In this guide

Compare 4 Best CFD Brokers in China 2024

Q: Which CFD broker in China has the lowest spreads?

The cheapest CFD broker in China with low fees and spreads is IG Markets . By signing up to IG Markets you can access the best value CFD trading in China.

Q: Which CFD broker in China has the most stocks to trade?

IG Markets has the most CFD instruments to trade, including a huge number of stocks. With IG Markets you can trade the largest companies in the world just as easily as low cap stocks from emerging markets.

Q: Which CFD trading platform in China has the best mobile app?

The IG Markets app is the best in the business. As well as being accessible and a simple way to place trades, the Chinese CFD trading app offers powerful charting tools so that you can perform analysis on the go.

Q: Which CFD broker in China has the best leverage & margin rates?

The best CFD leverage on offer in China comes from IG Markets . It offers the maximum allowed leverage on a wide range of assets, making it easy to open large positions on any instrument you choose.

Q: Do I have to pay tax on money I make from CFD trading in China?

Yes, any profits you make from CFD trading in China are liable for capital gains tax. You should keep a record of what you have earned from trading so that you can report these amounts to the tax authority. Check the tax laws in your jurisdiction for the exact details of how much you have to pay.

We review 63+ of the best CFD trading platforms in China to find the most secure brokers with low spreads.

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Updated: Jun 4, 2024

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This detailed guide is the result of our extensive research. We’ve picked out the top CFD trading platforms that offer the best service to help you start CFD trading in China.

To identify the best services, we created a checklist of key criteria that a China CFD broker must meet in order to earn a high ranking. The features it must offer include:

Regulatory approval from the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC), the financial regulator in China
A low-cost way to trade CFDs in China
A free demo account for beginners
A significant number of available trading instruments, including stocks, forex, commodities, and crypto CFDs where available

The results are clear: Our panel recommends IG Markets as the best CFD broker in China for 2024.

Best CFD brokers China

Alongside IG Markets , a number of other China CFD brokers impressed the experts. We rank these platforms highly, as CFD trading platforms in China that offer a secure, simple, and low cost trading experience.

We found 7 online brokers for users based in

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Our top 4 best CFD trading platforms in China, reviewed & compared

We found 7 online brokers for users based in

1. IG Markets: Best for trusted and transparent trading

Visit site

From 0.5%

Fees

$…

Minimum deposit

17,000

No. assets

Yes

Demo/virtual account

Pros & Cons

Intuitive web trading platform Excellent demo account available Variety of deposit and withdrawal options Wide variety of useful educational tools Trading platform tutorial to get you started

Slow account opening process Unavailable in all regions

Overview

We love IG because it’s one of the most established and reputable names in the online trading industry, known for its reliability, comprehensive market offerings, and strong regulatory compliance. IG offers CFD trading in stocks, forex, commodities, indices, ETFs and more, with plenty of useful plugins and integrations to improve the trading experience.

One of the key strengths of IG Markets is its seamless integration with MetaTrader 4 (MT4), a popular third-party trading platform favored by many traders for its advanced charting tools, automated trading capabilities, and custom indicators. This integration allows users to leverage MT4’s sophisticated features while benefiting from IG Markets’ competitive pricing, reliable execution, and extensive market access.

Beyond its product range and platform integrations, IG Markets stands out for its commitment to education and customer support. The company offers a wealth of educational resources, such as webinars, tutorials, and market analysis, which help traders of all levels improve their knowledge and skills.

The fees: For most assets, you don’t pay a trading fee but will be charged through the spread instead. That’s the difference between the buy and sell price of an asset. IG’s spreads are competitive but variable: you’ll pay a smaller spread on popular assets compared to less popular ones. Share trading works differently, and you’ll be charged a minimum fee on each trade of at least $15.

