ActivTrades.com faces withdrawal issues and complaints

In the competitive world of online forex and CFD trading, choosing a reliable broker is crucial for protecting your investments. ActivTrades.com, a UK-based brokerage firm established in 2001, markets itself as a regulated entity offering access to over 1,000 instruments including currencies, commodities, indices, shares, bonds, and ETFs. While it boasts FCA regulation and platforms like MT4 and MT5, a deeper ActivTrades review reveals significant concerns. From revoked licenses to numerous ActivTrades complaints about withdrawal issues and potential scams, this analysis highlights the flaws that could put traders at risk. If you’re searching for an honest ActivTrades scam assessment or details on ActivTrades reliability, read on to uncover the evidence-based shortcomings that make this broker a questionable choice for many.

Company Overview: A Facade of Stability with Underlying Instabilities

ActivTrades.com positions itself as a global player with headquarters in London and additional offices in Milan, Sofia, Nassau, and Port Louis. Operating for over two decades, it claims to serve clients in more than 140 countries. However, this longevity doesn’t erase the inconsistencies in its background. For instance, while the broker touts a 15-20 year history, some records indicate a founding date as recent as 2021 for its Mauritius entity, raising questions about transparency in its operational timeline.

One of the most glaring issues in this ActivTrades.com review is the broker’s regulatory patchwork. Yes, ActivTrades.com PLC holds a Market Making (MM) license from the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) under number 434413, which provides a layer of oversight for UK clients. But this is overshadowed by offshore regulations in the Bahamas (Securities Commission, SCB) and Mauritius (Financial Services Commission, FSC), which are often criticized for lax enforcement compared to top-tier regulators. Offshore setups can mean reduced investor protections, including limited recourse in disputes and higher exposure to financial instability.

Adding to the regulatory concerns, ActivTrades.com had its Retail Forex License with the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) revoked in 2018 (license F003511). The revocation stemmed from a strategic shift and political factors in the region, leading to the closure of its UAE office. While the broker framed this as a business decision, it signals potential operational vulnerabilities. Traders relying on ActivTrades for Middle Eastern or global access might find this revocation a red flag, as it limits jurisdictional protections and hints at challenges in maintaining compliance across borders. In an industry where regulatory strength is a key indicator of trustworthiness, these offshore leanings and license losses contribute to ActivTrades’ high potential risk profile, as noted in multiple broker reviews.

Regulatory Violations and Risk Warnings: A Pattern of Concerns

Delving deeper into ActivTrades.com regulatory issues, the broker’s offshore status isn’t just a minor detail—it’s a significant drawback. The Bahamas and Mauritius regulations are classified as “offshore regulated,” which typically offer less stringent client fund segregation and compensation schemes than FCA standards. For example, while FCA clients might benefit from the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) up to £85,000, offshore entities provide no such guarantees, leaving international traders more exposed.

WikiFX, a prominent broker review platform, assigns ActivTrades.com a reduced score due to excessive complaints and identifies it as having “high potential risk.” This assessment isn’t isolated; recent warnings from 2025 highlight 9 user complaints within a short period, urging traders to beware of scam risks. Furthermore, the DFSA revocation wasn’t an isolated incident—it’s part of a broader narrative where ActivTrades.com has struggled to sustain licenses in competitive markets. Political instability in the UAE region was cited, but this doesn’t excuse the impact on clients who expected robust oversight.

In comparison to fully onshore-regulated brokers, ActivTrades.com’ mixed regulatory framework falls short. Traders often report that offshore elements lead to slower dispute resolutions and weaker enforcement against misconduct. If you’re evaluating ActivTrades.com reliability, these regulatory shortcomings should prompt serious caution, especially for those handling larger accounts where fund security is paramount.

Customer Complaints: A Flood of Dissatisfaction and Scam Allegations

No ActivTrades.com review would be complete without addressing the mounting customer complaints, which paint a troubling picture of the broker’s operations. Platforms like WikiFX, ForexPeaceArmy, and Trustpilot reveal a pattern of grievances that go beyond isolated incidents, suggesting systemic issues.

WikiFX alone documents 9 complaints, many involving severe financial losses. For example:

• A Pakistani trader reported depositing funds, achieving profits, and then having both profits and deposits removed upon withdrawal attempt in August 2025.
• Another from Pakistan claimed $33,253.79 in profits was erased without explanation, with the broker refusing to return the principal, causing significant stress in June 2025.
• A Bangladeshi user labeled ActivTrades.com a “cheater, scam, fraud, thief broker” after a $500 withdrawal was denied, the account closed, and $1,543 in total funds confiscated in April 2025, with no email responses.
• A Cypriot trader warned others to avoid the broker due to unexplained profit deductions in October 2024.

