How to Trade Gold, Best Gold (XAUUSD) Brokers

Gold has been a symbol of wealth and a store of value for thousands of years. It’s often referred to as the “yellow metal” and as such, the best gold brokers have offered a hedge against inflation, political unrest, and economic instability. This is true even today. For this reason, gold trading for beginners is a sought-after topic.

Gold can be traded in many different ways, as we will show you later in this article. As with all investments, if you trade gold online, you are exposing yourself to certain risks, but it also offers a good opportunity to capitalize on price fluctuations in one of the world's most respected commodities. Selecting the best gold trading platform with which to work is crucial. As you read this article, you will come to know that  XAUUSD represents the price of one troy ounce of gold in terms of the US dollar. We will show you how to trade gold online and tell you about the best XAUUSD brokers around.

Best Gold Brokers in 2024

Top Tips for Choosing the Best Gold Brokers

• The broker must be regulated by a top-tier regulator, this could be a local broker or an international broker
• The broker must have a competitive fee schedule
• The broker must offer a wide array of financial assets to trade
• The broker must have a responsive customer service team
• The broker should have a detailed research and educational offering

Best Gold Brokers in 2024

With so many choices out there, it can be a hard job to choose the right broker. In this case, we've done the work for you. Here is a summary of each broker according to specific criteria, along with their pros and cons

• ICM - Capital 91.10: Best Deposit and Withdrawal Broker

• Tradeview - 90.00: Trusted broker that offers very low trading costs as well as comprehensive financial literacy materials for its clients.

• XTB - 85.55: Best Customer Service Broker

• IG - 85.45: Best Regulations Broker plus Convenient Platform

• Saxo Bank - 80.09: Excellent Private Trading Platform

• CMC Markets - 80.07: More than 9,000 Assets

• ThinkMarkets - 80.05: Aimed at the Audience of Traders

What Are the Different Ways to Invest in Gold?

Gold is a versatile asset. Depending on your needs and your strategy, you can invest in gold in a few different ways:

Gold Bullion:

Gold bullion is the name for physical gold in the form of bars or coins. This traditional way of investing in gold has been around for many centuries and exists even today. When you buy gold bullion, you own a tangible asset that has intrinsic value. This tangible investment cannot default like some electronic investments, and once you hold the physical gold bars or coins, you have its wealth for as long as gold retains its value.

Spot Gold:

The spot gold market deals with the immediate buying or selling of gold at current prices. The "spot" refers to the current market price. Trades are normally settled "on the spot," as opposed to a date in the future. If you were to invest in the spot gold market, you wouldn’t take physical delivery of the metal. Rather, you merely own a claim to the gold.

Gold Futures:

Gold futures are standardized contracts where the buyer agrees to purchase, and the seller agrees to deliver, a specified amount of gold at an agreed-upon price on a set date in the future. You can enter into one of these contracts on a futures exchange. You can trade gold futures on leverage, meaning you could make a lot of money or lose a lot of money.

Gold ETFs (Exchange-Traded Funds):

Gold ETFs are investment funds traded on stock exchanges that aim to track the price of gold. Instead of owning physical gold, you merely own a share of the ETF. These shares represent a portion of the fund's gold holdings. Gold ETFs are known as a more liquid and accessible means of investing in gold. Trading this way is similar to selling shares because you can sell your gold shares just like you would a company’s share.

Gold CFDs (Contract for Difference):

Gold CFDs allow you to speculate on the price movements of gold without actually owning the physical metal. A CFD is a contract between you (the buyer) and a seller where the seller pays you the difference between the current value of gold and its value at contract time. If the difference is negative, then you own the seller. If it’s positive, you get paid.

Gold Options:

Gold options provide investors the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell gold at a predetermined price on or before a specified date. They offer flexibility and can be used for both speculation and hedging purposes. You should know that options trading can be complex. The value of gold options is affected by factors such as the price of gold, time remaining until expiration, and volatility.

Each method of investing or trading in gold has its own pros and cons. Before investing in gold, you should always carefully evaluate your financial goals and risk tolerance.
** Difference between CFDs and Futures:
A futures contract remains valid up until its expiration date. In contrast, Contracts for Difference (CFDs) do not have a set expiration date, allowing traders to maintain an open position for an indefinite period. Additionally, CFDs do not have predetermined prices; instead, they are traded based on fluctuating buy and sell prices.

How to Open a Trading Account to Start Trading Gold?

How Much Do Beginners Need to Start to Trade?

