CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 70.91% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. Read full risk warning.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 66% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

What Does IB Mean in Forex?

What is an introducing broker in forex? Read this article to learn about introducing brokers, what they can and cannot do, and uncover if you might need one.

Filip Dimkovski - Writer for Fortrade
By Filip Dimkovski
Joel Taylor - Editor for Fortrade
Edited by Joel Taylor

Updated November 6, 2023.

An IB, or Introducing Broker, is a person or company that helps a forex broker find and retain clients. In the majority of cases, IBs are involved in advertising activities, client support services, and client onboarding tasks. It is important to note that an IB does not engage in any trading activities for their clients—they are strictly there to facilitate the process between the broker and client.

Of course, not just anybody can become an IB, as there are some criteria that need to be fulfilled. Specifically, they have to be registered with a qualified regulator such as the National Futures Association in the US, or a similar body depending on the location and jurisdiction. This is important to ensure that all clients who use an IB's services will be properly protected from any fraudulent activities.

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What Are the IB's Responsibilities?

An IB is responsible for providing the necessary resources and support to their clients, ensuring that they are knowledgeable about the forex market. This includes:

  • Providing them with educational material, trading platforms, research tools, and other technical analysis services.
  • Offering direct access to their own contacts in order to facilitate trade execution and settlement.
  • Helping clients understand the risks associated with forex trading.

IBs should never make any false or misleading statements about their services.

What Can't They Do?

As you can already guess, an IB is not allowed to give financial advice or to directly manage a client's funds. All decisions regarding trading should be left up to the client, as this is their own responsibility. An IB can only provide general tips and guidance on the market, but cannot make any specific recommendations about opening and closing positions.

An IB is not allowed to trade with or on behalf of their clients, as this would be considered a conflict of interest.

» Ready to start trading? Discover how to open a Fortrade account

Do You Need an IB in Forex Trading?

It is not necessary to use an IB in order to trade forex. In fact, the majority of traders are able to trade without the help of an IB. However, many traders may find that using an IB can make their trading journey smoother and potentially more efficient. This is because an IB can provide a wealth of resources and support, which is often invaluable for beginner traders who need help understanding the forex market. Ultimately, it is up to the individual trader to decide if they need an IB or not.

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» Discover the other basic forex terms you should know

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