These aren’t anonymous rants; they’re detailed exposures that align with broader ActivTrades scam allegations. On ForexPeaceArmy, users describe profits being cancelled after months of trading. One trader, after four months on an MT5 account under Bahamas regulation, called ActivTrades a scam when profits vanished. Another reported profits removed after eight months, advising regulatory complaints or legal action.

Social media echoes these sentiments. On X (formerly Twitter), posts from 2025 label ActivTrades as a “thief broker” and highlight 8 complaints in three months, including vanished withdrawals and account closures. A user shared a 1-star review calling it a scam that “ripped me off my hard-earned funds.” These ActivTrades.com complaints often revolve around the same themes: unexplained fund deductions, refusal to process withdrawals, and poor communication, eroding trust in the broker’s integrity.

While some reviews on Trustpilot are positive, praising execution speed, the negative ones focus on withdrawal delays and support failures. Quora discussions question ActivTrades.com’ reliability, citing delays in deposits and withdrawals as potential scam indicators. For a general audience, these patterns suggest that while ActivTrades may work for some, the risk of encountering similar issues is unacceptably high.

Withdrawal Issues: The Core of ActivTrades.com Reliability Problems

Withdrawal problems are among the most common ActivTrades complaints, striking at the heart of what traders expect from a broker: easy access to their money. Multiple sources report delays, denials, and outright confiscations, turning profitable trades into nightmares.

In one WikiFX exposure, a trader’s $500 withdrawal request led to account closure and loss of all funds, with no response from support. Similar stories on ForexPeaceArmy detail profits being retroactively cancelled, sometimes months after trades were executed. Users speculate this could stem from the broker’s Market Making model, where it profits from client losses, creating incentives for manipulative practices.

Quora users note that withdrawal delays—up to 30 days in extreme cases—can make traders label brokers as scams. ActivTrades offers methods like bank transfers, credit cards, PayPal, Neteller, and Skrill, but processing times and fees are opaque, leading to frustration. Offshore regulation exacerbates this, as clients outside FCA jurisdiction have fewer avenues for recovery.

For everyday traders, these ActivTrades withdrawal problems mean potential liquidity issues. Imagine locking in gains only to have them erased—it’s a scenario that has driven many to seek refunds through regulators or lawyers. This flaw alone makes ActivTrades a risky choice compared to brokers with seamless, transparent withdrawal processes.

Trading Platform Flaws: Beyond the Hype of MT4 and MT5

ActivTrades promotes MT4 and MT5 as user-friendly platforms suitable for beginners and experts. However, user feedback reveals shortcomings that hinder effective trading.

Spreads are a frequent complaint; while competitive on majors, exotics often have high pips, making them unprofitable to trade. One review noted spreads not always tight, especially during news events, leading to slippage and unexpected losses. The platforms support demo accounts and high leverage (up to 1:400 for pros), but without robust risk management tools, this can amplify issues.

Execution speed is praised in some contexts, but complaints about platform load times and convenience fall short for mobile users. In a market where seconds matter, these technical hitches can result in missed opportunities. Compared to brokers with proprietary platforms offering advanced analytics, ActivTrades’ reliance on standard MT4/MT5 feels dated and inadequate for demanding traders.

Customer Service Shortcomings: Unresponsive and Ineffective

Effective customer support is essential in trading, yet ActivTrades falls short here too. Complaints frequently mention unanswered emails and slow responses, exacerbating issues like withdrawals. ForexPeaceArmy users describe “bad support,” with one noting IP overlaps suggesting biased reviews.

Trustpilot reviews, while averaging 4.4/5, include gripes about unhelpful agents during crises. X posts reinforce this, with users reporting no resolution to fraud allegations. For a general audience, this means potential isolation when problems arise, turning minor issues into major losses.

Fees and Hidden Costs: Transparency Lacking

ActivTrades advertises low spreads and no commissions on some accounts, but hidden fees lurk. Withdrawal charges aren’t clearly disclosed, and high pips on certain instruments add up. Inactivity fees and overnight financing can erode profits, especially for long-term holders. Compared to transparent brokers, this opacity is a notable flaw.

Comparison with Competitors: Why ActivTrades.com Lags Behind

When stacked against peers like Pepperstone or IG, ActivTrades’ issues stand out. These competitors offer consistent onshore regulation, fewer complaints, and better support. ActivTrades’ revoked licenses and scam allegations make it less appealing for risk-averse traders.

Conclusion: Proceed with Extreme Caution

This ActivTrades review uncovers a broker plagued by regulatory lapses, withdrawal nightmares, and customer dissatisfaction. With evidence from WikiFX, ForexPeaceArmy, and social media pointing to scam-like behaviors, traders should explore safer alternatives. Always verify broker details and consider the risks—your investments deserve better protection.

Written by

Dark Wizard

Updated

2 months ago