Share CFD Trading
Frequently Asked Questions
Please select your question
- How do I open a free demo account?
- How do I open a Live account?
- How does GCI make money without charging a commission?
- Is GCI Financial Ltd licensed as a broker?
- How do I know my funds are safe once I make a deposit with GCI?
- What does GCI offer that other online brokers do not?
- How do I withdraw funds from my account?
- How do I add funds from my account?
- What if I have questions, trade disputes, or complaints?
- How can I find out more about how to trade and the meaning of certain terms?
- What are the account opening minimums?
- What are the margin requirements?
- What products can be traded on GCI's CFD trading platform?
- What are the commissions charged by GCI?
- What is a "CFD"?
- What are the trading hours for each product?
- How do trailing-stops work on the ICTS- and MetaTrader 4 Software?
What products can be traded on GCI's CFD trading platform?
Stock market indices, individual stocks, currencies, and all major commodities like crude oil. A complete list is located on the Specifications page.
Stock market indices, individual stocks, currencies, and all major commodities like crude oil. A complete list is located on the Specifications page.
What are the commissions and fees charged by GCI?
All trading with GCI is commission free (zero commissions). There can be a small cost of carry for holding positions overnight, as described on our interest page.
All trading with GCI is commission free (zero commissions). There can be a small cost of carry for holding positions overnight, as described on our interest page.
What is a "CFD"?
A "Contract for Difference". It is an efficient means to enjoy the economic results of trading in shares and indices, without actually buying or selling on the exchange. This often translates into lower transaction costs and greater efficiency. Further information is located on the CFD Trading page.
A "Contract for Difference". It is an efficient means to enjoy the economic results of trading in shares and indices, without actually buying or selling on the exchange. This often translates into lower transaction costs and greater efficiency. Further information is located on the CFD Trading page.
What are the trading hours for each product?
Currencies, Bonds, S&P500, and many others are traded 24 hours a day. For details on all products, please see our Specifications page.
Currencies, Bonds, S&P500, and many others are traded 24 hours a day. For details on all products, please see our Specifications page.
How do I open a free demo account?
Click here and follow the instructions. Demo accounts are good for at least 30 days.
Click here and follow the instructions. Demo accounts are good for at least 30 days.
How does GCI make money without charging a commission?
The same way that banks have made money dealing in foreign exchange for decades without commissions - GCI is a primary market maker and seeks to capture a portion of the bid/ask spread (the difference between the buy and sell price). The same costs of trading apply to traditional futures trading, but there are more parties involved: the futures exchange and floor brokers profit from the bid/ask spread, while the FCM keeps the commission and shares it with any Introducing brokers. GCI does not use an exchange and therefore does not need the extra fees to be profitable.
The same way that banks have made money dealing in foreign exchange for decades without commissions - GCI is a primary market maker and seeks to capture a portion of the bid/ask spread (the difference between the buy and sell price). The same costs of trading apply to traditional futures trading, but there are more parties involved: the futures exchange and floor brokers profit from the bid/ask spread, while the FCM keeps the commission and shares it with any Introducing brokers. GCI does not use an exchange and therefore does not need the extra fees to be profitable.
Is GCI Financial Ltd licensed as a broker?
Yes. GCI Financial Ltd is regulated by the International Financial Services Commission (IFSC) for trading in financial and commodity-based derivatives and other securities, including foreign exchange. The IFSC's strict requirements include capital adequacy, reporting and record keeping, and proper disclosure and conduct with clients..
Yes. GCI Financial Ltd is regulated by the International Financial Services Commission (IFSC) for trading in financial and commodity-based derivatives and other securities, including foreign exchange. The IFSC's strict requirements include capital adequacy, reporting and record keeping, and proper disclosure and conduct with clients..
How do I know my funds are safe once I make a deposit with GCI?
GCI Financial Ltd maintains a rigorous policy of holding client funds in separate bank accounts from firm operating capital. These funds are never commingled and GCI ensures that client liabilities are fully funded. In addition, GCI Financial Ltd boasts a balance sheet with net capital in excess of most minimum regulatory requirements. Please see funds for more details.
GCI Financial Ltd maintains a rigorous policy of holding client funds in separate bank accounts from firm operating capital. These funds are never commingled and GCI ensures that client liabilities are fully funded. In addition, GCI Financial Ltd boasts a balance sheet with net capital in excess of most minimum regulatory requirements. Please see funds for more details.
What does GCI offer that other online brokers do not?
We believe that low cost of trading, safety of funds, excellence of trading software, mobile trading access, quality of execution, and breadth of product offerings are the primary features that set us apart from our peers. GCI has the widest range of products (currencies as well as S&P500, Dow Jones, Shares, and Commodities) offered at zero commissions, and with lower margin requirements than the exchanges or other brokers. In addition, client confidentiality and a tax-free jurisdiction are unique GCI benefits. Please see The GCI Advantage for more details.
