Last updated: September 1, 2025
Exclusive Markets Review 2025 – Scam or Legit?
Introduction
When choosing a broker in 2025, one of the most common questions traders ask is: “Is Exclusive Markets safe or is it a scam?” With so many offshore brokers appearing online, traders want clarity before depositing funds. In this detailed review, we analyze Exclusive Markets based on its regulation, account types, fees, platforms, deposits and withdrawals, funded programme rules, and real user feedback. The goal is to give you a balanced picture so you can decide whether Exclusive Markets is suitable for your trading journey.
Firm Overview
Exclusive Markets is an international online broker offering a wide range of assets through MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5). The company was established in 2020 and is registered in Seychelles under the name Exclusive Markets Ltd.
Key facts about the firm:
- Founded: 2020
- Headquarters: Seychelles
- Regulator: Financial Services Authority (FSA Seychelles), license SD031
- Platforms: MT4 and MT5 (desktop, web, mobile)
- Account types: Cent, Standard, Standard Plus, Exclusive (Raw), Shares (DMA)
- Minimum deposit: from $10 (Cent account)
- Maximum leverage: up to 1:2000 (dynamic, depending on account)
- Tradable instruments: Over 5,000, including forex pairs, indices, commodities, stocks, ETFs, and crypto CFDs
👉 You can register and explore Exclusive Markets directly on the official website here.
Safety & Regulation
One of the most important aspects when evaluating a broker is regulation. Exclusive Markets operates under:
- Regulation: Financial Services Authority of Seychelles (FSA), license SD031.
- Structure: Seychelles-registered company (Exclusive Markets Ltd), with a distribution entity in Cyprus.
- Certification: ISO/IEC 27001:2022 for information security.
- Restrictions: The broker does not offer services to certain countries, including the USA, Canada, Russia, and Iran.
- Crypto handling: Exclusive Markets explicitly states it does not hold or store crypto assets. All crypto transactions are processed by third-party gateways.
While the FSA is an official regulator, it is considered offshore. This means there is no investor compensation scheme like those found in the UK (FCA) or EU (CySEC, BaFin, etc.). Offshore regulation increases risk, especially in the event of disputes.
Community insights also add caution: in June 2025, Forex Peace Army moderators flagged suspiciously positive reviews on Exclusive Markets, advising traders to remain careful.
⚠️ Verdict on safety: Exclusive Markets is a licensed broker but operates from an offshore jurisdiction. It cannot be called a scam by default, but it does carry higher risk than tier-1 regulated firms.
Account Types & Minimum Deposits
Exclusive Markets provides five different account types, covering beginners and professionals alike:
| Account | Minimum Deposit | Leverage | Spreads / Commissions | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cent | $10 | Fixed 1:500 | From ~1.6 pips / no commission | Best for new traders with micro lots |
| Standard | $100 | Up to 1:2000 | From ~1.6 pips / no commission | Popular entry-level account |
| Standard Plus | $500 | Up to 1:2000 | From ~0.8 pips / no commission | Lower spreads, no commission |
| Exclusive (Raw) | $1,000 | Up to 1:2000 | 0.0 spread + $7 per lot round-turn | True raw spreads, for active traders |
| Shares (DMA) | $5,000 | 1:1 | Raw spread + $0.03 per stock (min $2.5) | Direct market access to equities |
Trading Platforms & Markets
Exclusive Markets provides access to both MT4 and MT5 platforms. The Shares (DMA) account is available only on MT5.
Instruments available:
- Forex pairs (majors, minors, exotics)
- Metals (gold, silver, platinum, etc.)
- Energies & soft commodities (oil, gas, coffee, etc.)
- Indices (US, EU, Asia)
- Stocks & ETFs (CFDs)
- Crypto CFDs (Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc.)
- DMA equities through the Shares account
Extra tools:
- Copy Trading
- PAMM accounts
- VPS hosting
- Trading Central analytics
- Economic and holiday calendar
These tools provide flexibility for both manual and automated trading strategies.
