Profile
StoneX Group Inc. is a US-based financial services firm offering institutional and retail trading through multiple regulated subsidiaries. Listed on NASDAQ under ticker SNEX, StoneX serves over 50,000 institutional and professional clients worldwide. Its services include execution, clearing, and advisory across commodities, equities, forex, and fixed income. This StoneX Group Inc. review covers regulatory structure, platforms, execution models, and global trading solutions as of 2025.
Regulation and Security
StoneX operates under a globally regulated structure, with key licenses including:
- United States: StoneX Financial Inc. is a member of FINRA, NFA, and SEC-registered broker-dealer
- United Kingdom: StoneX Financial Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), FRN 446717
- Australia: Regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC)
- Canada, Singapore, South Africa: Various local registrations through affiliates
Client funds are segregated, and retail clients in the UK and EU benefit from negative balance protection and compensation schemes. StoneX maintains high operational transparency as a publicly traded company.
Execution Model
StoneX offers multiple execution models depending on the client segment and platform:
- Agency execution: For institutional FX, equities, and futures clients
- Direct Market Access (DMA): Via StoneX Pro and other institutional platforms
- Market maker model: Applied in retail CFD and spread betting via City Index and Forex.com
Institutional clients benefit from best execution policies, custom liquidity pools, and transparent price discovery, while retail clients are routed through internal or hybrid liquidity models.
Trading Platforms
StoneX Group supports a range of proprietary and third-party platforms:
- StoneX Pro: Institutional-grade DMA platform with real-time market depth, routing controls, and FIX API
- MetaTrader 4 & 5: Available for retail forex and CFD trading via subsidiaries like Forex.com
- TradingView & Web Trader: Integrated with retail offerings
- FuturesPlus & CQG: Professional futures trading platforms
StoneX also provides mobile apps, institutional portals, and API integrations for algorithmic execution.
Supported Markets
StoneX provides access to a vast array of global markets through its divisions:
- Forex: 80+ currency pairs for retail and institutional clients
- Equities: Direct access to US, UK, EU, and APAC stock markets
- Commodities: Physical, futures, and OTC commodities trading (agriculture, energy, metals)
- Indices: Global CFD indices and exchange-traded derivatives
- Fixed Income: Bonds, T-Bills, and structured products
- Cryptocurrencies: CFD access via Forex.com, not direct spot markets
Clients include hedge funds, asset managers, corporates, and proprietary trading firms as well as professional retail traders.
Account Types and Trading Conditions
StoneX Group offers multiple account types through its subsidiaries:
- Retail CFD accounts: Via Forex.com and City Index (min deposit $100)
- Professional & institutional accounts: Custom onboarding with tiered margin and service models
Trading conditions vary by region and entity:
- Leverage: Up to 1:30 for retail (UK/EU); higher for pros
- Spreads: From 0.8 pips EUR/USD on Forex.com
- Commission: Varies by product and platform (DMA, ECN, OTC)
- Base Currencies: USD, GBP, EUR, AUD, JPY, others
Retail and Institutional Features
StoneX excels in both institutional and retail servicing:
- Retail: Tight spreads, MT4/MT5, educational tools, automated trading, negative balance protection
- Institutional: FIX API, white-label solutions, prime brokerage, execution consulting, margin facilities
They offer liquidity access via multiple Tier-1 banks and ECNs, backed by strong risk management infrastructure.
Client Protection and Transparency
Clients benefit from some of the most robust protections globally:
- Regulated by FINRA, FCA, ASIC, MAS, and other top-tier bodies
- Segregated accounts at top-tier banks
- FSCS (UK) and SIPC (US) coverage for eligible clients
- Transparent pricing, execution quality reports, and financial disclosures
StoneX Group also reports quarterly financials as a public company, enhancing transparency and accountability.
Base Currencies, Order Types, and API Access
Supported base currencies include USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, JPY, CHF. Order types include:
- Market, limit, stop, trailing stop
- GTC, IOC, FOK, and advanced algo orders on institutional platforms
FIX API, REST API, and custom platform integrations are available to institutional clients, allowing for full trading automation and data streaming.
Pros and Cons
- Pros:
- Global, multi-asset access across retail and institutional tiers
- Highly regulated in major jurisdictions
- DMA and OTC trading models available
- Institutional-grade infrastructure with API and prime access
- Cons:
- Complex structure with multiple entities and platforms
- No unified account for retail and institutional segments
- Cryptocurrency access limited to CFDs
- MT4/MT5 access only via subsidiaries
Frequently Asked Questions
Is StoneX a regulated broker?
Yes. StoneX is regulated by multiple top-tier authorities including the FCA, FINRA, NFA, ASIC, and MAS.
What platforms does StoneX offer?
StoneX offers StoneX Pro, MT4/MT5 (via Forex.com), TradingView, CQG, and API-based solutions.
Can retail traders use StoneX?
Yes. Retail clients can access forex and CFDs through subsidiaries like Forex.com and City Index.
Does StoneX offer institutional trading?
Yes. StoneX provides execution, clearing, and advisory services to hedge funds, banks, asset managers, and proprietary firms.
Is StoneX listed on a stock exchange?
Yes. StoneX Group Inc. is listed on the NASDAQ under the ticker symbol SNEX.
