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Author: Charles Adomako
Finance Manager
Charles Adomako

South African Day Trading

South Africa has a long history of trading and is a country that has for a very long time been very much centred around its own resources. The modern trading community has by no means bucked this trend and today’s online traders still show their preferences to be somewhat homegrown, although the Internet has opened up whole new realms for them.

For South African day traders this means that the licensed brokers you will encounter will be driven by the demands of the market. You will, therefore, have ample opportunity to trade in the commodities, stocks and currencies that are close to your country but that said, there are also many legitimate brokers who can take you outside of that environment and show you global opportunities.

As a South African resident, you are in a favoured position for trading online. You can take the comfort zone of the South African licensing system, but you can also move outside of it and find other opportunities. Whichever way you go, we hope to help you find the right broker by explaining the differences between good or bad brokers and recommending only those we feel are going to provide you with the right environment.

Top Rated CFD Sites

#1 - Pocket Option: Best Overall

Pocket Option Logo
9.8
Superb
Bonus Up-to $2000 Assets 130+
Min. Trade $1 *Payout % 92.76%
Over 130+ assets to trade now
Instant access to social trading
Single account option, for everyone
Tournament with prize of $50,000
IFMRRC is not an official regulator
Limited account funding methods
Deposit Methods
Visa Bitcoin Klarna Skrill
167 visited this site today
Pocket Option Review

Editors Summary

Pocket Option offers many excellent features to new and existing traders. When you check-out the various account types, you will see that they work with traders of any level – newbie, beginner, experienced, master etc. This site is so easy to use, and while CySEC does not license them, they have good feedback online and tick all of the boxes of a trusted broker. We love the ease of use and no-frills approach which is replicated with a great user experience.

#2 - Binarium: Best Free Demo

Binarium Logo
9.3
Excellent
Bonus Up-to $1600 Assets 120+
Min. Trade $1 *Payout % 91.48%
Over 120+ assets to trade now
Bigger deposit = more features
Business account for pro traders
Online platform, no download
Platform basic for serious traders
Slow response times for support
Deposit Methods
AMEX PayPal PaySafeCard Neteller
78 visited this site today
Binarium Review

Editors Summary

Binarium seems to offer everything that both the new and experienced trader needs. From the types of accounts and options available to the mobile offering and bonuses, they tick all of the usual boxes. While they don't have a CySEC or ASIC license, the fact that they have been operating for so long with a good name should be an indicator that they are trustworthy and reliable. If you want a broker that offers a good, all-around experience, then Binarium must make your shortlist.

#3 - IQcent: Best Mobile App

IQcent Logo
9.1
Very Good
Bonus Up-to $1000 Assets 150+
Min. Trade $1 *Payout % 89.72%
Over 150+ assets to trade now
Account options for every trader
Trading available 7 days a week
Super-fast 1 day withdrawals
Demo account has less features
UK-based, but licensed offshore
Deposit Methods
AMEX PaySafeCard Neteller Skrill
44 visited this site today

Editors Summary

It is clear to see that IQcent mean business and that their all-around offering to traders is making them a serious competitor in the digital options market place. From their easy to use trading platform to the fact that they offer such good withdrawal terms, you can't help but feel that this broker is going to capture the market, quickly. With a base in London, reputable licensing, an acceptance of US customers they tick all the boxes when it comes what traders want.

Risk Warning / Ad Disclosure

Risk Warning: The products offered by the companies listed on this website carry a high level of risk and can result in the loss of all your funds. You should never risk money that you cannot afford to lose.

Ad Disclosure: Some of the links that you will find on this website are advertisements for which we do receive financial gain for referring new customers.

CFD Sites in South Africa

South Africa

We have already explained that there are two different routes for South African traders, but the next step is how to define between good, bad and mediocre brokers. A great starting point is to look through this section of our guide which relates to some factors that are crucial to a successful day trader.

Mobile Trading

South Africa has very reliable Internet service and there is a good reason to take advantage of that fact. Nobody in the modern world will choose to be constrained to a desk for many hours when the opportunity is right there to take your work with you. In recognition of this, brokers are placing far more emphasis on providing a top-class mobile experience than ever before. Whether your preference is a high-quality downloadable application for your device or a mobile-optimised version of the main website, you will not be short of choices.

Deals And Incentives

As you study a variety of brokers, undoubtedly will see that some are almost ‘over keen’ to attract clients with the temptation of bonuses or other financial incentives. Although it is not always the case, this initial offer may be at the expense of overall fair trading conditions and competitive spreads and should be approached with caution. It is always a better deal in the long run that will reward you in accordance with your loyalty, by increasing your leverage, optimising spreads or reducing fees. Always look carefully at the broker’s T&Cs relating to any ‘great’ offer you may encounter before taking it up.

Diverse Asset Types

No two brokers are the same in terms of the assets and derivatives they offer, although some of the most-traded assets, like the major currency pairs, are almost always available. Some brokers prefer to specialise, whilst others have an all-round selection in the hope of pleasing a wider client base. If you have enough experience to have a preference or trade within a niche market then you may have to look a little harder to find your ideal broker.

Good Customer Support

Unfortunately, many traders do not consider customer support of much importance until the point where they have an urgent question, or worse still a problem. That is why we always urge you to look carefully at this side of the broker’s business. Generally speaking, brokers provide various ways to contact the customer support team, usually a web form or e-mail address for non-urgent matters and a toll-free telephone number for anything that cannot wait. However, when these services are available and the speed of response you can get is crucial, always aim for a broker that supports access to assistance 24 hours per day through the trading week.