How to Start Learning about Gold Trading

A trading website like en.arincen.com is a great place to start. We have a large list of curated articles that can give you all the information you need on common gold trading terms, like pips, spreads, leverage, and support and resistance. Additionally, once on our website, you will find helpful video courses that cover the basics of gold trading. With this range of knowledge, you will be well on your way to trading success.

Remember also that your broker will normally have developed a detailed education and research repository themselves. That is also a good place to bolster your gold knowledge, with the extra benefit that your broker’s information will be slanted toward their own platform and resources, which makes it doubly useful.

Can You Trade Without Prior Experience?

Differences Between Physical Gold Trading and CFD Gold Trading

Ownership:

Liquidity:

Leverage:

Costs and Fees:

How to Buy a Lot of Gold with Lower Capital?

How to Choose the Best Gold Broker

When considering a broker for trading or investing in gold, it's important to evaluate their features closely. This will give you the best chance of an uninterrupted trading career because once you start trading, you ideally want to stick with your broker and not go back. Here's a checklist of what to pay attention to:

Regulation and Licensing:

Ensure the broker is regulated by a reputable authority. Gold brokers must be regulated by the same regulators that regulate other financial assets, such as FOREX, crypto, and commodities. If you want to read more about one such top-tier broker, the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), check our article here. Other excellent brokers are the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) in the US, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) in Australia. Different jurisdictions have varying levels of oversight and protection.

Be sure to check if your gold broker offers investor protection. Some regulatory bodies offer compensation schemes that protect investors' funds in the event of broker insolvency. For instance, the FCA provides the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) in the UK. Also be sure to ask the broker whether client funds are kept separate from the broker's operational funds. This offers additional protection for traders like you.

Commissions and Fees

Trading fees can be tricky to keep track of, so it's important to compare them with industry standards. Here are some fees of which to be aware:

Spreads: 

There are two main kinds of spread, one is fixed and the other is variable. A first step in gold trading is identifying the spread differential, defined as the difference between the bid (sell) price and the ask (buy) price of gold. Here’s a detailed explainer on spreads.

Commission: 

This is the service charge that brokers require for carrying out transactions on behalf of their clients.

Rollover fees: When you leave a trade open overnight, the broker normally charges a rollover fee for the facility of holding your trade open for that period. This is because they assume the risk of the market changing adversely.

Withdrawal and deposit fees: 

Some platforms might charge fees for depositing or withdrawing funds. Pay attention to this. It's important to know these and any associated limits or conditions.

Subscription or inactivity fees: 

Certain platforms have monthly charges or fees for inactive accounts. Ensure you're aware of these potential costs.

Trading Platform

Evaluate the user-friendliness and reliability of your broker’s trading platform. Be on the lookout for advanced charting tools, technical indicators, and real-time price feeds for gold.

Gold Products Offered:

Look into the variety of gold-related products they offer, such as spot gold, gold futures, gold CFDs, gold ETFs, or gold options.

Order Types:

Ensure the broker offers a variety of order types, such as market, limit, stop, and trailing stop orders, which can help your risk-management efforts.

Liquidity:

Brokers connected to liquid markets will provide more efficient trade execution, reducing the risk of slippage, which is when a deal goes through at a different price than when you placed the trade. This happens in low-liquidity environments.

Education and Research:

A quality broker often provides educational resources, such as webinars, articles and tutorials, to help traders make informed decisions.

Reputation:

Look for online reviews and feedback from other traders or independent websites. This is where you will often get the scoop on whether the broker engages in such fair trade practices as efficient trade execution and no manipulation of market prices.

Demo Account:

A broker offering a demo or practice account allows you to test its platform and your strategies with virtual money before committing real funds.

Leverage

Different regulators have different guiding policies in leverage. Key regulators have implemented specific rules to limit the leverage offered to retail traders as a means of consumer protection.

Here are the leverage rules for gold CFDs according to some key regulators:

European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA)

ESMA caps the leverage for gold CFDs at 20:1. This means that traders need to have a minimum of 5% margin of the total trade value.

CFTC

In the United States, CFD trading isn't permitted for retail traders. However, for related products like gold futures, there are specific margin requirements set by exchanges and overseen by the CFTC.

ASIC

ASIC has recently implemented rules capping the leverage for gold CFDs for retail traders at 20:1, aligning with ESMA's restrictions.

FCA

The FCA has adopted rules similar to ESMA, capping leverage for gold CFDs at 20:1 for retail traders.

As we can see, responsible regulators closely monitor leverage levels. Leverage is a double-edged sword because you can make a lot of money, but you can just as easily become financially ruined!