Highlights

Features	IG Markets summary
No. of tradable assets	17,000+
Min. Deposit	$0
ID verification required	Yes
Free demo account	Yes
Supported assets	Stock CFDs, ETFs, Forex CFDs, Crypto CFDs, Index CFDs, Commodities
Mobile trading app	Yes
Web trading platform	Yes
Regulatory bodies	FSCA, MAS, FMA, ASIC, FCA, BaFin, FINMA, DFSA, BMA, CFTC, NFA
View more >	IG Markets >

Visit IG Markets IG Markets Review

2. AvaTrade. Best regulated broker for secure trading

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From 0.13%

Fees

$…

Minimum deposit

500

No. assets

Yes

Demo/virtual account

Pros & Cons

Trade 1000+ CFDs with competitive spreads Regulated by Tier 1 financial bodies across the world Consistently highly rated trading platform on web and mobile Offers social trading through its proprietary AvaSocial platform

Spreads are competitive without being industry-leading Some assets are only available to trade through the MetaTrader software

Overview

We love AvaTrade because it is a reliable CFD broker, that gives users access to a wide range of markets. As a CFD broker, AvaTrade lets you speculate on the price movements of various stock markets without owning the underlying assets. AvaTrade is a multi asset brokerage firm and includes CFDs on hundreds of global stocks including Google, Apple, Microsoft, and more.

AvaTrade is also highly regarded for its strong regulatory framework and commitment to security. AvaTrade is regulated in multiple jurisdictions, including Europe, Australia, Japan, South Africa, and the British Virgin Islands, which means it must adhere to stringent regulatory standards across the world.

AvaTrade isn’t just well regulated, it also employs advanced security measures to protect client funds and personal information, including segregated accounts and robust encryption technology.

The fees: There is no commission on any trading. AvaTrade makes money from the Bid/Ask spread instead. Stock spreads start from 0.13. Positions left overnight are charged a swap fee that varies depending on size. An inactivity fee of £/€/$50 per month is applicable if you don’t log in to your account for three consecutive months.

Highlights

Features	AvaTrade summary
No. of tradable assets	1250+
Min. Deposit	$100
ID verification required	Yes
Free demo account	Yes
Supported assets	Stocks, Stock CFDs, ETF CFDs, Forex CFDs, Crypto CFDs, Commodity CFDs, Index CFDs
Mobile trading app	Yes
Web trading platform	Yes
Regulatory bodies	FSCA, FSA, ASIC, CBI, MiFID, CySEC, BVIFSC, FRSA
View more >	AvaTrade >

Visit AvaTrade AvaTrade Review

3. Eightcap. Best online broker for choice of trading platform

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Up to $3.5 RT

Fees

$…

Minimum deposit

800

No. assets

Yes

Demo/virtual account

Pros & Cons

Low trading fees for CFDs Trade directly from the TradingView platform Regulated by top-tier authorities Leverage up to 1:500 Partnered with multiple proprietary trading firms

Some markets are not available to all regions Customer support does not operate 24/7

Overview

We love Eightcap because you have several trading platforms to choose from. You can choose between MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and TradingView. All of these platforms are favourites among retail traders. With the MetaTrade suite of platforms, you can access lots of technical indicators, custom tools, and expert advisors.

TradingView with Eightcap allows you to trade directly from your charts while accessing the hundreds of tools and features available. Eightcap has over 900 markets available including stocks, forex, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies.

The fees: Eightcap is a CFD broker and charges spreads, commissions, or a combination of both. There are two account types available, RAW, and Standard. The RAW account has ultra-low spreads starting from 0.0 pips but charges $3.5 RT per lot. The standard account is commission-free for most assets and spreads start from 1 pip.

