Swift (The Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunications) enables international payments to be made between financial institutions using a unique and secure messaging system. Importantly, a number of online brokers offer Swift deposits and withdrawals to their customers.
Here we explore how the global payments system works, as well as looking at its speed, security and benefits for traders. We also list the top Swift brokers in 2026.
Best Swift Brokers in Ethiopia
Following our extensive tests, these are the best 6 brokers that accept Swift deposits:
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- Demo account
- Min. deposit: $100
- Min. trade: 0.01 Lots
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- Demo account
- Regulator: ASIC, CySEC, FSA, SCB, CMA-Kenya
- Min. deposit: $200
-
- Demo account
- Platforms: eToro Web, CopyTrader, TradingCentral
- Min. deposit: $50
61% of retail CFD accounts lose money. eToro is a multi-asset investment platform. The value of your investments may go up or down. Your capital is at risk. -
- Demo account
- Regulator: FCA, ASIC, FSCA, VFSC, CIMA
- Min. deposit: $50
-
- Demo account
- Regulator: FSC
- Platforms: Web, MT4, MT5, cTrader
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- Demo account
- Regulator: FCA, CySEC, FSA, DFSA, FSCA
- Platforms: Tickmill Webtrader, MT4, MT5, TradingView
Learn how we test brokers and why you can trust our ratings.
This is why we think these brokers are the best in this category in 2026:
- AvaTrade 4.9/5 Established in 2006, AvaTrade is a leading forex and CFD broker trusted by over 400,000 traders. Operating under regulation in 9 jurisdictions, AvaTrade processes an impressive 2+ million trades each month. Through like MT4, MT5, and its proprietary WebTrader, the broker provides a growing selection of 1,250+ instruments. Whether it’s CFDs, AvaOptions, or the more recent AvaFutures, short-term traders at all levels will find opportunities. With terrific education and 24/5 multilingual customer support, AvaTrade delivers the complete trading experience.
- IC 4.8/5 IC Markets (now IC) is a globally recognized forex and CFD broker known for its excellent pricing, comprehensive range of trading instruments, and premium trading technology. Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Australia, the brokerage is regulated by the ASIC, CySEC and FSA, and has attracted more than 200,000 clients from over 200 countries.
- eToro 4.0/5 eToro is a top-rated multi-asset platform which offers trading services in thousands of CFDs, stocks and cryptoassets. Launched in 2007, the brand has millions of active traders globally and is authorized by tier one regulators, including the FCA and CySEC. The brand is particularly popular for its comprehensive social trading platform. Crypto investments are risky and may not suit retail investors. You could lose your entire investment. Understand the risks here. 61% of retail CFD accounts lose money.
- Vantage 4.7/5 Founded in 2009, Vantage offers trading on 1000+ short-term CFD products to millions of clients. You can trade Forex CFDs from 0.0 pips on the RAW account through TradingView, MT4 or MT5. Vantage is ASIC-regulated and client funds are segregated. Copy traders will also appreciate the range of social trading tools.
- LiteFinance 4.0/5 LiteFinance is an offshore-regulated broker with 55 forex pairs and a range of international stocks as well as a smaller list of indices, commodities and cryptocurrencies. With support for the MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms as well as a proprietary mobile app, there is a good selection of tools available. The broker offers a Classic commission-free account as well as an ECN account with spreads starting from zero and a commission per lot.
- Tickmill 4.0/5 Tickmill is a global broker authorized by trusted regulators including the CySEC and the FCA. Hundreds of thousands of traders have opened an account with the firm with more than 530 million trades executed. Advanced trading tools, educational content and low fees make this broker stand out from competitors.
Compare The Best Swift Brokers
| Broker | Minimum Deposit | Instruments | Platforms | Leverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AvaTrade | $100 | CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Bonds, Crypto, Spread Betting, Futures | WebTrader, AvaTradeGO, AvaOptions, AvaFutures, MT4, MT5, AlgoTrader, TradingView, TradingCentral, DupliTrade | 1:30 (Retail) 1:400 (Pro) |
| IC | $200 | CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Bonds, Futures, Crypto | MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, TradingCentral, DupliTrade, Quantower | 1:5000 |
| eToro | $50 | CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, ETFs, Smart Portfolios, Commodities, Futures, Crypto, NFTs | eToro Web, CopyTrader, TradingCentral | 1:30 EU |
| Vantage | $50 | CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Bonds | ProTrader, MT4, MT5, TradingView, TradingCentral, DupliTrade | 1:500 |
| LiteFinance | $10 | Forex, CFDs, indices, shares, commodities, cryptocurrencies | Web, MT4, MT5, cTrader | 1:1000 (Crypto 1:50) |
| Tickmill | $100 | Forex, CFDs, stocks, indices, commodities, cryptocurrencies, futures, options, bonds | Tickmill Webtrader, MT4, MT5, TradingView | 1:1000 |
Community Sentiment
See how users rate these brokers based on the average customer ratings submitted on DayTrading.com, plus ratings from Trustpilot, the Apple App Store and Google Play.
