Withdrawal only after a certain number of trades is a restrictive policy used by some brokers to delay or block clients from accessing their funds. Under this condition, traders are required to complete a minimum number of trades before being allowed to withdraw profits or even their original deposit. While this might sound like a way to encourage active trading, it is often a tactic used to trap funds and prevent easy access to money.

This practice is most common with unregulated brokers or bonus promotions that hide withdrawal restrictions deep within the terms and conditions.

Why brokers impose a minimum number of trades before withdrawal

There are several reasons why brokers use this restrictive policy.

Bonus abuse prevention

Some brokers offer deposit bonuses and require a certain number of trades to prevent clients from simply withdrawing the bonus without trading. However, legitimate brokers clearly disclose such terms upfront.

Locking client funds

Less reputable brokers use the minimum trade requirement to delay withdrawals indefinitely. If traders do not meet the high trade threshold, their withdrawal requests are denied.

Generating more commissions

Forcing traders to complete a large number of trades increases broker revenue through spreads or commissions, especially if traders make small, unnecessary trades just to meet the requirement.

Discouraging withdrawal attempts

Many traders give up when faced with unrealistic trade requirements, leaving their funds with the broker permanently.

Impact on traders

Withdrawal conditions based on trade counts can seriously harm traders’ financial interests.

Loss of capital

Traders may be forced into overtrading, leading to poor decisions and unnecessary losses while trying to meet withdrawal requirements.

Strategy disruption

Being compelled to trade more than planned can damage trading discipline and lead to strategy failures.

Increased trading costs

Higher trading volume means higher total spread and commission costs, reducing overall profitability.

Frustration and broker mistrust

Unfair withdrawal policies erode confidence in the broker and often result in traders abandoning their accounts altogether.

How to protect yourself

There are clear steps traders can take to avoid brokers that impose withdrawal restrictions.

Avoid brokers with trading-linked bonuses

Be cautious of brokers offering large bonuses, especially if they require minimum trades before allowing withdrawals.

Choose brokers with transparent withdrawal policies

Work only with brokers regulated by authorities like the FCA, ASIC, or CySEC. Brokers like Intertrader, AvaTrade, TiBiGlobe, Vantage, and Markets.com have clear and fair withdrawal rules.

Read terms and conditions carefully

Before making a deposit, review the broker’s withdrawal policy in detail. Look for clauses mentioning minimum trade requirements.

Test withdrawals early

Make a small withdrawal shortly after opening an account to test the broker’s withdrawal process before committing large sums.

Reliable brokers for easy withdrawals

Regulated brokers offer straightforward withdrawal processes with no hidden conditions linked to trading volume. They are committed to fair client treatment and financial transparency.

By staying cautious and choosing the right broker, traders can avoid the trap of withdrawal only after a certain number of trades. Protect your capital by demanding clear, fair, and honest withdrawal policies from your broker.

If you want to build your trading skills and learn how to protect yourself from unfair broker practices, explore our expert-designed Trading Courses today.