Highlights

Features	Eightcap summary
No. of tradable assets	800+
Min. Deposit	$100
ID verification required	Yes
Free demo account	Yes
Supported assets	Stocks, Cryptocurrencies, Commodities, Currencies, Indices
Mobile trading app	Yes
Web trading platform	Yes
Regulatory bodies	ASIC, FCA, CySEC
View more >	Eightcap >

Visit Eightcap Eightcap Review

74-89% of retail CFD accounts lose money

4. FP Markets. Best for low spread & 0-pip trading

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…

Fees

$…

Minimum deposit

No. assets

Demo/virtual account

Pros & Cons

Trade 10,000+ CFDs across multiple asset classes Highly regulated and reliable platform Copy and social trading features

Not available in the US, Japan & New Zealand IRESS platform is expensive

Overview

We love FP Markets because it uses cutting-edge technology to ensure all stock trades are executed at lightning fast speed. It’s an award-winning broker and offers over 10,000 Australian and international share CFDs and stock CFDs across 4 continents.

FP Markets has zero restrictions and allows all trading styles, including scalping and running expert advisors. Stock CFDs can be traded directly from its Metatrader 5 platform or via Iress, which gives direct market access to multiple global exchanges such as the Nasdaq, NYSE, and London stock exchange.

The fees: FP Market charges commission for all stock trades. For Australian stocks, its 0.05%, Hong Kong stocks, 0.20%, UK 0.10%, European 0.10%, and USA stocks are 2 cents per share.

Highlights

Features	summary
No. of tradable assets
Min. Deposit
ID verification required	No
Free demo account	No
Supported assets
Mobile trading app	No
Web trading platform	No
Regulatory bodies
View more >	>

Visit Review

CFDs are derivatives and can be risky; losses can exceed your initial payment and you must be able to meet all margin calls as soon as they are made. When trading CFDs you do not own or have any rights to the CFDs underlying assets.

Is CFD trading legal in China?

Yes, you can legally trade CFDs in China. However, certain aspects of CFD trading are regulated by the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC). The restrictions generally work in your favour, as they are designed to protect traders from large, unexpected losses.

Primarily this means there are limitations on the amount of leverage that CFD brokers in China can offer, along with a limit on the maximum losses any retail customer account can experience. In addition, they must clearly warn traders of the risks involved so you can make informed trading decisions.

How to find a reliable CFD broker in China

The key features that separate the best CFD broker in China from the rest are security, cost, the range of markets available. Keep those in mind and you won’t run into too many problems.

If you need more help making up your mind, use this short Q&A to find the best CFD trading platform in China.

Are CFD brokers in China regulated?

Yes, CFD trading platforms in China are licensed and regulated by the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC). The China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) sets the rules on China CFD trading, such as how much leverage is available when you trade a contract for difference (CFD), along with which assets and markets are available.

How else do CFD trading platforms in China protect me?

The top CFD brokers in China offer negative balance protection, which is a form of insurance that protects you from losing more money than you have in your account. This is particularly useful if you use leverage or short CFDs, as it’s possible to lose significantly more than the initial value of your trade.

A Chinese CFD broker should also protect you by providing Two Factor Authentication (2FA) to secure your account and with a customer service line that’s always open and available to help.

What types of Chinese CFD brokers are there?

Most of the time, you’re going to be dealing with market makers. A market maker is a CFD broker in China that effectively creates a market for any asset at all times, so you can always buy or sell.

Other forms of China CFD brokers include direct market access (DMA) brokers or STP/ECN brokers. These offer faster trade execution or allow you to buy and sell from other traders directly, rather than through an intermediary. Though the truth is that these services are geared towards professional or high volume traders, rather than casual users.

How much do CFD brokers in China cost?

Most CFD brokers in China offer no-commission trading, so you don’t have to pay each time you make a trade. However, the costs come elsewhere, usually in the form of the spread.

The spread is the difference between the buy and sell price of a contract for difference (CFD). The best China CFD trading platforms make money by taking a cut of that difference, so you can compare the costs of using different platforms by comparing the spreads. The lower the difference between the buy and sell price, the more cost-effective a platform is.

Which assets can I trade through a China CFD broker?

Any CFD broker in China will offer currency and commodity markets. CFDs are the most common way to trade forex and commodities like gold and oil.

