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Robert Sammut

African Options Trading

Binary options trading in South Africa has become an increasingly popular market in recent years as more and more investors seek to open online trading accounts. As awareness of this particular method experiences growth, so does the number of international brokers offering their services.

Binary trading is unregulated, and as such local South African companies are prohibited from offering their services to SA traders. However, through our extensive knowledge of the binary options industry and the rules and regulations that apply to trading we can still show you, great brokers, to trade with.

Our team of experts have searched the internet for the best brokers, and we bring you only those with international licenses that are legally allowed to offer their services to South Africans. Our knowledge of all the legal requirements means we can ensure that your trading career is a safe and profitable one.

Top Rated Options 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
Bitcoin PayPal MasterCard Skrill
164 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
Visa Bitcoin Klarna PaySafeCard
83 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
Visa AMEX Klarna PaySafeCard
33 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.

Options Sites in South Africa

South Africa

The law on binary options trading in South Africa is perfectly legal. There is nothing that prohibits an individual from trading online. The industry is however unregulated which means that there is no protection offered to those who choose to trade here. It also prevents good South African companies from brokering. So how do you select a company and what should you be looking for in features?

Licensing And Regulation

As there are no regulated South African brokers, you are going to need to find an offshore broker. CySEC, FCA or MiFID license many European brokers. Australia also has good brokers, look for an ASIC license. There are many to choose from, and it's just a case of picking the right one for you.

Deals And Incentives

If you are new to trading, then you should probably look for a broker that offers a no deposit bonus. No deposit bonuses allow you to try before you buy. You should also take advantage of matched deposit bonuses, and trading contests so look out for them.

Mobile Trading Tools

Most people prefer to trade on the go therefore it is important to check out what mobile offering the broker has. Do they offer a mobile app that is suitable for the device you are using and is it available for both iOS and Android? If you are keen to trade on the go then this is critical.

Free Demo Account

A demo account is vital for many reasons. Firstly, it allows you to get familiar with the platform that you are going to be using. In addition to this, if you are using a reloadable demo, you can use it to try new assets and trade types.

The only way to legally invest and trade in binary options, in South Africa, is to use an off-shore broker. Finding one that has all the above benefits plus anything else that is important to you as an individual is difficult. That is where we come in. We display to you, only the best, most reputable brokers to ensure that your experience is a good one.

Broker Fees And Tax

Todays Top Traders
Trader Broker Asset Profit

When looking at the tax requirements surrounding binary trading, South Africa is much like any other country. If you are an individual, then you will no doubt be paying Personal Income Tax. You could be paying anything from 18% for income below R160,000 up to 40% for anything over R617,000. Local tax applies to profits made on any income, and this includes binary options trading.

If trading is a second income, you will need to declare your income and ensure that you pay the correct tax on this amount. Remember to deduct any losses and work out your net profit so that you don't pay too much tax.

Now while binary options brokers aren't responsible for informing the South Africa tax department that you have made an income from trading, they will have a record of your transactions within your account. Make sure that you have access to this information as you will need it when calculating your total profit for a certain period. We recommend keeping a monthly record of deposits and withdrawals and recording all profits and loss.

While African taxes are the main cost that you will incur there may also be other fees to consider. These fees include:

  • Currency conversion fees for converting to and from the currency you will be trading in
  • Deposit fees usually associated with certain types of transactions. Your account provider can charge these fees
  • Transaction fees from your credit card or e-wallet provider
  • Withdrawal fees from the broker for making each withdrawal

If you are making lots of deposits and withdrawals, the money will soon mount up. Consider making fewer, more substantial deposits and withdrawals to try and cut down on the number of fees charged.

South African Licencing

Now while there are no legal issues that restrict South African citizens from trading, there is, unfortunately, a lack of brokers local to the country. It is not a regulated industry; therefore there are no legal or licensed South African binary options brokers.

There are however plenty of good brokers offshore that have the relevant licenses and regulations. The ones to watch out for are those that are licensed by CySEC or other European recognised licenses. Genuine brokers are more likely to be licenced in Europe, so look out for the brokers that display this licencing.

Do not use a broker that doesn't have a license. There is a reason that they don't have one, they either can't get one, or they aren't a serious broker doing things the right way. Why would you invest money with them if they haven't gone to the trouble of getting licensed?

Also, make sure that any licenses are genuine. We have gone to the trouble of doing this with all of the companies that we review and recommend so you will be pleased to know that we only recommend genuine, trustworthy brokers that have a good reputation and history.

Our knowledge of all the legal requirements means we can ensure that your trading career is safe.

How we Recommend Brokers

There isn't a choice of trading with a local broker for South African traders so if you wish to trade it is going to have to be with an offshore broker. Now, this may seem daunting and perhaps a little risky, but there are genuine SA brokers that offer an excellent service with proper incentives. Our job is to make your experience a more beneficial one by reviewing and rating South African brokers across the market.

Like all of our broker ratings and our best binary options reviews, we take into account every aspect of trading and what each broker has to offer. Firstly we look at their licensing and eligibility to trade. We only bring you brokers that have the correct licensing and operate within regulations and legislation. We want your trading experience to be profitable and without issue. We also examine the logistics of each broker.

Some of the critical areas include how easy it is to open an account, how easy it is to navigate the trading platform and whether the mobile website and app are user-friendly. We also examine what benefits each broker has to offer. Do they provide good bonuses, a good payout and what other rewards are available? For VIP / Premium traders we look at the higher end accounts and what they have to offer and how they compare to other offerings available.

We review brokers all over the world, and when it comes down to it, South Africa steps up pretty good. Our reviews focus on the options market are based on our extensive knowledge and experience of it. Our team of experts have many years of trading experience between them and know what matters. Our commitment is to only bring you the best South African binary options brokers on offer.

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 binary trading in South Africa legal and safe?

South Africa has tax laws and regulations, and it is crucial to abide by these rules and regulations to avoid hefty fines. Earnings from binary options trading need to be declared.

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

South Africa has tax laws and regulations and it is important to abide by these rules and regulations to avoid large fines. Earnings from binary options trading need to be declared.

Can I test brokers before trading with real money?

Brokers will offer lots of incentives to stay competitive. These usually include a demo account to allow new traders to trade on the platform without depositing any of their funds.

Is it easy to make deposits and withdrawals?

Making deposits and withdrawals is easy. Just open an account and make your deposit. Withdrawals can take up to 3-5 days; some brokers offer a much quicker turnaround for those higher stakes traders.

Can I trade using my mobile or tablet device?

Yes, to stay competitive all brokers must have either a responsive, easy to use mobile version of their website or an app available for either Android and iOS.

Top Rated Options 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
Klarna PayPal MasterCard Skrill
120 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
Robert Sammut
Robert Sammut
Trading Coach

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.

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