The UK accounts for around $2.4 trillion lion’s share daily trading volume of global forex trading ($5.1 trillion). This article will help you to trade with FCA (Financial Conduct Authority) regulated and approved Forex trading brokers. We cover online training programs, tax implications, brokers, and competent trading platforms for initial learners in the United Kingdom.

FCA-Regulated Forex Brokers List for the UK

Rank FX Broker Rating Visit Min. Deposit Regulation Review
1 FxPro
FxPro
5/5 (25) VISIT BROKER $100 FCA, CySEC, FSCA READ REVIEW
2 Admiral Markets
Admiral Markets
5/5 (2) VISIT BROKER $100 FCA, ASIC, CySEC, AFSL READ REVIEW
3 Vantage Markets
Vantage Markets
5/5 (6) VISIT BROKER $200 FCA, ASIC, VFSC READ REVIEW
4 HYCM Capital Markets
HYCM Capital Markets
5/5 (5) VISIT BROKER $100 FCA, CySEC, DFSA, CIMA, FSC READ REVIEW
5 Plus500
Plus500
5/5 (5) VISIT BROKER $100 FCA, CySEC, ASIC, FSA, FMA, MAS, FSAS, DFSA READ REVIEW

Forex Trading in the UK

The income forex traders generate is based on price variations in the currency market. They are available in pairs as they buy one currency on one hand and sell other currencies on the other side. 

This process begins with a registration process where the trader registers an account under an online broker. The online broker then connects the trader with the market and facilitates them by providing a platform where they can conduct principle analysis and execution processes.

Leverage is extended credit by UK brokers that help to increase the potential return by providing larger position sizes.

FCA-Regulated Forex Brokers

Legal Concerns of FX Trading in the United Kingdom

Forex trading is not only authorized in the UK but the laws and regulations associated with forex trading are also amongst the most powerful ones in the world.

Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is responsible for managing and accessing the UK forex market. Brokers must be licensed by the FCA (Financial Conduct Authority) before accepting UK traders. Brokers reduced the risk of scams, thus protecting the capital. That is why choosing a regulated broker is necessary. 

UK Forex Brokers and Platforms

The best forex trading broker is the one who offers top leading online platforms and connects the customer to the FX market. Once you sign up, these platforms are free to use and can prove helpful while shopping worldwide. This platform helps take positions, utilize additional tools, and conduct price analysis. 

For beginners, learners, and advanced traders, MetaTrader 4 is extensively used as a forex trading platform. Most top trending forex trade provides demo accounts where one can use different strategies and automated trading capabilities and try various charts and signals.

The best five forex trading platforms include;

  • MetaTrader 5 (MT5)
  • MetaTrader 4 (MT4)
  • xStation
  • cTrader

UK Forex Brokers and Platforms

Minimum Deposit Requirement

Minimum deposits differ across different companies and organizations; UK traders trace the accounts with the lowest deposits, i.e., £100

Trading Hours

Unlike other financial markets, the FX market has no central exchange or physical location. Trading is executed through a network of banks, retail traders, and different organizations and is run five days a week.

Trading is done more significantly during the daytime as organizations have different opening times. Work is usually done on weekdays but is reduced on Saturday and Sunday, so less work efficiency is seen on weekends. 

Whether or not in the UK, the UK forex trading displays time in GMT on all platforms.

Spreads

The difference between the asked and bid prices is a spread showing the trading cost. Suppose USD has to ask price of 1.0975, and the bid price is 1.0973; the spread is the asking price subtracted from the bidding price, i.e., 0.0002. 

The more capital to invest, the more potential returns will be, as the profit margin in forex trading is low. Traders can get massive profits and positions for small gains, considered as margins. It is how UK forex trading gives leverage to their customers or traders. 

Mobile Apps

UK forex trading platforms are available on mobile apps, all efforts of the best brokers that made it possible through mobile apps. Many traders are learning to trade the forex market using mobile apps. Reviews show that the number is increasing day by day. 

Technical analysis on monitor signals, charts, and trade execution can be done on mobile devices as these devices provide the proper functions as desktop devices. Not only this, but one can also communicate with the online trading community and can follow different training courses.

Steps of Starting Forex Trade in the UK

Steps of Starting Forex Trade in the UK

Forex trading can be started from home; beginners need to follow the following steps;

Register an Account – You must make an account with a licensed Financial Conduct Authority broker. Sign up using that account, then check the reviews to get an idea of the broker’s reputation, as some brokers don’t give any attractive spreads, incentives, and bonuses.  

For proper guidance, you may refer to our lists and broker reviews to compare UK forex brokers to get an idea.

