Profile
Z.com Trade is a forex and CFD broker owned by GMO-Z.com Trade UK Ltd, a subsidiary of the Tokyo-listed GMO Financial Holdings. Operating under the oversight of the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Z.com Trade offers institutional-grade execution, low latency trading infrastructure, and access to major global markets via MetaTrader 4. This Z.com Trade review assesses its regulatory status, execution model, platform support, asset classes, and suitability for retail and professional clients.
Regulation and Security
Z.com Trade is fully authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) under firm reference number 622897. As a UK-regulated broker, it complies with MiFID II and offers the following client protections:
- Segregated client funds held at top-tier UK banks
- Negative balance protection for retail clients
- Coverage under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) up to £85,000
The broker maintains robust internal compliance, order monitoring, and audit trails for trade transparency.
Execution Model
Z.com Trade operates a No Dealing Desk (NDD) model, providing straight-through processing (STP) and electronic communication network (ECN)-style execution. Orders are routed to a liquidity pool sourced from top-tier banks and financial institutions.
Execution is supported by co-located servers in Equinix LD4, enabling sub-5ms latency for institutional-grade order routing. There is no dealing desk intervention, and spreads are raw with commission-based pricing.
Trading Platforms
Z.com Trade offers the industry-standard MetaTrader 4 (MT4) platform. Features include:
- Advanced charting and technical indicators
- Expert Advisor (EA) support for automated trading
- Custom scripting via MQL4
- Real-time depth of market and execution transparency
MT4 is available on Windows, iOS, Android, and browser (WebTrader). There is no support for MT5 or proprietary trading terminals.
Supported Markets
Z.com Trade offers CFD trading on a limited but focused range of instruments:
- Forex – Over 50 currency pairs including majors, minors, and exotics
- Indices – Major global indices such as FTSE 100, DAX 40, NASDAQ, and S&P 500
- Commodities – Gold, silver, oil, and natural gas
The broker does not currently offer CFD trading on shares, ETFs, bonds, or cryptocurrencies.
Account Types and Trading Conditions
Z.com Trade provides a single live account structure for retail and professional clients. Key conditions include:
- Minimum deposit: £50 or equivalent
- Spreads: Raw spreads from 0.0 pips on EUR/USD
- Commission: $4 per lot round turn
- Leverage: Up to 1:30 for retail clients; up to 1:200 for professionals
- Margin call: 100%; Stop out: 50%
Scalping, hedging, and automated trading are all permitted. Swap-free (Islamic) accounts are not advertised.
Retail and Institutional Features
While accessible to retail clients, Z.com Trade is best suited to experienced and institutional traders. Key features include:
- FIX API connectivity for institutional clients
- Low-latency execution via Equinix LD4
- Custom pricing streams on request
- Dedicated relationship managers for high-volume clients
There are no social trading tools or copy trading services. Education is minimal, geared toward self-directed traders.
Client Protection and Transparency
As an FCA-authorised broker, Z.com Trade adheres to strict regulatory standards:
- FSCS coverage up to £85,000 for eligible clients
- Negative balance protection under FCA rules
- Order audit trails and real-time execution reports
All client money is held in segregated trust accounts and reconciled daily. Full cost disclosures are available pre- and post-trade.
Base Currencies, Order Types, and API Access
Clients can open accounts in GBP, USD, or EUR. MT4 supports:
- Market, limit, stop, and trailing stop orders
- One-click trading and order modification
- Expert Advisor automation and MQL4 scripting
Institutional clients can access Z.com Trade via FIX API or MT4 bridge solutions, subject to volume thresholds.
Pros and Cons
- Pros:
- FCA regulation and FSCS protection
- True STP/ECN execution with raw spreads
- FIX API and Equinix LD4 low-latency routing
- MT4 platform with EA and scalping support
- Cons:
- Limited product range—no stocks, ETFs, or crypto
- No MT5 or proprietary platform
- Education and research tools are minimal
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Z.com Trade regulated?
Yes. Z.com Trade is authorised and regulated by the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), FRN 622897.
Does Z.com Trade offer ECN execution?
Yes. Z.com Trade provides ECN-style execution with raw spreads and STP routing to top-tier liquidity providers.
What platforms does Z.com Trade support?
The broker offers MetaTrader 4 for desktop, mobile, and web. No support for MT5 or proprietary platforms is available.
Can professional traders get higher leverage?
Yes. Professional clients can access up to 1:200 leverage, subject to eligibility and classification requirements.
Does Z.com Trade support FIX API?
Yes. Institutional clients can request FIX API access or bridge solutions for low-latency, high-volume trading.