Similarly with stopouts, many major regulators offer negative balance protection. This is important as your open positions are automatically closed by the broker due to insufficient margin in the account. This mechanism protects you from accruing negative balances and owing money to the broker.

Stop Outs

In the world of trading, "stop out" is a term with which you should be familiar. It's the point where your broker automatically closes some or all of your active positions to prevent your account from diving into negative territory. The stop-out level is usually defined as a percentage, representing the margin level at which your broker starts shutting down your open trades.

Let's break down the percentages:

Stop out of 0%: 

Your broker won't close any of your positions, even if your margin level reaches rock bottom. This is because some brokers allow you to end up in the red, which means you might owe them money if your trades keep losing.

Stop out of 50%: 

Once your equity dwindles to half of your used margin, the stop-out alarm goes off. Your broker steps in and starts closing your trades, beginning with those least profitable. This continues until your margin level bounces back above the stop-out level.

Stop out of 100%: 

When your margin level hits 100%, your broker takes the drastic step of automatically closing all your open positions. In some setups where the broker separates margin-call and stop-out levels, the margin call happens at 100% and the stop-out at 50%. If your margin level plunges to 50%, your trading platform springs into action with a stop-out, closing your trade at the market price.

Keep in mind that the specific percentage and the order in which positions get closed can vary from broker to broker. So, it's crucial for traders to know their broker's stop-out policy. It's worth noting that while stop-out measures are designed to shield traders from going into the red, they can also result in substantial losses, especially in volatile markets where positions are swiftly closed automatically, especially if the market suddenly reverses post-stop out. That's why you should always employ protective strategies like setting stop-loss orders and avoiding excessive leverage.

Tradable Assets and Instruments

Retail trading offers a diverse range of financial instruments, each with its own set of opportunities and challenges. We understand you are interested in gold trading, but here are some other common tradable assets and instruments:

FOREX

With the largest trading volume globally, the FOREX market allows traders to speculate on the future movements of currency prices, trading pairs like EUR/USD, GBP/JPY, and many more.

Commodities

Whether it's precious metals like gold and silver, or energy commodities like oil and natural gas, commodities trading offers a chance to profit from the tangible assets that drive global economies.

Equities or Stocks

These represent ownership in a company and constitute one of the most popular avenues for retail traders, given their potential for substantial returns and the thrill of being a part of the corporate world.

Indices

These are baskets of stocks representing a particular market or sector, like the S&P 500 or the Nasdaq, giving traders exposure to broader market movements.

Cryptocurrencies

Digital coins like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and countless altcoins offer both high rewards and volatility.

Customer Service

• Quick resolution of issues
• Educational support
• Assistance with queries during volatile markets
• Account security
• Customized advice (although not all customer service desks offer this)
• Technical assistance
• Regulatory compliance queries

Withdrawals and Deposits 

What Can Affect the Gold Price?

The price of gold is influenced by many factors. Here are some of the primary elements that can affect the price of gold:

Supply and Demand: 

Like any other commodity, the fundamental economic principle of supply and demand affects the price of gold. Parties that could drive demand include 

• Central banks

• The jewelry trade

• Industrial demand (gold is used in many electronics)

• Production costs - if mining is expensive, the price goes up

• Inflation and deflation - when inflation is high, the value of currency diminishes, but gold tends to retain its value

Geopolitical Events: 

Wars, political unrest, and other geopolitical events can lead to increased gold demand as a "safe haven" asset. When the world feels uncertain, gold is often a refuge for investors.

Strength of the US Dollar: 

Gold is often priced in U.S. dollars. A strong dollar can make gold more expensive for foreign buyers, potentially decreasing demand and thus reducing its price. The strong US dollar at the beginning of 2023 pushed gold prices upward.

Global Crisis: During financial crises, many investors flock to gold as a safe asset, driving its price upward.

Natural Disasters or Pandemics: Events that disrupt global economies, like natural disasters or pandemics, can indirectly affect gold prices through shifts in risk sentiment or disruptions in mining activities.

Gold Production: Discoveries of new gold deposits or advancements in extraction technology can influence supply and, consequently, gold prices.

What Is the Relationship Between Gold and Major Currencies?

Gold and the USD:

Gold and the AUD:

Gold and the NZD:

The Risks of Trading Gold

Price Volatility: 

Liquidity Risk: 

Leverage Risk:

Currency Risk: 

What to Avoid when Choosing a Gold Trading Broker?