| Broker | Our Users' Rating | Trustpilot Score | Trustpilot Reviews | iOS App Rating | Android App Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AvaTrade | 13696 | ||||
| IC | 3 | ||||
| eToro | 32343 | ||||
| Vantage | 16006 | ||||
| LiteFinance | 686 | ||||
| Tickmill | 1191 |
AvaTrade
Celebrating 20 Years in the industry, AvaTrade offers active traders everything they need: an intuitive WebTrader, powerful AvaProtect risk management, a smooth 5-minute sign-up process, and dependable support you can rely on in fast-moving markets.
Jemma Grist, Reviewer
AvaTrade quick facts
- Demo Account
- ✔Yes
- Instruments
- CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Bonds, Crypto, Spread Betting, Futures
- Regulator
- ASIC, CySEC, FSCA, ISA, CBI, JFSA, BVI, FSRA/ADGM, AFM, CMA-Kenya, CIRO (via Friedberg Direct)
- Platforms
- WebTrader, AvaTradeGO, AvaOptions, AvaFutures, MT4, MT5, AlgoTrader, TradingView, TradingCentral, DupliTrade
- Minimum Deposit
- $100
- Minimum Trade
- 0.01 Lots
- Account Currencies
- USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, ZAR
Pros
- Support at AvaTrade performed excellently during testing, with response times of 3 minutes and localized support in major trading jurisdictions, including the UK, Europe and the Middle East.
- The WebTrader excelled in our hands-on tests, sporting a user-friendly interface for beginners, complete with robust charting tools like 6 chart layouts and 60+ technical indicators.
- AvaFutures traders can now use TradingView for 100+ indicators, screeners and a calendar, the sharing of trade ideas, commissions from $0.45, intraday margins from $60, and access to exchanges like CME and EUREX.
Cons
- The AvaSocial app is good but not great – the look and feel, plus the navigation between finding strategy providers and account management needs upgrading to rival category leaders like eToro.
- AvaTrade’s WebTrader has improved, but work is still needed in terms of customizability – frustratingly widgets like market watch and watchlists can’t be hidden, moved, or resized.
- While signing up is a breeze, AvaTrade lacks an ECN account like Pepperstone or IC Markets, which provides the raw spreads and ultra-fast execution many day traders are looking for.
IC
IC (formerly IC Markets) offers superior pricing, exceptionally fast execution and seamless deposits. The introduction of advanced charting platforms, notably TradingView, and the Raw Trader Plus account, ensures it remains a top choice for intermediate to advanced day traders.
Christian Harris, Reviewer
IC quick facts
- Demo Account
- ✔Yes
- Instruments
- CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Bonds, Futures, Crypto
- Regulator
- ASIC, CySEC, FSA, SCB, CMA-Kenya
- Platforms
- MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, TradingCentral, DupliTrade, Quantower
- Minimum Deposit
- $200
- Minimum Trade
- 0.01 Lots
- Account Currencies
- USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, JPY, CHF, HKD, SGD
Pros
- As a tightly regulated and widely respected broker, IC prioritizes client security and transparency, helping to ensure a reliable trading experience globally.
- IC secured DayTrading.com's 'Best MT4/MT5 Broker' in 2025 for its seamless, industry-leading MetaTrader integration, refined over years to maximize the platform experience.
- IC offers fast and dependable 24/7 support based on firsthand experience, particularly when it comes to accounts and funding issues.
Cons
- Interest isn't paid on unused cash, an increasingly popular feature found at alternatives like Interactive Brokers.
- The breadth and depth of tutorials, webinars and educational resources still need work, trailing alternatives like CMC Markets and reducing its suitability for beginners.
- Despite four industry-leading third-party platforms, there is no proprietary software or trading app built with new traders in mind.
eToro
eToro's social trading platform leads the pack with a terrific user experience and active community chat that can help beginners find opportunities. There are also competitive fees on thousands of CFDs and real stocks, plus excellent rewards for experienced strategy providers.