We believe that low cost of trading, safety of funds, excellence of trading software, mobile trading access, quality of execution, and breadth of product offerings are the primary features that set us apart from our peers. GCI has the widest range of products (currencies as well as S&P500, Dow Jones, Shares, and Commodities) offered at zero commissions, and with lower margin requirements than the exchanges or other brokers. In addition, client confidentiality and a tax-free jurisdiction are unique GCI benefits. Please see The GCI Advantage for more details.
How do I withdraw funds from my account?
Via faxed request, which can be downloaded from our Withdrawal page. Withdrawal requests are processed within two business days of receiving this form, although usually the same day. You can receive funds in any major currency via bank wire transfer.
Via faxed request, which can be downloaded from our Withdrawal page. Withdrawal requests are processed within two business days of receiving this form, although usually the same day. You can receive funds in any major currency via bank wire transfer.
How do I add funds from my account?
Via bank wire transfer, credit card, Moneybookers, or check. Please see our Deposits page for details.
Via bank wire transfer, credit card, Moneybookers, or check. Please see our Deposits page for details.
What if I have questions, trade disputes, or complaints?
GCI prides itself on a very low rate of trade disputes and complaints. Any trade disputes that are market price and time sensitive should immediately be brought to the attention of our dealers via telephone (www.gcitrading.com/contact.htm) or chat (www.gcitrading.com/chat for CFD clients).
GCI prides itself on a very low rate of trade disputes and complaints. Any trade disputes that are market price and time sensitive should immediately be brought to the attention of our dealers via telephone (www.gcitrading.com/contact.htm) or chat (www.gcitrading.com/chat for CFD clients).
How can I get training or background information on the Forex markets?
Please see www.gcitrading.com/training.
Please see www.gcitrading.com/training.
What are the account opening minimums?
USD 2,000 or equivalent for Mini Forex and CFD/Share Trading; USD 5,000 or equivalent for Standard Forex.
USD 2,000 or equivalent for Mini Forex and CFD/Share Trading; USD 5,000 or equivalent for Standard Forex.
What are the margin requirements?
$500 per lot for Standard and Institutional Forex; $50 per lot for Mini Forex and CFD/Share Trading. Please see the specifications page for lot sizes and other details.
$500 per lot for Standard and Institutional Forex; $50 per lot for Mini Forex and CFD/Share Trading. Please see the specifications page for lot sizes and other details.
How do trailing-stops work on the ICTS- and
MetaTrader 4 Software?
ICTS-Software: Trailing stops on ICTS are active and provide instant risk protection as soon as they are placed on the platform. The stop price will be shifted/updated at the predefined distance from current market price as long as the market moves in the direction of the trade. If the market moves against the position, the trailing stop will stay at its level and act as a normal stop-loss.
MetaTrader 4 Software: Trailing stops on MetaTrader 4 are not active at the time they are placed on the platform. Trailing stops get activated once the positions run in profits by the predefined distance set for the trailing stop and start providing protection. The stop will be shifted/updated at the predefined distance from current market price as long as the market moves in the direction of the trade. If the market moves against the position the trailing stop will stay at its level and act as a common stop-loss.
Warning! In order to have protection since the start of a trade the trader has to place a trailing-stop and a stop loss order on MetaTrader 4. Once the trailing stop gets activated the stop loss is not longer necessary and can be removed. Please note also, that trailing stops on MetaTrader 4 are only updated if the trader is logged in. After logging out active trailing stops become common stop loss order.
ICTS-Software: Trailing stops on ICTS are active and provide instant risk protection as soon as they are placed on the platform. The stop price will be shifted/updated at the predefined distance from current market price as long as the market moves in the direction of the trade. If the market moves against the position, the trailing stop will stay at its level and act as a normal stop-loss.
MetaTrader 4 Software: Trailing stops on MetaTrader 4 are not active at the time they are placed on the platform. Trailing stops get activated once the positions run in profits by the predefined distance set for the trailing stop and start providing protection. The stop will be shifted/updated at the predefined distance from current market price as long as the market moves in the direction of the trade. If the market moves against the position the trailing stop will stay at its level and act as a common stop-loss.
Warning! In order to have protection since the start of a trade the trader has to place a trailing-stop and a stop loss order on MetaTrader 4. Once the trailing stop gets activated the stop loss is not longer necessary and can be removed. Please note also, that trailing stops on MetaTrader 4 are only updated if the trader is logged in. After logging out active trailing stops become common stop loss order.
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