Broker Summary
Summary of the broker
Introduction
In the fast-changing world of forex trading, choosing an authoritative, regulated broker is essential for both new and experienced traders. Naqdi is a forex and multi-asset broker founded in 2010 and has slowly developed its market position, especially in South Africa and the UAE. Their core principles center on regulatory compliance, technical innovation, and a variety of trading instruments, making them an enticing option for traders seeking diverse markets and flexible account options.
Naqdi continues to expand its offerings and platform functions as the forex market shifts and evolves, and develops strategies to meet the demands of a global clientele. We will review Naqdi's history, key characteristics, regulatory workplace, trading conditions, fees and commissions, end-user experience, and new developments in the final portion of this article to give the reader a clear outline of what to expect from this broker as it continues to grow and develop its footprint.
Background and History
Naqdi was created in 2010 in South Africa under the Naqdi Group (Pty) Ltd. The company was spearheaded by Zia Ur Rehman, who is currently listed as CEO of Naqdi Securities and Currencies Brokers LLC. They have not publicly divulged any additional information about the other founders or managers when the company was founded.
Naqdi has steadily expanded its market footprint since its inception. The company initially concentrated on offering forex and multi-asset trading services to clients throughout Africa and globally. Naqdi began branching out into the UAE in the early 2020s, opening Naqdi Securities and Currencies Brokers LLC. Naqdi Securities and Currencies Brokers LLC is headquartered in Dubai.
As the company grew, it emphasized regulatory compliance, technology, and a multi-asset proposition, making it a flexible broker with more than 15 years of experience in the financial markets.
TRADEBORO's Key Features and Offerings
Trading Platforms
Naqdi mainly provides traders with the MetaTrader 5 (MT5) trading platform, which has advanced charting, technical analysis, and multi-asset capabilities. Unlike many other brokers, Naqdi does not offer MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and is focused on MT5. Traders can access MT5 on a desktop, via a web browser, and on mobile apps for iOS and Android, which are useful for trading on the go.
Naqdi also provides its own proprietary WebTrader, a platform that traders can access in a browser without downloading any software for direct, browser-based trading. The mobile app offers a complete trading experience, including charting and account management, for traders who prefer a mobile-first approach.
Account Types
Naqdi has three account types that cater to varying trading styles:
Account Type | Spreads | Commission | Leverage | Additional Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Standard | From 1.4 pips | No commission | Up to 1:500 | Swap-free/Islamic option available |
Premier | From 0.9 pips | No commission | Up to 1:500 | Swap-free/Islamic option available |
Elite (ECN) | From 0.0 pips | $2.5 per standard lot per side | Up to 1:500 | Free VPS, all strategies allowed, swap-free/Islamic option |
Naqdi also offers a global social trading tool called CopyTrader™, which enables users to copy the trades of professional investors in real time. This feature is geared towards beginners and traders looking to expand their trading style by following experienced traders.
Instruments Offered
Naqdi offers traders a wide selection of financial instruments based on individual trader interest:
Instrument Type | Number of Instruments |
|---|---|
Forex Pairs | 60+ |
Global Indices | 100+ |
Shares | 1,500+ |
Metals | Gold, Silver, etc. |
Commodities | Oil, Gas, etc. |
Regulatory Compliance and Licensing
Regulatory compliance is an essential consideration in selecting a forex broker. Naqdi is regulated in two regions, which adds to the broker's credibility and helps clients feel a certain level of comfort when registering and depositing with Naqdi.
The FSCA license in South Africa signifies that Naqdi is authorized to operate its retail forex business in accordance with local financial regulations. At the same time, the SCA license in the UAE is a tough Investment Advisory License (CAT-5) that enables Naqdi to operate as a regulated broker to retail and institutional clients in the Middle East.
Regulator | License Number | Status | Licensed Entity | Effective Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA), South Africa | 51598 | Active (2025) | Naqdi Group (Pty) Ltd | Since 2010 |
Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA), UAE | Not publicly disclosed | Active (2025) | Naqdi Securities and Currencies Brokers LLC | December 20, 2021 |
Trading Terms and Platform Technology
Trading Terms
Naqdi offers competitive trading terms across account types, with flexible trade amounts and high leverage. Since there is no minimum deposit, Naqdi is accessible to all traders regardless of their available capital.
Account Type | Spreads | Leverage | Minimum Trade Size | Minimum Deposit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Standard | From 1.4 pips | Up to 1:500 | 0.01 lots | None |
Premier | From 0.9 pips | Up to 1:500 | 0.01 lots | None |
Elite (ECN) | From 0.0 pips | Up to 1:500 | 0.01 lots | None |
Platform Technology
Naqdi's technology is based on MetaTrader 5 (MT5), a well-known trading platform that enables traders to trade on a robust platform and access a diverse range of assets. Naqdi further enhances its trading experience through its proprietary WebTrader and mobile application, allowing traders to access the markets anytime, anywhere.