Christian Harris, Reviewer
eToro quick facts
- Demo Account
- ✔Yes
- Instruments
- CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, ETFs, Smart Portfolios, Commodities, Futures, Crypto, NFTs
- Regulator
- FCA, CySEC, MiCA, MFSA, FSRA, ASIC, FSAS, MAS, GFSC
- Platforms
- eToro Web, CopyTrader, TradingCentral
- Minimum Deposit
- $50
- Minimum Trade
- $10
- Account Currencies
- USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, DKK
Pros
- eToro has bolstered its investment offering, regularly adding new crypto assets, and now offering over 100 digital currencies.
- eToro elevated the social trading experience in 2025, integrating insights from Stocktwits 10M+ users to help gauge market sentiment.
- Apple Watch compatibility allows you to monitor your eToro account, portfolio, popular assets, and prices for your watchlist right from your wrist.
Cons
- There is a $30 minimum withdrawal amount and a $5 fee, which will affect novices with low capital.
- There are limited contact methods aside from the in-platform live chat.
- The lack of additional charting platforms like MT4 will reduce the appeal for seasoned day traders accustomed to using third-party software.
Vantage
Vantage remains an excellent option for CFD traders seeking a tightly-regulated broker with access to the reliable MetaTrader platforms. The fast sign-up process and $50 minimum deposit make it very straightforward to start day trading quickly.
Jemma Grist, Reviewer
Vantage quick facts
- Demo Account
- ✔Yes
- Instruments
- CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Bonds
- Regulator
- FCA, ASIC, FSCA, VFSC, CIMA
- Platforms
- ProTrader, MT4, MT5, TradingView, TradingCentral, DupliTrade
- Minimum Deposit
- $50
- Minimum Trade
- 0.01 Lots
- Account Currencies
- USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, JPY, HKD, SGD, PLN
Pros
- The app was upgraded in 2026 with wider asset visibility bringing together balances across Contract, Copy, and Funding accounts on one screen
- The ECN accounts are very competitive with spreads from 0.0 pips and a $1.50 commission per side (Pro ECN account)
- Vantage has bolstered its algorithmic trading tools for advanced traders with AutoFibo EA identifying reversal opportunities
Cons
- It's a shame that some clients will need to register with the offshore entity, which offers less regulatory protection
- The average execution speeds of 100ms to 250ms are slower than alternatives based on tests
- A steep $10,000 deposit is needed for the best trading conditions, which include the $1.50 commission per side
LiteFinance
LiteFinance will suit traders seeking a long-standing broker to trade forex, stocks, commodities, indices, cryptocurrencies, and newer assets like equity perpetuals. The social trading system will also suit investors looking to learn from seasoned traders, though careful risk controls are required when copy trading.
Tobias Robinson, Reviewer
LiteFinance quick facts
- Demo Account
- ✔Yes
- Instruments
- Forex, CFDs, indices, shares, commodities, cryptocurrencies
- Regulator
- FSC
- Platforms
- Web, MT4, MT5, cTrader
- Minimum Deposit
- $10
- Minimum Trade
- 0.01 Lots
- Account Currencies
- USD, EUR
Pros
- Great trading platform support with MT4, MT5 and a proprietary app
- Automated trading via APIs
- Good range of forex pairs
Cons
- Wide spreads on the Classic account
- Not overseen by any top-tier regulator
- Some complaints online about difficulties withdrawing funds
Tickmill
Tickmill is a stellar choice for day traders, especially if you opt for the Raw account which delivers near-zero pip spreads and impressively fast order execution during testing.
Christian Harris, Reviewer
Tickmill quick facts
- Demo Account
- ✔Yes
- Instruments
- Forex, CFDs, stocks, indices, commodities, cryptocurrencies, futures, options, bonds
- Regulator
- FCA, CySEC, FSA, DFSA, FSCA
- Platforms
- Tickmill Webtrader, MT4, MT5, TradingView
- Minimum Deposit
- $100
- Minimum Trade
- 0.01 Lots
- Account Currencies
- USD, EUR, GBP, ZAR
Pros
- Based on our actual trading experience, Tickmill consistently processes orders quickly - averaging ~59 milliseconds - with very few instances of slippage or requotes. For a day trader, that means you can trust your entry and exit prices without worrying about delays that might cost you money in fast markets.
- Tickmill’s multiple licenses with authorities like the FCA and CySEC aren’t just paperwork - they translate to real-world benefits. Your money is kept separate in secure accounts, and the broker offers negative balance protection. In practice, this means you won’t be on the hook for more than you deposit, providing peace of mind when markets get volatile.
- When using the Raw Spread account, you’ll notice how tight the spreads are - sometimes even zero pips - paired with a transparent per-trade commission. This setup helps keep your overall trading costs low, which is a significant advantage when you’re making frequent trades and want to avoid hidden fees that cut into your profits.
