Website Reviews
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Top Rated Options Sites
#1 - Pocket Option: Best Overall
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
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
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: 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.
Options Sites in Nigeria
As you may already be aware, Nigeria does not have a licensing policy relating to binary options brokers. That said, it is entirely legal to trade in them with the majority of offshore brokers, the exceptions being those based in Japan, Australia or the United States, barred to Nigerian citizens. As you will not receive protection from any financial authority in your own country, our recommendation is to select your broker from one which is licensed in a domain with robust regulations, examples being Cyprus or the UK.
Welcome Bonuses
So many binary options brokers are keen to extend their foothold in Nigeria and you will inevitably receive tempting offers with big welcome bonuses. While a few will be from genuine businesses, you also need to be aware that this is a well-known ploy for less-than-scrupulous brokers, designed to attract uninformed participants. Our advice is most certainly to proceed with caution where bonuses are offered, particularly by any unsolicited means.
Demo Accounts
All of the well-known and reliable binary options brokers are keen for you to learn how to trade carefully and safely. After all, they are seeking a long-term relationship with you, not trying to wipe out money you want to invest. If you are new to this type of trading, we highly recommend taking advantage of a free demo account if it is available. Just be aware that sometimes they have a time limit before you are expected to invest real money.
Great Payouts
Another ploy used by some brokers to attract new binary options traders is the use of advertising material suggesting you will almost certainly receive high percentage payouts. An investment can undoubtedly achieve these results, but not all of the time. Good brokers will make the potential chances of profit and loss clear to you at the outset and a ‘great payout’ is one that you receive promptly when your investment has gone well.
Customer Service
It may not be the first thing that springs to mind because you are not anticipating the need for customer support. However, whether you are a new or seasoned trader, it is always good to have peace of mind and to be assured that your broker can easily be contacted through a variety of media to answer your questions. We highly recommend that you select a broker which provides either a live chat or toll-free phone number that is (preferably) available to you 24/7.
Broker Fees And Tax
Binary options brokers are no different from any other business; they need to cover costs and to make a profit. They derive their income in various ways, one of which is by levying fees or commissions on traders. The fee structures employed by brokers will vary quite considerably, but a good broker will make its policy completely clear to you.
At the least you must expect to pay either a fixed fee per trade or a commission based on a percentage of the value of the deal you are making. Besides that, you could potentially incur additional charges for currency exchange, overnight holding of funds and even for administering a dormant account.
All residents of Nigeria are obligated to self-declare their annual income and to pay the correct amount of Personal Income Tax, calculated on a sliding scale. Income derived from trading activities, including binary options is no exception. Always ensure that you retain accurate records of all trading transactions, including losses, as potentially they could be requested by The Federal Inland Revenue at any time. Also, unless your sole income derives from trading in binary options, you will be liable for Capital Gains Tax on any profit.
Nigerian Licencing
At the current time, Nigeria has no national or local licensing for binary options brokers. Also, there is no regulatory body within Nigeria that covers this form of trading, so this means that while residents are legally entitled to trade in binary options with offshore brokers, they are very much responsible for their fate if things go wrong.
The Central Bank of Nigeria does cap the value of individual transactions allowed by traders at a maximum of $10,000. It also offers limited advice in terms of selecting an offshore broker deemed suitable to trade with. Brokers in the following countries and licensed under the appropriate authority are considered ‘trustworthy’:
- Cyprus (The Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC))
- Malta (The Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (EU))
- UK (Financial Conduct Authority (FCA))
In terms of any restrictions, Nigerian residents are not permitted to trade with brokers from these countries:
- Australia
- United States
- Japan
As you can see, this leaves you with a great deal of scope in terms of finding a broker, but we do urge you to follow guidelines and to select one from the recommended list, which is known to enforce regulations rigidly.
We always ensure that any broker we recommend has a current licence and can be seen to have complied with it satisfactorily.
How we Recommend Brokers
In the situation where a country has no licensing or regulation in place for binary options brokers, our team of experts will make their recommendations in a slightly different way; which would be the case where Nigeria is concerned. Our initial search would include those brokers showing knowledge and genuine interest in the country and holding a licence in one of the countries offering the most stringent regulations.
First and foremost, we always ensure that any broker we recommend has a current licence and can be seen to have complied with it satisfactorily. Next we check that the trading environment is as safe and secure as possible and our review will cover matters such as the technology employed in terms of its website, as well as the storage of sensitive personal data and the security of financial transactions.
From there, we move onto the points that are of importance to your enjoyment. Our reviews will cover the options that the broker provides for mobile users, ensuring that they provide full functionality and we also check that the broker does not have any ‘hidden’ fee policies that might cause you to have an unwelcome surprise. We also tend to recommend brokers who show the best overall level of customer care, which includes help guides, a test platform and the level of customer service available to you. In short, we always try our best to find brokers that will give binary options traders the best overall experience possible.
Our Review Rating System (More Info)
Frequently Asked Questions
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Is binary trading in Nigeria legal and safe?
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It is legal to trade binary options in Nigeria. As your country does not have licensed brokers, you must select an offshore broker and are responsible for ensuring online safety and security of your selection.
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Do I need to pay fees and taxes on my trading profits?
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All brokers have a fee structure which can vary considerably, so we recommend that you investigate before signing up. Any good broker will offer a transparent fee structure which you can review without registering.
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Can I test brokers before trading with real money?
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Most online binary options brokers offer a demo trading platform which you can often use free of charge. However, a few brokers do have constraints concerning the length of time you can use the free option.
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Is it easy to make deposits and withdrawals?
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Brokers operating in Nigeria will offer you a good selection of suitable payment and withdrawal methods, but you will need to check if you can trade using your local currency. Also, please be aware that transactions using PayPal and cryptocurrencies are not available to Nigerian traders.
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Can I trade using my mobile or tablet device?
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All of the most prominent binary options traders operating in Nigeria offer excellent mobile device accessibility. Some may require the download of an App, while others run from a mobile-optimised website.
Top Rated Options Site
#1 - Pocket Option: Best Overall
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.
Robert has consulted for our website for five years and is a well-established member of the team. While he is passionate about the site, most of Robert’s time is focused on his current position as CEO of a professional coaching company.
