Is binary options trading legal?

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Is binary options trading safe and legal? In many countries binary options trading is legal as long as the broker has a license and/or the broker does not increase the country's financial laws. Some jurisdictions have specific statutory provisions. For example, in the US, options involve exchanges.

There is a wide array of trading options on the market. However, they are not all created equal. On the one hand, some trading options are considered safe and legitimate. On the other hand, there are lots of trading options that are considered sketchy and may even be illegal. Therefore, taking the time to learn more about each method is the best way to decide which one works best for your unique investment goals. That said, here is a closer look at binary options trading.

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What are binary options?

For those who are unfamiliar, binary options are financial instruments that essentially transform every trade into a simple yes or no question. In other words, when engaged in binary trading, you are tasked with deciding whether a market is likely to reach or exceed a certain price by a certain time. If you decide the answer is yes, this means the option is a good investment to buy. If not, then you would sell.

Is binary options trading a safe type of investment?

The level of safety of binary trading options varies depending on the brokers and types of instruments you choose. Nevertheless, binary trading can be considered relatively safe as it is regulated in various countries. Moreover, despite the risks, rates in binary options tend to be relatively small, making them less risky in terms of fees – fees are as low as $1. Additionally, the overall safety level depends on the legality of the broker being used and the gambling of players, among other factors.

Is binary trading legit? Is binary trading regulated?

Generally speaking, the binary trading sector is considered safe and legit. However, in the United States, you must be sure to use exchanges that are Designated Contract Markets (DCMs). These brokers are likely to be regulated by the CFTC and/or the SEC.

What are binary trading risks?

The risks of binary trading are as follows:

Scams: As with all types of investments, there is always a risk of being scammed. Therefore, you must make sure the platform is well-regulated, histories, reputable, etc.

Timelines: When making binary trades, long-term trades are less risky than short-term ones.

Market conditions: Successful traders must learn how to assess market conditions. This is because binary options prices fluctuate depending on the value of the underlying assets.

Trade sizes: To become successful in binary trading, setting trade sizes is key. Larger trade sizes carry higher risks.

How to choose a legitimate binary trading broker?

Before you can begin making binary trades, you must take the time to find the best ones available. Here is a list of tips to help you choose a legitimate binary trading broker:

1

Make Sure the broker is regulated: The first step is to verify the broker’s regulatory status. Make sure your chosen broker is regulated by reputable agencies such as ASIC, CySEC, etc.

2

Check bonus offers: Next, you will want to check the bonus offers. Not all binary traders offer bonuses. However, those that do will enable you to make even more money from your trading. Check to make sure the trader offers bonuses, and also take the time to compare how much they are offering when compared to other brokers.

3

Consider the payout percentage: Next, you need to take the time to consider the payout percentage. This is because traders do not receive the full balance and must pay certain fees before being cashed out.

4

Check for minimum deposit requirements: Many brokers have minimum deposit requirements for new users. Make sure that this requirement does not exceed the amount you are willing to initially invest.

5

Find out if demo accounts are available: Not all binary traders offer demo accounts. You will want to ensure the one you choose does. Otherwise, you will not be able to test out the platform before investing money.

6

Read the deposit and withdrawal conditions: Every binary broker has its own unique deposit and withdrawal conditions. Make sure you read them and that they are in line with your investment goals.

Best binary options brokers

1
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2
9.2/10
Minimum deposit:
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FAQs

What are the benefits of binary trading?

The benefits of binary trading are that they often offer better than average returns, risks are capped, and payouts are virtually unknown.

What are the cons of binary trading?

The cons of binary trading are that derivative gains are volatile, gains are capped, and there is only a limited choice of binary options in the United States.

Where do you trade binary options in the US?

Binary options in the US can be traded via the Nadex or the North American Derivatives Exchange, or the Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE).

How are bid and ask prices set in binary trading?

In binary trading, bid and ask prices are set by the traders themselves.

Glossary for novice traders

  • 1 Broker

    A broker is a legal entity or individual that performs as an intermediary when making trades in the financial markets. Private investors cannot trade without a broker, since only brokers can execute trades on the exchanges.

  • 2 Trading

    Trading involves the act of buying and selling financial assets like stocks, currencies, or commodities with the intention of profiting from market price fluctuations. Traders employ various strategies, analysis techniques, and risk management practices to make informed decisions and optimize their chances of success in the financial markets.

  • 3 Options trading

    Options trading is a financial derivative strategy that involves the buying and selling of options contracts, which give traders the right (but not the obligation) to buy or sell an underlying asset at a specified price, known as the strike price, before or on a predetermined expiration date. There are two main types of options: call options, which allow the holder to buy the underlying asset, and put options, which allow the holder to sell the underlying asset.

  • 4 Binary options trading

    Binary options trading is a financial trading method where traders speculate on the price movement of various assets, such as stocks, currencies, or commodities, by predicting whether the price will rise or fall within a specified time frame, often as short as a few minutes. Unlike traditional trading, binary options have only two possible outcomes: a fixed payout if the trader's prediction is correct or a loss of the invested amount if the prediction is wrong.

  • 5 CFTC

    The CFTC protects the public from fraud, manipulation, and abusive practices related to the sale of commodity and financial futures and options, and to fosters open, competitive, and financially sound futures and option markets.

Team that worked on the article

Chinmay Soni
Contributor

Chinmay Soni is a financial analyst with more than 5 years of experience in working with stocks, Forex, derivatives, and other assets. As a founder of a boutique research firm and an active researcher, he covers various industries and fields, providing insights backed by statistical data. He is also an educator in the field of finance and technology.

As an author for Traders Union, he contributes his deep analytical insights on various topics, taking into account various aspects.

Dr. BJ Johnson
Dr. BJ Johnson
Developmental English Editor

Dr. BJ Johnson is a PhD in English Language and an editor with over 15 years of experience. He earned his degree in English Language in the U.S and the UK. In 2020, Dr. Johnson joined the Traders Union team. Since then, he has created over 100 exclusive articles and edited over 300 articles of other authors.

Mirjan Hipolito
Cryptocurrency and stock expert

Mirjan Hipolito is a journalist and news editor at Traders Union. She is an expert crypto writer with five years of experience in the financial markets. Her specialties are daily market news, price predictions, and Initial Coin Offerings (ICO).