Cons
- If you’re used to cTrader’s modern layout and sophisticated order types, you’ll miss that here. Tickmill sticks with MetaTrader 4 and 5, as well as TradingView and its own proprietary platform, so there’s no cTrader option. This might slow down traders who rely on cTrader’s workflow or specific tools, such as cTrader Copy.
- Tickmill primarily focuses on forex pairs, select stock CFDs, indices, and a few commodities. If you like switching between many different asset classes, like crypto or a broader range of stocks, you’ll find the choices limited compared to brokers with thousands of instruments.
How Did We Choose The Best Swift Brokers?
To uncover the top Swift brokers, we:
- Searched our database of 142 online platforms, focusing on all those that accept Swift payments
- Checked that they support Swift deposits and withdrawals for day trading
- Listed them by their total score, blending our in-depth findings with 200+ data points
Swift Payments Explained
Founded in the 1970s, Swift works by assigning each financial institution, country and location a specific numerical code. This coding system is also applied to the payment details, known as ‘fields’. This series of numbers and letters is formed into a message which can be sent across the world. As a result, Swift is by definition a messaging system. The organization does not hold funds or manage accounts.
Pros Of Trading With Swift
Accessible
Swift is the dominant financial messaging service today. Each year, payment volumes can exceed five billion. And almost all standard banks in the UK use Swift payments including HSBC, NatWest, and Nationwide, as well as fintech companies like Revolut.
Some instant payments API gateways also use Swift messaging to enable transactions. In addition, several leading trading brokers facilitate deposits and withdrawals via the secure processing service, including AvaTrade, Plus500 and FBS.
Universal
The messaging system was created for making overseas transactions. It uses a variety of payment formats, meaning that regardless of the language used by the banks and brokers involved, each transaction is universally interpreted. A bank in the UAE could feasibly send a payment via Swift messages to a broker in Canada or the US without a language barrier.
The message file format and fields are identical across the globe. For example, a payment 103 is just one of the different message types available, and in this case means ‘a customer payment or cheque wire transfer to an institution or company’ (as opposed to a bank).
So, whether you’re looking to send money to online brokers in Europe, New Zealand, South Africa or anywhere else, payments made using Swift will be easily translated.
Traceable
The detail of a message includes where it has come from as well as where it is headed. Therefore, each payment has full traceability. This provides additional transparency and security for traders making deposits and withdrawals to offshore brokerages, for example.
Swift has ensured this transparency is also passed on to consumers using Swift GPI payments tracking. Digital GPI tracking enables banks to view a payment’s status. Banks are even required to confirm to the sender when the funds have reached the end destination. As a result, traders have peace of mind when making deposits and withdrawals.
Cons Of Trading With Swift
Expensive
Those who have already made broker deposits and withdrawals with Swift will know that it can be expensive. There are often fees placed on both the sender and receiver. Banks and brokers may also provide poor exchange rates if switching between two currencies. As a result, alternatives to Swift payments can sometimes be cheaper, for example, PayPal.
Exclusive
To perform a deposit into a trading account using Swift, you must hold a bank account. And recent estimates suggest a quarter of the world’s population may not own a bank account because they fail Know Your Customer (KYC) checks. This means that it’s not the most widely accessible payment option for aspiring traders and investors.
One non-Swift payment system that has held the limelight recently is blockchain technology. The level of identity controls required to use such solutions are typically much lower. Customers just need an e-wallet and a cryptocurrency of their choice, such as Bitcoin, with limited passport or address checks. Of course, these alternatives do come with their own disadvantages.
Irreversible
Unlike a bank transfer, you cannot conduct a chargeback on a Swift payment. Once the message has reached the receiver, it cannot be reversed. So once you’ve requested a deposit or withdrawal, your broker may not be able to return the funds. This is potentially a significant drawback for high volume traders.
Speed Overview
Payment timescales vary. In the past, it’s been a fairly slow process, sometimes within a time frame of up to seven days as the payment bounces between financial institutions until it completes its path to the receiving account. Also, Swift payments are not completed over weekends. You can send a wire transfer on the weekend, but the payment will not be processed by the receiver until the next working day.
Looking to the future, Swift is enabling payments to be executed in seconds through their GPI system. This allows for completing payments on the same day as the request was made (permitting for time differences around the world). But even with these changes, processing a payment may still take 1-4 working days as not all banks use the Swift GPI.
The payment company also has an ambition to enable instant payments. Australia saw the introduction of Swift’s New Payments Platform which aims to speed up and provide status confirmation throughout the transaction. But until clearing and settlement can be executed in seconds across all institutions, the system’s competitors will be lapping at its heels.
