Pros
- Linked to an FSCA-authorized financial services provider in South Africa
- ZAR accounts and local deposit methods for South African clients
- MT4 and MT5 platforms with multiple account types
- Low entry threshold and promotional bonuses
- Educational content and local-market focus
Cons
- Independent databases flag an “unverified” or “suspicious clone” risk on the license link
- Low safety score and multiple user complaints on watchdog sites
- High leverage up to 1:500 increases the probability of rapid losses
- Corporate structure and legal wording can be confusing for new traders
- Controversy around brand vs. underlying licensed entity
Basic Information
User Reviews
Regulation Analysis
According to its legal documentation, Trade245 (Pty) Ltd acts as a juristic representative of Red Pine Capital (Pty) Ltd, which is authorized and regulated by the FSCA in South Africa under FSP No. 46044. This provides a degree of local oversight compared with purely offshore brokers.
At the same time, third-party watchdogs note inconsistencies and potential confusion around how the Trade245 brand is represented under that license. They stress that traders should:
- Check the FSCA register directly for Red Pine Capital and associated trading names.
- Understand which entity is actually holding client funds and issuing products.
- Recognize that local regulation does not automatically solve all risks or complaints.
Because of these nuances, Trade245 is best regarded as a broker with some regulatory links but ongoing controversy, not a clean, high-trust tier-1 brand.
Trading Products
Trade245 offers leveraged CFDs on several asset classes:
- Forex: Major, minor and some exotic pairs, often with leverage up to 1:500.
- Indices: International stock indices and possibly local South African benchmarks.
- Commodities: Metals and energy CFDs, such as gold and oil.
- Stocks & CFDs: Selected equity CFDs available via MT4/MT5.
- Cryptocurrencies: Limited crypto CFDs, depending on regulatory constraints.
All trading involves derivatives, so clients speculate on price movements rather than owning the underlying instruments. Margin, spreads and commissions differ by account type and may change with market conditions.
Trading Platforms
Trade245 supports the following platforms:
- MetaTrader 4 (MT4): Widely used forex and CFD platform supporting EAs.
- MetaTrader 5 (MT5): Multi-asset platform with additional features and products.
Both platforms are available on desktop, web and mobile, with standard order types and charting tools. Execution quality and slippage depend on the broker’s liquidity arrangements and server infrastructure.
Deposit and Withdrawal
Trade245 emphasizes a low entry barrier for South African traders:
- ZAR accounts: Allow trading without constant currency conversion.
- Funding methods: Local bank transfers, cards and selected wallet options.
- Low minimum deposit: Small starting amounts are accepted, especially on bonus or micro account types.
While promotional materials highlight bonuses and “no deposit fees”, independent sources recommend testing the withdrawal process early and avoiding over-committing funds, especially given the broker’s modest safety score.
Customer Support
Customer support at Trade245 is provided via:
- Email: support@trade245.com
- Phone: local South African phone numbers.
- Live chat on the official website.
The broker also maintains educational articles and FAQ sections. Nonetheless, in any dispute scenario, traders should rely on written legal documents and independent regulators, not only on promises made by support agents.
FAQ
Q: Is Trade245 fully regulated?
A: Trade245 is connected to an FSCA-licensed entity (Red Pine Capital), but independent databases highlight potential issues and treat it with caution. Traders should verify details directly with the FSCA.
Q: What is the maximum leverage?
A: Some accounts advertise leverage up to 1:500. Such high leverage can lead to very rapid losses if risk is not controlled carefully.
Q: Who is Trade245 most suitable for?
A: Primarily traders in South Africa who understand both the benefits and limits of local regulation and are comfortable with a broker that has a mixed external reputation.