Pepperstone is an online forex and CFD broker founded in 2010, offering access to global markets via platforms like MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 and cTrader. They’re headquartered in Melbourne, Australia, and have offices in London and Dubai. According to independent reviews, Pepperstone is “one of the most popular brokers” thanks to low spreads and fast trade execution.

Spread levels, commissions, and hidden costs

According to review sites:

• Spreads start fairly low (“from one pip” for Standard) and the Razor account provides even tighter pricing.
• While Pepperstone is transparent about costs, some users have raised issues around withdrawal fees or deposit/withdrawal delays.
• Always check for any overnight swap rates, inactivity fees, or other hidden charges before trading.

Regulatory licences (FCA, ASIC, CMA Kenya, etc)

One of the key markers of a trustworthy broker is regulation. Pepperstone holds licences from top-tier regulators including:

• Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK.
• Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC) in Australia.
• According to Kenyan-local review sites, Pepperstone also offers services under regulation from the Capital Markets Authority of Kenya (CMA).

These layers of regulation help ensure that Pepperstone is more than just a fly-by-night operation.

Client funds segregation and bank-tier protections

In addition to licences, Pepperstone states that client funds are segregated in Tier-1 banks, meaning your money is kept separate from the firm’s operating capital. This is an important protection in case the broker faces financial trouble.