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iMarketsLive Scam: Is iMarketsLive Legit? An Independent Expert’s Review

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Traders Union experts answer the question: Is iMarketsLive a Scam? The experts at TU cannot recommend iMarketsLive as a reputable forex trading platform. They incentivize customers to market for them with commissions, but many do not even earn enough to cover the program's cost.

iMarketsLive is a popular forex MLM company. They specialize in selling trading signals in the forex market, but there is general concern about the brand’s integrity due to the history of its founder. So, is iMarketsLive a scam? Is it a safe trading platform?

TU’s experts will answer all these questions – and more – in this comprehensive guide.

What is iMarketsLive?

iMarkets Live was founded by Christopher Terry in 2013. It specializes in MLM, or multi-level marketing, where its product offerings are promoted by independent agents. For example, the broker may offer clients favorable terms if they are willing to promote their services to other potential customers.

Think of it this way – if you promote iMarketsLive to your friends, family, and social media connections, you will be compensated. This is generally done through a referral code or an affiliate link on a blog or website.

iMarketsLive is both an investment company and a broker. It offers clients income each month so long as they advertise the brand and distribute affiliate links. Terry even took advantage of the FXCM scandal to spread details about account blocking, while promoting his company in the meantime.

iMarketsLive Business Model

The iMarketsLive business model revolves around its financial trading software and forex education materials. They advertise that they can take someone who knows nothing about investing and turn them into an expert that can make a living off forex trading.

Once you purchase a subscription to the software, you can watch experts trade live. By monitoring their buys and sells, you can learn their strategies. The platform also allows you to use the same software as them but on autopilot – so you can make the same trades.

The company also claims that this software is worth purchasing because you can also make money by promoting it to others. If you participate in the network marketing opportunity you could also earn commission in that area.

What are Forex Signals?

Another way that iMarketsLive claims to benefit its users is by selling forex signals. FX signals refer to indicators that prompt traders to buy and sell throughout the day. With these signals, you can choose to let the platform automatically trade for you.

In other words, the platform lets you make the same trade decisions as the experts in the company. There are various types of signals, like those based on indicators, chart patterns, moving averages, and more.

The goal is to identify triggers or patterns that can help investors determine where the asset’s value will be moving towards in the future. They can consider factors like momentum, volatility, and volume, but are not guaranteed to predict the correct forex move.

How to Identify a Forex Scam

So, what can you do to identify a forex scam? Many of these fraudulent schemes come in the form of an MLM structure, or a pyramid scheme. These companies work to recruit as many clients as possible, but not so they can invest. These pyramid schemes don't involve any investment activity – instead, they take funds from new customers at the bottom level to pay those who referred them.

While a portion of these funds goes to the affiliates who are advertising the company, another portion goes directly to the owners who are operating the scam. These scams can only continue if they have a consistent stream of new customers. Once that stops, there is no new money coming in – which means the pyramid will crumble and clients will lose their entire investment.

Other forex scams include signal seller schemes. These involve online platforms that advertise tools that can tell you the best times to buy or sell currency pairs to turn a profit. Avoid these schemes by only working with brokers that are licensed and have a history of transparency and positive customer experiences.

Is iMarketsLive Legit?

One of the ways you can determine whether a forex broker is legitimate is by looking at its licensing. iMarketsLive is not a regulated broker and does not hold any licenses – that means they are not held to the same legal standards as other brokers.

You must also consider the claims they make about clients earning an easy, consistent income. According to their most recent income disclosure, most affiliates only earned about $250 per year.

While that doesn’t necessarily mean that they are a scam, it does raise some questions about why they are not registered. Likewise, considering that it can cost upwards of $165 per month to access their basic tools and training most of their affiliates end up losing money.

iMarketsLive Background and Transparency

iMarketsLive was founded by Christopher Terry in 2013, and the company has been riddled with regulatory issues since then. The regulators in Belgium, France, and Spain banned iMarketsLive and warned that they closely resembled a pyramid scheme. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) also fined iMarketsLive $85million in 2018 for other compliance breaches.

