AvaTrade in South Africa
AvaTrade is a well-established online trading platform that caters to traders worldwide, including South Africa. As a regulated broker, AvaTrade South Africa offers a diverse range of trading instruments and services tailored to meet the needs of both novice and experienced traders.
Regulation and Safety
AvaTrade is authorized and regulated by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) in South Africa, ensuring a safe and secure trading environment for local clients. The broker operates under the legal entity Ava Capital Markets (Pty) Ltd with FSP number 45984, issued in 2015.
In addition to the FSCA regulation, AvaTrade is licensed and regulated by several other top-tier financial authorities, including:
- Central Bank of Ireland (CBI)
- Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC)
- Financial Services Commission of the British Virgin Islands (BVI FSC)
- Financial Services Agency of Japan (JFSA)
Client funds are held in segregated accounts at ABSA Bank, separate from the company’s operational funds, providing an additional layer of security for traders’ investments. AvaTrade follows strict compliance procedures and adheres to Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) regulations, requiring clients to provide identification documents for account verification.
Trading Instruments
At AvaTrade South Africa, traders have access to a comprehensive selection of trading instruments, including:
- Forex: Major, minor, and exotic currency pairs
- Stocks: Over 600 global stocks
- Indices: Major indices like NASDAQ 100, S&P 500, and more
- Commodities: Precious metals, energy, and agricultural commodities
- Cryptocurrencies: Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and more
- Options: Vanilla options on various underlying assets
- ETFs: A diverse range of Exchange-Traded Funds
- Bonds: Government bonds from Japan and Europe
Leverage:
AvaTrade offers flexible leverage options for different trading instruments. Here’s an overview of the maximum leverage available:
Instrument | Maximum Leverage |
Forex | 1:400 |
Commodities | 1:200 |
Indices | 1:200 |
Stocks | 1:20 |
Cryptocurrencies | 1:25 |
Please note that leverage limits may vary based on your account type and regulatory requirements.
Trading Platforms
AvaTrade offers a variety of trading platforms to cater to different trading preferences and styles:
- MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5)
- Industry-standard platforms with advanced charting and analysis tools
- Available for desktop, web, and mobile devices
- Support for automated trading and expert advisors (EAs)
- Customizable interface and advanced order types
- AvaTradeGO
- Proprietary mobile trading app for iOS and Android
- User-friendly interface with advanced features
- Access to educational resources and market analysis
- Social trading capabilities with AvaSocial integration
- AvaTrade WebTrader
- Web-based trading platform, no software installation required
- Intuitive interface with customizable layouts
- Integrated with Trading Central for technical analysis
- Advanced charting and drawing tools
- AvaOptions
- Dedicated platform for trading vanilla options
- Customizable trading screens and risk management tools
- Access to over 40 currency pairs, gold, and silver options
- Integrated with Autochartist for technical analysis
Account Types
AvaTrade South Africa offers the following account types:
- Retail Account
- Minimum deposit: $100 (or equivalent in other currencies)
- Maximum leverage: 1:30 (as per FSCA regulations)
- Negative balance protection
- Commission-free trading
- Access to all trading platforms and instruments
- Islamic Account (Swap-Free)
- Designed for Muslim traders adhering to Sharia law
- No swap fees for holding positions overnight (for up to 5 days)
- Increased spreads on forex pairs
- Restricted from trading certain currency pairs and cryptocurrencies
- Professional Account
- Available for experienced traders meeting specific criteria
- Higher leverage up to 1:400
- Fewer regulatory protections
- Access to additional trading tools and resources
- Demo Account
- Practice trading with virtual funds
- Access to all trading platforms and features
- Validity: 21 days (can be extended upon request)
- Ideal for testing strategies and exploring the platform
Deposits and Withdrawals
AvaTrade offers a variety of deposit and withdrawal methods for South African traders:
Deposit Methods:
- Credit/Debit Cards (Visa, Mastercard)
- E-wallets (Skrill, Neteller)
- Bank Wire Transfer (local ZAR transfers to ABSA Bank)
Withdrawal Methods:
- Credit/Debit Cards
- E-wallets
- Bank Wire Transfer (local ZAR transfers)
Minimum Deposit: $100 (or equivalent)
Minimum Withdrawal: $100 for bank wire transfers, $1 for cards and e-wallets
Note: AvaTrade does not charge any fees for deposits or withdrawals, but third-party transaction fees may apply.
Withdrawal Processing Time:
- Credit/Debit Cards: 24-48 hours (up to 5 business days for funds to reflect)
- E-wallets: 24-48 hours
- Bank Wire Transfer: Up to 10 business days
Customer Support
AvaTrade provides dedicated customer support for South African traders through the following channels:
- Live Chat (available during trading hours)
- Email: [email protected]
- Local Phone Number: +27(0)319800174
- WhatsApp Support: +447520644093
- Local Office Address: Nelson Mandela Square Office towers West, 2nd Floor, Sandton Johannesburg (no walk-in service)
Support is available in multiple languages, including English and Afrikaans. For clients who deposit $1,000 or more, AvaTrade assigns a dedicated account manager to assist with inquiries and provide personalized support.
Real Trader Reviews
“I’ve been trading with AvaTrade for over a year now, and I must say, their platform is top-notch. The user interface is intuitive, and the execution speed is impressive. Their customer support team is also extremely helpful and responsive.” – John D., Johannesburg
“As a beginner trader, I appreciated AvaTrade’s comprehensive educational resources. Their video tutorials and webinars really helped me understand the basics of trading. The demo account was also a great way to practice before investing real money.” – Sarah M., Cape Town
“While AvaTrade’s trading fees are competitive, I found their withdrawal process to be a bit slower than some other brokers I’ve used. However, their regulatory compliance and security measures make up for it.” – David K., Durban
Frequently Asked Questions
AvaTrade processes withdrawal requests within 24-48 hours. However, the time it takes for the funds to reach your account may vary depending on the withdrawal method. Bank wire transfers can take up to 10 business days, while card and e-wallet withdrawals are typically faster.
Yes, AvaTrade offers trading in various cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and more. However, cryptocurrency trading is not available on Islamic accounts.
Yes, AvaTrade’s retail accounts come with negative balance protection, ensuring that traders cannot lose more than the funds available in their account.