While forex trading is the primary focus for many brokers, the ability to trade non-forex assets such as commodities, indices, stocks, and cryptocurrencies can significantly enhance a trader’s portfolio. These brokers offer diversified trading options that allow traders to tap into multiple markets from one platform. This guide highlights the best forex brokers for non-FX assets, offering competitive conditions and access to a wide range of markets.

Why Trade Non-FX Assets?

Trading non-FX assets provides several benefits:

• Diversification: Spread your risk across different asset classes, reducing dependency on the forex market.
• Market Flexibility: Trade across various markets that may perform differently under different economic conditions.
• Opportunities for Profit: Some markets, such as commodities or cryptocurrencies, may experience high volatility, providing additional profit opportunities.
• Hedge Against Forex Movements: Non-FX assets can act as a hedge against forex market risks, especially in uncertain times.

Key Features to Look for in Brokers Offering Non-FX Assets

1. Multi-Asset Support

Choose brokers that provide access to a wide range of asset classes, including:

• Commodities: Gold, silver, oil, and agricultural products.
• Indices: Major stock indices like the S&P 500, NASDAQ, and FTSE 100.
• Stocks: Shares from major global companies, available through CFDs or direct trading.
• Cryptocurrencies: Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and others for diversified trading.
• ETFs and Bonds: Some brokers also provide access to exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and government or corporate bonds.

2. Competitive Spreads and Low Fees

Non-FX asset classes can come with high fees and spreads, especially with commodities and cryptocurrencies. Look for brokers offering:

• Low spreads across commodities, stocks, and indices
• Low commission fees for trading stocks and ETFs
• Transparent pricing with no hidden fees

3. Trading Platforms with Multi-Asset Integration

An ideal platform should allow you to manage your forex and non-FX assets seamlessly. Key features include:

• Intuitive and customisable platforms like MetaTrader 4/5 (MT4/MT5), cTrader, or proprietary platforms
• Access to advanced charting tools for technical analysis across multiple asset classes
• Real-time price data for commodities, stocks, and indices alongside forex prices

4. High Liquidity and Fast Execution

Ensure the broker provides:

• Deep liquidity to execute large orders without slippage, especially for commodities and stocks
• Fast execution speeds, particularly for volatile markets like cryptocurrencies and commodities
• Access to multiple liquidity providers for the best pricing

5. Risk Management Tools

Risk management tools are crucial for all types of asset classes, especially when trading volatile commodities or cryptocurrencies. Look for:

• Stop-loss, take-profit, and trailing stops to protect your trades
• Margin alerts for managing exposure
• Risk calculators to assess potential loss/profit based on market conditions

6. Regulation and Security

Non-FX assets often carry additional risks, so a regulated broker is essential for ensuring your funds and data are secure. Look for brokers regulated by:

• Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) – UK
• Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) – Australia
• Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) – Europe
• Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) – US

Top Forex Brokers for Non-FX Assets

1. Intertrader – Offers access to a wide range of commodities, stock indices, and cryptocurrencies alongside its forex trading services, with competitive spreads and low fees.
2. Markets.com – Known for its multi-asset platform, allowing trading in forex, commodities, indices, stocks, and cryptocurrencies with real-time price feeds and robust charting tools.
3. AvaTrade – Provides a broad range of non-FX assets, including commodities, stocks, and cryptocurrencies, with access to MT4/MT5 for seamless multi-asset trading.
4. TiBiGlobe – Offers diverse market coverage with low spreads and the ability to trade forex, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies, along with advanced risk management tools.
5. Vantage – Known for its diverse asset coverage, providing access to forex, commodities, stocks, indices, and crypto trading, with a focus on low-cost trading and fast execution.

How to Evaluate a Broker for Non-FX Assets

1. Review Asset Class Offerings: Ensure the broker provides access to all the non-FX assets you want to trade, such as commodities, stocks, indices, and cryptocurrencies.
2. Check Fees and Spreads: Compare spreads, commissions, and swap rates across different asset classes to ensure they are competitive.
3. Assess Platform Functionality: Test the broker’s platform to ensure it supports multi-asset trading with real-time data, charting tools, and fast execution.
4. Test Customer Support: Reach out to the broker’s customer support team to ensure they are responsive and knowledgeable about non-FX asset trading.
5. Verify Regulatory Status: Confirm that the broker is regulated and complies with local financial regulations, especially when trading commodities and stocks.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Overlooking Fees: High fees for trading non-FX assets like stocks, commodities, or crypto can eat into profits. Always check the broker’s fee structure before committing.
• Focusing Only on Forex: While forex may be your primary focus, ensure that the broker offers competitive conditions for non-FX assets as well.
• Choosing Unregulated Brokers: Non-FX assets may involve higher risks, so always choose a broker regulated by a trusted authority to ensure the security of your funds.

Conclusion

The ability to trade non-FX assets alongside forex opens up a world of opportunities for diversification and profit. Brokers like Intertrader, Markets.com, AvaTrade, TiBiGlobe, and Vantage offer multi-asset platforms with access to commodities, stocks, indices, and cryptocurrencies, providing flexibility for professional traders.

When evaluating a broker, focus on the range of assets, fees, platform features, and risk management tools. Ensure the broker is well-regulated and offers competitive conditions for both forex and non-FX asset trading. Test the broker’s platform with a demo account to ensure it meets your trading needs before committing to live trading.