro, Standard, Zero) with no swap charges on overnight positions. FP Markets offers Islamic accounts on Standard and Raw accounts. Both require a declaration of faith. For Taiwan Muslim traders, XM Group's wider account options are beneficial, while FP Markets' Islamic accounts also support ECN trading. There are no additional fees for swap-free accounts, but both brokers may charge a small administrative fee after a certain holding period (e.g., 30 days).
| Support Feature | XM Group | FP Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | XM Group |
Customer support is available 24/5 for both brokers. XM Group offers live chat, email, and phone support in multiple languages, including Chinese. FP Markets also provides 24/5 support via live chat, email, and phone, with a dedicated Chinese-speaking team. Both are responsive, but XM Group's support is slightly faster based on user reviews. For Taiwan traders, the availability of Chinese-speaking agents is a key advantage for both brokers.
| Mobile Feature | XM Group | FP Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | XM Group |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | XM Group |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✓ | FP Markets |
| Resource | XM Group | FP Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | ✗ | XM Group |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | XM Group |
Choose XM Group if you...
Choose FP Markets if you...
For experienced retail traders in Taiwan, both XM Group and FP Markets are excellent choices, but the best fit depends on your trading style. XM Group is ideal for traders who value education, lower entry barriers, and flexible account types. Its Zero account is competitive for smaller traders, and the micro-lot option is perfect for testing strategies. FP Markets, on the other hand, is the winner for cost-conscious scalpers and algorithmic traders who need raw spreads and fast execution. Its Raw ECN account offers the lowest trading costs for high-volume traders. Both brokers support Bank Transfer and Credit Card deposits in TWD, and neither is directly regulated by FSC Taiwan, but they follow international standards. We recommend XM Group for beginners and intermediate traders, and FP Markets for advanced traders seeking maximum cost efficiency. Always check the latest promotions and account conditions on each broker's website.