Significant technology features include ultra-fast execution speeds, an accurate Straight-Through Processing (STP) model with no dealing desk intervention, and more than 80 technical analysis tools. Additionally, those who sign up for the Elite accounts will receive a free Virtual Private Server (VPS) to facilitate automated trading strategies and reduce latency.
Feature | Availability |
|---|---|
MetaTrader 5 (Desktop, Web, Mobile) | Yes |
WebTrader (Browser-based) | Yes |
Mobile App (iOS & Android) | Yes |
CopyTrader™ (Social Trading) | Yes |
Free VPS | Elite Account Holders |
Swap-free/Islamic Accounts | Available on all accounts |
Instant Execution | Yes |
No Dealing Desk Intervention | Yes |
Multi-language Support | Yes |
Fee Structure
Naqdi has maintained a transparent, competitive fee structure, without hidden or maintenance fees for trading accounts. There are no fees for standard deposit or withdrawal methods; however, cryptocurrency transactions may incur costs from the cryptocurrency networks, which are standard across the industry. User Experience and Brand Reputation
Naqdi has a good overall reputation, particularly for its regulatory compliance, variety of financial instruments, and lack of minimum deposit requirements. Traders are happy with their fast execution speeds and can trade in accounts that do not require Riba terms in line with Islamic Finance principles.
Customer support enhances the user experience and is available via live chat in several languages; however, we noted occasional delays in withdrawals, particularly for crypto withdrawals. Some users have also said it isn't clear who owns the company/who the company executives are.
Though Naqdi isn't at the bulletin board level of brokers (as other brokers have more name recognition and market share), they have a solid reputation in both the SA and the UAE markets. Their dual regulation under FSCA and SCA gives Naqdi credibility and, in turn, creates an option for traders in that geographical area.
Recent Developments
In 2024, we are seeing significant regulatory growth and new product launches for Naqdi. Naqdi received the CAT-5 SCA license in the UAE, which allows the broker to offer broader trading services to both retail and institutional traders in the Middle East.
On the product front, Naqdi has expanded its CopyTrader™ social trading offering and added more commodities and indices to trade. There are improvements that will be rolled out, including enhancements to the MT5 platform itself, the addition of more tools, and updates to the mobile app with better UX and security.
These developments demonstrate Naqdi's increasing commitment to continued growth and innovation while maintaining focus on attracting more retail and institutional traders in Africa and the Middle East.
Conclusion
Overall, Naqdi is establishing itself as a regulated, technologically advanced Forex broker, with various trading instruments and accounts suited for different trader needs. The firm's dual regulatory status adds an extra level of trust for the broker. In addition, the competitive trading conditions and products such as CopyTrader™ make the broker even more appealing.
Although they face challenges (limited transparency and user complaints about withdrawals), Naqdi is making significant improvements, with a dedicated regional focus, as a contender for both retail and institutional traders seeking Middle Eastern and African trading opportunities. Provided the firm's regulatory foundation, a trader might also trust the broker with flexible leverage and multi-asset trading on a regulated trading instrument. Ultimately, Naqdi may be worth considering for traders with the above reasoning when choosing a broker.
Regulatory Licenses
Compliance & oversight
FSCATier 2Regulated
SCATier 2Regulated
Account Types
Trading account options
StandardStandardLeverage 1:500 • Commission Zero commission trading
ECNECNLeverage 1:500 • Commission Zero commission trading
EliteVIPLeverage 1:500 • Commission $2.5 per standard lot per side
Funding Methods
Deposit & withdrawal options
Credit/Debit Cards (Visa, Mastercard)Instant
Bank Transfer (Local & International)Free Deposit
E-Wallets (Skrill, Neteller, Fasapay, etc.)Instant
Cryptocurrency (Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc.)Instant
Trading Platforms
Professional trading tools
Live Spreads & Trading Costs
Compare real-time spreads on major currency pairs
Spreads are the core trading cost with naqdi: the difference between the bid and ask price you pay on every trade. Tight, stable spreads on major pairs like EUR/USD, GBP/USD and USD/JPY mean lower costs for scalpers, day traders and long-term investors alike.
- Live spread table for six major currency pairs, refreshed every few seconds
- Excellent / competitive / high ratings so you can benchmark naqdi at a glance
- Bid, ask and pip-change data to estimate your real cost per trade
Spread data is indicative and for comparison purposes only
Social Presence
Digital community engagement


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