Choose Currency Pair – After that, check for currency pairs at majority brokers. Forex dummies are the most popular currency pairs that offer US dollars and more volumes. This liquidity can help you to trade anytime. The major currency pairs have many benefits as they can mostly come up with the lowest pairs and associated trading costs. 

The major currency pairs include;

  • AUD/USD
  • USD/JPY
  • GBP/USD
  • NZD/USD
  • EUR/USD
  • USD/CAD

The best currency pair is checked from a significant currency and currency from developing countries like Brazil. They are challenging to find and have higher exotic pairs.

Buy or Sell – Once you select a currency pair, go through the necessary analytical process to decide whether to buy or sell. If the base currency raises the quote currency, there are more chances of buying, but you might sell if the quote currency is higher than the base currency. 

Set Stops and Limits – Stop limits help to prevent trade loss and exit a trade when the profits reach a certain point. These types of tools and measurements can help prevent losses and protect profit.

Monitor and Exit – Monitor the open position area of the trade. Notifications can help you to get alerts when buy and sell points are reached. Once you want to exit the trade, close your open positions. Details of profits and losses will be shared on your account.

Is Forex Trading Taxed in The United Kingdom?

Forex trading tax can be waived off for potential income beginners, but for that, one must know the trading laws and rules of the UK. If familiar with the law, do you pay taxes for forex trading in the UK? Profit gained from forex trading is taxable.

However, taxability depends on the category of your activities. The UK Government’s tax branch (the HM Revenue and Customs) has categorized trading activities for tax purposes as follows:

Speculative – The speculative trader has occasional profits, including other sources of income from forex trading. Therefore, profits are tax-free until the tax allowance has been reached. The allowance was £12,000 in 2019-2020.

Investing – Profits are taxable under the capital gains regime because forex trading is treated as a business, with earnings often as the primary source of income. 

Your forex trading activity can be established with the help of professional tax advisors. Therefore, tax on your earnings should be determined.

You will feel more comfortable only if you have maintained a record of losses, profits, trade sizes, and the dates that will result in filing annual tax reports.

If you want to know about trading taxes, see below.

Education

Many online trading courses, resources, and books, including diplomas, are available to learn forex trading. It will help a lot. Therefore, forex traders in the UK generate consistent profits and never stop learning.

Free videos are available on YouTube that helps to see the basics of trading in these videos. More online university sessions, training courses, and in-depth training help to teach demo strategies and chart analysis.

Reviews show that the best diplomas have been engaging, innovative trading techniques, coaches, and mentors who are available to answer all queries. Blogs and magazines are learning forums that can prove helpful well. 

With advanced technology, you can learn at a time that works best for you, and sometimes, it is not easy to get and use these forex trading tools.

Is Forex Trading in The UK Profitable?

Sometimes traders struggle to generate profits. Sometimes the gain is not the same as imagined. The salary differs and varies differently. You might have heard success stories of many forex traders, but generating them is not easy.

You can profit for a few months as the gain is inconsistent. Salary and job are not steady and stable, so if you are looking for more, you must find other work.

Final Words

The world’s largest financial market is facilitated by UK forex trading. All the tools required to trade on the forex market are available for beginners and experienced traders with solid laws.

These tools include the best brokers, platforms, articles, tips, strategies, and online training courses. UK traders have created a very competent and regulated environment for forex trading in the UK.

FAQ:

How do I know about forex trading in the UK?

The UK market is one of the most regulated in the world, giving traders multiple licensed brokers to choose from. Therefore, Forex traders in the UK aim to get higher profits in the currency market from price movements. 

Does forex trade illegal in the UK?

Before signing up, brokers must have a license from the Financial Conduct Authority for forex trading because the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) regulates the financial markets, including forex. Therefore, no forex trading is not illegal. 

How does forex trade work in the UK?

Traders sell one currency pair while buying another, looking to profit when converting them with the efforts of online brokers. Online brokers wholesale traders through digital platforms in the worldwide forex market. Potential returns can be increased by trading on leverage from brokers to get a larger size of their positions.

How can I start forex trading in the UK?

To start trading forex, you must register with a licensed online broker in the UK. Sign in to the live account, access leverage, and deposit your funds. Get an opportunity whenever it arises, but you need to know from conducting a price analysis.  

Do I need to pay tax in UK forex trading?

Forex trading profits in the UK may be taxable. It depends on whether your trading activity is treated as speculative or for investment purposes. If it is speculative, you don’t have to pay tax from your profits. But traders may owe capital gains tax if it is a purposive investment. If you want to know more about forex trading, check it out.