Broker Fees And Tax

Todays Top Traders
Trader Broker Asset Profit

Broker fees are an unavoidable cost of living in a trading environment. Your aim should, therefore, be to select a broker offering an account opportunity that suits your level and style of trading, even if that is a free demonstration account. If you intend day trading on a part-time basis or are new to trading, then a broker that offers a fixed-fee per trade is the best bet, but for more intense or experienced traders you may achieve more by opting for a commission-based account.

Either of these accounts may incur other costs too including account maintenance, deposit/withdrawal fees for certain payment methods, subscriptions for any automated trading apps or analytics software and currency exchange if you elect to trade using your local currency. Most of these are avoidable by choosing your broker carefully and checking out the related terms and conditions. Although this may take up a bit of your time, it could also be the difference between a profit or loss when you are trading with tight spreads.

Any income derived from your trading activity is subject to Income Tax under South African law. You will need to keep accounts showing details of every trade you make regardless of whether you made a profit or loss and any profit must be declared as income on your tax return. This law is applicable whether you use a broker based in South Africa or an offshore one.

South African Licencing

South Africa operates a very solid regulatory system for brokers and licensing them is the responsibility of Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA), which took over the reins from the Financial Service Board (FSB) in 2018 and it has been said is a far more stringent regulator. Prerequisites for licensing acceptance are extensive and the licence fee is high, so it is mainly the biggest brokers who are up for the challenge.

This is a major advantage for South African day traders, not only do the bigger brokers hold multiple licences, they often include licences issued by the jurisdictions recognised across the world as being strict, for example:

  • FCA (Financial Conduct Authority)
  • CySEC (Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission)
  • ASIC (Australian Securities and Investments Commission)

Generally speaking, South African authorities are very much on the side of the consumer and this is very much the case where brokers and their clients are concerned.

For traders, there is just one regulation that you must adhere to, which is concerned with the amount of money you can legally transfer out of South Africa, including to offshore destinations. The figure is currently fixed at 10 million SA Rand (about £500,000), but you will need to obtain a Tax Clearance Certificate from the revenue service first. However, it is also possible to apply for a ‘single discretionary allowance’ of up to 1 million SA Rand (approximately £50,000) which will only require pre-approval from your bank, but you will need to be honest about the purpose of the money, or risk a fine.

We also look at the assets and derivatives the broker offers to make sure that spreads and commission fees are competitive.

How we Recommend Brokers

The broker reviews we complete for the day trading community always take into account the especially fast-paced environment and the fact that you are highly likely to have multiple trades running at the same time. A few seconds can make the difference between a profit or loss on a tight spread, so this fact multiplies the need to have a broker who can execute trades immediately and provides a platform that can ‘keep up’ in real-time.

Alongside the need for speed, we check out every broker’s credentials and ensure that the licenses they claim to hold are verifiable and that they have been seen to conform to any regulations over a reasonable period of time. We also look at the assets and derivatives the broker offers to make sure that spreads and commission fees are competitive.

We always rate the customer support provided by brokers, as we feel this gives a good indication of their overall attitude to clients. For day traders, the ideal scenario is to have a 24-hour toll-free phone number available for urgent situations, but in addition to that to provide an overall feeling that nothing is hidden and any information or help you need is made easily accessible from the broker's website.

Our Review Rating System (More Info)

10% 10% 10% 15% 15% 20% 20% Pie Core
  • Account Types
  • Banking & Payouts
  • Bonuses & Promotions
  • Mobile Trading
  • Trade Types
  • Special Features
  • Customer Support
Expert Reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ

Is day trading in South Africa legal and safe?

Day trading is entirely legal in South Africa and the licensing system is highly regarded and safe. If you sign up with an offshore broker, then your safety is more limited under certain jurisdictions.

Do I need to pay fees and taxes on my profits?

As a minimum, you can expect to pay fees to your broker for every trade and for maintaining your account. If you make a profit through your trading activities, then you are liable for Income Tax, always keep detailed records of all trades for this purpose.

Can I test brokers before trading with real money?

Yes, almost every broker has the facility of an unlimited demo account available to clients. Use this wisely to practice if you are new, or to check out different platforms and strategies even if you consider yourself experienced.

Is it easy to make deposits and withdrawals?

With modern online payment methods, the process is very easy. For South African citizens, you will need to ensure that you use the same payment source to deposit and withdraw from your account. In addition, you will need to verify your identity, place of residence and proof of account ownership using multiple documents.

Can I trade using my mobile or tablet device?

Mobile technology is in full force in South Africa and your broker will either offer a downloadable app or mobile-optimised website giving you full access to your account and trading platform from the majority of mobile devices.

Top Rated CFD Site

#1 - Pocket Option: Best Overall

Pocket Option Logo
9.8
Superb
Bonus Up-to $2000 Assets 130+
Min. Trade $1 *Payout % 92.76%
Over 130+ assets to trade now
Instant access to social trading
Single account option, for everyone
Tournament with prize of $50,000
IFMRRC is not an official regulator
Limited account funding methods
Deposit Methods
Bitcoin Klarna MasterCard Skrill
122 visited this site today
Pocket Option Review
Risk Warning / Ad Disclosure

Risk Warning: The products offered by the companies listed on this website carry a high level of risk and can result in the loss of all your funds. You should never risk money that you cannot afford to lose.

Ad Disclosure: Some of the links that you will find on this website are advertisements for which we do receive financial gain for referring new customers.

Meet The Author
Charles Adomako
Charles Adomako
Finance Manager

Charles has worked at brokers since he finished his studies at university. Starting as a Junior Trading assistant and progressing into a Business Development we’re delighted that he’s been part of the team since 2015.

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