Popular FAQs
Discover our range of products, tools and services with these extensive FAQs.
Looking for something specific?
Use our advanced search to explore support pages- How do I apply for an account with FOREX.com?
- Do I need trading experience to open an account?
- Do I need a lot of money to open account?
- How long will it take to open an account?
- Will I need to send in any additional documentation to open an account?
- How soon can I trade after opening an account?
- When can I trade metals with FOREX.com?
- What are the different ways to trade oil?
- What is the US Crude Oil 7-Day CFD market?
- What are the 7-Day index markets?
How do I apply for an account with FOREX.com?
Applying for a CFD trading account with FOREX.com is quick and easy and we have an account for you, whatever your trading goals.
You can apply now in a matter of minutes (subject to review and approval) by completing our simple and secure online application form.
If you would like to find out more about Professional trader status, you can do so here.
As a regulated broker, we are required to ensure that our products are suitable for applicants. We will ask you questions about:
- Your personal details
- Which products you want to trade in your account
- Your financial status
- Your trading experience
It is important that you answer the questions accurately as it may impact your ability to open an account.
Do I need trading experience to open an account?
It is important that you understand the risks involved in trading before you open an account. We strongly encourage new traders to practice using a demo account and educate themselves on how to minimise risk using the education tools available on this website. As part of our suitability criteria, you will have to complete a short questionnaire in order to ensure that our products are suitable for you.
If you think you’re ready for a live account, open one here.
Do I need a lot of money to open account?
Your application will be considered based on your individual circumstances; these include both income and savings. The minimum deposit to open an account is $150.
How long will it take to open an account?
The time taken to open an account depends on the speed at which we can verify your identity. During the application process we will perform an online check to confirm your identity. If you successfully pass the identity check you will be notified immediately; in some cases you made need to provide supporting documentation in order to pass the checks.
Will I need to send in any additional documentation to open an account?
In the majority of cases you will not need to send us any supporting documents, as we should be able to verify your details online. Occasionally we will be unable to confirm your identity electronically (for example if you have moved house recently), and in such cases we will email you and ask that you provide certain documents.
If you are asked for this then we will usually require copies of one document for proof of identity and one for proof of address. You will receive an email detailing specifically what we need.
The following are examples of documentation that could be requested:
- Identification documents: machine readable passport, machine readable national identity card, photocard driving license.
- Proof of address (dated within the last three months): utility bill, council tax bill, bank or credit card statement, mortgage statement.
If we do require documentation from you, you will be able to upload these securely using our online My Account portal. Either use the link provided in the email, or the redirect on the account application page. Please ensure the documents you provide meet the specifications listed.
How soon can I trade after opening an account?
As soon as your account has been opened, and you have funded your account you will be free to trade.
Get started by opening an account.
When can I trade metals with FOREX.com?
All metals (including spot and CFD markets) are available 23 hours a day, 5 days a week. Please visit our Market Information Sheets in the platform for exact opening and closing times. When trading is closed you may still place new working orders or edit and cancel existing working orders. Metal markets also follow CME holiday closures.
Full week trading, including over the weekend, is available for gold with the XAU/USD 7-Day product. You can view more details of the XAU/USD 7-Day CFDs here.
What are the different ways to trade oil?
There are various ways to gain exposure to oil price movements, and each method has its own characteristics, risks, and potential benefits. Oil is commonly traded through futures contracts, which are agreements to buy or sell oil at a predetermined price on a specified future date.
Retail traders may also gain exposure to oil price movements through Contracts for Difference (CFDs). CFDs allow traders to speculate on price movements without owning the underlying asset. However, CFDs are leveraged products and carry a high level of risk. Losses can exceed initial deposits, and CFDs may not be suitable for all investors.
Learn more about how CFDs work.
US Crude Oil 7-Day is a leveraged CFD product. Leveraged trading carries a high level of risk and losses can exceed initial deposits.
What is the US Crude Oil 7-Day CFD market?
US Crude Oil 7-Day is a CFD product, available during standard weekday trading hours and remaining open on Saturday and Sunday, which allows you to react to geopolitical, economic, and market-moving events outside traditional oil market hours. Trading pauses for a short period on Sunday before weekday market pricing resumes.
