HOW TO TRADE WITH MT4 IN THE PHILIPPINES

What is a Forex Broker, and How Does It Differ from a Regular Broker?

To trade in the global foreign exchange market from the Philippines, you must open an account with a broker. A Forex broker is a financial institution or a company that acts as an intermediary between traders and the foreign exchange market. Its primary function is to facilitate the execution of buying and selling currency transactions on behalf of traders.

How a Forex Broker Works

The broker provides access to the trading platform (such as MT4), where you can conduct your trades.

When you open an account with a Forex broker, you get a trading interface to view real-time currency prices, perform analysis, execute orders, and manage your account.

The Forex broker acts as your link to the market, taking your buy and sell orders for any financial asset and sending them (via the trading platform, such as MT4) to liquidity providers such as banks and other market participants who will be your counterparts. When you buy something, someone on the other side sells, and vice versa.

Contracts for Difference (CFDs)

A commonly offered financial instrument by Forex brokers is Contracts for Difference (CFDs). A CFD functions as an agreement between a trader and a broker to exchange the difference in the value of an underlying asset between the opening and closing of the position. CFDs allow traders to speculate on the price of an asset without physically owning it.

In the case of Forex brokers, CFDs offer the opportunity to trade a wide range of financial instruments. In addition to currencies, brokers often offer indices, stocks, commodities, and cryptocurrencies.

When trading with CFDs, you can benefit from upward and downward price fluctuations, allowing you to seek profit opportunities in different market conditions.

Differences Between a Forex Broker and a Traditional Broker

Although a Forex broker and a traditional broker (such as BDO Unibank) share some similarities, there are significant differences between them:

1. Focus on the Forex Market: Forex brokers specialise in foreign exchange, offering a wide selection of currency pairs to trade. Generally, any reputable Forex broker offers MT4 as an alternative for currency trading. In contrast, traditional brokers may offer various financial instruments, such as stocks, bonds, and mutual funds.

2. Leverage: Forex brokers often offer a higher leverage level than traditional brokers. Leverage allows you to trade with more money than what you have available in your account, amplifying your potential profits and losses.

3. Trading Hours: The Forex market is open 24 hours a day, five days a week. Therefore, Forex brokers usually offer uninterrupted market access during this period. In contrast, traditional brokers may have more limited trading hours depending on their operating markets.

4. Tools and Features: Forex brokers typically provide specific tools and features for currency trading, such as advanced charts, technical indicators, real-time economic news, and market analysis. On the other hand, a traditional broker like a bank may only offer basic charts for the financial asset.

Aspects to Consider When Choosing a Broker with MT4 in the Philippines

When choosing a broker that offers MT4, consider various aspects to make an informed decision:

1. Regulation and License

Choosing a regulated and licensed broker is crucial to ensure your funds' safety and protect your rights as a trader. Verify that the broker is registered with a reliable regulatory body such as the UK's FCA, Australia's ASIC, or Germany's BaFin. Unfortunately, none of the largest Forex brokers are regulated by the local Securities and Exchange Commission.

2. Spreads and Commissions

Compare the spreads and commissions offered by different brokers. Low spreads allow you to trade with reduced costs, while transparent commissions avoid unpleasant surprises in your trades.

3. Types of Forex Accounts and Their Suitability for Different Traders

When choosing a Forex broker, it is crucial to understand the different types of accounts they offer. Brokers typically provide various options to suit traders' needs and preferences. The following are the most common types of Forex accounts:

Raw Account: A popular choice among traders looking for low spreads and fast trade execution. With this type of account, spreads are variable and obtained directly from the market. This allows traders to benefit from favourable market conditions and competitive spreads. Additionally, Raw accounts often have a commission per traded lot.

Suitability for Traders: The Raw account is more suitable for experienced and active traders who make frequent trades and seek to take advantage of fast market movements. It is also popular among traders using scalping and day trading strategies, where low spreads and fast execution are essential.

ECN Account (Electronic Communication Network): An option providing direct interbank market access. In this type of account, traders' orders are matched with orders from other market participants such as banks, financial institutions, and other traders. This allows for fast execution and increased liquidity.

Suitability for Traders: The ECN account suits experienced traders who value market transparency and seek low spreads, fast execution, and high liquidity. It benefits traders operating with larger volumes and seeking a greater diversity of liquidity providers.

Standard Account: The most common and basic option most Forex brokers offer. With this type of account, spreads are usually fixed, meaning they do not change according to market conditions. A Standard account has no commission per traded lot, as brokers generate profits through spreads.

Suitability for Traders: The Standard account suits beginner traders or those who prefer a more straightforward cost structure. It is ideal for long-term trades, trend-following strategies, and traders not engaging in high-frequency trading.

Micro Account: Designed for traders who want to start with lower initial capital. With this type of account, lot sizes are smaller, and margin requirements are lower. Spreads can be fixed or variable, depending on the broker.

Suitability for Traders: The Micro account is ideal for beginners who want to familiarise themselves with Forex trading and practice with small amounts of capital. It can also suit traders who prefer smaller trades and seek to limit their risk exposure.

Islamic Account (Swap-Free): Also known as a Swap-Free account, it complies with Islamic Sharia law, which prohibits the payment or receipt of interest. In an Islamic account, no overnight rollover or swap charges apply to positions held.

Suitability for Traders: The Islamic account suits traders who follow Sharia law principles and wish to trade without incurring interest charges. It is a popular choice among Muslim traders and those who want to trade on their religious beliefs.

4. Variety of Instruments

Consider the variety of instruments the broker offers for trading on MT4. In addition to major currency pairs in the Forex market, such as the Euro-Dollar, you may also be interested in trading CFDs of pairs that include minor or exotic currencies. A broker with a wide range of instruments provides more opportunities to diversify your trading portfolio.

5. Support and Customer Service

The quality of support and customer service is crucial, especially if you are new to trading. Please ensure the broker offers efficient customer service and can answer your questions and resolve any issues.

6. Customized MT4 Platform

While MT4 is a standard platform, some brokers may offer customised versions with additional features. Could you check if the broker provides specific tools and add-ons that can enhance your trading experience?

How to Open an Account with a Forex Broker with MT4 from the Philippines

The process of opening an account with a broker that offers MT4 is simple and consists of the following steps:

1. Choose a reliable and regulated brokerage that offers MT4: Research and compare different brokers that offer MT4. Consider the abovementioned aspects and choose the one that best suits your needs and preferences. Verify that they accept local traders, as many have restrictions in terms of location. The list below includes brokers that do accept clients in the Philippines.

2. Account registration: Once you have chosen a broker, visit their website and look for the account registration option. Click on the corresponding link to start the registration process.

3. Provide personal information: Complete the registration form with your personal information, including your name, email address, and contact details. Make sure to provide accurate and truthful information.

4. Select the account type: Choose the type of account you wish to open. As detailed before, they often offer different accounts, such as demo accounts for practice, standard real accounts, and accounts with unique features.

5. Account verification: The platform will require you to verify your identity (passport or Philippine ID card) and address (e.g., MERALCO Bill) by uploading the documentation before activating your account. Follow the instructions provided by the broker to complete this process.

6. Deposit funds: Once verified, deposit funds into your trading account. Brokers usually offer various deposit methods, such as bank transfers, credit/debit cards, and electronic payment methods, such as Wise.

7. Set up the MT4 platform: Before you start trading, you should configure the MT4 platform to your needs and preferences. You can customise charts, choose from various technical analysis tools, and configure indicators.

8. Start trading: Once you have set up the MT4 platform to your liking, you can start trading in the financial markets. Having a solid trading strategy and applying proper risk management is essential to maximise your chances of success.