Brokers With GBP Accounts
The Great British Pound (GBP) is one of the world’s major currencies and is widely traded in the financial markets. Many global brokers offer a choice of base currencies including the GBP. This guide will list the best brokers with GBP accounts and their respective benefits.
Brokers With GBP Accounts
These are the 5 best brokers that offer accounts with GBP as the base currency:
#1 - Forex.com
Forex.com boasts a global reputation with multiple awards and 20+ years experience. Regulated in the US, EU, UK and Canada they provide a huge range of day trading markets, not just forex, and offer competitive fees on a cutting-edge platform. The brand also provides a suite of additional tools, from performance analytics and SMART Signals to advanced charts and strategy builders.
"Forex.com is an excellent broker for active forex traders with over 80 currency pairs, tight spreads, low commissions and powerful charting platforms for day traders. "
- DayTrading Review Team
- Instruments: Forex, Spot Metals
- Regulator: NFA, CFTC
- Platforms: MT4, MT5, TradingView, eSignal, AutoChartist, TradingCentral
- Min. Deposit: $100
- Min. Trade: 0.01 Lots
- Leverage: 1:50
Pros
- Industry-leading pricing on popular forex assets starting from 0.0 pips
- Low minimum deposit of $100
- Excellent trading tools including Trading Central, SMART Signals and MetaTrader 4
Cons
- No copy trading platform
- $15 monthly inactivity fee
- Investment offering varies between countries
#2 - Interactive Brokers
Interactive Brokers is a leading global brokerage that provides access to a comprehensive offering of stocks as well as forex, futures, metals, bonds and cryptos. The firm has over 40 years experience in the online trading industry and is heavily regulated by SEC, FCA, IIROC, and SFC. Day traders can use the proprietary Trader Workstation and can access powerful tools and data feeds as well as comprehensive educational resources.
"Experienced day traders seeking a regulated broker with sophisticated trading software and very low fees should look at IB. Their range of stocks also can't be beaten."
- DayTrading Review Team
- Instruments: CFD, Forex, Stocks, Crypto, Futures, Options, Commodities
- Regulator: SEC, FCA, IIROC, SFC
- Platforms: AlgoTrader, OmniTrader, eSignal, TradingCentral
- Min. Deposit: $0
- Min. Trade: $100
- Leverage: 1:50
Pros
- Regulated by some of the world's most reputable bodies including in US
- Proprietary Trader Workstation comes with powerful tools and charting capabilities
- Gives day traders unmatched access to global stocks with tens of thousands available from 100+ market centres in 24 countries
Cons
- Accessing products like CFDs is not straightforward compared to competitors
- Mediocre customer support
- Platform and web interface are complex and difficult for beginners to pick up
#3 - OANDA US
OANDA is a popular brand offering exceptional execution, low deposit requirements and advanced charting and trading platform features. The top-rated brand has over 25 years of experience and is regulated by trusted agencies, including the NFA/CFTC. Around the clock support is available, alongside flexible contract sizes and automated trade executions.
"OANDA is an excellent broker for US day traders seeking a user-friendly platform with premium analysis tools and a straightforward joining process. OANDA is also heavily regulated with a very high trust score."
- DayTrading Review Team
- Instruments: Forex, Crypto
- Regulator: NFA, CFTC
- Platforms: MT4, TradingView, AutoChartist
- Min. Deposit: $0
- Min. Trade: 0.01 Lots
- Leverage: 1:50
Pros
- US clients accepted
- Transparent pricing structure with no hidden charges
- Wide selection of instruments including 68 forex pairs
Cons
- Customer support not available on the weekend
#4 - IG Group
IG is an award-winning broker that has an excellent reputation globally. The brand-US offers spread betting, CFD and forex trading across a comprehensive suite of markets. IG is also multi-regulated, provides a great trading app and has 50 years experience.
"IG offers a superb all-round package. Beginners will appreciate the user-friendly web platform and secure trading environment while established investors will rate the 17,000+ markets and top-tier market research."
- DayTrading Review Team
- Instruments: CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Futures, Options, Crypto, Spread Betting
- Regulator: FCA, ASIC, NFA, CFTC, DFSA, BaFin, MAS, FSCA
- Platforms: MT4, AutoChartist, TradingCentral
- Min. Deposit: $0
- Min. Trade: 0.01 Lots
- Leverage: 1:30 (Retail), 1:250 (Pro)
Pros
- IG is an LSE-listed company with a transparent financial history and a great track record
- Opening an account takes less than 5 minutes
- Over 17,000 assets are available spanning stocks, forex, commodities, baskets, futures, options and more
Cons
- No copy trading platform
- Inactivity charge
#5 - IQCent
IQCent is an offshore binary options and CFD broker based in the Marshall Islands with 10+ payment methods and a low $50 starting deposit. With 100+ assets, around the clock trading and high payouts the brand is popular with aspiring short-term traders.
"IQCent will appeal to traders looking for a powerful binary options and CFD trading platform with low fees, a range of accounts, and copy trading support."