Choosing a gold trading broker is a crucial decision for traders and investors. Making an informed choice is essential to ensure a safe and efficient trading experience. Here are some things to avoid when selecting a gold trading broker:

• Lack of regulation

• Hidden fees

• Poor customer support

• Limited trading platforms

• Unfavorable reviews and feedback

• High spreads

• Slow execution speeds

• Limited research and educational tools

• Lack of cybersecurity measures

• Restrictions on trading strategies

• Unfavorable withdrawal conditions

• Lack of transparency

A word on proprietary platforms. While some proprietary trading platforms are excellent, being restricted to only one (especially if it's not well-reviewed) can be limiting. Many traders prefer brokers that offer popular platforms, like MetaTrader 4 or 5.

The key is to do thorough research. Check reviews, compare fee structures, and even test the broker's platform with a demo account before committing real funds.

Tips to Get Started Trading With a Gold Broker

Trading gold can be both exciting and rewarding, but you must approach it with knowledge and caution. Here are some tips to help you get started with a gold broker:

• Educate yourself on gold and its intricacies

• Choose a reputable broker that is regulated by a top regulator

• Check reviews and feedback from other traders to understand the broker’s reputation

• Understand all the costs

• Have a defined trading plan

• Start small as you gain experience

• Use risk management tools, like setting stop-loss and take-profit

• Avoid using excessive leverage

• Diversify and don't put all your capital into gold trading

• Avoid emotional trading and don't let fear or greed drive your trading decisions

• Be wary of any "hot tips" or "insider information," anything sounding too good to be true probably is

Remember, while trading gold can offer lucrative opportunities, it also comes with significant risks. Approach it with diligence, preparedness and a commitment to continuous learning.

Which Gold Broker Has the Best Platform?

Many gold traders around the world have become used to MetaTrader’s strong and dependable MT4 platform, which is well-liked with good cause. To learn more about this important platform, visit our explainer article. However, if you are interested in trying something new that pushes the boundaries of what we accept as possible with a trading platform, you may consider a proprietary platform. In this case, we would encourage you to try Saxo Bank for its advanced trading features and high-performance tools with extensive market analysis.

Which Gold Broker Charges the Lowest Fees?

Our research shows that ICM’s ECN account offers the lowest fees for entry-level and elite traders alike.

Which is the Best Gold Broker for the Most CFDs?

Which Gold Broker Offers the Most Assets?

Which is the Best Gold Broker for Professionals?

How to Avoid Gold CFD Brokers Scams

• Fake platforms where scammers set up sophisticated-looking trading platforms
• Brokers offering extreme leverage as high as 2000:1 as bait for unsuspecting retail traders
• Some unscrupulous brokers might manipulate gold prices on their platform and list fake prices
• “Expert” account managers who make bad trades intentionally, causing the trader to lose money
• Hidden fees and charges
• Withdrawal issues when trying to take profits
• False advertising using fake testimonials that show luxurious lifestyles and promise guaranteed returns
• Promoting a platform as regulated when it isn't

Who Is Arincen and What Do We Do?

Ask Other Traders on Our Network

Arincen has gone to extensive lengths to create an enabling environment of networks, where traders of all backgrounds can take part in a vibrant trading space. After all, Arincen’s goal is to simplify the world of trading. Our website provides an unrivalled slate of tools, like our market-leading signals, rolling news, and a thriving community where traders of all levels of experience can learn and profit from each other.

The Bottom Line

Arincen’s Review Methodology

The team at Arincen collected more than 120 pieces of data covering in excess of 100 licensed gold brokers. Data collection was done in three ways:

1. Companies’ websites.

2. Other websites that have ranked gold companies.

3. A survey questionnaire (referred to here as Survey “1”) was sent to the companies invited to participate in the exercise. We have identified 13 criteria for our assessment, each containing several aspects and carrying its own relative weight. These include licensing, deposits and withdrawals, number of assets, etc.      

Afterward, we validated the data by:

1. Registering with gold companies as a secret shopper and/or as Arincen.

2. Survey number “2,” in which we asked these companies’ customers for important feedback and past experience.

The next step saw us evaluate and rank each company, relying on the hard work of 15 Arincen employees. We were cautious in ensuring the most accurate assessment possible, including taking into account different languages, as well as the various mobile-app operating systems, e.g., Apple, Samsung, etc.

To add credibility to our research project, we sent a third and final survey (referred to here as Survey “3”) to enable participating gold companies to evaluate our own research and whether it accurately reflects the realities on the ground. We were fortunate enough to receive a mark of 9.9 out of 10! We have kept to a minimum the margin of error, which stood at a measly 1%. To learn more about how we came up with the evaluation, please click here.