In fact, many alternative payment methods, including PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, Visa and Mastercard, offer near-instant deposits and withdrawals at many top trading brokers.
Security Protocols
Swift is well known as a secure way to transfer funds.
There are two main reasons that a Swift payment may not complete and each has a resolution:
- If the message is coded incorrectly – There is a strict set of reject/return guidelines if this happens, so your funds shouldn’t go missing into the abyss.
- The message is lost as it bounces between banks – Swift-enabled banks are responsible for tracing wire transfers if they go missing in the network.
Plus, with the GPI tracking mechanism, customers can track transfers end-to-end without relying on bank reporting.
But, whilst the transaction itself is secure, wire transfers are not protected against fraudulent brokers. A payment cannot be recalled once the message has reached the recipient. You cannot conduct a chargeback like with a bank transfer/vendor payment.
In addition, the system has come under fire in the past as a series of hacks compromised the network’s integrity. Following the cyber-attacks, Swift has taken action and created the new Payments Control Service which allows banks to screen their messages for any peculiarities and pause or resume messages prior to transaction.
How To Deposit Using Swift
Deposits via wire transfer will most often come via Swift payment. Rather than access through a payment gateway on the broker’s site, you will complete the transfer via your bank.
The brokerage will usually provide you with their Swift codes (also known as BIC) and IBAN (International Bank Account Number) to enable this.
At eToro, for example:
- Log in to your dashboard and click on ‘Deposit’ in the bottom left-hand corner
- Enter the amount you want to transfer and the currency
- Select ‘Bank Transfer’ from the list of methods. eToro’s bank details will appear on the screen and be sent to you via email.
- Log into your personal banking app and follow the instructions to carry out the bank transfer to eToro.
- Once the transaction is complete, send a screenshot of the confirmation, or a scanned copy of the Swift document to the broker’s customer support.
Withdrawing via wire transfer is essentially the reverse. You will need to request that the broker submit a wire transfer, which depending on the service level of the brokerage could take a couple of days. Some brokers will promise you a timescale, for example, withdrawal requests might be processed within 48 hours.
When receiving payments, the banking reference should show the broker’s BIC and IBAN numbers.
Fees & Costs
Payments via Swift often incur charges on both the sender and receiver. Most brokers cover the fees on their end if you choose to deposit this way. Others should include details of the fees on their payment options page. It does mean, however, that low-value payments may not be suitable.
If you’re withdrawing via wire transfer you may also see a charge. Trustworthy brokers are transparent about these fees before you open a trading account.
Note if your payment involves two currencies (e.g. USD/CNY), you may also experience poor exchange rates between the banks.
Is Swift Good For Day Trading?
Understanding the pros and cons of Swift payments will help you to choose a trading deposit method that suits your needs.
Payments via Swift wire transfer are an easy and secure way to deposit funds to brokerages worldwide. You can conduct the transfer directly from your bank account and will not need to open an account with a third party (e.g. Western Union) or purchase a cryptocurrency to enable the transaction.
The service can sometimes be expensive due to the charges and poor exchange rates enforced by banks and brokers. Plus, transactions will only be processed during bank opening hours, which can make the timescale lengthy. In addition, the costs also make it an unpopular option for low-value transfers and deposits.
In the past, wire transfers have been almost the only way to move funds safely between international bank accounts. But, as new technologies like blockchain come into force, it pushes innovation and we are likely to see wire transfers become faster and more transparent.
See our list of brokers that accept Swift deposits to start trading today.
FAQ
Is Swift Suitable For Domestic Payments To Brokers?
No, Swift payments (AKA wire transfers) are designed for international transactions. Domestic payments are typically made via bank transfer and will not incur the same fees.
How Much Do Swift Payments To My Trading Account Cost?
Fees for Swift payments vary between banks and brokers, but there will often be charges on both the sending and receiving ends. These are usually around 6-10 GBP per transaction. You may also experience poor currency conversion rates (usually 3-5%) if you’re switching between two currencies.
How Long Do Swift Payments Take At My Broker?
As most banks still don’t use Swift GUI, payments usually take 1-4 days to process. The majority of transactions will only be completed on working days and therefore if a wire transfer is sent over the weekend it won’t arrive until Monday. Some brokers may also have additional processing timelines.
Can Swift Trading Deposits Be Reversed?
No, Swift payments cannot be reserved once the message has reached the broker. This is unlike a bank transfer where you can conduct a chargeback on the payment.
Are Swift Trading Deposits Completed The Same Day?
No, usually Swift payments take 1-4 working days. Brokers also have their own processing times to take into account. See our reviews of top brands or head to the respective brokerage’s website for more details on payment options.