- DayTrading Review Team
- Instruments: Binary Options, CFDs, Forex, Indices, Commodities, Crypto
- Regulator: IFMRRC
- Platforms: IQCent Platform
- Min. Deposit: $250
- Min. Trade: $0.01
- Leverage: 1:500 (Retail)
Pros
- The broker offers 98% payouts on binary options, which is more than many alternatives
- Both short-term CFDs and binary options are tradeable through the broker's single terminal
- The broker's 24/7 customer support is fast and reliable, responding within 1 minute
Cons
- It's a shame that no third-party platforms or additional analysis trading tools are offered
- Stock CFDs are not available
- The broker is not overseen by any highly respected regulator, though this is common among binary options firms
What Is A GBP Account?
Your base currency determines which fiat money your account is denominated in. Brokers with a GBP account will hold your investing capital in pound sterling. Trading statements, deposit requirements, plus profits and losses will all be converted into GBP. So if you open an account in GBP but you deposit funds in EUR, the funds will automatically be converted into GBP at the prevailing inter-bank price. Any fees and commissions, account charges, plus other miscellaneous costs will also be charged in pound sterling.
Base currencies are selected during account registration and set-up. Many UK traders select GBP as the base currency but international traders that actively invest in GBP may also choose to do so.
GBP Explained
The Great British Pound is the national currency of the United Kingdom. The country’s central bank, the Bank of England, is responsible for overseeing monetary policy and maintaining financial stability. The Great British Pound is the fourth most traded currency on the forex market and is available at many top online brokers.
Pros Of Brokers With GBP Accounts
- Fees – many brokers using GBP as a base currency do not charge deposit and withdrawal fees, though third party fees may still apply
- Speed – GBP account funding and withdrawals via local bank transfers tend to be quick, taking no longer than 1 business day
- Exchange risk – GBP forex investors can benefit from trading at brokers with GBP accounts as there is less risk of losing capital when converting profits and losses to and from different currencies
- Regulation – Brokers with a GBP account are more likely to be registered with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Most firms and individuals offering, promoting, or selling financial products in the UK have to be authorised by this regulatory body
- Accessibility – brokers with GBP accounts facilitate seamless access to the financial markets, especially for UK traders. Clients can speculate on forex, stocks, cryptos and more without needing to convert their pound sterling into the US dollar or euro, for example
How To Check A Broker Offers A GBP Account
It may not be immediately clear if a broker offers a GBP account, but the sign-up section is a good place to start. The deposits and withdrawals page should also indicate accepted currencies, though exchange rate fees may apply if accounts aren’t available in the desired currency. Additionally, you can check a broker’s terms and conditions or contact the customer support team if it’s unclear.
It could be worth clarifying with the broker if live account currencies can be amended after the registration stage. This may be needed if your country of residency changes for example.
How To Compare Brokers With GBP Accounts
Brokers with a GBP account are ideal for investors who actively trade the pound sterling. When choosing between providers, it’s worth considering several factors:
- Fees – check deposit and withdrawal fees are competitive. Many of the top online brokers with GBP accounts do not charge any processing fees, though third-party bank or credit/debit card charges may apply
- Demo accounts – paper trading accounts are a good way to navigate simulated market conditions. Many brokers provide access to virtual funds in a choice of currency
- Assets – available trading markets vary by broker. Traders wishing to invest in a range of products to build a diverse portfolio should check the list of instruments available, from FX and stocks to commodities and cryptos
- Platforms – whether it be a mobile app or desktop download, make sure you understand the features and tools available with the broker’s platform. These may include the industry recognised MT4 and MT5, or bespoke proprietary platforms
Final Word On Brokers With GBP Accounts
Brokers with a GBP account unlock several advantages, particularly for UK residents or those actively trading the pound sterling. Fortunately, as the fourth most traded currency in the world, many of the best brokers offer GBP accounts. See our list of the top providers and be mindful that most platforms don’t make it easy to change your account currency once live.
FAQ
What Is A GBP Trading Account?
A broker with a GBP account offers the Great British Pound as the denominated currency. This represents the currency used to trade and is the base for account fees, transaction reporting and commissions.
Why Use Brokers With GBP Accounts?
Using a broker that offers GBP accounts has several advantages, particularly for UK traders, including no exchange rate fees, generally low deposits and withdrawals, plus straightforward access to the financial markets.
How Can I See If A Broker Offers A GBP Account?
Check the terms and conditions in the accounts section of a broker’s website. If it’s still unclear, contact the customer support team.
Can Anyone Open An Account With Brokers That Offer A GBP Account?
Usually anyone can open an account in GBP as the base currency regardless of where they’re based. Simply select GBP during account registration and remember it may not be possible to change your base currency once your account is live.
How Do I Know Which Brokers With A GBP Account Are Best?
When looking for the top online brokers that accept GBP as the base currency, consider market access, spreads and commissions, plus the trading tools available. We’d also recommend opening an account with a regulated provider. See our list of the best brokers with GBP accounts.