Their website is not very transparent, and you cannot find much information about Terry or their operations on their official website. However, it is known that he was involved with another company named Zeek Rewards – which the SEC shut down in 2012 for fraudulent activities.

Their VP is Alex Morton, who also has a history of fraud allegations and legal troubles. He previously owned Vemma Nutrition, an MLM company deemed a pyramid scheme by the FTC. This resulted in the payout of hundreds of millions of dollars in fines.

Is iMarketsLive a Scam? Is it Legit? The Expert’s Verdict

Although iMarketsLive is not a scam or a pyramid scheme, there is concern about the founder’s history and MLM involvement. They are selling is forex signals and automation software – combined with an affiliate marketing opportunity – so they are not truly a broker.

As a result, the experts at TU cannot recommend iMarketsLive as a reputable forex trading platform. They incentivize customers to market for them with commissions, but many do not even earn enough to cover the program's cost.

Instead, consider using one of the top-rated forex platforms on our list!

Conclusion

After a thorough analysis, it's clear that iMarketsLive operates on a controversial business model, blending Forex education with MLM recruitment. While the company offers trading signals and learning tools, the majority of earnings often come from recruiting others rather than successful trading itself. For example, many users have reported higher emphasis on recruitment than actual trading performance. Prospective members should therefore approach iMarketsLive with caution, scrutinising both the promised opportunities and the underlying risks. Ultimately, in the world of Forex and investing, sustainable success is built on sound knowledge—not just on building downlines.

FAQs

What are the typical risks associated with multi-level marketing (MLM) structures in forex trading platforms?

MLM structures in forex trading platforms often emphasize recruitment and commission-based promotion rather than genuine trading activity. This can create an environment where income is derived primarily from signing up new members rather than successful trading, increasing the risk for participants who may invest more in fees than they earn in commissions.

How does the earning potential with iMarketsLive compare to the cost of participation?

According to the most recent income disclosure, most affiliates with iMarketsLive earned about $250 per year. Given that access to basic tools and training can cost upwards of $165 per month, many participants end up spending more on subscriptions than they earn, leading to a net loss for the majority.

What regulatory actions have been taken against iMarketsLive in different countries?

Regulators in Belgium, France, and Spain banned iMarketsLive and issued warnings that its structure closely resembled a pyramid scheme. Additionally, the Federal Trade Commission fined iMarketsLive $85 million in 2018 for compliance breaches, reflecting significant concerns from authorities.

Why is licensing important when evaluating a forex trading platform's legitimacy?

Licensing indicates that a forex trading platform is subject to oversight by regulatory authorities, ensuring compliance with legal standards and customer protection. iMarketsLive is not licensed or regulated, which means users lack the protections that licensed brokers are required to provide.

Editors' Top Picks and Insights

Team that worked on the article

Mikhail Vnuchkov
Author at Traders Union

Mikhail Vnuchkov joined Traders Union as an author in 2020. He began his professional career as a journalist-observer at a small online financial publication, where he covered global economic events and discussed their impact on the segment of financial investment, including investor income.

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.

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.

Glossary for novice traders
Forex MLM

Forex MLM (Multi-Level Marketing) refers to a business model that combines aspects of foreign exchange (forex) trading with network marketing or MLM. In this scheme, individuals are encouraged to join a network of traders or investors and earn commissions not only from their own forex trading activities but also from recruiting others into the network.

Bitcoin

Bitcoin is a decentralized digital cryptocurrency that was created in 2009 by an anonymous individual or group using the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto. It operates on a technology called blockchain, which is a distributed ledger that records all transactions across a network of computers.

CFD

CFD is a contract between an investor/trader and seller that demonstrates that the trader will need to pay the price difference between the current value of the asset and its value at the time of contract to the seller.

Volatility

Volatility refers to the degree of variation or fluctuation in the price or value of a financial asset, such as stocks, bonds, or cryptocurrencies, over a period of time. Higher volatility indicates that an asset's price is experiencing more significant and rapid price swings, while lower volatility suggests relatively stable and gradual price movements.

Index

Index in trading is the measure of the performance of a group of stocks, which can include the assets and securities in it.