When can I trade US Crude Oil 7-Day?
US Crude Oil 7-Day is available from Saturday 6:00 p.m. AEST and remains open around the clock through Saturday and Sunday. Trading pauses between Monday 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. AEST, before weekday market pricing resumes. Please review the Market Information Sheet on the platform for exact opening and closing times.
How does pricing work?
On Saturday and Sunday, pricing is derived from relevant reference markets and other information available to FOREX.com, and spreads may be wider than during standard market hours. In exceptional circumstances, trading may be restricted, paused, or made close-only.
How do positions work for US Crude Oil 7-Day?
US Crude Oil 7-Day is a separate market from the standard US Crude Oil CFD. Positions, margin requirements, and profit and loss are managed independently, and positions in one market will not offset, transfer to, or roll into the other.
Please refer to our Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) for further information on Weekend and Extended-Hours Trading on CFDs and associated risks.
What are the 7-Day index markets?
The 7-Day US SP 500 and 7-Day US Tech 100 are standalone index cash CFD products that are available during standard weekday trading hours and remains open most of Saturday and Sunday, allowing you to react to geopolitical, economic, and market-moving events outside traditional exchange market hours. Trading pauses for a short period on Sunday before weekday market pricing resumes.
When can I trade the 7-Day index markets?
The 7-Day US SP 500 and 7-Day US Tech 100 CFDs are available from Saturday 6:00 p.m. AEST and remains open around the clock through Saturday and Sunday. Trading pauses between Monday 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. AEST, before weekday market pricing resumes. Please review the Market Information Sheet on the platform for exact opening and closing times.
How does pricing work?
During standard market hours, pricing follows our standard index pricing methodology, which references the underlying markets. When the traditional index futures market is closed during the weekend, pricing is derived from alternative index reference markets and other relevant market information available to FOREX.com. Pricing adjustments may be applied to reflect differences between weekend reference markets and the traditional index market. When the traditional index futures market reopens, pricing returns to the standard pricing methodology.
Weekend spreads may be wider than during standard market hours. In exceptional circumstances, trading may be restricted, paused, or made close-only.
How do positions work for the 7-Day indices?
The 7-Day US SP 500 and 7-Day US Tech 100 are separate markets from the standard US SP 500 and US Tech 100 CFDs. Positions, margin requirements, and profit and loss are managed independently, and positions in one market will not offset, transfer to, or roll into the other.
Why might weekend prices differ from standard weekday prices?
The traditional index futures market is closed during portions of the weekend. As a result, weekend prices are derived from alternative index reference markets, which may not move in the same way as the traditional market. The 7-Day index price may therefore differ from the final weekday price or from the price available when the traditional index futures market reopens. Trading during the weekend may allow clients to respond to market developments before the traditional index futures market reopens, but it does not eliminate the risk that prices may gap when the traditional markets reopen.
What events can affect the 7-Day index prices during the weekend?
Index prices can respond rapidly to developments affecting investor sentiment and expectations for economic growth, interest rates, corporate earnings, and broader financial markets. These may include major economic data releases, central bank announcements, geopolitical events, earnings results from large-cap companies, and other significant market-moving events. These may occur while the underlying futures market is closed and can result in significant price movements.
Will financing charges apply?
Yes. Financing is applied to the 7-Day index positions on a daily basis, including weekends. Positions held through the applicable financing cut-off may therefore be subject to a financing adjustment. Please refer to the Market Information Sheet for current financing information.
Can stop-loss orders be triggered during the weekend?
Yes. If a stop level is reached based on the price quoted for the 7-Day indices, the order will be triggered as usual. Execution will occur based on available prices in the 7-Day markets at that time. Orders associated with the separate standard US SP 500 and US Tech 100 markets will not be triggered by movements in the 7-Day markets.
Can trading be restricted or suspended?
Yes. In exceptional circumstances, including significant market disruption, problems with available reference prices, or other conditions where reliable pricing cannot be maintained, FOREX.com may restrict trading, make the market close-only or one-sided, temporarily suspending trading or withdrawing pricing. In extreme circumstances, you may be unable to close a position until reliable price formation resumes.