Then the rules can change depending on the whims of the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC). Generally, you can trade stock CFDs, though the available companies may vary. In addition, you may be able to trade:

Crypto CFDs
ETF CFDs
Indices CFDs

Though the regulation for crypto CFDs, in particular, can change rapidly.

To buy and sell the underlying assets, rather than using CFDs, consider using the best trading platforms in China, the best forex brokers in China, or the best crypto exchanges in China.

Can I use leverage to trade CFDs in China?

Yes, it’s common and legal to trade CFDs with leverage in China. The maximum permitted leverage is set by the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC), and all CFD brokers in China must abide by those rules.

In reality, each CFD broker in China also offers differing leverage on different assets. Currency pairs offer the most leverage, as it’s a vital part of successful forex trading, while stock and crypto CFDs generally offer the lowest.

Are there any other ways to trade?

Yes, one of the most appealing aspects of CFD trading for beginners is the fact you can use CFDs to trade for and against the market. Shorting is when you place a trade on an asset or market to fall in value, and is a very popular way to trade.

Because of that, you can also use CFDs to hedge other trades that you have open. This is where you place a trade on the opposite position to one you made previously. It’s used as a risk management strategy to minimise losses or lock in profit in case something changes.

Do CFD platforms in China offer professional trading accounts?

Yes, generally they do, although the qualifications can be steep. Most of the best trading platforms in China offer a retail account to all users, then provide faster execution speeds or lower spreads to high volume users who must meet certain capital requirements.

These accounts are only accessible to a small number of people, who have both significant starting funds and a high annual turnover. Unless you can supply the equivalent of at least $500,000 as a qualifying deposit, it’s unlikely you’ll be able to sign up to a professional account with any Chinese CFD provider.

How to start trading CFDs in China

Follow this guide to learn how to use a CFD trading platform in China and to place your first CFD trade.

Step 1. Create an account

Choose the best CFD broker in China and sign up with your email and contact details. You may be asked to supply some photo ID to meet China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) regulations.

Step 2. Deposit some money

Fund your account with your favoured payment method. Most CFD brokers in China accept bank transfers, card payments, and some e-wallets like PayPal.

Step 3. Choose what to trade

Search for the asset you want to trade. Stock CFDs can be found by searching for the correct ticker symbol, and the same is true for currency pairs, commodities, and crypto CFDs as well.

Step 4. Decide whether to go long or short, and set your position size

Choose whether to buy (go long) or sell (short) the asset. Then enter how much you want to trade (this is known as the ‘margin’) and how much leverage you want to use.

Step 5. Finalise the trade

Check the details and execute the trade once you’re happy with it. After that, keep monitoring the position regularly until you’re ready to close it out. Consider setting stop-loss limits to protect you from unexpected swings in the market.

Choose a CFD broker

To summarise

CFD trading is a popular and accessible way to trade for all China users, but there are a few risks as well. Chinese CFD providers give you access to global markets and a greater range of trading options, so you can back markets to go both up and down.

However, using leverage can lead to significant losses and, with CFDs, you don’t own the underlying assets themselves, so you have less investor protection than – for example – company shareholders.

This guide picks out the 4 best CFD brokers in China, based on their cost, accessibility, and the range of products available. Once you fully understand the pros and cons, choose any of the top CFD trading platforms above to get started with. It only takes a few minutes to start trading CFDs in China.

FAQs

Which CFD broker in China has the lowest spreads?

Which CFD broker in China has the most stocks to trade?

Which CFD trading platform in China has the best mobile app?

Which CFD broker in China has the best leverage & margin rates?

Do I have to pay tax on money I make from CFD trading in China?

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Sources & references

Our editors fact-check all content to ensure compliance with our strict editorial policy. The information in this article is supported by the following reliable sources.

Risk disclaimer

James Knight

Editor of Education

James is the Editor of Education for Invezz, where he covers topics from across the financial world, from the stock market, to cryptocurrency, to macroeconomic markets.... read more.