Fees & Spreads
The broker’s pricing is competitive, depending on the account type.
- Cent, Standard, Standard Plus: no commissions, spreads from 0.8–1.6 pips.
- Exclusive (Raw): raw spreads from 0.0 pips, $7 per lot round-turn commission on FX/Metals. Crypto CFDs incur 0.05% per side.
- Shares (DMA): raw spread + commission from $0.03 per stock (minimum $2.5).
Overall, traders seeking the lowest spreads will prefer the Exclusive (Raw) account, while beginners may start commission-free.
Deposits & Withdrawals
Exclusive Markets supports a wide variety of funding methods:
- Bank cards (Visa/MasterCard)
- Bank transfers
- E-wallets (Skrill, Neteller)
- Local payment options (depending on country)
- Crypto gateways (third-party providers such as Binance Pay, B2B, LetKnow Pay)
Deposits are usually processed instantly for cards and wallets, while bank transfers may take longer. Withdrawals can take more time, and several community reviews suggest testing with small amounts first.
Exclusive Funded Programme
Exclusive Markets also offers a prop-style funded trading programme, giving traders access to larger capital:
- Models: 2-Step Pro and 1-Step Elite
- Profit split: up to 80%
- No time limit to pass the challenges
- Risk rules: 3–4% daily drawdown, 7–9% max drawdown (depending on programme)
- News rule: No trading allowed 4 minutes before or after high-impact news events (funded stage)
- Scaling: Account sizes advertised up to $200,000
These rules are stricter compared to some independent prop firms, particularly regarding news trading and drawdowns.
User Feedback
The broker’s reputation is mixed:
- Trustpilot: Many positive reviews, but credibility is questionable, as fake reviews are common in the industry.
- Forex Peace Army: A combination of positive and negative reports. Some users claim smooth trading, while others report withdrawal delays or disputes. Moderators flagged suspicious positive reviews in June 2025.
This inconsistency suggests traders should remain cautious and always verify the broker’s reliability personally.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Officially regulated by Seychelles FSA (license SD031)
- Wide range of account types, including a $10 Cent account
- High leverage up to 1:2000
- 5,000+ tradable instruments
- MT4 & MT5 support, plus Copy Trading and PAMM
- Funded programme available with profit split
Cons
- Offshore regulation, no EU/UK compensation scheme
- Mixed community feedback, withdrawal complaints exist
- Funded programme rules are restrictive (news blackout, strict drawdowns)
Conclusion – Is Exclusive Markets a Scam?
Exclusive Markets has been operating since 2020 and is licensed by the FSA in Seychelles. This means it is not an unlicensed scam. However, being an offshore broker, it does not provide the same level of safety as EU/UK/AU regulated companies.
Traders should see Exclusive Markets as a legit but higher-risk option. It may suit experienced traders who want high leverage, raw spreads, or prop-style funded accounts. For beginners, the Cent account offers a low-risk way to test the platform.
⚠️ Final advice: Always test with small deposits and withdrawals first, never trade money you cannot afford to lose, and consider whether offshore regulation fits your risk tolerance.
FAQs
Is Exclusive Markets regulated?
Yes. Exclusive Markets Ltd is authorised by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) of Seychelles, license SD031.
What is the minimum deposit?
The minimum deposit is $10 for the Cent account.
Does Exclusive Markets offer real shares?
Yes. The Shares (DMA) account on MT5 gives direct market access to equities with per-stock commissions.
Is Exclusive Markets a scam?
No. Exclusive Markets is a regulated broker, but it operates offshore. This means higher risk compared to tier-1 regulated brokers.
Can I get funded with Exclusive Markets?
Yes. The broker offers a funded programme with 1-Step and 2-Step challenges, profit split up to 80%, and strict rules.
Access the Official Website
You can register and explore Exclusive Markets directly on the official website here.